Outdoor Man

newly carpeted, eh? any signal that something may come of this once-forgotten location?

no you didn't offend me at all... i thought I offended you. The terrible part of computer screens is that the message is devoid of facial expression. This is what I know about GWL situation, not being employed or really in the know... and this could all be proven incorrect. I could open up a file of info and not pull "rank" or be in check with PR regulations with a company... because I am the Marketing/PR department of my company and all I have is what I am being told... which I have every reason to think is plausible. My company held 4 events in the conference center last year and have 3 on the docket for 2009, including one in January. We also sponsors corporate discounts to our clients through our website for the resort. When the news started to break regarding their financial situation, I got a little nervous about our January event (obviously) since a lot of time and promotion and advertising dollars had been sent out. My first conversations with them included proliferation of corporate press releases... which I write those all the time and know that regulation and compliance is "black and white" information and doesn't always reflect what is going on behind the scenes. I went through a few position people to express to them that I could care less about press releases or corporate responses.... all I wanted to know was did I need to prepare "Plan B" to take over "Plan A".... right away. The response I got was that if GE was going to take over the place they would have done so already... not that they wouldn't do it in the future- but to the moment GWL has not defaulted on any of the financing (a hallmark trait of a loan in jeopardy). I'm not going to get into the semantics of what was discussed or disclosed but their response gave me enough confidence to keep our scheduled events for 2009 at the Conference Center.... and the pending events to be there as planned as well. NOW, something may happen next month to the Lodge and nullify all of this. I do know that the news from GE Cap has hurt their conference business a bit.

whoa... not trying to pick fights over fact/fiction or SEC filings. Could care less about that to be honest. I have just been in regular conversation numerous staff people (beyond the Critter Bar attendee) to make sure that our 2009 events are secure and there is news regarding their financial situation out there that haven't been reported on. That's all. I'm not going to get into their requirements by law to report- it's none of my business beyond, are my events going to take place or do I have to go elsewhere.

I wouldn't call what the lodge is going through right now Financial Difficulty. Their financier, GE Capital didn't want to negotiate under the old contractural terms and write a whole new rate/term... even dump the loan all together. Unbeknownst to many because "good news" doesn't sell, the resorts note has been extended through 2009. Also, Terpy is right about the day passes... somewhat. They are not for sale to the public- but lucky vendors get day-passes as Christmas gifts. Got a pack of four to prove it.

I still wonder- as big as CF is- how on earth with Cleveland, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and Pittsburgh in striking distance could they not make a go of Geagua Lake.

didn't The Vortex and Beast footprints begin at the clock behind the tower? I remember the wait for Vortex usually being in the 45-minute range... which at the time used to be a "quick" line. The Beast ALWAYS had a 1 1/2 - 2 hour wait for a ride. Both are pretty close to walk-ons these days.

I heard from someone who works in a construction company in Mason that they had taken bids to demo The Beast. The guy had said that poor maintenance during the Paramount years led to "bugs" not being contained in certain areas and the structure may have been unstable in years to come. The resulted in an overhaul of the entire structure being economically un-feasible. They were going to put it off until it absolutely had to- but when they decided to build Diamondback in that location it was a good time to "block" off the entrance and allow it to vanish and hope fully more people would be focused on DB opening than The Beast's demise. OK- I can't keep a straight face anymore. That story is 1000% made up. I would like to know, though, how many blood pressure readings went up while reading the above... and who were putting together their "Liar" response before reading this paragraph. April fools.

Even though Diamondback has no inversions I can see this sutting Vortex's already short line shorter and could place writing on the wall for a future removel/replacement in the next 5 year window. Maybe not- but it wouldn't surprise me. It's hard to believe that Vortex is 22 years old. Kings Cobra went down because Togo was out of business and replacement parts were hard to come by, correct? Arrow isn't a company in the coaster business anymore are they?

I REALLY enjoyed the park in 2005- say around the December 10th window at a little festival called WinterFest. It was C O L D (with a capital K) that night.... maybe in the teens. KI is good for all temps. I do remember going there in 1985 on a school trip.... I think it was single digits that day. Then of course in HS- I remember going to Winterfest in shorts (and a sweatshirt of course) with 65 degree temps.

ding! We have a winner. (you "Googled" that didn't you?). 5 Schrute Bucks in your account postmarked to the year 10,000. to go along with what jondrewfoo said... yes it was ONLY Nick merchandise. I agree that most places will mark down to reduce inventory... but it appears to be a specific type of inventory.... and the reduction seemed to be a bit aggressive. Like I said, no one in the Ground-Sweeping department, who was told by the guy at Oscars, who heard it from The Vortex tree trimmer while listening in on a conversation taking place in the secret board room atop the Tower... beamed in by the Black helicopters sent directly from Sandusky..... purely just a personal observation.

