Around this Cincinnati area, one sure sign of spring is the opening of Kings Island on the weekends in April. And that event has now taken place, so let's review some of the changes and new things at the park this season.
Most notable new thing is the Italian Job: Stunt Track, which was looking good as trains were being launched through the circuit. I'll discuss IJ:ST later on.
The next most notable is the re-paint of the Eiffel Tower now underway. While it is something that you would expect done before the park opens for the season, I'm happy that they're finally repainting the fading light blue, to a darker tone of green-blue, similar to the Kings Dominion Eiffel Tower, repainted a few years ago.
There are new food places throughout the park this year. Hand-dipped ice cream is now served in a walk-in Graeter's parlor, at an International Street corner near the western entrance to Hanna-Barbera Land. This Graeter's looks much like one of their outside locations, and also serves sundaes. There is also a small seating area inside Graeter's. The former hand-dipped ice cream stand now serves slushies and mini-donuts, great for those who are hungry in the morning yet want a mini-breakfast.
Happy Days Diner has replaced Preston T. Tucker's Roadside Grille. Themed to the classic TV show, Happy Days serves food you'd expect to see at a 50's style diner: burgers, waffle fries, hot dogs, and shakes.
Three locations are not yet open and complete. On International Street, the Mandarin Chinese restaurant has closed and will be replaced with a Mexican restaurant. Also, La Patisserie Francaise, which served good pastries and cookies for years, has closed to make way for a Starbucks cafe. Around the corner, Magilla Gorilla's Grill will become the park's own Chick-fil-A stand, serving those great chicken sandwiches and fries. Word has it that this location, like other C-f-A's, will be closed on Sundays.
I think one of the best new perks is the special season pass sport-quarts. They are available for $4.99 (but the first 1,000 passholders on SP weekend got theirs free), and refills are only $0.99! (plus tax) This is possibly one of the best bargains, since large drinks regularly go for $3 or more.
If you or someone you know are of shorter height, you may be affected by new height restrictions. For example, The Racer has gone from 44" to 48", in sync with the other two large wood coasters. Water rides, like Congo Falls, Wild Thornberrys and White Water Canyon, now have MINIMUM heights that children need to be, even if accompanied. Same change goes for the Beastie.
The first season pass weekend had a greeter in place at the Racer's, but I didn't see one the second weekend. This is a service that the park needs to have in place at more rides, because it kills the capacity when ride attendants have to check height every other train, often needing to use manual release (very time-consuming). BUT just about every cycle was racing, as the ride should be doing! The return stretch on the forward side was retracked as well.
There are now designated smoking areas throughout the park, another move that has now been long-awaited by folks like me. There are 19 of them located throughout the park, making them easy to find. The new system, of course has issues. Some smokers and people used to smoking throughout, have been dumbfounded that they can't do so anymore, and may get pissy. Also, there is not enough signage and recorded spiels informing park guests of this new rule.
The front gate area, which was supposed to be recieving improvements, failed to impress me, with a tram circle missing the loading gates. Few of the metal detector lanes were open, and the signs over the entry turnstiles have been removed. Re-entry handstamping was also unsually confusing to a point.
The parking lot has given me mixed feelings. The standard parking fee remains at $9, but the preferred lot has risen to $15. Also, the parking area closest to the gate that had a mix of standard parking spaces with the handicapped spaces has now been converted to handicapped.
Son of Beast is also so-so so far. While the second hill has been redone and reprofiled, some points of the ride remain painful, and the floor on the trains, a part of the restraint system, has been raised again. One of the biggest pet peeves is adjusting restraint systems to the point that large and tall riders either are extremely uncomfortable or unable to ride at all. This is also true with Flight of Fear which has the short seatbelt, and many Intamin rides, including Drop Zone.
Face/Off is being repainted - they are nearly done with the macaroni yellow track, while set to repaint the red supports.
The Italian Job: Stunt Track is not far from letting select guests on for a "soft opening." The scenery and billboards are now all in place, and the special effects, like the explosions and the helicopter, are being tested. The MINI Cooper trains have run through the circuit many times, and are equipped with on-board speakers, and restraint bars similar to Son of Beast and Flight of Fear, but without the seat belts (and hopefully the rasied floors), more suitable to larger and taller riders.
Honestly, I can't wait to get on this thing, and ride it througout the summer. It won't be too intense or fast, but great for families - the thing actually reminds me of the Whizzer at Six Flags Great America.
And now, here's hoping that this season will be a great one, with new thrills and new eating, and some cleaner air.
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