CoastersRZ

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.

Well, the Jellystone campgrounds are actually owned by Leisure Systems. Leisure Systems is owned by Park River Corporation. Park River Corporation is the parent company that owns Coney. Park River is owned by the relatives of the late Ronald Walker, who purchased Coney in 1991. I absolutely love the history of Coney and the early history of Kings Island. One of these days, I should write a book about it all.

Yeah. That is a creative description for kiddy bumper cars. I believe the pendulum that Coney might be getting is a Zamperla Midi Discovery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEW8BMon8do And it looks like Zamperla also makes a mini bumper car ride. http://www.zamperla.com/products/mini-bumper-car/

Check out Coney`s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/coneyislandpark

There may just be something new at Coney in 2015. You will have to wait and see.