Gordon Bombay

Actually the change is new. In previous years under Cedar Fair's Attraction Boarding Pass policies - there were color coded cards that determined specific access. These cards could only be given out by employees who were specifically trained to evaluate a guest's case, needs and requirements. It's a tough situation as an employee - you want to be as accommodating, polite and respectful as possible while also keeping the guest's safety as the top priority. I should know, I assigned plenty of those passes the past few seasons before I left the park. In the case of guests with autism, there used to be a specific sheet just for those cases. Normally, the Attraction's Boarding Pass required that if the wait time was 30 minutes or less, the guest and their approved group were permitted access up the exit immediately. If the estimated wait time was above 30 minutes (say it was 45 minutes), the guest would be given a time 45 minutes later to return with their group and board. With the autism pass though, things were different - there were never assigned wait times specifically due to how some guests are affected by the condition. My best friend's sister is autistic and in her case, she's a child who doesn't understand the concept of waiting. Unfortunately policies like the one above are not a "catch all," every disability is different and each case needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. I never encountered any guest who tried to abuse the system when I gave out passes, but I know of many guests where the "autism pass" was a huge help to the family in the park. I can say this - the park takes this matter very seriously and the training and respect around that training are truly sincere and I can say with confidence that it was executed very well. I don't think the family in the mentioned case here is being contradictory, rather I think they were just taken aback by the policy change which up until this season was different and allowed for accommodation on rides as soon as possible. Frankly, I think the discussion has gotten to the matter at hand and people have been sharing their thoughts. Like many have said, it's a no-win situation. No policy, no matter how accommodating is going to be able to be applied to each individual case. However, I think the park takes alternate boarding and accommodation very seriously. As mentioned in the article, the park changed their policy after consulting with autism awareness groups in order to create an "equal" experience for everyone. I think in this case unfortunately, the guests were just not aware of the policy change. just pointing out something - during the remaining years of Paramount/Viacom/CBS (at least 2004 - 2006), the policy was the one I mentioned above. Guests who requested a pass for alternate boarding would be given a wait time on certain attractions if the regular line exceeded 30 minutes. However, there was no special accommodation pass for a guest with autism. Also, nearly any associate could give out these passes at rides, there was no evaluation. Cedar Fair implemented a new policy in 2007 that kept the "30 minute rule," but was more specific and individualized, while adding the "autism pass" - however, you also had to be a manager or a guest services team member to award this pass to a guest. I think what the park did was noble, they were trying to create an equal experience across the board. The problem was that not everyone was informed of these changes, but then again how do you target such a specific audience with the information of these changes? It's also tough when a first time on the job 16 year old kid has to be the one to explain said policy change to a parent in the heat, who has walked up an exit and is expecting to have their child accommodated based on past experiences. I will say this, I can be very critical of the way certain things are executed out of Sandusky - but this policy is something that the folks who work at Kings Island are truely passionate about. When I worked at the park, I loved receiving feedback from guests I talked to on the midway and I worked in an environment where I could share that feedback with my team. If you're a parent or someone who knows someone with special needs and has questions or ideas for improving the policy, please share it with the park. There were several people, and there still are people who truly do care.

As stated, Rumor Smasher is correct - those seats are definitely from Volcano, however I do not believe that was in reaction to the accident at Paramount's Great America. That accident happened much earlier and the only thing changed about our Drop Tower following the incident was the addition of seat belts.

I guarantee there will be people at the park.

Care to point out where the funding is then? *crickets*

That's because there isn't any mystery construction and Thunder Run isn't being rehabbed. Because, who the hell would be paying for that?

