CoastersRZ

Very true.

The latter question would have had to been addressed eventually, regardless if Paramount Parks were sold or not.

The discounts here? What do you mean here? Head on over to www.pki.com. You can buy a three day advanced ticket online for only $34.99. Additionally, you can buy a $37.99 ticket if you plan on visiting in less than three days. Or, you can buy a $49.99 ticket, which can be used two times (or just about $25 per visit).

I do believe though, that they announced the increased height requirements shortly before the season started. It certainly was after at least some of the passes for that year were sold. And yeah, people don`t realize that those height requirements are for the safety of the children and everyone riding. I had a guest at Coney today tell me that the height to ride without a chapperone on the Ferris Wheel has increased this year. That particular height requirement has remained unchanged in my four years running the Ferris Wheel at Coney! He was just mad because he had to actually ride the ride with his kids!

Are you certain that they are going to ditch the FearFest name? IMO, FearFest sounds like a better name than HalloWeekends. And yes, WinterFest this year is up in the air. Cedar Fair is going to evaluate with the current park management. I heard that a decision can be expected on its return or lack there of by Labor Day.

Yikes, you have a photographic memory for exactly what time you did everything? "It got dark around 9:04." But a very well written trip report!!

Well, that syrene leak did cause havoc! It shut down Columbia Parkway and Eastern Avenue, both major arteries from the east side of Cincinnati to downtown. Because of the road closures, it took me almost two hours to get to UC. It normally takes me about twenty five minutes! But in general, the Cincinnati news channels overblow a lot of things. Like whenever we get a sever thunderstorm warning, they have to cut into regular programming. They then repeat themselves again and again and act like the thunderstorm has an F5 tornado on the ground.

Yes, that was a lousy excuse for a news segment. This really doesn`t show much of Hanna Barbera Land either, or what employees had to deal with. I had to deal with something similar at Coney. It used to be any one under the 48" could ride with a chaperone. But then they changed it to you must be 36" to ride. Lets just say I have been on the front lines of that argument!

First of all, I doubt they will rename the park Cedar Fair`s Kings Island. It will most likely return to what it was prior to the Paramount era; simply KI. Cedar Fair does not have their name plastered along with the park name on any of their other parks. They do mention frequently that it is a Cedar Fair park. Example, Cedar Point is referred to simply as Cedar Point. On park maps, etc. it mentions that Cedar Point is part of Cedar Fair, L. P. And I highly doubt that Cedar Fair will let KI detiororate. They seem to be quite proud of having three parks that pull in more than 3 million guests per year. I`m sure they`d like to keep it that way. Afterall, I`m sure PKI was making lots of money every year. While it might not have the per capita spending that Cedar Point had, I`m sure KI will generate money for Cedar Fair and thus be an important park.

And by using one fewer car, the train will travel slower. And a slower train, theoretically, would mean a smoother ride.

Those last three seats were blocked off from the day Son of Beast reopened. The gates were deactivated the first day as well.

Well on my way home from Holiday World last weekend, I passed through Louisville. Right off of the express way I saw two billboards. One for Holiday World, and the very next one was for Paramount`s Kings Island. So both of those parks are definantely competing with Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.

And the thing was, is I only got on that train because I was a single rider. They needed two single riders to fill the train so I was able to hop in! My brother and dad did not want to go for another spin on the Voyage, so it was just me!

Were you on the train I was on? We waited on the exit ramp for about ten minutes, and even endured a brief mechanical delay before being escorted up the exit ramp for a third ride on the Voyage for the cameras?

I went to Holiday World last Sunday, as I am working down at Coney all three days this weekend. You guys are in for a real treat on Voyage! (I was even lucky enough to be on a train that was used to shoot a commercial! I got a second ride on the Voyage without getting off because of the commercial, even though there was a line! And then I got a third ride after they dispatched a few more trains by returning from the exit!!) Have fun guys!!

Actually, up until the early `90s Cedar Point served Coca-Cola products. Also, CoastersNSich, I hope that Cedar Fair brings back the classic Kings Island logo from the pre-Paramoount days. However, I feel we will see an all new redesigned logo for next season.

Yes, Paramount Parks signed a seven year deal to serve Coke products in its five parks. It will be interesting to see if that contract is still valid after the sale to Cedar Fair. Or, we could see Coke at the former Paramount Parks for the next six years after this year. Personally, I prefer Coke over Pepsi hands down, so I hope KI will continue to serve Coke for years to come!

I believe it was along the lines of no single park was installing more than $20 million next season. The Paramount Parks have already made commitments apprantly for new attractions next year. As others have said, history will most likely repeat itself. Top Gun was not the original theme for our Arrow suspended coaster, but was rethemed after Paramount bought the parks. In the conference call, Dick Kinzel said that Cedar Fair woulde honor the new attractions for the Paramount Parks in 2007. However, he also stated that the theming and naming of the attractions is something they will look at and they have not been decided upon at this point in time.

Yes, but I highly doubt they will. A tweener ride would be somewhat redundant. Why not add a ride that can be ridden by members of the entire family that provides a new and unique experience to the park?

Another very good point! The website probably won`t be redone until the offseason though. (I mean technically, Cedar Fair won`t even own the parks until the deal closes in the third quarter.) I`m sure Cedar Fair will be busy implementing their strategies, evaluating what works and what doesn`t work and creating new guidelines for the park, among the other of dozens and dozens of things they will be working on/looking at in the coming year.

Yeah, why would they move Demon Drop to one of the Paramount Parks? Don`t all the Paramount Parks, with the exception of Wonderland have a later version of the Intamin drop rides?

It was on here, but it was the day that Cedar Fair announced they were buying the parks. So it was sort of lost in all the commotion and news involving that major news. That post from Shaggy can be found in this thread.

Yes, I would have to say that is too ealry to say how CF will affect Kings Island one way or another. Obviousely, there won`t be any changes this year (or at least not towards the end of the year when season passes typically go on sale). I would expect that staffing might improve this season, but I doubt it will. I definantely think that staffing, especially in the rides department will increase next year. Especially on the coasters. Some things that may be seen this year is whether or not WinterFest goes on or not this December. Additionally, it will be interesting to see what happens with the Gold Season Pass and all the perks like ERT, Walk on Weekends, etc. Those perks are what have helped PKI sell their passes. Will they be back next year because of CP philosophy "If it ain`t broke, don`t fix it?" Only time will tell. Additionally, I`m sure that next season we will loose the Paramount`s in front of Kings Island, and the park will once again be known simply as KI. Also, there will be a new logo showing up everywhere.

Well, I`m sure that Vortex is safe, for at least this year. It will be interesting to find out what the park has in store for next year. Apparantly all the Paramount Parks already have commitments for next season. It will also be interesting to see if what Shaggy mentioned could happen to PKD`s Flight of Fear is slated to occure next season.

I agree with you WooferBear. Coca-Cola all the way. I will drink Pepsi, but I much rather prefer Coke.