2 Day Photo TR: Kings Island

[dragsterfan420]

(comments are appreciated)

 

These trips were my first and only trips to KI this year. It was pretty fun. I met some cool people, some of the rides were exceptionally better than before, and I got to see the construction for Laser Snake Horse on Fire.

 

Day 1: July 30

 

To start off, I woke up at 4:00am to head to the airport in Miami (Florida). After flying to Atlanta, Georgia (so close to SFoG -_-) and then to Dayton, Ohio I was on my way to the park.

 

It was about a 2-hour drive to the park mostly because of traffic and construction. But once I started heading down the familiar road to KI, I got excited. I had the two day pass that only costs roughly $50 so I got in for basically $25 a day which is good in my book.

 

Anyways, when I got in I headed straight to Action Zones like most people do. That day was actually very uncrowded. This was probably because it was forecasted to rain and was pretty cloudy. It definitely hard for me to pick which ride to go on first but I went with Son of Beast. Let me just say for being the tallest and fastest woodie it severely lacks in airtime. It does have semi-high positive G's, especially in the bottom of the big helix, but only has airtime, from what I've experienced, when you're going into the brake run. It does go very fast and is very high, but that's pretty much it with that coaster. As far as the bumpiness goes its not too bad. If you sit in the back it might hurt a bit, especially if you're big, but nothing unbearable. If you sit in the from or middle of the train you basically have nothing to worry about. Overall I'd have to give the Son of Beast a 7/10.

 

After the Son of Beast, I headed over to Flight Deck (Top Gun). After waiting roughly 10 minutes I got on the front of it. Even though it's probably the shortest Suspended Arrow coaster around, I still find it as thrilling as when I first rode it. The first drop, heading straight for the ground, and then swinging pretty much 90 degrees to the left is fun. It's short but everyone I know loves coming into the station still swingin' crazily left and right. I give Flight Deck a 8/10.

 

After Flight deck I needed a drink. I went and bought a Coke for $3.50 then skipped the rest of the rides in Action Zone and headed to Adventure Express. For an Arrow mine train I really like this ride and I think it's the best Arrow mine train in the States. It's a pretty tame, but fun ride that I can actually fit in better than most other mine trains. It has some pretty random theming and for some reason plays Indiana Jones music in the station, but other than that, it's all right. I give Adventure Express a 6/10 because it’s a pretty thrilling "small" coaster.

 

After that, I went up to the Eiffel Tower to get some nice aerial shots of the park and the construction. I stayed up there pretty long taking lots of pictures. When I got down I headed over to where Zach (PKI ManJZ) said he would be so I could meet him. I found him over near the “Chill Zone” next to Coney Mall. We talked for a while then I left to go ride some other rides in the area. I went past Coney Mall to get pictures of the construction and Vortex, Beast, etc.

Next, I went on the train to get some more pictures of the construction, and most importantly the ravine. Let me just say from seeing it first hand, that pictures cannot express how deep that ravine is. It’s huge. Also, the train ride at Kings Island is very nice. You get a little rest and can get some good pictures of some rides and some of the water park from it.

 

After the train, I walked to my favorite woodie; THE BEAST! The wait was roughly 10 minutes. It was great. After riding it about 6 times in a row, I can definitely say that it is trimmed pretty badly. I remember riding this thing in the mid 90’s and just flying through the whole thing. Another thing I need to mention is this ride was not made for airtime. There is actually only two spots where you could possibly get airtime, after the first turn that one little dip and cresting the top of the 3 hill, and you do if you’re in the back half of the train. So people saying something to the effect of, “This ride is not good because of ‘no’ airtime and being trimmed in the MCBR,” I just have something to say to you. One, like I said before this ride was not made for airtime. And two, when you’re going through the back part of the ride, from the beginning of the second tunnel to right before the second lift, you’re flying. I give the Beast (in the day) a 9/10 because it still runs and performs great even after the park has neutered it.