I didn't understand what you were saying because it made no sense. The lease extension was not proposed so that the fair board could spend more money (as you're claiming) - they were already paying to guard the park and have been ever since it closed. Wanna know why the extension was approved, because... From: http://www.frostbrowntodd.com/newsroom-243.html He couldn't nail down a lease then, because he HAD NO FINANCING. If he had any financing, you'd think he would play that up to the press and make that into big news as you know his whole plan is contingent on.... what's that, alex? FINANCING! Yet, here we are as June drags on and not a peep about financing. I never said that project has $0 funding, that's the impression Ed Hart has given everyone considering he hasn't announced any investors and his own bank wouldn't loan to him. An in response to your "bet my own money" comment, maybe you should give that money to Hart instead? He seems to need it. Kentucky Kingdom will reopen May 24, 2014 ...if Hart can find investors, financing and get those rides working that he just claimed were in worse shape than he thought.

None of that makes any sense. So. What? How is it the Koch family at all to blame for the state of the park? And it sounds like the only thing coming out of Hart is this "Wow, the park is in rougher shape than I thought. It should be okay, but man is it rough. Look at all this work Im going to have to do. I hope to get the funding, but wow so much work needs to be done. Nothing good left. Park in bad shape. " So when he does walk away, everyone says, wow he tried but the park is in just so bad of shape. If anyone should be to blame, it's the Fair Board. According to them Six Flags had no claim to anything so what was left is theirs and they're the ones who've let it rot. It's hard to hire people when you don't have money to pay them.

Riding the elevator inside is more terrifying that the actual ride.

That seems like a small amount of seats for a major park. I bet capacity will be awful.

I dislike LaRosas Pizza in general, but inside the park is in no way similar to outside. Also, Kings Island skyline is laughably bad compared to a regular skyline. I don't get why those local companies let that happen. At least Graeters is still Graeters both inside and outside the park gate.

Yeah, on schedule to open it within a year... ...but 75% of the attractions are inoperable? failhorns.wav No mention of this ongoing construction we've been hearing about? No mention of securing funds? 20 days...

Probably because it's a Disney movie about two animated characters and a little girl who doesn't fear them. Just a guess though.

No. It's not. Even you admit these photos don't back up your claims, so why post them? Routine cutting of the grass is not "construction" nor is there any money to fund "construction" nor is there any incentive to. Why would Hart build anything when his plans aren't set in stone? He's a good businessman, he wouldn't waste money like that. We get it, you want the park to open, but making things up isn't going to help KKs case. Edit: I also love that you challenge Shaggy to visit the Fairgrounds himself, and if you had read his post you'd realize he did just that. I know what construction is, Apparently, you don't. Let's review. Construction (kan-'streak-shan') (n): "The process, art, or manner of constructing something; also : a thing constructed." Source. So, aptly, your description of, and I quote; Would not be Construction. Considering, it doesn't sound like they're constructing or building anything. Maintenance maybe? Inspections? Sure, he had all the potential repairs "estimated" (and I use that term very loosely). However, you're misleading people by saying there's construction and then claiming there's just some guys piddling around. Probably because, if they were (and they aren't), he would be shouting to high heaven with press releases, good news and trying to get things in order. Because even if he was intending to have just the water park open by next year, he's already losing valuable time. Also, if his plans were set - why ask for an extension to try and round up money? Oh yeah, money, kind of hard to execute your plans when you don't have any funding. Hence, uh, why there's no actual construction. With what money could he build anything and how could build anything on property he doesn't have the right to build on? Bolded for emphasis. Facts require evidence. You sir, have none. And look, I'm not trying to pick on you, but someone needs to lay out the reality of the situation. I think it'd be great for Kentucky Kingdom to reopen, but right now NOTHING is pointing at that being a likely possibility. You're only fooling yourself, kid.

No. It's not. Even you admit these photos don't back up your claims, so why post them? Routine cutting of the grass is not "construction" nor is there any money to fund "construction" nor is there any incentive to. Why would Hart build anything when his plans aren't set in stone? He's a good businessman, he wouldn't waste money like that. We get it, you want the park to open, but making things up isn't going to help KKs case. Edit: I also love that you challenge Shaggy to visit the Fairgrounds himself, and if you had read his post you'd realize he did just that.

That's funny because I wonder who's paying for that "renovation/construction?" Because in the first place you'd have to be permitted to do that on the land with say a lease - which Hart doesn't have set in stone. Then you'd need money - which Hart doesn't have set in stone.

