Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[stockboy300]

I am possibly going to visit Kings Island on Father's Day Weekend. Any recommendations for a hotel? We are looking for something within 5 minutes of the park, in the $70-80 range, and clean.

We stayed at Comfort Suits and loved it super comfortable bed nice hotel. Less than 10 minutes away from the park. We could see Banshee running from our room. $80 range but worth it.

[prozach626]

I can vouch for Hyatt Place. We always stay with Hyatt when we get a chance and it's always worth it. Being a cop and knowing what people do in cheaper hotels, I'm very picky about where I stay. I've never had a bad experience with Hyatt. Check on Expedia, hotels.com, etc. and you should be able to find something around the price range you were looking for.

 

I think the Hyatt place in Mason is also close to a Greeters, if I remember right. It was nice to relax and grab a scoop after the park last year.

[supertrooper]

 

I think the Hyatt place in Mason is also close to a Greeters, if I remember right. It was nice to relax and grab a scoop after the park last year.

 

*Graeter's

[prozach626]

^Thanks. I had a hard enough time remembering what it was called. hah. We don't have them in my area.

[Superbatboy]

I can vouch for Hyatt Place. We always stay with Hyatt when we get a chance and it's always worth it. Being a cop and knowing what people do in cheaper hotels, I'm very picky about where I stay. I've never had a bad experience with Hyatt. Check on Expedia, hotels.com, etc. and you should be able to find something around the price range you were looking for.

 

I think the Hyatt place in Mason is also close to a Greeters, if I remember right. It was nice to relax and grab a scoop after the park last year.

People do the same thing in expensive hotels, I have a friend who works at a high end hotel in Beverly Hills the stories I've heard. People with money are no less trashy

[prozach626]

No offense, but I'm sorry to disagree with you from personal experience, as opposed to hearsay from a friend. You're far more likely to be around shady activities and shady people if you go with a cheap hotel as opposed to a more expensive hotel. The town I work in is very diverse and we have several hotels. The difference between call types and 'clientele' between the $50 and below price range and $80 plus price range is night and day.

 

A good example of a fun statistic in my town might be to compare the number of Heroin overdoses in our $50/night (hotel A) as compared to our $100/night (Hotel B). I can personally think of at least five heroin overdoses in the past year that I've been to at Hotel A as opposed to zero at Hotel B. There's something about seeing hidden used heroin needles, fresh hepatitis c blood, green vomit, and dead people brought back to life that really makes me want to pay a little extra for a better chance of a clean room and a peaceful stay. Will there still be a chance that I might have to hear a drunken domestic battery or witness a "dope rip" at the nicer hotel? Absolutely. However, in my experiences, these chances are far less.

 

The types of situations I'm thinking about are things that most people have had the luxury of never realizing take place. To the fortunate untrained eye, most of the activity I'm talking about is unseen. Without trying to sound arrogant, I'm sure your friend has plenty of stories that would sound G rated to me.

[bonsaiisuperstar]

@Coasterbill - While the Beast gives mediocre rides at best during the day, there is a reason it has a "Famous Night Rides" sign in the control booth. I'm happy you got to experience it! The Beast does sometimes give "religious experience" night rides, it looks like you had one of those! It really depends on the weather and time of year. Try to catch one in October in the dark in the rain. It's not the most legendary wooden coaster in the world for nothing!

[Geauga Dog]

Diamondback also gives great night rides, not legendary Beast type, but great rides nonetheless. I got my first night rides on it last October on a Friday night during Haunt. While you can still see the tracks it is still quite dark in the back parts of the ride. The bonus was the low-lying fog that was developing in the lower parts of the coaster, in particular around the bottom of the second drop/turn up into the mid-course brakes. I still have yet to ride Banshee but I can see something similar happen at Banshee when the nights get cooler in the lower sections of the ride.

[prozach626]

Not to mention Banshee, with its lighting package. Now there are going to be three great rides to choose from at night.

[Astrojack]

I went to the park on Memorial Day and spent 3 hours at the park on Tuesday before heading back home. I'll do a quick review on Banshee.

