Shaggy

"Does this restaurant still exist and if so what is it's name? " Well, it does and it doesn't. What you recall from 1993 (When Top Gun was new) was probably the Columbia Palace. Columbia Palace was a dine-in eatery that was widely known for it's fried chicken. Actually, people used to attend KI just to eat there... no kidding! Well, soon after Paramount took over, Columbia Palace was re-themed to "Wings".... a 1920's Clara Bow movie-themed restaurant. It currently serves Montgomery Inn Ribs and Chicken, as well as fried chicken... however it is not the same good 'ol chicken from yesteryear. Those that know Montgomery Inn food know that PKI's pales in comparison to the real thing. The food at Wings is mediocre and IMO, overpriced. However PKI is making great strides in offering better food/dining experiences this season. It is still set up cafeteria style, where you grab a tray and go down the line. Actually each of the "indoor" dining experiences at PKI all serve cafeteria style.... Festhaus, Mandarin Chinese and the new Bubba Gump's. Others, such as Preston Tuckers, La Rosas, Skyline, Busy Town Grill etc. all serve walk-up/fast-food style. I recommend Bubba Gumps actually. The food there is really good, reasonably priced and novel. I love the fried shrimp, and the key-lime pie is terrific. "Thank you Shaggy for your information about Adventure Express. " Flattery will get you everywhere ;-) Seriously I appreciate it. I enjoy talking about PKI. And I have this odd way of remembering miniscule details about it. It's a great park that has meant a great deal to me over the years. Shaggy

Hi! Here are some answers: 1. By rolling stock, I assume you mean the two-seater, bench PTC junior trains. Yes, it does. These still operate with single buzz bars, but have had an additional seat-belt added. The coaster no longer operates with skid brakes, rather uses fins and is trimmed quite heavily (and unnecessarily) on some of it's turns. It has retained two-train operation, but has had a bunny hop removed from the area just prior to the final brake run. Finally, the most notable difference you will notice is that the coaster is now a bright shade of purple, as opposed to the former bright green color you may recall. 2. The Puppet Tree. Unfortunately, the puppet tree was removed sometime back when HB was remodeled. It's former location is now occupied by the likes of Scooby's Ghoster Coaster and a basketball toss game. 3. The themeing on Adventure Express is actually better than it has been in years. The soundtrack is in place, and the animatronics in the finnal tunnel are all operational. However many original effects have long since bit the dust.... Those include: The shroud of mist effect prior to tunnel #1 is no longer in use. The 50 foot snake no longer hisses in tunnel #1. The spears no longer jet from the walls of tunnel #2. The volcano effect in tunnel #3 (The volcano tunnel) is now reduced to simple red lighting. The "lava" (water) no longer pours or drips from the Aztec statue at the end of tunnel #4, at the top of the final lift. Most of the "quick" effects bit the dust and were not replaced simply because guests hardly noticed them. Occasionally a spear will still jut out of the wall in tunnel #2, but that is a rarity. The mist curtain lasted until about 3 or 4 years ago. However the rusting of the track in that area required that it be replaced (Adventure Express Track was replaced/repaired in 1999. I visited the park in the off season prior and the new track was stored in the parking lot.) and the effect never again returned as preventive maintenance. None-the-less, AE, is still a GREAT ride and is just as fun. However now, it runs remarkably close to the first drop of SOB and fairly close to the drum of FOF. The days of it being shrouded by dense trees and forest are gone. And of course the Safari Monerail (that ran through the middle of the AE layout) is long removed too. Enjoy your trip there.... PKI has changed A LOT in 10 years. You'll hardly recognize the area that used to be "Wild Animal Habitat" or "Adventure Village" as well as HB Land and what is now Nick Central. Shaggy