 

After my great ride on the Beast I headed over to the “X-Base” section of the park to possibly ride Firehawk and Flight of Fear. Both lines were actually the greatest waits I saw at the park all day, 45 minutes for FoF and 60 minutes for Firehawk. So I just took a bunch of pictures of Firehawk. And thanks to a nice ride-op I got to take some pretty nice shot of the ride. I do need to say something about Firehawk though. The line, I think was so long because of the loading/unloading of passengers. From what I saw, the ride ops would launch train 1 then a couple minutes later train 2. But after train two came back into the station it took them 5 to almost 10 minutes for the ride ops to launch another train. Maybe it’s not the ride ops fault, maybe it is. That just why I think the line is always so long; especially on crowded days. From my experience in 2007 I’d have to give Firehawk a 7/10 because it really performs once you get out of the station . I think It even gives a better sense of flying than Superman: Ultimate Flight does.

 

After that I went to go see Zach (PKI ManJZ) again. He had gotten transferred, yet again that day, and still hadn’t had a break. After talking a while he convinced me to go on the newly turned around, Red Racer claiming it had great airtime. Like most of my day this coaster was a walk on. After riding the Red Racer, I can honestly say I like it better than SoB (no offense to SoB). It’s really fun. Over every single hill you get airtime (just like Zach [PKI ManJZ] said). I went back over to him and thoroughly thanked him (thanks again bud) for recommending it. I was just going to pass it by. I give the Red Racer (not Blue) a 10/10. Yes you read that right a 10/10!! That’s how good it is.

 

After yet again talking for a while, I wanted to play the game that he was stationed at. The classic shoot a basketball to win a basketball . I won but I didn’t want a ball so I gave it to some random kid walking by. At that point in time it was like 6:30pm and I was hungry for dinner so I started heading to FestHaus for some LaRosa’s. LaRosa’s is the best pizza ever! I also got some fries, which added nicely to a great meal. One thing I want to know is why does FestHaus, a German themed building, have Chinese food in it, Italian food in it, and an all girl annoying Country Music show in it? It’s really retarded. The only things that I think are right in there is the picture of the Deutsch Alps, the fact that they sell (Anheuser-Busch) beer, and the tables are the same type’s they have in Deutsche Bier Gartens. Anyways, I think it’s totally retarded.

 

 

 

Then I went to back over to the Rivertown area (I know very weird), but I wanted to get pictures of the woods when it was transitioning into night. I got some pretty good shots and after seeing the Rapids ride I really wanted to ride it but I didn’t want to risk getting any of my electronics wet. When I was in front of the Crypt sitting down I saw a kid waiting for someone else to play the “shoot the water at the target and be the first to make the bell ring” game. After sitting there for 10-15 minutes with no people joining the “race” I decided to help the kid out. I joined the race and won but again didn’t want the prize so I let the kid pick it. I’m not telling you this to pat myself on the back. Just next time you see a kid in need of help at a park help ‘em. I went back on the train after that. I just needed a break from all the walking. I took a video of that train ride. I rode the train that time actually 2 times in a row. I know most of you might think I’m weird but I really like trains and especially good ol’ steam engine trains.

 

Since it was stared to get dark, I headed back over to The Beast. The line was still as short as before, probably because it was drizzling a bit. That was my final ride area until 10:00pm. It was now like 8:00. I just kept riding The Beast over, and over, and over again. I think in just that day I got 21 rides on that amazing woodie. And just as quickly as I got there, it became dark. The somewhere around 6 rides I got on in the pitch black, not to mention the last ride of the night, it was just as great as I remembered from the past year. I couldn’t see the hand in front of my face and the fireflies all around the track made the ride experience great. I had the opportunity to ride with a kid who was around 8 years old who was riding the Beast for the first time; IN THE DARK (brave kid). He was pretty scared but I reassured him that he would like it. And I told him if he truly didn’t like it I would give him all the money I had. Thank God he liked it!! Anyways, I give the night right on the Beast a 10/10. There is no coaster that is as good at night.

 

Now here’s the pics:

 

After Taking off from Atlanta's Airport.

 

I love the way the sky looks here.

 

Nice clouds.

 

 

This is by far the cleanest plane window I've seen.

 

In the clouds.

 

The Air Museum outside of Dayton.

 

Getting ready to land in Dayton.

 

A massive Air Traffic Control tower.

 

The two day pass I had to get into the park any two days.

 

Finally after a few hours of driving I saw this.

 

I like this one.

 

Ah, my park.

 

Staple Kings Island shot.

 

Good ol' Drop Zone. (forget drop tower)

 

I didn't really have the want to ride this.

 

Massive.

 

Goin' down.

 

First ride of the day and a great way to get back into coasters(since I haden't ridden one since last summer).

 

Next ride Flight Deck.

 

Still a fun coaster.

 

 

Their are two planes in this picture.

 

As you can see the park was very crowded.

 

 

Diamondback construction.

 

 

 

 

My favorite Arrow coaster.

 

 

 

More construction.

 

The water splash.

 

Probably station track.

 

 

"They only sent four of us here? This is gonna be a long day..."

 

Brake run.

 

Splash.

 

 

 

 

No more Laura Croft.

 

 

Footers.

 

Rivertown train station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gigantic ravine.

 

 

Train house.

 

River rapids station.

 

The family raft at Boomerang Bay.

 

Still trying to figure out what to do with only 4 workers.

 

I think I'll pick the front for now.

 

I've been waitin' a year for this!!

 

Again, it's sooooo crowded.

 

I like this pic.

 

This one too.

 

Buh-bye.

 

Happy riders.

 

Lift hill porn.

 

I'll be back later.

 

Headin' for the hill.

 

Two trains! Score!

 

This is pretty good.

 

 

 

 

 

If I put this in better quality it would look real nice.

 

Vortex.

 

Suprising airtime.

 

 

A different angle of the Beast's lift.

 

First drop.

 

And they tried to tell me this wasn't a coaster.

 

Lots of fish.

 

SoB.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another good one.

 

Delirium

 

Beastie.

 

Nick Universe

 

Diamondback

 

Break-run

 

 

Track.

 

I have no idea.

 

 

Splashdown

 

 

\

 

What is that?

 

 

Overview of Vortex

 

 

 

Second drop on The Beast.

 

 

 

(if you didn't read my TR) Some guy thought this was extra track for Firehawk.

 

 

Firehawk.

 

You really feel like you're flying on this.

 

 

 

 

 

Another high quality pic.

 

 

 

I like looking at the wiring on a rides. I guess you could call me a nerd.

 

 

 

 

 

Silouette

 

 

 

 

Lift hill.

 

My favorite shot of the day and probably the trip.

 

 

My second favorite.

 

 

 

It's gettin' dark.

 

 

 

 

Macro

 

Super-macro

 

Everything's green. (no editing)

 

My favorite rapids ride.

 

 

 

Look how fast that train is going!

 

 

Footers before concrete.

 

The picture can't express how big this is.

 

 

 

 

Back at the Beast. It's even more crowded now!

 

 

 

 

 

Fireworks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bye.

 

Looks like Lava.

 

Bye Kings Island. (for a few days)

 

Thanks for reading day one of my Photo TR. More to come...

 

(comments are appreciated)

[Mr. Starr]

Nice pics.

 

Can't want to get on Diamondback!

Say hi to my cousins, they live across the street.

[dragsterfan420]

Nice pics.

 

Can't want to get on Diamondback!

Say hi to my cousins, they live across the street.

 

Thanks! Me too. Your cousins live across the street from KI? If so I wouldn't even be able to say hi seeing as I live in Miami, Florida.

[jarmor]

i'm starting to wonder...why get another coaster that is virtually the same color as your last coaster lol!

[dragsterfan420]

I was thinkin' that too. I really think they should have made it like light brown or tan or something to look a diamondback rattlesnake.

