This was my first-ever time at Kings Island. What'd I think? Read on...

Crowds: Not a horrid crowd, but enough to wait at least some on most rides. I think most people were at the water park, though.

Weather: Sunny, High 90s, Extremely Humid (ugh)

Got to the park about 10:15 but didn't actually get inside till' around 10:30 because of those darn metal detectors. I will say that the Two-any-day ticket for the same price of a single day ticket ($45) is a great value.

-Son of Beast - 2 rides - Waited 10 min for first ride, a train-or-two for second (later in day).
I personally feel that its not as bad as people say. Yes, it was rough. But it was more 'bouncy' rough then 'painful' rough. What I think is the worst: THE TRAINS. What the heck was Premier thinking by giving the rider basicly no leg room? It was actually a tight squeeze for my long legs. Then add they track horribly.
Overall: 6.5/10

-Top Gun - 1 ride - One-train wait.
Very short. Its on par with Iron Dragon's second half.
8/10

Wanted to ride Face-Off and Delirium early on but both were closed. And with Drop Zone having a longer line then I was willing to wait, I headed to the Coney Island section of the park.

-The Racer: Backwards - 1 ride - Few train wait.
They actually raced the two sides (backwards won) which was neat. Other then that, it was rough and the individual lap bars really ruined the airtime.
7/10

-Vortex - 3 rides - First two were walk-on, third was a few train wait.
My first Arrow Mega-Looper. Not too bad. But Corkscrew and Double Loop put it to shame in the smoothness department. Loops are very fast and strong. And it was cool going kinda slow through corkscrews that are high up.
8/10

-Flight of Fear - 1 ride - 15 min wait.
With what I would say was the longest wait of the day (It was kinda welcomed though, A/C) it didn't really dissapoint. Launch wasn't as intense as I thought, but the ride was smooth and fun.
8.5/10

-The Beast - 8 rides - Walk-on to few train wait.
WOW! I think I have a new favorite coaster (and I say 'think' because I have to get Raptor fresh in my mind to compare). And at the very least, I have a new favorite wooden coaster. Nothing can describe what its like. The speed, the laterals, the out-of-controlness, everything. I especially love how it seems like you're going faster and faster in the tunnels. Then that double heilx...wow. Its like you never loose speed through it. It was actually so strong in the back seat that it hurt my chest (don't know if thats good or bad). Then the front seat is really something. Even in the day it was just amazing. Too bad I wasn't at the park long enough to get a night ride. Also, I never rode it before the trims but with it being this wild with them...I can only imagine.
10/10

Ate lunch at the Happy Days Diner. It was on par with the Beachcomber, without the air conditioning and free refills, and even costing the same.

-The Racer: Forward - 1 ride - One to two train wait.
Better then Backwards. We raced again, too (Backwards won). Comparable to Blue Streak in airtime and smoothness. Still, those individual lap bars ruined the airtime. After riding 3 of Ohio's out-and-backs (never ridden Screechin' Eagle) I pick Big Dipper as (by far) the best of them.
7.5/10

Went back to Action Zone for some re-rides. Face-Off was still closed. Drop Zone still had a long line. But, what's this? Delirium was running and had a reasonable wait.

-Delirium - 1 ride - 10 min wait.
Very nice ride. Too bad they ran a short cycle. Though I hear maXair runs a longer one (something to look forward to this September). Anyway, best I can describe it is as a giant swinging ship that you face a different direction each swing.
8.5/10

Overall I had a good time. Park was clean but the employees weren't too special. I was actually unimpressed with them. It seemed that most employees weren't too focused on thier job (bet the heat/humidity contributed, though).

Thanks for reading!

Good trip report. Although I would have to disagree about Son of Beast and also The Beast to some extent. But everyone has their own opinions. You're lucky you got to ride Delirium. It was down when I was there. maXair is a great ride and I really want ride Delirium because of it and the fact I only got one ride on maXair. You didn't mention it, but did you ride Italian Job? If so, what did you think?

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YOUR HATRED AMUSES ME

Not once have a heard a bad comment about the Beast. I wish you could have ridden it before the trims though(wildest ride ever.) im surprised you didn't rank vortex up there with it. Yea arrow mega loopers can be a little rough but I liked the hangtime going through the double loops. Great TR!

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Magnum XL- 200...1989-2007...18 years of toppin the list

Great TR. Glad to hear you had a wonderfull time at PKI. I think you rated the coaster pretty well as i would but you missed one thing on your trip; You should have stayed long enough for the night ride on Beast. There's really no way to describe it except for magical.

Oh well maybe next time.

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2009 Carolina Cobra Crew
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