italianchef

I have my 08 pass and already purchased my 09 pass.

Maybe Eliza Thornberry because she can talk to animals, is a vegetarian, and gets to go to cool places around the globe. I miss the educational aspects of The Wild Thornberrys. However, there were times when Eliza was too headstrong and took silly, unnecessary risks. In addition, I like Mr. Crabs because he is cheap, and in this economic crisis, debt free is the way to be. I think that Mr. Crabs is a good economic role model for today's youth and adults.

If I can't put my arms up, I hold on to the lapbar more times than not.

I'll take Elvira over Urgent Scare any day.

If Nickeldeon is to go, I will not cry. Quite frankly, I'm a bit bored with it and would prefer to see Hanna-Barbera return.

Last night I hit KI with a friend. It was my 28th visit this season - and the busiest night I saw all year. We were at the park for 5 hours and only got in The Cemetary (quite entertaining), Club Blood (visually appealing), Vortex, and Zepher. And it was very cold. I hope to make it to KI at least once more before the season ends, and hope that the park will be less crowded when I return. Speaking of Halloween Haunt, am I the only one who misses the Elvira motion simulator film?

Personally. I'd like to build a small Japanese tea house in that area. Guests would be able to sip green or black tea with a snack and enjoy the relaxing scenery. The concept fits International Street.

I gave the event a 4 and not a 5 this year becasue the Elvira motion simulator ride was removed. To me, it was one of the best attractions and I think that it should've remained. If it did stay, I would've given Halloween Haunt a 5.

I didn't know about the Brady visit until after the fact. Had I known then what I know now, I would've been there. The Brady Bunch was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid.

I'm not too thrilled with the name Diamondback. It makes me think of card playing, not roller coasters or even snakes. Maybe rattlesnake or electric eel would've been a better name.

I made it to Kings Island a record 26 times this year, and I plan at least 2, if not 3, more visits before the park closes this year.

Only small children are allowed to wear costumes. And should one guest try to scare another with or without costume - I reckon park security would kick out the offending guest.

I have been to Disenyland and California Adventure in 2001. They were both awesome parks. I hope to return someday.

I LOVED the free things for the kids. And in these times of economic crisis, which have personally affected me, I greatly appreciate that Kings Island is generously giving free popcorn, juice, cotton candy, and toys to kids. This event and its freebies have greatly improved my image of Kings Island.

My best day at Kings Island happened around May. I took my son to Nickelodeon Universe he rode EVERY single ride in the area plus SDATHC. I was very, very proud of my 4-year old son. Of course I rode all rides with him that allowed adults. Happy Weekend, Italian Chef

I would love to see Hanna-Barbera Land return after Nickelodeon Universe eventually leaves the park, be in 2010 or 2015, or whenever. Heck, I would even be happy if Nickelodeon Universe left and Cedar Fair created their own characters and themes to replace them. Anyone who says that they won't renew their season pass if Nickelodeon Universe doesn't come back is as serious as certain Hollywood stars who said that they would move to Canada if a certain president was elected and later, re-elected. He was elected, and later re-elected and none of them them moved. My point is that Kings Island is an awesome place whether the kids's area has Hanna-Barbera, Nickelodeon, Penauts, or generic stuff. Kids will not lose interest because the signs and a few costumed characters change. It's all about the rides. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I have been to KI 25 time this year and don't recall ever seeing Viking Fury closed.

Flight of Fear. It is the only indoor coaster and I LOVE the sci fi theming. Best regards, Italian Chef

I would be pleased if NU was dismantled and H-B Land returned.

Club Blood for sure. The female performers made a great impression upon me.

I'll have to go with Ghouls Gone Wild because I loved the music, related to the characters, and the story was entertaining. Though I liked Dead Awakening, the ending REALLY ruined the show for me. It is too dramatic for my taste. As far as the other shows at KI this year, all cute, but none made it to the top of my list.

Today I went to the Ohio Renaissance Festival with my family as part of a freelance article gig. We had a great time, saw jousting, etc. On the way back we HAD to go to Kings Island because my son would not stop demanding it. He loves KI as much as or more than his old man. WOW - I was impressived with Howl-O-Fest!! There is a section called Everyone is a Winner. Kids get to play around 8 games FREE and get FREE prizes even if they don't quite succeed. My son played all gamed and won many prizes. He also went trick-or-treating at all 5 candy stops. We ran through both mazes together, visited the pumpkin patch, and partook in some happenings at the Kids Activity Area. For me, the best part was seeing and getting photographed with HANNA-BARBERA characters (take that Nickeloden!). My son, wife, and I posed with: Scooby Doo, Velma, George Jetson, Astro, Fred Flintston, Dino, and Yogi Bear. I am so impressed with what Kings Island is doing for the kids this year. As a father, I am also very grateful. Best regards, Italian Chef

BUSY! I have been doing temp jobs, freelancing, and I am STILL searching for an appropriate full-time job. To give you an idea of how busy, I began the year with 88 articles under my belt and now have 149. However, about 55 of them were for private clients and don't bear my name. And my temp jobs have varied from office work to booth sales at conventions to factory communications. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Last night I went to Kings Island's Media Night with 3 friends. It was spectacular, KI knows how to treat the media. A decorated ambulance took us to Wings Diner for an awesome buffet. The food was so good that I devoured beef and chicken (though I seldom eat meat), vegetables, cake, bread, fruit, and other goodies. I probably ate twice as much as usual. After that, we were taken to Urgent Scare, which is supposed to be a hospital were the medical staff and patients are infected with a plague. I thought that it was cute, but would've been funnier if "doctors" torturing patients said something to the effect of, "this is what we do to patients without health insurance." Just a thought. We also saw Ghouls Gone Wild, the other new attraction for 2008, in the Festhaus. The music, dancing, and show were AWESOME! But I take issue with the name of the show because there were no ghouls in the cast, which consisted of a sexy witch, a vampiress, Frankenstein, the bride of Frankenstein, a mummy, and a werewolf. To my knowledge, a ghoul is a demon that eats people, the dead, and in some cases, the undead. The show was awesome, but the name didn't suite it. In addition, we experienced Club Blood (always good, though a bit different this year), Massacre Manor (somewhat better this year), Trail of Terror, The Worksite, RedBeard's Revenge, Carnevil, The Racer, Adventure Express, and Dead Awakening. I must say that I was very impressed with the young lady who was the lead vocalist. She is extremely talented. We left after 11:30 p.m. because my ride was tired. Otherwise, I would've stayed until 1 a.m. to do all of the haunts. Overall, I am most pleased with Halloween Haunt this year. Best regards, Italian Chef

I asked one of the park's high ranking official at Media Night (last night) and he told me that Nickelodeon Universe would be back next year. Since I lack a crystal ball, I don't know how whether or not the Nickelodeon license will be renewed. But I can tell you that I don't really think it woudl influence park attendance at KI one way or another. My 4-year old son says that he wants to ride the helicopter, not Lazytown Sportcopters; the green roller coaster, not the Fairly Odd Coaster; the choo choo train, not La Adventura de Azul; etc. Does Nickelodeon generate excitment for some kids? Yes. Would kids say, "No Mommy, don't take me to Kings Island because there is no Nickelodeon?" HECK No! Best regards, Italian Chef That's pretty much a give-in being that there was a $22,000,000 investment made in Rivertown, and the license does not expire for another few years. I do see NU leaving sooner rather then later, but it all hangs in the balance of Viacom and how much a renewal license is.