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A couple years ago we came in on a Friday evening in May, checked in a hotel then went to KI which was a Math and Science Day. It was great the crowds were low but as I was talking to a parent from the Home School Program she said that the park was rotating ride operations and had limited food choices during the early part of the day. So keep that in mind if you think you may go during the day to one of those events.

You can do this yourself and just go back and copy and past your previous posts to the new thread so you won't lose what you have done this far. I was just suggesting to a moderator that they could do this for you if they felt like they wanted to do. But what ever happens keep on with your report I know I am really enjoying it so far.

Train Driver – I am loving your set-up for a recreation of Kings Islands Wild Animal Habitat Experience. Now have said that I do think you should create your own thread to do this for three reasons, 1) your hard work on this project deserves a thread of its own 2) If someone in the future tries to search for your creativity they may not know to search in this thread 3) Ronny started this thread about the progress of the old monorail status and we may be getting off track here. But would really love to watch you progress with your report. The moderators could break this thread at the start of Train Divers report move it, give it a name to help Train Driver with his creative work this far and to allow him to continue on while he is on a roll.

Speaking of monorails it’s nice to see Disneyland continuing and upgrading theirs. They actually look pretty cool to me, kind of futuristic throw-back look. http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homep...cle_1946743.php

I like seeing others photos of their park experiences Kings Islands or other Amusement/Theme parks, so I will give it a little bump. I don’t care if the pictures are slightly enhanced as that is also part of the artistic talent of the photographer too. I hope this thread continues. The Royal Fountain from the Eiffel Tower at Kings Island. Side Note; In some other popular Amusement/Theme park boards they have a section dedicated to photography and as popular as photography is with many members it would be nice to have a forum section in the community part of this board. Often a topic is started to ask questions on cameras or helpful hints on how to achieve certain shots. Also topics are started for members to post their favorite shot with certain rides, time of day, special events, photo game threads and photo contests.

I like this thread and would love to see more park pictures, I have several and found it hard to narrow it down, so since I like shows a lot I will share one from KI from some of the nicest and defiantly approachable group of entertainers I have seen. Here is a favorite one of mine from MGM Studious with the street performers.

That’s another reason why I love KIC, A place where I can go without a political slant put on threads. The admin’s do great job keeping politics away from KIC. One could say KIC is what it is but that would depend on what the definition of what is, is.

If I remember right Cedar Fair fad to pay for the licensing rights for the name of the rides and other Paramount names used within the park for many years to come, but if Cedar Fair changed those names in a certain amount of time then they were due a credit /refund in some way. So could it be possible for Cedar Fair to say in essence that because they are due that credit/refund for the paramount naming rights that they would like to use that credit /refund to be used for extending the use of the Nickelodeon naming rights? Then because Paramount would want to keep the money, they would be more inclined to bargain a fair price with Cedar Fair.

It’s the atmosphere!!!!!!! Hamburger – Hot Dogs – Chicken can be severed in an interesting and variety of ways, but in the end its still just hamburger, hot dogs and chicken. Even back in the days KI still served the same old foods but back then the restaurants had atmosphere. Wings had a western theme with the food being grilled out where guest could see it, Festhaus had shows in it, the International Street restaurant had a wonderful view, Stunt grill had seating outside where guest were able to watch monkeys at play and even in the kids area guests where able to take their snacks to a natural tunnel for an unique experience. As far as employees attitudes; I think it would be hard to stay up beat when serving over priced food to guests who have an expression of I’m being ripped off written all over their face. Sam2cpa on our last trip to MGM at WDW we did have lunch at Sci-Fi. There is plenty of atmospheres there, guests make reservations months in advance and no one complains about the $11.99 bacon cheeseburger or BBQ chicken for $13.99. Guests are having an unique dinning experience with their family at a theme park and if you asked my daughter what she ate she could not tell you, but she can tell you where she ate and that she wants to go back there! I think charging $3.50 for a hot dog at KI and then offering package condiments is a truly lazy way of doing things. I mean what would be wrong with making stand called Stadium Dogs and offering a condiment bar with cheese, onions, relish and other assorted condiments too. Then offer the guest some bleachers or stadium seats complete with cup holders, a fold down tray from the seat in front of them near a TV or sports memorabilia to give an stadium feel to it, heck charge $4.50, I think guests would like that. I try not to complain without trying to offer possible solutions, so here are a couple ideas – take it or leave it. Wings Buffet, keep it as a buffet but cater more to the kids and have characters go around to the tables to visit the kids for a private but fun experience (they could be cast members dressed –up for the area). Festhaus try to put a couple small skit shows in there and offer a hot condiment bar so guest can fix up their chicken and burgers with fresh tradition items but also sautéed mushrooms, onions peppers and assorted cheeses. International Street Restaurant I think in keeping with the international theme offer either an Italian or a Japanese Steak house. I think the Japanese Steak house would work real well as they could control the table turns to keep things on track plus it would attract a lot of attention when the chefs light the grill to give a quick flame. Stunt Grill could become the Stadium Dogs since it’s located in Action Zone. I also think a Stadium Dogs 2 could go in somewhere in at the water park. I truly think if KI would focus on the atmosphere of their eateries I think guest would get excited about eating there with their families and not focusing on the prices as much. With that I think the employees would be more relaxed around happy guest and would loosen up and enjoy their working conditions better. Just my two cents worth on this topic.

