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Thanks for the information on the show. When we were there last Sunday June 24 we really enjoyed the show very much. It is truly nice to have so many shows to attend through out the day as we get tired of staying in Nickelodeon area for a large part of the day. Also a note to other parents before the show starts they have a few workers dressed up in 60 style costume and try to get the crowd into it but also one worker brings out a few hula hoops to keep the kid occupied while waiting for the show to start. Nice extra touch. <object width="640" height="527"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910634;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910634;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910634;" width="640" height="527" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Also at least one performer is filling in another part when we attended the show. And here is a very short 25 second clip to give you all a sample of how great this show and how professional these performers are. Enjoy! <object width="640" height="527"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910658;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910658;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910658;" width="640" height="527" wmode="transparent"></embed></object>

Yes my daughter and her friend (both almost 7) enjoyed the show as well. Here is a 23 second sneak preview for your enjoyment. <object width="640" height="527"><param name="movie" value="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910589;"></param><param'>http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910589;"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://avatar.phanfare.com/video/2;19910589;" width="640" height="527" wmode="transparent"></embed></object> Also a note to KICentral members; make sure if you are going to stand to watch this show please make sure you are not blocking the view of the small children the show is geared for them. I am sure you will get just as much enjoyment from watching the small children reacting to the show as you will from watching the show itself.

Thanks guys for not jumping down my throat for voicing my opinion, as most of you who have hung around this board know I will give accolades to when the park/employees do good things so I feel in return I should voice my displeasure when I feel things are not going right in my opinion (I feel this gives one credibility when voicing their opinion/s). I felt like asking for a refund the last time we went after the height changes stopped from riding on a few rides that my daughter rode the last couple years and on that day we were stuck on SDHC because it was raining outside. So I don’t feel like my remarks are a knee jerk reaction but one of truly feeling that KI is not running in a fashion that I feel that I need to have a season pass for. I am not saying that we will not come back but only that we need to go other places while Cedar Fair runs KI in the manner that they are and it is their prerogative to do so as it is mine to drastically curtail our visits to KI. As the ride height restrictictions we are able to go to other parks with similar rides and ride them. On our last visit we took my daughters friend and every time she wanted a drink we had to buy her a $3.00 soda just for her to take 4 drinks from, because we did feel she would not want to be drinking after us as we share drinks. What it all boils down to for us is this; What ever the reason for the changes rain, prices height restrictions, and now no holiday entertainment on our planned holiday visit is not working for us. So do we keep coming back while being disappointed or do we move on? It’s not saying we will never be back but we are saying maybe we should look else where for our family weekend trips for now. Thanks for letting me express myself as I’m sure I am not the only feeling this way, but I just feel that I need to be honest about my feelings about my beloved KI at this time.

Justified or not, because of Cedar Fairs debt load or because other venues are charging similar prices, I think it is note worthy to see what the public perception is and has become about the prices at Cedar Fair Kings Island. In the thread link above the posters are using KI as an example of the highest prices at amusement/theme parks in the country. I just wonder what the average park guests goes away thinking about the prices; feels good about it or views it as a negative and how does that opinion effect their decision on coming back in the future. Note; more negative comments from guest have been posted on that thread since I put the link up a few days ago. Also I have not left a post in that thread, it’s just good to see that folks are getting fed up with the high prices that everyone is charging so much so that they are starting to speak-out about it. I hope it continues.

I used to never go over the 4th of July holiday to any amusement parks in fear of crowds. My wife talked me into going a couple years ago on the forth, Paramount offered a lot of extra entertainment and a special fireworks show and this went on for several days. I loved the it so much that I vowed to come back every year because we enjoyed not riding the rides as much but all the extra activities while everybody else was stuck in lines else where. We have been looking forward to coming over on the 4th as we have in the past to enjoy another fun filled day at KI. Since I own a business and work on July 2,3,5,6 we can only come over on the 4th which is Independence Day the day this country celebrates its Freedom. Well according to the Wisdom of someone at KI, they are only having its special firework show on the 3rd which is still a work day for most Americans plus no extra holiday festivities announced that I can see for either the 3rd or 4th of July. I am very disappointed with Cedar Fair KI at this point and I think this is my breaking point, if I could receive a refund for my families’ season passes I would take them up on it. The only bright point that I have seen is a somewhat cleaner park, new shows and a new used ride. But to my family we are no longer able to ride some rides as a family like we have done in the past because of the new ride height requirements and the new rain/sprinkle policy has made us cancel a planed trip to KI in the recent past as we don’t want to take a chance any longer, just to sit in a light sprinkle. I can afford the high prices but refuse to be blatantly taken like that. Now with the absence of an Independence Day Celebration on the forth I just don’t think KI is the best place for my family to spend our family fun time. I mean they play the National Anthem everyday when the park opens but no 4th of July celebration on the fourth how pathetic. I give up with Cedar Fair I liked Paramount’s vision for overall family entertainment much better except for Paramount’s lack of shows. Some my say good reddens for my opinions here put please remember that this it is just my opinion and I’m just telling it the way that I feel so that maybe others can see an unbiased opinion as to how some are feeling about the way they are seeing it.