Something needs to be clarified here. PKI is not a concert promoter. The groups/acts that play Timberwolf are contracted through an entirely separate concert promoting company called "Jam Productions." PKI cannot, or does not simply bring in any act they want. The industry does not work that way. "Jam" promotes small venue acts across the country, mainly in outdoor amphitheatres. Timberwolf/PKI is simply the venue they use. PKI does take a profit from the ticket sales, but these concerts do not generate much revenue for the park from concert ticket sales themselves. The basic benefit to PKI for holding concerts at Timberwolf is the park admission they receive, and the revenue they generate from having that many more people in the park who are going to buy souvenirs, food etc. One of the biggest hurdles that promoters face now is all artists require a monetary guarantee. Timberwolf IS considered a very small venue. Why, if you want to compare venue size, simply look at Riverbend. Riverbend is the premier outdoor venue in Cincinnati. Popular acts are more than likely going to play there simply because it allows for more potential ticket sales. When a guarantee is placed on a venue, then they are required to dish out the dough no matter how crappy ticket sales are. Also, PKI does not draw a large amount of "typical" concert goers. The bulk of today's concert goers range in age from 18-30 and go not only for the music, but for the social aspect and beer sales. The types of crowd a PKI concert draws is mainly a very young, teenage crowd. Why, that is the reason the bulk of acts that play there are geared at teens. The others that tend to play Timberwolf are, for lack of a better term, "Hasbeens" that can still draw a novel crowd, but cannot fill a large venue. Last I checked, PKI did not allow alcohol at Timberwolf. As unfortunate as this may sound (I am not a proponent of Alcohol) that is a big deterrant. Another thing that factors into all of this is the fact that large venues such as Riverbend are owned by Clear Channel Entertainment. Clear Channel is also a MAJOR promoter of artists. Because they promote the acts AND own the buildings, overhead is low and there are not lots of hands dipping into the pot. If ticket sales are low, then there is no loss because they are not out a monetary guarantee. By comparison, Timberwolf is a small venue, that draws *smaller* named acts. The artists require a large overead to play there, and what is left over gets divided up by the promoter (Jam) and PKI etc. etc. etc. If you go back 20 years, Timberwolf was the only (and Premier) outdoor amphitheatre venue in the area. It was a huge success. But, as the industry changed and grew, and more high profile Promoters began overtaking the industry... venues like Timberwolf lost their steam. Actually, PKI still has a pretty reputable draw. Most parks have discontinued concerts all-together. PKI just limits what they do, in order to not loose their shirts. Obviously, I am sure the park has weighed the options in keeping Timberwolf. But to be honest, I believe that Spirit Song itself is what keeps the venue operational at PKI. That weekend event is one of the single largest Christian festivals in the country. PKI is not about to give that up, even if it means that Timberwolf sits empty 99% of the time. Shaggy

"I am just curious. What kind of illusions do they perform in Spellbound?" I'll sum it up... -KABLAMO! -Dance segment -Guy makes wife dissapear -Dance segment -Guy makes wife dissapear again -Dance segment -Guy makes wife dissapear once more -Dance segment -Yet again, guy makes wife dissapear -Dance segment -Guy does confetti trick -Dance segment -Guy does another confetti trick -Dance segment -Guy makes wife dissapear -Dance segment -Guy makes wife dissapear again -Dance segment -Guy makes wife dissapear once more -Dance segment -Grand finale... guy makes dancers appear... and wife dissapear. I think his wife should take the hint. Shaggy - who is completely being toungue-in-cheek here... I actually enjoyed the show quite a bit.

"In all the other Paramount Parks this show has been put on in their large concert venue" Actually at Dominion, the Safari Amphitheater was chosen as the location for the show. And it is a smaller venue than PKI's International Showplace. "The antagonist was kind of annoying because they tried to make him sound a little too much like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers. " Actually, the guy I saw played it like an English fop.... which was terribly annoying and a poor choice on his part, especially since they already had the wimpy professor role. Bottom line, Paramount could do a great deal more with it. But it is not the worst show I have seen at the park. That would have to go to "Cheer's the Musical." Shaggy

"Lara is british right.........then why the new york accent........" Were you really concentrating on her accent? I sincerely believe that she was not hired for her acting prowess or accent delivery... more than likely she was hired for other assets. She definitely looked the part. Anyway, I saw it yesterday. It was cute. Nothing earth-shattering, but fun and different. I didn't go into it with huge expectations so I was not let down. I would like to see PKI install a permanent stunt show in the Showplace. It is well suited for one. If something were more permanent, the quality would be better. However this is a travelling show, going park to park to park, so the quality is a little lackluster. Anyway, it's something new and different. And I'll not complain when a park does something fun... that doesn't cost extra. But I do want to complain about something though. Stupid Parents. Prior to entering the Showplace, and usher announced two or three times that the show would have loud effects/gunfire etc. There are also signs above each entrance warning folks that it is not suitable for young children. If I recall, they even play a recorded announcement it before the show starts. Anyway, idiotic parents ignore it thinking "Oh, they certainly dont mean MY child." And of course the first bang goes off and half the kids there start screaming and throwing tantrums. As if that isn't bad enough, the parents sit there thinking the kids will calm down. Hello! If the show starts with a bang, what on earth makes them think it doesn't end with a dozen or so? OY. Needless to say, wailing kids irritate the life out of me... but their parents (who obviously have no regard for those trying to enjoy the show) are downright rude by not taking them out. Whew... glad to have that off of my chest! Shaggy

