electricsun

I feel like this conversation happened last year... I've been to KI Dollar Days the last two (maybe 3?) years and they've been great days. I've gone on both a Sunday and Monday. Crowds are like a normal Sunday, sometimes lighter. I've taken my sister and her kids and they love it as they can get as much as they want. It's also the only time they get ice cream at the park. (I have a strict no dairy rule while we are there.) The longest lines are for the pizza, hot dogs and ice cream but in the past they move fast. I've seen many normal behind the scenes folks helping pass out food, especially with the hot dogs at Tower Drinks. Tips - Bring cash as it will make things much easier since it's a flat dollar. Be patient and friendly with the people serving you as you may not know who is taking your money or serving your food. Say thank you! I'm camping that weekend with family this year but may have to see if anyone wants to go.

Logistically, how does that work? Is there a posted closing time? Or do they stop entry at a certain time? I really am interested as to how the logistics of this works as I've never experienced it in person.

This just sounds like a recipe for disaster and upset guests. Do any other parks have a rolling closing time that adjust based on demand? I just can't comprehend how that would logistically work without upsetting guests.

Nearly everyone... That makes me think of the toll gates, parking lot, entry plaza, fountains. Because once my car is parked, that is when the real fun begins as I'll be soon riding roller coasters. I'll just wait and see what tomorrow will bring.

Some of the spiels had me in giggles this year. Top fence! So unbearable.

I just thought the fence won a Blue Ribbon at the Warren County Fair? (edited to add that seeing the blue ribbon yesterday made me smile and think it was either being wrapped up as a gift or won a blue ribbon for being the best fence. I'm not being sarcastic...just silly. )

The marking in the parking lot has been there for a while. I'm pretty sure I saw it in the parking lot at the very beginning of August at the latest. There is another one that says 370.

Steph88 - I have issues with Wicked Twister too - Drop Tower is another one! A few more rides are issues in the fall because of coats or hoodies. Some rides with OTS don't take into consideration women's upper bodies. Some adjustment once I've click down the harness helps to click it down more....but I always feel slightly awkward and inappropriate. :/ Body proportions really do impact people's ability to fit in a seat or secure a seatbelt. I always struggle with TTD and Millenium Force because of the location of the seat belt. Stupid hips.

That makes me sad that his favorite part was eating pizza. Even when I spent my days exclusively in Planet Snoopy, my favorite part was seeing how much fun the little ones were having. But, I also can be quite sentimental. I've been wondering if people stop enjoying rides simply because they get older or because they don't visit as frequently as they did as a child. As an example, I've noticed that my tolerance for spinning rides has gotten better in the last few years. I would say that is because I have to ride with the two little ones. I still don't like them and can't ride Scambler and Monster back to back, but I can now get through a cycle of Monster without too much misery.

The thing that impressed me the most with the Cirque shows this year and last is that the performers really seem to enjoy what they are doing. There is a certain spark that you can't fake. Their athleticism and skill is beyond impressive but the humor and personality really brings the show to life. I've yet to see any other experience have all three kids completely silent and focused on the stage. If you see these kids elsewhere, you wouldn't believe it...but my oh my, how those performers manage to weave a spell over them.

I'm not sure what, if anything, I've done right but I now have a niece and nephew that are like their oldest brother in their love for riding roller coasters. Today was a huge success with the youngest two now being at 48". A whole world opened up for them. Backlot Stunt Coaster, Dodgem, Zephyr, The Racer, Adventure Express, The Bat, and of course, The Beast. I heard a quiet "woohooo!" from my niece on The Bat and it made me smile. It's pretty awesome to watch a nervous look change into a big grin during the course of a ride. It might seem silly, but I'm really relieved by their excitement about the bigger rides. As a chaperone, I've seen numerous 4-8th graders refuse to ride anything. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to be the case here!

The youngest niece has official hit 48"! It's a big day!

