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MrPKI

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Everything posted by MrPKI

  1. I went to Soak City in '04 and I remember there being a swim-up bar. Did they get a new one? Sure the cabanas are great, but they aren't something that everyone can always do. I guess that's why I'm not as big a fan of the challenge park type stuff and the pay-extra waterpark. It feels like there are so many strings attached to what is just supposed to be a fun day at the park. I can definately see why they would want to do this, and that's fine for all the out-of-town guests who are looking for a great vacation. But I think this is not a good thing for all the locals or people that drive two hours to the park and go home that night. They simply don't have time to experience most of what the park has to offer. At least you can get a sampling of the waterpark if you're there for a day. I think that adds great mental value to the whole deal (Just seeing that you can go to the waterpark for free gets a lot of people in). From a business and operations standpoint, yes. But I guess I just don't like the idea of all this rearranging that comes with acquiring a new park. It's the changing of the atmosphere that gets me too, not the choice of attractions that CF puts in. It's the way they put them in that I don't like. Agreed, we don't really know anything yet about how CF will go about changing the parks. That's kinda weird how no one who has those in their signatures has posted in this topic yet. I'm not a particularly big fan of them either. I guess I don't like the assumption that CF will put Snoopy all over the park. We just don't know yet. But hey, to each his own; It's their signature.
  2. That would be a great thing to have back. We always stayed at the campground whenever we could. I don't like the idea of the separate gate Boomerang Bay or extra challenge park, though. That's just another thing to bring the park down to "Cedar Fair standards". I guess the challenge park is just more-or-less the copying of CP, but the separate-gated waterpark makes it much less of a draw IMO. I would probably almost never go there if it cost extra. And I'm sure the GP would notice the change as well. There's no need to increase the price of what has been an included in admission waterpark from the beginning. HW does great getting people to come to their park with the help of the waterpark. Putting an extra price on the current one would draw people away more than toward the waterpark IMO. Another thing on cost-extra waterparks that I've noticed is that they don't seem to have the most up to date attractions. When I went to CP's Soak City, it seemed like they were still back in the early '90's in terms of current rides? Things like Tazmanian Typhoon, the Flowrider, Coolangatta Racer, HW's Jungle Racer, Bahari River, and Zinga, ect. are the new life of waterparks. There's just something amazing about how rides like these can be marketed as opposed to "We have a new body slide". You know, everyone's seen those before. This actually brings me to an interesting question......when was the last time CP added anything to their waterpark? I like the Nick suites hotel idea though, but I'm not sure how likely that is with the GWL going up now. Maybe they would add that to the property in a few years. That would definately bring in the bucks.
  3. MrPKI

