Outdoor Man

i liked the toy factory show too. It was a good and complex production. Someone mentioned that this particular show was performed during the previous WinterFest run. Is that accurate? I don't remember who mentioned that.

the elephant walk almost circles the Delerium footprint. I wonder if anyone has any more similar pictures and corresponding pictures from the same angles to see differences over the years.

is that construction of the Festhaus on the left?

i hope they do drop the price.... even if a little. Newsletter subscribers did get a great deal later in the month.... but it wasn't just hand delivered. For those who missed the "thrills".... then you want to go to Kings Island in the July, not WinterFest in December.

actually i just looked on the RCDB site.. and the press release is still on there as well- but maybe they removed it because it was not technically under construction yet. who knows. I would like to think that a more impressive ride announcement may come, but with the investment in overhauling Nick Universe it'll probably be August they announce anything big.

I think PKI's website announces the arrival of another "Family Class Coaster for Thrill seeking families"... i think is the exact quote from the website. Maybe it won't called Avatar though.

I do remember the elephant walk. all you did was go around in a circle. I don't remember it's exact location but i think it would occupy the current Delerium spot. WooferAtl could correct me on this. I used to have that map. if I'm not mistaken it is the 1983 map.

i noticed that too... the Avatar was on there shortly after the press release was published.... ond now it's no where to be found on the site.

my answer is a little off-topic and may not necessarily refer to PKI, but the only entities that "lose" in the politically correct (or religiously correct) arena are those who try to cater to all. If it's a Christmas tree, don't skirt the issue, make it a tree. If it's a Menorah, make it a Menorah. If you don't intend on it being anything.... then don't pretend it's nothing. To defend PKI, they have never called it "ChristmasFest"... it's always been WinterFest.... so as to not confuse all holidays into one. This particular critique of mine aside.... it was a quality event that had some thought and investment behind it... overall i'd give it a 9 on a 10 scale... many more positives than negatives.

i'm not offended in the least. the typical christmas tree has an angel or a star topping it out. with the light scheme of the tower it was a little difficult to tell what they were trying to be. A christmas tree, the Eiffel Tower, or a tower with lights on it. was taking a friend from out of town past KI on I-71 telling them that they have never seen a christmas tree this large... and the typical christmas tree lighting NEVER came up. we saw no lights, then corner lights- then had to turn around and try again.

I don't know what rides B&M manufactures- but PKI would kick tail by getting a heavily themed ride like Spiderman or Dueling Dragons at Universal Florida. I agree with the IJST comments... the ride starts getting interesting...... then it's over. This was not a Paramount thing... the the absolute largest LET DOWN of any roller coaster ever made was the build up/exit to the loading station on Adventure Express. I remember my first time riding that thinking "i bet the track is going to go straight down after this tunnel." then you come down and gently ride into the loading area.

uh... i think this is it. hope i don't waste space trying. and, Reclaimer.... yes- but you had to see it at night.... and call me a pure-ist... but if it's to be a Christmas tree, use "A" star... not a logo.

the main reason I didn't care for the Eiffel Tower "tree" was because when they last had Winterfest in '92- the Tower had a star at the top and really looked like a HUGE Christmas Tree. It really looked imposing. If i could figure out how to post pics to this site I would post one. It was impressive. the way they had it this year it seemed like they weren't sure if they wanted a Christmas Tree or a tower with lights and a paramount logo on it.

Now that the "inaugral" season of the PKI Winterfest is about history, I am interested to hear every/anyones feedback. give 1-2 high points and 1-2 of your opinions of the low points of the event. As some do, don't just "dump" the low points without giving the positive.... as negative as some can be... it wasn't all bad. and don't even make it a long post.... just a few words for both. High points: 1. tremendous effort made to create a great event 2. Festhaus looked festive for first time in a decade low points: 1. WAY too expensive 2. lights hanging on tower. sometimes on... dim... only corners... off completely... leave em on already.

i am not a "code" guru by any means, but have had some experience in the last year working with State Health Codes as it refers to handicap accessible, food, etc... And any smarter chimp than I can correct me if I'm wrong. But as far as no elevator for handicap accessibility, I believe that would not matter as long as the following are not encroached: - change in the original use of the facility - a particular dollar amount had been passed in renovation and upgrades. otherwise, I believe that the old codes could be "grandfathered" over. Now, that is but a nutshell- but I believe that since it is open sporadically now, it could be open anytime if they chose.

