Outdoor Man

playing games while in line??? here's a novel idea- talk with the friends that came with you instead of dunking your head in your electronic devise. Saves battery life and increases social interaction at the same time. Two birds, one stone.

I understand KI is a business, but I agree with the statement about the food prices. I was there Friday night with my wife and my niece and we were walking through Planet Snoopy looking at food prices because my niece was hungry. $13 for a hotdog kids meal! $13? That's not business, that's robbery. Since it was close to closing time anyway, we ended up leaving and getting food outside of the park. Now merchandise doesn't seem to be too bad. My wife bought a t-shirt with a vintage KI logo on it and it was $12.99 plus 10% off with her gold pass. Not too bad really. You know, for years we've heard that inflation was right around the corner some day- and it appears to have hit the Kings Island food kiosks, FIRST! I agree, with rates that high, I am doubtful to spend money on food in the park... ever.

Much like Son of Beast- the big tan box (does that need capitalized????) will remain a status quo symbol until something is ready to replace it. As good as they have done with Banshee- I'm expecting something "unexpected" to be placed in there. While I'm at it- what happened to the giant Topspin anyway?

80,000 for basically a "first year" park- that's really good- MUCH larger than similarly sized parks. They key will be to translate that into year 2, 3, and beyond. They were right, to an extent- "pent-up" demand will pace Year 1. Successive years will be the trick.

Its almost sad to think that KI had a pair of classic rides and chose to dismantle. Enchanted Voyage and Phantom Theater were great classic dark rides (though unfortunately in the same building). I'm just not a fan of the whole black-light and florescent scenery. Both of the aforementioned attractions were build specifically for KI and were designer originals. Neither exist anymore.

To be fair, the park did spend a significant amount of money in upgrades over the winter. Upgrade of entrance plaza, paving parts of the parking lot, the area around Banshee. There are some oddities that seem to be prevalent on a somewhat consistent basis- but because of all of the TLC that was given, I'll give the others a "pass" because I sense that these will be addressed in time. The new CEO has an emphasis on guest experience; this will take a few years to completely address.

With my scant experience, and I'm sure some will correct me: - Don't know about Invertigo. The area around Banshee has been done so incredibly well that I have to believe that the aforementioned coaster will receive some retheming next year. - Couldn't help but notice that even though the night light show (whatever it was called) is over... lights remain in the trees. - Agree about Diamondback - Beast's que has always been crammed... perhaps better "covering" in the event of rain. - no input on DA - Congo falls could use some "Journey to Atlantis" treatment... and for the record, Flying Eagles wouldn't be a new attraction; or fit in that area. - Flower clock is still there- albeit without flowers. but if memory serves correct the flowers get put in sometime in May.

The same holds true for the Disney Dining Plan, but it's quite easy to simply buy two plans and share them amongst your family, even though that is not the intent. It's not enforced. Not including a drink in the dining plan is a deal breaker for me. Commodity prices are on a rapid ascent as of late. Chipotle is raising its prices chain wide next month between 20-40% depending on your selection. I believe locally (Northern Cincinnati)- they already have. Unless they intend to do so again.

Sorry if someone posted; but was there on Friday. Has anyone else noticed a SIGNIFICANT increase in the food prices? Family of 4 eating 2 specials, 2 kids meals at the Chic-Fil-A... Almost $50. Same order at the Tylersville Rd. Chic-Fil-A (with unlimited refills, i might add)- $21.70. Can someone comment to that? We go to Magic Kingdom every year and it costs less to eat at "Be Our Guest" (fast service, though still "sit down.")

I'm guessing the train was a simple case of staffing.

great pictures. Didn't go; wasn't invited- but they have taken it up a notch in theming. I LOVE it! Well done! Not-so-new CF CEO seems to have a better handle on lasting impressions than Kinzel's fixation on tall rides and nothing else. I'm thinking this will be one of those rides that being in the line is part of the experience- fog, train's interaction alongside the line, etc... even the loading area. Can't wait to see in person!

I didn't forget... just didn't want to write a novel based on biased opinion.

It was a terrible roller coaster- probably rode it a total of 5 times. Terrible design and terrible ride experience. Looking forward to the new occupant to its footprint.

They don't have one per-se- it's generally assumed to be most days in June, July and August. They have this day because they rented the park out for the event. As I understand though, so long as you buy a ticket and not interrupt activities with your own "agenda"- you're able to come. I've never been (i have a SP, so no reason to feel like I should pay for a ticket on any "special" event day: GLBT, P&G, GE, etc...). Jokingly, I "get" your comment though. I'm waiting for someone to sponsor the "White-Hetero-Male-age-18-to-49" Day! It will be flannel and jeans everywhere. Everyone else get's their day, right?

correct me if I'm wrong, but back in the Paramount days when the organization planned the event during the regular season the park did receive some complaints (I don't know how many or the nature)- but, it was in part because a sizeable group would choose to converge during a regular season day and add to already long lines. If not mistaken, moving it to its own day solved numerous issues: if offended, don't show up. group size didn't add to long lines able to be fashioned as a fund raiser, whereas during the regular season was difficult to separate.

In the 2005 version, they had SDatHM, Carousel, and the White Christmas Express (Great Miami Valley Railroad)- the Sporta-Copters (or whatever they're called now) shows on the map, but I don't remember them operating. Go to Google and type "WinterFest 2005" in images and the top left image is the park map/brochure.

While I'm at it- not sure that there's anything international about "International Street" anymore either outside of a Paris-themed tower.

I like it that they still consider that they have an area of the park named "Oktoberfest." Outside of the Viking Fury and a Festhaus that has nothing German in it- not sure that such an area exists anymore. But cute that they still name it.

Yes there is. That's not the kind of eye-roll I'm thinking of- the one you posted is too happy. This particular image I'm thinking is a cross between a run-of-the-mill eye-roll, face palm, and a sigh...

While we're at it, SeaWorld Orlando (spell it right kids... capital "S", capital "W".... capital "O"... - there's no emoticon for an eye-roll.) begins their 50th anniversary celebration today! http://seaworld.com/celebration/?utm_source=Silverpop&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=00389753%20SWO.50thGrandOpening.Mar2014%20(1)&utm_content=DIGITAL&spMailingID=6264278&spUserID=MzM2Mzc5ODE0NzQS1&spJobID=402084190&spReportId=NDAyMDg0MTkwS0

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

Maybe they plan on dropping leaflets from a hot-air balloon. That's still better than dropping live turkeys from a helicopter. "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!" -Gator, showing my age... that caught me off guard. Very good placement! Was that Less Nessman?

A+ on the last week's worth of pictures!

My thoughtful dedication to this thread, a musical interpretation:

I'm not sure that after 2 months of posting you're able to critically assert this as a "Fanboy-Site." For what its worth I've never mentioned anything about taxpayers being at risk, I know I've never taken the time to dig up proof, therefore never mentioned. (If I have, though... i selectively have short-term memory) Your posts do seem to scream "D-Fense" more often than not in your 18 posts... just seems to me that you are more than the average Louisville-ite awaiting the park to open.