    Six Flags

    Well there's SFWOA - Now owned by Cedar Fair, SF Astroworld, and all their European properties they sold off. Then I believe that they are selling off Frontier City at the end of this season, as well as Wyandot Lake which is going to be operated by the Columbus Zoo. That's all I know of right now.
  4. Will do. We'll be camping as well, so it's not unlikely I'll see you at the campground before the event starts or something. Uggh! I am getting super excited about leaving tomorrow. Can't wait to kick off this season at a new-to-me park! About that on-board audio in IJ. It never seemed like they had it on loud enough whenever I rode it. Basically I noticed it at the top of the helix and at the end of the ride. Other than that, it was only clear enough that I thought someone sneezed when the guy said "action".
  5. Great trip report! I am getting really excited about visiting PKI next week, even though Holiwood Nights is coming up sooner. There's just something about visiting the park that makes me super excited no matter how many times I've been. I'm also really looking forward to trying the new SOB. I never thought it was as bad as most people thought originally. At least I would always ride it. Now I'm thinking I'll actually like it as a decent coaster. Your IJ report was sounds good as well. At least we know they still have the ability to keep it running with all the effects. Too bad they never got the stair effect working though. Again great report!
  6. Yes we can definately be thankful that an amusement park operator did buy them. I guess that could have also been a danger with Busch and Universal, so this is one thing better about Cedar Fair I guess. I still wish Herschend would have bought them, but what CF has said so far has made me not as afraid of what they will do to the park as I used to be. As long as they don't kill the atmosphere and keep adding attractions regularly, I think that the park is in good hands now. And hopefully the park won't need to go up for sale for a long time. (unless Herschend wants to buy it )
  7. Yeah PKI was #1 in the USA, and PCW was ranked #1 in North America with about 15 other mega themed Disney and Universal type parks taking the other top spots.
  8. The grass is frown? .......... Yeah, they're probably old scenery footers. They'd have to do a lot to get a good path back there for any ride.
  9. I actually see FOF staying once the park gets a new owner, no matter who it is. No one who buys PKI is going to be dumb enough to throw out one of it's most popular attractions. I guess that is one good thing that would happen with any of the new owners - none of the major rides would get trashed. Which also means Vortex isn't going anywhere either, yes!
  10. After thinking about it a bit, I'm thinking Herschend (Dollywood's company) would be the best one to buy the park over any that I've seen mentioned. Here are a few things I'm guessing would happen with each chain. Herschend - Good - Adds a new attraction every year (and not just an attraction, a quality attraction), well themed everywhere, keeps the focus on both family and thrill seekers, brings in a bunch of quality shows, would not ruin the charm of the park (might even make it better), would probably keep NU, and would probably bring back some of what KI used to be. Bad - I haven't thought of anything yet. Busch - Good -Much emphasis on theming, family and thrill rides, great atmosphere, quality shows Bad - New attrations only come every 3 years or so, unknown if they would keep NU Universal - Good - Even more emphasis on theming, family and thrill rides, keep some of the movies in the park, would definately keep NU Bad - but only add new attractions every 5 or more years it seems Cedar Fair - Good - Both family and thrill rides, KI might get it's first B&M Bad - Not much emphasis on theming, don't always add news attraction each year, Cedar Point would always get the better quality attractions since that's the chain's favorite park, might get rid of NU, KI would lose much of it's great atmosphere and charm to the plain, regular midways of Cedar Fair, season pass prices would probably be higher if you wanted a CP or possibly GL addon. It seems to me that Herschend would be the best thing for PKI, and Cedar Fair would probably be the worst. And I'm not counting Six Flags, who knows, if their new management keeps up, they might be better than CF. But I don't want to take that chance yet. I just don't understand how everyone thinks CF will be the savior of the park with all the stuff they would do to it. And even if KI does end up getting more coasters, who knows if they will be good quality, and they probably wouldn't be very unique. From what I've heard, things like Hydra, Silver Bullet, and Patriot, wouldn't be the type of things that would restore the park to it's former greatness. But things like Thunderhead, Powder Keg, and this new mine thing Dollywood's adding for '07 would. The only problem the only interested party we know about is CF, and I dearly hope they aren't the only one.
  11. When was the last time you visited PKI, WooferBear? Not that I'm questioning how right you are about how many old shows they had, but I want to know how much you've been to or seen the current ones? I don't know a thing about them myself. The last time I saw a show at PKI was at least 3-4 years ago. I'm just not much of a show person. That's probably becuase I don't get to the park a lot, so when I do visit, I squeeze in all the possible rides I can get.
  12. I don't know that I totally agree with that. I really don't know anyone who goes to a park to see the shows. They go for the rides! If I wanted to see a show, I would go to a theatre or concert area, not to an amusement park. Unless it was one of those shows they do at Timberwolf, in which case that costs extra anyway. Now PKI's may not have as many shows now than they used to, but that doesn't mean there isn't something to do for everyone. That may be the case if you go by yourself, but isn't the fun of going to the park enjoying it with other people? That's were there's something for everyone. Parents and grandparents go to the park to have fun with their kids. NU has great rides for enjoying with the whole family. I know when my grandparents came to the park, they just had fun riding the kiddie rides with my younger siblings and even sometimes just watching them have fun on the rides. Rides like SDATHC, both carousels, the Eiffel Tower, Sporticopters, WWC, and Wild Thornberrys are really rides that most everyone can enjoy together. Then there's the step up from all that with rides like Reptar, IJ:ST, AE, Monster, Scrambler, Shake Rattle and Roll, Bumper Cars, ect., ect. Hey, my grandpa even rode IJ:ST. I just don't see how there's not something to do for everyone at the park. PKI has established themselves as an amusement park, not a theatre. Not that the shows they do offer aren't great, but shows aren't their main attraction, rides are.
  13. Sounds cool! I'm looking forward to trying it in a couple weeks. I didn't really expect it to be B&M smooth, but what (non-prefabricated) woodie is? SOB would really be an enjoyable ride if they indeed got rid of of the jolting and bumps. One thing I wonder though is how people realized that it had gotten smoother now. The last few times I've ridden it, there has been almost no one in line. Word spreads fast I guess. Either that or the fact that it was finally open after months of downtime attracted a bunch of people.
  14. I hope they don't. Like WooferBear said, how do you know that's that best option?
  15. MrPKI

