Day 2: Kings Island

Day 2, up and out of the hotel by 7:30 and on the road to King' Island. Or rather, trying to navigate our way out of Sandusky with a confused GPS. Eventually we made it and found a somewhat roundabout way to get to Interstate 71. Thankfully, it is a straight shot down I-71 and we made good time once we knew where we were going. Weather was gloomy, but we made it out from under the clouds and found good weather in Mason, OH. Check in to the hotel, another quick lunch and we were off to the park.

First stop, Diamondback. Tallest, fastest ride in the park, and a lot of fun too. Steep drop straight to a sequence of tall hills, offering pretty awesome negative g's. An overbanked turn brings you back around towards the station and a couple more air-time humps before running you up a helix and dropping you down to the water level for a very cool splashdown finish. Great ride, lots of fun and a good length, a must-ride here.

Next a short walk brought us to the Vortex. Definitely an old one, ride is a little rough and intense. Six inversions, two loops, two corkscrews and a strange reversed cobra roll round out the drops and twists. After that we hit what I thought was Firehawk. Waiting in the indoor queue, I just assumed the station would be on the other side. Turns out we were in line for Flight of Fear instead. Strange indoor coaster, a sudden launch sends you flying through a mass of twisted track. The ride is quite dark and somewhat difficult to keep any track of, but is fun if a tad rough.

Next up was Firehawk, a flying coaster that starts you off on the lift hill lying down on your back. Then twists you around so you are suspended under the track and whips you around face down for much of the ride. I am not sure whether it was the ten chicken nuggets I had for lunch, or sitting on the back not of our choosing (likely a bit of both), but Firehawk left me feeling like death. It is a cool enough ride, but if it made me feel sick, it is gonna be a bad choice for people with weaker stomachs, ride at your own risk!

After a trip to the car to ditch the hoodie and grab a drink, and a couple Stratovarius songs later I had recovered and we hit Diamondback again. Still good, had to check. Then we went on the long walk to Flight Deck. A suspended swinging coaster, relatively short, but a fast and twisted ride, with no line whatsoever. I'd say better than the Iron Dragon, give it a shot if you feel like a going for a walk.

After one last ride on Diamondback we called it a day. We headed to Walmart to grab some booze for a recovery and good night's sleep. Though, what is up with the diluted liquor? 21% Canadian Club? That's practically heresy unto the booze gods! Well, goodnight for now, tomorrow is a non-park day, what with many of the parks closed tomorrow and unanimous calls for thunderstorms. So far we have been able to outrun the bad weather, but it is gonna catch up to us eventually.

Golden Ticket Top 10 2012
Diamondback, #10

I will leave you with this image from the queue for Diamondback. At least they have a sense of humour about it, heh.