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Besides KI, Disney World because I like heavy theming attractions and shows. Plus having a 7 year old to watch the magic through makes me a bit more biased. Believe it or not we just got back from a 15 day trip to the world and we still where not able to get it all done. So many parks, special events, parades so little time. <object width="640" height="533"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;28451333;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;28451333;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;28451333;" width="640" height="533" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> We also had a sit down dinner (some with shows) everyday which did take up some time which gave us a much needed break. <object width="640" height="533"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;28510849;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;28510849;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/3;28510849;" width="640" height="533" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> We only left the Disney property one day to go to Port Orange Beach, but other than that we ate all meals and stayed on Disney property for the whole trip. That’s why I love Disney World.

My guess would be that someone got a splinter in one of their fingers at one of Cedar Fair Parks and you know they take safety very serious, so they probably came up with a new rule to not let guest store their items in bins for their own safety.

Gabriel; looks like a memorable life changing trip, I am glad you are able too experience such a trip. Thanks for taking the time to share, enjoy the rest of your trip.

Dolly Wood must have a different insurance carrier than Cedar Fair!! Some how Dolly Wood still lets their families ride the River Rapid rides as a family. In all actuality that ride sounds like a blast.

Sorry my friend, if you are going to go over a Christmas Break form school then you will be into their holiday rate season. During the holiday season they rarely offer any discounts and as mentioned in a earlier post, there are times when it is necessary to close some Disney parks due to crowd sizes. As far as looking for codes I recommend two sites MouseSavers.com http://www.mousesavers.com/ DIS http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93

For the past two years and this being Disney’s third. They have offered the Disney Dinning Package for free to entice guests to come during their slow time and also because of the hurricane season in which Disney is a certified hurricane ready facility and has only shut down a few times because of them. As you said in your post it costs 10 and over $40.00 a day and those under about $12.00 per day. Our last trip we paid $79.00 a night and received the Disney Dinning Package at no charge worth $132.00, not to mention all the free transportation included in our room rate. It does sound to good to be true but that is what they offer so we will continue to take advantage of this deal when ever they offer it. Keep in mind Disney dining plan also tips the waiter 18% for you. Here is one of our free entrée that we had using the free Disney Dinning Package Mine Wife’s Copied from the DIS site more info regarding the special promotion. Also I am including a link that explains the details about the DDP http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=19...amp;postcount=1

That usually depends on your availability to go and the three times of year that WDW is slower due to school schedules. 10th of January to Presidents day are low crowd times but guests complaining about colder temps during that time. Most of May is also good but it tends to be Hot. Very Late August through September is also a great time to go for low crowds but as mentioned in another post it is hurricane season, so if you go then stay on property and buy the trip insurance to cover your costs if a hurricane disrupts your trip. We went last year and are planning another trip this year for the end of September. Last year we did not wait in hardly any lines plus we got the cheapest hotel rates offered for that year. If by chance you plan a trip in the early fall keep in mind Disney offers a Free Dinning promotion during late August through September. Basically you pay the lowest rack rate for your on property Disney hotel room (this year our rate is $82.00 per night) This is what we receive for that rate of 2 adults &2 children under 18. * Disney picks up our luggage at baggage claim and puts it in our room, and when leaving they take our bags from our room to our airline for us * Free Buss transportation back and forth from the airport to our hotel, Busses show a Disney informative video while in route. * Transportation to and from our hotel to all WDW destinations. * Hotel Room * Free Meal plan for each member in our party everyday which includes 1 snack 1 counter service meal (drink, meal, desert) and 1 Table service (waited on , menu) which includes for each person an appetizer, entrée, drink and desert choice. Because it’s Disney they also cover the taxes and tips for the waiters. So for $82.00 a night it covers all the above mentioned perks for my whole party. As far as tickets go we get the 7 day pass for $223.65 which breaks down to $31.95 a day. IMHO Disney is very affordable when you go off season and look for the deals. We will continue to try to go during September as long as they continue the current Fall promotion. I suggest the DIS site http://www.wdwinfo.com/chat.htm for general WDW information and TGM site http://www.tourguidemike.com/index.asp for paid inside information about WDW tips and tricks. Good Luck - Have Fun Planning

Yes…thank God for putting you and the respiratory therapist a close to that man at the time he needed you most and Thank-You for your wisdom, fast action and for jumping right in for another fellow human being.

