cparkes92

Cedar Point - 115 miles (1 hr 58 min) Michigan's Adventure - 192 miles (2 hr 50 min) Kings Island - 229 miles (3 hr 39 min) Next would be Waldameer and Indiana Beach

I have also heard rumors that LR was running faster than 73 mph at its fastest point. A coaster with a 165 foot drop will be going very fast at the bottom of it, even if it crawls at the crest point.

I'm glad you made it out of Dollywood and KI without a protein spill! Also, all of those would be new to me, with the exception of SFGAm (and my only trip there was 2005, when Deja Vu was actually running (!))

This goes to show how far the RMC designs have progressed. When NTAG was under construction, I remember everybody's jaw being on the floor, given how dynamic and wild its layout was shaping up to be. Now, it's still a pretty nuts ride, but it almost seems conservative compared to the stalls, directional changes, and onslaught pacing featured on some of the company's newer coasters. NTG is also the only RMC with both a chain lift and no inversions (all other RMC chain lift coasters have at least one inversion; Lightning Rod also has no inversions, but has a launch). I still haven't ridden an RMC, but here are the chances (percentages by me) on what will be my first RMC: RMC Mean Streak (2018) - 40% Storm Chaser - 30% Goliath (SFGAm) - 25% Lightning Rod - 4% Any other RMC - 1%

This TR makes me want to visit Dollywood, notwithstanding Lightning Rod being a POS mechanically. Also, from what I can tell, LR is at the front of the park, so it's very hard to hide, but you did a good job hiding it.

Thanks Bert! Looks like you had a fun first time at Cedar Point! I f*ckin' LOVE Waffle House. But the problem with WH is that its always too much food. Always. Of course I always get the "All Star" which is like 3 eggs, 2 waffles, 2 hashbrowns, 2 pieces of toast, a bunch of bacon, sausage, etc etc. It's always too much, but I always (try to) eat it all. I had a peanut butter waffle, two scrambled eggs, a double hashbrown, 2 pieces of toast, and a piece of bacon. And yes, I did eat it all. I don't think WH did help matters that much. For my last two trips to Cedar Point, I've had Tim Hortons on the way there and had no problems. Also, it wasn't as warm those days at the Point. Speaking of heat, I remember one time (2004?) when my family and I went to Cedar Point and it was super hot that weekend. Speaking of Cedar Point, that will likely be my next park (my parents gave me two tickets with FL+ for Christmas this past year). Later this summer, I hope to get to the following parks, hopefully on weekends when it's not 95 degrees: Kentucky Kingdom and Holiday World (likely one trip) Indiana Beach and Six Flags Great America (likely one trip) Waldameer and Kennywood (likely one trip)

