Why My New #1 Park Just DETHRONED Cedar Point

[@CoasterStudios]

I’ve always thought KI was right up there with Cedar Point. Quality is high, it’s clean, amazing operations, and great rides. Never had a bad visit to KI. I know I’ve said this before, but KI really feels like a park you can take your time with and just enjoy, while Cedar Point is almost overwhelming it’s so massive. Both fantastic parks though!

[@metrofilmer8894]

Coaster Studios have to agree. Now since Paramount and Son of Beast. It’s very balanced and hopefully will continue to get more investment, especially with so much space. I hope I can go very soon

[@AirtimeThrills]

I agree, no knock at all against CP

[@fawful7457]

The man is here. THE SCOUT FROM TF2!

[@nickbaca6528]

@Coaster Studios OMG, Hi Coaster Studios!!!!!!!!!

[@justinlombardo55]

I live in upstate NY. Darien Lake my home park but we usually go to CP every year. This year we went to KI twice as well as CP and I said it that KI is my new favorite park. You nailed everything in this video.

[@SiebayPlays]

I'll admit I used to think people overhyped Kings Island, but with how smoothly the park operates, there's obviously a sense of pride for this park. Dare I say, this is the type of amusement park that others should strive to be like.

[@bigblueamusementproductions]

Thanks for the shout out to the Eiffel Tower crew! I work at the Eiffel Tower and thank you for your compliments towards us associates.

[@shadeshmule3884]

As soon as he said Cedar Point would be dethroned as his 1st favorite park, I KNEW it would be Kings Island. They have some great coasters (Diamondback, Orion, Mystic Timbers, and Banshee)

[@Joshwake]

Cedar has more quality coasters than KI. Steve, Maverick, TTD and Millennium are all top 50 coasters in the world imo. Mystic is the only coaster in my top 30 out of the other coasters there

[@MrGoldMan]

And the beast, and the bat AND whatever will replace vortex

[@DoswarePictures]

I knew it because the preview spoils everything.

[@Joshwake]

@@MrGoldMan cedar has a better lineup

[@kristalic]

@@DoswarePictures I knew it because IT'S IN THE THUMBNAIL DUMMIES lol

[@bubblegaminglol]

*When you've been to Chris' new favorite park, and haven't been to cedar point*

[@goalhornstudios8426]

Your appearing in all the videos I watch

[@bubblegaminglol]

@@goalhornstudios8426 didn’t know u watched them lol

[@goalhornstudios8426]

@@bubblegaminglol nope lol

[@AirtimeThrills]

Its just 3.5 hours up the road, take a ride up there

[@andrewhepp3896]

Fortunately I have gone up to Cedar Point, twice actually. The park is a lot of fun, especially the Steel Vengeance coaster the opened the year before I went up there. But Kings Island is a great park too, and I'm most proud to have KI as my home park.

[@SeanFlaharty]

Kings Island has always been one of my home parks as I live in between KI and Cedar Point. I have always appreciated the difference between the both of them but Cedar Point has always been the more thrill oriented park. Something switched for me this year though. I only had one visit to Cedar Point and a few to Kings Island. I can't quite put my finger on it, but Kings Island has really, really done something to me this year. I have never had such a level of appreciation for that place as I do now. In complete honestly, I went through a couple months this year where I absolutely hated all parks and coasters. It was a super strange time and I despised the idea of visiting Kings Island or any park again. Through some rather tough steps, I returned to KI with a brand new look on the industry and that park in particular. I think it is going to be very sad leaving the park for the last time this season, tomorrow evening. However, I will look back at all the cool moments I had at the park this year while looking forward to a (hopefully) better season next year.

[@aidenzhao4374]

Same with me! I live in between both parks too.

[@coolbean259]

@@aidenzhao4374, just wondering, what month do they usually open up?

[@xtiantube]

@@coolbean259 I think late April or early may.

[@micoledupicolegaming5444]

I thought you were gonna day Dollywood but I grinned so hard when you said "welcome to kings island"

[@Strike_Studios71]

Funny seeing you here.

[@Strike_Studios71]

U ready to go to KI on Sunday?

[@micoledupicolegaming5444]

@@Strike_Studios71 yessirr....and your a stalker

[@DoswarePictures]

I’ve been thinking about Dollywood lately.

[@bukemdukem1870]

@@Strike_Studios71 r u and gaming friends

[@haddonbarker1]

This video influenced me to make a trip to Kings Island in 2021. My visit was two days ago, and it was absolutely fantastic. Beautiful park, fantastic coasters, and amazing operations. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@AirtimeThrills]

Great to hear the park is still crushing it during these tough times (esp with staffing)

[@chasel4109]

I go to kings island every summer as well as cedar point. I don’t know what it is but everything just seems better at KI

[@KICoasterGuy]

I don't know what I was expecting you to say, but my mouth literally dropped when you said "Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Kings Island". I'm a huge CP fan, but as someone who grew up going to KI, I always just really love hearing people show that park some love. Also, it's been kind of a rough season as a KI fan with everyone crapping all over the new ride. This video was a pleasant surprise, definitely brought a smile to my face.

