KIfan73

^Not sure what that means. Does that mean it will never become available?

^I would think staffing would definitely be an issue there. I would love to see KI open later, though...look at the weather today! Great day to be at the park.

Oh my gosh, is this making anyone else drool at the thought of Spring rolling around?? I hope we can get a countdown here on the site again!!

Hey, thanks for the comments. That view just really struck me when I saw it. I've got one of them as a wallpaper on my computer. Kind of the perfect end of season shot. For me, the pics kind of define the Kings Island offseason. The park is dormant now, and the new season is far off in the horizon somewhere. Deep thoughts, yes I know...

I snapped these Saturday night after walking from my ride on Top Gun. I thought they turned out pretty good, and have a cool vibe to them...

I can't help but think that the "Holiday Horrors" exhibit during FF had something to do with them not having Winterfest. Kind of like their way of having a sense of humor about it.

I guess Fearfest could become Feastfest. They could just put Thanksgiving buffets all over the park, and people dressed up like Turkeys and Pilgrims walking around the park .

^I agree. AZ is always exciting; Rivertown has great atmosphere; IS is always great (needs some different shopping experiences), but I hear crickets when I walk through CM. Nothing really has changed there for so long (not counting FOF, but I don't think it really "adds" to the area). The old Flight Commander site is really an eyesore IMO, also.

Last night at the park they told me whenever I come in '07, they will give me my permanent pass then.

Its all about perception. Cedar Fair may very well be making some very good decisions, but I don't think they're doing a very good job of making current customers feel that they are. Paramount, to me, did a good job of making the public feel like it was "their" park. Cedar Fair seems to have the persona of "well, its our park now, and this is the way its going to be". Is that necessarily wrong? No. It is their park. I would just think they should be a little leary of doing anything to make dedicated patrons to feel like a "unfriendly" company has taken over. To cancel Winterfest and to jack people around on the season and/or parking passes are two pretty "unfriendly" moves to make.

Sounds like many of you are saying no big changes, as far as from a visitor's viewpoint: "Quasi-theme park to higher-profiting, clean, marginally-themed park?"

Wait, you don't think Cedar Fair will own it very long?

I know that there has been endless speculation about what Cedar Fair is going to do with our park. Its easy to go on and on and on. What do you think people will be saying in 10-15 years? As an example, I would think Paramount's influence on Kings Island, looking back on the last 13 years, could be summed up as: Traditional amusement park became family-oriented quasi-theme park. What do you see in the crystal ball?

I went to FF for the first time last year. If you don't worry about how long the lines are, and just kind of take in the atmosphere, its a blast.

Well, at 33, I don't feel so old now....

Wings is horrible. If that restaurant was anywhere else besides in an amusement park, it would have went out of business years ago. No atmosphere, actually a depressing place to go into IMO. I think BGSS is the place to eat. Great view of the lake/pond, too.

I understand a park has to watch the pennies closely, and spend on those attractions that get the most attention, but it is a shame to see a ride not be as great as it was when it was new. I remember seeing tons of people actually stand in the "viewing area" of TG and watch the ride go by.

I remember riding Top Gun soon after it first opened. It was a pretty neat experience. Cool TG music throughout the queue, the billboard had jet coming out of it, everyone in flight suits, going through all the effects in the queue building. It was neat.

If they have changed back to no free parking, I am going to consider Cedar Fair a pretty shady organization.

I don't see anything about free parking for renewing pass holders...

Was there really even much of a city of Mason to speak of before Kings Island?

Great TR. Makes me want to go!

Wonder how large and/or profitable KI season passholders are as a group.

I've rode Drop Zone twice. The last time I rode it (Aug 4), I was terrified! In fact, I couldn't bring myself to ride it again later in the day. Its actually the ride up that gets me. The drop itself is fun. Delerium (which I rode the first time Aug 4), DZ, and F/O are all rides that I have to be in just right right mood to ride. The Beast, however, is just plain fun. I love that ride. To me, its just the right balance of keeping my interest, great views, and just enough speed (although I notice way more braking going on than I used to!)

You know, thats funny. I went to KI the first time when I was 3 in the mid 70s (still have the pics!). I didn't go again until '92 with some family, and we all rode WWC. For some reason, over the years, I just didn't notice it over there. I think for awhile I thought they had taken it out. When I went in July, I found it but the line was tooooo long. So last Friday, we got on it, and I think it might have been the funnest thing all day. Yeah, the weather was awesome. I'd like to get down once before the end of the season, and then, of course, go back for Fearfest.