Wow sounds like Dolly Wood really values it’s season pass holders. PKIVortex I hope you have a great time. I can’t wait to do (hear) your trip report.

I knew 08 04 07 was a for a date but when I keep seeing the Steam Trains in the Avatar’s I thought (hoped) for a train tour too. Sounds like fun.

Ryan – I 100% agree with you that we probably will not see a Disney run park in Ohio in the foreseeable future, except for some reason if GWL and Disney got together. I do think Cedar Fair will make some necessary changes and will be the owners for some time to come. I think that if other members thought that if/when Cedar Fair bought Paramount parks that Cedar Fair would have a huge cash flow available for such expenditures then they over estimated Cedar Fairs abilities. Secretly inside I wished a company that has deep pockets available to really enhance KI potential would have bought them. I am not getting any younger and I would have enjoyed seeing the full potential that Kings Islands could offer if the right invisionest got a hold on KI

Several weeks back speculators where saying that Disney was looking into purchasing existing established regional parks and hotel/water parks that resided in already established tourist areas. That said I though it was odd when I was doing some research on the GWL yesterday and saw where they where having Radio Disney coming to the lodge and was advertising several pirate activities for the kids. As far as do I wish Disney would buy Cedar Fair I really wished they would. Because it would force other surrounding parks to better quality offerings as far as shows and rides go. Disney is not for everybody but they do what they do so well and that forces other parks in the surrounding areas of one of their parks to do it right and something that the public would really enjoy to compete and to offer an alternative to Disney. Disney has named their top roller coasters unique names; Such as Mt. Everest, Space Mountain, Rock N Rollercoaster which puts FOF to shame, just to name a few. Disney owning KI would be a dream comes true for me as I know that it would improve the quality of our park experiences around this region.

Jessica C Sounds like you are really looking forward to seeing your young boy experiencing riding some of his favorite Nickelodeon Characters. Your response was 2 days and 2 nights so I will offer a couple options. First of all just let me say that if you are really just coming over for your little ones to spend time in Nickelodeon Universe and little time else where in the park. Then I think that you should only do 2 half days at the park and maybe having a nice dinner outside the park in the evening with your family for some quality quite relaxing time. You can always go back to the park for ice cream and fireworks if that is your family’s thing. Just my suggestion with the information you provided and it is only meant as a courtesy suggestion. Suggestion 1 Since your children are so young I do not believe that the hotel will matter that much if you are planning to just sleep there and your children are still just a bit too young to enjoy a pool at the hotel, especially since you would have Boomerang Bay available to you at KI. So I would just do a hotel search online and look for a price to fit your needs within 20-30 minuets from KI. I know it seems like a hassle to leave the park to get something to eat especially since your children are so young, but that is realistically even better reason for you guys to do so. Kids get over stimulated at the park and the quite time gives kids a chance to get away and recharge their emotions. As a parent too I know how bad it can get if kids get tired and them fight through their emotions. I believe this trip is for the whole family so please consider a small break and afterwards I believe you will realize how helpful it was for you guys to take the break and how easy it was without taking too much park time away. Suggestion 2 If you can afford a little more even if it was just for one night (second night). With your children being so young I would highly suggest the Great Wolf Lodge for your family. They are a full service hotel with food choices for every meal right in the lodge and is a short walk to KI main entrance. This way you would be able to come and go as you please even if you wanted a quick nap, your husband (?) could stay behind to enjoy the rides and would be able to walk back to the lodge to join back up with you when he was ready. The fact that they have a nice indoor water park is very appealing to parents with small children and it has been so hot this year, plus it rains during your planned trio you will still have plenty to do. They offer a special kids place to make crafts and as of late they have been doing a lot of pirate promotions of face paintings and pirate storytelling by the fireplace. I really don’t suggest GWL a lot but I truly think in your case (if you can) the Great Wolf Lodge offers your best option for a overall family vacation. Keep in mind that if you do go to GWL that you can use all the facilities at the Lodge until 10 PM of the day you check out. Good luck on planning and please let us know if we can further help you in any way. Also please consider doing a trip report when you get back so we all can hear about your families adventures. Have lots of fun!!!