[@kaden_lee24]

I’ve never been to CP but I visited Kings Island in September and was blown away. I had high expectations but man did it surpass every single one. We even saw park execs and told them how great the ops were, how friendly the staff was and how excellent the park was as a whole. Easily best coaster day(s) I’ve ever had.

[@SOPRBrian]

As a former employee, under the Paramount years, I enjoy seeing what others think about my home park! With the 300+ acres they have left to develop, it's going to be fun watching what they put in next.

[@pbarnes989]

You hit the nail on the head. I have been to Cedar Point more times than I can count since I am originally from Northeast Ohio. I now live in Columbus. I went to Kings Island for the first time in 2019 and was impressed by how short it took to ride everything (rode almost every major coaster in 4-5 hours). I skipped last year for obvious reasons. I had this past week off and decided to do both parks in back to back days. After going to both, Kings Island definitely gave me the better overall experience. It is just a park you can sit back and enjoy. Kings Island was way more crowded than my last visit and I think the longest I had to wait for a coaster was 45 minutes (The Beast; but there were some mechanical issues where they were only loading every other train). Every other major coaster (Orion, Mystic Timbers, Banshee, Diamondback) were 20 minutes or less! I cannot say that about Cedar Point who had a smaller than usual July crowd. I even bought a Fast Lane Plus because I knew there would still be long lines for Milly, Maverick, and Steel Vengeance. The average Cedar Point Fast Lane line was about the same and/or longer for their top three than every ride at Kings Island. Cedar Point is worth cost of admission alone just for the setting. However, the operations were absolute trash. I remember getting on Millenium Force and waiting 5-10 minutes for a dispatch, while the other two trains sat behind us in the loading station and the block zone. The ride ops cared more about "entertaining" people than dispatching the ride. I remember one of the ops singing "if you are happy and you know it clap your hands" and another passenger yelled "ok we are all ready to go now" and just like that they sent the train. A lot of CP employees are from out of state and it's just a summer job to them. They had to double their wages just to field a staff this year. Kings Island appeared to have a lot of locals working who cared more about the experience than collecting a paycheck.

[@IceCreamIslander]

so happy to see my old home park get the respect it deserves. Another leg up I think it has over Cedar Point is its walkthrough experience. Cedar Point's limited space and stacked lineup makes it feel dangerously close to a concrete coaster farm (not nearly as bad as Magic Mountain, but still). Kings Island has a lot of beautiful garden work and each attraction has room to breathe. It's really excellent that a park this full can still leave The Bat and The Beast totally surrounded by trees.

[@therideanalyst6794]

5:10 hey that’s me putting down restraints! Lol

[@MicrowavedBurrito1]

Nice!

[@TigerRogersOfficial]

I totally get it. Even in terms of their coaster collection, they have the better hyper, the better invert, the better giga (plenty of room for debate, but Orion wins it in my book), and the woodies are no contest. And that's all on top of the stuff you mentioned in the video. I'm not sure if I would call it better than CP, per se, but I do think they are solid companion parks that both need to be experienced, and it's awesome that they're as close together as they are. I think CP will always have a place in my heart as the ultimate coaster Mecca, but apart from being one of my home parks, I feel like KI really does make you feel at home. I've been going for ten years now and still don't get bored of it.

[@rossman9743]

I’ve been to Cedar Point dozens of times throughout my life, and it is one of the best places on earth. But since King’s Island became my home park, I have been consistently amazed by how good an experience it always delivers. The ride collection is always satisfying, the employees are outstanding, the food is great, and the entire atmosphere is just relaxing. At Cedar Point we have to prioritize the rides we want to hit and meticulously plan out our day and hope for the best, even in the middle of the week. Not so at KI. I don’t know how they do it, because I’m sure their attendance is among the highest for Cedar Fair, but the place never feels like a madhouse. When we leave the sign over the exit asks, “Wasn’t that amazing?” Yes. Yes it was.

[@prakesh2904]

He doesn’t hate sky rush and CP isn’t his favorite park anymore?? What did 2020 do to Chris?

[@kworkshop]

2020 is like an odd fever dream

[@triplej755]

Is he alright????

[@OakViewFilms]

Can’t wait for Chris to declare Green Lantern isn’t that bad.

[@DoswarePictures]

@@OakViewFilms the ride or the film?

[@jaredstivers]

@@DoswarePictures I guess both

[@DankPeezy]

Another thing to add would be Kings Islands history in pop culture. Both a Brady Bunch and Partridge Family episode were filmed at the park. I know that was decades ago but it left a lasting legacy. I remember being young and on the way to Kings Island my dad telling about the episodes and then later seeing the Brady Bunch one. It was something that helped put Kings Island on the map at the time and made parents feel a sense of pride that they could take their children to a park with such prominence. Great video as always!

[@Spidermonkey260]

This is my home park, and it's easy to take for granted. We have such a stacked coaster lineup. I think I just get a better experience from cedar point because it's different than normal for me.

[@timk987]

Probably my favorite thing about Kings Island is how easy it is to bounce back and forth from area and area. You really have to budget your time at Cedar Point between the front and back of the park. My favorite Cedar Fair removal/ addition would be the asphalt (blacktop) for pavers and concrete. Although I have very fond memories of a lot of sweltering hot days on that old Kings Island blacktop!