PKI has to obtain the rights for any music that they play in park. The music really is not a big interest for me, as well as many guests. It is just filler.... so I assume that PKI concentrates the money they would have to pay for those rights elsewhere in the park. Shaggy

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!! DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!!!! Warning Andy... your superiors at PKI watch this board. Reconsider posting as it is not something that is encouraged by management. Shaggy

"There is some space to put some rides and a good sized coaster behind Son of Beast," Yes, there is quite a bit of space there, however I sincerely doubt that the park will expand in THAT direction anytime soon. I personally believe that future rides will be incorperated into previously developed areas of the park. Rides may extend into undeveloped areas, however I think their origins (entrances) will adhere to the current midways. "The park right now is only 360 some acres, but we own a little less than 700 acres. " WE? "With TOGO gone, it was hard to get parts. " Togo isn't gone. Togo is a company based in Japan. In the US it uses Premier Rides (Yes, the makers of FOF) as it's distributer. Premier Rides is based in the Cincinnati area...just a hop skip and a jump from PKI. KC was removed because it was no longer seen as a viable draw. It's upkeep time/cost outweighed it's marketability. It occupied prime mid-way real estate and it's removal allowed for a better and much more lucrative use. "Maybe they can add in that hotel we've been talking about? " Hotel? The company removed themselves from the motel/hotel accomodations business because it was not a profitable entity. I doubt they would ever want to return to a poor investment. "They just need to buy back the old Kings Island Inn & Resort and one section at a time redo it and make it great. Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen ;-) Shaggy

The simple reason for SOB not running 3 trains is blocking. PKI requires that there be an empty block between trains. SOB was originally intended to have enough blocks to allow 3 train operation. However after initial tests, they determined it was better to operate with two. I'll explain.... If a train was stalled in the station waiting for the train ahead to drop off the lift, then the 3rd train returning from the course would either be stopped on the mid-course break or final break run. That is an immediate set-up either way. Again, PKI will not operate their coasters in a way that allows a train to proceed unless there is one full empty block ahead of it. It is like a catch 22.... the train on the lift can't drop off because the train ahead of it can't move past the next block, it can't move past the next block because the train ahead of it is stalled in the station waiting for the train on the lift to drop... Get it? It's confusing I know, but all has to do with blocks. Shaggy

The June day is simply a gathering.... nothing special about it in terms of PKI. PKI does not support it or promote it as an event. It is completely unofficial. As someone else mentioned, in the fall there is usually a Friday evening that is used as a gay event. This is treated in the same way that corporations or others goups buy out the park. No different. Either way, it has nothing to do with PKI promoting the lifestyle, or condemming it. They are completely nuetral. Actually, the first time I ever worked at PKI was in 1998 and I was on FOF. I started late in the season and my first time on the crew was during the Friday Night Fall Gay event. Truth be told, I had dramatically less problems with guests that night than any other regular day. Shaggy

"Finally we headed up to Delirium's shorter line. Waited for about three pods/frisbees (what's the proper word?) or 15 minutes. " Cycles Shaggy

