Back from KI, wanted to post a few comparisons

So we took the family down to Kings Island to use our Platinum Passes (first year for passes, my first trip to KI since the early 90s). I didn't find a lot of info in my research beforehand, so I thought I would post a few of my observations here for those that may be interested in taking a trip down there.

Small disclaimer here... I've been going to Cedar Point for 30+ years so of course I'm partial to the Point!

- Camp Snoopy: First part of the day we attempted Camp Snoopy and it was PACKED! I prefer how Cedar Point spreads out the two kiddie areas as it makes it much less crowded and keeps the lines down as well. KI does a better job of the Peanuts theme and has a lot of cute signage, music, and several more character appearances. My 7 year old enjoyed their version of the Woodstock Express (it reminded me of a mini blue streak) and they have a kids roller coaster that hangs down and their legs hang which was pretty cool for kids.
- Height Measuring: They had a stand right at Camp Snoopy where they could measure and wristband kids, much more accessible than at Guest services at CP. We don't measure our son anymore because he's close to 50 but they actually wristbanded him at a bigger roller coaster (Racer) which was pretty cool. I don't believe CP is equipped for this.
- Parking: Ok strike against KI.... they had no one directing traffic so it was a bit crazy. You knew where to go but the process was not as smooth because you were just cherry picking spots instead of being sent in an orderly fashion. KI wins on leaving though as we hit virtually no traffic when we left at closing. You drive right out and the highway is very close.
- Wait time signs: I felt like at KI they were not being monitored closely and people were spinning them around. Nothing seemed to be accurate.
- Bugs: Ok we have midges and muffleheads but KI has these weird biting bugs! They don't leave a mark but catch you out of the blue and it feels like someone pricks you with a pencil, very weird lol
- Soak City: This is included in your daily admission at KI. The strange thing is their parking closes at 8 so you have to move your car if you plan on staying at the park until close. I'm glad we found this out ahead of time. We enjoyed the time spent here and I would compare it to CP's Soak City. One thing that I did not like is most of the kiddie areas had multiple exits which makes it a little bit challenging for kids who like to escape.
- Souvenir Cups: I was permitted to use my CP refillable cup at KI, but then I left it at Soak City and 5 minutes later when I went to look for it, it was gone. We got a new one with KI on it, so I'm hoping CP lets me use it the rest of the season!
- Shows: kudos to KI for announcing all of their shows on an intercom throughout the day. ALthough we did not make it to any shows, it was nice to hear them promoted on the intercom at Soak City, and they reminded us about the fireworks show at closing.
- Overall, I saw a few examples of where KI could have done a better job. Nothing alarming but I just think that CP is better equipped to handle situations and are more efficient. For example, I left the park to get our swim bag and only one lady was giving stamps. There was a huge line to get out, and several workers just sitting there b/c there was no line to get in. I saw other examples of this in food service, and when a water ride was down, 5 workers were standing at the front of the line goofing off and joking around which I thought was weird. I just expect them to be put to work in other areas as it was very crowded due to the holiday week.
Scenery: At first I thought CP wins this battle by a longshot, due to its location on the lake. However, after being at KI for awhile, I began to appreciate it's wooded location and it really is beautiful. Several of the coasters can't even be seen due to the terrain, and it seems more compact, walkable. I still prefer CP but KI does do a nice job based on their acreage.

Finally, rides:
A few duplicates from CP, and some new favorites. My son LOVED the Stunt Track, Adventure Express (a little more wild version of the Mine Ride), and Flight Deck (this was Iron Dragon on speed). We also liked being able to spray people by pushing buttons on their version of Thunder Canyon (for a quarter a button press). I was disappointed in their dark ride, and think it's silly that they sell 3-d glasses for a buck outside of the ride. I am very partial to CP roller coasters, in fact, I'm in love. BUT, I have to say that the Beast is by far my favorite roller coaster of all time. I hadn't ridden it in 20 years but it still packed the same punch and it's just phenomenal!

Whew, that was long winded, but if there was a competition, I'd pick Cedar Point hands down. It's nice to visit a sister park though, once in awhile and I appreciate the consistency and differences in both parks :)

Glad you enjoyed it, I often get to KI, and I like what it has to offer. There is one thing I don't agree on at KI, and that is the festhaus building that looks all German on the outside, but they have a crappy food court and just an OK rock and roll show inside, which completely does not fit the theme! I think before cedar fair took over, they used to have a German show or something in it....

There was actually no show in the Festhaus for a while when Paramount ran the park. You would think for Paramount being an entertainment company their shows would be great. Paramount (technically CBS), neglected entertainment and only had 2 shows. IMO, Kings Island has a better park atmosphere and layout. However, I believe Cedar Point is better in everything else from an operations standpoint.

I try to get to KI a few times a year. I go for Beast, Diamondback, & Adventure Express.

-When they have thier security pass-thru operational, park entrance lines can get long.

-Lack of a shaded area like the frontier walk at CP.

-Thier Halloween Haunt is VERY VERY crowded with no re-entry after 7pm. If the weather's nice during the day and then gets cold in the evening, you can't go to your car to get a jacket and re-enter after 7pm.

-Very dissappointed in thier park food.

-Thier security is very strict regarding 'running in the park'.

They dont run security there anymore...

lol it's odd seeing this stuff here now as I sadly have to be more partial to kings island now as I'm stationed down here in wright patt, so it's much closer than cp used to be for me

anyways did you see the updated construction site for 2014, always is an interesting view

Thanks for the comparison. This is good info for me as my sister and I are heading to Kings Island at the end of the month. I will post my thoughts about Kings Island when I get back from the park.

