5/26 Firehawk

[welchce]

Let's start at the very beginning, that's a very good place to start...

My day started with waiting in line to park. At first I thought I showed up too late (a little before nine) but it turned out that the cars that were in line in front of me were basically the only cars to enter before me. The metal detectors were opened around 9:10 and the gates around 9:15. I then waited at the rope to Action Zone since I was betting that was the shortest run to Firehawk. Once the race began, I started to break away from the pack with some others. Unfortunately, as I made the turn to go to X Base there was a group of people walking out saying neither Firehawk nor Flight of Fear were open.

Being the dedicated (or insane) person I am, I decided to wait in line for Firehawk since that was basically the only reason I was there today. It was said to open sometime after noon. However as I took my spot at about fifth in line, FoF open so I had to be the first on that today (since I had yet to ride it this year) and then wait for Firehawk when I got off. Yet when I got off of FoF about two hundred people thought they'd spend their day waiting for Firehawk as well. Realizing that not many people were in the rest of the park, I made my way over to The Beast to have a quick ride before making my way back to Firehawk.

That might've been one of the best decisions I made because when I came back I ended up sitting in the shade of the new Firehawk gift shop instead of the hot sun. From about 10:30 to sometime around 2 I waited patiently with others as the technicians were making some sorts of "tweeks" to Firehawk. Several venders with carts walked by with tempting ice drinks and spray fans. The weak surrendered their booty for the pleasure of being cool.

When the barriers were removed, a cheer came up from the masses. They started by letting sections of about 30 into the area right in front of the picture booth and line so they could use the lockers (which are an outrageous 75 cents). Slowly but surely they started letting more and more people into the queue until they had all the turnstiles open. The first ten trains ran the track rather smoothly and without error.

Then when I was allowed to the station (where they unfortunately only had one train running) the eleventh run started with the car having to be lowered and raised about 3 times and then after 20 minutes of fiddling, it went. What was to be the 13th run was sent out empty because the electrician needed to check one of the brakes in the station so the train was sent to the hill and then stopped so they could have proper time. Once it came back, the actually 13th run (with people on it) will most likely be on Channel 9 news because a camera man taped them exiting and then reentering the station.

Then came my turn (the 15th overall run of Firehawk) at about 3:30. I promptly took my seat in the front car and was lowered down to my back. The climb up the hill was riddled with anticipation. Then we were turned over and took flight. That has got to be the most amazing feeling ever. We then raced up the horseshoe turn and back down to be turned on our backs for the next element, the loop. Nothing feels quite like taking a loop head first. After another flying section, the twists, and the helix, the amazing trek was ended by a break section. Once back in the station, the guy on the PA asked for and received a loud applause of excitement from us for the thrilling journey we had embarked.

Once back on two feet, we exited the station down stairs in the middle. At the bottom of the stairs was a lady hanging out vouchers for the t-shirts. They were only good for today and after 6 pm. So while waiting for my shirt, I had "lunch" at Festhaus, rode The Racer, and then The Beast twice. The shirt is white, says "First Rider" at the top, and has the Firehawk logo in the middle. Hopefully I'll be posting the picture of my shirt sometime tomorrow if someone doesn't before me. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=9673

Good day.

P.S. The ride was worth every second I waited.

[PKIVortex]

Glad you had fun.

[welchce]

Yeah, but I don't think I'll ever wait that long for Firehawk again. Unless their giving out free matching shorts

[PKIVortex]

HAHAHHA, but the wait times will get better. Just stay away on Saturdays LOL.

[welchce]

Now that the park is open daily, I'm going to start to avoid weekends like the plague. But Firehawk is a must ride for any coaster fan.

[Ki Man]

Well, if they had two trains running the wait would have been significantly better! And hopefuly, it will be two train ops the rest of the season, for KI's sake.

[Rustbucket]

Good report.

The second train was on the station but not operating. When I and my daughter were waiting on line (we got on the fifth train), a painter was painting the train and the station. I would think that the second train will need to be tested. It will be about a week before they run that train.

[ZosoBeast]

They actually ran that train a couple times this morning. We spoke to an employee at the ride who said they were hoping they can get the second train running tomorrow.

[welchce]

Good report.

The second train was on the station but not operating. When I and my daughter were waiting on line (we got on the fifth train), a painter was painting the train and the station. I would think that the second train will need to be tested. It will be about a week before they run that train.

Speaking of painting, if you look closely enough at some of the station track you can see very small patches of green paint that they missed (like around the brakes).

[DropZone99]

I was on the news!!!

I saw alot of cameras filming our car, they was like three news channels there.

Firehawk ios the most awesome roller coaster EVER!!!

[welchce]

Nice. Do you know if any of the news sites put the videos on the internet?

I found one... http://www.wcpo.com/mediacenter/local.aspx...cpo.dayport.com

I am so close to being in those station shots and I think I talked to that same lady at some point throughout the day.

[thejoker8388]

It's funny today people were waiting nearly five hours for one ride on Firehawk, when just last summer I rode x-flight 5 times in less than 45 minutes. I'm glad everyone seems to like it though, I think it's a good coaster but the head first through the loop made me feel a little sick.

[flightoffear1996]

All right we got to the park at about 9:00 sitting outside the gate playing Call of Duty 2 in my car until the gates opened up. Once we got in we had to sit and wait for them to drop the ropes. They dropped the ropes and off we went to stand in the same spot for 5 hours. I had to be back by 5 for work so I was getting a little ansy because I didn't know if I was gonna be able to ride or not. Once they opened the line people cheered and we were ready to take on Firehawk. They were taking groups of 60 or so at a time for what reason I am not too sure. They only had one train but once the line got moving we had to wait maybe 20 mintues. The empoyees were great and they were even handing out water for the guest waiting. The ride was sweet one of the best rides Kings Island has and its very smooth! The free t-shirt thign was a mess however. After you ride you get a ticket for a free t-shirt but you have to have get your shirt as your leaving at group releations after 6. Well I had to be back by 5 so that was no good. I was then told to get a little card at the Guest Realtions window. They still had a little pass thing so we could get the shirt before 5. Headed back to the Group sales window and they moved the shirts back to the guest relations window. CONFUSION. Overall it was a day worth my time and my arms and face getting sunburnt!

[welchce]

All right we got to the park at about 9:00 sitting outside the gate playing Call of Duty 2 in my car until the gates opened up. Once we got in we had to sit and wait for them to drop the ropes. They dropped the ropes and off we went to stand in the same spot for 5 hours. I had to be back by 5 for work so I was getting a little ansy because I didn't know if I was gonna be able to ride or not. Once they opened the line people cheered and we were ready to take on Firehawk. They were taking groups of 60 or so at a time for what reason I am not too sure. They only had one train but once the line got moving we had to wait maybe 20 mintues. The empoyees were great and they were even handing out water for the guest waiting. The ride was sweet one of the best rides Kings Island has and its very smooth! The free t-shirt thign was a mess however. After you ride you get a ticket for a free t-shirt but you have to have get your shirt as your leaving at group releations after 6. Well I had to be back by 5 so that was no good. I was then told to get a little card at the Guest Realtions window. They still had a little pass thing so we could get the shirt before 5. Headed back to the Group sales window and they moved the shirts back to the guest relations window. CONFUSION. Overall it was a day worth my time and my arms and face getting sunburnt!

Yeah, I did't understand why they wanted people to wait till 6 to get their shirts. I kind of wish I would've stayed in line from the beginning because I would've meet some of you guys from KIC since I couldn't find anyone I knew that wanted to go with me that early.

[Kawana]

HAHAHHA, but the wait times will get better. Just stay away on Saturdays LOL.

That sucks. That's when I'm planning on going next month. I'm drawing the line at 2 hours, for my girlfriend's sake. I would wait all day if need be.

[The Interpreter]

Yeah, I did't understand why they wanted people to wait till 6 to get their shirts. I kind of wish I would've stayed in line from the beginning because I would've meet some of you guys from KIC since I couldn't find anyone I knew that wanted to go with me that early.

Why did they want them to stay in the park til six to get the shirt?

The longer people stay in the park, the more money they spend, at least generally. By keeping you in the park til then, they hoped you would buy meals, a souvenir or two, and bingo--the shirt is paid for! Not to mention that the shirt itself advertises Kings Island and Firehawk. Pretty smart if you ask me.

Besides, they didn't have to give you anything. The fact they did is a very nice thing indeed.

[DropZone99]

I got my shirt, the bad thing was thet they where only in large and X-L.

Well i can still frame it.

=]

[coasterdadGL]

It's funny today people were waiting nearly five hours for one ride on Firehawk, when just last summer I rode x-flight 5 times in less than 45 minutes. I'm glad everyone seems to like it though, I think it's a good coaster but the head first through the loop made me feel a little sick.

