CoastersRZ

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.

The seasonal staff at Coney that won the award, called the Jim Babb Award was me. I won the award back on December 30th at the seasonal manager and Super Staffer luncheon on December 30th. Here is a little information about the Jim Babb award. The Jim Babb award honors its namesake for his dedication to Coney Island, for always putting forth his best effort in getting the job done. Jim’s pride in his work and his enthusiasm for the park’s success never waned. He was always thrilled to be a part of the Coney team. Jim was 55 years old when he came to us with only a third grade education, but he soon taught all of us what can be accomplished when the will is there. He worked so hard, and so cheerfully, that our patrons went out of their way to commend us on his efforts. We remember this gentle man by naming after him our highest recognition of excellence. Only the seasonal employee who most exemplifies his attitude and effort merits our most coveted honor- The Jim Babb Award. I was only the 25th recipient of this award. I was given an engraved Citizen`s watch for winning the award. Pictures will come later tonight. Additionally, my name will be added to a plaque in the administration building. My picture will also appear by the plaque this season as well.

I know that I am going to make it down to Kentucky Kingdom this year. My only visit to the park was the year that Chang was new.

Many may have missed The Interpreter`s reference in his post about Swoop. The ride he was referring to was Top Gun. The ride was already mostly planned when Paramount purchased the park in July of 1992. They simply changed the name and added the Top Gun theming to the ride.

Contest to name Coney`s new rides: http://coneyislandpark.com/in_the_news.php?nID=54

I registered my Platinum Pass (which I already renewed for a 2015). Worked just fine for me. But I haven`t tried to use the discount anywhere yet...

Good to know. My fiance worked briefly at the Columbus Zoo as a ride op on weekends while she was in law school up there. She only worked the Carousel and train that were in the zoo, and not any of the rides that were out by the water park. I still need to ride the coaster there!

I know this is an old topic bump. Has anyone heard any status update from Charles Jaques? I know in the front flap of the Coney book, he stated that he was working on a book on Kings Island.