jamesdillaman

I'd just like to point out that a 20 minute wait is a ridiculous thing to be complaining about on here. If I ran the park I wouldn't put another train on either if the crowds were that light. Especially for a smaller park, any way they can save money on the slower days helps maintenence costs stay down and profit stay in the black. It bugs me that enthusiasts feel like they're better than anyone else and shouldn't have to wait in line to ride a good ride, while the GP for the most part is more than happy to wait 2 hours at Cedar Point for MF or Dragster, and I even didn't hear one complaint at HW when we were in line an hour for the Voyage. If the themeparks didn't have waits, there'd be no more themeparks, because they wouldn't be making money. Rant out of the way, sorry you didn't enjoy the park. I know the Koch's take great pride in their operations, and I know Paula (RavenMaven) posts here on a regular basis, so they probably appreciate the feedback, even if it isn't positive. As for Voyage, I agree it's intense, but even so, I can't fault it for being intense, it's just relentless and I can't believe you didn't have much airtime. I have had an off day or two at HW, but can honestly say my worst day at HW still beats my best day at SFKK, if only for the free soft drinks alone. I think the park is put on a pedastal, and people are expecting too much out of a family-run park. For overall park value, few places top HW in my book, and as a struggling mid-20's guy trying to get by and still get to themeparks, I appreciate a park I can go and spend the entire day at for $40 (including food!!). -James Dillaman

Thanks for the happy birthday, Zach, although this is the first year I haven't been to Holiday World on my birthday weekend. I still had fun at KI, though. Julia and I actually had a great ride on Face/Off. Blew me away! There were no crowds Sunday (maybe because of mother's day?), and we didn everything we wanted to do in just a few hours. You were right about racer. We rode it forwards and it beat you up a lot less this year. The trackwork helped. Backwards was fun as always. Sorry to tell you we didn't ride Vortex, but we were tired. Viking Fury has an awesome crew this year. They were pitting each side against eachother (the ride ops on each side of the ship) and really getting into it. I'd recommend going to this much overlooked ride this season!! It was the best guest relating I've ever seen at KI. We'll be going next Saturday, and I'll be there with some friends on memorial day. Hit up my cell if you're in the park those days, Zach. -James Dillaman

Well when they lose the license for Top Gun and the other movie rides, they'll re-theme Top Gun to something like Steel Lizard, so no worries. -James Dillaman

I'm gonna be the first to say I'd be plesantly surprised if you will be able to hit this park up in 2008, as I'd expect another delay. -James "Look at the track record...." Dillaman

^ I hope they don't waste too much money on SoB, as they're going to end up scrapping it in a few seasons when they realize it can't be saved. You can't fix bad layout, bad design, AND horrible construction by changing trains and removing the loop. -James Dillaman

It saddens me to see you only have the season pass for KI, not park hopping, are we? I'm sad for you. At least hit up CP and GL, not far If you ever want to go to Holiday World, hit me up and I'll take you some weekend if your parents don't want to drive that far. Forget about Vortex and ride Voyage!! Also, tell me that isn't a photo taken from Racer's lift. I warn you, employees who were caught breaking park rules, especially blatantly (like taking pictures on rides, which is forbidden at King's Island, were often terminated immediately when I worked there. Just a warning, as it isn't worth getting fired. -James Dillaman

Wood: Screechin' Eagle at LeSourdsville Steel: King Cobra at KI -James Dillaman

I'll get it out of the way now.... AQUATRAX -James Dillaman

Spice World Classic.

^ What did you think they were going to put in there, a corkscrew?

^ Yeah, X-Flight ruined the front of the park view from the parking lot. Before it was put in, it looked a lot better. If they just get rid of the old waterpark section, too, it'll look great. -James Dillaman

I saw him last week, and he did lots of new material (over an hour's worth) In fact, my only complaint is he should have done more of his classic bits. I won a raffle to meet him for a while, so here's a picture. -James Dillaman Me with Pablo Francisco (Long lost father???)

Just got mine, sorry for being so late, blame nintendo's supply!! 5361 8657 7424 7488 I've added everybody, so please add me and message me! -jamesdillaman

Shaping up to be a good little ride, looks like. Too bad it's in Texas... I'm boycotting the state at least for another year (until November 2008), so it'll have to wait. -James Dillaman

That picture of the upside-down logos on the wave swinger has got to be one of my favorite pictures I've seen on TPR. Hilarious. -James Dillaman

^ I can honestly say I've never missed out on a day at a themepark because I had to get a haircut. I've always been able to wait a day for the haircut.... Nice Photos, Derek and Nicole. Too bad the coasters weren't open for you. I've never been to Hersheypark, but with my fiancee looking at co-ops in Philly, maybe I'll get out there. -James Dillaman

Can't wait for round 2 in the midwest bracket, there's some interesting matchups, here's rooting for Cornball Express over Kentucky Rumbler, and The falling of the Beast. What a great idea, love the option "not qualified to vote in this category." A fresh take on coaster polls. -James Dillaman

^When does this amusement park stay open until? I can't get up there anytime this weekend, with it being Easter and all, but if it's still around the rest of the month, I could make the trip up from Nasty Nati. -James Dillaman

^ Chuck, Julia and I appreciate the photos of Shockwave and the Flying Eagles. We need to get down there to ride Griffon and get Julia on her first B&M Hyper at BGE. -James Dillaman

^^Yeah, I think the simplest answer is usually the right one, and that is to fit the bunny hill and brakes on the other side, the launch side has to be the same length, to make the layout work.

My opinion I'll hold until I see any trace of theming put up. Because only theming can save this ride. Without it, it will be what it was at GL: an average ride that doesn't really stand out if you've riden a couple flyers. I'm glad to see SOMETHING new at KI this year, though, as I expected nothing, especially after the SoB fiasco. -James Dillaman

Nice pictures. It's nice to see my old ride looking so great and still snapping like crazy (Flying Eagles from KI). Everyone in Cincinnati is jealous and upset by carowinds theft from us, still! -James Dillaman

^ The back entrance (by Magnum) Would probably be almost just as close, and there's parking by it, unlike the marina entrance. Just tell them your going to one of the hotels, or the waterpark. They'll let you park back there.

I beg to differ. When Mantis opened up, we waited almost 5 hours to ride it on opening day. Keep in mind, it's been 4 years or so since Cedar point opened a coaster, and 7 years since it opened a "traditional" coaster (TTD is a one-trick pony, and much like an impulse like WT which followed it). I think it will be crowded to say the least. Your best bet is to realize that it doesn't matter when you ride it (OMG First Rider Ever!!!!), the coaster will be there for you all season. As stated before, I'd hit every other coaster in the park that day, hitting TTD or MF first. You'll probably have a much better day than spending half of it in line. -James Dillaman

^ Don't you work at KI? Your ID should get you in to all the cedar fair owned parks, doesn't it? -James Dillaman