Leaderboard

This is the picture they posted on the @KingsIslandPR Instagram account this morning! I reccommend following them (if you have an IG and don't follow them already!) They post some great pictures!

Opening Day for Kings Island is approaching and I'm positive we all can't wait to get on the Coasters their again. But what coaster/attraction Do you plan to go to first when you go to Kings Island in the first opening weeks. For me, the first coaster I will ride is Racer (blue side) Because that was literally my first adult roller Coaster. But what will it be for you? Also what restaurant will you eat at first? I need some suggestions because when I go to KI I always eat at Skyline Chili or Subway.

Congo Falls is really a remnant from what that area was prior to Action Zone. It was more of a Safari theme as I recall.

Towards the end of last season, The Bat sign went temporarily missing (and was replaced by a smaller printed corrugated plastic version) but came back. I wouldn't read too much into it temporarily being gone. If anything, they are probably repainting the station but will return the sign.

RIP Vortex sign. Taken at 7:50 pm closing day. Just happened to take one last loop around the park. Shedding a tear even then that the season was over. Little did I know this would be the last photo I would get of The Vortex sign.

I didn't even think about the first rider shirts... if MT is as awesome as I think it would be, it might warrant buying a shirt; however, now I can save some $ by receiving a First Rider shirt! Even if I don't get the shirt, I'll be there to wait for MT... however long it takes!

It's going to be Mr T for me. My natural inclination is to wait for another day/week until I can ride without a ridiculous line, but... it's also my inclination to REALLY want a first rider t-shirt. So I'll probably be outside the parking gates at like 4 AM (since I barely sleep even when I'm not excited about anything). After that I guess it will need to be either Beast or DB since they're right there.

Here's a better view of the photo...

Mystic Timbers, no question. After that, I dunno. I've got The Bat, Adventure Express, Beast, Banshee and possibly Flight of Fear on my agenda. But first, Mystic Timbers! As for other rides I'd like to ride on Opening Day, I'd like to ride Drop Tower, Delirium, and Congo Falls (if it's open). Restaurant-wise, I'm not sure. I like most things at Festhaus and Tom + Chee is always good. I'd love to get some Chicken Shack bread this season and if the rest of the group is going to Reds', I'll likely tag along. 84 days! EDIT: Subway is always a good choice, but I don't really go there often anymore (both when I'm at the park and when I'm not)- the last time I went there was last year; my friend's girlfriend and I stopped in to get a bite to eat in Chicago before I went home from my Secret Trip (I also just realized that the first and last activities after/before the bus rides on that trip included eating out! )

So no update on which meals will be included on this year's meal plans... But I'm pretty sure this page is new. I emailed a few times last season to ask about other gluten free options but wasn't ever able to get an answer. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/dining/special-dietary-needs Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It think it was just called Lion Country Safari and then during the mid-90's it became known as Adventure Village. Adventure Village contained Top Gun, Adventure Express, XS Raceway, Xtreme Skyflyer, Congo Falls, King Cobra, and more. Learn more about Adventure Village here: http://web.archive.org/web/19980112193919/http://www.pki.com/cgi-bin/ParkPages/Advent/Advent.pl

Maybe there will be a new Vortex sign with a 30th anniversary logo (or another type of redesign for the 30th)? EDIT: If there is a ceremony for Vortex's 30th, I think Vortexbfforever should be invited (or maybe even give a speech)! She's ridden Vortex 300+ times!

Capacity did increase a little bit when we changed the way we unloaded guests on Python a few season back. We no longer unload the trains in the "unload area", but now unload and load everyone from the front of the station. (There is a block sensor between the unload and load area. If the train in the station didn`t clear this sensor before the train on the course hit the sensor and break right about the station, the train would set up on the brake above the station. If that happened, a manager would have to come out and manually release that brake. With the new setup, that virtually eliminates the chance of that happening). A little birdy told me that there might be some changes to the Python this season. No track changes or anything like that, but something that might be very beneficial.

This is more of a thought than a rumor. Relocating Congo Falls to Rivertown and renaming it Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal.