 

My first ride was in the back far right on the green train. I was surprised it was only a 20 minute wait for how crowded the park was on Monday. The first drop in the back is amazing and easily my favorite invert drop. The first inversion is taken fairly slow that you get some slight hang time in the back. And it is crazy how much speed the ride picks up after the zero g roll. I can see this topping a lot of lists for favorite invert because of the non stop pacing and taking all the elements in quick succession. Each ride I came back to the station dizzy. My only negative on the ride was how bad it rattled in the back right green train. It's not so much of a rattle, but more of a bouncy/jack hammer feeling. Anyone who experienced a rough ride on Gatekeeper should know the feeling. I'm just glad my other two rides in the very front and middle were silky smooth. Overall it's a great coaster and looking forward to taking more rides on it.

 

Diamondback was running great compared to when I rode it opening year. Hopefully it continues to produce great air my next trip.

[adamico2]

I am able to purchase a very cheap ticket to Kings Island, valid only Sunday, June 22. For you non-pass-holders out there, I am extending this offer. Kindly make a $25 donation to Give Kids the World through my Coasting for Kids donation page (click the banner below) and send me a PM with your address; I will send you an admission ticket that I believe comes with free parking. Please act quickly; this offer will expire at midnight tonight, Eastern Time. Thanks.

[bonsaiisuperstar]

Did you see the new All Season Dining Passes for Gold and Platinum members? $72 for all season and you can eat twice a day. Holy Deal!!!

[BigDipper 80]

^ I got one this season to try it out, and I can already see it paying for itself given how often I go. It's ultimately going to be cheaper to get Skyline in the park than drive over towards The Beach every time. I've also gotten the knockoff Raising Cane's a few times, and given that the four piece meal is normally around $13, it's a good deal. It would be nice if it included drinks, but I don't drink much pop anyway.

[JWAddington]

Diamondback also gives great night rides, not legendary Beast type, but great rides nonetheless. I got my first night rides on it last October on a Friday night during Haunt. While you can still see the tracks it is still quite dark in the back parts of the ride. The bonus was the low-lying fog that was developing in the lower parts of the coaster, in particular around the bottom of the second drop/turn up into the mid-course brakes. I still have yet to ride Banshee but I can see something similar happen at Banshee when the nights get cooler in the lower sections of the ride.

 

This is a picture i captured off of the Kings Island webcam a while back with a good fog around Banshee!

[Password121]

Diamondback also gives great night rides, not legendary Beast type, but great rides nonetheless. I got my first night rides on it last October on a Friday night during Haunt. While you can still see the tracks it is still quite dark in the back parts of the ride. The bonus was the low-lying fog that was developing in the lower parts of the coaster, in particular around the bottom of the second drop/turn up into the mid-course brakes. I still have yet to ride Banshee but I can see something similar happen at Banshee when the nights get cooler in the lower sections of the ride.

 

This is a picture i captured off of the Kings Island webcam a while back with a good fog around Banshee!

That picture is simply amazing. The first half is slightly visible and intimidating, but then it drops off the zero-g into nothing. Round of applause to B&M for impressive use of the terrain and impressive execution of this entire project.

[rcjp]

Wow that looks awesome! Looks like a drop into abyss!

[coasterschile]

Awesome photo! Banshee looks very intimidating

[bonsaiisuperstar]

The beast Beast article ever. Rob posted it on Facebook. Sit back and enjoy!

http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/features/2014/05/29/screeeeeeam

[coasterbill]

The beast Beast article ever. Rob posted it on Facebook. Sit back and enjoy!

http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/features/2014/05/29/screeeeeeam

 

Thanks for posting this, it was long but it was worth reading because there was some great information in there. I still can't believe how much those night rides last weekend have totally changed my perception of this coaster. It deserves all of the attention and fame it gets... words just can't describe how good it is at night.

[Geauga Dog]

Great article! Thanks for posting the link. Love reading the backstory/history of parks and coasters.

[2012jarrett]

Trip Report 5/29/2014

 

So my 20th birthday is next week and for it I got a Kings Island Gold Pass. Today I decided to make my first ever venture down to the Thrill Capital of the Midwest (Not the world, that's either CP or SFMM) to claim it and get my paws on my first usable gold pass!

