italianchef

Maybe we can get Cincinnati to pay for a KI Central bus that picks us up and takes us directly to our houses. Wouldn't that be cool? Italian Chef

My family likes Bear Track Landing so much, that we are planning a third trip to the Great Wolf Lodge. But we are waiting for the off-season so it'll be cheaper and less crowded. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I'll be there.

I only purchased the Kings Island pass because: 1. With my son so young, there's no point in traveling to various parks to spend most of my time on family and children's rides. 2. Money is a little tight as we wish to save for a house. Have a great day! Italian Chef

For me personally this will be my second greatest year EVER at Kings Island. The greatest was 2003, when my book [The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island, Orange Frazer Press]came out and I was showered with media attention. Heck, I even did a book signing and 2 media interviews (including The Travel Channel) at the park. This year at Kings Island will rock for me because: 1. I have a new job that I LOVE for a company that I LOVE and that makes me happy all the time. My last job was a very bad fit for me. 2. My son is now big enough (3 years old) to ride Little Bill's Giggle Coaster and a few other small rides that he couldn't a year ago. 3. My son LOVES Scooby Doo, so my whole family (all 3 of us) can enjoy SDATHC together. Plus we can pose for pictures with Scooby Doo. 4. There are FIVE (5) new shows for my family to enjoy. 5. I am pleased that Kings Island is now "Kings Island" as I thought the word "Paramount" made the name a mouthful. 6. I've stayed at the Great Wolf Lodge twice with my family,will do so again, and love Kings Island even more for the GWL. 7. My son has learned to LOVE trains and will greatly enjoy riding the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad. 8. Did I tell you that I love my new job and my new company? That makes life much nicer. So FoF, AE, The Beast, and my other favorite rides will be even more enjoyable than before. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I most look forward to riding Flight of Fear, the forwards Racer, and Adventure Express. But there are other coasters and rides I look forward to riding, too. Also, now that Toddler Chef is a HUGE Scooby Doo fan, I look forward to riding SDATHC with my family and posing for pictures with Scooby Doo and the Chef family. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I would lower the cost of drinks. The prices for food and merchandise are reasonable, but beverages are way over-priced at the park.

Leave it as is for the next few years. Convert it to Japanese Garden sponsored by Toyota. Convert it to a Kings Island Museum. Put a flat ride there. Something else. What?

That's the kind of news I like to read about. Way to go Kings Island!

It seems that last year was VERY bad for regionals. I am shocked that SFGA in New Jersey lost 8% attendance. I'm curious to why. Any ideas? Have a great day! Italian Chef

I am hoping to visit SFKK later this year so that my family can get photographed with super-heroes. Please write a trip report and mention the heroes. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I miss Phantom Theater the most. It was the most Disney-like and originally themed ride that KI ever had. Have a great day! Italian Chef

