9-24-06

[CoastersNSich]

I arrived at the park this morning shortly after 9:50. The Gold Pass parking lot still had an attendant, but this time, they put her in the median, rather than far off to the left, next to the EXIT lane. THAT I never understood. I had missed the ACE Walkback to The Beast, but no big deal since there weren't too many people in the park around then. Instead, I decided to hang around International Street for a few minutes until the playing of the National Anthem:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, our National Anthem."

A vocal/choral version of the song plays, IMO better than that old taped instrumental version that is heard ad nauseum.

"Kings Island is now officially open. Enjoy the rest of your day."

The rope drops, and people run down to Coney, Rivertown, and Nick. They now have the rope further down the Street, at the base of the Eiffel Tower. I decide to head to The Beast and through Rivertown via Nick Universe. I take a look at the Wings Diner, which is now a buffet. There were signs on the windows saying that it was closed, but there was a chance that those signs left over from yesterday's buyout from Toytota, since I saw people working inside, just after 10:00 am. There are "Enter here" and "Exit Only" signs on the doors. I peeked in, it looks like they have the cash register set up right at the door, and the food is set up in the same area it was when it was the pay-as-you-go Wings Diner. I'm assuming drinks are included, but do they have you get the refills yourself, or do they actually have wait staff now to do this, like at Cedar Point's Midway Market? Prices are $12.99 for adults and $7.99 for chidren.

Walkback or not, my first ride of the day was The Beast. It was a walk-on, and got to ride twice, with a certain "89" guy working the platform. Fun as usual, but the ride got a little scary at times, with some bees hovering around the train. The Italian Job Stunt Coaster (or whatever it's called here) had a minimal wait, as they had only the brief short queue open, and rode in row 4. Getting off, I notice that the souvenir trailer is gone, though the On-Ride Photo trailer is still in use. After that, I walk by the 3-Point Challenge, and I notice that the permanent speakers and lighting have finally been installed. However, the scoreboard hasn't been installed yet, and the ground has been painted with the Sprite logo and color scheme. Is this a sign that Coke products will be back at KI next year?

I follow those up with Vortex in 7-1, Flight of Fear in 1-2, and Racer, with a ride on each side - nothing different than normal - walk-ons and/or one-train waits, like I like.

Adventure Express, oddly enough, was a whole different story. I notice people getting out of the line, and others confused whether the entrance was really an exit. I go up the exit, to check out the situation - people still in line, in the station, trains--- er, train, singular, still being dispatched. One train, what the hell? This is out of the ordinary, as AE usually ran ALL THREE trains this season. But I do decide to get in line, and go for it anyway, iPod handy. Before boarding, I ask the ride operator why there's only one train, and he says it's because one of them is out of order. Train #2 was in use, while #3 was on the storage track next to the final tunnel. Hopefully this isn't the norm for the rest of 2006.

Before doing Top Gun and walking through Action Zone, I decide to check out Festhaus, which is now showing College and NFL games on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Looking at some of the signs, it seems the tackiness that the Festhaus had, before Winterfest '05, is back. I'm sorry, but some of the signs they use and such just look cheap, like it's some bar. I'm all for being able to watch football games on TV when I'm at the park, but make it less of an eyesore next time around. Helvetica>Arial And the place seemed biased to OSU and the Bengals, though at least they had the Colts and Browns schedules up as well.

After doing the Top Gun, and walking through a couple shops, I head up the Eiffel Tower. I notice that the Coney Mall sign is now "CONEY MAUL" and there is a FearFest Metro Bus parked in front of the main gate. I've heard about the Hearse, but I think the Bus is cool as well. Before leaving the park around 12:30, I go into the "Thrills Are Paramount" shop, more of the non-Paramount merchandise is showing up, as well as some FearFest gear. Next door at "Convenience Corner," there' some Bengals Stuff. One shirt they have says "got jungle?" and "I'm here with Three Johnsons and Thousands of my Friends." At least they didn't have the "Three Johnsons and a Big Willie," the park has no business selling shirts with double entendre dick jokes. Personally, I think they should sell some Colts stuff too.

Walking towards the car, I get some close up pictures of the Fearfest Metro Bus. But before going home, I stop at the bigg's on Mason-Montgomery for a few things - the store is getting a makeover, based on the success and the variety of Hyde Park Plaza location. Then I make it home to watch the exciting Bengals-Steelers game, and to listen to the Colts game on the radio.

[TOPGUN1993]

Nice TR I was also at PKI today. (the IJST gift shop thing is now over by Zepher next to Racer.

[CoastersNSich]

Nice TR I was also at PKI today. (the IJST gift shop thing is now over by Zepher next to Racer.

D'oh!* One thing I left out.

*Simpsons Tonight: http://snpp.com/upcoming.shtml

[TOPGUN1993]

Ha Ha I noticed the AE thing to I was walking past it just after I just rode racer 5 times with out getting off. I was like since when does AE have the longest line in the park ( The line was all the way down to the the entrance sign).

[ZosoBeast]

I was at the park as well today. I watched the last quarter of the Bengals game at the Festhaus and had a blast doing so. I think the sports bar "tackiness" actually works very well in this case. The place was totally packed and with all the cheers and boos, it felt like you were actually at the game. I would like them to get a big screen with a clearer picture on it.

When the Bengals finally won, the crowd went nuts. High fives all around and a Who-Dey chant started nice and strong. An unreal moment for me at that park.

As stated above, the IJ trailer is now sitting next to Zepher and it will sell Fearfest stuff. (I took a little peek inside)

Looking forward to Media day this coming Thursday!

Bill

[Dane]

I was at the park also. Rode The Beast, and Italian Job. Than I left.

I know, best trip report ever.

[TOPGUN1993]

What time you go?

[Dane]

I went at 7:30 after watching Jackass Number 2.

[The Interpreter]

I went at 7:30 after watching Jackass Number 2.

Hey...wait a minute...I wasn't even AT the park!

[CoastersNSich]

Ha Ha I noticed the AE thing to I was walking past it just after I just rode racer 5 times with out getting off. I was like since when does AE have the longest line in the park ( The line was all the way down to the the entrance sign).

When I got to the station, they opened up the extra station queues. Even with those being used, I'm still sure the entire queue would have been filling out onto the midways. This happened at Delirium and Face/Off as well, at around noon, though their extra queues were either empty or a fraction used. Hopefully they go back to at least two trains next weekend and for the rest of the season - ESPECIALLY the rumored November weekend, if it is indeed added.

[BoddaH1994]

I was at the park also. Rode The Beast, and Italian Job. Than I left.

I know, best trip report ever.

Actually, to fill in the gaps, Dane was kind enough to shoot some photos for me at the Cincinnati Jr. Cyclones since I was too busy at the game to do so THEN he ate at Mcdonalds THEN he saw Jackass 2 THEN he went to the park. Oh, we wrote a song too...