HomerJay

I don't think that's a bad idea at all, taking out the Paramount props and putting in some old PKI rides, news clippings and even signs. First off, while I enjoy a nice stroll through The Paramount Story, it is in dire need of updating. Second, who really comes to a theme park and thinks 'man, what movies did Paramount make'? I think most people just care if a movie's good. . . they don't care what studio made it! But putting in some old park relics would be in keeping with PKI's history of being a family park. It bridges the old days with the new. Parents can take their kids and say "I remember this ride." CP has a nice little museum there that attracts some nice traffic, especially on hot days. Of course, the problem is that PKI probably does not have a lot of the older rides. While I'm sure you could get an Antique Car, some props from Phantom Theatre and maybe a boat from the Keelboats, most of the other stuff is probably gone. I heard the Smurfs were sold, the monorail cars are gone and I serioiusly doubt they have anything left from The Bat or Der Spinning Keggers aside from newsclippings. But still, we can dream. . . And THAT'S why it's not a stupid idea.

Um. . . I don't care how much I love PKI. There's no way I would use my season pass to get me in on Pride Night :-)

So what do you really think about this? lol No, I don't think PKI is cheap, either. We have to remember first and foremost that PKI is most likely on a fixed budget from the Paramount Corporation. They operate quite a few parks so it's safe to say all their money can't go to PKI, which is probably why we don't get the "big" coasters like Cedar Point gets--it's clearly the crown jewel of Cedar Fair's parks. But let's not forget that PKI shells out quite a bit of money. Tomb Raider could have been just a simple flat ride, but the park went all out on the themeing. IJST looks like it had quite a few decent bucks spent on it, and let's not forget that SOB didn't come cheap either!! Plus, look at all the different stores and restaurants popping up. Actually, I think it might be safe to say that PKI has spent more money since Paramount took over. There always is so much coming to the parks--even if it's not a roller coaster, we're still getting all sorts of restaurants, shows and attractions. Compare the "theming" on Adventure Express to the amazing job done with TR:TR , FoF and--I can assume--IJST. PKI forks down some serious dough!

Okay, a couple of comments. . . First, never had the pleasure of FoF without the lights on. But honestly, lights off is so great. You have the track just looming everywhere and--is it just me-- or are there times when you get to the end and you actually are so disoriented you feel like the car is sideways?! I personally LOVE FoF, especially since they got rid of those shoulder restraints from Helga's House of Pain. Second, I wouldn't really expect a change of theming to FoF. First off, it's one of the few rides where PKI actually keeps the theming up. Why change something that they sink some money in? Other than TR:TR, not many of the rides have much cool theming anymore (cough, cough, lower deck of Top Gun cough, cough). Third, to the person who said The Beast was overrated and everyone who loves it was brainwashed: what the heck are you talking about? I've ridden SoB, Mean Streak, Gemini. . . The Beast is simply one of the BEST coasters ever. . . not even just wooden coasters, in my opinion. A good nighttime ride on The Beast (last year I did front car at midnight in the fog--best ride EVER) is actually better than a ride on Magnum and, in my opinion, rivals Millenium Force! The Beast is--quite simply--a classic!

I'd like to see PKI expand. I don't think it's necessary; they have plenty of room. But I agree with the above post that I would love to see them do a "backlot" area, like Disney MGM or Universal studios. Get some truly amazing movie rides back there so there's something that gives PKI a one-up over the other Ohio theme parks. Nothing against PKI, but really, people from out of the area tend to look at it as just another theme park in Ohio. . . along the lines of CP and Geagua Lake. Give it a big edge and appeal to the resort mentality they seem to be going after.

I think it's funny that everyone thinks Top Gun is on this kind of death row of roller coasters. It's not really that old and it still packs people in. I can't see PKI removing it too soon. Why is there so much Top Gun hating?? It's a ride based on one of the most popular movies ever and it's a cheap little thrill. Still, the possibility of new cars would be neat. I'd personally love to see PKI get a ride similar to The Raptor (No, Face/Off doesn't count because it's nowhere near as cool as The Raptor). But I personally think Top Gun is going to exist in its current state for a few more years. Now did ya hear the one about the changes they're gonna do to The Vortex??