Let’s hope not, GWL is expensive enough without Cedar Fair getting involved.

The DIS Board is the largest discussion forum for most things relating to Disney. I came across this thread on that Board discussing the food prices of KI compared to Food prices at Disney after a few other members thought Disney’s food prices was too high. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1489276 I just thought it was a good way to see how guests feel about KI and Cedar Fairs prices, from an unbiased perspective.

A friend of mine turned me onto going to KI on Fathers Day as yes it is much less crowded as other typical Sundays. In fact we have not missed a Fathers Day at KI in years. Sadly we will not be going this year on Fathers Day as they are predicting the temperature to be in the mid nineties plus the fact of the high prices for drinks and such, we just are not as motivated to go as often unless conditions are just right for us. Go and have a great time, let us know how it turned out for you.

Several years back we had no problem taking in baby formula into Kings Island. As for partaking in attractions, there really are only a few things that you will feel comfortable doing with an infant and parents just have that instinct for what they feel comfortable with as you already know. We took my 16 year old son with his friend to Kings Island while my daughter was only 2 months old. Have a great time.

I am not the smartest man but I think the attendance figures will dip down even further for the CF chain, and I could see it coming. For us to come over it cost us $55.00 in gas for the round trip and now since KI has a new rain/sprinkle policy that keeps us home when we would have come otherwise (like this past weekend). Strike 3 for us is the high food and beverage prices. I truly think that KI guests will come and see the prices and will think twice about the cost of the total trip next time, which will translate in fewer guests through the gates as time goes forward. I think that Firehawk could not have come to KI at a better time as that IMHO will help KI’s attendance numbers some. For us we have came up with a plan so that we can still come over often but will include “The Beach Waterpark” with mid afternoon visits for 20% discount on food and free soda after our mornings visits to KI.

Nice informative read, I enjoyed your perspective as a fellow business owner. Thanks for taking the time to do a trip report and I look forward to more trip reports about your travels.

Yes, My 6 year old daughter loves that place.

Um – I never bashed Golden Corral. I just said that KI Wings Buffet was a step down from them. I guess if you think KI Wings Buffet is so bad and that Golden Corral is only a step up from Wings, then I can see where you may have thought I was bashing Golden Corral. I do like both places but Golden Corral a lot more, because of the great variety of selections and oh yes much cheaper. Yes; I have eaten there. When I ate there (I tend to eat at non busy times) the food was just ok and dried out a bit, my Hamburger bun crumbled apart from being too dried out. If you read the menu description it is what it is nothing special.

IMHO; it’s OK but for $15.00 it really should be more. I would say it is a step down from a Golden Coral buffet. I think after hearing the comments from other KI guest this past weekend about the high food prices, I think that you will start to see a lot more tailgaters in the parking lot. Just a matter of time.

I honestly did not feel that Disney’s food prices was higher than KI but in deed slightly lower, as far as the quality of the food in flavor and variety Disney is the leader IMO. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=773269 I try not to compare Disney to other amusement/theme parks as Disney is in a whole class by themselves and it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Now as far as prices go at KI three times at three different food locations I witnessed other guest turning around to complain/make remarks about the prices to other guest still in line. 1) At Outback Shack; Valued Customer complained about $3.19 chocolate milk for her toddler 2) At Ice Cream; (Nickelodeon Universe) Valued Customer made remarks about the high price for the Kids Cones $2.99 while for only 30 cents more $3.29 for the regular cone with almost 3 x the amount of ice cream as the kids cones. Guests thought KI was taking advantage of the parents through the kids. 3) At Wings Dinner Buffet; Valued Customer made remarks about the high price for the basic buffet and said that for that price they should have a better selection. I know KI can charge that much and make money but I hope they realize how much they are upsetting their Valued Customers. Disney and the Beach Water Park offers it Season Pass holders 20% off food.

Hey PKIVortex; we are going to KI tomorrow and I will try to be there right when the ride opens so I won’t have a long wait. Otherwise I will not ride because I don’t want to leave my daughter and her friend to long with the wife. What I’m getting at is this; I don’t wear T-Shirts much, especially with advertisements on them, so if you will PM me and let me know what size you wear I will try to get that size for you since you will be sidelined for this coaster for awhile. Just don’t want you to miss out on all the fun. BTW I will let you know if I got it late Sunday/early Monday, then you can give me your address then.

