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My question would be: "On average, how many times do you roll your eyes a day while reading the KI Central forum?"

Can I have your job?

Red or Blue side?

Just bring back 5@5.... Topic now over.

Page 31 of the KKRC_ResponseOct2012w.pdf from earlier in the thread: "THE IMPORTANCE OF MARQUEE RIDES It takes big rides that make a big statement to give people in the secondary markets a reason to drive to Louisville. This was proven in 1997, when the former Kentucky Kingdom (before its sale to Six Flags) unveiled Chang, the tallest stand-up steel roller coaster in the world at the time and built by one of the top roller coaster manufacturers in the world, Bolliger & Mabillard of Switzerland. (This is the same manufacturer that will supply the new coaster planned for installation at Kentucky Kingdom in 2015.)"

I just have to say there's nothing like a piece of pizza at the park on my first visit of the year (usually early in June), after a long winter/spring. It feels like "ahh, I've made it!"

Got an email today with new details, and there's more on the official website. Key points: May 18 and 19, 2013 will be opening weekend, with daily operation beginning May 25, and closing day will be September 7. The new owners are "adding so many new attractions and will be spending just over $5 million on renovations". That wording leaves it ambiguous as to whether the new attractions are included in the $5 million or not. 2013 season passes on sale now for "lowest prices of the season": basic pass (admission only) $49.99 (regular $69.99); Adventure Season Pass (admission and parking) $64.99 (regular $99.98). Package deals combining 2 or 4 passes with weekday bring-a-friend passes and cabana rentals are also available for up to nearly 50% off. 2012 season passes will be honored for admission throughout the 2013 season. What's your opinion on this?

Only that it was disappointing that they didn't go the route that California did. It had been years since i had ridden Space in California, before they did the rebuild, so I never thought much about the differences between the two rides. In 2009, I went out to DLR and they had just converted their Space Mountain over to Ghost Galaxy. Talk about a total surprise. It always amazes me how adding music and other small effects can really plus a ride...and that was clearly evident in California. I haven't been able to experience regular Space Mountain, as both time I've been out since the refurb there have been with Ghost Galaxy in operation, but Ghost Galaxy is awesome. Fantastic sound track, the awesome effects tunnel that surrounds the 2nd lift, not to mention the images that are projected throughout the ride really are well done....not to mention the fact that it is incredibly smooth and re-ride able. I suspect that the regular Space is just as great. So when WDW's version re-opened after it's refurb, it was disappointing to come back to the same old ride....just with a newly enclosed loading area. I was happy to see the effort to add music to the ride, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't work well for me. It is difficult to hear while you are on board, with the exception of a few spots. The ride itself certainly didn't feel, nor does it feel now, like it went down for a 6 month refurb. Stark contrast to the butter smooth ride in California. Just my opinion.

Lets see if Don's really a King: What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

I'd ask the Brady question... the 40th anniversary Brady question...

- are there any plans to rejuvenate some of the theming of the park that went neutral in the Paramount Days and continues on in the Cedar Fair ownership? (i know, i know it said one... i have three) - is there any hope of the player organ being fixed on the carousel? - any chance Cedar Fair would do a feasibility study to look at bringing back Winterfest?

Something tells me you should avoid having a conversation with sheikra_rocks...

True but I don't think it has to be all coasters, either, do i love coasters for sure, but look at some that have adapted like Kennywood, idlewild, Lake winnie that is making a water park this year.

Now I must say if Don answered some of these would be great: This is a great topic for sure:

Wait, what?

easy: shot from up in the Eiffel Tower at night hard: pic of a meal you were about to eat at Kings Island

This is the caliber of the shows I'd like to see at KI. I know that they cost a bit more money, than just the current state of shows. That show was entertaining, fun and had a great story line. I personally don't go to many shows currently at KI because I don't feel that they really have a story line and they are a ton of music. While I enjoy them, I won't see them more than once. Would love to see a return of shows like this though! Gator that stinks that the show wasn't as good as the KI ones!

Because Voyage has required very little unexpected maintenance or train changes, of course. New Cedar Fair management is very focused on return on investment over time, life cycle costs, and spectacular, large but not overly aggressive rides.

