CoastersRZ

Or it could be not a full fledged elevator but a wheelchair lift (similar to what they installed on Banshee`s station. Those are cheaper than traditional elevators, because as you said, there is no shaft to construct. And when adding an elevator to an existing building, you have to be concerned with the shaft rating and fire separation requirements. I do not believe that the Intertional Restaurant/front gate building is sprinklered, which means the fire rating requirements of the shaft would be much more stringent. Not to mention, there likely would have to be an area of refuge provided on the second floor in the event there is a fire, for those that are in wheelchairs and cannot use the stairs in the emergency. Too much information? I am just glad that I took my final Architect Registration Exam this past week, and hopefully passed it!

There IS an elevator to the second story. But it is only accessible in a back of house area on the lower level and opens into a back of house area on the upper floor.

And the Hamilton County 4H Fair moved to Stricker`s Grove several years back as well.

That looks like an amazing tour. i would love to go on that tour myself!

I love going on backstage tours. Definitely puts a different perspective on things. Having worked at Coney for 13 seasons, entering my 14th, I have a good appreciation what goes on in an amusement park to make a guests day fun. Few people realize all the work that goes on behind the scenes to make their day of fun happen.

The problem I have with dive coasters (I have been on both dive coasters as Busch Gardens` parks), is that after the first drop, there typically isn`t much to them. Although, I will admit, sitting on the far ends with no track above or below you is quite a thrill. You are more removed from the track then on the wingriders.

Ride_on 17, that midway connection would make sense, and allow Blue Streak to get more foot traffic, as it would no longer be on a dead end midway. I still think that if they introduce a dark ride at Cedar Point, they may try to use the former pirate ride building next to Blue Streak for part of the experience.

Wow! Those green lights on the station and lift look absolutely amazing! I really like the architecture and feel of the station. I only wish that I would have the time to get down to Carowinds this year to check out this ride in person. Unfortunately, I likely will not have the time to get down there, as I already have a big west coast trip planned to Disneyland and another Cedar Fair park out in California as part of my honeymoon.

With the moving of these rides, they have opened a large area of land for future development. They also continue to populate rides by Gatekeeper and the Wicked Twister midway. Although it is sad to see a classic turnpike car ride leaving. At least they still have the Antique Cars back by Cedar Creek Mine Ride still operating.

And how would you explain Dollywood adding Thunderhead? Have you ever ridden a GCI coaster? I have been on a few, and they are incredible rides with non stop fun all the way until the brakes at the end of the ride. And the trains are amazing!

Keep in mind that in the fourth quarter, the only properties that Cedar Fair has open are Knott`s Berry Farm, and Castaway Bar up in Sandusky (although I`m not certain how much traffic that property gets this time of year, as Sandusky isn`t exactly a haven for winter tourists). So the chain does not have a lot of income coming into the coffers this time of year, but they still have the full time staff to pay. Not to mention off season maintenance projects...

They have spent a lot of money on Hotel Breakers updating it. Hopefully, it translates into increased bookings for the hotel.

Cedar Fair certainly has been investing a LOT of money into Carowinds. I mean not only are they getting new front entrance buildings, they got a nice new parking toll plaza at the end of last season as well. Maybe it helps that Cedar Fair has a satellite corporate office in Charlotte.

What is not missed, however, is the smell that would come off the water at KCKC on hot days.

Yep. Sometimes when you find out something that most people do not know about, it is far more entertaining hearing people guess and hypothesize what it maybe then actually telling anyone.

Have to give Holiday World a hand on that one. Although, to be fair it is more of a hand chopper than a head chopper.

And doesn`t Cedar Fair have some satellite corporate office space in Charlotte?

I am actually a little surprised that the pet care center lasted as long as it did. I wonder how often it was actually a service that was used by guests on a typical day.

The Cincinnati Zoo isn`t completely different industries. They are still competing for people`s discretionary income. One main difference though, is that the Cincinnati Zoo is a not-for-profit. It actually receives money from Hamilton County property tax owners. Check out the theming that the zoo employs with some of their exhibits/buildings and you will find that they are in the business of entertainment architecture in much the same way that theme parks are. But that is getting into my thesis topic, which I can share later. (I still can`t believe it has been over five years since I finished my thesis and grad school). And the full name of the Cincinnati Zoo is actually the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. So that is part of why they focus a lot on landscaping. I have always found it odd that Soak City has had exquisite landscaping and the rest of Kings Island doesn`t quite have the same attention to detail that the water park has.

Personally, I like LaRosa`s sauce. And Skyline. But I absolutely love Dewey`s Pizza, which was created in Cincinnati, by the son of St. Louis Cardinals owner William DeWitt. Dewey`s blows away LaRosa`s and makes it seem like a bland pizza. Not to mention you get to see them making the pizzas and tossing the dough.

You have to admit that he was very enthusiastic about his job. For those who do not know, he now works at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (after a stop at Schlitterbahn). Before he was at Kings Island, he was involved with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks.

After doing a little bit of digging, I found that the Subway that replaced the Sweet Tooth stand opened at Kings Island in 2003 (the same year that Bubba Gump`s opened). The Graeters on International Street opened in 2005. See this article that discusses the opening of Graeters: http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2005/03/14/daily8.html

Coney has revamped their website. Check it out here: http://coneyislandpark.com/ Coney officially opens for its 129th year of operation on Saturday May 23.

And I will NOT be at Kings Island opening day this year. I will be getting married to the love of my life that day! And then the next day we are off to our honeymoon in Southern California, where we will be indulging in some Disney fun (although we are both slightly bummed that both Matterhorn and Soarin` will be down for rehabs when we are out there.

Here is a picture of the watch that they gave me.