Paramount's King Island
April 2001
Here are some basic tips to a successful day at PKI. Remember that they are methods that work for me and may not suit you as well. They are in random order, but if followed will help you pattern your plan of attack. ;-) These are for non-Ace members who would not be attending the walk back.
- Start by heading to Flight of Fear. Word of FOF’s drastic train facelift
is out, and it is drawing more and more attention. They are still operating with
one train. Head there first and get your rides in. Otherwise expect it to be a
long wait later in the day until the other trains are added.
- When done with FOF, stay at the rear of the park. When PKI opens the rides,
everyone heads to the areas at the front of the park or Beast. Work from the
back of the park forward, that way you work against the crowd.
- After FOF it would be good to do 7th Portal at the very rear of the park. It
is located in only one side of Action Theatre and lines have been long for this
so far this season.
- Vortex, although the line may appear long, is one of the smallest waits in the
park. It is a high capacity coaster and never attracts crowds when the park
first opens. Back seat delivers great air, while front is smoothest. It is
typically not a long wait at any time during the day.
- Vortex Trick #1. Don’t hold on to the restraint and lift your feet on the
first drop. Outside of Racer, it’s the best airtime in the park.
- Vortex Trick #2. Hold your head back during inversions, forward during drops
and turns. The worst head bang comes after the mid-course break leading into the
corkscrews.
- Early morning is also the best time to do the Old Coney flat ride attractions
that have low capacity such as the scrambler, Flying Eagles, Monster, Antique
Cars etc. if you are interested in riding them.
- Racer has a high capacity. Think smart when entering the station. Head for the
rear of the train (on backwards Racer this would be the front of the train)
because 80% of the people choose a seat right at the entrance to the station.
Excuse yourself past them and you can usually find an open queue without a wait!
- If the lines for Racer, forwards and backwards, look even…they’re not.
Forwards queue line is on the outside of the directional turn so it has a few
more people in it.
- Backwards Racer Trick. If sitting in the front seat (last going up lift) watch
the chain. It's mesmerizing. Also smell the wonderful coaster grease!
- Adventure Express has the highest capacity of any coaster in the park. As with
Vortex, a long line is deceiving…it moves quickly.
- Adventure Express trick. Keep your eyes ahead on the track; prepare your body
by sliding to whichever side will feel the force of the upcoming directional
change. NEVER turn your head sideways while riding to look at SOB no matter how
tempting. You can easily twist a muscle. Trust me!
- Eat at off times. Meaning either eat late in the afternoon or early. Avoid
eating at lunch/dinner times unless you want a long wait. By the way, over half
the people at PKI end up eating at the Festhaus, which tends to have longer
lines all day.
- Beast, IMO is a night ride. It is sluggish in the mornings and typically needs
the sun shine to get it running good and fast. If you choose to ride during the
day, wait until afternoon. I would recommend it for the last ride of the day.
- Beast trick #1. Lean your upper body forward when going through the helix.
- Beast trick #2. Leave space between you and your lap bar. If the ride op
insists on clicking it down make them re-open it and re-lock it. You are only
required two clicks. I say this because if the lap bar is too tight, the ride
becomes rougher and miserable. Obviously safety is primary concern so do not
allow too much room if you are a smaller person. Use good judgment, be
comfortable.
- Beast trick #3. Follow the rules. Do NOT hold your hands up when entering the
helix tunnel. I have seen folks who claim to be “experienced coaster” riders
make the mistake and end up paying for it.
- The train offers a good break from walking and will give you an idea of how
long the wait for White Water Canyon is without walking down that LONG path. It
also offers you a great back door look at the new Wild Thornberries flume.
- If the line for White Water Canyon is past the coke machines along the queue
path….then it is a really long wait.
- White Water Canyon trick. Sit next to the largest/heaviest person in the boast
if you want to get the least amount of water splashes. Boats tend to spin around
them as they as they follow the course.
- Waterworks is least crowded from it’s opening (usually an hour or so after
park opening) until after lunch and again during it’s last hour of operation
at night.
- Wild Thornberries and Runaway Reptar are going to have long waits no matter
what. Actually, the wise thing to do is to wait until late in the day, or at
night. Most families, or people with small kids will be tired and leaving for
the day, lowering the lines. Also, Kings Mill Log Flume was always a walk on at
night because people thought the water too cold. Usually the water is plenty
warm from the sun that day.
- Hannah Barbera is the busiest part of the park until evening hours when all
the kiddies have to go home for bedtime.
- Phantom Theatre is typically a walk on anytime.
