Outdoor Man

SEAS= 3 SeaWorld Parks 2 Busch Gardens Parks 1 Sesame Place Park and several water parks (forgot those).

Banshee probably can be credited for all of the increased ridership to The Bat. The AZ area is now routinely PACKED- not that it didn't have its share of people before, but I think we can all agree that since about 2006, that area of the park was an afterthought. Even during SOBs operating days- I don't think it had consistent long lines that Banshee will have beyond this year. I think after the first or second year of operation SOB had ruled many people wary about the alignment of their back out. As long as the Banshee trolls the tracks, there'll be a line. All benefit to the existing rides (and future) for the area. That said, (I like theming elements...)- something could certainly be added under The Bat station for added theming- AND for the cost of replacing the trains with a floorless version would offer a COMPLETELY new experience. Banshee note: I may have placed this before, but I would love to see KI place "reflectors" of some sort of the Banshee trains that would be unnoticeable during the day, but look like streaks shooting through the woods at night form the ground and Tower. Just a thought.

For what its worth, Kings Island is only open daily one week longer.

Clown was a bad choice of words. I don't know either person personally nor as a casual acquaintance. Likely back at that time Cedar Fair didn't care who, what, or how- just buy the thing and remove it. My 'clown' comment was derived partially be what Gabe mentioned in that they didn't have the funds or resources. Their efforts were only going to be helped by individuals and park "vigilante's" that would donate $5-100 each. What they would have been in need of was corporations that would donate $5,000-$10,000 at a time (or more). A college student and coaster enthusiast from overseas wouldn't attract that kind of capital. I recall when the effort first came up there was a bit of initial buzz- and as a interested bystander (from the SeaWorld days), I thought that a second life for the coaster (by a credible investor) would have been great. I was thinking development corporations like Phillips Edison, Corporex (though Cincinnati organizations- at least similar). What I don't understand is why the coaster continues to stand almost 7 or 8 years after it closed and why the communities the park straddles hasn't forced Cedar Fair's hand to clean up the property.

I noticed something on the Banshee Souvenir "refillable" cup yesterday that said "Good through December 31, 2014." I know that there is less than a 1% chance that there will be a 2014 version of WinterFest- but 'splain that one to me. I recall in May 2005 talking with a park employee (not the Dippin Dots guy) who said that the 2005 WinterFest was the worst kept secret- as park employees leaked it, paper tickets issued in April said that there were not good for "park sell-out days, private events, or WinterFest..." If something that "big" was coming, I'm sure it would be telegraphed to the masses.

Context: I've only been to the Creation Museum once. Though a Christian- just because it is a 'religious' attraction doesn't mean that I'm automatically attracted to it. I'm sort of lukewarm to it; it was a well-designed museum- but honestly, how many times can you visit a museum. I love the Cincinnati Museum center, but in my life have only been 2 (maybe 3 times). That said, the Creation Museum pays taxes- the guests visiting pay sales tax and does contribute to the local economy. Therefore, I have no issue with them receiving tax incentives to do business- though as an Ohio resident I have no horse in that race.

I've heard that I-Street is on deck for an upgrade. Only rumors, but I think we all agree that the area could use a hug. What kind of "improvements" could or would be made is also intriguing to think about. a staff person to replace burnt-out light bulbs.

Best guess is that 4 years ago, Cedar Fair probably didn't care who bought it or where the money came from- just get it off the lot. Sort of surprised it hasn't been demolished yet..

You are correct- I wrote that rather hastily between bites for a late lunch after my Mac crashed twice. I got my lines crossed- I believe he (Harold) was 25 at the time but had 85 stuck in my head; and even that number may be off... it's been 4 years. The term "clown" may have been a bit pointed- but go ahead, point the thread out to them. They may have received more credible attention if they hadn't looked like college students on a road trip.

Not exactly. In 2010 a set of clowns tried to make an advance. The roster: 1) an (undisclosed aged)- edit... year old from New Zealand 2) 19 year old female college student from Dayton (unrelated to the above, but met in an online coaster chatroom) 3) said 19 year old's boyfriend. The article says that the 85 year old bought the coaster. It on TV and internet, must be right.... View the video and about 30-seconds into it you get a glimpse of #'s 2&3. If I'm wanting to be taken seriously, I would have left the baggy sweat suit at home and gone with some khaki's and a polo shirt.... maybe had my boyfriend get a haircut. http://archive.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=153937

It wouldn't be the same experience for several reasons: 1) lots of rotted wood = new boards. 2) ride experience would need upgraded to 2014 (err.. 2015 code)- the ride experience while at an operating GL could have been grandfathered in (within reason). Unfortunately, the 800lb elephant in the room is the fact that sooner or later it will need to come down; I'm surprised that it hasn't attracted more vandals and been more of a liability risk. My thought is that to attract a buyer... CF is going to have to level the property entirely and maybe "plant grass" in it for a year.

agree 1000%

I am ALL for a little attention given everywhere about "International" Street. The fountains used to dance, and it wasn't that long ago. The trees in some manner of form should stay to provide shade, BUT- sitting along the fountains to eat or enjoy said fountains misses a bit of its mystique when you can't see the Eiffel Tower.

