VortexBFForever

I've figured at least about half the soundtracks out, thanks to a playlist on YouTube that has a few of them. The part of WindSeeker's 18-soundtrack sequence I know is: (from Superman: The Movie) (the Harry Potter movie theme) (from How to Train Your Dragon) (also from HTTYD) (from HTTYD) (from HTTYD; the part that plays on WS starts at 0:59-1:00) (from Peter Pan(2003)) (from Apollo 13)Another Unknown Soundtrack (once again, I do not know the name, but I recognize what it sounds like) Another Unknown Soundtrack (same as above, I only recognize it from when it played on WS's first cycle of the day on July 23, 2013) (a.k.a. 2001: Space Odyssey theme)EDIT: I finally know what Unknown Soundtrack (the one after This Is Berk) really is!

Part 2: Then I headed back to Vortex and got a good triple ride on Train #2. Ride order: 6-1, 6-1, 7-1. At the end of the ride in 7-1 I found the trains had stacked and they remained that way for a few minutes. As I wondered what was going on, I looked into the station and saw a couple attendants hosing down Train #3’s last car. Apparently someone had had a protein spill; if it was me, I’d be pretty embarrassed, but chances are that I won’t have a protein spill anytime soon because I have a very strong stomach. Soon they sent Train #3 out empty. Train #1 proceeded into the station, and Train #2 (where I was riding) went to the second brake run. I actually didn’t mind the extended wait – it gave me more than enough time to look all around while the train was sitting on the first brake run! Although it was pretty warm, I didn’t get terribly hot because right before the ride I had another quick drink of ice-cold root beer from my souvenir cup, so I was perfectly comfortable. After exiting and picking up my cup and waist pack from the bin, I decided to ride some other rides and then come back to Vortex later, as I normally do. As I headed down the Mall midway, I decided to hop into Zephyr’s line, because like nearly all the other rides this line was super short. After waiting only a couple minutes (the cycle was just finishing), I went to the ride and rode in one of the aqua green seats, on the very outside. I had an enjoyable flight on Kings Island’s classic swing ride! Next we decided to ride Dodgem together. We joined its short line and only had to wait a couple minutes. I drove Car #35 for my 3rd ever ride on Dodgem. It was fun! I love rides like these where everyone is having just as much fun as you are no matter who you bump into. What a classic experience! Our next ride was Scrambler. We rode together in Seat 7 (because 7 is my favorite number ). Like Dodgem, this ride was quite fun like always! On the way to Racer we saw KingsIslandPR (Don) again and had another brief conversation with him. He asked me what my favorite ride was. I said it is Vortex, and I also mentioned that I was at 184 total rides (at the moment)! After that nice (and unexpected/unplanned) “meetup” with KingsIslandPR, Mom and I continued to Racer. Like all the other coasters, Racer had a station wait. Both sides were running. I got in line for Red and rode in Row 1-2 on Train #1. I had a great ride! While coming out of the turnaround, I looked at Vortex’s station and noticed that the line was once again non-existent! I was thinking, “Oh my goodness! Vortex has no line RIGHT NOW!” as Red once again raced ahead of Blue to the finish on KI’s classic racing coaster. I headed back to Vortex. The station had been virtually empty ever since opening, which told me we had chosen a GREAT day to come out to the park. I got in line for 7-1. The train I ended up on was Train #3. I had a great 185th ever ride on Vortex! While walking out of Vortex’s exit I noticed the “Harry Potter Hedwigs Theme” playing on a just-beginning WindSeeker cycle. Knowing my favorite soundtrack, “Romantic Flight,” would play on the next cycle, I hopped into the queue for my last ride of the trip before ending my 10th KI trip of the season (yes, 8/25 was the day of my 10th trip of the season!). A few minutes after I had sat down in Seat 59, the “All Clear!” came. “Romantic Flight” started to play as the ‘Seeker began another journey to the skies 301’ above all of Kings Island and the surrounding area. It was amazing looking down at the other rides, trees, and buildings, and it made me very thankful for the fact that I live only 60 minutes from such a great park! I <3 Kings Island! The exhilarating ride had the honor of officially ending yet another KI trip (in other words, WS was the last ride I rode before leaving the park, as it was already 1:30). Until next time… Labor Day and Dollar Days, here I come!! Mom’s photos of the day: I’m in the back row A groundhog! Taken while I was riding Vortex. A young starling on top of a building (the restrooms by WindSeeker?) +Diamondback: 1 YTD: 6 Overall: 77 +Vortex: 10 YTD: 50 Overall: 185 +WindSeeker: 6 YTD: 26 Overall: 44 +Zephyr: 1 YTD: 4 Overall: 13 +Dodgem: 1 YTD: 3 Total: 3 +Scrambler: 1 YTD: 4 Overall: 8 +Red Racer: 1 YTD: 4 Overall: 8 Notes: -staff was very friendly! I liked it! -I felt like I absolutely HAD to ride Racer mainly because on the previous Tuesday (8/20) I had this weird dream that SFNO had reopened and I was riding Mega Zeph! -lines were constantly short -I rode on all three of Vortex’s trains -AND 8/25 was the last day of daily operation! -Despite the short lines at nearly all rides (including Diamondback!), Flight of Fear’s line still went into at least half of its outdoor switchbacks! (and once again Firehawk’s line was shorter in comparison, which I am greatly appreciating!)

