CoastersNSich

Of course, consider that Cedar Point and Kentucky Kingdom are in different situations... CP is located in a smaller less populated area, and due to their 18-year policy of ride operations, on-site housing exists, whereas SFKK is located in Louisville and is part of a greater metro area. No doubt they rely on high school students. IMO, another law with good intentions but potentially harmful implications (having to increase pay to attract 18+, which raises prices, and makes the park even less affordable...). Of course, then again, Louisville, and Bowling Green, where Beech Bend Park is located, both have universities, which may be a source of some employees...

For roughness, which direction the train faces IMO does not have much, if any, impact. It's where one is sitting in the train, and of course, the track condition, and such. As for the announcement... YESSS!! (Marv Albert style). Going backwards might have been something that was done by the "Taft Administration" back in '82, but I just have a preference to ride facing forward. I probably won't hold my breath for headrest removal, or a return of the red-white-blue paint scheme, or even improving the lapbar system (so it doesn't cut off circulation), but this is good news in my book.

If it were 5-6 years would be saying the same thing. The 'unannounced' removal of King Cobra (which I'm well past), decreasing quality of food, live entertainment, cleanliness, customer service, and disdain for high capacity rides. There's still issues now, but I have far more optimism for the park than I did then. As for the ride names, I'm happy that supposedly Congo Falls will become Amazon Falls once again.

As Cory said, yes. To be more specific, they either count the empty seats in each train via the operation console, or simply click in each rider with a handheld "clicker." A tally is taken at the end of each and every hour. Currently, I don't believe any rides at Kings Island utilize turnstiles for this purpose, though the Eiffel Tower used to do so.

Very cool! Did you use the Widget creator that comes with Leopard? I'm still using Tiger on my iMac G5.... Some other nice widgets I have: Family Guy and Simpsons Quotes, Whoopee Cushion, Urban Dictionary search, movie showtimes, iTunes lyrics, and even WMATA (Washington Metro) train arrival sign feeds (currently set to Woodley Park/Zoo station)

Still want a Paris Tower? http://www.ridetrade.com/rti/index.php?opt...4&Itemid=38

Top Fun Days of Blunder Bongo Falls Face/On European Position Stunt Track Bomb Traider: The Ride

Of course, consider that gas prices in 2002 were half the price of what they are today. In addition, this plan would have been "one big gulp."

I even remember the days when Lazarus and McAlpin's department stores in Cincinnati sold Kings Island season passes. Now with the Internets, obtaining tickets for events, parks, and air travel from remote yet physical sources is diminishing. For example, Delta used to have some ticket reservations offices around the Cincinnati area. You used to find TicketMaster outlets in many retailers. Now, it seems for physical in person tickets/passes, you must go to the airport/ballpark/arena/stadium/Kings Island etc... or it's getting that way. I'm guessing that sales of season passes through Meijer has been on the decline...

I have a preference, out of nostalgia's sake, to make The Racer all-forward again. The backwards orientation begun in 1982 may be a neat gimmick, but I doubt all-forward operation will deter people from riding. If people desperately want to ride a coaster backward, there's Invertigo. (I'd also love to see it painted red, white, blue, and the removal of the over-reactive headrests.) And a crew that doesn't act like they're at Burger King. For one example, SFGAm's American Eagle ran one side backward for several years, but I've heard that last year or so, it's all-forward operation again.

Rain + Closed Rides + My Bad Experience in 2004 = Hersheypark Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to go back sometime and ride the Monorail, Storm Runner, and several other rides that I missed.

I stayed in this section the last night Breakers was open in 2005. This room used a traditional key, a window air conditioning unit. With me being the only person staying in that room, and the proximity to the park (I could see east toward Corkscrew, Wicked Twister and Space Spiral), it was a neat experience, though not necessarily the most luxurious one. Definitely not suitable for more than two people.

http://www.aceonline.org/fliers/WinterSOAR2008.pdf

Of course, unlike this year, Kings Island had two new thrill rides (one a coaster) for 1999, before announcing Son of Beast in May that year. At this point, I seriously doubt ANY notable attraction will be added this season, but I've got a feeling that 2009 will be worth the gap. Cedar Point skips years of adding notable rides/attractions, but they and other Cedar Fair parks seem to do well with that model.

Kings Island: We've Got Big Wood! Kings Island: Even Guiliani Visited Us! (Aug 2007, Hannity Concert)

How I agree about American Heritage Music Hall.... Delirium has the same name status as Vortex, Shockwave, White Water Canyon, etc. As one person said, it may be a task helping give directions to guests unaware of name changes. Trying to kick the habit of Top Gun, Face/Off, Italian Job, Tomb Raider, etc, may be harder than doing so with "PKI."

It was a fun and intense launch, but otherwise a not too noteworthy coaster. I went to Kings Dominion in 2004, and I sure loved being a single rider... not did I only bypass a bunch of people (I was asked to do so), and get in the front seat. KD is getting a much better coaster to take XLC's place in their coaster roster with Dominator. Northeast Ohio's loss is Virginia's gain.

Here's several great instrumental songs that I remember from the PKI days of International Street: Dave Grusin & London Symphony Orchestra: Cinemagic "An Actor's Life" "Fratelli Chase" "Heaven Can Wait" "New Hampshire Hornpipe" "Mountain Dance (on the album Smooth Jazz - The Originals, Vol. 1)" David Foster: "Love Theme from "St. Elmo's Fire" (Instrumental)" They're on iTunes, so feel free to sample the for what you're looking for. I had the same situation, after hearing a new age-type of song at Cedar Point several years ago. I finally found out what it was a year or two ago... "Hideaway" by Russ Freeman & the Rippingtons, just by asking CP staff in an email.

"Don't you DARE miss this big gun show!"

Kings Island. The best park this side of Sandusky! Kings Island. Where thrills are NOT Paramount. Kings Island. Where in 2008, you'll find new ride... names. Kings Island. Visit this year, while you can... (Remember Geauga Lake?) (OK... that's pushing it.) Kings Island. Confirmed: Best coasters in the world! Source: 12-year olds. Kings Island. Our island is a great amusement park surrounded by a body of water called suburban sprawl. Kings Island. Remember, you're in Ohio. NO SMOKING! Kings Island. Birthplace of gravy buffet fanatics! Kings Island Halloween Haunt. If the attractions don't scare you, the lines for them will! Kings Island. You won't find PDAs in our gift shops, but you will find them in our queue lines!

Those seats look like the same ones that have always been there... I went to Hara Arena in 2002 when the Dayton Bombers were in the playoffs, and the Nutter Center was already previously booked. Not too impressive, but at least I can say I've been there.

I say, about the coaster formerly known as Top Gun: TAER IT DOWN!!! WORST NAME EVAR!! "Flight Deck?! More like FLIGHT DRECK!!" Honestly, I don't mind the new name for the rides, either. I still hope to eventually see the removal of the big box warehouse in Rivertown, but not too bad doing the dirty deed of letting go of somebody else's trademarks.

Ryan Suhr is undoubtedly the greatest man to be associated with Kings Island.... ...Central. Happy Birthday and good luck with your career.

It looks like they wanted the sign to resemble the old one as much as possible. Personally I would have made some more dramatic changes, and had the logo straight across than arched. But in my personal opinion it's still better than the Paramount sign, but not by much.

This coaster has some bad things going for it... It's built by Arrow. It's in Ohio. It's owned by Cedar Fair. It's on the edge of the park. Which means it has similarities to Magnum XL-200. Which also means... IT'S SINKING!!! DISCLAIMER: highlight--> JUST KIDDING