With me moving down from my hometown of Manistee to Ypsilanti (both in Michigan), which puts me four hours closer to lots of amusement parks, I have decided that I will spend several weekends that I have no plans on going to parks throughout the Midwest. Kings Island (6/11): Below Tigers game (6/17): http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1801558#p1801558 Cedar Point (6/25): http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1803024#p1803024 Manistee carnival (7/1): http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1805451#p1805451 Cedar Point (7/30): http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1810963#p1810963 Kings Island (8/6): http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1812833#p1812833 Kings Island 6/11/2017 I had always wanted to go to Kings Island, so I decided to take the first opportunity I had to go down there and make the trip down. However, the trip didn’t go fully as planned. I’ll sum it up in three parts: The Good: Light crowds, Kings Island has quite a bit of shade, every ride I got on was a walk-on or a near walk-on The Bad: The heat, the heat, the heat (95 degrees plus humidity = not a good time at a park) The Ugly: Me spilling protein on The Bat, ending my day early before I had the opportunity to get over toward Diamondback, the Beast, and Mystic Timbers My day started with an early wake-up at my apartment. By 6:30, I was on the road. First things first, I had to stop and get breakfast. I saw a sign for a Waffle House near Toledo. I have seen many Waffle House signs while driving to/from Florida in the past, but I had never eaten at one, so I decided to eat at this one. The food and service was very good, but I think I ate too much. After breakfast, I hopped back on the highway and had an uneventful drive to Kings Island. I started getting really excited when I saw the Eiffel Tower come into view a few miles west of the park. Traffic was not bad at all getting in. I had paid for my parking and admission tickets online, so it was a breeze getting into the parking lot and into the park. Once I got in the park, I saw that crowds weren’t heavy and a sizable portion of the crowd turned right at the first path toward Mystic Timbers, Planet Snoopy, and Soak City. I continued straight down the main path, eventually making a left toward the X-Base. I was going to head to Firehawk first, but I didn’t see any movement there at the time, so I instead rode Flight of Fear as my first coaster at Kings Island. It was a walk-on (and this was an hour after opening). I did see that the line for it got longer later in the day (probably because it’s indoors). Flight of Fear is a decent ride that would be much worse if it had OTSR’s. It ended up being my second favorite ride in the park. After Flight of Fear, I went over to Racer and walked onto the Red side, as that was the only side that was running at the time. Racer is a fun ride that was not too bumpy and has some decent airtime. While riding it, I saw that Firehawk was running, so after I got off Racer, I headed over to Firehawk, which was another walk-on (in fact, I limboed between railings as the line was THAT short). It’s a very interesting ride, but can be disorienting. I decided that it was time for a drink break, so I splurged and bought one of those free refill all day souvenir cups. I did end up getting my money’s worth as I refilled it at least five times in my short time at the park. After the drink break, I headed to Adventure Express, which may have had the longest wait of any ride I got on (two trains). I didn’t care for Adventure Express. It was my least favorite coaster of the ones I rode and I will probably skip it on future Kings Island trips. I took another drink break, and I saw that the blue side of Racer was running, so I decided to get in line (another walk-on!) and ride the blue side. The blue side of Racer isn’t as good as the red side, but I still like it better than Blue Streak (Cedar Point). After another drink break, I decided to ride Banshee, which was a surprising walk-on for new-ish hotness. Of the coasters I did get to ride at Kings Island, Banshee was by far my favorite and actually ended up #4 on my overall coaster rankings (only behind Millennium Force, Incredible Hulk, and Maverick). Despite the very short lines, Banshee was still pushing out three trains and almost all of the other coasters I saw were running at least two trains. The next part is where the day got ugly. I decided to ride The Bat, which was also a walk-on (the walk up to the station is about five minutes from the entrance). I had only been on one Arrow suspended coaster before (Iron Dragon), and the Bat is much more thrilling than Iron Dragon. However, as the train pulled into the station, I puked all over myself and the train car. After getting out, I struggled my way to the exit where an employee promptly called first aid as soon as he saw me covered in vomit. First aid picked me up and carted me over to the first aid station, where they washed my clothes while I washed up. They gave me a shirt and shorts to wear while my clothes were being washed, so I put that on and walked over to Boo Blasters, which was another walk-on. However, after riding that gentle ride, I decided I wasn’t going to ride anymore. I spent the rest of the time waiting for my clothes to be washed and dried either in the waiting room at first aid or in shady spots around that area of the park (mostly in front of first aid or under the Eiffel Tower). Once my clothes were cleaned, I decided to make a bee line for the exit as it was a HOT one (91 degrees when I got to my car at almost 6pm). On the way out, I told some of the people at first aid that I will be back at Kings Island to ride the rest of the coasters when it’s not 90+ degrees out and humid. I tried to drive back home, but I wasn’t feeling the best, so I stopped for the night about 20 miles north of Dayton. I felt quite a bit better the next morning, so I was able to make the rest of the drive home and then go into work. My breakfast choice: Taco Bell or Waffle House? Waffle House it is! For my first time at Waffle House, one of the servers told me to wear this (too small) hat for the entire time I was there, which I did. I see the Eiffel Tower in the distance! This was needed on the hazy, hot, and humid day I went on. The only problem was having to leave it on the station platform or in a "fluffy bunny", which you still had to pay $2 even if you were only using it for 10 minutes. Crowds were light on this day! First aid was very busy today. I was hoping this wasn't going to foreshadow my day, but it did Adventure Express is not a good ride. Very bumpy and jerky, but I do give credit for theming! This ride was surprisingly a walk-on despite being new-ish hotness (and also my new #4 coaster!) Banshee >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Son of Beast Found this 1975 map hanging in the first aid office. How many of these rides still exist today? Took this when I got back into my car just to show my parents how hot it was (91 degrees at almost 6pm, so it was likely close to 95 for the high)