WOW - FIVE HOURS??!! That’s longer than even I expected - that’s practically half the day waiting for one ride! No ride is worth that kind of wait, especially Firehawk. This is only the beginning kids. Why anyone would wait 5 or more hours in line is beyond me. Have fun with your used ride, Ill wait two hours for Maverick, at least it’s really a new ride.

[The Interpreter]

Or you could wait for Steel Venom and X-Flight.

Oh, wait.

[coasterdadGL]

Oh wait - I did wait for X-Flight. It was less than an hour, about the time you should wait for an average gimmick ride like that. Oh wait, you have to wait 5 hours - have fun! Steel Venom - sucks that it’s gone but oh well. Something will replace it eventually. It probably won’t be used and most likely we will not have to wait 5 hours.

[TOPGUN1993]

Most people haven't been to Geauga Lake there for never riding X-Flight before.

[The Interpreter]

Oh wait - I did wait for X-Flight. It was less than an hour, about the time you should wait for an average gimmick ride like that. Oh wait, you have to wait 5 hours - have fun! Steel Venom - sucks that it's gone but oh well. Something will replace it eventually. It probably won't be used and most likely we will not have to wait 5 hours.

Nope. I rode X-Flight many, many times. And I don't have to wait five hours. I can wait less than half an hour at Six Flags America for an identical version...or I can ride Borg: The Assimilator at Carowinds in less than an hour on any but the busiest days.

And Mr. Kinzel has made quite clear that a smaller footprint is in store for Geauga Lake. If you want to ride Steel Venom, I'd suggest you head to Dorney Park or to Six Flags Great America in Chicago. Either place, it will have much longer lines than it did at Geauga Lake.

[UncleHenry]

Oh wait - I did wait for X-Flight. It was less than an hour, about the time you should wait for an average gimmick ride like that. Oh wait, you have to wait 5 hours - have fun! Steel Venom - sucks that it’s gone but oh well. Something will replace it eventually. It probably won’t be used and most likely we will not have to wait 5 hours.

AHAHAHA, you're jealous!

[flightoffear1996]

It was new to me and many others on this site so you guys can back off!

[The Interpreter]

It was new to me and many others on this site so you guys can back off!

My point exactly. Firehawk is an awesome addition to Kings Island and fits in the park well. It is a great example of the good things that Cedar Fair can do for the park. There is no way that Paramount Parks would have put it in this year, or in the near future.

And it is well worth waiting for.

I, for one, think CoasterDadGL is just having a case of "sour grapes, anyway."

[PKIVortex]

Most people waited 5 hours cause the ride wasn't even running at 10am. And the fact they were only running 1 train. The wait could have been cut down to 1 1/2 hours if it was running at full capacity. Face/Off use to pull well over 2 hour lines in it's first season. Firehawk is a great addition to KI.

[WooferBearATL]

Yeah, I did't understand why they wanted people to wait till 6 to get their shirts. I kind of wish I would've stayed in line from the beginning because I would've meet some of you guys from KIC since I couldn't find anyone I knew that wanted to go with me that early.

Why did they want them to stay in the park til six to get the shirt?

The longer people stay in the park, the more money they spend, at least generally. By keeping you in the park til then, they hoped you would buy meals, a souvenir or two, and bingo--the shirt is paid for! Not to mention that the shirt itself advertises Kings Island and Firehawk. Pretty smart if you ask me.

Besides, they didn't have to give you anything. The fact they did is a very nice thing indeed.

To "give someone something" should be without strings attached. Otherwise, it's really not giving. Essentially, you are paying for it with your additional time. Thus, it's a purchase.

[welchce]

Most people waited 5 hours cause the ride wasn't even running at 10am. And the fact they were only running 1 train. The wait could have been cut down to 1 1/2 hours if it was running at full capacity. Face/Off use to pull well over 2 hour lines in it's first season. Firehawk is a great addition to KI.

Exactly. The ride didn't open till 1:30ish. If Maverick didn't open till three and a half hours after the park opening, I can guarantee that most people would've waited 5+ hours to ride it.

Even though both KI and CP have had 3 coasters constructed in this millennium (before this year) KI has had one which was a kiddie coaster (RRR), one that was a cookie-cutter family coaster (3 IJ:ST were constructed by Paramount), and one which was riddled with problems from the start (SOB) whereas CP as had 2 record breaking coasters (MF and TTD) and then Wicked Twister. So naturally people at KI would be willing to wait to ride a coaster that they might not have rode even though it was just sent down the highway and rebuilt. It's still a great ride and people were excited for the opening.

[CrazyKay07]

I most definately will not be going on a Saturday. I will make my usual summer trip with my friend on a Wednesday.