Well my bet is Gravity Group for the next coaster. Take out what dont work and replace with what does. Rode SOB many times including with ACE at 6AM on preview day and it was by far the worst ride Ive been on (except the loop). So hoping GG will take all they have done to today and make the KI ride one up on all of them. How about an inversion in a tunnel?

This is my question too. Can we get another "Quality" dark ride? I agree, something like Phantom Theater or even the classic Smurf ride with the boats would be nice. It doesn't have to be a remake of Phantom (although that would be nice) or Smurfs, it could have it's own theme, but some type of family oriented dark ride that's either ride through or float through. That would totally make my day!

EASY: A shot of any member besides yourself at the park. HARD: A shot of any of the paintings on Zephyr.

I'm surprised you think it's nice. It concludes with "Hart's chances aren't much better than 50/50." I don't disagree. I'm still astounded at the low level of capex contemplated, the very low season pass prices, and the low amounts projected for restoring the park. Financing will be a major linchpin. Lenders will require a financial analysis far more robust than the Commonwealth, particularly if the state will not guarantee the loan or allow use of its property as collateral. Several of the partners could self finance the deal, but I doubt they do that, as the risk is high, and they'd rather put that on others. Perhaps they will end up selling stock to raise capital, but the disclosure requirements there can also be quite onerous. Hart himself and the proposal said the deal would have to be in place by November 1 in order for the park to open for 2014. We are past that. And Hart's proposal used the state owned equipment as collateral. I'd say the two sides are at least as near a deal as the two sides in the fiscal cliff negotiations. Maybe.

LOL! OK, which mod was this?

I would ask Don what his favorite color is SOB tries to keep his questions simple...

Just a little update - I have the Queen of Kings Island record now and I still intend to digitize and upload it so I can share it here, but it'll have to wait until January or so. The equipment I need is at school and I'm on Christmas break. But just know that I do plan to share.

Star Wars is Disney now. hehe Yeah, don't mind me. Just HAD to... XD

- What parts make sense to you and why? + There's a difference between what might happen and what you want to happen. - A new B&M coaster by 2015 is an absurd stretch. + Again, that may be what Hart wants or says he's going to do, but is it realistic? First off: No. A coaster of that size and from that manufacturer would require planning years in advance. I highly doubt that Ed Hart would've flown B&M in and paid them a ton of money to start designing something or even have them consult and estimate a new attraction at a park that he doesn't even technically have the legal ability to operate amusement rides in, especially one where the future is questionable. Diamondback opened at Kings Island in 2009. Evidence of construction was first seen in 2008. You know for sure that planning for such a ride would've occurred well before 2008. So, seriously here, do you really think Ed Hart has paid B&M to design any kind of ride so far in advance (when he's not even guaranteed to be operating the park) that it could be constructed and operating by 2015? We'll be lucky if this park is even opening or still standing by 2015.

Enough to buy a Baconator... Or two.

These were skipped.

And Cedar Point's ride company of choice was Intamin, until this year. TTD, just sayin' and hoping for a Gravity Group.

The fate of the Crypt building is quickly becoming one one the most beat to death topics at KIC behind: SoB anything, Vortex sinking, SoB anything, FD being removed, SoB anything, and The Beast trims.

Would that it still played organically at the island. Perhaps the peninsula.

I realize this is a pretty huge bump, but given that this is the closest thing this site has to a general "interesting eBay items" thread... Have you guys seen the Kings Island Wurlitzer organ record that's on eBay? http://www.ebay.com/itm/QUEEN-OF-KINGS-ISLAND-Volume-1-LP-Wurlitzer-Duplex-Orchestral-Organ-Style-157-NJ-/370688555240?pt=Music_on_Vinyl&hash=item564ec278e8 Its Buy It Now price is $7.50. I don't personally have that much of an attraction to it outside of novelty (and don't have a record player), but I figure someone here might be interested. Just thought I'd pass it along!

I'm glad it was only a one year hiatus.

Great news to hear. Can't wait to see what this place can do with a strong financial backing.