italianchef

What were your overall thoughts on this season? I think that 2004 was a great season. With the addition of Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay and the introduction of the Nickelodeon Parade, PKI is moving in the direct of Disney. Great move! What was your favorite attraction this year? My favorite new ride was Tazmanian Typhoon and my favorite event was the Nickelodeon Parade. What's the biggest surprise you received from PKI this year? The removal of both Flying Eagles and the Antique Cars suprised me. What are you most looking forward to next year? I am most looking forward to riding The Italian Job. What was your best park experience this year? Probably bring my son to PKI for the very first time. He was only 3 months old! How could've the 2004 season improve? They could've brought back the Flintstones, the Jetsons and the other Hanna-Barbera characters to greet the guests. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

As author of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island and a freelance writer, I have ridden every single ride at PKI - except for Coolangata Racer. D'oh! I'll hit that one next year. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

After all the hype, it would look bad for all parties involved if The Great Wolf Lodge doesn't materialize. Maybe Ryan can negotiate a 90% room discount for PKIC members if the lodge is successfully built. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

First off, Euro Disney should not be a choice because it is part of the Disney franchise. That said, my favorite chain of theme parks in Disney. I've visited its parks in California, Florida and Japan. You can't beat Disney for technology, theming and service. Some of Disney's most popular rides seem to have influenced some of PKI's best rides: Haunted Mansion - like our now defunct Phantom Theater Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - like our Adventure Express Space Mountain - like our FoF (but not as good) And the list goes on. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

It's a no brainer. Since PKIC is the purchasing organization, its name should prevail. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

My GUESS is that all of Hanna-Barbera Land, except for SDATHC, will be re-themed as re-named as NC rides and attractions in 2009 if not 2008. SDATHC and the photo area next to it will be re-named Coolsville or something else. Then in 2012 a Nickelodeon inspired haunted house will replace SDATHC (as KI seems to change haunted houses every 10 years) and NC will annex Coolsville. Does that mean Scooby Doo will be gone from the park? I don't know. If he is still popular like now, he may be a greeter and star in his own show at International Street (which he did before). Otherwise, it could be "Ruh roh Raggy, we rotta reave PKI!" Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

Cold is a relative term. You were not cold and you wore shorts. I wore jeans, a t-shirt, and 2 sweatshirts and I FROZE. Maybe it wasn't cold for you, but it was bitterly cold for me. This has to do with the differences in our genertic makeup. I cannot tolerate the cold but do well in the heat. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

Would it be possible for me to purchase a copy of that tape from you? I absolutely LOVE Phantom Theater and miss it very much. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

I've got the Brady Bunch and Partridge Family videos from Kings Island plus I have footage of PKI from the Travel and Discovery channels. Additionally, I taped the Nickelodeon Parade and will watch it often! Tomorrow I am doing field work at 2 restaurants for articles. I guess work will keep me busy. The second restaurant is Chinese and I will take Mrs. Chef there for dinner. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

Nickelodeon not around in 2009? Sorry, but I think you are too pessimistic. Nickelodeon is the largest player in the children's television market. It is extremely unlikely that it'll vanish in the next 5 years. And for the record, the Klockster and PKI Punk heard about the future demise of H-B Land when I heard it from the same high ranking official on the last ride of The Beast for the 2004 season. And it was a cold night. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

I was told from a reliable source that PKI's license to use Hanna-Barbera expires in 2008 - though PKI does have a separate licensing agreement with Scooby Doo that lasts much longer. Assuming all things remain the same, Hanna-Barbera Land will cease to exist in 2009. The area will be taken over by Nickelodeon Central thus rides will be re-named and re-themed accordingly. What will happen to SDATHC? It cannot exist within Nickelodeon Central so my guess is that one of two things will happen: 1. The very small area covering SDATHC and its picture area will be a separate area named "Coolsville" or something of that nature. 2. PKI will re-vamp SDATHC as a Nickelodeon haunted house. However, I think scenario 1 is more likely. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

PKI closed last Sunday and will stay closed until April 2005. What will you do with the free time that you normally spend at PKI? What activities will occupy your time and emotions? Please share your plans. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

PHANTOM THEATER! Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

You'll never get me on a water ride in November again. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

First off I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you really did see Mr. Kinzel at PKI. You may have seen a look-a-like, but I'll assume you are correct. Employees of theme parks in general, and even PKI's Jeffrey Siebert, visit other theme parks - for fun and to get fresh ideas for their own business. If the owner of one restaurant dines at another restaurant, it doesn't mean he is trying to but the competition. If it were Mr. Kinzel, he is a VIP and surely would seek out PKI's higher ups as a courtesy call. If Cedar Fair was planning to but PKI, which I SERIOUSLY DOUBT, Mr. Kinzel would not travel to PKI, but to Paramounts Parks corporate HQ in Charlotte. PKI's GM has no say in whether the park would be sold or not. In conclusion, I'd say assuming you really did see Mr. Kinzel....I do not think there is any chance that Cedar Fair is after PKI. If it were and managed to successfully purchase PKI, kiss all Nickelodeon, Hanna-Barbera and Paramounts Pictures theming and names good-bye. Again, I'd say 99.99% it will not happen. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

It's been that way the past few years. Have a great off season! Italian Chef :chef:

Today I went to PKi with Ryan (Boddah) and his friend Becky. We got there early and rode FoF, TG and SOB. Then we met up with the group at 12 PM - Dane, Adam, Christy, Jeff, Bill, Nathan, Jeff and if I forgot anyone I apologize. We went to Delirium, the Eiffel Tower (where we had the pleasure of seeing PKI Diana), AE, the forwards Racer, Zephyr, Dodgem, Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad & The Wild Thornberrry's River Adventure (very stupid move in November). Lunch was at Mandarin Cuisine. We froze, but waited to ride the last BEAST coaster ride of the season. Have a great day! Italian Chef :chef:

PKIC bought PKIU! WOW! That's like Coke buying Pepsi or McDonald's buying Burger King. I do wonder what exciting changes will be made. I wish you PKIC folks the best of luck with your additional responsibilities. Have a great day! Italian Chef :chef:

Last year it was and the year before it wasn't. Hence, I have no idea how crowded PKI will be next weekend. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Italian Chef :chef:

1. Zosobeast 2. Ryan (Boddah) 3. Dhaine 4. PKIDelirium (hopefully, I might not be there by noon ) 5. Italian Chef :chef:

I am with you 100% over Phantom Theater and 007 License to Thrill. Also, I greatly miss Graveyard Shift - the best show in Kings Island's history. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Italian Chef :evil: :chef:

After 32 years of service at PKI, Flying Eagles has been removed. How do you feel about it and why?

Both Mrs. Chef and I prefer House of Darkness. It's the most entertaining, best themed and easiest to navigate. Have a great weekend! Italian Chef :chef:

I reckon the park will be SUPER crowded this Halloween weekend. Have a great day! Italian Chef :chef:

The end of Kimberly and Steve's tenure at Paramount's Kings Island shall be a great loss for both the park as a business organization and for enthusiasts. I wish them both the best of luck in their future endeavors. Sincerely, Charles Infosino aka Italian Chef :chef: