April 21st and 22nd Trip Report

[katsdada]

Hi!

I am from Cleveland, Ohio and I bought MAXX Passes w/ an Ohio Parking pass option just so I could visit Kings Island. I have never been to KI before, so I was really looking forward to the park.

Okay, got to the park about 10:15, saw the huge line to get into parking. I thought about trying the South lot, but I didn't. So after about 20-30 minutes if waiting, we get into the park and park under Face/Off row 44.

Walked to the entrance, got past the Metal Detectors, and proceeded to the gate. We were not sure where to enter with our Maxx Passes, so we asked at one of the lines. They pointed us to the Guest Services window. We walked up and got right in (which sure beat standing in line!)

Just to set this up, I have two children ages 7 & 9 and me and wife for this trip. So first thing I say we are going to do is go up the mini Eiffel Tower so that we can see the park. It is a pretty nice view, and you can see the whole park so it helps in planning what to do.

First off, we head over the the Nickolodeon Kids section to ride the Runaway Reptar. Pretty cool ride! Next it's off the the Airbender Ride, because none of us had been on a similar ride. That is one of the coolest Flats I have ever been on! I am hoping when/if Geauga lake ever adds some new flats that this one is on the short list.

The Kids section is insanely packed, so we try to get out of there. My son wants to ride The Beast so we head to The Beast, only to find out that it is closed. We ride Shake, Rattle and Roll (Another Cool flat ride BTW), and head over the Italian Job Stunt Ride.

This was easily the longest line of the day, we probably waited about 45 minutes before getting on the ride. The ride was pretty unexciting, but the theming is excellent, so it was certainly worth the wait.

After that, we rode on Vortex, which is an awesome ride, very smooth. Then we took a break for lunch. We rode White Water Canyon after lunch. I was kinda surprised at how dry I was when I got off the ride. Next we headed to The Racer, which was not racing pretty much all day. When we were in the station waiting for the Backwards coaster, the forwards coaster got stuck on the lift hill. They were stuck for quite a while on that hill.

Rode the Monster after that, got a good look at the people still stuck on the lift hill. After that went over and tried the Adventure Express. That was a fun ride, I love the theming on that ride it was pretty nice. We decided to head over to our hotel after that, because we knew we would be back the next day.

Day two, began with a much shorter wait for parking, as we got inside the park around 9:55. Headed right back to The Beast, because we wanted to make sure to ride that first. After that hitched a ride on The Vortex again, because my son loves that coaster now!

Jumped on Shake Rattle and roll again, Wanted to catch Italian Job again, but it was closed at that time. Hopped on the Dodge Em's twice, I liked the size of the Dodge Em's, but the cars seemed incredibly slow. Rode the scrambler and the monster(again.)

Walked over to The Racer again, Rode backwards two more times, and once forward. After that I wanted to ride the Drop Zone, so I headed over there. The Drop Zone was a pretty sweet ride, I liked the view of the park, and the drop was very short, but pretty intense.

Rode Top Gun after that, was kinda disappointed in the ride. The Iron Dragon has to be twice as long of a coaster, if not more. After TG rode on the Congo Falls. I was a little surprised at how little wet I was after I got off the ride. I had to stand on the bridge after my ride to ensure maximum soakage!

Rode on the Viking Fury after that, then went back to the Adventure Express for one more round of the Natives pounding their drums.

That was it. I stopped in the gift shop after that and brought a few souveniers than headed back north towards home.

Just have a couple of observations about the park. I have been to both Geauga Lake and Cedar Point numerous times, and I have never seen more food stands and shoppes in my life! Not that this is a bad thing, but i swear there was some sort of Food Cart or shop at each turn in the park.

The ride ops were very polite, and I felt they did an excellent job of running the rides. The only thing was that The Racer rarely ever raced. It was weird, because it seems like they would try harder to race the coasters, since it is a racing ride.

The theming of the rides and the park is awesome, much better than Cedar Point. I really enjoyed The Italian Job, and it was not because the ride it all that great, but because of the theming. Also the Nickolodeon kids section is really awesome, easily the best collection of kiddie/family rides I have ever seen

Now the only real negative i have is that the park layout is knda confusing, and the rides aren't situated in the best spots. For instance I saw the Viking Fury ride, but in order the get to the entrance, I had to walk all the way around Bubba Gump's to get there. Also I think I walked about a mile for the White Water Canyon ride. It was kinda cool because I felt like I was really going into the Wilderness, but I mean I'd rather my imagination do more work than my feet!!!

Other than that I had a blast, and for anyone who thinks Cedar Point is the hands down best park in the CF chain, I think KI has a good argument for being the best park in the chain.

Oh well, if you made it through, thanks for reading!!

[Shman]

Other than that I had a blast, and for anyone who thinks Cedar Point is the hands down best park in the CF chain, I think KI has a good argument for being the best park in the chain.

WOW....that is a bold and awesome statement. Many people have said they wondered what would happen to KI since the buyout with CF, being that KI used to be at the top of the chain. It is great to see someone (especially after only their first visit) say that they think KI could be the best in this new chain.

[kjkjkj]

next time you go make sure you get on FoF very fun ride! I don't remember the last time I have been on The Racers, while they were racing.

[Reclaimer]

That's also what I thought, Shman.

katsdada, it's great you had a good time and liked the park! I always love reading peoples' reports on their first trip to the park and what they think. It thrills me you enjoy the park so much. It is an amazing park that, with some Cedar Fair love, can turn into something even more amazing.

[katsdada]

I would have loved to Ride FOF and TRTR, but my son is just over 48 inches tall, and we were really trying to ride everything together this trip out. I am sure I'll make it back to KI to try all the awesome stuff.

As far as the CP comparisons, I dunno, something about the atmoephere at KI. It actually reminded me alot of Conneaut Lake Park, but much bigger and better. I think the attitude of the park is just a little different. CP is the biggest and badest Thrill Park on the planet, and you kinda get that vibe from the park. KI just had a more laid back old time park feel to it, I kinda like it!

And the people that work there, as well as the patrons are just much more personable, IMO. I don't know if thats because it's basically southern ohio. Even my wife mentioned that the atmosphere is a little different down there then up here by me in the North.....