- Phantom Theatre Trick. Keep an eye over head one ghost in particular flies
right above your buggie.
- If Beastie’s line is out into the queue house, check back later in the
evening.
- Scooby’s Ghoster coaster has the lowest capacity in the park. Unless you are
just dying to try it, avoid it. You will easily loose an hour depending upon
line length.
- Taxi Jam…see Scooby’s Ghoster Coaster.
- Eiffel Tower is slowest mid-afternoon, also the sun is directly over head and
light is at it’s best for picture taking. No tower shadows in your shots ;-)
- Eiffel Tower trick. When entering the elevator go stand next to the closed
doors. Then you will be the first exiting at the top or bottom.
- Viking Ship has irregular line ups. Believe it or not, the line is hardly ever
really long because guests often have a hard time finding it’s entrance.
- Action Zone is always busy. But least busy mid afternoon as people work
they’re way to the back of the park.
- King Cobra’s line dies at dusk and it typically becomes a 1-2 train wait
max.
- King Cobra trick#1. Sit during the loop.
- King Cobra trick #2. Sit and raise your feet slightly during the drop into the
helix, great air.
- Face/Off is always long. Plan for an hour or so in line…at least.
- Face/Off trick. For a larger thrill sit in a seat facing Drop Zone. Why? When
you are pulled up the lift you are facing the concrete below and relying on the
restraint to hold you in. It s horribly sick feeling.
- Drop Zone. If the queue is half full (or half empty depending on your outlook
on life) then it is about a 45-minute wait. If it is outside the queue house
then it is about an hour and a half. If the line is back to the water tower,
bring a book ;-)
- Drop Zone trick #1. Look up as you fall.
- Drop Zone trick #2. Let your body go limp just before dropping.
- Congo Falls is usually a very short wait, and is a ride many overlook although
it sits right in the middle of Action Zone. It will get you wet, but the drop
has great air and no restraints. One of the gems of the park, and it is
fascinating to watch people riding it. Want to watch boats drop up close and not
get wet? Stand in the middle of the observation deck. The water splashes to the
sides and that area is safe.
- Congo Falls trick. The riders in the middle of the front two rows get the
least wet.
- Top Gun has a really long queue line. But, it has a good capacity. If the line
is anywhere near the access road overpass check back later. Many also forget
it’s there. Thanks to Sonny, the entrance is a bit camouflaged which helps a
bit. But many now line up for Son of Beast and watch Top Gun while in line. Then
they get off and head straight for it.
- Top Gun trick. Try lifting your feet from the train floor when going through
the tight turn next to Son of Beast’s lift. Bet you can’t do it!
- Son of Beast. Next to last seat in the final car on any train is the best seat
on the ride. If the line is confined to the station, it is 30 minutes max. If
the line is backed out to the Top Gun observation plaza, it is about 45 minutes
to an hour. If all the queues are open and the line is backed up to the main SOB
entrance, then it is a good hour and a half.
- SOB trick #1. Sit on the right side of the train and look sideways to your
right going through the loop.
- Sob trick #2. Lift your feet on the final drop.
- PKI is most busy around 2-5 in the afternoon.
- Schedule your Skyflyer as soon as you can, but later in the day you can
usually ride immediately as time slots are empty.
- Need some peace and quiet? Try the tranquil Carousel/Paramount Story area.
- Don’t miss treat of the park? A frozen Strawberry Banana Smoothie from
Paradise Island in Rivertown.
- Worst meeting spot…Eiffel Tower, unless you like searching through hundreds
of with the same idea.
- Most sun? Action Zone
- Least sun? Path between Vortex and Rivertown.
- Best meal in the park? Wings in Rivertown. But it costs a bit more.
- Ride all the rides in one area before moving on. Don’t jump from ride to
ride running back and forth across the park it is a waste of time.
- Best places to see the fireworks? Parking lot, Eiffel Tower (now reserved for
Gold Pass holders) and the rear of Coney Mall.
- Worst place to watch the fireworks? The main entrance on International Street.
People cluster there and often block your view.
- Lines on most rides do not get cut until the first firework goes off or Qtvs
shut off. As long as you are in line by then, you will ride.
- Thank the ride ops. They work long hard hours to give you a day of fun. And
they will remember you the next time you ride.
- When leaving, take your time after the fireworks stop or leave before they
begin otherwise you fight massive traffic.
- Finally, let the folks in GR know how fantastic they are. :-)
Hope you can use some of these. I very rarely spend a full day at PKI anymore. I typically know what I want to do when I go, but remember that weather and crowds often change those plans. Back up plans are a good thing.
Shaggy
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