    PKI Sold?

    Could this mean that CF is already sure on the other four, but are also considering KI? At least we know it not for sure......yet. I still don't particularly like the idea of CF imposing its style into PKI's distinct atmosphere.
  16. I agree this is sad news. I never did get to visit this park, but from what I've heard it had one of the best woodies and log flumes around. I was just thinking about if they brought Serpant to KI.........the new BAVARIAN BEETLE, lol! Hopefully they'll at least find a way to get the Eagle relocated, but it doesn't sound hopeful right now.
  17. Oh ok, I never knew that. I guess that's why my count advanced on this post then. I guess I've just never seen this done on a forum before. Thanks for putting my mind at ease, lol!
  18. I've noticed something very strange going on with my post count for a while. To the left, next to my username it says something like 60 for my post count right? Well I've noticed that most of the time when I post, my count doesn't go up, it just stays in the same place. Only every once in a while will it advance. I've even confirmed that I have more posts than this by looking at my total post count as seen here. By counting all the posts there, I have nearly 100. Not that this is super important, but I find it very strange that this board would act this way, and no other boards do. I've even noticed someone else on here who has 0 posts next to their username, yet they have posted at least three times. Anyone know what's up with this?
  19. I agree too. I don't think I'd notice most of these things if I wasn't told beforehand since I don't get to the park but once or twice a year, and I haven't been yet this year. But I always have fun when anyway. PKI is and will always be my favorite park to visit. There's just something magical about it that makes it what it is. I bet if I ever get to Disney World, Universal or any of those other mega-themed parks that PKI will still have a better feel. I grew up mostly under the Paramount influence, so they obviously have been doing something right. (Either that or I'm weird ) I'm sure the old Kings Island was great as well. Some aspects may have been better then, and I'm sure some are better now, but overall I don't see how either is overwhelmingly better then the other. I think that's becuase KECO and Paramount both had similar ways of running and expanding the park. That's why I don't want the park to go to the wrong hands. Right now I'm not convinced someone like CF would do as good a job with the park, since the company's main park is Cedar Point and that's were their big money and attractions are going to go. Not that PKI will be neglected, but CP will always be getting the better thing. And once they are under CF's ownership there is not going in a different direction to attract guests like they have been trying to do for the last few years. PKI will just become CP's younger brother like GL has, and the only differences will be what happened before the park was bought. That's my take on it anyway.
  20. MrPKI

    PKI Sold?

    Read the first post, and then about 4 posts down Adam12 mentions it. Amazing how fast rumors (or joke rumors) can spread.
  21. MrPKI

    PKI Sold?

    I've heard from a certain credible source that posts here occasionally, that Cedar Fair has indeed bought the parks..........that is, 4 of the 5 parks. Which park was left with someone else remains to be seen. I'm pretty sure that PKD and PCar are done deals though.
  22. I got this one too. I used to be on all the Paramount Park mailing lists, but got a little tired of that so I just get the PKI and the surveys now. I had to double check to make sure I actually did sign off of their's though. The "last chance to get your gold pass May 7th" phrase had me going wait a minute that doesn't sound right. Then I looked at the sender.
  23. ^tobyMac is my favorite as well, it would be great to see him in concert. Newsboys, Relient K, and Casting Crowns would be neat as well. This sounds like a fun event even though I can't go.
  24. 1 post in this thread. j/k, 0 for everything park-wise until June
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