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Kings Island: Advice on my first trip to Kings Island

From SHANNON BRADY
Posted August 16, 2012 at 2:19 PM
Hi, I am taking my first trip to Cincinnatti to visit family at the end of this month, and we are planning on spending a day at King's Island. Please offer any advice and must-see's there. We love all rides fast & dark and will be with a few kids around 8 years old.


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From Bradley Keith
Posted August 16, 2012 at 6:13 PM
You could say I'm a Kings Island veteran. KI is a park I've had an up and down relationship with. I will give my best strategy that includes some big coasters. The kids, don't know if they ride everything. So you arrive at the park, and it's time to get down to business. If you want to do Firehawk, head directly there. Everyone does Diamndback first. It may be hard but walk right past it. Firehawk is hands down the park's second best coaster. Loading takes an eternity, so lines get pretty darn long. You said you like them dark and fast, so you will like Flight of Fear. It's a high speed indoor coaster with inversions. Saying that part about the kids. Do FOF second. Firehawk is right next to it. Now make your way to the Beast. The Beast can be pretty rough. Neck or back problems? Maybe it's best to skip the record breaker. Vortex should be next. This Arrow Dynamics looper can be a headbanger, but it's not too bad. Neither the Vortex or Beast ever have too long of a line. Windseeker should be next. It's not too thrilling, but is HIGH. The views are great. The Racer should be next. I always do the red racer for some reason, but I'm sure the blue is fine. This woodie is not too rough. Adventure Express should be next, if you want to ride it. It's a mine train coaster, not thrilling at all. At this point you've probabuly eaten, and you can go in two different directions. Left to Diamondback and Camp Snoopy. Right to Action Zone which is more thrill rides. The choice is up to you. I'd maybe say left. The right's lines are never too long. Say you go left. Do Diamondback. Just simply remember to do it in the afternoon hours if you don't follow my plan closely. Camp Snoopy is a kids area. More for younger kids. Nothing in there I recommend or not recommend, I usually don't stick around there too much. Action Zone is a bit of a walk from there. You have to decide if it's worth it. They have Drop Tower, which is my favorite drop ride yet, Delirium, my favorite non coaster there, Invertigo, a green inverted boomerang, and Flight Deck, a not too thrilling suspended coaster. Also in Action Zone is my favorite wooden coaster, the late Son of Beast. By now they have maybe started removing it. *Sniff* Action Zone has thrilling rides. If you pass, you won't miss out on too much, but if you're a thrill rider, Delirium and Drop Zone are great. If you don't follow my plan closely, just take away this if anything: Firehawk First. Diamondback later. This plan is based on short lines at different times. Anyway, after a run through Action Zone, or deciding to pass, you can basically repeat whatever you want to ride again. Maybe you'll want to go. Before you leave, you need to go up in the Eiffel Tower, though. I left out the smaller rides. With the kids, maybe they're worth a try. I can't tell you too much here either, I don't ride too many. Good luck! Try to go on a weekday for less crowded times, but the area should be back in school now, so that should help also. Have fun!

From SHANNON BRADY
Posted August 21, 2012 at 9:36 AM
Thank You Bradley!!

From Bradley Keith
Posted August 21, 2012 at 2:54 PM
No problem, have fun!

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