(Hope you don't mind the double post... but I made my inaugral trip to Winterfest last Saturday as well. This is my post from another thread.) I believe that the park was truly at it's BEST last night. though I was concerned to be driving up at 5:30 and see no lights on the tower (didn't know that it doesn't light until 6-- years ago, it was always on). International Restaurant was bustling with people (which was nice to see). the Festhaus has not looked that good in at least a decade (maybe more). The lights on the Intl St. buildings looked good (i hope they carry that into the operating season... now that all the bulbs are changed/work). The souvenirs were all reasonably priced (at least I thought so). OK, Holiday Junction was a little hokey... but it's a Christmas show.... which ones aren't. And the actors seemed to really enjoy doing it (though I don't think in 32 years I've ever seen the line for the trains that long). the show at the paramount theater was great. Hokey as well.... but lots of enthusiasm and great energy. was also pleased with the amount of times that the upcoming holiday was referred to as christmas. The thermometer said 32... but my word it seemed like -32. I remember going there in my early 20's and it being in the teens, single digits... didn't care. Now I wonder, "why on earth would anybody with half a brain freeze their a## off like that more than once?" The ONLY suggestion I would even have unfortunately is with the marquee attraction..... the Eiffel Tower/tree. OK- the schizzo light show was annoying. Sometimes the lights were on; then only half on; then only the corners, then they were off all together..... then they were dim. Made it difficult to take picutres... and actually have the tree in the background. Suggestion.... just leave them on.... and turn the tower lights off.... looks more like a tree that way..... AND- call me a "purest"- but I ditch the paramount logo and go back to the traditional one-star approach. none of that takes away from the experience though. The park was at it's best last night.... employees and decor. I don't know what festival some harsh critics were at (maybe they were at Carowinds accidentally). if you're disappointed because not enough was open or doesn't match your PKI experience. then you want to go to Kings Island in July.... not Winterfest in December.

i think it goes without saying... and this is off topic, but I think the Winterfest program and PKI is outstanding.... like I said in another thread if you're disappointed then maybe it is Kings Island you want to visit in July rather than Winterfest in December. But I do agree that PKI did price themselves out of the market.... $25 was WAY too much. we paid $15 each last weekend which i felt was still a little high.... but acceptable.

wow deidre.... thats harsh...

well, i tend to agree with the coasterbuzz comments, but the fact that it was reported through Rueters offers a better hint of legitimacy. Let's see what happens. It would appear that Paramount has put a lot of investment towards these parks only to sell- but crazier things have happened..... if the reds can trade one of the most popular figures and PR machines since Pete Rose and (early) Barry Larkin for a no name... i guess anything is possible.... (sorry, a little bitter about the trade).

i know most on this forum would go. many would visit the waterpark if it were open during winterfest. But most of you are probably season pass holders or employees that get in for next to nothing.... not exactly cash in Paramount''s pockets for such an endeavor.

OK, be realistic. What would there be to do at Kings Island in sub-zero temps in the middle of January/February? Whats more... who would want to go? At least christmas offers some sort of reason to come out... but once the lights are down...

nice thought WooferAtl.... but not likely to happen. Paramount uses the parks to get extra mileage out of their movies.... which is good marketing on their part. To bad the Shrek / most Steven Spielberg titles won't come with the Dreamworks deal.... would much rather see Donkey roaming the park than the Star Trek characters of a few years ago.

ok, i don't want to sound stupid... but are those actual shots.... or a computer generated image?

this may or may not be the right forum, but here goes anyway. My wife and I just made our 2005 visit to Winterfest... and a few things: I believe that the park was truly at it's BEST last night. though I was concerned to be driving up at 5:30 and see no lights on the tower (didn't know that it doesn't light until 6-- years ago, it was always on). International Restaurant was bustling with people (which was nice to see). the Festhaus has not looked that good in at least a decade (maybe more). The lights on the Intl St. buildings looked good (i hope they carry that into the operating season... now that all the bulbs are changed/work). The souvenirs were all reasonably priced (at least I thought so). OK, Holiday Junction was a little hokey... but it's a Christmas show.... which ones aren't. And the actors seemed to really enjoy doing it (though I don't think in 32 years I've ever seen the line for the trains that long). the show at the paramount theater was great. Hokey as well.... but lots of enthusiasm and great energy. was also pleased with the amount of times that the upcoming holiday was referred to as christmas. The thermometer said 32... but my word it seemed like -32. I remember going there in my early 20's and it being in the teens, single digits... didn't care. Now I wonder, "why on earth would anybody with half a brain freeze their a## off like that more than once?" The ONLY suggestion I would even have unfortunately is with the marquee attraction..... the Eiffel Tower/tree. OK- the schizzo light show was annoying. Sometimes the lights were on; then only half on; then only the corners, then they were off all together..... then they were dim. Made it difficult to take picutres... and actually have the tree in the background. Suggestion.... just leave them on.... and turn the tower lights off.... looks more like a tree that way..... AND- call me a "purest"- but I ditch the paramount logo and go back to the traditional one-star approach. none of that takes away from the experience though. The park was at it's best last night.... employees and decor. I don't know what festival some harsh critics were at (maybe they were at Carowinds accidentally). if you're disappointed because not enough was open or doesn't match your PKI experience. then you want to go to Kings Island in July.... not Winterfest in December.

found it. Posted September 19, 2002. Here is the link, though of course the site says that the page can no longer be found. From: aeilerman Date: Thu Sep 19, 2002 11:59 pm Subject: King Cobra For Sale aeilerman Offline I have found the web-site that is selling the King Cobra from PKI. here is the link http://www.italintl.com/coaster/index.htm