If I had the money and the space in my home, I'd buy it. Heck, the ride would make quite an impressive decoration. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Greetings, March 31 was Toddler Chef's third birthday. Since he had such a great time at the GWL when we visited in January, I decided to take him back for his birthday. When we checked in, I requested a room with a view of Kings Island - and I got it! From our window, we were able to see Face/Off and the gate. Once we sat on the balcony, we were able to see the Eiffel Tower, Delirium, SOB, Top Gun, Vortex, and EXtreme Skyflyer. While waiting for our room to be ready (as we arrived early) I played with Toddler Chef in the children's play area on the third floor while Mrs. Chef read the paper. After our room was ready, we got changed and headed to Bear Track Landing. Toddler Chef had a grand time splashing in the water, going down children's slides, and running through Fort McKenzie. I spent some time by myself enjoying water slides and Big Foot Pass (using a net to hop off of lily pads). We ate dinner at the Loose Goose Lodge after we enjoyed the water park. The staff presented cake to Toddler Chef and sang to him. The food in the restaurant was awesome - even the steam vegetables. Following dinner, we caught the animatronic show, which featured Yellow Feather, Simon, and the forest creatures. Toddler Chef was fascinated by it - and Mrs. Chef and I enjoyed the music. We shopped after the show. Thereafter, Toddler Chef went to bed early and Mrs. Chef watched him while I returned to Bear Track Land for more water rides. After that, Mrs. Chef and I enjoyed champagne in our room. This morning we woke up and headed to the Loose Goose Cottage for a delicious breakfast. After that, we returned to Bear Tracking Landing for more family water fun - and I did get some time alone for Coyote Cannon and some other "big" water slides. We then returned to our room, cleaned up, checked out, and then visited the arcade before we left the park. This was my second visit to the Great Wolf Lodge. It is an awesome place. My family enjoyed it a lot the first time and even more this time. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Yesterday ended my 7.5 year career in banking. I left the boring project management job I had because I was offered an exciting marketing job from an awesome consulting company. 10 years ago I received my MBA in marketing and have never held a full-time marketing job - until now! To celebrate this fantastic professional achievement, I wanted to take Mrs. Chef someplace special. And no place in my mind was more special than Jean-Robert at Pigall's - the ONLY 4-star restaurant in Cincinnati. I made reservations, which is probably a good idea. http://www.pigalls.com/ We went last night for dinner. It was the first time in my life I ever wore a suit just to go to a restaurant. Heck, before last night I don't think I ever dined at a 2-start restaurant. Pigall's doesn't look big from the outside. But it is fairly spacious inside. The dimly lit restaurant is impeccably decorated. Flowers, painting, and porcelain are spread throughout the dining room. We started on French-imported drinks - white wine for my wife and rose for me - in the bar. After our table was ready, we were led to our table. Pigall's has two Prix-Fixe Menus. One is a three-course meal that begins at $74 and the other is a five-course meal. Mrs. Chef requested the three course meal since we are not super-big eaters. We were given the choice between Perrier and mineral water - and Mrs. Chef chose mineral water. Before our first courses arrived, we were served soup and small appetizers, "compliments of Jean Robert," said our server. Though I cannot recall what we ate, I do remember that everything was tasty. Next came our first course. Mrs. Chef ordered tartar of tuna with caviar, papaya, and salsify poached quail egg. She told me that her dish was excellent. My first course was lamb ravioli with mustard sauce - and it was exquisite. One of the servers rough us seared foie gras after our first course, also, "compliments of Jean Robert." I admit that I was reluctant to try goose liver, but tried it. It was an interesting experience, but I asked my wife to finish my serving since it wasn't my cup of tea. Thereafter we were served bread and soon the main course was served. Mrs. Chef selected sea scallops with apple cider sage sauce, fall cabbage with medley of mushroom and fingerling potatoes. My choice was bleu cheese crusted beef tenderloin with carrots and potatoes. Our main courses were excellent and filling. Then came dessert. Mrs. Chef had the vanilla crème brulee with fresh fruit. I chose the pumpkin cream cheese mousse with warm spice cake and brown sugar sauce. We were stuffed beyond belief, but were served a final complimentary course: truffles with cookies. In my life, I had never experienced such high quality cuisine and service. With each course that was presented, the server announced what the dish was, what sauce would accompany it, and poured the sauces over our dishes. Mrs. Chef was always referred to as "Ma'am" and I was always referred to as "Sir". Our drinks were promptly refilled. We were provided with fresh silverware after each course. All of the servers spoke with great dignity. In total, my bill with tax and tip was approximately $263 - and it was worth every penny. Before last night I never spent as much as $100 for dinner as I am NOT wealthy. Far from it. I buy my clothes at outlets and pinch pennies to make ends meet. But to celebrate the glory of my career change, I wanted to share a superior cultural and culinary experience with my beautiful wife. Pigall's granted us with food and service that we will remember for years to come. It was a magnificent experience. Have a great weekend! Italian Chef

1. Have you ever been to Kings Island? Yes. 2. If yes to question 1, what do you enjoy about the park? Roller coasters, characters, and atmosphere. 3. If no to question 1, what type of information would you like to know about the park? 4. How old are you? 35. 5. If you visited the park, would young children be visiting with you? More than half the time, yes. 6. How much time do you spend on the computer each day? More than 9 hours. 7. What kind of attractions would you like to know more about? Indoor rides. 8. Would you be spending several days at the park? Yes. 9. If yes to question 8, would you want to know more about local hotels? Price and amenities. 10. Would a person in your group have health issues that may prevent that person from enjoying the major thrill rides? (Heart condition, pregnancy, broken bones)? No. 11. Have you ever visited Kings Island’s official website? (www.pki.com) Yes. 12. If you answered yes to answer 12, what would you change about it to make it a more enjoyable experience? I don't understand your question.

S--t happens. This doesn't look good now, but after it is corrected, people will forget. The percentage of people is very small, but bad news seems to be more significant than good news. I greatly enjoyed my stay at the GWL in January and I believe in the Great Wolf Lodge. Hence, I shall return to celebrate my son's third birthday there. If that's not a vote of confidence for the Great Wolf Lodge, I don't know what is. Have a great wolf day! Italian Chef

AWESOME! This new site with the new logo is nothing short of awesome. Great job folks! Italian Chef

In my opinion, GWL has service, theming, hygiene, and offerings on par with Disney. Hence, Great Wolf would fit very well in the Disney family. Is Mickey Mouse coming to Mason?

I hope that KI will re-name CDBB as Crocodile Kyle's Boomerang Bay. And I hope that all over those posters of Crocodile Dundee will be replaced with posters of Crocodile Kyle. He is a character, played by a local public access TV producer, that appeared in the programs "Taste of Thailand" and "Entertainers in the Tri-State". Have a great day! Italian Chef

I wonder if all of the Crocodile Dundee movie posters will be removed by the time BB opens this upcoming season. What do y'all think?

I'm noticed on www.pki.com tonight that Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay is now called, "Boomerang Bay". Was the "Crocodile Dundee" portion of the name dropped? Have a great day! Italian Chef

Groovy! I appreciate CF updating its site. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Howdy, There is an article about Mason's Great Wolf Lodge in this week's Pulse Journal newspaper. I hope that you enjoy reading it. http://www.pulsejournal.com/search/content...7coverrail.html Have a great weekend! Italian Chef

I'm sure the blue mountain and other remnants of the Paramount name which still exist will be off of all Cedar Fair websites before opening day in April. It pleases me to see CF remove the Paramount name and re-brand the parks. I look forward to this season. Have a great day! Italian Chef