Well, I went to Paramount's King's Island on Friday, July 27. The day went something like this.

We got there a little later than I had hoped... I think it was around 11:00 am, and went straight to the Beast. We waited only about 20 minutes, which was cool. The Beast has always been one of my favorite rides, and I'll always defend it as one of the most monumental rides of Coaster history. However, being the first that we rode, I was forced to face the facts... The Beast isn't the coaster that it used to be. For anyone looking for a thrill, the Beast will be a disapointment. It's basically a train ride through the forrest... a very fun train ride, but not very exciting. Like I said, I'll always defend the Beast, but, honestly, I was left with a dissatisfied feeling after riding it.

We went from that to the Vortex, and rode the very back seat. That, I must say, was one of the funnest rides of the day. For anyone going to PKI, you must ride the back seat of the Vortex... it's very fast with lots of air time, and it wasn't that rough... surprisingly, the very front seat was rougher.

Now, this was the most disapointing part of the day. We got off the Vortex and headed right for the FOF... Now, the FOF openned the summer after my senior year of high school, and the only time I went to PKI that season, FOF wasn't open yet. Then I moved to college, and didn't go back to PKI for several years. So, I had never experienced the FOF, and I was really looking forward to it.

Well, we got in line and waited apporximately 30 to 45 minutes, and got to the loading station... 3 trains from boarding. Then, we're informed that the ride is closing due to some maintenance concerns. I couldn't believe it. We decided to stick it out for a while, but after a half hour of that, we left. So, we waited an hour and a half for a ride that we didn't get on. That was a bummer. We did, however, ride it later in the day, and I was very impressed. I would probably say that it's my favorite ride at PKI... oh yes.

Well, after our failed attempt on the FOF, we rode the Forward Racer, which was very fun... the Racers are highly under-rated in the woodie category.

As we were on the Racer, we noticed that the Son of Beast was finally operating... it had been closed prior to this point. So we made a mad dash and got in line for that. After about a half-hour wait, we rode the SOB... this was another first for me at PKI. I will say that this ride is perhaps the most impressive ride, structurally. I don't think there is any ride with a structure as massive as this one. Unfortunatley, the ride itself was a little disapointing. I think this could be one of the top woodies out there, if it didn't beat the crap out of you. I had a head-ache the rest of the day. In all honesty, it was probably the roughest roller coaster I've ever ridden.

After that, we managed to sneak a few rides in on the Top Gun, which I will say is one of the fastest and most exciting Arrow Suspended coasters... if it were only a little longer. We also rode the Adventure Express, Congo Falls, and the Racer a few more times.

After this trip, I would have to say that my opinion of PKI has changed a bit. It's probably one of the most beautiful parks I've ever been to. However, their rides leave a little to be desired. Nearly EVERY ride is rough... The Racer is probably one of the smoothest rides in the park... that should tell you something. Another thing I was disapointed in was the fact that they were having maintenance issues on two of their newest rides this late in the season... I would be more understanding if it were openning weekend, or even in May... but the end of July, and they're openning the SOB after Noon?!

Cedar Point is my home park, and I have to say that they do it right. I've never seen a ride close for mechanical failure at CP... and they always seem to open the rides at full capacity [on busy days] by 10:00. There are some top notch rides at PKI, but I think I'll stick to CP from now on.

I was at PKI for to days (7/30-31) and both days SOB was closed until the afternoon. The reason, however, is to work on the track and attempt to make it smoother, so I was told. I also heard that PKI is suing the company who built SOB for structural reasons. Perhaps others have more information.

That was an excellent trip report thispagecannotbedisplayed! Your views are the exact same as mine of the park. I rode both the front and back on Vortex and NOTHING compares to the back seat, especially on that first drop @ night! Whhooah! I loved all the rides there. The ride-ops on King Cobra need to have a whip cracked when they work. They are so slow and inefficient. I'm glad that you were able to ride FOF. When I was reading your report, I was bummed when you said it closed down when you were in line but pleased when you were able to later. My one disappointment is that I didn't get to ride the Beast. I couldn't find it and when I did (saw it when I was on Vortex) the park was closing.. I really, really wanted to ride it!! But I do have to admit that those rides were great and the lines were not that bad for a Saturday. After much thought, I have decided that SOB is now my fave coaster, next to Raging Bull @ my home park SFGam. Thanks for a great review that helped "bring me back" to the park and remember how much fun I had. Who knows, we may just run into each other @ CP. I go there pretty often.