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This one is my favorite.

I had a blast during those days that they filmed the Brady Bunch while working at the park. I was a litter getter back then and I saw a couple of my fellow litter getters in the background shots as they filmed. We wore all white uniforms, white pants, white shirt and a white golf cap. You might have noticed the two scenes where the litter getter was sweeping up trash. I enjoyed watching it today as it ran again on the Hallmark Channel. It was a blast watching them run from one part of the park to another as they were looking for the plans and then back to the admin building after they found it. One thing, they sure wasted a lot of time going from Rivertown, then running at the end of Coney, across the Antique Cars, through Octoberfest and up and down International Street. Did you catch the scene where the animal character took off his head while in the view of the public? That is a big NO NO. Or talking back to Greg when Greg ask him a question. Or asking the girl for her name and she wasn't wearing her name tag? It was fun to watch again and seeing the park as it was back in 1973. How young I was back then and when I still had a full head of red hair! LOL

Voyage. Legend. Raven. Boring? Twisted Twins is far, far more exciting. And T2. We all know that. Yeah, right.

I can't believe I missed this thread back in June... Anyway, I've contacted the park a couple of times suggesting/asking if there was anyway that they could put together an allergen menu of all, or most of the foods in the park. Some things are obvious, like sandwiches or the regular La Rosa's pizza. But I'd like to know what all of my options are, as I'm sure many people would. I know this would increase how much I spend in the park, because right now with my wheat and peanut allergies, I'm limited to about 3 things: Skyline Chili Cheese Fries, the GF pizza, and Dip 'n' Dots. When I was younger, all I ever was able to get was the Dip 'n' Dots because we had no idea what else I could have. This last season was definitely a step in the right direction, I just hope they continue in that direction this season... EDIT: Don got back with me today, and said that they've been working with the food dept and are planning on having this info available this season online and in Guest Services.

You have no idea. Pat Koch is a Methodist minister and former nun. She lives her faith. I'd hate to be as cynical as you appear to be.

I....try not to.

My favorite is Dorney's: Don't miss the exorcism in the bottom left!

So by your own logic, you're naive and ignorant since you take every press release from Ed Hart as gospel truth. It's all common sense. If you don't have it, then your delusional. Obviously you guys werent born with it. I'm not on no one's bandwagon, I'm just telling it like I see it. Apparently common sense doesn't apply to basic grammar or apostrophe usage? How are we delusional again? Because The Interpreter pointed out the plan according to Hart's own spoken word in several articles? Because we see the situation differently? Because several in this thread are following things closely and you're not? For some reason, certain members in this thread take one being skeptical of Hart's plan as some kind of personal attack on themselves and Kentucky Kingdom itself. Scard01, I suggest you actually read the articles and links posted here and if you have an opinion - be prepared to back it up with why you feel that way or what evidence is drawing you to those conclusions. The only delusional thing in this topic is your repeated desire to tell us what you want to see at Kentucky Kingdom despite Ed Hart himself stating the contrary.

I am online every day. I just tend to avoid the fads of the week like they are a deadly disease. Blissfully unaware.

I would have to agree! I kind of feel the same about the whole Geauga Lake situation. As many have said on this thread, we'll see it when it happens. I'm personally just looking forward to have another place to go if it happens.

I worked at KI this past summer in merchandise. I was 16. It was my first job, but I honestly couldn't have asked for a better one. Though the days could be pretty long and hot, I made so many incredible new friends that it was worth it. There are a lot of employee incentives; things like rides nights and games nights. I live about 20 minutes away. You do get a lot of hours in, that's for sure, so a full day of working (8 hours, usually, my longest normal shift was 9 hours) usually pays for at least the tank of gas to get there. I highly suggest working there. I loved merch and I'm returning this summer! You'll meet awesome new people. You will LOVE working there if you decide to! Merchandise is a really great department. We tend to be forgotten a little bit because we're not the typical rides or games associates that you see throughout the park.. But we get to work in air conditioning (most stores have it, at least) and it's really laid back. Also, if you're a great associate, you'll have a nice chance of getting promoted.

That is, most certainly, a step in the right direction.

I for one wouldn't like making those decisions.

Shouka was never transferred out till CF took over. SeaWorld stopped transferring killer whales and dolphins to other parks for the winter during the 90s (there used to be pictures online of the killer whales practicing for next season shows during the offseason with lots of snow seen on the ground)

So by your own logic, you're naive and ignorant since you take every press release from Ed Hart as gospel truth.

