Kings Island Crowds

I am going to visit Kings Island sometime this summer and was wondering what type of lines should I prepare for. I'm going to take part in the ACE walkback for the first ride on Italian Job or Beast, but am wondering how bad the lines will be in the amusement park part in the middle of July. I also would appreciate advice on where to ride on the trains of Beast and Son of Beast that give the best airtime, and or best ride in general. Thank you. *** Edited 6/12/2005 8:03:54 PM UTC by coasterkid16***

I haven't been there this year, but form what I've heard about the lack of capacity, take the first ride on the Italian Job.

And in reguards to airtime on any of the coasters at PKI...good luck. Only airtime I really remember was on Vortex. As for Son of the Beast just remember these words. Sit in a NON AXEL SEAT! That and hold on for dear life and bring some asprin.

If you are small, SoB shouldn't be a big deal. I would have enjoyed it if my knees weren't being banged into the back of the seat in front of me. I think my hip popped out of socket trying to cram in too. Its a good thing I'm so young (and studly).

By the way, people will probably yell at you for starting a crowd topic. I think it is against the TOS. *** Edited 6/12/2005 8:55:59 PM UTC by Word***

"I am going to visit Kings Island sometime this summer and was wondering what type of lines should I prepare for."

Depends on the day of week you attend. The park always gets busier as the week progresses. Mondays and Tuesdays are typically lighter on crowds. Weekends are, of course, busy... and sometime Sunday crowds can outweigh a Saturday... simply because PKI has a very high volume of Season Pass holders. Seemingly Sunday afternoons draw a large crowd mostly made up of Cincinnati locals with passes. But in my experience, because Cincinnati has a very high rate of church goers... Sunday mornings prior to 1pm can be a great ride time with thin crowds.

PKI also offers things like double ride days for Gold pass holders. So it's best to check their website to see if your potential dates to attend coincide with that.

"I'm going to take part in the ACE walkback for the first ride on Italian Job or Beast, but am wondering how bad the lines will be in the amusement park part in the middle of July."

Again... depends on that day, the weather and fate. Also, remember... the walkback goes where the majority choose... so if there are other ACERS there, and the majority want Beast.. then that's where you'll go. There's no picking or choosing among the two and splitting the group.

"I also would appreciate advice on where to ride on the trains of Beast and Son of Beast that give the best airtime, and or best ride in general."

Well, about a billion people will chime in and start a rant on how awful and non-airtime filled both those coasters are. But typically, I prefer to sit in the middle seat of any car (both have 3-seat cars) and I avoid wheel seats. I prefer to ride in the rear of a train, so I usually go for the next to last row.

SOB is not a tame ride, but neither is Beast. So if you are gun shy... sit closer to the front.

There are some hidden gems at PKI and some tricks of the trade.

Work from the back of the park forward.

HB rides are usually walk-ons after sunset.

The Carousel is the best meeting place... benches, shade and typically not crowded. Avoid using things like the Eiffel Tower or Action Zone as meet up areas.

Don't let a full que for Delirium discourage you. It's typically only about a 20 minute wait.

Save rides on Adventure Express, Vortex, Racer, Top Gun for later in the day. These have higher capacity and you can usually squeeze them in as you pass by on second or third rounds through the park.

Take the park one area at a time once you get some of the low capacities out of the way. Avoid wasting time running from one side of the park to the other.

After your walk-back, I suggest hitting FOF, Face/Off or other very low capacity rides immediately. Get them out of the way, or you'll end up waiting for them for hours.

The waterpark is very crowded mid-afternoon. If you decided to go, go before noon or late in the day.

Above all, have fun. Don't rush, and enjoy the parks beautiful look and feel. Stop and smell the roses... um.... err... funnel cake.

Shaggy

How about good places to eat? Anything unique or more relaxed than a fast food style place?

When I attend PKI, I typically eat at Bubba Gumps. Great food at what I consider reasonable park prices and a killer key-lime pie. It has a back deck that is shaded and tends to be relaxed. It also offers a great view of surrounding rides and many overlook the patio as a seating option so you don't have to fight for a table.

I have tried the Happy Days Diner, but I personally feel that it is outrageously priced... even for amusement park food. For example... a burger, fries and shake will cost you $14.00. Ridiculous.

Wings has more of a home-style flair to it, featuring World Famous Cincinnati Montgomery Inn Bar-B-Q ribs and chicken. But honestly, the PKI version is not even remotely close to being as good as the real thing.

This year, PKI opened A Chick-Fil-A in HB and a new Mexican joint in International Street. I have not tried the Mexican, but I am a Chick-Fil-A nut.

There are of course the old staples that give you a good flair of Cincinnati favs.... LaRosas and Skyline, both of which are considered fast food in Cincy but are chains local only to the area... many visitors love them and consider them novel.

No matter what... eat at odd times. Avoid meal hours (11-1 and 5-7) those are good ride times and most head for the snack/food stands right about then.

Shaggy

*** Edited 6/13/2005 8:39:58 PM UTC by Shaggy***

What does HB stand for?

Ever notice any vegeterian options?

For airtime, sit as close to the front of IJ as possible and you will receive a couple slight pops of air. Going off what Shaggy said, after your walkback, head for Action Zone (where SOB, Top Gun, Face/Off, Delirium, & Drop Zone are located). If I had to wait in either Face/Off or FOF, I would pick FOF as the queue is heavily theamed.

Hanna Barbera

Oh...and hi, Shaggy! ;)

I was just at PKI on June 8th. People say there is no air time on Beast or Son of Beast. It's bull. Both have a couple of good pops of airtime. Just not any "mad" airtime, which is what everyone on this site and every other coaster site says you have to have in order to have a good wood coaster. SOB is running pretty smooth this year. It is no rougher than the Beast.

The best Airtime? Delirium (if it is opened.) Did someone say air time only on Vortex? How about the Racer Backwards? Italian Jobs has good air time. Heck, I will say that the Beastie has some decent air time as well.

Ride in either the front car or the last car of the Vortex to get the most out of airtime in the beginning of the ride. Avoid the middle if you want airtime on the Vortex. And also, on Beast and SoB, sit in a middle seat! Or you will be in sheer PAIN!

Would it be safe to assume that the Chick-fil-a location is closed on Sundays?

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Word said:
If you are small, SoB shouldn't be a big deal. I would have enjoyed it if my knees weren't being banged into the back of the seat in front of me. I think my hip popped out of socket trying to cram in too. Its a good thing I'm so young (and studly).

By the way, people will probably yell at you for starting a crowd topic. I think it is against the TOS. *** Edited 6/12/2005 8:55:59 PM UTC by Word***

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Ride in a middle row, not over the wheels/axles. That is somewhat smoother.

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J. said:
Would it be safe to assume that the Chick-fil-a location is closed on Sundays?

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Yes it is closed Sundays. They have a sign in the window with the founders picture on it and their usual statement about being closed Sundays.