[@ParkPros]

I was blown away by my trip to Kings Island in July. They just get every aspect of running a park right. It makes me scratch my head when I see how poorly some of the other Cedar Fair parks are run.

[@Biscuit-Triscuit]

One of the things that solidified Kings Island as my favorite was when I was in line for The Bat and the dispatcher not only said “Please enjoy your ride on Flight Deck” and “Please enjoy your ride on Top Gun.” Stuff like that just puts a smile on your face

[@Ohiocolts]

As someone who works in Admissions and Guest Services at Kings Island this was awesome to hear! Glad to see even those outside the area can truly appreciate what a great park Kings Island is!

[@shaunhathcoat6101]

If you could put cedar point’s lineup and setting with Kings Island’s operations and attendance and Holiday World’s cleanliness and water rides, you have the perfect park.

[@Cujo8600]

Agree 100%%%

[@brady_06]

You'd have to have the Big 4 from each park for the Lineup. Because IMO. Holiday World and Kings Island combined would have the best lineup in the world

[@Coolsomeone234]

@@brady_06 too many wooden coasters

[@shaunhathcoat6101]

I do think Cedar Point could need a hyper like diamondback and a woodie like Voyage

[@Dragonmaster5250]

@@Coolsomeone234 No such thing!

[@AviationAustin]

I love that you have had such a great experience there. I worked ride ops there in the summer of 2012. To this day it was my favorite job. The teams all have such great pride in their job and I loved to do my best to make all the guests day the best day ever! It's great to hear an enthusiast recognize their efforts.

[@snooc1]

Chris, you nailed it! Out of all of the parks visited this year (21 so far!), hands down, KI has been light years ahead of everyone else. Operations, staff, food service, and park appearance have been outstanding, especially with all of the COVID challenges. I'm proud to call it my home park!

[@greggheyer7171]

Thanks for listing all the things that have always made K I my favorite park since my first time there in 1977. I have never had a disappointing trip there (in heat, rain and snow). The employees are the best I have found at any park. I am a foodie and always buy the all day dining pass, the food selection is incredible and top notch for an amusement park. I do eat every every 90 minutes. I am now 61 years old and can't stand in line for very long so I always get the Fast Lane Plus and their handling of the Fast Lane is superb. I spent 4 days there in June of 2019 and got a total of over 200 rides. The park is very clean and well maintained. I do like Cedar Point and have been there numerous times over the years. They don't handle Fast Lane as well as K I. For example, we got put at the bottom of the ramp to the station of Top Thrill Dragster and it still was a 30 minute wait compared to the 45 minute wait posted on the sign out front. I have yet to ride Steel Vengeance as it was down both days I was there in 2018 and broke down after waiting inline 1 1/2 hours in 2019. Hopefully I will get to ride it someday. Thanks for all your amazing Coaster Videos! They've helped keep me sane during this CoVid19 thing! Stay safe and happy coasting.

[@blizzmuzic]

My home park for 14 years, and personally it’s my favorite too. It not only has quality but it’s got quantity too. And on top of that you have such a wide selection and there isn’t even a dud in the list of Major Coasters, you have airtime machines, woodies, family coasters, launch coasters, inverting machines, and a phenomenal kids area, plus it has some charm to it so overall, it’s my *personal* favorite park!

[@shaodynasty1017]

Invertigo or whatever the inverted boomerang is, is a major dud. So is backlot stunt coaster since it stopped being run by Paramount almost none of the effects work. Same with Flight of Fear. I feel the one at Kings Dominion is superior to the KI one. And the budget "giga" compared to Fury and Millennium force are on different playing fields. But to each is own!

[@blizzmuzic]

@@shaodynasty1017 Invertigo is the worst coaster there, but its not bad, and Backlot is my second least favorite coaster there, but still

[@stijnvangurp9432]

Launch coaster?!?!?

[@coreymoore1327]

Thanks for showing the world what a great home park we have!

[@InFiniTosEntertainment]

That's what makes them such a perfect one-two punch! They're both absolutely wonderful parks, and one will hype you up for the other, no matter which order you visit them in. Oh yeah, and KI has by far the best ride ops I've ever seen. They were straight up BOOKING it constantly!

[@craftfamily308]

Spot on Chris! My family has visited both parks multiple times in the past month and the atmosphere and overall park experience at Kings Island is just better.

[@miked7212]

Great video! I've been to Kings Island 9 times as it's 2 and a half hours from me and I loved every visit. Everyone you see there always seems happy to be there. I like Cedar Point too but I've only been there once and it's 5 hours from me. I always thought the best of KI. I think it's the third most attended seasonal amusement park in North America after Canada's Wonderland and CP. I love your coaster suggestions.

[@DreamofThrills]

are there parks where everyone is angry to be there? just wondering cause i havent

[@angelberkeypile5127]

i went to kings island for the first time last week. i fell in love instantly. i waited 4 years to finally get there. honestly everything you said in this video is true. after one visit, it overtook cp as my #1. i seriously cant wait to go back in 2021.

[@kev492001]

Angel Berkeypile Did you go back this year yet? I went and it was a lot of fun!