They were playing piped in CD music last year 2006, but the actual band organ was still in place last year (just not in playing operation). Here is a couple pictures of the Band Organ last year in place.

Disney rumor reignited By Kathryn Buckstaff News-Leader A request for road improvements for a $1.1 billion theme park in Newton County has led to new speculation about the Walt Disney Co.'s interest in southwest Missouri. Rumors that a Disney attraction was coming to Branson were rampant in the mid-1990s. Now, Newton County Commissioners are investigating whether Disney could be linked to a theme park proposal made earlier this month. Jerry Carter, Newton County Presiding Commissioner, said the notion arose after Todd Marshall, who said he represented a Springfield company called ARM Risk, attended the April 12 commissioners' meeting. Carter asked about changes on county roads leading to the location the company is considering for a theme park. A list of specifications Marshall gave the commissioners included first-phase construction costs of $1.1 billion, land purchases of 1,000 acres with the park taking 100 acres, six hotels, 95 shops, 27 rides, 12 stages and 18 restaurants. "We want to be cautious and careful," Carter said. "We live in an opportunistic world and sometimes things come along we can't even conceive of." A possible Disney connection was raised when commissioners checked the company owners. On a form called "Registration of Fictitious Name" filed with the Missouri Secretary of State's office in March for ARM Risk, three owners are listed. Corporations routinely file such forms. The owners are Michael Hill of Wilmington, Del.; Robert Brown, who lists his address as 500 South Buena Vista St., Burbank, Calif.; and Jason Johnson, who lists his address as Corporate Office, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. On the Internet, commissioners found that the Burbank address is corporate headquarters of the Walt Disney Co. Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is headquarters of Walt Disney World Resort. Officials at Disney headquarters in Burbank said the company would not comment on the matter. The secretary of state's office has only an administrative role in filing business registrations, said communications assistant Ryan Hobart. When someone signs the registration, he or she is legally bound to give correct information, Hobart said. ARM Risk's address is listed as 1926 S. Glenstone Ave., Suite 353, Springfield, on the registration. Todd Marshall could not be reached for comment. No phone listing could be obtained for ARM Risk. Carter, who is 71, is a Newton County native. He said that such a project would forever change the county. The area where the company is seeking to buy land is mostly small acreage and some farms of 60 to 100 acres, Carter said. It is in the southwest quadrant of the junction of U.S. 71 and Interstate 44. Some residents would be interested in the project, and some wouldn't, he predicted. "We're right between two of the largest growth areas in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas, so we are becoming accustomed to shock here," Carter said. Just to the south is the Bentonville area and to the north is Joplin. "It'll never be what it used to be." In Branson, Herschend Family Entertainment spokes- woman Lisa Rau said they had not heard of the plans. The company owns the Silver Dollar City and Celebration City theme parks and other attractions. Ross Summers, director of the Branson Lakes/Area Chamber of Commerce, said he also had heard of no such plans by Disney. "These Disney rumors have floated around here for as long as I can remember," Summers said. Developer Glenn Patch heard lots of Disney rumors after he purchased 7,000 acres of land just south of Hollister in the early '90s. His land is now the site of two golf courses, upscale homes and a commercial airport in development. "When I was first coming here, I thought about painting a pair of black ears on my plane just for the fun of it," Patch said.

I am a little concerned about the higher prices for soda's at other former Paramount Parks and then a possible shake down of guest who may need to take some other actions to be able to afford to show their family a good time. The parents of most families would really love to buy their children a souvenir while visiting Kings Island. I'm just getting worried that the Parks are forcing some families t choose between a extra soda drink or souvenirs. I'm just concerned at this point but I am going to wait to see with my own eyes about the food and drink prices before make I make an opinion statement.

I can assure you that your efforts are greatly appreciated.

My I ask; did you take these pictures yourself? Or Where you present during these photo shoots? Or Are you just the lucky keeper of the old KI photos?

You the man!!! Wow thanks for the KC pictures

Maybe Pepsi is not offering a better deal than what Coke is already under contract for, for the new Cedar Fair Parks. So if the debt load is making all their decisions, it may just come down to the best deal between the two.

More food choices & variety is always a good thing. The last time when we went into the Festhaus I felt like it really needed to have more food choices, so if it can not be located on International Street then I think Festhaus is the next best choice as far as location goes. I just hope that the if they are going to keep the arcade games in the Festhaus, that they will turn them down to an inside dinning acceptable level. I did not even go in their to have dinner last year because of the arcade noise level.

^You know self promoting is a true refection of ones self! Also bill, I thought maybe since you took the kids to opening day maybe they would be interested in another old time classic. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaKjRyPjVY"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaKjRyPjVY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEaKjRyPjVY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>