[Groteslurf]

Great pictures. I enjoyed reading your TR.

 

The racers are indeed great coasters.

[PkiJake]

I enjoyed seeing this! My last time at Kings Island was in Septmber for Halloween Haunt. The Beast at 1am is totally awesome. I had so much fun that night, I had no clue that would be my last time to go for awhile . I figured I would go again in the Spring and then my dad got a new job and we moved from Lexington,KY to Jacksonville,FL. Ofcourse, now the park is getting a huge steel coaster finally that I won't get to ride for awhile.

 

-Jake

[dragsterfan420]

Great pictures. I enjoyed reading your TR.

 

The racers are indeed great coasters.

 

Thanks alot. But I can only say that I like the Red Racer. But the racing aspect is great.

 

I enjoyed seeing this! My last time at Kings Island was in Septmber for Halloween Haunt. The Beast at 1am is totally awesome. I had so much fun that night, I had no clue that would be my last time to go for awhile . I figured I would go again in the Spring and then my dad got a new job and we moved from Lexington,KY to Jacksonville,FL. Ofcourse, now the park is getting a huge steel coaster finally that I won't get to ride for awhile.

 

-Jake

 

I've always wished I could go up to Kings Island for their Halloween Haunt, or anything else its been called. It would be awesome to ride the Beast anytime after 10:00pm (when the park closes, as I'm sure you know) because it would really be pitch black out in the woods. Don't fret about living in Jacksonville. Heck, I live in Miami and I consider King's Island my home park (since i've been going there since I was born). Also you still got some world class parks not to far from you (Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, all of the Disney parks, and kinda far but Busch Gardens Africa). Thanks.

[doublex98]

Great Photos!

 

Diamondback is going to be a great addition to this park!

[dragsterfan420]

Yeah I think it will be. It's going to be great to see a B&M hyper in the skyline of KI.

[PkiJake]

I've always wished I could go up to Kings Island for their Halloween Haunt, or anything else its been called. It would be awesome to ride the Beast anytime after 10:00pm (when the park closes, as I'm sure you know) because it would really be pitch black out in the woods. Don't fret about living in Jacksonville. Heck, I live in Miami and I consider King's Island my home park (since i've been going there since I was born). Also you still got some world class parks not to far from you (Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure, all of the Disney parks, and kinda far but Busch Gardens Africa). Thanks.

 

 

I think I am going to BGA before schools starts. Our school starts August 22(senior year) so, hopefully in the next two weeks sometime.

[SFOGdude25]

Great pics dude!!! It's very nice to know I'm not alone in being a KI fan. It is such a great family park. Diamondback will be awesome!

 

To all KI haters here on the forum: Kings Island may not have a coaster collection full of super-intense-crazy-fun coasters, but keep in mind, Kings Island is an older park that kept their old nostalgic charm. They are also a FAMILY park, and not a thrill park. The Beast is all about speeding through the woods, and those trims help the roughness that would occur with overspeed. Son of Beast is NOT AS BAD as everyone says it is. I find that the coaster is way less rough than it used to be. I no longer get headaches on that coaster anymore. I find it pretty enjoyable (You have to know where to ride it though. That goes the same with Beast and Racer). Vortex is great! That first drop has quite a bit of air, and the rest of the ride is fun as well. Just learn the arrow brace position. I find all the roller coasters at Kings Island very fun. Think positive!

One last thing, What is with all the negative talk about Diamondback? It's not even open yet! Let it be built, ride it, then form your opinion.

Go ahead and call me a KI fanboy. I'll keep my word, and won't argue.

[ebl]

Kings Island is a park that I've always wanted to visit, despite not having the world's greatest collection of coasters. But, I don't think that a coaster should have to be ridden a "certain way" to be enjoyed. Too often, I hear that "you have to ride in a certain seat" or "if you know where to hang on or brace yourself, it isn't bad." And so on. But I'm going off the track.

