Associated parks:
None
40 coasters, 4 days, 3 states, 925 miles.
Paramount's King Island, Mason, OH. Monday, June 24th, beautiful skies, hot & muggy.
$9 to park, which was the highest parking price I have encountered at a park in my life, but hey, we are on vacation! Entered the park at 9:45 and walked back to Tomb Raider, where we were first in line for the new attraction set in the wildnerness next to the Beast. I'll keep this brief. The rooms were very well themed and the Buddha room was cool to say the least, but the ride really disappointed both of us. When it stopped, we looked at each other and said, "That's it?" Hey, we did it, but it wasn't what I expected, nor did it deliver a rush of any sort. I guess, I'm just not into the flat ride scene like I was in the past.
The Park: I haven't been to PKI since 1991, but the trees are huge covering most of the park and some of the rides making navigation difficult if you don't have a clue. The staff only smiled when smiled to or when a comment was made, but overall, they were hard working and took care of business. It was also well kept and most amusement needs were taken care of. All coasters running all trains, which is HUGE with me in the summer.
The Flat Rides: Great variety and well distributed about the park. The Flying Eagles were GREAT! But, I should be disbarred from riding them, since I only could get them to snap once or twice. Drop Zone had my buns WAY off the seat! It was my first Gyro Drop and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Coasters: Vortex was as exciting as I remembered. Very intense G-Forces on the loops and turns with some great weightlessness on the corkscrews.
Flight of Fear. WOW! We hit it 4 times with line waits down to about 30 minutes. You just have to ride it for yourselves, it was amazing.
Racers: In my travels, I have never experienced this backwards. Watching the lift hill running away from you is quite the thrill. I don't know if I will ever ride it frontwards again. 5 laps back, 1 front.
Adventure Express: Many people hammer this ride. I thought it was one of the best Mine Ride's I have ridden. It actually was as good as Goldrusher at SFMM. Very well themed and a sneaky approach to the lift hill using the terrain extremely well. Too bad it wasn't working later in the day, it was worth another lap.
Top Gun: Yet another surprise! This is the best suspended I have ever ridden. Yes, it's missing about 900 feet of track because of the short ride, but when you are swinging out parallel with the track diving into the ravine, WHO CARES!!!
Face Off: We only rode this once, and yes, it was a great ride, but do the ride ops have to take their sweet old time taking care of the riders? The wait was terrible because of a lack of hustle on this ride. I understand it's a boomerang with only one train, but no hustle whatsoever from the staff. Basically, they are saying, we are supposed to be slow, so deal with it.
Beastie/ Reptar: I had to ride both of them. I loved Beastie as a kid, so I hopped in the back seat for a quick spin. They really have a winner in Reptar! I smiled around the entire lap. Great fun for the kids! Scooby's Ghoster Coaster was missed, but not really, the long line turned me away.
SOB/ BEAST: Son of a BEEEEEAAATCH! OUCH! What the heck is the deal with the trains? I loved the course. The helix's had amazing G's, the first hill is staggering and the loop is pretty cool on a woodie, but c'mon! Anyone over 6'1'' will be severely bruised in the knees because of the unpadded hand bar above your legs. And the unneeded foot blocks, pushing your knees into your face are completely ridiculous. Yes, we took 4 laps because the lines were short (15-20 minutes), but I don't know if I will ever ride it again. Glen and I are 6'2'' and 6'3'' and took a beating. I want to enjoy my ride on the world's tallest wooden coaster AND live to tell about it! Not be mamed for life!
Now, when we boarded the Beast, my first in 12 years, I was pumped up and was completely disappointed by the trims on the 2nd hill and before the 2nd tunnel. It just didn't feel the same. I decided that we will power ride this mug until we were satisfied. After taking 6 laps from 10am to 7pm, we headed back at 9pm and power rode the rest of the night with 10 minutes being our longest wait. The coaster went from disappointing to outstanding to Viagra to almost me running out and buying a ring for it within an hour! Religious!!! After the second trim, the Beast IS the BEAST and always will be! Plus, the helix is the best wooden coaster finish of any, simply powerful.
Overall:
Needs: In my opinion, Face Off just doesn't get it for me, they need a B&M or an invert of some kind to give a little more variety to the coasters. The woodies are great, but I just feel that's what this big park is lacking. The long, drawn out ques were ridiculous in this park. Long walks to most of the main attractions. The Top Gun/ SOB ques are the worst.
Surprises: Top Gun, FoF, Adv Express and the backwards Racer. Each one offers great variety (exception in my last paragraph) of the coasters at PKI, but each is outstanding in type. The log flume was great with a few surprises in the back and after the splashdown. Lastly, the kiddie areas of the park are amazing. I feel that they surpass even the Point in this respect.
***Disclaimer*** 1) Every park is not the same. 2) 40 coasters in 4 days is worth every penny. 3) Thanks, Todd. I try very hard on my trip reports.
-----------------
There's nothing like a woodie...
Woody said:
40 coasters, 4 days, 3 states, 925 miles.
Paramount's King Island, Mason, OH. Monday, June 24th, beautiful skies, hot & muggy.
$9 to park, which was the highest parking price I have encountered at a park in my life, but hey, we are on vacation! Entered the park at 9:45 and walked back to Tomb Raider, where we were first in line for the new attraction set in the wildnerness next to the Beast. I'll keep this brief. The rooms were very well themed and the Buddha room was cool to say the least, but the ride really disappointed both of us. When it stopped, we looked at each other and said, "That's it?" Hey, we did it, but it wasn't what I expected, nor did it deliver a rush of any sort. I guess, I'm just not into the flat ride scene like I was in the past.
