Going on 7/4. what can I expect?

[katreina]

I'm going to the park on 7/4 (though I have been there several times before) and I was wondering about a few things. I noticed that KI's website has no mention of the Action F/X theater. Is it still open? If so, what is it playing? Have the rides seriously gone down hill since last year? Are the food and gaming prices a lot higher?

I'm just basically wondering what I can expect during my trip since CF took over the park. I've read some things on this forum and others from the beginning of the season but I know things can change over a couple months as it gets into the main part of the season and I want to be prepared for whatever. Especially since I'm taking some first timers with me.

[rollergirl]

I don't think that you will be disappointed. I haven't thought that the rides have gone downhill at all this year. I've been a KI fan since I was a kid in the late 70's and still love it.

The Action FX theater has an entertaining and fun 3D Sponge Bob Square Pants ride and often has little to no line. The classic rides like The Vortex, Beast, and Racer have been as good as always. I would recommend getting there and parked and in position to get on rides right at 10am if possible. You might want to try and get on the popular rides right away like Delirium. I notice that Delirium's line builds up quickly. I've gone on weekdays this season and the crowds seem to intensify after about 11 or Noon.

The food and game prices seem ridiculously high, but consistent with prices of theme parks and sporting events everywhere. Games are about $3 a piece. Drinks are around $4 depending on what you get. A popular way to save money is to get your hand stamped and go out to your car in the parking lot for an afternoon picnic, or drive a mile down the road to McDonalds, Skyline Chili, or Taco Bell, to get some food at a fraction of the price. If you stay at the park from 10am to 10pm, a one hour trip to sit in air conditioning at a fast food restaurant isn't that bad of a break!

Have a great trip!

My personal must rides: Beast, Vortex, Flight of Fear

My personal first to skip if line is long: Adventure Express, Italian Job Stunt Track

[italianchef]

I have gone to Kings Island on July 4th several times in the past. Expect the park to be JAM PACKED CROWDED!!!!! And you will have little opportunity to enjoy rides as the lines will be VERY long. I'd prefer to go on 7/3 or 7/5.

[PKIVortex]

I went last year on July 4th, and the park wasn't that busy at all. Most rides were walk-on. I have seen some July 4th's thought that have been busier, much busier then a Saturday. I think it all depends on which day of the week the 4th falls on.

Also remember that KI is having there big firework show a day early this year, on July 3rd. However they will still have the usual Fireworks at 10pm on July 4th.

[bparrott03]

I think it was almost as bad as bring a friend free day.

Literally there is a line for EVERY ride (try to get there as soon, if not before they open. I'd say around 9:45-9:55am).

spongebob 3D is pretty fun. yet again, I love spongebob!

I love all the changes Cedar Fair has made. I think they are doing a really good job for them controlling it for less than one full season! They know what the heck they are doing!

[PKIVortex]

Like I said before, last year the park WASN'T busy at all last year. So it could go either way.

[The Interpreter]

I have gone to Kings Island on July 4th several times in the past. Expect the park to be JAM PACKED CROWDED!!!!! And you will have little opportunity to enjoy rides as the lines will be VERY long. I'd prefer to go on 7/3 or 7/5.

Beware, Mr. Chef. This year, 7/5 may be far worse than 7/4. You see, the park is celebrating with its BIG celebration on 7/3, and on 7/5 Spirit Song starts. So, ironically, of those three days, 7/4 may be the LEAST packed of the three. Not to say it won't be crazy busy. Some years, it is; some it isn't. And 7/4 falls in the middle of the week this time, making it less likely to be a complete zoo.

Then again, weather can be a major determiner, too....

[Avatar]

I used to never go over the 4th of July holiday to any amusement parks in fear of crowds. My wife talked me into going a couple years ago on the forth, Paramount offered a lot of extra entertainment and a special fireworks show and this went on for several days. I loved the it so much that I vowed to come back every year because we enjoyed not riding the rides as much but all the extra activities while everybody else was stuck in lines else where. We have been looking forward to coming over on the 4th as we have in the past to enjoy another fun filled day at KI. Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July.