 

I was nervous about the drive so my dad drove down for the highway bit and I just followed him. After we got to the home stretch in Middletown, we split, he went home, and I finished the last third of the drive unescorted. I had driven to Kings Island with just someone to follow! I was so proud of myself! And this highway driving thing opens up opportunities to do Cedar Point and Kentucky Kingdom next season!

 

First thing I did was get my Gold Pass processed. Apparently in this day and age of all this technology people still need to print their confirmation numbers, I was the only one to have pulled theirs up on their smartphone for them to punch in...and that was it! But regardless, I have my pass!

 

And I got it on this date! As if the thread title didn't suggest it!

 

First up on the lineup was none other than my baby and the best ride at the park, Banshee! Got the purple train the first two times but the last time I got the blue train (though it was rattling some), so three rides on my favorite Kings Island ride wasn't bad at all! What a way to celebrate the new Gold Pass!

 

After a few spins on Banshee, I decided to go to Skyline Chili. At Kings Island. Just need a Red's baseball cap and this is the most Cincinnati thing ever...

 

Diamondback was next...and it rattled a bit. I, that coaster's five years of existence, have NEVER had a rattly ride on Diamondback! It was in the middle-ish of the brown train if that helps anybody, but it rattled and I've never had it do that on me before.

 

I cut across this area behind Eiffel Tower when I realized, there's a LOT of room back here and it looks boring except for Starlight Spectacular. They would HAVE to be able to move enough Starlight Spectacular stuff around back here to fit in a small flat of sorts. Maybe a new Flying Scooters reviving the Flying Eagles name?

 

I got my painful history lesson on The Racer but when I got off...would ya look at that! Diamondback was down! I used to call it Diamondback, but after my last visit when they were stacking three trains deep because of the seatbelts I called it DiamondSTACK, but with it broken down on the lift like that...it's DiamondSTUCK!!!!! Where can this go from here? This HAS to become a thing!

 

Okay, I KNOW I'm about to get blasted for this, but here goes. I've been wanting them to do a few minor touch-ups on The Beast to make it seem less dated and more nostalgic (the mantra I've been using to describe Cedar Fair's renewed focus on paying homage to parks' pasts). They have the new logo that they use on the merchandise and while they could have a new fancy sign made, I'd like them to stick with this iconic one. However, I noticed it seemed pretty faded. They should really repaint this sign and maybe put it closer to the path, maybe out in the center of the ride plaza like other modern Cedar Fair coasters (Leviathan, GateKeeper, Banshee).

 

I've always had the biggest set of problems with this building. First off, you're about to face The Beast, the path to go do that should be ominous, not "BUY M&M'S AND COKE!!!! COLD DRINKS HERE!!!!" Either knock it down or make it seem relevant to the ride's theme other than "Beast Canyon." Put some boarded up windows, weathering, and a few warning signs on it Plus, these vending machines are well away from where the queue normally goes when it's full and I feel like they should be moved into the actual cattlepens. Additionally, The Beast is hard to see as it is and some unfamiliar guests coming to the park for their first time may not even know it exists and walk right past it. Decorating the queue as just another Rivertown building at the end of a path would probably make them just glance at it and walk away, especially with the "COLD DRINKS" sign. That ride plaza and entrance need to SCREAM that The Beast is back there. Plus, giving it some love would help make it feel more nostalgic.

 

But it's a lovely station. Maybe hanging some lumber tools from the ceiling would help but it's fine as is.

 

And all in all, a SICK, sick ride that I feel doesn't get the justice it deserves from its theming and plaza. I wouldn't change anything about the ride itself except maybe make it faster and smoother. I just feel like putting more on the plaza and queue line would be a good way to up this ride's publicity, both because it would be more noticeable from the Rivertown midway and because it would give the park a chance to advertise it.

 

I LIKE the Beast Canyon thing they had going, though. Maybe turn Beast Canyon into a sort of subsection of Rivertown like X-Base is to Coney Mall? Finding space to put another attraction or two might be hard but I'm sure it can be done.

