Outdoor Man

I was a bit suprised to see that CF did not do any painting to TG. It has been a few years since that twisted steel has seen any TLC. I would be willing to be that a re-theme is in the works though. I'd be willing to bet that the Top Gun theme (or at least name) will go away in time for opening day 2008. Moving the coaster elsewhere really isn't an option because it was manufactured to fit that specific terrain. I like the idea of a re-theme to "The Bat." get all the old theming gear out... and it is in the woods, so the area works too. Or go with the original "Thunder Road".... not sure I can visualize the theming there. The whole "downtonw KI" idea is intriguing. But my thought is that Kings Island is not enough of a "vacation destination" to support such an investment.

and I hope this doesn't sound off.... but once a place serves chinese food, it is next to impossible to get the smell out. I agree with the thought of "why is a chinese place going in an Oktoberfest area?" Why don't they just turn it into a food court? That poor place used to be so much more than it has become. Was hoping that CF would return some of the good shows that used to be there. I remember back in the late 80's.. the shows there were a pretty big deal. One show, I think called "Fire and Ice" had national recognition. And some of the Christmas shows were absolute professional quality.

my $.02... For the most part I think you're correct. Most of the KIC posters are anti-Paramount. In my own unqualified opinion Paramount was a good owner from the thrill standpoint. If you look at the world-class rides that were added on their watch you can't refute what they did for nation-wide recognition of the park. - Flight of Fear- record holder when opened - Drop Zone- first rotating drop in the midwest - Son of Beast- terrible coaster, but a record holder nonetheless. - Delerium - Tomb Raider, the Ride - Nick Universe - Fearfest - Winterfest etc... Partially, their mistakes were- thinking that they could replicate the "hollywood" success pioneered by Disney and Universal.... they blurred lines, or just flat out ignored the theme areas of the park... and allowed areas of the park to go into disrepair and lack of use (see Flight Commander pad). I think all would agree that the Paramount years will mostly be remembered as positive days for the park. The positives outnumber the negatives. KI was kept in pace as a premier national thrill park- and they occassionally listened to the public... even when it didn't always benefit them.

Chinese food in a "German" themed building............. Okay.

well, pkridemaint.... you have become an instant favorite and "cult icon" for this site. I don't know whether to say "Congratulations" or "Good Luck."

when you're done sawing papa beast down let me know. We have a new fire pit in our back yard and need some "dried" fire wood. probably wrong thread for this, but is Paramount Theater still going to be called Paramount Theater?

Hauntguy... sometimes it doesn't matter what proof you have. Last summer I had a letter from the park and a refund "IN HAND" about the cancellation of Winterfest... and repeatedly the posts said, "NO OFFICIAL WORD HAS BEEN SAID".... "let's wait and see."..... "You don't know what you're talking about..." If you're wondering about the park maps.... if you're so worried that it's fake, go to GWL find the Borchure shelf. These park maps are not printed the night before opening day. They're printed many weeks in advance, and you know what there is a staff of about 400 or so at the printing company that have not necessarily been sworn to secrecy.... besides, nothing contained is a secret. Everyone KNOWS that Firehawk is coming- not only that, but where it is. And everyone KNOWS that SOB is loopless. So, given that- who cares if it's rela or a fake. There's nothing top secret or ground breaking displayed in it. I can't believe this thread has lasted this long.

these brochures are already in the "brochure" shelves at GWL. Have been for at least 2 weeks or so. I'm interested in the Winterfest info though. A person I have talked to did say that there are no plans at all for a 2007 event (because there may be some "cosmetic" makeovers coming to the park in the upcoming 12 months) but that the prospect of a future Winterfest beyond 2007 has not bee ruled out entirely.

if you win the lottery I'll give you a dollar (one hundred cents), US Currency, if you actually paid money to a "for profit" company to improve "their" ride.

agreed with Tuskin.... too many curves, not enough straight runs. That ALONE would have made the ride smoother.

it would never happen but how about a dip underground...

I think Combat said earlier... i agree. Lights under The Vortex structure would be excellent. I feel that PP was all about the pomp and circumstance of the ride introduction... and letting the "little things" go. Think about IJST... all the hype that came with it's opening. How long after it opened did the special effects stop working?

I would venture to say it's a project for 2008. The sign is asthetically pleasing and looks fine. And besides, don't they have a contractural right to use the name for a few years? I think someone had a great idea on here earlier of placing an Eiffel Tower where the mountain is... hopefully its not one of those cookie cutter CF flags.

