italianchef

As author of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island, I have styaed at several hotels in the area - even though I live 40 minutes away. I recommend the Best West on Exit 25 or Amerisuites or Quality Inn on Exit 19. With 3 kids, you are probably better off with Best Western as it's usually cheaper. To search for good deals, click on: http://www.travelcoupons.com/ohio/ohiopage12.htm http://www.travelcoupons.com/ohio/ohiopage13.htm Personally, I would NOT stay in Blue Ash because it's unnecessarily far from the park. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Considering his talent, I am glad that Mr. Kinzel will stay on longer. I am confident that he will help make Kings Island an even greater park than it is now with the help of the current, awesome staff that works there now. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Metal detectors. I'd rather have them and not need them than need them and not have them. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I would surely appreciate a PKIC Day is it will most likely be the last time ever. Commincing next year, it'll be KIC Days. Have a groovy day! Italian Chef

If I ask my son whether he'd rather go to church or Kings Island, I think he'll choose Kings Island regardless of whether Hanna-Barbara, Nickelodeon, Peanuts of even PBS Kids characters are in the park. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I agree with you. It is not logical to assume that CF will keep PP as an existing entity. The current 5 parks will surely be assimilated into the CF corporate structure. Hence, many folks who work for PP corporate HQ may need to seek new opportunities. CF will likely look at marketing research data while deciding whether or not to renew the Nickelodeon license. But my common sense tells me that Nickelodeon will go. Does anyone honestly believe that children will tell their parents something to the effect of, "I don't want to go to Kings Island/Carowinds/etc. because they don't have Nickelodeon"???? Sure, Nickelodeon merchandise sells better and the children LOVE Nickelodeon while Peanuts is comparatively obscure to modern children. But I don't think that the money lost from losing Nickelodeon will exceed the money saved by using the Peanuts theming. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I fully understand your feelings as a father. But CF looks at it from a bottom line approach. If a cost-benefit analysis concludes that they can make greater profits by not paying for the Nickelodeon license, then that is what they will do.

It is very interesting that so many of us wish that Hanna-Barbera Land would make a comeback. One never knows but I won't hold my breath. And mind you - I am an ardent H-B fan. My guess is that after the Nickelodeon license expires, all the former PP will have Peanuts characters just like all the other CF parks do today. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Shaggy, Are you sure that Adventure Express is a Mayam themed ride? Please tell me how you know this. I always thought that it was "Tiki" themed because of the statues. And with the British accents in the introduction music, I assumed that the ride took place in a former British colony. Take these two things together, I assumed that the ride was supposed to take place somewhere in the South Pacific - perhaps Fiji. Please confirm that this ride is in fact Mayan and what role the British play in it. I am VERY curious and I know that you are very learned about all things PKI. Sincerely, Italian Chef

Today Mrs. Chef and I left Toddler Chef and went to PKI alone. It was the first time in a LONG time. We rode SDATHC first and Mrs. Chef beat me by 500 points!!!! Next came The Italian Job, which was Mrs. Chef's first time on it. It was faster than she expected - but she enjoyed it. Mrs. Chef used to live in L.A. and saw The Italian Job, the film, with me. Hence, she greatly appreciated the theming. Our next ride was Adventure Express - which is one of my favorites. After that we rode to the top of the Eiffel Tower and observed the various parts of the park and the construction of The Great Wolf Lodge. Next came shopping at Emporium to get a gift for Toddler Chef. We then left for lunch and ended up calling it an early day. It was a short but great trip. I love Mrs. Chef VERY VERY much. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Today I went to CDBB with Mrs. Chef & Toddler Chef. Last time we went to CDBB - which was last year - Toddler Chef had a ball. He laughed and ran in the water. He even did a baby water slide. But all he did today was rub his eyes and cry - so we had to leave VERY early. I took him in the kiddie pool with me and he wasn't happy. This is the second time he has acted like this at PKI. It would seem that Toddler Chef has allergies that act up at PKI. We will take him to the doctor to get checked. Perhaps with some medicine he can enjoy PKI again. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Does anyone think that PKI will have a HUGE sale to rid the park of all merchandise with the Paramount name after CF finishes the purchase? How different do you think merchandise will be after CF takes over? Will they still sell Eiffel Towers? Ideas anyone? Brainstorm. Have a great day! Italian Chef

There are 4 years left of the Nickelodeon license at what are now known as the Paramount Parks. Cedar Fair will own them by the third quarter. What would you like to see Cedar Fair do to the children themed areas of what we now call PP when the license expires? And please tell us why. Have a great day! Italian Chef