Something I have thought for sometime that KI could use and I believe could pay for it’s self over time is a great show on International Street. A show that would use the Royal Fountain being synced to a sound track of some type (event or seasonal), but the show could use the tower, characters or live performers to give it that extra wow factor. The area around the fountain would not be big enough to hold the event for a one time daily show (like a night show), so several day shows (2-3) would be necessary. That would work in KI favor as guest when coming/going or while waiting for the show would be shopping or eating/snacking. It would also make for a must get table with a view if International Street restaurant would ever reopen. To do this they probably would need to remove a lot of the trees to help guests to get a proper view. I think something like this could even be used to give the 4th of July and FearFest events a spectacular memorable show that the park could use to promote those events. But if KI ever did this they would need to make sure to really put some WOW moments in the show to get guests to return to International Street lined with restaurants and shops in the middle of the day on every trip to the park because they want to see the show every time they come to the park.

As one who has done both simulated safari type attractions at KI and DAK, I felt the similarities were so similar in so many ways except for the transporting of guests that I just wanted to share that as Ronny seemed to have not remembered KI WAH to be able to compare. I can understand that DAK may be of no value to some as Cedar Point was of no Value to my neighbor who went last summer. They said they really don’t like coasters, now I could see them really loving DAK.

I come here to see what’s going on at KI good or bad, I read what others have to say then form my own opinion about the subject at hand. Sometime's when I read certain posters and they always complain I put certain weight and value to their opinion as well as others who always shine the perfect world scenario at KI. If KI gives a No Charge season long parking pass as an incentive to early purchasers, then when the season starts they find out that the No Charge parking area really meant parking in the over flow part of the parking lot, then I hope posters would free to voice their displeasure, especially if they describe what they are displeased with. Now the jackets are constantly referred to be as being free when in a small way they are not. Cedar Fair tries to have as many season pass holders buy early so that they can show investors/stockholders and other interested parties that they have interest in their park as well as other financial uses. Cedar Fair see’s value in early season pass sales so they will often offer incentives worth value to the purchaser. The purchaser at times is inclined to make an early purchase to receive the incentive. Therefore the purchaser relinquished hard earned money that could have been used in other ways and there is value in that. In time Cedar Fair may offer less or take away incentives as they access value to their needs and my comment about the reason for lesser incentives. Also the purchaser may not find value in their part and may feel they would like to voice their opinion why they feel the way they do. In my opinion both are acceptable and I like to hear both sides.

Thanks Ryan for sharing your unique experience with us. It’s always good to hear insight to what’s going on in the parks. You do a great job on this site keeping us updated with what you can tell us. I look forward to future updates from you as well as from KI.

I am enjoying this whole thread from the first post and the conversation from there, let’s keep it going. But first I need to address Ronny’s comparison to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As great as KI WAH was keep in mind it was a section in the park which at the time was magnificent, but Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a whole park so large that you can fit Magic Kingdom, EPCOT and MGM Studious inside Animal Kingdom with room to spare, not to mention a much larger variety of wild animals. Animal Kingdom also does a lot of research and care for the animals in the wild and has the resources to keep on the cutting edge. Now for the similarities of the two parks, both had/have an attraction to simulate a Safari. KI WAH used a monorail to move guest through the habitat which was used to keep the guest cool, informed and safe, which at the time was spectacular from a guest point of view. DAK Safaris uses large motorized trucks to move guests through the habitat to give a more life like safari experience. There are no windows to look through and you get the wide open feeling complete with all the bumps, sounds and smells of the environment that you are in. The driver or guide inform guest on what they are seeing and where to spot various animals, you can also asks questions while on Safari. On my last trip the driver had to stop twice once because of a giraffe came so close to the vehicle and literally lowered his head to look at us as if he was going to join us, if I had wanted to I could have touched him. If I had to compare the two I would tell you both experiences are/were wonderful and both where unique in their own way in their own time. I am very thankful for KI WAH to being one of the pioneers of the Safari experience.

Be careful what you ask for because it could end up being a rolling coaster black-out through the day. Meaning one coaster would shut down for an hour then another, then another. Few years ago we were going to freeze to death, and then came the ozone layer and now global warming. I wonder what’s next

I don’t think gabelogan99 was expecting anything other than to let another poster not to expect much. I know I would not want to have my business name stitched on a cheap promotional product because my customers my not buy into my cheap gimmick promotions in the future. That’s just me though.

For those who have not went to the Newport Aquarium I would recommend it, especially during these colder months as it’s to cold to enjoy the zoo and KI is closed. I think if you go in with the attitude of looking for a casual afternoon of doing something different and not rush through it you will have a great time. But if you try to critique the exhibits and compare it to other entertainment venues then you will find short falls and probably walk away with a so so experience. Ryan I know your schedule is hectic (especially last year) this time of year but I think as a inspiring marketing field you should try to make an effort to go to see how other types of venues need to promote their offerings. I think you would gain more out of a trip to the Newport Aquarium than most casual observers.

The children need to know that their sea faring friends are not forgotten during the Holiday’s and this show reassures them that they are not. Santa talks to the guests in the audience and even poses for pictures after the show. Wife forgot to turn the flash on in this picture.

So is this Denver in the upper left hand of this picture? He was getting a fair amount attention as he made his apperance that day.

We went last year on Christmas Eve on our way home from our stay at the Great Wolf Lodge and I must admit it was very tastefully done and a unique experience.

So sad they are now saying see has died from her injuries. Also it says she was standing in an off limits area of the attraction when the car hit her, so sad.

Exactly – and if they get them enthused about DCA that will translate to a lot of new visitors who love to stay on property and spend money on all things Disney. One more thought to add – is that the age group of most Disneyphiles is usually 30+ plus years old.

I always enjoy how you say it without saying it LoL... he must know something that I don't. To me it seems Interpreter always knows something most others do not. I always read Interpreters posts as "Those who know, do not talk". although, Interp reads between the lines very well as far as i can tell. He's kinda like a blue-ray player and the rest of us are like DVD players. lol I would haft to agree, as to when it comes to those who have amusement/entertainment park sage, Interpreter defiantly falls into that category. A little sage goes a long way!

OH…..where to start, changing the front around will hopefully pay for itself in time by slowing the guest down enough down the new old main street. But also because of the Disneyphiles (what Jim refers to as what we call a KI fan boy) do like to travel around to see various Disney parks and DCA is not high on their list. So if they do include several target attractions that appeal to all ages and groups, then they will attract the locals for the rides and the Disneyphiles travel to their park and to stay awhile. So I do think that Disney has wisely tried to appeal to target specific guest needs to bring in needs including a plan to get guests (Disneyphiles) to spend more money which is the bigger picture here.

Bill awesome trip report! Your detailed explanation of each ride complete with a POV of the ride has got me yearning for a trip to Chuck-Cheese to help me get trough the winter months away from Kings Island. Also how many quarters would you say I would need to have a fun evening there? Also do you know if there are any area hotels or lodges in the area? I’m thinking of GWL what do you think?