[@mikedoll1547]

I first started going to Kings Island back in 1972. It's always been a great park, especially under the original owners, Taft Broadcasting. Even before all the newer coasters were added, great theming, great food and great employees has always been a signature of Kings Island.

[@timothykaczmarek5871]

Definitely the employees are the best.

[@kwanzaa_cake]

I live two hours between both Kings Island and Cedar Point, and I honestly love everything about Kings Island. I think with KI’s room to expand, it may dethrone CP for even more people.

[@ilikecheesegirlXP]

When you said Kings Island, I instantly got pumped. I've only been to this park once and it was this season. And I loved everything there.

[@k.olimitless723]

I CALLED IT!!!! I'm glad that Kings Idland is now your favorite park, it's my home park so I'm really glad that someone like you who has been to a bunch of park choose my home park as your favorite Sincerely ~Kings Island Fanboy

[@ZPierce767676]

This has been my experience as well going there three times a year for last 3 years and cedar point at least ten times per year in the same stretch. Pride above all is the determining factor. The chief chef at KI says it best in one of their promo videos they want to be known as having the best whenever you think of something whether it’s food flowers or coasters.

[@nickjo1492]

I went last Saturday, and it was a blast! Everything was open, even Racer. And you’re right about the employees! One of my friends works on Adventure Express and is also a coaster enthusiast. Never had a bad day at Kings Island, it’s great.

[@ricecrispy7951]

Kings Island is really a wonderful park. I took my twins to Kings Island and Holiday World when they were 3 years old and they loved it. I was able to leave them with my friend in the kiddie area for long enough to get a few coasters in too. They were little daredevils and loved the kiddie coasters at KI. Truly a wonderful family park.

[@blizzmuzic]

Good day for us KI fanboys and people who have this as our home park.

[@chancethetraveler458]

It’s mine to KI for life!

[@Ribbital]

cries in KD

[@xtiantube]

Yessss I’m just discovering the amount of ki fanboys and I feel like I finally found my people 😭😭

[@SteelersGalXSora]

Annoying. My home park is kings island and I can admit they don’t have what Cedar Point does. Sorry.

[@xtiantube]

@@SteelersGalXSora yeah but if you want to spend a relaxing day at a theme park I don’t think you can do that at cedar point. It’s overwhelming. They have more thrills than KI but KI offers a less stressful experience in my opinion haha

[@Jazz_593]

Operating rides at Kings Island is honestly just as fun as riding them. The energy flowing through the station between associates is always high and just so exciting and fun to operate. Thats probably why they’re such good ops

[@teebotheewok7720]

Cedar Point: Quantity over quality Kings Island: Quantity and quality

[@xtiantube]

I’m from cincinnati, just south of mason, and I can’t tell you how happy I was to hear you give skyline a shoutout!! I have a kings island gold pass and go at least a few times a week. It is such a quality park and I know that I am biased because I live down the street and it’s my home park, but everyone that I have taken there has had a great experience. There are some nights where I’ll just walk in an hour before close and go on banshee, mystic timbers, diamondback, or Orion 3 or 4 times with no line and leave 😂 not to mention the food slaps, even though it’s so expensive, but if you have a gold pass you get a 10 or 15 percent discount I think. Overall it’s definitely much better now than it was when I was a kid going with my family in the early 2000s.

[@mage9564]

When you work at KI and it's your home park. "Cheers Mate"!

[@lukedahlinghaus6019]

Before watching the video I was sad that Chris's favorite park wouldn't be near me anymore. Then I realized that his new favorite is actually closer. I love Kings Island and Cedar Point. I'm very lucky to live so close to both.

[@eliasmertens9313]

YESSS! I’m glad somebody else finally said it! The employees are incredible! I was lapping Orion (Fastlane FTW), and I talked so much to the ride ops that we ended up having full conversations in between rides. It got to the point that he even mentioned that one of his siblings goes to the college just down the street from mine here in Springfield, Missouri!

[@maxhagenauer24]

I just always find it strange but cool how Orion has a very fast lift compared to other B&Ms and is still a super quiet lift. But again, it does have a different anti rollback system.

[@NotTheBomb]

Went to cedar point last week (10/8/22-10/10/21) staff was amazing, and after closing at like 12:30 we had staff members just randomly walk up and help me and my gf take photos in front of the ride entrances. Absolutely amazing visit. Staff was at their best!

[@kyletapke2170]

When Chris’ favorite park is your home park 😁😁😁😁😁

[@FloppyMcflopperton]

Yeaah

[@MicrowavedBurrito1]

Relatable

[@TheLanard]

I passed up Kings Island the last time I was in Columbus in 2018 and basically drove past it to Cedar Point, my once favorite park. I’d never been to KI but been to CP at least 5 times when I lived in New York. It was well worth the 8 hr drive. Well...it wasn’t worth the almost 3 hr drive from Columbus. Three of my favorite big coasters were closed, and the lines for other rides were massive due to minimal trains operating. One ride was stuck after 2 hrs waiting on line. All that plus the heat almost turned me off to amusement parks, on a whole. This season we went to Six Flags Great Adventure, since we live 30 mins away. I bought season passes. Twice we went and almost every rollercoaster was shut down. We got stuck on one. Thanks to this video I’m willing to finally give KI a try.