I've never been either and I was upset when it closed. However, time has taught me many things and one of them is that many people cry over spilled milk but I'm happier just moving on. Life is painful and bad things happen. I heard good reasons why KK failed and perhaps it was time. If Hart revives it, great! I may even get there some day but I'm not placing much emotional weight on it anymore.

I would like for KK to re-open as I never got to visit while it was open. I am a bit sad that Chang was moved to New Jersey, after riding it's re-incarnation this past summer, I thoroughly enjoyed it. So here is hoping that if KK opens, they have a great B&M coaster.

And yet there are plenty of Roman Catholics priests (and higher) who pontificated how they lived their faith daily... ... and I think we all know what happened behind closed doors. Don't be naive enough to judge a book by its cover...

I don't just believe it, I know it. Well, SOME of the Kochs did. It darn near tore that family apart. Only Ed Hart fantasizes it was an effort to protect Holiday World. It wasn't. That falling through SAVED Holiday World. In my humble opinion.

Not worth the drive, highly boring? Seems like they get enough people who disagree with that sentiment. Note: their park is still open. You talk about waterparks being a main draw, I'd say the attractions and value in the HW water park certainly trumped what was offered in nearby Louisville. Your friends may be aggravated by the water park idea, but many paying customers are not. Holiday World hasn't bolstered their water park to scorn "roller coaster enthusiasts," they do it because it's what their paying customers want. Ed Hart isn't an idiot, and while I'm skeptical of his proposed plans, he knows what he's doing by opening just the water park first (or it's all he can do). There's a reason Six Flags shifted their attention in that direction as well.

I've never heard that. Seems to me that people love Holiday World for what it is. It's the furthest drive I make to a park with my family and we look forward to it more than KI, and we haven't even been to CP as a family.

I must be out of it. I've never heard of the Harlem Shake.

Harlem Shake is all over the place, even SeaWorld Texas got the sea lions in on it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf8Itx8swpc Tho I actually really liked the Snoopy one lol!

Personally, I don't think I will go out of my way to KK for just a water park when HW is far superior and closer to me. They are going to have to open with some sort of special attraction, not water park related, to pull people away from HW and KI. I want to believe that they will have a good plan while moving forward with the re-opening. I really really want to see the park thrive again.

I think the bigger problem that they will face is the fact that a lot of the patrons seem to have migrated to Holiday World the last few years. Splashin' Safari is (IMO) vastly superior to what KK is now and it would seemingly take years to bring it anywhere close to on par (if that is even the plan). Now there is little doubt that some (perhaps even a vast majority) of those who live in and around Louisville will give KK a chance next May. But how many will go back after that first visit? Can Hart assemble a team that can match the perceived value of HW and level of service that the Koch's have in Santa Claus?

I have no dog in this fight. As I never went and probably never will. But of the many people who do want to go, will they make the trip for a water park? Will they make a trip for a park with rides not running or operating. Ill be honest. If the park wants to attract me, an average park goer, what will they have to attract me from Cincy, just mins north of the KY boarder. Whats going to draw people from Louisville/Lexington/Etc to the park. When it opens/if it opens it sounds like it will be in phases. Phases does not mean many people to me. Best case scenario, from pictures and reading about the current state of the park, the water side opens first. Does Coney Island draw people from across the country of a dip in the wave pool? What will bring people to KK?

What caught my attention is "live band." Hopefully this carries over to most of the other live shows in the park.

I wouldnt say people are crazy for thinking CF bought it to end competition, because there is a reason why a company would buy a park. Did they see an opportunity to purchase a park with rides and move those rides? Yes probably. Was the intent to close it completely? I wouldnt count that out as it might have been in been part of the plans, becase as you said no one will really know, because those who do know wont speak. I think you may be right, but I do not see it coming back for years. 15 or more. If the land is sold to a person who wants to invest millions of millions of dollars to build a local park. The place is a mess on the park side. I do not mean that in a disrespectful way. I honestly think that your point 5 was, IMHO, the most important one. Having lived in Kent, for a year, I made a few trips to the Geauga Lake area to just look at the old grounds many times. The drive from Kent to GL was a longer drive due to the roads. I felt like the trip to Cleveland was quicker than going to GL. The roads to that area are not easy to navigate on a busy day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthott/with/4563639687/#photo_4563639687 Back in 2010, I took my point and click camera with me and took some quick photos from around the park. The pictures are taken as I drove around that 700 acre park. I didnt break any laws as all of the pics are taken from outside of the gate or on the road.