Speaking of the Geauga Lake image a few posts ago.. I just noticed this- and wonder if it has been commented on before. Anyone notice what 2 things are ominously missing from the drawing??? 1) floating bridge to the dry side (though the ferry boats are depicted) 2) evidence of a walk path to the dry side Unintentional oversight or shill foretell of things to come???

I redact a third of my comment. i knew there were three issues, I forgot the ADA issue... you're right on that one. Re-apply my previous comment for the other two.

three responses... and deleted them all. short opinion: the three instances being turned over repeatedly here... much ado about nothing. Yes, the Kentucky Kingdom Management Team would likely be playing ball for a "AA" team- the real test will be how are the bumps of 2014 improved in 2015.

I've never heard of that happening. I do know people who were on a level when one elevator went down and had to descend a staircase to the lower level in order to take the other elevator down. I also know that the employees are trained on "vator to vator" evacs, in which an elevator stops half way up and they have to send the other one up to transfer people over to get them down, although I don't personally know of a time when that's been used. OK, let's be honest here: a "vator-to-vator" evac would SUCK. I'm not one to descend into panic attacks, but that could do it.

here's an interesting "Paris Tower" question: has anyone ever been stranded at the top and forced to descend the stairs to the bottom?

If I were a betting person, I'd say that Banshee is the 2014/2015 attraction and that 2015 will see some TLC given to neglected areas. My pick: International Street. Was there about 10 days ago. Fountains don't dance, the music is American "pop" music (hardly "international"), and the light bulb outlines tend to have a habit of not being replaced when they go out. Really, how hard is that? If Winterfest is never going to return- then take the sidewalks to the fountain out. I'm going to say that only roughly a third of the lights on top of the carousel work. And while we're at it, are there any more musical review shows that can be done? Another: have a company like Hof Brau Haus take over the Festhaus and make it "German" and removing my favorite Bavarian food, Panda Express, to a place a bit more... "international"- like International Street. By and large, Kings Island does an outstanding job at many things... ignoring obvious theming components that time and money were spent on drive me nuts though.

Maybe they just aren't satisfied with the 'ride experience' yet. I recall those comments regarding a certain largest wooden roller coaster being made as trees were growing through the tracks. Who knows what's up. Don probably hasn't comment because he only comments when there is news to comment on. SRR's future, depending on the severity of the problem, probably has yet to be determined.

no, but I don't believe that the entire ride has been dismantled like this before. I can't imagine the park investing a lot of money into a ride that once fixed will STILL be 30+ years old. I don't claim to know anything, just saying... not a good sign.

I've held commenting on the board's at arm's length for a while, but some times I read things and just have to comment. John's professional background is in operations and more recently in a marketing capacity. One of the downfalls is that Marketing and PR are two different disciplines. That being said, this "mother" must not have been too embarrassed since she went from crying on the phone to her mother while at the park to exposing her name publicly for all to see and posting pictures of herself with her tongue out at the park on Facebook. If she had been truly scarred- she would have been seeking an apology privately. Instead, we ALL know who she is. What I don't understand is how once people get this "victim" mentality, there's really no end to it. I have no idea where said breast feeding occurred in the park, but instead of taking a bit of personal responsibility in the matter and realizing that "hey, the world doesn't revolve around me, this isn't my home living room and is a 'public' place, maybe I should be a bit more discrete." Breast feeding is a natural part of life, and therefore should not be illegal anywhere, within reason. Going to the restroom is legal- but you don't drop trail just anywhere. OK, maybe bad example. Not that the park hasn't done a pretty good job shooting themselves in the foot... with their own guns- but I get irritated at people who get their feelings tinged a bit turning it into a federal case. Someone gets their feelings hurt, or gets embarrassed so what do they do- set up an interview at the local TV station, better yet- get interviewed by the Huffington Post.

Most smokers today in the park(s) weren't around to live the "carefree days of the 60's". I have no specific rub against people that smoke- it's their choice. To me, though it's like standing next to someone on 95 degree humid day that hadn't showered in a week. Someone who smokes and doesn't think about the smell trail behind them should be linked up with someone who has had a cocktail of onions and beans for an afternoon. It's not illegal to eat those things... or to relieve yourself from a gas build up. Those people tend to attract dim views.

hmmm... I've got a couple. 1) someone mentioned it before, and I assume they still do. tweens and teens that scream in The Beast tunnels. I assume they still do it, though I haven't braved the ride in 2 years. 2) Over the weekend they had a Luau in Soak City. Great idea; tons of people with very few options = 2 HUGE lines converging on one area for food. "swimming" in the big wave pool.... and half the thing is blocked off. and a huge line of people waiting so that they can sit in a tube in 3.5' of water. Who among us didn't see that one coming. Again, Great idea... free food- but only lasted 2.5 hours and the food lines were over an hour. Good idea, don't want to fault them for it- but they must have under estimated the response. 3) People that choose to smoke anywhere as if the rule/request doesn't apply to them. 4) guests with inappropriate/exposed tattoos. At SC the other day and noticed a lady (mid-20's) with the word "_itch" tattoo'd on her ankle/foot. first of all, why would you immortalize that on your person. 5) many other guest'isms. Actually, outside of the issue at the water park on Saturday- which had to be an underestimation function, the park- grounds, theming, rides, employees have been pretty solid this year.

Saw for the first time on Tuesday. Quality show!- I'm guessing the "talent" is not local.