Answers: 1. What was the oldest attraction to ever operate at King’s Island? The Tumble Bug. It was originally built for Cincinnati's Coney Island by Harry Traver in 1925, moved to KI in 1971 and operated through the 1984 season. 2. Is the Monster now located on Coney Mall original to the park? No. The Monster now located at PKI is actually the second one. The original Monster relocated from Cincinnati's Coney Island was removed in 1980 and sent to Canada's Wonderland where it operates today. It was replaced in 1981 with an older version. 3. What is different about the 2nd floor of the shops on International Street? They are an optical illusion. Copying a Disney trick to fool the eye, the doors and windows of all the 2nd floor shops are 3/4 scale. 4. A part of The Bat, other than the station, is still in use at PKI to this day… what is it? The 2nd lift stairs are now used as the access stairs on Vortex's mid-course break run. 5. What is the name of the train station at PKI, and why is it called that? Losantville. It was one of the first names of Cincinnati. 6. Name one Hanna Barbera character that has not been featured in any shape or form at PKI. There are many that have not ever appeared in any form... whether costumed character, on merchadise, or on park related pariphanalia... some of the more surprising ones are: Snorks.... Schmoo....Monchichi's... Blue Falcon and Dynomutt.....characers from Charolette's Web... Johnny Quest.... Space Ghost....Tom and Jerry.... Gazoo... 7. How many signature horses are on the PKI carousel? There are 3 signature PTC horses on the PKI carousel. 8. What attraction was originally located where Nick Central now exists? Original to the park in that area was Sunshine Turnpike. 9. How many trains does FOF have? It has 4..... but has never operated all of them. There are three that the park regularly rotates onto the ride for usage, a fourth (the original test train) sits unused in a boneyard behind Action Zone. 10. What is the highest capacity ride at PKI? The King's Island and Miami Valley Railroad. Shaggy

Let's see who knows the answers to these: 1. What was the oldest attraction to ever operate at King’s Island? 2. Is the Monster now located on Coney Mall original to the park? 3. What is different about the 2nd floor of the shops on International Street? 4. A part of The Bat, other than the station, is still in use at PKI to this day… what is it? 5. What is the name of the train station at PKI, and why is it called that? 6. Name one Hanna Barbera character that has not been featured in any shape or form at PKI. 7. How many signature horses are on the PKI carousel? 8. What attraction was originally located where Nick Central now exists? 9. How many trains does FOF have? 10. What is the highest capacity ride at PKI? I'll post answers tomorrow. Shaggy

Wheel Of Fortune was not located where the entrance to White Water Canyon is. It was located adjacent to the King's Mills Log Flume, now Thornberries, in the location where the Nick Central Sign is now. It was removed and "Scrappy's Slide" was added in it's place, however the slide faced HB, not Rivertown. Wheel of Fortune was indeed a Rivertown attraction. You are right about the criss cross in the Brady episode, however I thought Jan and Marcia give the plans to Alice in front of the Kings Mill Flume, who then gives them to Bobby and Cindy near the Eiffel Tower not near The Vortex area... that midway area didn't exist then. Bobby and Cindy then hand off the plans to Greg and Peter at the old Halley's Comet ride that was located in front of where the Zephyr is now. At that time, Coney Mall ended just past the ring toss. Greg and Peter then run to the front of the park with them. What is ironic is each of the "runners" all pass the Antique Cars when running. And those of us that know KI well know that Marcia and Jan simply had to walk through HB to The Beastie (then Scooby Doo) area literally just a hop skip and a jump from the flume. That is where the Admin offices are. Do you know why they had the kids running all over the park? Paramount Communications had a vested interest in Taft Productions which owned KI at the time. They wrote the episode, in part, to make the park seem much bigger than it was at the time. At that point in time, it was being billed as a sort of "Disney of the North." However something obvious is missing from the Brady episode. There is absolutely no reference or shots of the Hanna Barberra area or characters. All the "costumed" characters in the show were non HB related costumes made expressly for the episide. I have both episodes of the Brady Bunch and the Partridge Family on tape. I prefer the Brady Bunch because 90% of it takes place in the park. On the Partridge Family episode, most of it is filmed or shot at the King's Island Inn. When the Partridge Family episode begins, they are holding a concert at the very front of the park at the end of the fountains nearest to the main entrance. They have tons of kids dancing around with the Banana Splits. The episode also features a music montage that shows the Eiffel Tower, Monster and The Racer. Keith gets sick and runs to the restroom when Danny taunts him with a slimy braut from the now defunct Octoberfest Gardens. Shaggy

TopdogofKings Island - Not a big deal at all, but being the Survivor addict I am I feel I must clarify Kentucky Joe... Kentucky Joe, or Roger Bingham, was the #5 Survivor on the 2nd season of the show called "The Austrailian Outback." Tina won, Colby was 2nd Keith was 3rd Elizabeth was 4th Roger was 5th. Mr. Bingham is one of the kindest and most down to earth people I have ever met. I have been fortunate enough to see/meet him in person 3 different times and have heard him speak twice at various engagements. Each time seeing him was rather by circumstance although I did choose to hear him speak both times. Again, he is a terrific man. And for the record, the Australian version of Survivor is still the best season so far... and I have watched each religiously ;-) Shaggy

"Britney Spear was there two years ago when she performed at Timberwolf. " Actually, Brittney was there about 4 years ago. I worked weekends on Beast then (1999) and she rode Beast while I was there. More celebrities ride the attractions than people realize. Basically the ride gets a call ahead of time and told to be prepared for a special guest rider. The crews typically keep it hush hush and they ride without guests even really knowing. If I recall, just in the time I worked Beast I was working when: John Ritter Montel Williams Micheal W. Smith Tina from Survivor Various Soap Opera people etc etc etc. Shaggy

They were being filmed for a new "Newlywed" reality show on MTV to air in September. It was Nick's idea to go there, he used to be employed at PKI. MTV is following the couple around for several weeks and filming their "adventures." Shaggy

Bavarian Beetle was a Schwarzkopf Galaxy coaster. It was originally built for Cincinnati's Coney Island and was added to that park in the early 1970's just before it closed. It was then dismanteld and moved to KI. At Coney, the Bavarian Beetle was called simply "Galaxi." At Cincinnati's Coney Island, the Galaxi was located near the turnaround of the Shooting Star, at the end of the midway. At King's Island, it was placed (along with the Rotor to it's right) where the Festhaus now stands. The front of the coaster faced east, or towards (then) Octoberfest Gardens. There was a path that led between the Beetle and the the shops on International Street. In 1974, the addition of Lion Country Safari necessitated the re-location of the Rotor from the right of the Beetle, to the left. This was done to allow an entrance path to LCS. With it's re-location, the path behind the International Street Shops was closed and an additional path leading from the main gate was placed running behind the Beetle. Although RCDB.com list's it's operating years at KI as 1972-1979, the ride actually lasted through 1981. It was closed, removed and replaced with the Festhaus. Festhaus, if my brain serves me well, was opened for Winterfest in 1982. No one is sure of the wherabouts of the Bavarian Beetle or the Rotor. There are many rumors that indicate they were sold or moved to another park elsewhere, but all of that is unsubstantiated. Fun Trivia fact: PKI's Head of Park Operations, Don Miller, originally started work at KI as a seasonal employee. He was a ride op on Bavarian Beetle. Out of all the rides at KI, Bavarian Beetle, IMO, is the most elusive. It's blurred history far outweighs the significance of the legend of The Bat. Why? Well, Bavarian Beetle was the least photographed and least documented ride in the park. There is no info about the ride in old newspaper articles and it never had it's own postcard or merchandise. I am an avid KI memorabilia collector and have been fortunate enough to locate a few items, but BB easily presents the biggest challenge among all of the defunct KI rides. I do have a postcard of the Screamin Demon that has the best shot of the Bavarian Beetle (at KI) I have ever seen. Actually, I was more excited about the postcard because of the glimpse at the BB than the Demon! I also have many park maps that show artists renderings of the ride. I have a park booklet that has a very obscure picture of the coaster and the Rotor. And finally, I have found only one print ad with a shot of one of the cars going through a turn on the Beetle. Actually, Charlie Jacques' book on the "History of Cincinnati's Coney Island" has terrific shots of the Galaxy before it became the Bavarian Beetle. However, when the ride was re-located to KI... it was eventually re-painted and given an "Alps" theme complete with flat mountain "peaks" and mountain climbers at the top of the station. Also, PKD (Or King's Dominion then) opened in 1974 with an indentical clone of Bavarian Beetle. It was called simply "Galaxy" like the former Cincinnati Coney Island ride name. It lasted for many years, and was located where the Shockwave standup coaster is. It was dismantled in 1985 for the addition of "Shockwave." Ironically enough, one reason for it's removal from KD was due to a fatality on the coaster when a young boy foolishly squirmed out of the restraint and stood up. The young man was partially decapitated and thrown to his death. It is ironic, because on the very same plot of land a few years back, another foolish young man squirmed out of the restraints on the Shockwave. He too was thrown from the ride. Again, PKD's is pretty elusive as well, and not much documentation or not many pictures can be found of the ride. But much more information can be found about the KD ride than the KI ride simply bceause of the accident, which the National News and Associated Press reported. I did ride the KD version many times before it closed. I did not ever ride the Bavarian Beetle. However I do recall seeing it at PKI during my first visit to the park in 1981... it's last year of operation. Shaggy