My view as a local to Geauga Lake: Problem one - Combining Six Flags Ohio and SeaWorld Ohio created - as Six Flags proudly trumpeted - three parks in one: a thrill park, an animal park, and a water park. That is not only huge in terms of theoretical scope, but in terms of size. Two stand-alone theme parks were literally connected together. Two massive parking lots with guests finding out that they'd ended their day near the wrong one. Every year, the park moved and toyed with floating boardwalks, pathways, and ferries to move people between the two separate sides that hadn't been constructed with idea that they'd ever merge. A Google search says that Six Flags Ohio was 520 acres, and SeaWorld was 230. Their merger created a park more than twice as large, land-wise, as Kings Island. It was simply too big. Problem two - Six Flags infused massive amounts of money into the park as Six Flags Ohio during the early years as a clear attempt to compete with Cedar Point. The problems with that theory are plentiful, least of which being that the park didn't have the notoriety or fame that Cedar Point has. Cedar Point arose into pop culture gradually and with record-after-record of quality roller coasters. "Plopping" roller coasters into what had been a local park couldn't have the same effect. Also remember that Six Flags had to bring in their own arsenal of animals to repopulate the "animal park" - everything from orcas to dolphins to fish to sharks to penguins to turtles that SeaWorld had, of course, taken with them when they left. Then, after a notoriously short season, they had to transport those animals elsewhere or take care of them for the six months a year that no guests even saw them. Problem three - The original Geauga Lake and SeaWorld, separately, were local family parks. By making a 700-acre mega-park, Six Flags alienated the clientele that had appreciated both Geauga Lake and SeaWorld for their simplicity. It shouldn't be a surprise that SeaWorld Ohio operated differently from SeaWorld Orlando. No one was under the impression that SeaWorld Ohio was a destination park. It was a local attraction with a few tendrils out into the region. The attempt to market the park as a national destination and a flagship of Six Flags' arsenal hurt long-time visitors. Problem four - The people who DID come to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure for that thrilling, mile-a-minute mega-park experience were greeted by the Six Flags norm of the time (unhelpful and inattentive employees, little interest in cleanliness, questionable operations, "parking lot coasters," rampant greed in food pricing but non-existant ticket-pricing integrity) AND the perils of a family-park turned mega-park (not enough food service, small bathrooms that couldn't keep up with demand, odd layout from organic growth, two parking lots and no simple way to cross the 700 acre facility). Problem five - Despite marketing tying the parks to Cleveland, the park was located about 45 minutes southeast of Cleveland, with much of that drive through rural areas and small towns whose infrastructure would not allow for the massive crowds Six Flags sought. The park's rural location also meant that there were virtually no hotels anywhere near it - because, why would someone need a hotel room to visit little Geauga Lake, given that its primary visitors were locals? Still today the area has hastily-constructed roads where two-lane paths suddenly have three left-turn lanes with a rusted sign pointing to "Geauga Lake" in Cedar Fair font. I don't think anyone would argue that Cedar Point handled the closing of Geauga Lake particularly well and you can, of course, see why locals were ENRAGED by that, but angry even earlier as they saw conditions deteriorate and rides disappear one by one. I don't think Cedar Fair purchased Geauga Lake with the intention of closing it. It's clear, though, that Cedar Point's intention was to downsize the park, perhaps to the size of Michigan's Adventure or Valleyfair, where it would once against settle into the family niche - basically, to remove the four huge coasters Six Flags had added, and replace the animal park with a water park. Not 100% necessarily to "erase Cedar Point competition," but also because that's where the park belonged, and what its infrastructure allowed for. Somewhere along the line, that failed and the result is what we have today - a water park. To my understanding, water parks have a surprisingly high profit margin, and whether we as park-fans like it or not, WildWater Kingdom DOES cater to a family market, with a lot of locals getting season passes for their whole family. It's a shame, and a shock, and a tragic loss for the area, but if you've seen the state of the "rides" side of the park, you recognize that it won't be back. And WildWater Kingdom's "phase II" never happened, so either 1) the park is doing just fine as is, or 2) its fate is undecided, too. EDIT: And Google Map "WildWater Kingdom," then move over to the south side of the lake - everything is gone. Everything. Food stands, gates, fountains, bathrooms, etc. are all square piles of rubble.