I agree in principal with you on that... I just have a hard time finding the sight of dismembered bodies entertaining... on any level.

I agree with most of the posting in here. IJST would have better fit theming in Action Zone. However half of the 'Tiques had stopped operating years before it was even removed, and because of the "manual" nature of the ride would have been labeled a dinosaur in the direction paramount was heading and been categorically removed. They could have located IJST to another park all together. The flyers.... the only loss in this was that it was an original from Coney; and lets be honest, if Carowinds is your home park- how can you get excited about that as a "new ride?"

OK, maybe I'm going to place an age on me. Call me old school, or having grown up in the "pre-9/11" days... but I feel the sight of dismembered bodies and the appearance of bloodied, decapitated heads is disturbing. Honestly, I was taken back at how far the "family park" of Kings Island pushed the envelope last year. Let's be honest- having your picture taken in a casket is............ sick. Unfortunately, now all you have to do is plug in CNN or be creative on a search engine to find these- I seriously hope that the parents "overseeing" this project do not allow certain lines to be crossed.... otherwise it scares me to think the environment my kids are growing up in.

well put.

(personal opinion)- Paramount came into the whole park ownership trying to re-invent the wheel already perfected by Disney and Universal. They bought the parks with the attitude that they knew more about being successful than the previous owners who built them. They did some things very well- in PKI's case, Paramount was very good to bring in (i think) five coasters- three of them record breaking at the time they were constructed. In addition, they brought in other ground-breaking flat rides. And above all- it was a profitable company with no park closings (al la Six Flags). BTW, back in late 2005 it was noticed by someone the Cedar Fair's CEO was at the park. People on this board were curious as to the reason for the visit; some passed it off as wanting to review Delerium prior to Maxx Air's debut. Opinion... was that the case or was the visit a pre-cursor to purchase????

you are correct. AOL was a "private" network, but that was the first "surfing" to have been had. I don't want to sound stupid, but was there a 1400 baud? I remember the 4800 and the 9600.... and thinking that that was the fastest connection possible. yea.... a good percentage on this board did not know life when the internet didn't exist. Now the constructive things to do include hours of PS2/3, internet, computer games, and placing these "white" cords in your ear so that the head is filled with nothing but tunes. oh, and of course spending time on our beloved PKIC board.... Funny thing is that todays teenagers will receive the "settled-in" look five years ahead of where we did.

OK- I'm starting to feel old here. the internet hasn't "always been around." I think the first time I saw a website was on America Online 2.0 in 1991. I don't think public sites existed prior to 1991 or at least not that I'm aware of. Paramount purchased KECO in summer 1992. all news unconfirmed, of course.

I've always wondered.... why are there air conditioning units at the top of the tower.

any consistent theming would be good. nearly all the rides they have added since paramount have been "themed" towards movies- naturally (and I guess rightly so). But, under that they all belonged in "Paramount's" Action Zone. A name like Tomb Raider doesn't belong in Rivertown, FOF didn't belong in Coney Mall, etc... My thought is, just be consistent with whatever theming they start.... and I'm not too encouraged so far since the name of the new coaster is "Firehawk" and is parked right next to Fort Cooper. Unless.... and help me here, is Firehawk coded to some air force terminaology? If that were the case, then negate this whole paragraph.

uh, perhaps we all have a little too much time on our hands. Seems like it could be a snow day.

refurbishing every year, doesn't get any better..... whoa.... are you talking about the wood coaster at Gauega (or however it's spelled)? 'cause I could have sworn you were spekaing of SOB. Which by the way, there may be a thread on it already (didn't look at the whole site)- but the local media is reporting that SOB will not open until later in the summer now. I think Paramount was close, but how long do you think CF will go before the white towel is hoisted? Back to the Geauga lake discussion... It would seem a pretty risky venture to remove your signature attractions even if you are trying to attract a particular segment- unless your overall intention was to eventually change course entirely and scale down to perhaps just a water park. Didn't LeSourdsville Lake try to appeal to just one particluar segment.... and die within a few years? Yea, I agree with Interpreter... Good luck with this endeavor.... Perhaps KI can "soar" above and poach some other northern attractions before it is all said and done.

ok- question. This morning's Enquirer had the picture (and a quote from Ryan- nice going)- which means it had to have been at least yesterday.... though it was cloudy and Maureen didn't look "that cold.".... when was the press conference, and how on earth was it that there wasn't so much as a whisper on this board last night?