As far as prices go the average park guests does not know who owns the KI so technically this would be year 2 for them as to seeing high prices. IMO the damage has already taken hold for most KI guests and is now starting to show at the gates and I fear will only get worse. I Think Cedar Fair should have advertised that they had taken over and lowered the prices and that KI is now a great place to go for affordable family fun, but that did not happen and I know I have greatly reduced our trips as I know others have too. Here in Indiana the Department of Natural resources announced yesterday (7/9/07) that even though they have raised the prices this year to $4.00 a car to enter their parks and $5.00 on weekends, that they are on pace to break attendance records this year for their public parks. This told me that the public is still getting out but that they are looking for cheaper more affordable alternatives.

JessicaC I am always glad to see families going to KI for a few days for some special family time. We would often come over to Cincinnati and stay 1-3 nights to take in KI and other surrounding family activities. To be fair in answering your questions as for me to suggest a Hotel/motel/lodge I would need to know if your family was staying for just one night and if you will be going to other tourist destinations while there. Also are your children toddlers – teens – this also would make a difference to advice on hotel suggestions as well as food suggestions. When I see your response I will try to give you a few choices that we have found to be helpful for us. Example at this time of year all hotels near KI are around $90.00 -$120.00 for something decent for a family, but closer to downtown or northern Kentucky you can find hotels overlooking the river on weekend specials for around $75.00. It all just boils down to. 1 How long? 2 How old? 3 Other destinations? 4 What price range you are hoping for?

Since you asked hit play to start Roy Clark’s version of Dueling Banjos while you read my replies. <object width="679" height="50"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20909073;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20909073;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20909073;" width="679" height="50" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Jzarley – Yeah the Inn is very cool inside and out. They try to stay close to rustic furnishing while trying to offer modern conveniences too, such as a large TV, free WiFi, community puzzle table and lots of game tables set up ready to be played. Rooms are available in the Inn for approximately$49.00 - $89.00 a night depending on the time of year and if it’s in the inn or a cabin. In my opinion an outstanding deal and just to prove my point the pop machine sells 20oz bottled Coke products for $1.00. They do classify all of October as peak rates at the Inn, but still a good deal so I would reserve early as you can. Also if you do go in the fall call ahead to reserve your party a spot on a hayride through the park. Standbyme – I agree that they have added many nicer stairs and at times railings along the trails. Just be glad and grateful that they are publicly owned so we won’t haft to fear vending or counter services in the middle of the trails. I will also just add that I only seen a couple new places where they have put new stairs in since the very early 70’s. Back then the stairs were still there but just more crud, example they used to put up stairs then fill in the steps with dirt instead of being toped of with lumber. I would agree that this was of course more natural, the problem was that often when it rained the water running down the ravines would wash out some of the steps and in many times leave large puddles within the natural steps. Now with new technology and more revenue resources they are able to protect the ravines from the grueling foot traffic. Now I agree with you that at times they do seem to be going a bit over board as you can see in the photo below. Now as far as rails along some trails I think that on trail #9 along the 140 steps I think if the rails are not there guests could very easy lose track of the trail as seen in video below. <object width="678" height="500"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649203;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649203;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649203;" width="678" height="500" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> I think Turkey Run appeals to all ages.

Nice report Raptor, Glad to see/hear someone from this board went. Thanks for the detailed report especially the rides for all the ages.

This is my first Trip report in a long time as my business has required me to devote much more of my time to it as of late. But due to the Holiday I have been able to catch up a bit on some posting and thought that I would like to share a nice family trip alternative with friends here. My family typically likes to go to Kings Islands over the forth of July to watch and partake many special activities that the park has provided over the years, but due to some scheduling conflicts my family would have missed the Star Spangled Celebration this year at Kings Island. So we decided to go to Kings Island a couple weeks earlier (6/24/07) and to find another crowd free family activity that we could do together. I decided that since Miss Rae was close to the age of 7 that maybe it was time to take her on a time honored family trip to Turkey Run State Park in Marshal Indiana. Because of my work schedule we could only go from noon Tuesday the 3rd and all day on the 4th, which was plenty of time for us to fall in love with Turkey Run all over again. July 3rd 2007 We drove for about 1 hour and 50 minutes from Indianapolis to get to Turkey Run, which included a 15 minute stop by Wilkins Mill Covered Bridge Guest House to show the family the guest house that we would like to stay at for 10 days in October. Couple of pictures of the guest house and covered bridge below. Bridge sets about 30 yards away to the left of the guest house. Once we arrived at Turkey Run State Park we proceeded to go straight to Turkey Run Inn to check-in and to receive our cabin assignment for that evening, a short walk away from the Inn. After unpacking it was around 5 pm and we were a bit hungry so we decided to have the dinner Buffet for $9.99 at the Inn, which for the price was surprisingly good and plentiful Since we were at the Inn Lisa and Miss Rae suggested that they had seen several must need items at the gift shop and a couple of those items where must need items before we hit any trails. So we ventured in and got those items of a flash light that had colored lenses on it with wild animal depictions drawn on the lens and the most need item of a children’s walking stick with a bell attached to the top in case Miss Rae got lost she could just ring the bell till we found her. Since it was just 6:30 pm I felt that we had plenty of daylight left to hit our first trail to see how we would fare for the next day’s journey. I decided that Trail #6 which ran right past our cabin and was only .5 mile long and was rated to be moderate/rugged and would be the best trail for us this evening. Miss Rae posses for a picture at the start of the trail to show that all a city girl needs for a hike in the woods is a good hiking stick. The trail was short and ended with a spectacular view high above sugar creek called Sunset Point. They say during the summer months the sun sets right over the river between the trees. This short hike gave me confidence that Miss Rae and family would be fine for tomorrow’s hike. We still had time to play at the playground and swim for a couple hours after the hike. I must also include for a special moment that I shared with my daughter this evening. After all the activities from earlier Lisa was tired went to bed, but me and Miss Rae decided to sit outside the cabin in the dark to share some snacks, 1 Pepsi while we watched for various wildlife to wonder/fly by. Miss Rae would shine her new flashlight to get a better look at times and then explained (with visuals) to her father how she would use her hiking stick to protect them from any vicious wild predators. A true father/daughter moment. July 4th 2007 We went to the second floor overlook at the Inn to share some donuts and juice/coffee and to take in the beauty of the Inn’s grounds. We checked out around 11 am and headed to the Nature Center where two of the trails that we would be taking today would start. To get to Trail #3 and #9 we would need to cross Sugar Creek and the only way to do that was to cross a very long swinging suspension bridge. Both Trails were listed to be very rugged with Trail #3 being 1.7 miles long and Trail #9 being 1 mile. I felt that Miss Rae would be fine and would like the challenge as I remembered from visits from many years past to be fun and adventures. Picture and videos really don’t show you how vast, deep, steep and the ruggedness of the trails. But I will try to share the best that I can. We stayed on the trail at all times, so you will know when you see a picture or video just know we are on the trail. Short Video of Miss Rae at the beginning of the journey. <object width="678" height="500"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649128;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649128;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649128;" width="678" height="500" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Some pictures to show the ruggedness. Videos of walking up a cavern carved by a brook. <object width="555" height="417"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649141;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649141;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649141;" width="555" height="417" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> <object width="678" height="500"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649149;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649149;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649149;" width="678" height="500" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> About half way through it was necessary for us to climb down three sets of ladders. Miss Rae surprised me at her hands off abilities. I could go on and on but I think you all can get good feel now how the trails went for us and will put up my favorite one. <object width="678" height="500"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649167;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649167;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20649167;" width="678" height="500" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> As we finished Trail #9 we where very relieved to get a glimpse of the bridge in the distance. We finished our time at Turkey Run with a quick snack and enough time for Miss Rae to catch a small frog to take home to complete her introduction to the forests. After leaving the Park we were able to get back to Indianapolis in time to get a nice seat to watch the annual Fireworks shot off from the Union Planters Bank Tower. This is the last 6 minutes of the Grand Finale. <object width="678" height="500"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20670148;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20670148;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;20670148;" width="678" height="500" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> As we did miss not being at Kings Island on the forth of July as in the past, I think we have found another great alternative when such future schedules conflict. A great Forth of July! Jesse

Sorry to be so late getting around to reading your report but i just wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your families trip to Kings Island. I enjoyed reading your report and look forward to more from you.

