Our family had our first partial day at King’s Island today! My mom was very generous in getting Gold Pass season tickets for the kids and their families for Christmas last year. It nearly broke her, but it is appreciated and our first day was pretty good.

The park is open weekends only for now, closing at 8:00 p.m. But you can enjoy some pretty fast lines, on most rides. Some of the larger rides are still being serviced so not everything is running all the time. The kids enjoyed the new(ish) Avatar ride, which works much like the Viking Fury, but with a twist. This ride not only swings back and forth, but eventually rolls over a hill and down the other side WHILE turning around in circles! Crazy and pretty fun for a “kids” ride.

Katie did Runaway Reptar and actually got on Flight of Fear. Reptar she liked, Flight of Fear, she was a little shocked by, but I think she liked it! Dad loves that ride for sure.

While the old favorites are still there, including James’ favorite new ride, The Italian Job: Stunt Track, some of the routes through the park and other familiar places are blocked or no longer there. The big pond that gained infamy near the Beast for the electrocution of a drunk man years ago, has been drained and they are in the process of adding a new ride there.

Lots of young, gang types, of kids roaming about, near Flight of Fear and Thunderbird. Lots. First time in the years I’ve gone to KI I saw kids helping friends cut in line 5-10 kids at a time, from 20+ back. Not much park security enforcing better behavior so far this year either. My wife said that someone told her that the park seems to have become more carnival like. I would agree to that, at least so far into the season. I’m sure the economy has its teeth in PKI too. Still fun though!