Is this a meme? Nah bro, it's a cult. I went back and read your guide and I love it!!!

Looks like a very good time! Cookie dough is amazing and so is pizza!

The Bat at Kings Island. Unfortunately it ended with me vomiting

Just checking in to say that my Kings Island visit started out fun, but turned not so fun with me spilling protein all over my clothes about 2:30pm, which ended my day early. Still got on six unique coasters (including both sides of Racer). Of the coasters I got on, Banshee was my favorite, while I didn't get over toward Beast, Diamondback, or Mystic Timbers. Definitely incentive to come back to KI when it's not 95 degrees and humid.

I've been here for an hour and a half and I've already been on Flight of Fear, Racer (red), Firehawk, and Adventure Express (all walk-ons or less than 5 minute waits) and also had some downtime to sit in the shade Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I remember riding TTD in August of its first season (less than a week after the big power outage), so maybe it didn't close for the season until late August or around Labor Day (then again, CP's season ends two months earlier than Dollywood's) Then Goliath (SFGAm) would have its record for fastest wooden coaster back for now! (SFGAm's website still says it's the fastest wooden coaster in the world [is Six Flags throwing shade at Dollywood?])

I'm debating whether to buy FL+ online for tomorrow or just chance it with the park admission ticket (which I can also buy online)

Kings Island tomorrow! First time going there! Taking advantage of living four hours closer to theme parks thanks to my new job.

Hope this little park continues to do okay! This summer I'd like to do CLP and Waldameer on one day.

To be clear, it is referenced to TTD in terms of the first couple years of operations. There were some major hiccups with TTD, but honestly at this point I think TTD was operating a lot more, and it was never down this much. You still had a chance of riding it on most days, whereas the only chance of riding LR was late last year. Vertigo is really starting to be a closer comparison. Vertigo only operated maybe a month total in the three years it was at Walibi Belgium. If LR doesn't become more reliable soon, I see major changes coming either this offseason or the next offseason. Side note: I feel that Lightning Rod should have been ineligible for Best New Ride for 2016. I thought Valravn or Storm Chaser was going to win that award. Lesson for all theme parks: Don't name your new ride Vertigo or anything with the word "Rod" or "Rods" in it as it will be cursed mechanically. Signed, Cedar Point, Walibi Belgium, Dollywood, and Disneyland

The only somewhat recent coaster less reliable than Lightning Rod all time: https://rcdb.com/3457.htm Bold prediction: By the end of 2017, Mystic Timbers will have more riders in one year than Lightning Rod will have in two years. Seems like a lot of people compare LR to TTD in regards to downtime. The difference is that TTD seems to operate at least part of every day. I can't remember the last time TTD was down all day multiple days in a row.

Seems like First Sunday of June is usually quiet at the Point (it is the biggest day for graduations in Michigan and possibly Ohio)

Cheetah Hunt. Intamin launch or Mack launch?

Both share a name and both are historic parks that remain open despite losing their luster over the years. Nagashima Spa Land and Cedar Point

Enthusiasts would just sleep in shops overnight. What if Drachen Fire was a B&M?

Never been on it, but 5/10 Nagashima Spa Land?

Not currently, but I do have RCT2 and RCT3 on my computer. I don't think my computer could handle Planet Coaster! Have you played Planet Coaster?