Avatar

Daughters school started a bit later than normal this year July 25. We LOVE the spread-out schedule, instead of a very long summer we get to a long Fall break and extra 2 weeks on winter break and spring break. The school achievement scores have been remarkable and has earned national recognition. Several years back I wondered how long it would take for other school districts to change to present times instead of following a century old school scheduled that was designed for life when the children did not have summer break but got out during the summer to help work around the farm. Since then many area township school districts have started earlier with a variation to the alternative schedule too. Just this year The Indianapolis Public Schools started this year to make the switch as well but they go nine weeks then break to include the whole week of Thanksgiving off. They have programs for children who fall behind during those break times and if those who want to stay in school during the break there is special activity opportunities for them. So instead of getting 12-13 weeks in the summer they get 8 weeks off with those extra weeks spread throughout the year. Most who go through it a year love the change, but like everything else change is hard. Honestly I think it should be what is best for the children ad I know many say they must have social skills too which is funny as they go the same number of days. It works for us as we like to spread our family travel throughout the year. It seems as the more school districts look at the advantages of the schedule they gravitate to it like a snowball going down hill. Here in Indiana that snowball is huge and the momentum of it is at almost full speed ahead. Seasonal destinations are against it for obvious reasons but they will adapt over time and often times they can see how this can work to their advantage. Such as Camps could be used more as a year round opportunity and not just for summer camps and so on. .

I have always felt that every owner of Kings Island truly cared/cares about the park and in looking back I can point out flaws and appreciable enhancements. But the thing I believe the most is that the current owner of Kings Island at any given time is doing a great job keeping guests happy.

Wow Princes Zoe is beautiful and her pick of Rapunzel was a great choice for her. I Love love love the Photo Pass picture of her face in the hand held mirror. That is why I buy the Photo Pass every-time we go, the photographers know some great angels to make a memory more special and plus the family photographer gets to be in some of the pictures too. Your question about has anyone else took their daughter to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (BBB), of course I have taken Miss Rae there to enjoy a wonderful make over memory. In fact when ever we go with friends or relatives who have a young daughter who has not been to Magic Kingdom I all but insist they go to BBB as it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do this for their current Fantasyland state of mind. The memories last forever and the price may be a bit costly but as I have said in other reports in time the pictures and the memories created this will end up being one of the best money spent on vacation. I hope you don't mind if I share Miss Rae's BBB reaction in hopes that some here will see how worth it is in time and money to experience such a magical moment for the whole family. Princess Rae seeing her princess look for the first time at BBB Right after it all soaked in and she realized it was truly her in the mirror. So true in what you said about the little princess walking around feeling so proud and special after a BBB makeover. The Disney Cast members really go out of their way to address them as princesses and it seems when the parades go by they get extra waving attention from other princesses and cast members. I have heard many say "I would never spend that much money to get into Magic kingdom and then spend more money to do that and the time no way!!" . Honestly the ones who have done the BBB experience that I know of have always said how glad the were in doing it and it seems to be a be one of their special memory moments while on vacation. The rides and attractions will always be their but young pirates and princesses do grow up fast. I will share just one more picture the the Photo Pass folks took, we ended up blowing it up to poster size and framing it to hang in Miss Rae's room. Thank You RaiLRider for sharing your special vacation memories with us it sure has brought back some of my favorite Disney memories too. I get horrified at the thought of not have taken advantage of a awesome opportunity now and the thought of not having these photos available to see now that Miss Rae is getting much older. I so look forward to your next update!!!!

Great break down of the rides and your rating off them. Funny thing for me is that i have never rode Ragging Rapids from all my trips to Holiday World, I'm glad you just forgot to add it to your original post and did not forget to ride it like myself.

I really enjoyed reading your report as I have been longing to do a family trip to the area. I may be getting back to you for some suggestions in the near future. The pictures you took were stunning, the report was informative and I truly enjoyed the read.

Thanks for taking the time to do this report, I always enjoy seeing others photos to see the park from their point of view. Glad to hear you had fun at the park.

Good to see you posting again jmceowen but please do nit hold your breath. If by late Wednesday night no announcement is made other than a few maybe that was the announcement announcements, then the future announcements should fit in with the 2012 or Haunt threads.

Dollywood seems to be doing this with several other forums as well and not with just screamscape. The letter always comes as if it is from Dolly herself.

Yep and I did close the FB 2012 one but left the long running whats coming 2012 thread open. This one will most likely get closed late Wednesday.

To avoid further confusion we are going to close this thread and refer future comments to the all ready very long 2012 thread. http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16794&st=420 Topic now closed.

Thanks for the timeline correction KIfan1980 yes Cedar Fair did take over in July 2006 and within that month is when the SOB accident occur ed which brought about the the delooping of SOB. Maureen was still the spokesperson for the KI and answered all question she could about the incident here on KICentral. She was at least part of the press releases about the removal of the SOB delooping.