[@gavin2954]

King's Island is AMAZING!

[@stepforwardentertainment715]

This park was my local theme park growing up. I grew up with the original Kings Island under KECO, then when it became Paramount’s Kings Island, I loved it. I haven’t been in 16 years due to age and weight, but I truly want to make it back for one last ride. My favorite coaster is Flight of Fear and I loved Vortex. I also love The Beast and I must ride that one again. Plus I have never ridden Banshee, Diamondback, or Orion and I am apt to try them out. I fully agree, in terms of coasters, Cedar Point (which I also have been to) is the superior park. But Kings Island will always hold a special place in my heart, and I look forward to the day when I can go for one last ride.

[@AirtimeThrills]

KI is leaps and bounds better now than 16 years ago, so if you can make it back, please do!

[@callmemarc]

Whenever someone asks what my favorite park is, I say, Cedar Point, but I'm glad Kings Island is my home park because it's just so much friendlier and easier to visit on a regular basis while still having great rides.

[@starapton5374]

Man I’m so grateful to have KI as my home park. I live ten minutes away and I’ve been going there all my life. Never had a bad day there.

[@risingd3mon431]

Video idea: top ten best hang time moments

[@AirtimeThrills]

Thats definitely on the list

[@cratcliff8820]

I love both these parks! And the best part is they’re close enough to go to both!

[@stickskinny1266]

You said quality and quantity, I was thinking Hershey park or Silver dollar city maybe

[@HangtimeThrills]

Hershey kinda has a lot of filler

[@Ewoonation]

Just did my first visit to SDC and can attest. Their big 4 coasters are all insane and Thunderation is my favorite Mine Train. All quality coasters. My home park SFOT has almost double the coasters of SDC and it doesn’t even come close to comparing. Quality over Quantity all day

[@MrGoldMan]

@@HangtimeThrills I agree

[@MrGoldMan]

@@Ewoonation my home park is SFGAM

[@phantafan7965]

@@Ewoonation The perfect example for quality over quantity is comparing Phantasialand and Europapark. While Europapark is said to be an awesome park, most enthusiasts are disappointed by their coaster lineup, which is filled, but not really outstanding. Phantasialand's coaster lineup on the other hand is way smaller, but is praised by many enthusiasts, especially now that F.L.Y. opened.

[@Queue_Thrills]

As someone who worked food service at KI for a short time, I can confirm there is a restaurant and a *massive* kitchen up there that actually supplies a lot of food to other restaurants in the park. So it would be pretty difficult to renovate…

[@tylerfleming467]

I definitely see what your after here. Cedar Point is special because it has so many incredible attractions, but Kings Island just felt like a home park when I went there in 2019. Friendly staff, pretty themeing, great coasters, and amazing operations. After some weird experiences and nearly stolen items at CP, I definitely feel the two are pretty close. Moral of the story: if you live in Ohio, you're darn lucky.

[@danieldupont5276]

I work here, and I'm so glad to hear that you had a great time!

[@phantafan7965]

2:04 Almost every European park: "Am i a joke to you?"

[@DoswarePictures]

Also almost every Disney Park.

[@3rectilefunction200]

He didn’t lie tho

[@phantafan7965]

@@3rectilefunction200 No, just no. Theming can add so much to any coaster/park. Taron, Kärnan, Nemesis or Baron 1898 are perfect examples.

[@pussinboots7190]

@@phantafan7965 Nemesis doesn’t have much theming actually! I agree with the others though.

[@phantafan7965]

@@pussinboots7190 I haven't seen it in rl yet, but the theming on the pictures and offrides looks really impressive. The terrain is also kind of part of the theming since it's completly human made and the terrain integration is really cool.

[@spencoaster838]

I’m glad you like Kings Island a lot Chris, and I’m glad to have Kings Island as my home park.

[@thesaucyslurp]

Kings island has been my home park since i was a child. i love KI! cedar point is awesome too but i only live 30 minutes from kings island.

[@michaelcunico3300]

Amen! Made my first KI trip this past weekend and it blew me away! Definitely the best park operating during the 2020 season. Diamondback is my new #1 B&M Hyper. Orion was amazing in the back! Mystic is a top 10 woodie and Banshee was waaay better than expected. One of the best top 4 lineups ever.

[@Coastoons]

Cedar point has always reminded me of magic mountain. Big, bold and a lot of good coasters but there's not a whole lot beyond that. Kings island has always been like great adventure for me. Quality over quantity and a lot of other really solid things about the park.

[@dubvuchyea502]

Shoutout to the crew on the Beast and Orion. Excellent work this Sunday

[@AirtimeProductions]

Did anyone else expect SDC?

[@badgerstatecoasters7725]

Yeah lmao

[@kworkshop]

Yup. Refer to my comment lol

[@merekj4716]

I expected either that or hershey, I forgot he went to KI this year

[@snuffedtorch3683]

Yes. SDC, Carowinds, or SFMM

[@zacg_]

He already hinted at SDC being better than CP. I also expected that. I also would put SDC and Dollywood over CP. I don't think I'd put KI over CP but it's a very solid park.