Delirium. . . I feel like I get a different type of ride on their each time. Plus, it's something that is original (to me, at least). I can ride the Troika at CP. Drop Zone is no match for the Power Tower. But Delirium will always be my first frisbee ride. Maxair will always be reminding me that PKI did it before CP. Plus I think Delirium is scary as heck!

Oooooh, PKI in the winter?? BAD IDEA!! I've been to Cedar Point when it's only been in the 40s before and it was so stinkin' miserable!!! Trudging through the snow just to ride a roller coaster (which is, of course, not a safe thing in the snow or ice) . . . yuck. Standing in line in the bitter wind and cold?? Horrible!! Besides, roller coasters are one of the reasons I look forward to summer. . . it would lose its appeal if you could do it all year. Winterfest might be fun. I doubt there would be much open. But it would be a fun little holiday trip. What might be a cool idea is if year-round they stocked International Street's shops and restaurants and just opened that portion of the park up for a very small fee. They're getting a Starbucks there and how cool would it be to tell your friends "let's go to Kings Island and get a cup of coffee??" It could be a pretty cool hang-out if they stocked the stores with some trendy things and made some of the cafes and restaurants indoor-only. True, it's not the ultimate PKI experience, but you can't beat the scenery!

Aw, lighten up, it's just a joke. And it was only a joke about an amusement park! It's not like I made a joke about the Pope dying or anything!

Yeah, I was joking :-) Just was sitting around bored and I thought it would be a fun post.

Well, I must say that I had the good fortune to be the first person at the park this morning (other than the employees. . . although they were strangely absent). What good fortune to be there and allowed to park for free!!!! There wasn't even an attendant at the parking gate!!!! I got a spot right in the front row. . . you could even see it from the main gain!!! It was quiet as I walked up to the ticket booth. . . none of the music was playing; I'm guessing they must be updating the soundtrack this year (any updates??? INFO NEEDED ON SOUNDTRACK!!) But imagine the glee in my eyes when I saw that there were NO RIDES that were broken down on the list!!!! Alright!! And it was 10:00 but there were no lines at all!!! Man, it was going to be a good day. But the strangest thing. . . the gates were shut!!! The ticket windows were empty!! The park was closed!!! I know I'm probably spreading rumor but I MUST KNOW!!! Has Cedar Fair bought and closed down PKI!!!??? I heard someone died on SOB by having their head decaptitated when they stood up. They wouldn't change the park for that. Or are they cleaning up from Easterfest this year (I heard a rumor that it might come back!) Or did the fire at the Italian Job warehouse damage the park more. . . or maybe. . . maybe it's a seceret. . . maybe they closed the park because they don't want us to see the construction on the top-secret RETURN OF THE KING COBRA:Vortex2!!!

Judging from his singing talent and the fact that Newlyweds is "so three years ago," maybe Nick Lachey was looking for a job at PKI.

Yes, it is sad. When I was a kid I loved going to KI and seeing all the Hanna Barbera characters at the main gate. I loved spinning around in Winnie the Witches' Cauldron, going on the Flinstone Flyers or in the Smurfs Enchanted Voyage. I loved the shows that they used to have in the International Showplace with Scooby Doo and Fred Flinstone all on the same stage. But let's face it, times change. While it is sad to see our childhood pushed away, we have to remember that we're adults now. And Hanna Barbera Land is not for us anymore. The changes have to be made to accommodate the new generation. In another 20 years, this site will have someone else posting about how sad it is that PKI (or DKI or UKI or whatever it is by then) is getting rid of Nick Central. They'll say how they miss Dora and Spongebob and that they can't understand why kids don't know who they are anymore. It's just that the times are a-changin'. So while it's sad to see HBL fade away like this, we have to remember that it's to be expected. One great thing to remember is this: the kids' areas will change. . . but kids grow up and outgrow them anyway. The hallmarks of PKI--The Beast, The Vortex, The Racer--will still be there, and how cool is it to introduce your kids to that??