Photos taken: 95 Part 1: We arrived at the park right when they opened for the ERT. While walking toward the ERT entrance I was pleasantly surprised to see KingsIslandPR a.k.a. Don himself at the park as well! He was talking to another gentleman. When he was finished talking, I walked up to Don and told him I was a KIC member. We then had a nice short conversation involving what my KIC name is (just so he knew exactly who VortexBFForever is) and me being a Platinum Pass holder; I mentioned that I would be going to CP next month, and Don said he would be going this week when KI was closed, since 8/25 was the last day of daily operation. We then shook hands and introduced ourselves. After that, our brief conversation ended and my mom and I continued through the ERT entrance and on our way to Diamondback. Another thing that pleasantly surprised me was when Vortex already started its daily testing and it was barely 9:40. On a typical day it starts testing at 9:45 (if park opens at 10). Many times, I've been wanting to ride in the front seat. The problem is, the longer line for that row always deterred me from riding there and instead I picked a different row. This time, however, I finally decided to go for it. So I hopped into the front seat line and waited about 10 minutes; it was a 5 train wait. It was just after 9:50 by the time I boarded the Green Train and got ready for my very first front seat ride on Diamondback! On the first hill, I liked hanging over and seeing that big drop before me. I LOVED the 80 mph breeze I got in my face! I also enjoyed the floater airtime I got when going up the hills (on a side note, I'm used to riding in the back seat, which has airtime while going down the hills) which was very nice. On the way up the final helix into the splashdown, I was like "This is the best B&M ever!!" (true story; DB is my favorite B&M coaster along with Apollo's Chariot and Alpengeist). What an amazing ride. I scooted to Coney Mall and barely reached the rope drop by the time the national anthem was finished. I now had a choice between WindSeeker and Vortex. I chose to go to WindSeeker first again, hoping for a ride like on August 14 when I had WS all to myself for a cycle. Alas, a solo ride wouldn't happen this time. The poor thing was having a technical delay, as I was told after waiting at its entrance for a few minutes. So, I headed next door to Vortex, planning to ride WS later. Unlike other morning trips where I start out riding Vortex in the front seat, I decided to ride in the BACK seat this time. I got in line for 7-2 just as Train #3 was departing, which meant the first of the two marathons I did on this trip would be on Train #1. So my 2nd ride (and my first Vortex ride) of the morning was started off with an awesome airtime-filled drop (after ascending the lift hill, of course.). It was the same for all the other Vortex rides on this trip, because I only rode in the 6th and 7th cars. I guess it was just my day to ride in the back! It was fun! The 6-ride marathon was done in these seats, in order: 7-2, 7-2, 7-2, 7-1, 6-2, 6-1. At the end of the 6th ride, WindSeeker had opened, and guess what soundtrack I heard? "Romantic Flight," my favorite soundtrack! When Train #1 was back home in the station, I exited, (promising to come back to the ride later) and went back across the midway to WindSeeker! My first WS ride of the morning was in Seat 59. "Test Drive" played on this cycle, and to me it was a great way to start on my first non-coaster ride of the day! Like always, it sure was great feeling that cool 30 mph breeze while flying 301 feet above ground! Next I rode in Seat 54. "See You Tomorrow" was supposed to play on this cycle, but somehow "Test Drive" started to play again! (a "repeat cycle"? That's a first...). Don't get me wrong, I love listening to Test Drive on such a good ride like WindSeeker, but I was expecting "See You Tomorrow." But it was just as fun. I missed the true "See You Tomorrow" cycle, but at least I would be on the cycle where "This Is Berk", which is yet aonther How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack, would play. That was nice, since I hadn't been on a "This Is Berk" cycle AT ALL! My very first cycle with "This Is Berk" playing was in Seat 64. It was great, once again! Did I mention I love watching Vortex and the other rides while going around up-top? It's pretty cool! I got in line yet again and made it onto the next cycle which had what I call "Unknown Soundtrack" playing on it. I call it "Unknown Soundtrack" because as much as I want to know its real name, I do not know its real name!! I really, REALLY want to know what Unknown Soundtrack's real name is, a whole lot! I rode in Seat 18 on this "Unknown Soundtrack" cycle. The main reason I really want to know what Unknown Soundtrack's name is is because I think it sounds really cool! It would really help if someone on here knew what the name of the song was, because I want to listen to it on my computer! I missed the "Apollo 13: The Launch" cycle, (the one after "Unknown Soundtrack") so I was on the next cycle, the one with the soundtrack that reminds me of a news channel intro. That flight was spent in Seat 28. After the 5 rides I filled my souvenir cup with root beer and ice at the Juke Box Diner. Part 2 in next post