It doesn't have much of a conclusion. My guess is that Cedar Fair will do away with the Paramount themes at Paramount Parks. That's what they did with the former Six Flags Worlds of Adventure. We'll see. Happy Memorial Day! Italian Chef

Expert my a--. Neither park is competes with Kings Island. Never before have I read that SFKK was a "fierce" competitor of KI. They are 3 hours apart and draw different crowds. Don't get me wrong. I like SFKK - but it is not a major competitor of Kings Island. They serve different geographic markets. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I said it before and I'll say it again. I am grateful that Cedar Fair purchased Paramount Parks and an investment company didn't. Regardless of whether or not you like Cedar Fair, at least you know that the company takes the amusement park business seriously and will take good care of our beloved Kings Island. An investment company would have cut costs - and quality with them - to maximize profit. Hey, I admit that Cedar Fair was not my first choice. If it were up to me, Disney or Universal Studios would have taken over and turn PKI int a Disney or Universal Studios theme park. But that is NOT realistic. Those two major parks operate in locations where they stay open all year around and they build their parks from scratch. All in all, I am pleased to join the Cedar Fair family. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I voted for Nickeloden because it's more popular and I watch some of its cartoons, such as Jimmy Neutron. I used to watch The Wild Thornberrys, Hey Arnold, and The Rugrats, too - but they no longer seem to be on. However, the Nickelodeon licnse expires in 4 years. If you were the corporate executives of Cedar Fair, would you pay big money to Viacom for Nickelodeon licensing fees or use the Peanuts gang for free? It's just like with H-B being tossed out for NU. The company will do whatever makes the most financial sense. Have a great day! Italian Chef

Personally I am very happy that Cedar Fair is purchasing the parks because I feared that an investment company would come in, slash quality to reduce costs, and sell off the parks for a profit. Cedar Fair is an amusement park business that will care about the long term viability of Kings Island and treat it properly. Sure, I would've prefered if Busch Gardens or Universal Studios bough PP. But I am very pleased with Cedar Fair and welcome them. Besides, great employees like Maureen Kaiser will continue to work hard to please the park guests and deliver and optimal experience. WELCOME Cedar Fair! Italian Chef

Okay, I must admit the truth. Last weekend Ryan (Boddah) and I had dinner in a Chinese restaurant with some Asian investors. We and the group of investors are purchasing Paramounts Parks. I will be the Chairman of the new company and Ryan will be the CEO. We are currently trying to get Maureen to sign on as president. Have a great day! Italian Chef

I agree with Dane. It has to do with the notion of free speech. If only positive comments are posted, it become an advertisement tool and not a true fan site where people post their honest feelings. And some of the negative comments help PKI. For example, how can PKI improve itself if people don't pipe up? The staff would say, "Wow, all of our comments are positive, but attendance keeps going down." Granted, there is a difference between honest criticism and unfair bashing. That's my sermon for today. Have a blessed day! Rev. Charles aka Italian Chef aka

Last night I visited PKI with Ryan (Boddah). On that way there we stopped at Chan's Asian Wok on Exit 19 because I had to take some pictures for an article. The restaurant, which shares a strip mall with Kroger, has excellent food. We met up with Ronnie, Bill, and Tom. First we rode the FX Theater and saw the Hanna-Barbera film. I thought that it was cute, but everyone else thought it was tastefully challenged. Next came FoF - always an awesome ride. Then we rode The Italian Job Stunt Track - which could make me feel like I'm in Hollywood if I drnk enough. We rode The Beast afterward - and our last ride of the night was TR:TR - which was okay. They no longer close the doors before the pre-show (the film), which made it a less exotic experience. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Italian Chef

Personally, I'd prefer if the parks would be sold separately. If so, whoever buys PKI would more likely be an amusement park company or at least someone interested in the amusement park business. Hence, great investment would be made into the parks and we would have a better Kings Island. More likely, an investment company will buy them all, cut costs and quality, and try to sell them for more money in the future. Have a great day! Italian Chef

P&G has NO NO NO NO NO interest in the amusement park business. It doesn't fit with their product mix. Will the parks be split up? I don't know. We are talking about 5 Paramount parks plus Star Trek: The Experience. It'll be interesting to see what happens. Have a great day! Italian Chef

What will happen to PKICentral after PKI is sold. If the new name is Kings Island without Paramount, will this become "KICentral"? Have a great day! Italian Chef

Actually...I was wondering if Lexington was really that much of a shorter drive than to Indy I live in Ft. Thomas. It's a 1.5 hour drive to Lexington and a 3 hour drive to Indianapolis. Hence the gas cost is double.