I have been sitting on this little tid-bit for a while now, but the time is right to share with those fellow enthusiasts that may know Mr. David Mandt at PKI. David has held the position of Marketing Manager and Director of Guest Experience at PKI for several seasons now. He transferred to PKI from Star Trek: The Experience in Vegas. Prior to that, he worked within the Marketing Department at Paramount's Carowinds. Mr. Mandt is returning to Carowinds to assume a Marketing Mangement position there. Also, David is now an offical PR rep for Paramount Parks. This is a terrifc move for David on a lot of different levels. Mr. Mandt has been a crucial part of what I consider to be among the best Marketing/PR Department in Kings Island's history. The phenominal job that he and the Marketing Department has done over the years really shows. Not only did he embrace the park and the joy it provides, but he also embraced all of us enthusiasts that enjoy the park so much. David officially begins his position at Carowinds on Monday May 5th. I wish him all the best of luck with the new job, Carowinds is lucky to get him back. Jeffrey Siebert, Marketing Area and Communications Manager, will assume the role vacated by David.... go Jeff! I am anxious to see what great things will come from both PKI and Carowinds after this. It is wonderful to see good friends move up in the world. Although bittersweet for me personally, it simply means that I'll have to head South more often. Keep a seat on Top Gun ready for me David! Shaggy

Actually, the official opening of King's Island was May 27th, 1972. That same day, Mr. Siebert was born. The park began preview weekends on April 28th 1972... a month earlier.. however, the Grand Opening was not held until May 27th. What many do not realize is that this is actually the park's 32nd season of operation. Another tid-bit of info: although I wasn't fortunate enough to be born the day KI opened, I do share the same age as the park...31. Also a final note: The Monster was actually built in 1968, thus it is 4 years older than KI. Shaggy

True story.... Back in winter 1998/1999, Tim Fisher, PKI's GM until last season, ordered Top Gun painted for the Action Zone remodel. He took a walk out to the ride as painting progressed and remarked on how good the primer was looking and he couldn't wait to see the final outcome. He was met with the response: "That's not the primer... that's the paint." Needless to say, he was unhappy. After that, the park GM and other Marketing/Managerial staff at the park instituted a "hands on" approach to ride color choices. Delirium itself had it's own unique color history. The original ride was slated to be entirely grey. However Marketing took one look at it, disapproved and required that the designers at PPD&E (Paramount Parks Design and Entertainment) go back to the drawing board. And so, Delirium ended up with the over-the-top bue/yellow/red/orange and grey color scheme. If you pay attention, PKI uses photos that show Top Gun's previous paint job.... red track/grey supports. Also, for years has used old pictures of Vortex simply because the paint had faded so badly and recent photos of the ride looked bad. It was re-painted for last season and I understand has been re-photographed for marketing purposes. Advertising a ride or a park requires that the attractions "pop" visually from the page or on television. Obviously color choices affect how a guest percieves a ride, so that plays a big part as well. But bottom line, when the day comes for Top Gun to get re-painted (which will most likely be a while... the paint is holding up rather nicely) I expect it to return to red/grey to be more visually appealing in print, on air and in person. Shaggy

Actually, when it comes to staffing, I don't think money is a factor at all. PKI pays it's rides associates pretty well, but adding a staff member hardly breaks their bank or disrupts their budget. I think the problem is that they have a hard enough time keeping positions filled, resulting in minimal crews. This is evidenced quite easily by observing how many crew members that the attractions have at the start of the year as opposed to mid or late season. Once the park opens for daily operations, that thins their staff. Not only because they are spread out through a wole week, but also because there is a big turnover in employees. When the underside of Top Gun's station queue was in use, it required that a crew member be staffed in that area to guard guests who tried to hop rails or do silly things. As someone stated, it is very high off the ground and the railings and gratings essentially required supervision. Also, that is where "munchkins" were measured. That is the term PKI uses for guests who challenge the required height. Obviously the area was mainly used to help set up the story-line and allow guests to walk through various themeing elements. However guests got little from it. And after a while, it just became obsolete. I personally wish PKI would invest in bringing back the banners and various decorations that hung off the railings and throughout the stations, as well as bring back the fog element. I would rather they do that than consider investing time an energy to re-openeing the que below. Shaggy

It's not a money issue. If it is re-opened, it creates another crew position. Shaggy

I think poor English skills can be attributed to nearly anyone that speaks the language. However, you are right, it is apparent that Americans show a lack of concern for proper grammer. Shaggy