It is likely I'll be there on Monday.

I was at KI the same day, from 9:30 to 1:30!

Mine is Vortex; I have hundreds of Vortex photos that I took with my own camera! Also any other Arrow looper for that matter. I think they're very photogenic.

I went to The Beach about a month ago and I STILL haven't finished my TR. I'll have to get to it soon. On another note: When I rode The Cliff, I actually caught some air for a couple seconds. I though it was fun! Maybe it's because I started the ride sitting up? (I usually go faster on body slides if I sit up)

This is great! I'm definitely looking forward to it! I LOVED Dollar Days last year!

Thanks! Here are some photos my mom took on 8/14 when I was on the rides: ^I love this photo! (I'm the one in the front seat!) I'll be posting my photos soon as well. It'll take multiple posts to include all of them because I took 180+ pictures that day, just so you know.

We arrived at the park at about 9:40. It felt just like a morning in October - clear sky, cool temperature, everything! I almost started thinking it was October! Like always, flashing our Platinum Passes was all we had to do to get into ERT. Once we entered, we went straight to Diamondback for the first time since June 25 for a long-awaited ride. It was only a two- or three-train wait for the back row. Not long before I got on, Vortex started to "wake up," a.k.a. begin testing. I checked my watch and it was already 9:50! Nonetheless, it did not extinguish any anticipation I had for this upcoming Diamondback ride (especially with the back being my favorite place to ride). I boarded the Brown Train in Row 16, the very back. While going up, I looked out over the rest of the park that was waking up on this clear and absolutely beautiful Wednesday morning. Then I was pulled over the top, and sent flying down the drop! Quite exhilarating if you ask me I touched the water during the splashdown and it felt nice and cold... It was 9:56 by the time I had exited this great hypercoaster. I skedaddled off to Coney Mall. The national anthem started playing when I was still about 35 feet away from the rope drop. I got there just in time! Now after opening I usually go to Vortex first, but this morning I had decided to try something different: going to WindSeeker first and then going to Vortex. As a result, I gave up my "First Vortex Rider of the Day" title to another guest (someone younger than me!) who had apparently reached Vortex's line entrance before I did. And I do not regret this - the young(er) guest was pretty excited that he was the first rider in line for Vortex! I thought "Enjoy your ride, first riders..." as I kept walking to WindSeeker. And that is how I ended up being the very first rider of the day on WindSeeker! I greeted the attendants with a "Good Morning!" and they cheerfully greeted me back. I was assigned to Seat 32, and after I was buckled in they waited a couple more minutes to see if any more riders would show up. But no more riders came! Before I knew it, they were checking the lapbars like rapid fire - and I was the only one on. Needless to say, I had the entire first cycle of the day on WindSeeker all to myself; which, to me, was pretty cool! "Scan!" "Ready!" "All Clear!" The " " theme started playing, and WindSeeker lifted off, taking its single rider on its excursion up to an elevation of 301 feet above the solid ground. The nice, cool wind blew in my face as it came to the summit, treating me to the 360-degree panorama of the surrounding park. When the 'Seeker had safely landed me back on the ground, I heard "Welcome back, WindSeeker rider! How was your ride?" I cheered, saying it was great (which it truly was!). This was the very first time I've had WindSeeker all to myself! After that awesome solo flight on WS, I headed to Vortex. Since they had just finished loading the train in the station (which turned out to be Train #2) I was the only one in the queue. Train #2 was dispatched, and Train #3 arrived. I boarded in the front seat, 