Paramount King's Island this weekend - any suggestions/tips? About This Page:

[Politzania]

We've had a trip to the Cincinnati area in the works for a while - taking a long weekend (6/10-6/13) & catching a Reds game Friday night.

Then we saw Kroger was offering King's Island discount tickets ... it's been at least 15-20 years since my husband went & (despite living in Indiana for 25 years) I've never been... so we decided to give it a try!

Since we're travelling on Fri & Mon - we'll have to go on Sat or Sun & are leaning towards Sunday. I know it will be busy, but any ideas on how busy?

We're not big roller-coaster fans: Rock N Roller Coaster is about the max we can handle, with BTMRR being our favorite. What (if any) PKI coasters would you-all suggest?

We enjoy Kali Rapids (esp in 80+ degree weather) and are looking forward to the water rides, as well as the Boomerang Bay Water Park - any particular recommendations here?

I can't find much on the dining options - we're usually counter service folks, so I assume we'll find something worthwhile to munch along the way.

Any other hints/tips/things to look for or try are appreciated!

[TerriB]

PKI Gold Pass Holder here trying my best to help. I'll be there Sunday with my family. Maybe our paths will cross.

Of Saturday or Sunday, I would go with Sunday. Most out of towners travel on Sunday, so that cuts down on the crowd. Also, like at WDW, if it rains, grab a poncho and keep going. Most people will bail when the water falls.

Roller coasters -- the question is are you looking for speed, thrills, air time, or fun? PKI has the world's longest wooden roller coaster (The Beast -- an awesome ride,but I'm banned right now (preggo)) and, to my knowledge, the world's only looping wooden roller coaster (Son of Beast -- or, as DH & I call it, the SOB). For air-time, head for the Racers in Coney Mall. There is also Vortex and Flight of Fear for those who love inversions (not this chick). Along the lines of BTMRR, there is Adventure Express and the newly-opened (read very long lines) Italian Job Stunt Track.

Haven't done much in Boomerang Bay since they rethemed it last year as we usually have a 3yo tagging along. We spend a lot of time in the kiddie areas and the wave pool. Along the lines of Kali Rapids is White Water Canyon, which you might enjoy since it is supposed to be in the mid-80s with high humidity (kinda feels like FL right now) and the rethemed traditional log flume (Wild Thornberrys River Adventure).

There are no sit-down, table service restaurants in PKI (though there are some outside the park). If you want a little Cincinnati flavor, head over to Coney Island for Skyline Chili (this ain't your Texas style chili) or hoof over to Wings in Rivertown for Montgomery Inn ribs
Your final Cincinnati-based offering is LaRosa's Pizza, available at Festhaus in Oktoberfest, in Rivertown, or on International Street. They have recently added a Chic-Fil-A stand in Hana-Barbara Land and there is the usual hot-dog-hamburger places scattered throughout. If you're in the mood for seafood, head over to Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack -- pretty good eats for a park nowhere near the ocean. Both Festhaus and Wings have inside, air-conditioned seating, but most of the restaurants in the park have tables set up nearby outside. If you decide to head out of the park to eat, be sure to get your hand stamped as you leave. That way you can come back later for the fireworks. It isn't Wishes, but it is Rozzi.

When you're ready for dessert, head to International Street for funnel cake or that Cincinnati institution -- Graeter's ice cream. Graeter's is different from any ice cream I've ever had -- so much creamier and richer. They make it in small batches (like 20 gallons at a time) using the French Pot method. It is to die for.

If you like the Buzz Lightyear attraction at WDW, be sure to check out Scooby Doo and the Haunted Mansion/Castle (can't remember which; DS calls it the shooting Scooby ride). If you need a little break, hop the train for a relaxing ride. You can also use the train to get to Boomerang Bay (or hike all the way thru kiddie land and beyond). BTW, you have to enter PKI itself to get to Boomerang Bay. Only Season Pass holders can use the separate Boomerang Bay entrance.

If I think of anything else, I'll add it.

HTH

[Mitzi&Kevin]

It seems you summed up PKI better than i ever could have. However, I am curious, do they still have those great french fries? Those are my favorites.
I am hoping to take our family sometime early August as a celebration to 2 of our kids finishing summer school. We haven't been since 2003. We were spent 2 weeks at WDW in June of 2004. We leave for Gatlinburg for a week one week from Saturday.
Mitzi

Mitzi

[TerriB]

The ones they serve with cheese sauce (at an extra charge)? As far as I know they are still there. My family (including DM, DSF, and DN) are really bad for sending a runner over to get an order or two of those to go with the fried chicken at Wings. Sure beats the potato wedges!! But I won't be having any until after the baby arrives as I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes and potatoes are one of my triggers.

[Politzania]

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Roller coasters -- the question is are you looking for speed, thrills, air time, or fun?


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Fun without fear... like I said, the Rock & Roller Coaster at WDW/Disney Studios is about our limit - 60mph launch & two inversions, but mostly in the dark. In reading a bit more about PKI, I think Adventure Express & maybe the Beastie are our best bets. Italian Job Stunt Track looks pretty cool too, will prob head there first thing!

