CoastersRZ

I`m sure based on the popularity of Nick that the license fee is pretty hefty. Cedar Fair did not disclose the cost they paid for the license. I`m sure the license fee for Nickelodeon is far more than for the Peanuts. But look at the brand recognition that Nick gets compared to the Peanuts. It will be interesting to see what the next five years have in store for both Kings Island, and the use of Nickelodeon at the former Paramount Parks. Who knows, Cedar Point may one day turn Camp Snoopy into Nickelodeon Central.

Smoking on the midways never really bothered me. Its when you got stuck in a line behind a smoker that bothers me. That has been banned for years now, but some people still do that... The biggest problem with the smoking ban at PKI is that they don`t make it known to the public well enough. Yeah, its in the park maps, and they sometimes make an announcement on IS, but other than that, there are no banners (other than the smoking boxes) that notify guests that the park is smoke free. Holiday World, on the other hand, has lots of banners all over the park touting the park as smoke free.

Yes, but in all the press releases issued this year, it has clearly stated that Paramount Parks were a division of CBS, not a Viacom company. The webmaster of the Paramount Parks websites probably finally got around to updating the main image on the corporate website.

Well, there is a Gold Pass Holder bring a friend free day tomorrow.

Incorrect. The Paramount Parks websites have said a CBS Company for most of this year, after CBS and Viacom split at the beginning of the year.

Well, when they staff the speed lanes correctly, it is a great perk. Although you do get some nasty looks from some of the park guests!

Vortex, they still play the Indiana Jones music in the station of Adventure Express. PKIDude03, all the music on Tomb Raider: The Ride is original to the ride. There is no score from any of the Tomb Raider movies. Instead, Paramount Parks contacted RPMusic to score the original music for all aspects of TRTR.

See, that is where I think you might be wrong. Nickelodeon, IMO are much larger than the Peanuts characters. I think that Cedar Fair realizes that, and is part of the reason behind why they bought the parks. I just don`t buy into your "tried and true" method. Dick Kinzel himself said that some things Paramount Parks did really well and they will learn from the history of both companies and take the best from each when moving forward.

Well, Shake Rattle and Roll at PKI seems to have very little down time, and it is a HUSS ride.

Well, I think there could be some significant changes at Kings Island next season. Obviously, the new attractions for next year will be from the current Paramount Parks, but the theme of those attractions will likely be altered between now and next April. I forsee the Paramount Parks possibly loosing their Paramount name next season. Yes, you are right, it will take a while for Cedar Fair to fully assimilate the parks into their control. But as was stated in the teleconference, the Paramount Parks are already very well ran. In that regard they are similar to Cedar Fair parks, which will make the transition from Paramount Parks to Cedar Fair easier.

And the location of the camera was at the drop right before the first tunnel, if my memory serves me correct.

No, they removed it in 2002 or 2003. The supports for the cameras are still there between the vertical loop and the lift hill. Also, the conduit is still visible over next to the restrooms where the photo booth actually resided.

Yeah. Since making FearFest free with general admission, the park has been packed in October. I`m sure they will NOT be cancelling FearFest anytime soon. I think it is safe to say that FearFest will be here to stay for quite some time, although it may undergo a name change under the new management.

Well according to the conference call that Cedar Fair had after they announced their acquisition, they were very explicit to say that they would have to evaulate whether or not they were going to have a winter event at Kings Island THIS season. They also mentioned that a decision one way or the other on whether to have WinterFest would be reached by Labor Day. But you bring up an interesting point. With the park still selling tickets, the longer time goes on, the more likely it seems that WinterFest will be a go. Unless they decide its just not worth it and offer refunds to anyone who has already bought their tickets. Personally, I wish that WinterFest would be here to stay for years to come. With the right price, I think it could become an annual tradition as big as Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo, or the model trains at the former CG&E offices in downtown.

The printer that PKI uses is Spring Dot. They were formerly called Sidney Printing Works prior to 2000.

What do you mean "what do I think?" Do you mean what minor changes will we start to see by the end of the season? Well, we might see some minor changes to FearFest, and possibly pricing of old PKI merchandise. Furthermore, we might not have a winter event to look forward to in Decemeber, depending on what Kings Island and Cedar Fair management decide on.

Yes, I certainly doubt that Cedar Fair would have made any changes yet to any of the merchandise that is being sold in the Paramount Parks. Once the deal closes, it wouldn`t surprise me to start seeing some minor changes in Kings Island before the end of the season.

Well, I think anyone who has ever worked in the rides department of an amusement park can relate to that video! Very clever and fun video!

What, no classic rides like the train or the Grand Carousel?

If there is heavy rain or storms the night before/in the early hours of the morning, Son of Beast and The Beast will usually "wake up" late as the maintenance crews will get a late start on walking the tracks. (A task they start before the sun even comes up.)

Well, I know in past years, the Emporium on I-Street has most merchandise discounted at 50% off.

I have spent many shifts in the volunteer program. The program is still around. I worked games from 7-12 one Friday night at last year`s FearFest. I got five free tickets for it! Also, I volunteered on the second night of WinterFest in foodservice. I also got five tickets for that, and was on pan and broom detail for the I-Street Pizza, before they let our group leave and enjoy the park because they didn`t need our help. The volunteer program was not used for WinterFest after the first weekend...

Yeah, I don`t see Cedar Fair keeping the Paramount name on the parks. Next season I think the blue mountain logo will dissapear from all the Paramount Parks logos, and Paramount Parks will cease to exist, as it will then be Cedar Fair. As for the plushes. I have seen Spiderman, and Superman plushes at the games at Kings Island in Coney Mall before.

You won`t be dissapointed! It is one awesome ride!

Well, slightly off topic, but still on the topic of prices. At Coney Island, tomorrow is the last day for the special Memorial day pricing. $7.95 for a rides wristband for all rides, or $7.95 for admission to Sunlite Pool (both per person). Or you can buy a combo pass for $12.95 per person. And, if you have a Kroger Plus card, you can get buy one rides wristband get one free admission at the $7.95 rate.