Photo TR: larrygator's road to Cedar Point - Parks and Food

[MeteornotesKeeper Of The Carnivorous Bees!]

I've never heard of this place. I've added to my list to check out if I'm ever in the area. Thanks!

dt

[larrygatorObsessive Overlord of the TPR Park Index]

On Saturday morning I headed to Kings Island for opening. I purchased my ticket online with a combination meal included, it was $8 additional for the meal but the price of the meal combo would have been $18 otherwise so I'm glad I adding it, even though the food was inferior to the food I had in Columbus.

Not surprisingly the parking lot looked to be filling up quickly and I also saw a lot of school trips heading in. This sealed the deal that I would buy a Fast Lane wristband for the first time. I don't know how many Fast Lane wristbands were sold that day but while the regular lines were crowded, there were never more than 4 other people in the Fast Lane queue at the same time as me for any ride. Since I was at the park alone, it pretty mush served as a single rider line into most loading areas. Technically, I never even held up a line on the coasters as I always paired with a single rider.

What the Fast Lane allowed me to do was walk around the park at a leisurely pace, take in some rides I would not have done otherwise, sit down and eat and get additional rides on the major coasters. My camera conked out early in the day, so pictures are sparse, but everyone knows what Kings Island looks like anyway.

Besides about a dozen rides on Diamondback, I rode Racer (both sides), Beast (2x), Invertigo, Boo Blasters (2x), Adventure Express, Delirium, Drop Tower, Stunt Coaster, FoF, Train and the Dinosaur 3D Movie.

Fast Lane also allowed me the opportunity of leaving Kings Island early to further support the local economy by spending more money at local businesses in Columbus.

[CoastinmillerTPR's table shuffleboard pro]

Was thinking of hitting Thurmans' Burgers while on our stop in Columbus, now I might change my mind and try Schmidts, or do both, they are very close to each other . Thanks for posting Larry.

[BeemerBoyWDW Monorail Fanatic]

The next time you're in the Asheville, North Carolina area, you might want to check out the rather unimaginatively named Bavarian Dining Restaurant in Weaverville: http://www.bavariandining.com/. It's owned by an actual old Bavarian named "Doc" who makes his own sausage and sometimes offers "wild boar steak" as a special. I ate there last year, and it was great.

We'll be in the area next week, but unfortunately I'm not real big on German delicacies. I could go for a bier though. Thanks for the suggestion, Chuck. And thanks for another awesome trip report, Larry.

Of course this whole trip report is building up to the ultimate establishment of fine dining... TGI FRIDAYS!!!!

Great TR so far, Larry! With the Fast Lane, I may just have to get the credits I am missing at Kings Island now.

[pyrocoasterkidDonkeys give me orgiastic scream!]

I've been to Columbus a ton of times, and had no idea that this German Village even existed. My mouth is literally watering after looking at those giant peanut butter cups. Looking forward to the rest of your report, Larry.

Larry, this is awesome! Looking forward to seeing more. Columbus...who knew? Glad there's a reason to not just drive by anymore.

I have been living in Columbus since 2005, originally from Cincinnati. If anybody is passing through the area, I would really give the city a chance. Everyone just assumes "meh middle of Ohio...nothing there." But it's entirely not true. Columbus has some of the best historical neighborhoods I have ever seen, like German Village and the Short North, and some of the best examples of urban revitalization, like the Arena District. All have their own feel and personality and are always extremely alive. They all also have a large assortment of bars.

Along the lines of food, not only is Schmidt's amazing, they offer a buffet that is something like $10 or so, which gives you a large variety of german meals to eat, and you then get a discount on a creampuff (yes, they are amazing). Also, as someone said, German Village is also home to Thurmans, which is home to the Thurmanator. Check out this beast:


1.5 pounds of burger meat alone.. with fries, buns, and toppings (including ham) we guessed it to be around 3 pounds of food. This is my cousin, our server, and myself.

The end result of the ridiculous amount of food:

I wanted to die for a day. However, it really is a "hole in the wall" type place, where you can wait 2-3 hours to get sat anytime on the weekends since they only have a bar and 10 or so tables. The do have a fairly large waiting room where you can drink a few pitchers while waiting.

Anyway, both of these restaurants were on the Columbus edition of "Man vs Food." I won't hijack your thread anymore, but I'd suggest people spend a few days in Columbus, it has plenty to do!

Sorry to hear about your job, but good luck with the upcoming job search! Great TR so far... I love seeing my home parks.

[CoastinmillerTPR's table shuffleboard pro]

^I knew they were big and all, but DAMN . Maybe the german village is the better option.

[larrygatorObsessive Overlord of the TPR Park Index]

Thurman's Cafe. Yes, Thurman's Cafe was the next stop on my trip. But where did I go for dessert? Keeping reading.

[ginzoWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

Columbus is a party town full of 40-year-old guys that never got the memo that they no longer attend Ohio State. Short North is where most of the action is and would be a great place to live because there are countless bars, shops, coffee shops, and restaurants all within easy walking distance.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

^^So what did you actually think of the ice cream!?!