I never even got into yolo and swag. That stuff is just stupid. #YOLO #SWAG

^Just like yolo and swag.

Some of you I guess don't go online much. The Harlem Shake's really popular - but I'm getting kind of tired of it now.

You're not exactly alone. I honestly never heard of it till like last week.. >.>

Those look to be pretty much the same seats/restraints as Wild Eagle at Dollywood. Sometimes I fit on WE, sometimes I didn't. I'm not sure if WE had "big boy" seats or not. One of the first times I rode it, they had me switch rows to try to get me on (it worked). We asked several different ride ops at different times of the year if there was a certain row that could accomadate bigger people, and each time I was told there was not or they weren't sure. Now that my friend who helped squeeze me on the first day is a Team Lead on WE this year, I'll get a definite answer to that question. The fact that CP flat out mentioned that there would be big boy seats in row 4 gives me hope for GK, more hope than I did, or even still have, for WE.

I'm out of the loop. I thought Instagram was just a photo editing app, not a social media network.

^ Couch to 5K is what got me back into running. Great little program and it really works if you keep it slow and don't worry about how fast you're running. Speed will come later.

Kings Island: now with 47% more hipster filters!

I want those to come back! I'd actually watch the shows if they had a plot!

Another musical revue.... Once upon a time shows at Kings Island had story lines and not just song, song, song (more accurately song snippet, song snippet, song snippet).

The circuit is now complete! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151290488511463&set=a.319129566462.158310.10625691462&type=1&theater

I am also interested in seeing how KK goes. I just have a hard time believing they can draw people in if it ever opens.

It will be interesting to see how KK pans out.

Ark Park was supposed to start construction in 2012 and be open by 2014. They haven't even broken ground yet. I am pretty sure their timetable has been delayed. They have less than 50% of the 24.5M they need to build the first phase. When is Ark Park going to open again? Who is more realistic with their plan? Ark Park ranks right up there with the Cincinnati Streetcar, in terms of worthlessness. If I was a betting man, and at times I am, I'd place my chips on the plan with some financing and repeated gubernatorial support than the park currently seeking financing that had skeptical gubernatorial support. Who is more realistic with their plan? At this point, I wouldn't say the guy who claimed there'd be a B&M in Louisville in 2015 and is now saying that it's going to be just a waterpark for now. Hopefully his hart is in it though. As for the streetcar: "You mad, bro?" Taking swipes at me just because I don't view the Kentucky Kingdom situation through the same rose colored glasses you do isn't going to help you convince me otherwise. You know what the main difference is between Kentucky Kingdom and the Cincinnati Streetcar? I'll ride a streetcar through downtown Cincy before I even have the chance to ride a coaster at Kentucky Kingdom.

Hank, Cedar Point has also stated that row 4 of each train are going to be more lenient (spelling?) and will allow for larger guests to ride.

Ah. No. We have so much expansion space, why are we so hell bent on ripping out foilige and squeezing in attractions? Let's put in a Ferris Wheel. And some Flyers.

Well, if you aren't going to try them, I would try them out for you.

I've heard a lot of people say the park was doomed when SeaWorld left. I've heard people say the Six Flags trying to directly compete with Cedar Point and adding too many rides in a short period of time is what doomed the park. We've all heard that Cedar Fair bought it for the sole purpose of closing it and sending the rides to other parks. I'm sure only a select group really know. I tend to think it was Six Flags' rapid expansion of the park that started the end. The park couldn't support the extra rides all at once, and all they did was increase the operating costs. The park relied on its charm. Family picnics, local business' outings, and small families is what made Geauga Lake work. When Six Flags tried to commercialize it and make it Cedar Point Over Cleveland (made that up) it just couldn't sustain a worthwhile profit. I really have no clue, it is just my opinion. I do, however, think you are insane if you think Cedar Fair bought it just to close it.

The opening days I've been to at KI haven't been nearly as bad as in 2011. That day was pretty bumpy. It seemed like most of the rides went down repeatedly, and the attendance was definitely higher than in years past. Otherwise, opening day is usually one of my favorite days to visit--low to moderate crowds and great weather. I've always heard Cedar Point's opening days are pretty rough as far as ride closures go, but I've never been. Weather typically ends up being an issue.

Along the same lines as the pic posted above and statements thereafter, here is a shot of the Mall area as The Bat was being constructed:

Totally agree with the severity of the issue. I was just pointing out that it's not unusual for employees to feel out of the loop.