I am very disappointed with Cedar Fair KI at this point and I think this is my breaking point, if I could receive a refund for my families’ season passes I would take them up on it. The only bright point that I have seen is a somewhat cleaner park, new shows and a new used ride. But to my family we are no longer able to ride some rides as a family like we have done in the past because of the new ride height requirements and the new rain/sprinkle policy has made us cancel a planed trip to KI in the recent past as we don’t want to take a chance any longer, just to sit in a light sprinkle. I can afford the high prices but refuse to be blatantly taken like that. Now with the absence of an Independence Day Celebration on the forth I just don’t think KI is the best place for my family to spend our family fun time. I mean they play the National Anthem everyday when the park opens but no 4th of July celebration on the fourth how pathetic. I give up with Cedar Fair I liked Paramount’s vision for overall family entertainment much better except for Paramount’s lack of shows. Some my say good reddens for my opinions here put please remember that this it is just my opinion and I’m just telling it the way that I feel so that maybe others can see an unbiased opinion as to how some are feeling about the way they are seeing it.

[marcia]

The 4th of July will be the most crowded ever so be prepared long waits on the coasters and make

sure you get a cold drink and sunscreen cause it's going to be hot,hot,hot! Have a great time.

Take Care God Bless

Marcia

[Purplehaze]

My son is going to church camp that week but I will be there for sure on the 4th. I myself am going to camp this same time. Lt. Dan's Backporch beer camp. I will be in the 4th tent to the right, I mean under the fourth table on the right!

[Guest kwindshawne]

I used to never go over the 4th of July holiday to any amusement parks in fear of crowds. My wife talked me into going a couple years ago on the forth, Paramount offered a lot of extra entertainment and a special fireworks show and this went on for several days. I loved the it so much that I vowed to come back every year because we enjoyed not riding the rides as much but all the extra activities while everybody else was stuck in lines else where. We have been looking forward to coming over on the 4th as we have in the past to enjoy another fun filled day at KI. Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July.

I am very disappointed with Cedar Fair KI at this point and I think this is my breaking point, if I could receive a refund for my families’ season passes I would take them up on it. The only bright point that I have seen is a somewhat cleaner park, new shows and a new used ride. But to my family we are no longer able to ride some rides as a family like we have done in the past because of the new ride height requirements and the new rain/sprinkle policy has made us cancel a planed trip to KI in the recent past as we don’t want to take a chance any longer, just to sit in a light sprinkle. I can afford the high prices but refuse to be blatantly taken like that. Now with the absence of an Independence Day Celebration on the forth I just don’t think KI is the best place for my family to spend our family fun time. I mean they play the National Anthem everyday when the park opens but no 4th of July celebration on the fourth how pathetic. I give up with Cedar Fair I liked Paramount’s vision for overall family entertainment much better except for Paramount’s lack of shows. Some my say good reddens for my opinions here put please remember that this it is just my opinion and I’m just telling it the way that I feel so that maybe others can see an unbiased opinion as to how some are feeling about the way they are seeing it.

That's a shame. I think KI may be having some growing pains under the new owners, but I am hoping things get ironed out quick. I am impressed with the maintenance on racer and the others, since that one beat the heck out of me last year-it still has room for improvement, but is better overall. The rain thing-well, I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I think as long as there's no thunder or lightning, run them. Maybe I'm a ditz, but I haven't noticed the height requirement changes-perhaps that is due to insurance and maybe they don't have a say on that one? My two cents. In light of the recent accident, I expect to see more rules come from it.

[Guest kwindshawne]

I used to never go over the 4th of July holiday to any amusement parks in fear of crowds. My wife talked me into going a couple years ago on the forth, Paramount offered a lot of extra entertainment and a special fireworks show and this went on for several days. I loved the it so much that I vowed to come back every year because we enjoyed not riding the rides as much but all the extra activities while everybody else was stuck in lines else where. We have been looking forward to coming over on the 4th as we have in the past to enjoy another fun filled day at KI. Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July.

I am very disappointed with Cedar Fair KI at this point and I think this is my breaking point, if I could receive a refund for my families’ season passes I would take them up on it. The only bright point that I have seen is a somewhat cleaner park, new shows and a new used ride. But to my family we are no longer able to ride some rides as a family like we have done in the past because of the new ride height requirements and the new rain/sprinkle policy has made us cancel a planed trip to KI in the recent past as we don’t want to take a chance any longer, just to sit in a light sprinkle. I can afford the high prices but refuse to be blatantly taken like that. Now with the absence of an Independence Day Celebration on the forth I just don’t think KI is the best place for my family to spend our family fun time. I mean they play the National Anthem everyday when the park opens but no 4th of July celebration on the fourth how pathetic. I give up with Cedar Fair I liked Paramount’s vision for overall family entertainment much better except for Paramount’s lack of shows. Some my say good reddens for my opinions here put please remember that this it is just my opinion and I’m just telling it the way that I feel so that maybe others can see an unbiased opinion as to how some are feeling about the way they are seeing it.