 

I have yet to ride a B&M hypercoaster, and since apparently none are coming to California any time soon, I'll just have to go to where they are.

 

But that's not a bad thing...

 

Eric

[dragsterfan420]

think I am going to BGA before schools starts. Our school starts August 22(senior year) so, hopefully in the next two weeks sometime.

 

That's cool. I wish I could go! And you're lucky my school down in Miami starts on the 16.

 

Great pics dude!!! It's very nice to know I'm not alone in being a KI fan. It is such a great family park. Diamondback will be awesome!

 

To all KI haters here on the forum: Kings Island may not have a coaster collection full of super-intense-crazy-fun coasters, but keep in mind, Kings Island is an older park that kept their old nostalgic charm. They are also a FAMILY park, and not a thrill park. The Beast is all about speeding through the woods, and those trims help the roughness that would occur with overspeed. Son of Beast is NOT AS BAD as everyone says it is. I find that the coaster is way less rough than it used to be. I no longer get headaches on that coaster anymore. I find it pretty enjoyable (You have to know where to ride it though. That goes the same with Beast and Racer. Vortex is great! That first drop has quite a bit of air, and the rest of the ride is fun as well. Just have to learn the arrow brace position. I find all the roller coasters at Kings Island very fun. Think positive!

One last thing, What is with all the negative talk about Diamondback? It's not even open yet! Let it be built, ride it, then form your opinion.

Go ahead and call me a KI fanboy. I'll keep my word, and won't argue.

 

Thank you for the compliment. I somewhat agree with you. But I also think Diamondback will be great.

[SFOGdude25]

No problem dude.

[OrientExpressForever]

Those are some of the best pictures I've seen of King's Island. I've never been there and your pix really help me grasp the layout and atmosphere of the park. A lot of those shots have outstanding clarity, contrast, color, composition...and I'm sure many other "c" words - do you mind my asking what kind of camera you are using?

[dragsterfan420]

Those are some of the best pictures I've seen of King's Island. I've never been there and your pix really help me grasp the layout and atmosphere of the park. A lot of those shots have outstanding clarity, contrast, color, composition...and I'm sure many other "c" words - do you mind my asking what kind of camera you are using?

 

Well thank you for the compliment and I'm glad I could give you some insight of the park. About the camera. I'm using a new Canon Powershot S5 IS. For only $350 I find it to be a great camera and it does everything I need.

 

Check back later because I got a bunch of other photo's. If you give me your email I can send you higher resolution pictures. Just tell me which ones you want.

[yankees15]

Those are probably the BEST pictures I have seen of Kings Island. Great job!

 

I am trying to save up for a trip out there next summer and these pictures make me want to visit this park even more. Diamondback also doesn't hurt the cause. I would just like a little bit of help. How would you go around the park to hit every coaster and Drop Zone during one day? Is it possible? Thanks in advance!

[dragsterfan420]

Those are probably the BEST pictures I have seen of Kings Island. Great job!

 

I am trying to save up for a trip out there next summer and these pictures make me want to visit this park even more. Diamondback also doesn't hurt the cause. I would just like a little bit of help. How would you go around the park to hit every coaster and Drop Zone during one day? Is it possible? Thanks in advance!

 

 

Well to start off you must go on a weekday. The best day would probably be Monday or Wednesday. Go right when the park opens and you should be able to hit everything in the park no problem. You could probably even get double rides on most things.

 

At the "running of the bulls" instead of going over to where Drop Tower and Son of Beast are, Action Zone, go to the Rivertown section of the park; where the Beast and the Crypt and the construction of Diamondback are. Now if you start there and work your way counter clockwise around the park, from that spot, you should have at the most 10 minute waits on most rides.

 

When you go make sure to do all the coasters. As for flats, do Drop Tower, The Crypt (it has a great running system now), Delirium, any other's you want.