1-1, and in a matter of minutes I was off on my first Vortex ride of the day. This particular cycle was the first of an eight-ride marathon. The other 7 rides in the marathon, in order, were in the following rows: 7-1, 5-1, 2-2, 6-2, 6-2, 2-2, 6-1. All of the rides were fun – drops, inversions and all! If I had to choose a favorite out of the 8 consecutive cycles, I’d choose the ride in 7-1. That crazy ejector airtime on the first drop always makes me laugh! After the 8th ride, the line length had gotten to the point where there were no more empty rows. Since it was only about 10:50, I’d figure I’d go ride some other rides and then come back to Vortex later for a couple more. I headed to X-Base. I originally planned to ride Flight of Fear, but once again its line was much longer than Firehawk’s. So I jumped into Firehawk’s line instead. After a 10-12 minute wait I went up to the station and was assigned to Row 2 on the Yellow Train. The ride was very fun like always. The loop is my favorite part! After that nice flight we headed down to Action Zone. I wanted to ride Invertigo, but not unlike FoF its line was too long for my liking (I had less than an hour left before my mom wanted to leave) so I joined Delirium’s line instead. The wait was 20 minutes; I rode in Seat 33 for another fun-filled ride! It was 12:10 by the time I arrived back at Coney Mall. It was then that I decided to take a spin on Monster before heading back to Vortex. After waiting a cycle, I rode in Seat 11. The ride was great; I loved it when the seat would suddenly go up into the air, giving me a small pop of negative G’s. When I finally returned to Vortex, the line had grown quite a bit (it was a little outside the entrance), but to my delight the wait was only 9 minutes. I rode in 2-1 on Train #1, and yet again it was impressive. I always love the loops – there’s something about watching that track in front when I sit in/near the front of the train – it always excites me in a way that only an Arrow looper can…*sighs dreamily* To take the day’s number of Vortex rides to 10, I waited another 8-9 minutes before boarding Train #3 in the front seat. This particular cycle turned out to be one of the best Vortex rides I’ve ever had. On the first drop, I had my arms spread like wings, and it felt like I was flying - truly FLYING - down that 138 foot drop as the cool breeze blew in my face. I soared through the inversions with intensity and grace. While flying through the batwing I had my arms out for the picture. When Train #3 hit the brakes, I thought, “WOW!!!!!!” The other riders had a lot of fun as well, especially a couple of riders right behind me. We agreed together that this ride was really fun. I remember saying, “I was out of my SEAT!” because of that amazing hangtime that’s always present in the corkscrews! The ride was just downright awesome! So for those who think Vortex should get new trains: Leave it be! After an incredible ride like I just had, Vortex is amazing just the way it is! :) <3 This trip was definitely one of the best August trips I’ve ever had. From being the only rider on WindSeeker to 10 great rides on Vortex (especially this last one!), it was awesome. +Diamondback: 1 YTD: 5… Total: 76 +WindSeeker: 1 YTD: 20 Total: 38 +Vortex: 10 YTD: 40 Total: 175 +Delirium: 1 YTD: 2 Total: 12 +Monster: 1 YTD: 3 Total: 3 I will add notes and pictures as soon as tomorrow because I have to go to bed soon so I can get up at 6:30 to go to school…

I have started work on the complete TR! The way I'm making this work is that I'll be posting the TR one day at a time. The 1st part would be about August 2, Part 2 would be August 3, etc. But on some days I have taken too many pictures to be included in a single post (August 8 - Darien Lake day - is one example of this) so I will have to post that day in 2 or more parts. As of now, Day 1 (August 2) will be up shortly.

Its still my favorite ride to Make that three! I absolutely LOVE Vortex. I would be really, REALLY sad if it left...

