9/30 Visit

[italianchef]

Today I went tto PKI with one of my friends and was very happy that the crowds were light. We got there at 10 a.m. and rode FoF first. Since there was no line, we got back on a second time. Next came Zephry for a good spin. After that we rode Vortex twice - and I realized how much I love Vortex's loops for the first time. Then we rode the clown film at the FX Theater. We rode The Beast afterward and then had lunch at the Festhaus. After eating we rode SDATHC - the first and only time we really had to wait on line all day. Next came The Racer, Adventure Express, Viking, and finally a ride up to the Eiffel Tower. Since my friend needed had an obligation, we called it a day around 1:40 p.m. Hey - what a day - 12 rides and lunch in such a short time.

Have a great weekend!

Italian Chef

[PKIbabe89]

you didn't stay for fear fest?

[italianchef]

I didn't need to stay for FearFest. I experienced all the attractions on Thursday night during the dry run. I will return some evening to experience some of them again if I find anybody to carpool with. As much as I love PKI, I don't want to go alone.

[CoastersNSich]

I didn't need to stay for FearFest. I experienced all the attractions on Thursday night during the dry run. I will return some evening to experience some of them again if I find anybody to carpool with. As much as I love PKI, I don't want to go alone.

I don't mind going to KI by myself most of the time, but the Fearfest attractions I'd rather not do alone. Maybe we could get together, pick me up in Springdale?

[CoastersNSich]

My brief 9/30 visit:

I went up for a couple hours, after seeing the UC/MU football game. The parking lot didn't look too bad, but keep in mind that there is no water park to take away from the crowd. I notice the two landscaping islands that flank the metal detectors before the front gate. To the right are two Phantom Theater cars that weren't kept as part of the Scooby-Doo makeover, with some skeletons seated within. On the left side are two front cars from King Cobra, skeletons standing up as directed to do so!

It wasn't quite dark yet, still lots of younger children and familes began departing the park at around 6:30 pm, since many of the children's attractions were closing down. With daylight remaining, I got some good day photos of the retired ride tombstones on International Street, plus of some other things, like the Scrooge house, which was having some "overgrowth" around it.

It was still before 7pm, and Cowboy Carnage had a good full queue plus more for it. It was exciting, and if they heard reviews before coming, they'll be in for a treat! I also checked out the Wings Diner Buffet (I didn't eat) but it looked to be a little busy - a buffet at KI is a long overdue thing, IMO.

I went into The Beast queue, but it looked a little long for the little time I would allot myself, so I passed on it. Next, I got in line for Vortex, it didn't look too long, but it was moving slower than normal because of 2-train operation. If there's going to be good crowds for the next few weekends, they may want to consider going back to three train ops.

Compared to last Sunday, Adventure Express is back to two trains. I did this before too late, because it's not scheduled to be operating late into the night for FearFest. That I don't like, because it's a really great ride at night! This was followed by the obligatory forward and backward run on The Racer. While riding the Forward, I noticed Elvira didn't have too long a line, but the Asylum had a very big and long line going on...

I checked out the Bengal-Buckhaus... I mean Festhaus, just before the OSU-Iowa game. Outside, I noticed on the sign that they were showing the UC-Miami game- uh, HOW?! It wasn't televised to anyone else! Also, if you're looking to catch the Colts-Jets game tomorrow, find someplace outside the park - they're planning to show Baltimore vs. San Diego instead at 1pm. Of course, the Bengals-Patriots game will be on at 4 pm. "God Bless Tom... Brady."

Befrore leaving, I was a bit surprised that the Monster Bash show at the Paramount Music Hall (as I call it) wasn't on for today. When I left the front gate, I noticed Greg Scheid (KI's new VP/GM, wearing a HalloWeekends shirt), and saw the freaky characters attacking and confronting park guests, just entering the area, just as I was exiting the gates.

[CoastersRZ]

Adventure Express has been down to two train operation for several weeks now. And yes, The Vortex line did move a little slow tonight with only two trains running. They have not yet removed the third train from the tracks like they have done on Adventure Express. Instead, the third train is sitting in the storage shed, on the track closest to the station.

As far as rides closing down early for the nightly portion of FearFest. The FearFest maps say that only ten rides will remain open. However, when I left tonight around 11:30, the Monster, Dodgems, Zephyr, Adventure Express, Shake Rattle and Roll, Viking Fury and the Carousel were all still operating. In fact, the only ride that I did not see operating was Congo Falls. (Obviousely, all the attractions in Nick Universe were closed as was Scooby Doo & the Haunted Castle and the Eiffel Tower.)

I only did one haunt tonight, and it was Cowboy Carnage. Most of the haunts had long lines. But when we passed by at ten thirty, it had a short wait, so we hopped in line. We only had to wait about ten minutes for it.

I was kind of surprised that the Monster Bash show was not premiering tonight as well. Maybe next Saturday?

[PkiJake13]

Not all the rides are open at night during Fear Fest this year? I know that all aren't open usually on Friday nights.

-Jake

[CoastersRZ]

Well, according to the park map, not all the rides are supposed to be open after seven. But like I said in my earlier post, most of the rides outside of Nick U. were still operating well into the night. And The Scrambler and White Water Canyon are both closed for the remainder of the operating season.