[@Zrj19]

The employees are so nice there!! It puts such a good impression on the park! I always love when I am able to talk to a good employee in line!

[@galliumg8483]

“If you want a break from the coasters” Pffft imagine lol😂

[@HangtimeThrills]

Haven’t seen the video yet, but that intro was fantastic and surprising! Having Ki as my home park I don’t get that “wow” factor that most people do, but I still adore it and am super lucky to have it as my home park

[@thtoneguy0321]

Yeah well also having Kings Island as my home Park maybe you don't see the wow factor other people see because as Kings Island is your home park maybe you have taking the good things about it that other people don't have in their home parks for granted. I know for me personally I have realized I've done that especially when I have friends who either do not have a park close to them at all or they have a park that hasn't got a new ride in over a decade or just a park that you know is not great.. So I always thought when people said oh Kings Island is really great and I'm like yeah it's cool I was taking it for granted without even really realizing it. Then I had friends who are from out of state or out of the country go with me to Kings Island who were blown away by it and I realized that it's an amazing Park that I'm lucky to call my home park it's understandable that people get used to something and take it for granted especially if you grew up going to it. Not throwing any hate. That's just my personal opinion though

[@robertvoyten4858]

Totally agree with you there. Having KI 5 mins away from me really makes it and stop and go place

[@diamondheights5786]

My whole family has switched their favorite park from Cedar Point to Kings Island. It's just so easy for any type of GP and you're guaranteed to have a good time. You are exactly right with the staff attitude being fantastic. This park really handled COVID nicely and I felt that Cedar Point was overwhelmed in 2020. The queues are nice as well so when the waits are long you stare at beauty the entire time. However, Mystic Timbers ops were weak. The shed holds trains just a bit too long and with two train ops, the train in the station rolls out and the station sits there empty for almost a minute. It's an incredibly popular ride. Between FastLane, the regular queue, and the folks doing what they do coming up the exit, it gets super wild for the unfortunate ride op that disseminates the riders between the station row queues gets overwhelmed. This also happens on Orion BUT the dispatches are incredible so it's not as much of a problem. One big difference, you will see upper management walking around the park with smiles and just checking on their staff. I don't know many parks where you spot upper management multiple times as you enjoy your day exploring the park. Something you forgot to mention, night rides on The Beast. I.N.C.R.E.D.I.B.L.E. Those night rides can't even be described well enough to give it justice.

[@CZsWorld]

Ok but if I've never been to Ohio which park should I go to?

[@autumnlilly2742]

I’ve never been either!!! Probably Cedar point because it has more iconic coasters :/ that’s where I want to go for my birthday

[@mikes6457]

If you want an enjoyable experience, Kings Island by far. Seriously. Cedar Point is just stressful and you can tell by the employees.

[@autumnlilly2742]

@@mikes6457 Yeah, my decision would be solely on the coasters, I know that whenever I’m in an amusement park I’ll have fun, so I would prefer cedar points lineup

[@AirtimeThrills]

If you had to pick one, Cedar Point is iconic. But it doesnt mean youll have a better experience there. I do think the coasters get the edge at CP though

[@jerker1015]

Both.... eventually. I'd do cedar park first. It really is an "experience" there. There's nothing like it. So many coasters in one park that you've probably been watching videos about for years, all in one place in front of you, and you can finally ride them. It's honestly a bit overwhelming. Kings island you'll probably have a better time though, at least I do. Kings island feels more like a regular park but with stellar coasters. Cedar point is almost unreal.

[@jonjenson4018]

This is amazing, I work there within the Admissions department I appreciate all the amazing compliments to the park!

[@mikalmos369]

as someone who rode Son of Beast a few months after it opened, I love your idea of adding an rmc ibox woody and naming it son of the beast...KI has a precedent of similar tribute nomenclature already as you well demonstrated in this video. love this idea! imagine a MASSIVE LOOP! not something rmc has really attempted....and they do already have a relationship with Cedar Fair...I bet you that this idea has floated across some executive table at KI already...

[@StamfordBridge]

A new RMC with “some kind of Son of Beast theme”? Nephew of Beast?

[@toddoddity3976]

"Second cousin, twice removed of Beast"

[@StamfordBridge]

Todd Oddity That does have a better ring to it.

[@TwoToRule]

"Distant Relative of Beast"

[@bigblueamusementproductions]

HEIR of Beast

[@Purpl3Pe4ch]

She-Beast

[@jamesparkerjr5539]

Really great commentary. I love Kings Island, and for this year only - it was easily #1 of the 5 parks we got to. The covid procedures and overall park readiness were top class, and Orion/Area 72 were phenomenal. I love the point about park pride and staff, this is where KI has a huge advantage over CP. CP's location and size make staffing twice as difficult, especially this year. While CP is still my favorite park no question, I respect everything you said here. If they kept their existing lineup and added an Ibox ground up in the class of Zadra, say in 2023 or 24 they have an argument for 2nd best lineup in the world to CP, which I assume will also be adding something major by then. The other thing I think the park needs is an on site hotel, like Carowinds just added and Wonderland is developing. I know Great Wolf is right there, but I mean something the park itself owns. Lots of room down past the waterpark. Cheers.