Dude, They raised parking a buck since seasons open, Means new ride for next year as they always do this before the July 4th weekend. Remember renew your SP before the end of season and you get FREE Parking.
The Park: I haven't been to PKI since 1991, but the trees are huge covering most of the park and some of the rides making navigation difficult if you don't have a clue. The staff only smiled when smiled to or when a comment was made, but overall, they were hard working and took care of business. It was also well kept and most amusement needs were taken care of. All coasters running all trains, which is HUGE with me in the summer.
PKI almost always runs the coasters at capsity. Only exceptions may be early spring or late fall trying to rehab the trains for next season they may take one off early (Late oct)\
The Flat Rides: Great variety and well distributed about the park. The Flying Eagles were GREAT! But, I should be disbarred from riding them, since I only could get them to snap once or twice. Drop Zone had my buns WAY off the seat! It was my first Gyro Drop and I thoroughly enjoyed it
Drop zone is cool, However the restraint belt keeps getting shorter and shorter,
Coasters: Vortex was as exciting as I remembered. Very intense G-Forces on the loops and turns with some great weightlessness on the corkscrews.
Flight of Fear. WOW! We hit it 4 times with line waits down to about 30 minutes. You just have to ride it for yourselves, it was amazing.
30 minutes for FOF, your lucky! Best designed coaster in the park and my favorite looper anywhere.
Racers: In my travels, I have never experienced this backwards. Watching the lift hill running away from you is quite the thrill. I don't know if I will ever ride it frontwards again. 5 laps back, 1 front.
Adventure Express: Many people hammer this ride. I thought it was one of the best Mine Ride's I have ridden. It actually was as good as Goldrusher at SFMM. Very well themed and a sneaky approach to the lift hill using the terrain extremely well. Too bad it wasn't working later in the day, it was worth another lap.
Top Gun: Yet another surprise! This is the best suspended I have ever ridden. Yes, it's missing about 900 feet of track because of the short ride, but when you are swinging out parallel with the track diving into the ravine, WHO CARES!!!
Face Off: We only rode this once, and yes, it was a great ride, but do the ride ops have to take their sweet old time taking care of the riders? The wait was terrible because of a lack of hustle on this ride. I understand it's a boomerang with only one train, but no hustle whatsoever from the staff. Basically, they are saying, we are supposed to be slow, so deal with it.
Beastie/ Reptar: I had to ride both of them. I loved Beastie as a kid, so I hopped in the back seat for a quick spin. They really have a winner in Reptar! I smiled around the entire lap. Great fun for the kids! Scooby's Ghoster Coaster was missed, but not really, the long line turned me away.
SOB/ BEAST: Son of a BEEEEEAAATCH! OUCH! What the heck is the deal with the trains? I loved the course. The helix's had amazing G's, the first hill is staggering and the loop is pretty cool on a woodie, but c'mon! Anyone over 6'1'' will be severely bruised in the knees because of the unpadded hand bar above your legs. And the unneeded foot blocks, pushing your knees into your face are completely ridiculous. Yes, we took 4 laps because the lines were short (15-20 minutes), but I don't know if I will ever ride it again. Glen and I are 6'2'' and 6'3'' and took a beating. I want to enjoy my ride on the world's tallest wooden coaster AND live to tell about it! Not be mamed for life!
Your actually lucky you could ride at that height, Ive seen people my height 5'10" not be able to get into it. It depends mainly on foot to knee height. Then again, You may not be lucky :) I personally like the coaster but have been bruised myself by the bars pretty bad from numerous rides
Now, when we boarded the Beast, my first in 12 years, I was pumped up and was completely disappointed by the trims on the 2nd hill and before the 2nd tunnel. It just didn't feel the same. I decided that we will power ride this mug until we were satisfied. After taking 6 laps from 10am to 7pm, we headed back at 9pm and power rode the rest of the night with 10 minutes being our longest wait. The coaster went from disappointing to outstanding to Viagra to almost me running out and buying a ring for it within an hour! Religious!!! After the second trim, the Beast IS the BEAST and always will be! Plus, the helix is the best wooden coaster finish of any, simply powerful.
Overall:
Needs: In my opinion, Face Off just doesn't get it for me, they need a B&M or an invert of some kind to give a little more variety to the coasters. The woodies are great, but I just feel that's what this big park is lacking. The long, drawn out ques were ridiculous in this park. Long walks to most of the main attractions. The Top Gun/ SOB ques are the worst.
Surprises: Top Gun, FoF, Adv Express and the backwards Racer. Each one offers great variety (exception in my last paragraph) of the coasters at PKI, but each is outstanding in type. The log flume was great with a few surprises in the back and after the splashdown. Lastly, the kiddie areas of the park are amazing. I feel that they surpass even the Point in this respect.
***Disclaimer*** 1) Every park is not the same. 2) 40 coasters in 4 days is worth every penny. 3) Thanks, Todd. I try very hard on my trip reports.
-----------------
There's nothing like a woodie...
Nice TR: Im glad you had a good time and got to visit on a not to busy day. Believe me, On a average day FOF has a 1+hr wait. Sonny and Papa are normally 15-30min except saturdas.
Chuck
-----------------
Charles Nungester
Lesourdsville Lake, The great American amusement park opens the season June 6th Thurs-Sun every week. Park phone is (513)539-2193
You must be logged in to post