Brilliant or not and for whatever reason they scheduled it only on the 3 rd instead of over several days, that decision motivated us to look other places to spend our holiday together. Admitting no fireworks alone on the fourth was not the deciding factor for us not to come, but it was also the fact that there was nothing extra as far as entertainment which is the big reason why we always try to come on the forth each year and vowed to make it a tradition. Here in Indiana most folks worked on the third and then started their vacations on the forth and for all those who commute to work through congested areas can back be up on this as the traffic Monday and Tuesday was a little lighter and then today significantly lighter. Two types of parks drawing different types of guests within the same company must adapt to what works for each park. Let me explain; Disneyland vs. Disney World Disney World is in a vacation destination and sees some locals and repeat yearly visitors but by far most guest passing through their gates are guests who only come once or with several years in-between. So Disney World tries to stick to a similar park offering throughout the year and makes modest changes here and there for the seasons but they want their guests to finally see the traditional shows that they have been hearing so much about through out the years. Disney Land also is a vacation destination but they have close to (or do have) one million season pass holders which make up for the majority of their gate. Disney Land operates as a continues every changing park but at the same time trying to stay true to there overall theme. But to maximize their gate they offer many special event promotions to keep their local season pass holders to come back often throughout the year. I think Paramount ran KI more like Disney Land to keep the regulars coming back often. I hope and would like to see that trend to continue with Cedar Fair.

I think this is great news for everyone involved including the guests and fans of the park. Don gets to come home and get paid to work at a place that he has shown passion for and did it just for the love of the park in the past. Cedar Fair gets a PR person who is known and highly respected in the community to help them communicate further dealings with the community. The guests and fan boys/girls have someone in the PR department who understands their love for the park and knows what type of information the community really would like to have or know about. I would like to give congratulations to Don and his family, but in truth, with this combination I think this is a more of a congratulations to everyone who is concerned with the park omatter what affiliation they have with the park.

Sorry – but I think you may have mistaken the pink elephant at KI for Dumbo at another park as those owners of that park would Never ever allow Dumbo to spray water in any guests face. That other park only wants happy guests to come off their attractions not some happy and then risk some angry or unhappy guest coming off their attractions after being sprayed with water in the face.. Yep…..they just want happy guests so they entertain their valued guests with great themeing and not cheap thrill trickery like spaying water in guests faces even if it was from a very lovable children’s favorite like Dumbo the Elephant.

Sorry Bill. We hastily changed our plans to got last weekend (7/24/07) instead of going on July 4th when we normal go, but because of the same ole same ole but more crowded day on the forth of July we decided to do something different this year. So we went then and are now really looking forward to going to Turkey Run State Park for something different. But truly we will be missing all the extra activities KI used to do on the forth as that was one day we vowed to never miss again. Hope all is well with you and your family. Jesse

I really like ridding WWC, we used to be able to go on but some how my 6 year old is no longer tall enough even though she rode it the past two years. We don’t ride Congo Falls because we don’t like to get drenched then ride the other rides in that area. We used to like going on Wild Thornberry’s River Ride after ridding WWC because we are already wet. We all (my family) have said several times through out the years I would like to ride WTRR but I don’t want to be sprayed by the Elephant. So it works for us sometimes and it doesn’t other times and the deciding factor for not going is because of the Elephant. If they put it up for a vote I would vote to either turn on all the water features on the ride our turn them all off so. We would vote to turn the Elephant off.

I have gone twice there myself and both times I was disappointed too. For me is that most hot items are dried out chicken, hamburger patties potato wedges and the other selections such as the green beans, corn, looked/tasted as if they were just poured out of a can. When we went they only offered two dessert items on the desert bar one was a small dry brownie and the other was a 21/2 inch by 21/2 inch carrot cake that even looked smaller sitting on the round paper salad plate. I have not been posting as much because I don’t always want to appear as being negative but I in this case I feel I need to warn a fellow park goer to what they should expect from Wings Buffet Restaurant. For $15.00 it needs to be a whole lot more than this. A couple pictures of food on our plates from our visit just over a week ago, notice in the picture you only get star foam plates and cheap thin plastic tableware not the good more durable thicker tableware. Adult plate Child plate I just will share one more story of another guest during our last visit. A female restaurant guest asked one of the associates working if they could get her a couple lids for her small Coke cups because she was worried her small children could spill their drinks and that without the lids it made it a bit harder for her kids to grasp the cups without the cups crushing in on itself. The Worker of wings responded with; “I’m sorry Mam but we do not offer lids to the drink cups in fear that some guests may take advantage of the restaurant and carry their drinks out” Guest responded with; They are worried about us taking advantage of them, let me tell you I Just paid over $50.00 for my family to eat dried out chicken!!”