That's a shame. I think KI may be having some growing pains under the new owners, but I am hoping things get ironed out quick. I am impressed with the maintenance on racer and the others, since that one beat the heck out of me last year-it still has room for improvement, but is better overall. The rain thing-well, I'm not sure how I feel about that yet. I think as long as there's no thunder or lightning, run them. Maybe I'm a ditz, but I haven't noticed the height requirement changes-perhaps that is due to insurance and maybe they don't have a say on that one? My two cents. In light of the recent accident, I expect to see more rules come from it.

[Guest kwindshawne]

Sorry about the double post-this laptop is being a b**** this morning...

[katreina]

I used to never go over the 4th of July holiday to any amusement parks in fear of crowds. My wife talked me into going a couple years ago on the forth, Paramount offered a lot of extra entertainment and a special fireworks show and this went on for several days. I loved the it so much that I vowed to come back every year because we enjoyed not riding the rides as much but all the extra activities while everybody else was stuck in lines else where. We have been looking forward to coming over on the 4th as we have in the past to enjoy another fun filled day at KI. Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July.

I am very disappointed with Cedar Fair KI at this point and I think this is my breaking point, if I could receive a refund for my families’ season passes I would take them up on it. The only bright point that I have seen is a somewhat cleaner park, new shows and a new used ride. But to my family we are no longer able to ride some rides as a family like we have done in the past because of the new ride height requirements and the new rain/sprinkle policy has made us cancel a planed trip to KI in the recent past as we don’t want to take a chance any longer, just to sit in a light sprinkle. I can afford the high prices but refuse to be blatantly taken like that. Now with the absence of an Independence Day Celebration on the forth I just don’t think KI is the best place for my family to spend our family fun time. I mean they play the National Anthem everyday when the park opens but no 4th of July celebration on the fourth how pathetic. I give up with Cedar Fair I liked Paramount’s vision for overall family entertainment much better except for Paramount’s lack of shows. Some my say good reddens for my opinions here put please remember that this it is just my opinion and I’m just telling it the way that I feel so that maybe others can see an unbiased opinion as to how some are feeling about the way they are seeing it.

I agree with you about the bad planning for the fourth this year. I could kind of see if they had decided to to it maybe the weekend before since the fourth is a wednesday this year. I, and everyone going with me, also have to work on the third and that's why we are going on the fourth. Since there are obviously not going to be any holiday festivities this year, I kind of see them having it a day early as a good thing for me personally because they don't shut down coasters hours early for the normal fireworks as they do for the holiday ones which means that I'll have the opportunity to ride things like The Beast at night for the first time.

As for the crowds, I wasn't really worried about them. I have been to the park on the fourth almost every year that I've gone and never considered it to be that crowded. However, this is a large amusement park so I expect it to be crowded.

[Avatar]

Thanks guys for not jumping down my throat for voicing my opinion, as most of you who have hung around this board know I will give accolades to when the park/employees do good things so I feel in return I should voice my displeasure when I feel things are not going right in my opinion (I feel this gives one credibility when voicing their opinion/s). I felt like asking for a refund the last time we went after the height changes stopped from riding on a few rides that my daughter rode the last couple years and on that day we were stuck on SDHC because it was raining outside. So I don’t feel like my remarks are a knee jerk reaction but one of truly feeling that KI is not running in a fashion that I feel that I need to have a season pass for. I am not saying that we will not come back but only that we need to go other places while Cedar Fair runs KI in the manner that they are and it is their prerogative to do so as it is mine to drastically curtail our visits to KI. As the ride height restrictictions we are able to go to other parks with similar rides and ride them. On our last visit we took my daughters friend and every time she wanted a drink we had to buy her a $3.00 soda just for her to take 4 drinks from, because we did feel she would not want to be drinking after us as we share drinks.

What it all boils down to for us is this; What ever the reason for the changes rain, prices height restrictions, and now no holiday entertainment on our planned holiday visit is not working for us. So do we keep coming back while being disappointed or do we move on?

It’s not saying we will never be back but we are saying maybe we should look else where for our family weekend trips for now.