This man made a poor decision. In the moment, I'm sure he thought he had timed everything out and had enough time to get his things and get back. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Now, his family and friends have to pick up the pieces and prepare for a final goodbye. The people that cared for him move forward knowing that a single choice took his life. The team at Cedar Point that had to handle this situation sure didn't expect to experience this when they clocked in to work. The riders and the people in line for Raptor when this accident happened had a new perspective of a rollercoaster's power. The students and families from Akron had their day of celebration overshadowed. The impact will be long reaching for both his loved ones and the strangers at the park that day. His choice may have created this situation, but my heart is thinking of those that loved him. They are grieving and the last thing they need is for strangers to judge the man they loved.

Yikes! The only one I've been on with a dropping floor didn't come back up until after the ride had stopped. As it slowed down, we would slide down the side of the ride. We would then step into the center while the floor came back up so we could exit.

Isn't it in the best interests of both Kentucky Kingdom and the KY State Fair that both organizations have a good working relationship? Or at least want the other to succeed and meet their goals or plan? I can see why the State Fair wouldn't want Kentucky Kingdom to be open during their run - parking was crazy when I was there and I can only imagine what it looks like when both are open. On the KK side, would you want your guests to have to fight fair traffic and parking in order to visit your park? There is also the huge matter of competing interest with food and rides. Upset a vendor and the fair might not see them again. Vendors talk with each other...which can greatly help or hurt your ability to book a vendor for future events. Just so many questions...

Hypothesis or theory? If it's cool with ya'll, I'll just keep enjoying soaring up into the sky and twisting back around to the ground. Rinse and repeat.

Rotors don't really have a market anymore. They can be expensive to repair and maintain. They are way cooler than Gravitrons as the floors actually drop. However, the number of protein spills seems to be higher than the typical flat.

On Friday, when I was at Tower Drinks for water, a woman came up saying she had been at several other food stands and no one had souvenir cups. I don't understand why the other stands don't have them.

Jdawg1998 - I would say it is likely some combination of exhaustion and stress. Your brain might be working through all the "what-ifs" of the job that are now ingrained like muscle memory. If it helps, when I get very stressed, sick, or overworking myself to the point of mental exhaustion, I find myself sleep walking and talking. A friend and I shared a room for a work trip and I woke him up in the middle of the night by talking in my sleep - with the intro to our script as though it was really happening. He woke up in a panic thinking he was sleeping through a program. I had no memory of it. There are similar funny stories from family and roommates. It still happens as I've woken up in the middle of a sleep walking episode. When I realize it's happening, I make sure to refocus on eating healthy, balancing work and rest, and even exercise can help. I've had friends say yoga and meditation helps them.

My thighs and hips are always what worry me (I'm a woman) on rides like Diamondback. But I've seen men larger than me ride Diamondback with no issues. Drop Tower may not work - that really seems to be a hit or miss ride depending on body shape and build. I have to adjust things in order to ride but I've seen larger people ride. As mentioned above, it really is about body proportion. Diamondback, Banshee, and Delerium have test seats. Have fun!

I was in line for The Beast and was a bit worried with being in the lower queue but the lined moved really fast - I would guess that folks left to ride Diamondback. Waited about 30 mins for my first ride and 15-20 for my second ride. The Beast at night...the best! Then headed over to Diamondback for three rides with each being either a walk on or station wait. Still had enough time for 1-2 more rides but decided to head home. Thank to all the KI team that stayed late! I'm sure that it was a long day for everyone but they were still going with lots of energy. Your work and energy was noticed and appreciated!

Made it here later than planned. In an hour, I rode Drop Tower, The Bat and Banshee. Banshee was a 20ish minute wait and Drop Tower was a one drop wait. Delirium looked to be a 2 cycle wait.

Anyone at the park want to share an update on wait times? Still debating...

Between the last two nights, I've worked 5 hours over. It's really tempting to leave an hour early and head down for the night rides that I didn't get Saturday. Running through the logistics, I can get 5.5 hours of sleep before I need to be back on the road for my volunteer shift at Kenyon. The Beast or an extra two hours of sleep...

You know those things that sound so unlikely but are true? Yeah...having that moment. However, a Whip at Kings Island that adults could ride would make me unbelievably happy.