The big difference between CP & KI is their roots. KI has been through several owners/leaderships, each having different goals and ideas. So it's pretty tough to compare a layout that really can't be changed because it was created 30+ years ago with different entertainment franchise tied to it that no longer exists. Especially when the comparison is with CP that has had the same basic mission plan for much longer than KI has existed.

Operationally however, it is strange how different parks in the chain handle the same basic tasks with such different approaches - as you would think there would be a cost savings in standardizing. Localized differences aside, management should do a 360 degree review of operations - as it would likely improve some of the items pointed out here, and perhaps provide us more in the way of park to park exchanges outside of the occasional relocated ride exchange.

One other item though I feel is important to mention however is that KI has a great international street and fountain area. This is something CP could really use as a future enhancement (perhaps somewhere along that beach that Matt want's to utilize better???). Disney, Universal, KI, and Canada's Wonderland are all moving into nightly water productions of some sort, and although CP has ventured into the "Christmas Lights in the woods" / Luminocity, they haven't come close to a killer "kiss goodnight" presentation.

Thanks for your trip report -- similar things I thought last summer --

I hadn't been back to KI since I was in college down at Wittenberg in the late 70's early 80's...so it was cool to see what was the same (an awful lot) and what was different (all the coasters).

The shows are by far better at CP -- in fact, outside of the WDW parks, CP probably has the best live programming at any theme park (with the exception of the better Ice Shows at Knotts)...

The food at KI IS terrible -- and it doesn't get much better if you are staying at the KI inn or at Great Wolf Lodge -- that is an area that seriously requires improvement.

I also agree that the lack of shade at KI is noticeable, and it has always been like that -- except for a few covered eating areas, there is very little ability to escape the sun throughout the park.

I think its weird how they got rid of the Paramount theming which is SO noticeable, while just changing the names of the rides (Oh, this is Top Gun!....and this is Indiana Jones!)

Overall though, the park is very clean, its more family friendly than CP, and it has a wider and different selection of ride choices. I miss the dark-ride boat-ride Scooby Doo though -- that Boo Hill thing a) is weird and b) nothing worked inside...

Went to KI yesterday....first time since 1984. Of course CP wins hands down in the coaster area with it's collection of world class steel coasters, but I think I may prefer KI for the variety ride experiences. Back in the day, KI couldn't hold a candle to CP for me. Times have changed.

What "flat" rides does KI have that you would like to see at CP? What "flat" rides should CP eliminate, if any, to make room for them?

Well first of all, I would like to see CP get a modern darkride. One aimed at an older demographic than Boo Blasters(which I like alot) though. It's nice having attractions like that to do in between coaster rides.

Plus even a ride like Adventure Express I found to be different and fun. I like theming that attempts to take me into the jungle, or the old west, or maybe 1906 San Francisco.

Where to put them or what to take out, I don't know.

KI might outdo CP next year with their new coaster...

I kept trying to figure out where in the park that the Son of Beast was located and then I saw the construction by Flight Deck. I'm assuming that's where it was located, and where the new ride will go.

I was really disappointed in boo blasters but would love to see a dark ride at CP. A longer flat ride would be nice too, make it worth the wait (although it would have to be a continuous ride like a dark ride that moves people on and off quickly).

I like Boo Blasters. I think it's a well done kids ride. Plus it beats not having a dark ride at all.

The only problem I have are the guns. It's kind of hard to aim without a laser site like the guns at Kennywood's Ghostwood Estate have. Maybe I just need more practice.

I love Boo Blasters too. It's my favorite ride at KI probably because CP doesn't have a dark ride.

While CP is hands down better there are a few things I like better about KI. No seagulls for starters. I find the crowd more polite. In general people will not walk right into you or cut you off. The rest rooms are much cleaner and dryer. CP needs to learn a lesson from KI on that front. Blue custard!

I will say Live E down there is better in some ways. I like CP's live e like the beach band, ect. that has been brought back, however I prefer shows like Ed Alonzo's magic show to anything CP has. His show knocked everything out of the water and honestly his bar was raised so high I was totally shocked at it.

Kiddie areas may be crowded but I do like their selection and theming alot more than CP. The only kiddie area we have up to their par a bit is camp snoopy, however I do still think they did a much better job at all of that.

Where did you go for food? The burrito shack area is kind of a chipotle knock off and I didn't have any problems with that. Larosas has something in the sauce I think, it's actually way too freaking good haha. Also there's a starbucks and a graeters, how is their food bad? Lastly, blue ice cream haha.

I like CP more as it's my park, it's where I spent a year, so it's a second home to an extent. However KI has a special place because I see so much potential and creativity that I haven't seen in CP in forever ago, and is only now slowly coming back (new Live E, redesigning midways, new music, luminosity, ect.) However KI has had these little secrets for awhile and kept them. They have a great haunt, good selection of rides, great atmosphere (international street, hello), and just that, lets go have a blast kinda emotion, wheras CP is a lets go get in line for coasters thing. At KI, I don't mind doing a live e show or stopping by to do something other than rides. At CP, I'm on nothing but rides, maybe a live show here or there and that's it.

Oooh yes the burrito shack was great, my husband got a burrito bowl and was happy. I really wanted to get some skyline chili but I went for the healthier subway option. I loved their "all you can eat bbq picnic" option. We didn't go for timing reasons but it seemed like a really great deal, especially for pass holders.

Unfortunately the magic show had his day off when we were there. I wanted to check out the british invasion show or the 70s show but we opted for rides instead.

Now we're considering visiting Kings Dominion on our way down to Myrtle Beach but it seems very similar to Kings Island. My son loved the Stunt Coaster so we might just go for that, and I love comparing parks :)

Here is a picture of Son of Beast from last year.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/topthrill/IMG_6158.jpg

Ed Alonzo's show is excellent.

For food at KI, a large skyline 3 way is enough to feed 3 adults! Best deal in the park!