5 Schrute Bucks to the "younger-than-25" crowd that can tell me what beer company the "tastes great, less filling" slogan came from. I'm sure that videos of these commercials are on YouTube. On a side note, i know it isn't on topic, but to the NU re-theme thoughts. I'm not trying to start any rumors nor have i heard or sought anything. But there were 25-50% discounts on all Nick oriented merchandise in the NU shop (used to be animation station... and old sky ride station)... seems a little aggressive if it is continuing.

EVERYTHING had a long line on Saturday.

Actually, "Terpy" the question would probably be better as would the area fit the crowd? October would continue to be well attended, just allowing a more and diverse crowd to enjoy the park. I'd love to go to the park after midnight sometime- I'm not turned off by the Haunt event, but would just prefer not go for that purpose and if that event was moved to an otherwise unused portion of the park... they could even have one heck-of-a haunted trail to get back there beyond the picnic area.... think of all the desolate trails back at BB. all the trees. I would think that it would ruin the "fantasy" of a "Haunt" if in the middle of the scare tactic you had the rush of Delerium go by. Just a thought... all that real estate is unused 9 months out of the year.

good trip report. I went there with my daughter and I have not seen that many families in the Nick area all season. it was crazy. just a suggestion, and I'm sure this has maybe been mentioned before- but why wouldn't they maybe entertain moving the bulk of the HH things to the Boomerang Bay area. It would be entirely self contained (they could even have a slight "up-charge" to it... a $5 admission wouldn't really turn anyone off I wouldn't think and would raise some capital... not to mention give more life to an area that has only a 3-month operating season.... they could even use it for a certain winter themed attraction that they've discontinued. (really, they could use the BB area for a lot more in the ample off-season times).... Moving the bulk of the Haunt attractions would allow the ride side to continue to be a Ride side and people with small children wouldn't be ushered out of the kids area at FIVE.... When some of you have children and have to work around nap schedules, you'll know what I mean. I was in the Nick area at 4:45 waiting in the longest lines of the year thinking... all of these people are going to leave and take all their money with them. Having BB host the Haunt attractions would allow the park to stay open longer for the general public that may not necessarily be up to all the Haunt attractions as well.

oh, i wish it would be open in December. long live WinterFest!

Beast1979... maybe if you weren't on the computer having updates at the top and bottom of each hour you may have less money issues. Speaking of finances... I think Kings Island may want to reconsider the name of the coaster and maybe go for: Dow Jones, The Ride Wall Street Stock Market Thrill Coaster or maybe they'll put a Dive Coaster in next year. If they do- can someone remember I came up with a name!

My daughter climbing aboard her first coaster ride!

yea, but really- do they have to cross the line to be "sexual?" What do ladies in underwear at the park have to do with Haunting? However, I want to stop there from commenting further on something I haven't visited. I'll have valid "thought" in a few weeks.

never been, but will in a week or two. Thanks for the good TR. I am very dissappointed (however that's spelled) - that I read to hear that Kings Island, for all intensive purposes, a family location has to have a show described as "sexual." that's kind of disturbing.

are the crowds pretty consistent through 1am or does it tend to thin out at a certain time. There are a group of us "close-to-middle-aged-folk" wanting to check it out but don't have tolerance for long lines. (sorry for the double post.... but no one replied). The person who responds will receive one Schrute Buck.... 1000 Schrute Bucks will earn you an extra five minutes for lunch break. 5000 Schrute Bucks earn you one Stanley Nickel.

are the crowds pretty consistent through 1am or does it tend to thin out at a certain time. There are a group of us "close-to-middle-aged-folk" wanting to check it out but don't have tolerance for long lines.

OK- got me. more than once a year.

One of my memories of KI of years ago were the screaming matches on Viking Fury of "TASTES GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "LESS FILLING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" like a dingus I remember a few years ago trying to start that again one time and the ride ops tried to quiet us down. Any insight as to that? Also- does anyone know the ridership of it? Wouldn't surprise me to see it quietly removed with no replaced ride. When was the last time they used the turnstyles?

I need one of those jobs where you are paid to intentionally knock into things............

I'm going to have to check the spelling on that one Woofer................. impressive!