Okay, so this trip report is just like the other one. I just typed all this while the day went on. We got to the park 10 minutes before they opened the gates at 9:30am. When the gates opened we all got our pictures by the Kings Island sign, went to the bathroom. We headed over to where they drop the ropes at 10:00am, by 9:50am. When the rope dropped we quickly walked to Banshee. We only waited about 15 minutes. Riding Banshee again felt so good! Everyone after that except me, my sister, brother and dad rode Drop Tower. I had never rode it before, and it was actually really fun! We only had to wait one cycle. The rest of them were still in line for Banshee, so we decided to head over to Diamondback. We only waited about 15 minutes. The whole group got together again at the entrance of Diamondback, so we rode it again. We headed over to The Beast, but it was closed. so we just decided to go over to coney mall. Me, my sister, and Aunt Connie rode Vortex, while the rest of them rode WindSeeker. We waited 10 minutes. Everyone was done with WindSeeker before we got off Vortex and they headed to potato works in Coney Mall. After awhile, me and my brother went off to see if The Beast was opened yet, and it didn't. So we went and got our blue ice cream instead. Everyone except me, my sister, dad, and two Aunts stayed behind when everyone went to ride Flight of Fear. Me and my sister went and rode Adventure Express which was almost 15 minutes. We headed over to The Racer after that, and rode the red side. We went back to the table we were all sitting at, me and my sisters went to refill the drinks. By the time we found a station to refill drinks that the line wasn't too long, we went over to The Beast to see if it was open. Sure enough, it was open! We all got together at the entrance of The Beast, we only waited a half hour. Me and my sister rode in the front row. It felt so good to be back on The Beast! Me and my sister rode Vortex again, which was only 15 minutes long. We headed back to Action Zone to ride Banshee again. Only waited 20 minutes and got front row! Viking Fury was next, it was only about 15 minutes, it's a lot of fun. After that we went to get our drinks refilled in Planet Snoopy. I got my potato works. My sisters boyfriend got to the park, so we got in line for blue ice cream. I wanted to ride Beast one more time before we got in line for the night ride. We only waited about 25 minutes. Headed over to Banshee next, only waited 15 minutes. After that we went in the gift shop and got a few things. It was time to go to The Beast for the night ride. It was only 25 minutes. The Beast at night is truly a life experience! We had just enough time to speed walk over to Banshee to ride it one more time. Only waited 10 minutes. Banshee at night is super cool too! That was our last ride of the day. Got some picture of Banshee then we started the slow walk back to the front entrance. I had so much fun! Rides rode in order Banshee Drop Tower Diamondback Diamondback Vortex Adventure Express The Racer The Beast Vortex Banshee Viking fury The Beast Banshee The Beast Banshee Banshee - 4 The Beast - 3 Diamondback - 2 Adventure Express - 1 The Racer - 1 Vortex - 2 Viking fury - 1 Drop Tower - 1 Total - 13 15 And I literally almost started crying cause I though Beast was going to be closed all day but I was so glad it opened!

Concerning the leds on the loops.. it would be amazing if we could have trigger start when the train passes and cause a stream of rainbow lights going around the double loops so it looks like the train lights it up. It could light up slightly in front of the train on the spine facing the park

The good thing about this new pic of the station is that it is a little closer than the last one posted earlier in the week so you can judge better how tall it is.

I'm on iPhone I can't see the pick but I have a link to it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

#TapatalkProblems lol Nothing's showing

I also, am planning on attending Holliwood Nights (for the first time) and Chill out at the Point (for the first time).

It's hard for me to answer that right now. Usually when me and my sister go, we decide right there and then.

Thanks! - From a member of the Banshee Crew.

Congrats DrummerMattk! I'm super excited for Mystic Timbers and I'm sure you and the rest of the crew will do a phenomenal job introducing Mystic Timbers into the Kings Island coaster lineup! Also, props to all rides crews;you all have a lot of responsibilities and handle them effortlessly!

Just signed up and chose the 2pm Beast tour. I'll be registering for Holiwood Nights as soon as I get paid again on Monday.

I know this isn't Timbers related, but does anyone else see anything happening behind FOF in the top right corner? I know that isn't snow cause it's like 60 degrees in Ohio and hasn't snowed since like New Years.

