ragerunner

They changed the area so that the current generation of kids can identify with it better. Just like when we were kids we identified with HB and one day they will probably change the area to identify with another generation and what they know. I have small children and they know Nick. The only main HB character they know is Scooby Doo. I just find it a little amazing that a bunch of grown ups and teenagers want the Kids area to keep the characters from their childhood. If KI had taken that approach when we were children they probably would have not use HB character when we were kids (they would have used characters from our parents childhood), and then we would have visited the park and said to our parents, who are these characters?

No I wouldn't cater to them, but ACE does bring some good media exposure to the parks they have conference at. Also, I wasn't trying to say that the main reason PKI would build a coaster is because ACE is coming. I guess we will hopefully know something in a week or two.

Although I can't find it on the forums, I remember a comment made by someone last year that (please don't quote me) a PKI person (talking about the Spongbob ride concept) said the park might be getting an even big and better water coaster then what the Spongbob ride would have been. Add in that ACE is coming next year to PKI and some type of coaster ride could very well be in the works. From Ryan's letter it sounds like we will only have 2 weeks or less to find out.

From Ryan's letter he said the new development for next year will be, "...shocking, fun, exciting, and well-overdue." This makes me wonder if the park is not installing a new rollercoaster. I keep hoping it will be a water coaster, which would make the new attraction 'fun' and 'exciting' but not a mega thrill ride.

It would be nice to see the spread the buy out days throughout the season, not just in September.

I agree with CoasterRZ, While there are things that I thought Paramount could have done better, just like I am sure we will find problems with Cedar Fair's owership at times (check out the forums for some of the Cedar Fair parks - there a lot of issues and dislikes discussed on these as well). I don't see how they ruined International Street. They kept things in good shape, and how did they destroy the gardens by adding some paramount movie props? During Paramounts ownership they constructed some great attractions, Nick Universe, TR, FofF, Delirium, Wild Thornberrys redue of the log flume (my kids love this ride) and yes IJ (I agree the locations was not the best). It should be interesting on these forums over the next few years to see if many of the Cedar Fair lovers are still in love with Cedar Fair in about five years from now. As a KI fan, I hope so, but I am not sold on Cedar Fairs current job at their other parks.

Lets make sure we don't make this a KI issue. Check their other 'reports' and you will see a lot of the same issues at other parks. Example: Cedar Point has issues on Mean Streak and Mantis. Lets be honest, many of the wooden coaster at parks (including KI) can be rough. While I like a smooth ride, I do understand that when I get on a wooden coaster or an older steel coaster it may shake me some.

I think there is a good chance the campgrounds will return, soon. Cedar Fair has showed a lot of interest in campground facilities (were they have the land). Example is Worlds of Fun. I would also expect them to do the rental cabins like they have at Worlds of Fun and Cedar Point.

I still say, with the recession coming in 2007 and probably 2008, Cedar Fair picked a very bad time to take this much debt on. We may still find that they have to unload a couple of parks to keep their stock under control in the next few years.

I don't know if Cedar Fair uses financial resources (at times) from other parks for Cedar Point improvements. But, I don't understand how listing some coasters from other Cedar Fair parks prove they don't take money from other parks for Cedar Point? I didn't say they never spent money on the other parks, I was just questioning weather or not the income made at a park is only spent for that park? Does anyone know?

I would think that if they planned on doing capital improvements at Great America (new wave pool), waterpark renovation at Kings Dominion, then there was some money set aside for KI for some new addition (not just new paint). Hopefully some announcement will happen soon. Cedar Fair has made only 2 announcements out of all their amusement parks. Let hope they have more planned for the chain next year than the coasters at Cedar Point and Valleyfair. If not, then maybe the other parks really are helping to flip the bill for Cedar Point attractions (that would suck).

I think the point on winterfest was, it sucked when they canceled it back in the 90s and now that we just got it back, it sucks that Cedar Fair canceled it again. I just think its not a good sign when one of the first major changes Cedar Fair does at KI is cancel Winterfest.

People will say, "Kings Island Who?", Oh you mean 'Busch Gardens America'. I think there is a chance that Kings Island will be sold by Cedar Fair within the next 5 years. With the coming recession (starting in '07 - lead by the housing downturn) Cedar Fair may find a need to sell a couple of parks to lower their debt since revenue will be down.

I think we would see a very lopsided vote if kids were taking this poll (in favor of Nick). I find it interesting that a bunch of grown adults or teenagers wanting to hold onto what was popular when they were a kid. I have small children and they are big fans of Nick. I had to explain who the Flintstones and Jetsons were to them.

Looks like a great addition to Valleyfair. GCI builds some great coasters.

Just a thought, there might be good chance that KI will get the stunt show from Canada's Wonderland and then add a master blaster to the waterpark. I would think the stunt show would be going to one of the former paramount parks for 2007 and KI seems to be a good candidate (maybe near Flight of Fear which is nice and flat).

"Do you know what PKIs attendance numbers are for this year?" If the park's attendance went up, with a limited budget for the NU project, I would consider that very good return on the investment. Example: If a park spends $5 million on a new family addition (NU), and gets a 2% increase in attendance, that is a lot better than spending $7 million (Skyhawk) on a thrill ride and having attendance drop or stay flat. (These are made up numbers but, I hope they explain what I am trying to say)

Maybe attendance has more to do with product than price. I still believe (with current US market demographics) the average person wants a 'theme park' experience, not a midway experience. Cedar Fair's parks (not counting Paramount parks) will increase in attendance if they start focusing on themed rides, areas, and family experiences. Paramount parks, Busch Gardens, Silver Dollar City, etc... have all figured this out, and are doing well, and Six Flags is trying to figure it out. Its time for Cedar Fair to let go of the 80's and 90's demographic numbers and start building for the 21st century. This means more theming, and family experiences. I am a huge coaster fan, but coasters can only take a park so far.

Maverick looks like a great ride. Very impressed that Cedar Point decided to do some real theming. I think this may be a sign that Cedar Fair is looking at theming as a real part of future rides. This should be a positive for KI as a theme park.

I agree. That has to be one of the worst smoking areas I have ever seen. Good for the Zoo. Maybe PKI will follow. I think we will see the federal government move in an stop smoking in public in the next year or two. We moved here from Florida and they already have a smoking ban policy for the state.

Like I posted in another thread. The 'step children' must wait until Cedar Point (the flagship park) makes its announcements, including passes and ride, before the rest of the parks can move forward with pass sales and announcements for next year. If this is truly what they are waiting for, I would consider it very childist on Cedar Fair part, and I would think the fans of KI and other parks would find this insulting.

Because, I like theme parks and find it great family time.

I hope they keep the Nick Parade. It is one of the few items that give the park a 'Disney' moment. It always seemed to be a huge hit with the families and I know my kids loved it.

That looks like an awesome ride. Yes, I also wish Busch had bought PKI as well. We would have seen some incredible B&M coaster at KI with Busch as the owner.

I don't know if I would consider Cedar Point well landscaped. I have notice a good change in cleanliness at PKI. But, I have seen more than one blogger over at Pointbuzz talk about the poor state of some of the restrooms at Cedar Point. So, I am not sure how focused they are on some cleaning aspects. With that said, I am more concerned about what they do at PKI, so, if they continue to focus on cleanliness I am all for that. If they have better landscaping and theming, I will give Cedar Fair the credit they will be well deserving of. I want PKI or KI to be the best theme park experience in the midwest.