 

Also take a ride on the train. Even though it's not "thrilling" you can still get some great views, especially of Diamondback's construction, the rapids ride, and some of Boomerang Bay (the water park).

 

Let me know when you're planning on going and I (or ask PKI ManJZ) could give you a good idea of what's going on.

[MixedDrink]

Those are some great photos!

Kings Island looks like a great park,

I bet I'd feel at home since my home park is CW.

[dragsterfan420]

Thanks alot. Maybe. From the pics I've seen of CW its alot different, but also similar.

[PkiJake]

That's cool. I wish I could go! And you're lucky my school down in Miami starts on the 16.

 

I am use to starting school earlier than the 16th when I live in Lexington. The 22nd start date is nice since it is such a late date to start. We also have one hour early realease every Wednesday, another nice change. What sucks is we get out June 10th, I get out earlier since I will be graduating.

 

-Jake

[yankees15]

Well to start off you must go on a weekday. The best day would probably be Monday or Wednesday. Go right when the park opens and you should be able to hit everything in the park no problem. You could probably even get double rides on most things.

 

At the "running of the bulls" instead of going over to where Drop Tower and Son of Beast are, Action Zone, go to the Rivertown section of the park; where the Beast and the Crypt and the construction of Diamondback are. Now if you start there and work your way counter clockwise around the park, from that spot, you should have at the most 10 minute waits on most rides.

 

When you go make sure to do all the coasters. As for flats, do Drop Tower, The Crypt (it has a great running system now), Delirium, any other's you want.

 

Also take a ride on the train. Even though it's not "thrilling" you can still get some great views, especially of Diamondback's construction, the rapids ride, and some of Boomerang Bay (the water park).

 

Let me know when you're planning on going and I (or ask PKI ManJZ) could give you a good idea of what's going on.

 

Thanks you SO much for this information! I greatly appreciate it!

 

Well my plans are in a very early stage, but I would be planning on going on a monday of the second or third week of June. At this point I would probably be able to get an hour or two in before the park closes on sunday night. Then the next day I would probably stay until about 4 or 5 to head up to Cedar point. The Sunday night I would ride Diamondback and Beast and the next day I would get all the credits and a couple rerides on Diamondback and Beast. Would that be a probable plan?

[dragsterfan420]

Well to start off you must go on a weekday. The best day would probably be Monday or Wednesday. Go right when the park opens and you should be able to hit everything in the park no problem. You could probably even get double rides on most things.

 

At the "running of the bulls" instead of going over to where Drop Tower and Son of Beast are, Action Zone, go to the Rivertown section of the park; where the Beast and the Crypt and the construction of Diamondback are. Now if you start there and work your way counter clockwise around the park, from that spot, you should have at the most 10 minute waits on most rides.

 

When you go make sure to do all the coasters. As for flats, do Drop Tower, The Crypt (it has a great running system now), Delirium, any other's you want.

 

Also take a ride on the train. Even though it's not "thrilling" you can still get some great views, especially of Diamondback's construction, the rapids ride, and some of Boomerang Bay (the water park).

 

Let me know when you're planning on going and I (or ask PKI ManJZ) could give you a good idea of what's going on.

 

Thanks you SO much for this information! I greatly appreciate it!

 

Well my plans are in a very early stage, but I would be planning on going on a monday of the second or third week of June. At this point I would probably be able to get an hour or two in before the park closes on sunday night. Then the next day I would probably stay until about 4 or 5 to head up to Cedar point. The Sunday night I would ride Diamondback and Beast and the next day I would get all the credits and a couple rerides on Diamondback and Beast. Would that be a probable plan?

 

Yeah that sounds like an Ok plan.

 

^ Sounds like a good plan.

I'm presuming KI is like CW in a sense, in which everyone heads to Behemoth (in this case DiamondBack). And every other ride is virtually empty.

 

I doubt it will be like that. Maybe the first months or so but not to long, if at all, after that.

[MixedDrink]

^ Here at CW it lasted a couple couple of months actually.

I was surprised.