I agree that the Paramount Story is a peaceful addition to the park and say they should keep it. But here's a suggestion. . . maybe they should. . . I don't know. . . update it!! Seriously, last time I was in there it looked like it was falling apart, some props (The Wayne's World car) were missing and there weren't very many recent movies. I mean, Paramount's recently done Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart (that might be mentioned in there), Lemony Snicket, School of Rock and some good independent movies. They need to update it, give it some cool things to look at and make it more than just a filler in the park for those who are bored. Although I wouldn't be upset with them making a ride that still honors the Paramount movie heritage, like the Great Movie Ride at Disney MGM. Just think, you could be in the middle of a shootout in the Godfather, storming the beach at Normandy (probably a bit too sensitive), runnning from Count Olaf and then flying with Sky Captain. That would be pretty cool. But I like the Paramount Story. Just update it instead of leaving it stuck in the '80s.

Yeah, I do have to agree that CP has had more changes than PKI. KI has made some big changes, yes. But Cedar Point morphed from a simple beach resort to a sprawling park to an amusement park. Plus, it just happens when one park has a 30-plus year history and CP has over 120 years. . . . I'll have to look for that PKI history book if it ever comes out. Would be interesting to read :-) And ItalianChef, I actually DID purchase your book last summer (I live in Michigan so I had to get it through Amazon). I must say I found it EXTREMELY well done and helpful. . . and I've been going to PKI for over 20 years!! Good work! And whoever brought up the idea of a TV show solely devoted to PKI. . . it would be cool to see a documentary. But I've often thought what might be cooler would be to have a sort of "Timberwolf Presents" where they do pay-per-views or just weekly summer concerts broadcast on TV. That would be pretty cool. And I always thought a movie taking place at PKI would be neat. Like an indie comedy or something.

I remember years back there was a Cedar Point book about the history of the park. It wasn't put out by the park but by someone in the area. It was fairly in-depth (of course, Cedar Point DOES have over 100 years behind it). I think it would be wonderful to come out with a PKI book with pictures of the park's history. Pictures of old HBL, the Sky Ride, some of the old coasters. Maybe even a DVD or VHS mini-documentray. Granted, it probably won't go over as big as the Cedar Point one, simply because CP's history extends way beyond the theme park years. But I think it would be a wonderful souvenier to have and look forward to.

Why do people get so up in arms when someone posts a rumor (even if it obviously false)? Listen, it's not like this park is a sacred place. . . why can't someone post something they'd like to see without everyone getting up in arms?? I think it's because people like to say "don't get your hopes up." But if your hopes are being dashed or you get angry because someone says something silly and stupid about a stupid amusement park, you really have your priorities whacked! Let Player dream and realize that PKI is just a park and it's not some holy land. It's a theme park where you pay money to wait in line for 45 minutes to ride a 2-minute ride! Sorry, it just upsets me when people actually get upset or angry about something as silly as an amusement park.

Well, the thing is that if the rumors ever do come true about Paramount selling the park, they would have to make some changes to theming. You'd probably see it rethemed to some generic heist idea. As for Paramount movies that it could have been rethemed to, it would have been cool to have--instead of parking garages and stuff--cabins and trees and stuff and make it a Friday the 13th ride, where you're escaping from Jason. I still think a M:I ride would be sweet, and that would be a good theme. . . although IJ was known for it's incredible chase scene. Although my dream ride (just dreaming, I know it would never happen). You could retheme it to be a ride themed to the BEST road trip movie that Paramount ever made. TOMMY BOY!!! Can you imagine it? A deer pops out of nowhere, they could have a trunk fly up and block your view before you spin out of control, and then they stop you right in front of the prehistoric forest. But then again, Tommy Boy takes place in Sandusky, so maybe it's more of a Cedar Point idea.

There's two reasons I'd like to see something like that: 1.) As I get older (I'm on the dark side of my 20s now), thrill rides just simply aren't enough. I want to go out, experience new food and new entertainment. Why drive into an area I don't know too well if it's right there? Especially when the park closes at 10 and it would be close to 11 by the time I got anywhere. 2.) Sometimes it's nice to get away from young people. I'm sure that many people reading this board are teenagers and I'm sure the majority of you are fine people. But the most aggravating thing I deal with at the park is having to deal with teenagers running around, screaming and acting like idiots. It would be nice to have a place that caters to an over 18 crowd where you can get out and relax for a bit. No waiting in line. Have a nice sit-down dinner. Make it a place you'd actually WANT to take a date!