Here's some from this trip....

I can't make any promises but i will try my best.

I would put money on April 13th for MT media day. Friday April 14th will be gold pass preview night (as it has been the night before opening day for a while) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

^ That would be nice, especially with this being the 30th anniversary of Vortex.

That is a good point. I hadn't even been paying attention to the Banshee cam, but that Definately looks like footers or storage for something.

#DrummermattkIsInTheShed

^^ Congratulations! That's great. Please be an ambassador for coaster enthusiasts and encourage guests not to spoil #WhatsInTheShed.

Lifeguard positions aren't as easy to staff these days. Weekdays in early June usually aren't too crowded, so that extra hour at Soak City probably wasn't a top priority. KI isn't alone in this regard; Great Wolf Lodge shortened waterpark operation by an hour on Fridays & Saturdays (9pm close instead of 10pm close) as of last year.

Awesome! Please be sure to rally for efficient capacity Mystic and your crew! The guests and enthusiasts alike waiting for Mystic this year will certainly appreciate it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

^I believe so! Boy timbers continues to grow, i wonder how track work on the back half of the ride is going. Also I would like to say i have been placed at Mystic Timbers as part of the inaugural crew!

Is that why the big crane is back over in the lift hill area? To lift the chain into place?

Thank you so much for all you guys do!

There isn't always more of them. They have a staff for special events like this, some are there for registration some are there for activities later in the day...while some folks are able to work 12+ hour shifts, not everyone is able to (minor labor laws, full time vs part time), etc. It's more of people need to actually follow directions when they register as Magenta Lizard said.....the people who fail to do so, made the lines much much longer. But then again, they don't even have to do the event for us.

I must be a Congo Falls apologist, lol. It doesn't really fit Action Zone, that area as a whole is a bit of a train wreck, but I do enjoy having it there. A good way to cool off in the summer.

2 things kids can't get enough of...dinosaurs and trains! Cool idea.

Move Dinosaurs Alive to the Kings Island Miami Valley Railroad and blend the experience.

I'd move the gliders to Coney Mall (but only if we were allowed to snap them).

They called Mystic Timbers the fifth woodie at Kings Island, unless they're counting Son of Beast as fourth.

Although this is a much different coaster I have been on Amercian Thunder at SFSTL many times and it is a great ride. I expect this will be fun as well. Regarding the name I will do my best to follow Thumper's rule...for now...no promises.

Beast. Night. Rain soaked tracks. That is all.

My guess is that it is less mechanical and more theatrical in nature, if you get my drift. GCI doesn't know because it isn't their department.

Alright, so: Last night when I watched the reveal I was extremely disappointed. I expected at least something bigger and faster. I even went on a rant with my friend about it. All day today at work I complained about "Mystic Timbers". But, all of a sudden, I realized this is a perfect addition to KI. It is something that seems unique and has charm that no other newer coaster at KI has. I trust they will theme it well. The coaster itself looks fun - nothing too intense, but it looks like a great one to marathon. Needless to say, I went from angry to extremely excited about the ride within a few hours. "Mystic Timbers" is still a horrible name though.

http://youtu.be/k0zN_Hjbmqc All that and I forgot to paste the link. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The more I think about it, the less disappointed and the more excited I become. Especially for the Shed. It's got a Verbolten feel to it as far as theming and that tunnel on Verbolten is amazing. (See YouTube link- obviously better to see in person). Based on the plans I don't foresee it having drop track like Verbolten but the audio visual effects I can see being similar. Without the shed, it's pretty much Prowler/Renegade/golds tricker/Most other GCI out and backs, but with the shed there is so much potential and it is gonna make this ride special. We are lucky to be getting it. There will be a day when we may get the coveted Giga, or RMC hybrid, or a wing coaster. But this is no slouch. And whether you like GCI or not- a lot of people DO. And that will bring people to the park next year (and even this year to track construction progress) and more guests= more revenue. More revenue in turn leads to a bigger piece of the thrill ride pie for KI. And in that healthy slice of pie is where you'll find your Giga/RMC/some grand steel B&M beauty. Hang in there naysayers. This ride could be great. And even if you don't like it- you'll like what comes after it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk