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Besides that, Disney World isn't a theme park. It's a resort with four theme parks within it. Islands of Adventure is definitely a theme park (just one, though). Universal Studios Florida is a theme park, too. In my opinion, an amusement park is something like Cedar Point (sans Frontier Trail) where rides without a storyline or setting are placed along a midway (see, Raptor. What relates it to a bird of prey? Why is the raptor in question sitting next to a "blue streak" or across from a "wicked twister?"). Indiana Beach is an amusement park. Disney California Adventure's Paradise Pier was a replica of an amusement park until very recently. The idea being that, more and more, people are associating Kings Island with being an amusement park, too. What signage is left to differentiate Rivertown from Coney Mall? Action Zone from Oktoberfest? They're not differentiated on the map... How do we know Oktoberfest even exists anymore when the area's twos rides are "adventure" themed and "Viking" themed, and its dining establishment offers American and Asian food with a "country" show? Diamondback is a fine ride, but it incites the same question that Raptor does. What relates it to a snake? Is it different than the story told on, say, Son of Beast (the child of the park's original Beast is captured and placed in a high-tech security area in the futuristic Action Zone, guests enter an outpost and board Perimeter Surveillance Vehicles to monitor the creature's behavior amid red warning lights and government alerts)? There's nothing wrong with being an amusement park or a theme park. And there's nothing wrong with being a mix of the two (which, I would offer, Kings Island is). Sometimes it creates interesting clashes and combinations. And kingsrattler, I think you'd be hard pressed to convince people who saw the original International Street (with International food), Adventure Village, the original Oktobestfest, the original Coney Mall and the original Rivertown that Kings Island was an amusement park before Paramount. Theme doesn't have to be an overriding theme that covers the whole park (like "riding the movies"). It's about immersive enviornments, storylines, rides that engage visitors visually, and appropriate choices in food and shopping for those areas (ex. a woodcarver in Rivertown instead of a basketball game). That's my opinion.

I don't think it will happen. Busch Gardens and Dollywood and Hershey are three prime examples of parks that have much to offer besides rides. Even during their summer, daytime operation, especially the first two cater to families and even adults traveling alone who simply want to take in the park's ambiance, shows, restaurants, scenery, gardens, etc. Go to Kings Dominion one day and Busch Gardens the next. The two are maybe 75 minutes apart, but the clientele are day and night. It's not just location (though that does have to do with it). Busch Gardens is a theme park. Kings Dominion is a ride park. In the 1980's, Kings Island was a theme park, with wonderful entertainment, noteworthy food, vendors, craftsmen, culture, beauty, and scenery that was worth taking in. That made the transition to a "Christmas park" very natural and tasteful. For better or worse, it is a ride park today. Its clientele are thrill seekers, and families who come to ride rides. What is Busch Gardens' Christmas Town? Busch Gardens without the rides. Still leaves plenty to do and plenty to see. Expertly cultivated gardens, decorated European villages, vendors, train rides, completely new and outstanding shows... What would Kings Island's Winterfest be? Kings Island without the rides. Many season pass holders and locals would say, "Huh? Then what's the point?" To enjoy a lukewarm burger patty? To see the dying, sparse Christmas lights of Starlight Spectacular? To watch the shows, "90's Christmas!" "Rockin' to the 1980's Yuletide!" "Good Ole Country Christmas!" and "Hippie Holiday: The 1960s with Snoopy and Friends!"? Kings Island caters to a different crowd. And I think it's on-topic enough: Cedar Fair is not Disney, and they know it. That's why I'd never expect Winterfest again.

You know, if you work for CF, you probably shouldn't be disclosing future show names.

...Or, if you prefer the Saturday Matinee approach... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grgrckYHvW4 (Coming soon... the 'Angry Birds' version )

The headline to this is like saying "Outback Steakhouse is not Burger King." Obviously.

Yes... And it happened once in the 2000's, was lightly attended, and never happened again. I believe it's because Kings Island is viewed as (and operated as) primarily a ride park, and that the idea of visiting a "Kings Island without the rides" is perplexing to many people. I know that the show was fantastic, but it doesn't change my point: that people didn't come (and wouldn't come next year) because when people think Kings Island, most don't think about the shows or food or landscaping first. Most think about the rides. That's not right or wrong, it's just the kind of park Kings Island of the 2000's is. In that way, the idea of an "entertainment based Christmas event" is far less marketable to Kings Island's typical visitors than the same idea at Busch Gardens, where the closing of their "big" rides (three coasters) doesn't have much of an impact on the park's lineup. There' the focus is on entertainment, dining, landscaping, scenery, animals, and music all year round.

I'd buy it for the price of around $20.

Beast use to have a very complex queue line, more then it is today. We'll get to that in future updates. I like Beast

The guy on the right would be the supervisor, hence why his clothes are clean.

Photo #2 Beast

A webcam to watch them pour a big slab of concrete? Gee that that should be fun to watch. Can't wait until they go vertical with the walls!

standbyme, thanks so much for sharing those photos. They are a great way to remember the park in it's glory days. These picks were taken a year before I was born, but I remember the park during the late 70's and early 80's. I really wish CF would return small things we really miss. Bring back International street. The great music that played( not the top 40 crap that I can hear anywhere), The shows are getting better. Remove all the outside restaurants like skyline, panda express, subway(except LaRosas), and bring back more unique and healthier choice foods. Anybody remember the rib pit over by the old mining store, I loved that! bring back the train to the way it used to be, not saying live actors, but the and small town and shooting cowboys and Indians.

And how things will change in the post-Kinzel era is largely still not really known.

^ According to a certain someone (which I am sure some of you may know who I speak of but I will refrain from names) at Kings Island who had a Q & A session with myself and some other coaster enthusiasts, that is the goal of Kings Island moving forward, to restore that more classic amusement park feel. It was also mentioned that over the next few years thrill enthusiasts could be disappointed with the next few year of changes, but the goal is a better "park experience".