^I am! I had a very good time at Darien Lake yesterday. I rode Viper, Boomerang, and Mind Eraser 3 times each, and I rode some other rides (Giant Wheel, Pirate, and the MotoCoaster) once. I didn't get to ride Predator, Blast Off!, or Ride of Steel due to time (I was there from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) because check-in time at the Lakehouse Inn ended at 6 p.m., and it takes 3.5 hours to get from Darien Lake to Geneva-on-the-Lake. We got to the Lakehouse Inn in time. After moving our things into our two rooms and wading in the lake for a while, we had dinner at Alessandro's Ristorante, an Italian restaurant. Then at around 10 p.m. my sister and I took a walk down the Strip (the carnival area at GOTL). We wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel but it was closed already. The arcades were still open though, so we ended up walking through one of them and I came across my favorite arcade game, Skee-ball. I played 5 games of Skee-ball and my sister played three. We earned a total of 101 tickets! I hope to ride the Ferris Wheel at the Strip today...and maybe even a game of miniature golf and/or a few more games of Skee-ball. But for now, I'm heading to the adjacent Crosswinds Grille for breakfast.

^No; we're not big fans of auto racing. ... Sorry for the late update, everyone. My laptop was having minor issues this morning, but it's all good now. Important Note: The Darien Lake trip will be on Thursday, August 8, NOT Wednesday, August 7. While I'm on the topic of that, Darien Lake Amusement Park is approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes from where I am staying in Ithaca. I'll be getting up at 7:00 a.m. sharp tomorrow! Speaking of tomorrow, we'll be at two lake-themed/centered places: Darien Lake and Geneva-on-the-Lake. Today we went to Taughannock Falls State Park. We walked up and down the gorge trail (and I walked in the nice, cool waters of Taughannock Creek for part of the way). I loved looking at the big waterfall at the end of the trail! We ate lunch at the Falls Restaurant (respectively named after Taughannock Falls). In the evening we visited Cornell University (where my parents went for college!). We ate at a Thai restaurant for dinner (and I think it was my very first time eating at a Thai restaurant!). Yesterday we went to the Sciencenter (a science museum) and to my mom's friend's house. I won't be telling much more as it is getting late - we'll be getting up a little earlier to get to Darien Lake in time, not to mention packing all our luggage because from Darien Lake we'll be going straight to Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio! On another note, as I am typing this I am importing nearly 500 pictures I took on the last couple days alone... Edit: I just realized that I'll be at Darien Lake during the early(er) hours of the big announcement day(!?!)

Darien Lake Update: We plan to go tomorrow, August 7! It will be my first time going to Darien Lake since my last (and currently only) visit on July 25, 2011 (over 2 years ago!).

Yesterday evening was spent in Watkins Glen, a town not too far from Ithaca. We went to Watkins Glen State Park and hiked in the gorge all the way to the other end (where the park's other entrance was) and back. It was 1.5 miles one way, making for a round-trip distance of 3 miles. Also while going one way you had to walk up 832 steps, and if you went back the other way you would walk down those same 832 steps. Since we went both ways, we walked up/down a total of 1664 steps! The waterfalls were cool too; you could walk right behind one of them! After that we ate at Jerlando's Pizza, a local Italian restaurant. Their food hits the spot! Dessert was at Scuteri's Cannoli Connection, a local Italian cannoli place. Their cannoli hits the spot as well - it's definitely my favorite Italian dessert. So the dinner we had (including dessert) was not only local, but it was exclusively Italian! Then after dinner we went to Clute Park, a small recreational park (you know, a park with playgrounds and such) on the banks of Seneca Lake and watched the sunset. I got a whole handful of photos just watching the sun setting behind the mountains! As for Darien Lake, I still don't know if and when we may go there. If we do, today and tomorrow may be the best possibilities.

Just thought I would share some details of the week-long vacation I am on right now in upstate New York. I would have started this sooner, but I have had very little time to spend on the computer due to us (me, my parents, and my oldest sister) being out all day so this is why I am starting this 3 days into the vacation. This is the first time I've ever done what I call a "live" TR. In other words, I've never written about a vacation while I'm on the same vacation that I am writing about, if you know what I mean. I will share some details about what happens every day, but I will not tell about everything because I will be writing a complete TR in this thread after the trip. Pictures will be included! And now, a short summary of what we did from August 2 until 2:26 p.m. on August 5 (right now): On Friday, we left Beavercreek, Ohio, bound for Jamestown, New York. Along the way, we stopped in Bellville, Ohio, to eat at Der Dutchman (my favorite restaurant!). We arrived in Jamestown, NY just after 5:00 p.m., and dropped our luggage off at Comfort Inn before eating dinner at Tasta Pizza (pronounced Taste-a) and dessert at Perry's Ice Cream. On Saturday, we had the first of two family reunions that we had on this trip in the nearby town of Falconer. Since this reunion lasted all day until sunset, we did not eat at a single restaurant, if I correctly recall. Saturday night was the second and final night of this trip that we would be staying at Comfort Inn before heading to Ithaca. Sunday's reunion was in Cherry Creek, which is a little farther away from Jamestown. One of the activities there included a "coin dig" where there were coins scattered in some sawdust and the objective was to find as many coins as you can. I ended up finding over $3 total in coins, along with 1 Canadian dollar coin and 3 Canadian cents! We also visited my uncle's farm and his cows, and I found a few small pieces of coal in the driveway along with a few fossils. Right now we are staying in an "apartment." The building is actually a big house with four separate living areas. It's pretty nice; my room has a clock radio exactly identical to the one I have at my house! What happened so far today: We ate breakfast at the Ithaca Bakery and did a bit of grocery shopping at Wegmans. Wegmans is like a bigger, better and more upscale version of Kroger, complete with a café and Wi-Fi. It's pretty sweet. I hope you all are interested in following my New York "adventures" on this thread. I will be updating when I can! Edit: Forgot to add that we will stay in the "apartment" for 3 more nights before going to Geneva-on-the-Lake on August 8. Also, there is a chance that we may go to Darien Lake on either of the next 2 days (8/06 or 8/07).

I always bring my waist pack to carry my wallet and my camera - the two things I always bring to parks. edit: And also my Platinum Pass; that's important too!

If and when you ride Vortex, I recommend: 5-1 if you want the smoothest ride 7-1 if you want the most intensity and airtime (you get CRAZY ejector airtime on the first drop in that seat!) and 1-1 if you want the best view of what's in front of you. Those 3 rows are the best in those categories, but it doesn't hurt to try riding in different rows on the train. I sometimes finding myself riding in 2-1, 1-2, 6-1, 6-2, and 7-2 quite often, but it's your trip - you can ride in any row you choose! Hope you have lots of fun when you ride my favorite ride at Kings Island!

Part 3 of 3 It was about 12:40 by the time I got in line. The wait was perfect – 10 minutes! (it was 12:50 when I got on). I was in #5, as anyone can tell by the above picture. I took out my blue rain poncho and put it over my waist pack (and only my waist pack) for my camera’s sake. Then I was off on a pleasant journey through the woods… Mom took a video of when I came down the final drop. I’m on the third boat in the video (the second one that comes down the drop). I’m in the front of said boat. I liked my first ride on my first log flume. It was nice going through the woods and down a couple of small drops and especially the bigger drop at the end. I got wet, but not too wet (just how I liked it!). On our way to the Front Gate we saw several Peanuts characters being escorted to the International Street Bandstand for the 1:00 Peanuts Party in the Plaza show. Annnnnd…last but not least, I decided to look around Lotsapalooza. This 40th ever Kings Island trip may have ended……but my fourth year of riding Vortex has only begun. Who knows what adventures lay ahead? More TRs to come: The Beach Waterpark 7/27 and Opening Day of the Greene County Fair on 7/28! Stay tuned… +Vortex: 6 YTD: 30 Overall: 165 +WindSeeker: 5 YTD: 19 Total: 37 +Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown: 1 Notes: -WindSeeker’s frequent “silent cycles” as I had mentioned before -multiple times I was the only one who cheered after a ride (which kind of started to feel miserable) -Race For Your Life Charlie Brown’s line moves very quickly -Drop Tower was testing at the beginning of the day, but was closed for quite some time during the day -and next time I go during ERT, I have a new plan to try: go to WindSeeker after rope drop and ride its first cycle of the day, then go power-ride/marathon Vortex a little (if line doesn’t grow too quickly)

Part 2 of 3 This last WS ride of the day for me was in Seat 17, just one row up from where I had just rode in Seat 19. This cycle also played a soundtrack (like it normally should)! To my delight, it was yet another track I recognized: "The Launch" from Apollo 13! The last time I had been on a cycle with "The Launch" playing was when I rode WindSeeker at Cedar Point on 9/09/2012. It was amazing yet again! By the time I had joined the line for Vortex again, the wait had increased to 9-10 minutes, according to my stopwatch. To be exact, I waited 9 minutes and 15 seconds! During those 9 minutes and 15 seconds I experimented with several of the different settings on my camera. Miniature Effect: Super Vivid: Poster Effect: Color Accent: And now, we’re back! To normal… After setting my things on that little white shelf on the opposite wall of the station, I took my spot in row 7-2, on Train #2. In the meantime, inside my wild imagination, I started making up something poetic: “T’was Train #2 and a little white shelf On Vortex’s station wall, it holds things by itself…” …and Train #2 left the building, just some moments later. Up the lift hill and over the top, this ride – no, it was not going to stop! As it flew down that drop, with airtime galore, It was only the beginning; so of course there was more! Speeding straight towards the loops as it went, Thrilling riders 100 percent! (note: I got the 100 percent part from "Horton Hatches the Egg.") …I could go on and on, but I have this TR to finish. Seriously, I could make up a whole entire POEM about this ride! What a thrilling back seat ride on Vortex! I really wanted to go again, so I got back in line, waited another 10 minutes and rode in 1-2 on this next ride. I had fun once again; need I say more? After this ride it was about 12:30. We had agreed on leaving at 1:00, so if I was going to ride Race For Your Life Charlie Brown today I would have to do it NOW. So we walked to Planet Snoopy, having ridden Vortex 6 times and WindSeeker 5 times in the past couple of hours. And like on every trip, I always have to take pictures along the way These next two pictures are ones I took without looking at the camera – I would instead be watching the train going through the loops when I pressed the shutter button (although I occasionally glanced at the screen to see if the camera was pointed the right way). I got some cool batwing shots: Part 3 continued in next post.