[ QUOTE ]

Along the lines of Kali Rapids is White Water Canyon, which you might enjoy since it is supposed to be in the mid-80s with high humidity (kinda feels like FL right now) and the rethemed traditional log flume (Wild Thornberrys River Adventure).


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These two are definitely on our list, as is Congo Falls, I think.

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Your final Cincinnati-based offering is LaRosa's Pizza, available at Festhaus in Oktoberfest, in Rivertown, or on International Street.


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This sounds about our speed - esp in the air-conditioned Festhaus! I might make a trip to Bubba Gump's, too.

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If you decide to head out of the park to eat, be sure to get your hand stamped as you leave. That way you can come back later for the fireworks. It isn't Wishes, but it is Rozzi.


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We're planning on doing the fireworks - I meant to ask if they allow passouts; thanks for confirming!

[ QUOTE ]

When you're ready for dessert, head to International Street for funnel cake or that Cincinnati institution -- Graeter's ice cream. Graeter's is different from any ice cream I've ever had -- so much creamier and richer. They make it in small batches (like 20 gallons at a time) using the French Pot method. It is to die for.


[/ QUOTE ]
Any chance they offer sugar-free options? If not, we may have to make a bit of an exception, anyways....

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If you like the Buzz Lightyear attraction at WDW, be sure to check out Scooby Doo and the Haunted Mansion/Castle (can't remember which; DS calls it the shooting Scooby ride).


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Thanks for confirming what kind of ride it was; I'd skimmed by it on the website.

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You can also use the train to get to Boomerang Bay (or hike all the way thru kiddie land and beyond).


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Thanks for the tip - any step-saving info is greatly appreciated!

In fact, all your info was greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[TerriB]

I hope you catch this post in time. In re-reading your response, I became concerned that you might be confused about a couple of the coaster. The Beastie is located in Hanna Barbara Land and is a very mild wooden roller coaster. When I was a kid (in the late 70's) it was called the Scooby Doo. The Beast is the world's longest (ride time) wooden coaster. It hits around 60-65 mph on the first hll and is recognized for using the lay of the land in the design of the coaster (meaning when there is a hill, you'll go up). In addition to the two lift hills, it also features 2 tunnels and a wicked helix at the end. My niece (11yo) LOVES this coaster, but it can be rough early in the day. However if you wait til later for the smoother ride, it will also be faster. Has to do with the wood expanding in the heat of the day and with the friction of the trains.

HTH

[wendysniece]

The Racer is also an awesome rollercoaster whether it is forward or backwards. If you like Kali River Rapids you will love White Water Canyon.

[arielrocks]

We are planning on being there June 28 for the day. We are getting our tickets thru the community center for almost 20% off. I am also getting emails from KI on their weekly and monthly events. I do know if you bring a pet they will board them for a charge. But you have to get their early. I don't see a problem with us being it on a Tuesday. We will probably eat at KI for lunch and eat at the campsite. KI campgrounds is now closed but we are staying at Cedarbrook Campgrounds. A much over due vacation for us. We haven't been there either in almost 12 years. Have fun this weekend it is making me yearn for our vacation to hurry up and get here.

[Politzania]

[ QUOTE ]
I hope you catch this post in time. In re-reading your response, I became concerned that you might be confused about a couple of the coaster. The Beastie is located in Hanna Barbara Land and is a very mild wooden roller coaster.
<SNIP>
The Beast is the world's longest (ride time) wooden coaster. It hits around 60-65 mph on the first hill

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I appreciate your concern, but we're both scaredy-cats when it comes to roller coasters, so the Beastie was the one we planned on (& did) ride, *not* The Beast!

The Italian Job was a blast, and about the upper limit of what we could handle, in terms of twists & turns. Good theming - I could see this fitting in at MGM pretty easily.

Adventure Express (1 or 2 steps up from The Beastie - an older wooden coaster) about shook our eyeballs out - wouldn't ride that again.

I rode Reptar (the kiddie inverted coaster) and quite enjoyed it; Scott thought he was too close to the maximum height requirement, so he passed.

We watched people ride the other coasters .... but that's about as close as we got!

[TerriB]

LOL. I understand about being a coaster scardey. I was in my 30s before I rode the Beast, and then I kept my eyes closed during the entire first ride. I was just afraid you'd walk up to that little purple coaster and think I'd lost my mind (never mind that I lost it years ago).

Since you liked Reptar, maybe next time you'll try Top Gun. There's nothing like riding in the front seat and having the sensation that you're going to smash into the structure of the Son of Beast.

Hate to disillusion you but Adventure Express is actually a steel coaster -- a rough one, but a steel none the less. Yes, that first lift hill is rough as a grit and it could use a couple more banked turns rather than those flat ones that sling you against the side, but it is my niece's favorite ride. We love to play with the minds of people who have never ridden it before as we go up that last lift hill.

Glad you had a good time. Sorry the weather was a bit on the yucky side, but it did keep the crowds down. BTW, how long did you wait for Italian Job? My niece and her cousin passed on it because of a 90-minute wait.