 

I see you, Vortex!

 

Seeing that Diamondback was still down, I went to go hit up Backlot Stunt Coaster. Fun little ride, good for families.

 

I love the new Biergarten!

 

Hello, Bat!

 

I was getting into favorite seat on my favorite train on Banshee (blue train, front row, leftmost seat) when I feel my restraint pop up and they force us back into the gates. Banshee's down for weather! Great! I waited 90 minutes but they never opened it back up even after the rain so I left to get stuff out of my locker and continue my day at the park.

 

Look at the line that formed outside!

 

She REALLY doesn't like rain to stay down this long...

 

I spent the rest of my day walking around and taking pictures. Got this nice Oktoberfest one, but I really feel like this area needs a facelift. Something to draw people in, like Cedar Point's Gemini Midway complete with string lights.

 

Is this sign new? I can't recall having seen it looking like this before for some reason.

 

Artsy overcast shot of Race for your Life Charlie Brown.

 

I feel like they need to do something with this old queue...

 

It wasn't today that I noticed how photogenic Vortex is.

 

It's crazy to think that back in 1987 this ride was the new big thing at Kings Island and somebody else was probably photographing it from every angle like I'm doing with Banshee in 2014. I wonder if Banshee will ever be "that rough coaster nobody wants to ride anymore." And I can't wait to see what they DO want to ride!

 

Sometime in the past The Bat was here, you can still see some of the old Bat footers!

 

Old and new.

 

She's still a-sleepin' back there...

 

I felt dumb not having checked out Cirque Imagine, but hey, I'm a Gold Pass holder. I can see it any time I wish.

 

And from there I left to brave Mason rush hour traffic.

 

A good day to you!

[Geauga Dog]

I finally got my Banshee ride(s) in today. Thanks to my platinum pass I got three rides in during the half hour early rides at 9:30. No front or back seat rides as all my rides were towards the middle (Row 3, 4, and 5). Got to ride green train once (I really like the shade of green they used) and purple three times (I did get a fourth ride in a little after 12 and waited 45 minutes, which isn't bad as the line moved well).

 

What a great ride! The first drop is excellent; love not having a pre-drop on this ride. The second half is amazing. The drop out of the aero-G felt like a second first drop as it felt like a much longer drop than the actual first drop. It seemed like there was a little intensity at the bottom of the batwing. I love how the train just whips through the second vertical loop and the floaty feeling of the in-line twist afterwards. It seems the screams from riders are louder when you go through the in-line.

 

Can't wait to try a few night rides when I'm on vacation in a few weeks.

[Superbatboy]

Great TR!

 

Love Banshee in either the very front or very back! It's such an intimidating ride cause it's so enormous, on few different occasions saw some folks (males mind you) walk up to queue entrance and chicken out lol

 

Diamondback, first car, outer seat is my absolute fave at the park. And it's true the middle rows rattle quite a bit for a B&M

 

By the way, happy birthday fellow Gemini

[A.J.]

Sorry, but remind me again why a brand-new coaster already has "good" and "bad" trains? I generally prefer the orange train on Phoenix for some reason I can't comprehend (perhaps it's because it matches my hair color), but that coaster is over fifty years old.

[foss123]

I was also at the park on Thursday, and I have to say that it was absolutely ridiculous how long they waited to reopen Banshee. The rain had stopped by 3:00 and we waited until almost 5 before finally getting out of line and searching for rides that were actually open (The Bat and Invertigo were also down, so we weren't sure if anything was running at all). After rides on Adventure Express and Firehawk, we saw Banshee testing and the group I was with wanted to get back in line. We waited another thirty minutes with no luck. When asked why the ride was down, the operators told us (this is verbatim): "Something to do with the rain, I don't really know."

Usually I'm very patient when it comes to coasters (I waited seven hours for Firehawk on opening day thanks to technical problems that delayed the opening until 1:30pm) but this seemed ridiculous. Usually a coaster is down for 30 minutes after the most recent clap of thunder or strike of lightning, but for it to be down for over three hours after a pretty small storm was obnoxious.