[@benjaminfriedman9107]

At this rate Chris be like 2021: SLC new favorite and elite v h gardens new favorite park Great video like always and I could see why it would be a favorite

[@Coolsomeone234]

At this point I shouldn't be surprised

[@hebbyposts8693]

Omg seeing the old footage from how kings islands entrance looked in 2002 really brings me back lol

[@hfreddy127]

**Chris uploads video while being held at gunpoint by a KI fanboy**

[@Jimmy-Mc]

Cedar Point is my current home park, and I also went to Kings Island in July. I definitely agree on the theming and park pride. And one thing that stands out this year is how well the employees and guests are dealing with covid measures. Kings Island has been better about line spacing and enforcing masks, and guests seem happier to comply. Cedar Point is still my favorite, but for 2020 specifically I would agree that Kings Island is the better experience.

[@Undone007]

Just did a KI/CP trip in August, 100% agree literally my favorite park ever the staff was awesome, the coasters are top tier, the park is gorgeous, and the guests are all having a good time. Certainly the best I've been to.

[@PastimeCoasters]

Excellent video. This has been my home park since 1999. I’m very pleased to say I lived through all of the Son of Beast and Tomb Raider drama. I rode both countless times through their various iterations. Cedar Fair purchasing this park was the best thing that could have ever happened to it. The changes for the better were noticeable immediately. You’re absolutely right about park pride. That being said, KI is still my #2, behind Cedar Point. Son of Beast was always rough, but once they took the loop out and went to the lighter cars, it was unbearable. When it was open, regardless of how crowded the park was, this was always a walk on, and for good reason. This was the first, of very few, coasters, to destroy my back, and that was in my early twenties as a really healthy person. It was over a decade later that any coaster even phased me in the slightest. It actually threw my back out multiple times. I can circle the exact area on it. After the first time though, that’s on me. Fool me once... I have an on-ride photo. Somewhere. I searched for 20 minutes with no luck. A task for another day. Absolutely appreciate you pointing out the eternal flame for Son of Beast in the Banshee queue line. I’ve always loved that. Tomb Raider was doomed to fail once Paramount sold the park. It was all about the Tomb Raider tie-in and theming. Without that, it was nothing. Some thoughts on your video- I appreciate that you like local food in a park. We’re big fans of that. There is nothing worse than cafeteria style food in parks, which is very common (I’m looking at you, Six Flags). Skyline is divisive, but I personally enjoy it on the coney dogs with the mountain of shredded cheese. KI also has a Chick-fil-A (not sure if you had these in California?), and LaRosa pizza is pretty solid. There’s also a Tom and Chee next to Diamondback, and a new bbq joint near The Racer. Good stuff! Absolutely agree that they need a ground up RMC. Could be a good fit for the Vortex area, but I wouldn’t complain if they built it out into some of their undeveloped land. I love the terrain coasters and it would stay true to The Beast. The name is easy - Second Son. I also wouldn’t complain about an Intamin blitz coaster. The entrance is ugly and needs an upgrade. For us, it’s really not that big of a deal though. Not needed, but it would be like a strawberry drizzle on a creme brulee. Mystic Timbers is BY FAR the best CGI. Not only the ride itself, but how it’s built over the rafting ride. Great stuff! We caught a night ride in the pelting rain recently that was insane! I also loved Firehawk. Becky... not so much, but there are reasons for that. It was my first flying coaster, and I may be the only person on the planet who prefered the Flying Dutchman to the B&M flyers. I have serious mixed feelings about Firehawk being removed for Orion. I do understand though, that Orion will draw people to the park, while Firehawk would not. To be honest with myself though, I cannot say that Orion is the better ride (ducking from tomatoes and old boots being thrown at me). I really liked Firehawk. The Bat. This is probably the ONE negative thing about tearing down Son of Beast. Destroying the Son of Beast diminished it (at that time, Top Gun, and then Flight Deck). As a coaster, The Bat is fine. However, if you ride it in the front seat i’s a completely different ride, for the better. There were two moments where it looked and felt like you were going to smash into Son of Beast. I still love The Bat, but it definitely lost something there. Ride it on the right side. You nailed it on the kids area. It’s fun to wander around even as kidless adults. Great merchandise too. Fun Facts- Kings Island was featured on an episode of Brady Bunch - episode 106. Crazy seeing The Racer and Race for Your Life Charlie Brown that long ago. You can find it on KZbin. Racer is getting much a much needed new tracking. Thanks for posting this great video.

[@kristalic]

half the comments: "I thought it would be SDC!!!" me: I looked at the thumbnail and it's clearly ki from that lmao

[@Coolsomeone234]

I looked at the thumbnail for a minute and still couldn't figure it out

[@Jaxsen522]

What does sdc stand or mean for?

[@techparad0x809]

@@Jaxsen522 Silver Dollar City

[@Jaxsen522]

@@techparad0x809 okay that took some time and figured it out with the other comments! So thanks but I already knew till I read the comments

[@CanobieCoaster]

I agree the operations at Kings Island are always top notch. One of the other things I loved was when I visited the park this summer during a thunderstorm. The rides were closed for 2-3 hours at the end of the day until the last 15 minutes when Kings Island reopened them. That was great customer service for those who stuck around.

