King's Island - 8.12.2006
Decided that I had to take a much needed vacation earlier in the week. I purchased one of the 3-day advance tickets off of King's Isand's website. Pretty good deal I thought.
Got to the parking lot about 9:20 am. I was prepared to pay for the parking with quarters, (being a college student really has economic hardships) when they said that credit card is accepted at the lot. SWEEET!!!! Now I am able to do laundry this week.
Entered the gate and I found that the park is no longer allowing guests to go up to the Eiffel Tower before opening. Everyone was crowded into the main gate plaza until the stroke of 10 am. How boring.
Once the chain was dropped, I made a mad dash for The Beast. It was pretty much the only ride I really wanted to get on that day. I got about halfway through the queue when I heard an employee telling me to go back. WHAT? That's right, the beast was not open on time, on a SATURDAY.
With that big disappointment, I decided to stroll around and snap some photos. Walked over to Tomb Raide and what did I find?? For the first time ever, Tomb Raider was open ONTIME. I was amazed. However, I didn't feel like putting my bookbad into a locker just to ride, so I kept walking.
Went over by Italian Stunt Job and noticed that it too was not opened yet. Man, Cedar Fair did take over this park already right??? I decided that I would start my day with the Spongebob 3-D movie. Afterwards, I headed for the six looper, Vortex. It was running three trains, with some stacking. Wait time: about 10 minutes. This ride practically came to a stop in the midcourse bracks, but all, in all, an excellant ride.
After my first coaster ride of the year, I walked back over to Italian Stunt Job and saw that it was open. After seeing that the queue was almost totally full, I still decided to wait. The queue area has all these nifty signs giving facts about the movie and minis which I thought were boss. There was one sign though that caught my attention. It stated: SLOW As if you had another option. Now, let me tell you that the line for Stunt Job was probably about the slowest line I've waited in since I've been on X-Flight at Geauga Lake. Maybe it might have help to run all three trains? I thought that the sign was perfect for the line.
Finally after about an hour wait for the ride, I boarded the train. The train looks incredible, with the Mini Cooper doors actually opening up. Strapped myself in and we were clear for launch! Up, up, up through the triple helix start, and quickly dropped back down. This ride is filled with many quick transitions which make for a great ride. Halfway through, the Minis come to a stop, and I'm getting wet! Flames spurt out and off we go. Down a dark tunnel, only to come out through the Stunt Job sign. I thought that this ride was an amazing.
After the Stunt Job I was starting to feel a bit hungry. I made my way for the footlong Skyline stand and found out that it was now funnelcakes! BORING! Note to PKI: fix map. I was directed to International Street to the Skyline Chili that was located there. Got in and preceeded to get the glorious 4-way and cheese coney. MMMMMMM. Not bad for eight bucks. (end sarcasm)
Well, after my sumptuous meal, I needed a cold beer to wash it down with. Grabbed one from Action Zone and sat down to watch Delerium for a bit. The line was a bit long so I moved along towards Top Gun. Got to the queue to find a ten minute wait!!! Hopped on and took a great ride. Afterwards, I took a walk towards Face/Off. Saw a 2 1/2 hour wait and decide to skip it. Also asked myself why Face/Off had the longest line in the park.
Walked over to Adventure Express and it was a walk-on. Sweet! Hit up Racer backwards for another ten minute wait. (for the backseat too!) This ride never ceases to thrill me. Headed over to the Eiffel Tower to get some great picutes of the park.
I decided at this point in time that it was time to go swimming. I headed over to Boomerang Bay and purchased a locker for a mere ten dollars. Changed into my trunks and headed for the twisted slides. (Can't recall the name) AFter waiting for ten minutes, I was told I could not ride because I had a tiny rivot on my suit. GRRRR... Ended up buying a new suit from the store and went back to the same slide. Got to the top and the lifeguard had changed. The new one was no longer checking suits. How Boring. Rode the slide. Excitement rating for this one 3 out of 10. Guess they can't all be like Thunder Falls. Check out the wave pool for a bit.
I grew tired of swimming and decided to hit up some more coasters. A ride on The Beast was just what the doctor ordered! Waited in the hour long line to find out that the crew was making intervals! This was my first visit where I actually saw the crew not stack a train once! Props to the Beast Crew. The ride itself was running furocious as ever. Trims were on and catching the train.
Headed over to Flight of Fear and had another hour wait. Strapped myself in and was launched into the dark abyss. Came to the midcourse and was pretty much stopped. This allowed for a very slow finish (which included some good hangtime in the corkscrew!). Hopped off and headed back to the Beast. I decided to finish the day off right with two night rides on king of the woods. I noticed lighting has been placed in the woods at certain spots. I Hope that this isn't continued all the way around the ride.
After my last ride on The Beast, it was time to head home. This was my first time getting to a park this year, and hopefully it won't be my last!