One thing I think PKI could really use would be a nice addition for adult visitors to the park for afterhours. WDW has Pleasure Island and Universal Studios has their boardwalk. It's a nice place for adults to get out, get a nice dinner, see some street entertainment, maybe put a movie theatre there. I don't know about you, but as an adult sometimes on nights where the park closes at 10 I'm just having too much fun to head back to the hotel/campground. Plus it would be a nice place to go where you could relax, unwind, do some shopping, get a nice meal (instead of rushed theme park stuff) and not have to worry about the kids. I think it would be a cool idea, although I'm not sure where they could fit it. PKI sounds like it wants to turn into some sort of resort-area and that would be a definite draw. Plus, I don't know about you, but sometimes I just want to go away from the 12-17 year olds who seem to infest the park and can't stop running, yelling or groping each other every five feet!

I don't know how people could not be excited about it from the get go. No, it's not a record setter like Cedar Point trots out every few years. But here's the thing about record setters: if all you're doing is giving someone a bigger and better thrill, then what happens when you top that? So many people I know call the Magnum old and slow now that they have Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. No, PKI doesn't often build record-breakers. But, IMHO, they constantly are adding FUN rides to the park. FoF may not be the biggest and scariest. . . but can anyone deny that it is pure fun? Six loops is not all to rare nowadays, but can anyone deny that The Vortex still gives you a thrill? And The Beast. . . what if PKI announced they were building a wooden coaster that was just over 100 feet tall and went 65 MPH today? We would all yawn. . . except that The Beast is so unique and so well-designed that it doesn't need to be big and record-setting. . . it's a thrilling ride that is still one of the best in the world! Even Adventure Express, which is--admittedlly--pretty lame as far as thrills go, is still fun for its turns and effects. So, I think IJST is going to be in the same boat. No, it's not going to get diehard thrill-seekers all excited. But for anyone looking for fun and originality, what's not to like? It's fast, It's got whiplash turns and--from what it sounds like--very cool effects. I, for one, can't wait!

Well, working 40 hours a week makes it hard to get out to many different parks. But I'm planning to make it to PKI for Spirit Song and then to Cedar Point.

Nothing ever irked me more than standing in line for ride and having to smell smoke. . . especially when there was NO SMOKING in line! Now if they can just make sure that those areas are properly monitored so that all the smokers are over 18. Nothing looks dumber and trashier than teenagers smoking.

I think my least favorite rumor of all time was that they were going to remove the King Cob. . . aw, crap. . . Wait, let's try that again. My least favorite rumor was that they were going to build a ride that was taller than The Beast and faster than The Beast and call a lame name like Son of the Be. . .shoot! Let's try one more time. . . Okay, okay, my very least favorite rumor of all time was that they were going to take out the Antique Car. . . son of a gun!! In all seriousness, I don't think I have a least favorite rumor. The rumors are always either intriguing and kind of cool (Addam's Family Coaster), kind of lame (Remember they were going to do that Lemony Snicket exhibit) or extremely funny (a Titanic-themed roller coaster rivaling Millenium force. . .coaster cool, theme bad!) Although I will say the rumor that came true--that they were closing down the campground--made me sad. I come out there for Spirit Song and it was so much cheaper to stay there for a few days than in a hotel. Yeah, there are some other campgrounds in the area, but none were as convenient because you didn't have to pay that OBSCENE parking fee. . . $9 to park!!?? We need valet for that crap!!

when I was a kid, my grandparents would pack up me, my brother and sister, and cousins and drive six hours from Detroit to KI (then PKI) for three days. It's hard to pick out the best memory because as I look back I realize how precious every single one of those years were. Now I go back every year in July for Spirit Song and look forward to the day I can take my own kids and grandkids in the future. Man, from my first time there riding Beastie and Smurfs Enchanted Voyage, the Smurfs/Scooby Doo shows that used to play in the International Theatre, my first rides on The Beast and The Vortex, and even rides that are no longer there, like Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canals and King Cobra. . . man, even though I'm up in Detroit, there are times I feel that PKI is my second home.