Last year Santa left Kings Island passes in our stockings for Christmas. How cool of him.
Turns out that they paid off more for travel than for local visits. As a family we only hit Kings Island twice. Jamie and I went two additional times…kinda. We used them once to get in for the Weird Al show (and that’s all we did) and we used them again for Halloween Haunt.
We also used them (as a family) three times at Cedar Point, once at Geauga Lake and once at Worlds of Fun.
I guess that makes them worth it, but I’ll have to look into our travel plans for 2008 to decide whether or not to renew. The funny thing about Kings Island is that none of us hates it…far from it. The problem is that no one really likes it either. It’s kind of just there. I’m very indifferent about the park.
Our first visit was a preview weekend in 2004. We also did BeastBuzz in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Then this year we made the aforementioned visits. In all that time I still haven’t ridden 4 of their coasters. How weird is that?
This all just came to mind because we originally planned on stopping by today for the end of the season, but it’s 55 and drizzling out. No one even cared…it was just like, “Meh. Whatever. Screw it.”
I wonder what it is about that park that fails to capture my family’s interest?
I read someone describe King’s Islands coasters as ones where you never really want to re-ride. I think he/she put it better than that.
After our last BeastBuzz in ’04, I went back once with friends while working at Cedar Point, but I have no desire to go back. The coasters are very mediocre and the park has no charisma.
Do I even have to bitch about the removal of the flyers and the installation of that ugly, low capacity monstrosity they replaced it with?
I find it odd that more and more people feel that way. Maybe because I’m stuck in middle of no where WV with no major parks close, I love KI because it is a clean, decently run park with coasters.
I’m going to get a pass next year, I just wish I didn’t have to get the platinum pass by November to get free parking. I’m going to Vegas and that $140 would be better spent after December…
I’ve always felt that way as well, but I think it’s because it lacks that one coaster that kicks ass. You know, a Millennium Force or Apollo’s Chariot or something. The Beast is interesting I suppose, but I don’t have any strong attachment to it.
I wouldn’t say the park isn’t charming. I think it’s one of the most beautiful parks in the company. But for me it doesn’t have rides I want to get on.
Hey Tekno, I believe since you’re getting a Platinum Pass that comes with the free parking! I believe it was the regular KI pass (plus even the Gold too?) that didn’t have free parking.
As for KI, living in Indianapolis (and in Cincy in 05-06 within a 2 minute drive from KI!) it has been my closest park my entire life (plus I’ve been going there since the 80′s as a little kid), so that’s why I like it.
However, with the Maxx Pass this year, after a few early season visits, once Maverick opened CP quickly replaced regular KI visits for me (I hope to go to HW in 08 more than KI even!).
But the bottom line is, while still great for families, KI truly lacks a modern signature thrill ride and has gotten tired. More people I know in Indy are now going to CP more than KI, which is saying something considering it’s twice the distance! Good thing CF owns both.