Thanks for letting me express myself as I’m sure I am not the only feeling this way, but I just feel that I need to be honest about my feelings about my beloved KI at this time.

[Guest kwindshawne]

I used to never go over the 4th of July holiday to any amusement parks in fear of crowds. My wife talked me into going a couple years ago on the forth, Paramount offered a lot of extra entertainment and a special fireworks show and this went on for several days. I loved the it so much that I vowed to come back every year because we enjoyed not riding the rides as much but all the extra activities while everybody else was stuck in lines else where. We have been looking forward to coming over on the 4th as we have in the past to enjoy another fun filled day at KI. Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July.

I am very disappointed with Cedar Fair KI at this point and I think this is my breaking point, if I could receive a refund for my families’ season passes I would take them up on it. The only bright point that I have seen is a somewhat cleaner park, new shows and a new used ride. But to my family we are no longer able to ride some rides as a family like we have done in the past because of the new ride height requirements and the new rain/sprinkle policy has made us cancel a planed trip to KI in the recent past as we don’t want to take a chance any longer, just to sit in a light sprinkle. I can afford the high prices but refuse to be blatantly taken like that. Now with the absence of an Independence Day Celebration on the forth I just don’t think KI is the best place for my family to spend our family fun time. I mean they play the National Anthem everyday when the park opens but no 4th of July celebration on the fourth how pathetic. I give up with Cedar Fair I liked Paramount’s vision for overall family entertainment much better except for Paramount’s lack of shows. Some my say good reddens for my opinions here put please remember that this it is just my opinion and I’m just telling it the way that I feel so that maybe others can see an unbiased opinion as to how some are feeling about the way they are seeing it.

I don't know how I feel about the fireworks being on the 3rd. On the one hand, for most of us who have to go back to work on the 5th, having it on the 3rd makes sense, so you are not dead tired the next day at work (my personal opinion, as I don't sleep well and am always drained after a holiday since my clock is easily disturbed)

On the other hand, it should be on the 4th since that is the actual holiday.

I was at the park yesterday, where it sprinkled for most of the day up until about 4 pm when the sun finally came out. I noticed all of the coasters were still running during this time...it was pouring in dayton when I left and I almost considered scrapping the trip. But to my delight, I never did see any of the coasters stop yesterday due to the rain...so maybe they are considering relaxing that rule? One thing I had considered on that...maybe the reason they do that is because of the recent incident on MF, and the years ago incident on The Beast where the brakes didn't stop the trains at the station-both incidents happened during rain. Could be an insurance requirement? Who knows, I just hope this doesn't spoil it for you and everyone else. I think the park is having transition issues, and I think eventually a way will be found to please most people. I hope you and your family reconsider coming to KI more often in spite of the bad experiences. "The times they are a-changin".....

[The Interpreter]

I believe you meant perhaps they do that because of the recent incident on Magnum....or was there was one on MF, too?

The Beast incident occurred when the ride had skid brakes, which it no longer has, and Magnum, of course, never did have.

[Browntggrr]

Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July.

It is quite possible that the thinking behind having the firework festivities on the 3rd is because of people (just like yourself) having to work on the 5th.

From a business standpoint it makes sense. The park will spend money on days where they may not be busy, as opposed to days where you know the park will be crushed. People will come out for free fireworks. So have the fireworks promotion on the 3rd which may not be a busy day/ night, and more people will be more inclined to show up. As opposed to the 4th where people will show up no matter what. I can only imagine how many families took their summer vacation the week of 7/2 to 7/8.

Combine that with SpiritSong on the 5th, everything with the park will be a mess that week.

Given that the 4th is on a Wednesday, I don't think the park had a chance is pleasing everyone's needs. Unless they had the same type of fireworks display for 2 or 3 nights, but then that takes away the draw to go to the park on the 3rd. And a really decent fireworks display will cost $50,000+.

And Avatar- it is too bad that you feel that way about KI, but hey, it is your opinion, and you are entitled to it. You have been to enough parks with your family to know the ins & outs. Just think, in a year or two the whole height restriction issue will be a moot point. (or MOO point- a cow's point of view- does anyone get that? )

But I do understand how you feel about the height issue. My local park, Waldameer, has changed the height restriction for their Scrambler ride the last three years. In 2005, my whole family was able to go on it. In 2006, only my older daughter (who was 5- but a year older) was able to go on it. Now this summer, neither of my daughters are able to ride it. The park's explanation was that the maufacturer changed the restrictions.