italianchef

Wouldn't it be ironic if there was a McDonald's Park? There could be rides like, "The Cholesterol Coaster", "The Shake", and Filet'O'Fish Water Park".

Considering that Kings Island listed its new name on their website, I'll assume that the ride formerly known as TR:TR will operate in the 2008 season as "The Crypt". HEY - are we going to start referring to changed-name rides at KI as...."The coaster formerly known as TIJ, etc."???? Have a great weekend! Italian Chef

One name change I would make is to restore the "Amazon Falls" name to Congo Falls. Have a great weekend! Italian Chef

Since Opening Day is on a Sunday, I'll be there with my family assuming the weather is good and no one is ill.

I have no idea where I'll be volunteering yet. I put in my paperwork that I'll do anything from 1:30 to 7 p.m. on 4/19 and 4/26 (both Saturdays). Orientation is on 4/5. So I suppose they'll tell me then what I'll be doing and where. I'll let y'all know. Have a great weekend! Italian Chef

I look forward to returning to Kings Island. And I'm glad that I'll be employed, even though I'll only be a temp.

The Cincinnati Flower Show will be held at Coney Island from 4/19 to 4/27. http://www.cincyflowershow.com/ In spite of what you might think, there will be more available than just flowers. Some rides will operate, there will be great food, and many amenities. Oh, and I will volunteer at the event. Best regards, Italian Chef

We all now know that TR:TR will be The Crypt and not removed in the 2008 season. As far 2009 and beyond are concerned, I'm a writer, not a fortune teller. Live long and prosper, Italian Chef

Good move, Canada! We are doing the same here in the United States.

No, I have never been to Hershey Park. But I've seen it on The Travel Channel and it looks awesome. I hope to visit Hershey Park with my son someday.

I COULD be wrong. But I think the physically challenged can go to the front of the line if they have some type of certification or proof. Please call the park at 800-288-0808 to inquire.

Yes, I have been to other amusement parks in the Midwest: The Beach Water Park Coney Island WonderPark (now defunct) Columbus Zoo (not an amusement park, but it has rides and will have more this year) Great Wolf Lodge CoCo Key Water Resort And I think that is it. Okay, maybe I sometimes exaggerate. I should've said the best of any amusement park that I have been to in the Midwest. Best regards, Italian Chef

Being from Loisiana, one of the poorest states in the union, the prices will be modest, except for the alligator. You ever tried to cook an alligator????

I just made a sweet deal with Cedar Fair and the Corporate HQ of Bubba Gumps. All Bubba Gump restaurants worldwide will be changed to Cajun Charles' Cafe. We shall serve gumbo, crayfish, jambalaya, alligator, and all your Cajun favorites. Cajun music will play, the decor will change, and pictures of me and my Cajun family will grace the walls. Let the Good Times Roll! Cajun Charles aka Italian Chef

I am interest to see how Kings Island will operate in 2008. It is my understanding that not all Paramount-themed names will be dropped. Eventually, I'm sure that they all will, sans Nickelodeon.

If I could REALLY build a section at Kings Island to my liking, I'd build one called "Star Wars World". It would have rides, restaurants, and shops based on all 6 Star Wars movies. The employees would have to wear Star Wars garb. Security would dress as Storm Troopers or Clones. A Mos Eisley Cantina would exist. Flat rides and coasters would be based on different movie sequences. May the Force Be With You, Jedi Knight Italian Chef

It seems to be a place that I MUST take Little Chef to. He is obsessed with trains. Toy trains, real trains, pictures of trains, etc. I bet someday he will work with trains....hopefully in the marketing dept.

I wish that I could've been there. But the Millennicon Convention took place during the same time and I planned it MONTHS in advance.

Beetlejuice came out when I was in high school and Phantom Theater, the best themed ride in the history of the Midwest, made its elegant premier when I was in college. By the way, I love Scooby Doo and watch it with my son. I enjoy SDATHC with my wife, who usually beats me in points. BUT I MISS PHANTOM THEATER!!!! It was such a charming and romantic ride. It had elements from Phantom of the Opera, the Haunted Mansion at Disney, and perhaps Beetlejuice. It was fun. It was spooky. In conclusion, I miss Phantom Theater very much. Losing it was like getting laid off from a job or dumped from a girlfriend one really loved. And I have experience with both. Seriously! May the Phantom Rise Again, Italian Chef

You might be a KI addict if you log on to www.KICentral.com every day. Best regards, Italian Chef

Bubba Gump's name will inevitably change in the future. But when? 2009? 2019? I have no idea.

I don't care what cola Kings Island sells; Coke, Pepsi, or Kroger brand. Come to think of it, I wish that KI would sell Kroger brand because it would be much cheaper than the current Coke prices.

According to my research, Bubba Gump's name will not change in 2008. On a personal note, I wish that it would. I'd like to see all traces of Paramount, sans Nickelodeon, get replaced with new names and themes.

Thanks for the well wishes. I'll need a new job come June, but at least my unemployment ends next week for a few months.

On Friday I was offered a temp job that will employ me for a few months. So I decided to attend the weekend-long Millennicon 22 Convention that I wrote about. I drove by myself on Friday. That night I met the guest of honor, Steve Barnes (author of 23 novels, a martial arts instrucor teacher, and script writer), and he autographed my copy of Star Wars: The Cestus Deception. I hung out with the other science fiction fans and ended up eating, drinking, and attending sci fi-oriented lectures with folks I didn't know. But it was cool. For those of you single dude, there were many HOT women at the convention. My eyes were in Heaven. The next morning I woke up early and worked out in the gym for 45 minutes and then attended a Tai Chi class, which was included with the cost of the convention. Shortly after Mrs. Chef and Little Chef arrived to enjoy the rest of the convention with me. We ate lunch out, attended lectures, took pictures with storm troopers, jedi, sith, and a Klingon, and hit the indoor pool. After that we ran into one of my old friends at the convention and had dinner with him. After that, we attended the sci fi "masqurade" which was a costume and talent contest. It was interesting. My favorite character was a BBW sith lordess. But first prize went to someone who looked, dressed and acted like Captain Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. After the show, Chef Chef and Toddler Chef retired and I hung out at different places with sci fi fans and chatted. One person was kind enough to serve me "Romulan Ale" - white wine with food coloring. The nex morning Mrs. Chef attended the Tai Chi class while I attended different sci fi events with Little Chef. We took more pictures, partook in sci fi games, and ate lunch out. After that we checked out of our hotel, took final pictures, played 2 games, and left. I was quite pleased with the Millenniconn Convention. May the Force Be With You, Italian Chef