The Son of Beast loop was taken out about a year before Cedar Fair bought the Paramount parks. So.....Don was hired after the Cedar Fair take over so he had no directional use for it and the then KI spokes person Maureen said they moved it off property to be sold for scrap. So the claim of it being moved to Geauga Lake is very unlikely since at the time they were two separate companies.

My post #301 of this thread is the last official word we have heard of this issue from the park. As said then do not anticipate a August announcement as factual because of something WLWT reported.

Through the history of Kings Island the then & now owners have spent the money on capital improvements to include high priced coasters. I am sure Kings Island will continue to invest heavily in coasters when they feel the time is appropriate finically and for customer satisfaction. Although if you have 20 - 30 million dollars you would like to give to Kings Island to allocate it's use to be for a new coaster, I am sure they would accomadate your wish.

Agree Dave let us know if you hear anything more.

OH my this last update has got me tearing up. You are such a great dad and you have definitely went above and beyond. I just love love those pictures of the little ones when they meet their favorite fantasy characters. Such great family memories you have been experiencing. Question from earlier and sorry to be so long to ask, At the Cinderella Royal Table breakfast do they still serve the princess (our children) their own plated breakfast fit for a princess plate and then the princess court (parents) get served family style? Thanks for the food picture I am always happy to see Zoe in the pictures but must admit I was a little disappointing you did not share that picture of your whole lobster with a filet. Narcosees is one our all time favorites too. you can not go wrong there good location, food and atmosphere. Really looking forward to the rest of this days report it sounds awesomely planned.

I understand what you are saying Dave but for me it is way to early for me to get upset about or to consider their up-charge with no info on what they will offer. If they are adding a lot of activities then I may like the offerings versus going to a local farm and spending about the same for less. I just need more information but appreciate the heads up.

Do we yet know what is in store next year at HW? Do they plan to operate with similar dailey operating offerings or are they bringing special activities that would cost them more to do. Kind of like a Disney special ticket Halloween or Christmas party. Secondly, when I was single a higher price season pass would not bother me but as a family it does give me pause and consideration when the increase is x3. So when they cosider their price point for season pass I am sure they know how this will affect the target market they are trying to attract.

I have been informed by the park that GP bring a friends can participate in the morning ERT at Kings Island

At Cedar Point the friends do get to enjoy the ERT with the pass holder, per Cedar Point web site.

Yes according to Don Helbig Dinosaurs Alive at Kings Island is a long term investment for Kings Island. He also said at the time we all should anticipate something new in that area every year to keep it fresh and interesting.

It could mean anything a name of a new haunted house or its style. or even the a song called Mysteria Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the freak show <iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8X7vc0ChS_s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Buyer beware is always good advice for everyone in everything they do. It is also good that some watch for these types of things and point out problems so that proper weight can be considered in the whole picture of an organization going forward. Keep in mind here that NAMI does not diagnose or prescribe medicines to consumers. That is done with the consumer and their choice of a licensed professional doctor. Sometimes organizations find themselves going in the wrong direction and sometimes it takes extreme measures of some to help the organization in correcting its present course. I believe that is in some ways a good thing it show that their are people in position who will do the right thing when they feel passionate about an issue right or wrong. The American Red Cross has had many issues in the past http://www.cbsnews.c...ain516700.shtml Cedar Fair has had board member, company executives and share holder issues too. Does that mean everything they do is bad and that the whole system is corrupt and to be avoided at all cost. Well that would be up to each individual to look at those organizations and companies as a whole and decide for themselves if they want to associate or patronize them. Yes I may not like some aspects of the business but I still would recommend friends of mine to go to a Cedar Fair park for a day of entrainment and fun. Additionally i would encourage a friend to seek help with the Red Cross if they are experiencing a disaster in their life and for the police and fire departments to drink the beverages and eat the snacks the Red Cross provides for them when they are in action helping citizens. It is always good to be on guard and to look for wrong doing or misguided board members pandering to one of its contributors and when exposed put pressure where needed to force change. NAMI does so much in helping educate and coming to the aids of consumers and their families in a myriad of ways. There are many local chapters in residing all across the country and yes they will have issues here and there but I know the good of the many in the organization speaks volume over they few who need to be corrected. I was not going to post this but knowing first hand some of the many services NAMI provides I would not want a person of need to over look an opportunity to get help, there is far to many issues for those who need help in the way now. Keep in mind consumer beware if it does not feel right find another resource, but do not give up.

Hey thanks for the laugh today it was very much needed and appreciated. I do however suggest that the 4380 should say fluke.

I do not know of an a finer, caring and more dedicated non profit organization that makes it their mission to help educate the community and offer resources for the ones who need it than NAMI. One function is that they act like a resource center for doctors, pharmaceuticals, politicians, advocates and families of consumers. The letter thing is like a few blades of grass compared to a football field of grass. If you are truly that interested in what they provide as an organization then take the time and search the web to include their website. I know what you said earlier about the website but the answers you are asking here can be found there.