Part 1 of 3 There are multiple reasons why Tuesday, July 23, 2013, was a special day for me. I'll list them right here: 1. It was my 40th ever trip to KI 2. This day was exactly 3 years after July 23, 2010 - the day I took my very first ride on Vortex (my first looping coaster! <3). In other words, it was also 3 years after I experienced my very first inversion - a simple vertical loop! 3. I rode my first log flume, Race For Your Life Charlie Brown, for the first time (I wasn't much of a fan of water rides before, but I'm starting to enjoy them now) 4. I took my 160th and 165th ever rides on Vortex This trip was also the first time in a while that I was going with only my mom. The last time it had been only the two of us was on Thursday, June 20. Between June 20 and July 23 I had been on four trips with different groups, and by the end of the fourth group trip I was itching for another trip that I had full control of (in other words: going without a group). Now I finally had my chance to be in control once again. We arrived at the park and got into the ERT just after 9:50. It was 9:57 by the time we reached the rope drop in Coney Mall. Vortex had finished testing and WindSeeker was in the middle of another test cycle. I did not take a video while the national anthem was playing (the music playing at 3-Point Challenge would have kind of ruined it anyway). In my opinion, I wish that someone would turn off the music at 3-PC when the anthem plays... http://youtu.be/1-JtRsmSVSI This shot is one of my favorites: At rope drop, I and a few other guests quickly skedaddled off to Vortex. I was the first onto Train #3, which was the train waiting in the station (on another note, it's usually Train #2 that's in the station, but this morning #2 was stopped on the lift when I arrived at the station). This meant that Train #3 would be taking me on my 160th ride on this great Arrow mega looper. I crossed the train, lifted one of the front row harnesses, put my backpack and souvenir cup in the storage bin, and took my place in the front row of the train where I had lifted the harness a moment before. I pulled it down, buckled my seatbelt, and waited for the "All clear!". Within mere moments Train #3 was taking me (and the other 4 passengers on board) out of the station and onto the lift hill. When we came up beside the drop leading into the corkscrews, Train #2 (the train ahead of us) was going down that same small drop at the same time! I call an occurrence like this a "criss-cross". For a visual reference, I have a picture of a "criss-cross" that I saw on Opening Day: On another note, the other 4 passengers on board were all in the back car, so I was the only one sitting in the front of the train, let alone the first 6 cars! This is probably the closest I've come to having a train to myself (the only time I was ever alone on the train was on 9/26/10; I would LOVE for it to happen again). Train #3 crested, then the 5 of us riders were off on an adventure down drops, over hills, through loops, corkscrews, and the boomerang/batwing, and up the helix. What a great ride to start the day! After that fun ride I hurried across the midway to WindSeeker to see if I could still catch a ride on its first cycle of the day. But alas, I was late by a minute - the 'Seeker was already taking off when I entered the queue. On the other hand, I would be on its second cycle of the day! I was in Seat 49 for the second WindSeeker cycle of the day. Today was a bit different concerning some cycles and soundtracks - occasionally there would be what I now call a "silent cycle" - for example, a cycle would not have a soundtrack playing, then on the next cycle the soundtrack that plays is the one that was supposed to play on the previous cycle. This is the first time ever that I've ever dealt with "silent cycles" - is it some kind of issue? Well anyways, I mentioned it because on this particular cycle, no music played. The ride itself was still fun in its relaxing/thrilling way, but there's normally a soundtrack playing on every cycle. After WS, I headed back to Vortex, which still had a nonexistent line. Literally. For a time I was the only one waiting in the station! I once again got in line for 1-1, the front row. It turned out that Train #1 would be taking me through this cycle. I did just what I did the first time: cross the train, put my backpack and cup in the bin, and took my seat. And then I was off on another fun ride. Six inversions and a few minutes later, I was back from the exhilarating journey. I went back to WindSeeker to ride again. This time, I was in Seat 50 - next to where I had ridden earlier (Seat 49)! This time, a soundtrack played - it was the theme from 2001: Space Odyssey (a.k.a. Also Sprach Zarathustra) for this cycle. It was great to listen to it while going up - as if we were floating away to outer space. Hey, at least the top of WS is 301 feet closer to space! After this windy ride, I went back to Vortex again. This time it had just more of a station wait. I timed it with my watch and by the time I stepped aboard Train #2 in row 6-1, the watch said 4:22.61; the wait was no longer a walk on, and now it was just under 5 minutes. I got a little pop of airtime on the first drop; it was a great start to another great ride on Vortex. After this cycle, I had gotten pretty thirsty, so I went to the Juke Box Diner and filled my souvenir cup with root beer and ice. After paying $0.99 plus tax for the refill, I got back in line for Vortex and waited another 4-5 minutes, all while sipping some ice cold root beer. I chose to ride in 5-2 this time. Like always, it was a fun ride to say the least. Afterwards, I got back in line for WindSeeker, as another "silent cycle" went on. I wonder what is up with these "silent cycles"? Like I said before, I've never encountered them until now... After waiting for a few I was assigned to Seat 58. When the cycle began, I was surprised by...Test Drive! It's a really great soundtrack not only for How to Train Your Dragon but also for an experience like this. It (and the ride itself, of course) was awesome! I got back in line and heard "See You Tomorrow" play on the next cycle, as it should... As you can tell, my fourth WS ride of the day was in Seat 19. This cycle after "See You Tomorrow" was supposed to have "This is Berk" playing as the soundtrack, but instead we encountered yet another "silent cycle"! Instead of the cycle I was on, "This is Berk" ended up playing on the next cycle! I got in line yet again to see if I would have another ride with a playing soundtrack. The next cycle (the one before my fifth and final WS ride of the day) also had a playing soundtrack, "Flying" (a song from Peter Pan) that played during a night ride of mine on July 11. Part 2 continued in next post

I, too, LOVE to go on Sundays in October, where it is not uncommon for me to be able to marathon Vortex (or just about any other coaster, for that matter) when there is a virtually non-existent line. (on Sunday, October 14, 2012, I rode Vortex for 18 consecutive cycles!) The only bad thing about October is that the season is almost over. The only October Saturday I've gone to the park was on October 23, 2010, (in the morning, not during Haunt) and needless to say it was busier. But it was still fun nonetheless.

Vortex is my favorite. I'm a big fan of inversions! (and insane ejector air on the first drop when riding in the back seat!) <3

That also happens to me on Flight Deck; while going up the lift hill the restraint clicks again. But it doesn't happen every time.