It speaks volumes that the Koch's were so gung ho on the place until they finally went inside and took a look. They even put out a press release stating that everything there was in bad shape. Yet, Hart, upon his third attempt to reopen the place claims he can fix everything. As for that large coaster he's "planning," he's not. The man doesn't even know if he has a lease, let alone the money to to invest in this project - he's surely not spending money consulting with manufacturers about rides to build. I don't think the Koch's got involved to keep anyone away, as there was no one to keep away. Even before they were involved, Ed Hart tried a first time to no success. I think the Koch's really did want to give it a go, but even they admit the park wasn't worth the money to repair it. I heard two coasters that was meant for Kentucky Kingdom where put into World of Adventure. Xflight/Firehawk may have been one of them But I've heard Dominator was custom made to be at the front of the park in the year 2000. It was going to take the place of the vampire and the squid waterslide, but Six Flags went cheap and put in Road Runner in 2000 and Sky Coaster later in 2001. I don't bet and I don't often visit casinos, but I'd be willing to bet you that Kentucky Kingdom won't be open a year from now. Shaggy beat me to it, but the two coasters you mentioned were NEVER intended for SFKK. There's a reason why SF largely ignored the fledgling KK and focused their efforts North.

From what I understood through several friends who worked there, Holiday Fest was always a toss up. They'd usually end the season on solid fiscal ground and then Holiday Fest would either be a cash cow or failure depending on weather, turnout and other factors. Who knows though if they'll bring it back. It doesn't seem to line up with their current brand image or plan, just my opinion though.

I don't see it moving. Anything worth moving was taken by Six and what was left has been rotting. Emotional investment, yes. Monetary investment, no. Money trumps emotions.

I was at their media night last week. They did a very good job with the renovations and pretty much revamped their staff and outlook towards customers. They won't effect Kings Island's attendance as they're not competing with KI. The Beach is a totally different type of product that did fine for years even being across the street from KI. If they can recapture some of their lost loyalists, it'll succeed again.

That's nice, but without money behind the project, it's not going to happen.

They're probably building something that is high capacity, efficient and mechanically reliable. That's what they need more than anything.

So in other words, build the new coaster on top of Great Wolf Lodge on land the park doesn't own.Good idea. So you're telling me that Great Wolf Lodge owns all this land circled here? Hmmm, I thought KI owned that.... You are correct, Kings Island does own that circled area of land. Also, they won't build a coaster or any ride back there. Flight Deck's queue goes far back enough and that terrain of the circled area has a massive elevation change that wouldn't be friendly or convenient for park guests. I don't think it is a good idea, but the "warning" signs we see seem to be making a reference to SOB. I don't think retracking or retrofitting the ride was an option, or they would have done it. I think the problems it had would have continued so they just dismantled it. SOB wasn't a bad idea or a bad coaster, it appears it wasn't installed properly. Redoing it perhaps with a couple new wrinkles isn't going to result in a bad coaster. With all the work, rework and troubleshooting they were forced to do with SOB, if they were to rebuild it, i would think they would have it all worked out already.Personally, I'd like to see a 311' 94 mph Leviathan type coaster, but right now what I see doesn't lead me in that direction. It's extremely early on in the process, but it's fun to let your imagination go and think of what might be. They're not going to "remake" Son of Beast. Put it this way, if the first incarnation was good - they would've kept it and not spent a lot of money tearing it down. Also they did try re-tracking and retrofitting it multiple times. Did it get any better? No, ultimately the park wasn't "satisfied with the ride's performance." Also, what manufacturer would be interested in putting their product on that ride? There's a reason it had used, modified gerstlauer trains and not new ones manufactured. The ride is dead, the ride sucked, the end.

Boddah, Dane and I had them at the media preview. Those two didn't care for them, but I ate way more than a healthy amount. They were my favorite thing.

From what I understand, a great deal of it was recycled.

It can. Remember Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle? It was haunted. Fortunately you were able to use your blasters to thward the ghosts. They're not blasters - they're "Fright Light Flashlights." Do you even go here?