[@AirtimeProductions]

WAIT WHAT? What a twist 😂

[@alanblasczyk1779]

I agree 100%. I am 65 and I have been going to Kings Island since the mid 1980's and have ridden the Beast hundreds of times. It is my all time favorite wooden coaster. Now that it has been re-tracked, I have to return for a day or two of re-rides.

[@badgerstatecoasters7725]

Is it Kennywood because they have Lil Phantom?

[@AirtimeProductions]

😂🤣

[@AirtimeThrills]

Oh yeah of course.....not

[@scottyjbd]

Just went to KI today for the first time since july 2000. Hit a few other parks this trip and settled on KI being the most improved. They always let us wait for the front seat! They never stapled me! Multi-train ops everywhere!! Had a blast. Banshee with its giant inversions and that amazingly intense first drop might be favorite in the park right now, but i can see it changing. The empty trains kind of cripple some rides while others seem unaffected, like Banshee and maybe The Beast. Diamondback and Mystic Timbers were fantastic in the front, not so much in the back. I probably had my weakest ride of the day in the back of Mystic, but it was also a cold day. My night ride in the front seat was incredible, so maybe it had finally warmed up. Orions first drop is incredible no matter where you sit , but the back is especially fun. I got to sit in the front right seat twice and that is easily my favorite seat. You really benefit in the first wave turn and that last wave turn. Orion definitely has ejector. Finally got to ride Top Gun aka The Bat! It was closed when i was there 20 years ago, amd I've now been on all of the American installations of the Supended Coaster except Astroworld's XLR-8. Hard to pick between Big Bad Wolf and The Bat but The Bat is def the best still standing! Feel like weve been a wee shortchanged with Ninja all these years (at least its better than Iron Dragon). Terrific lineup. Miss Son of Beast, Vortex and King Cobra. KI needs more loops, how about a Mack Hyper to continue building up that skyline?

[@kworkshop]

Woah, this is going to be interesting. Before watching: let me guess, SDC? Edit: Nevermind haha

[@nickbowers501]

Just watched part of it and I’m surprised that it’s Kings Island

[@kworkshop]

@@nickbowers501 Same here!

[@joeskrtit3061]

I was thinking the same

[@kworkshop]

@@nickbowers501 I mean, it's not a bad park at all, it's great, but just wasn't expecting it

[@jakethecake6952]

What park is sdc?? Ohh silver dollar cityy

[@gabriellerieker9966]

I can agree!!! I went to cedar point and kings island for the first time in July and I was impressed with both! A lot of times I was struggling to choose which park I liked better!

[@StamfordBridge]

He’s out and proud! It’s a minority identity, but I have known some people who passionately prefer your new favorite (no spoiler) over CP. Good for you for bucking the trend!

[@RollyCoaster]

Yeah, good for him! But it’s so hard for me to see his perspective

[@MrPie]

I am an Ohioan that lives an hour from Cedar Point, and I prefer Kings Island, which is close to four hours away. The park is smaller, so I give Cedar Point the benefit of the doubt for being quite large and more difficult to manage. But there is just a charm to Kings Island, and Cedar Fair did a heck of a job renovating the park.

[@MattSamsForGovernor]

Nope, disagree. Sorry Chris, it’s a good park but not even close to Silver Dollar City or Cedar Point.

[@AirtimeThrills]

Theyre all top 3 for me. But i have SDC as a more distant 3rd with these being kind of 1a and 1b

[@galaxy.11037]

Bro?

[@Jaxsen522]

First of all, silver dollar city doesn’t make you pay sliver money 💵 💰From a city 🌃!

[@texasbbq3191]

I know this video is a year and a half old now, but; this video is still relevant. I'm local to CP in Ohio but I do make trips to KI every year. I made my first trip this past week and KI is hands down the better park right now. I had the feeling 2 years ago that it was, but the coaster lineup at CP held it up for me. Without WT and TTD likely leaving, the park feels like it has a big gap now losing 2 launch coasters with one being an icon. All of the employees were friendly on EVERY coaster, they were cheering each other on for good dispatches. CP and their employees just haven't had it for about 3 or 4 years now and it's a real shame.

[@CrispyChickenBS]

2:04 uh I do!

[@nathanpayne1502]

I absolutely love this video. Kings Island is my family’s home park. Last year we upgraded to platinum passes because we love cedar point and we’re planning trips to other cedar fair parks until COVID-19 hit. My son and I always loved cedar point because of the thrill rides but kings island has been doing fantastic with there recently add coasters. I love your idea on the copperhead strike and RMC for the future it’s like you were reading our minds. 🤞 Just a great video over all and appreciate the love for are home park.

[@traindocumentaryclub1454]

That kid who was crying bc he was to small to go on Orion 😂😂

[@ets8760]

I have been to Kings Island ever since I was a kid and seeing Vortex gone just changes the way I see that area of the park.

[@torezcoasters6043]

CP fanboys: “That’s not true! That’s impossible!”