italianchef

I asked one of the park's high ranking official at Media Night (last night) and he told me that Nickelodeon Universe would be back next year. Since I lack a crystal ball, I don't know how whether or not the Nickelodeon license will be renewed. But I can tell you that I don't really think it woudl influence park attendance at KI one way or another. My 4-year old son says that he wants to ride the helicopter, not Lazytown Sportcopters; the green roller coaster, not the Fairly Odd Coaster; the choo choo train, not La Adventura de Azul; etc. Does Nickelodeon generate excitment for some kids? Yes. Would kids say, "No Mommy, don't take me to Kings Island because there is no Nickelodeon?" HECK No! Best regards, Italian Chef That's pretty much a give-in being that there was a $22,000,000 investment made in Rivertown, and the license does not expire for another few years. I do see NU leaving sooner rather then later, but it all hangs in the balance of Viacom and how much a renewal license is.

How about, "We'll get you a special ice cream at UDF on the way home?" Have you ever tried that with a 4-year old with a speech delay and a bad temper? My son's speech is VERY delayed. He doesn't quite understand "later" yet - and he is in speech therapy. It is interesting how non-parents try to advise parents. You don't know what it's like until you are a parent. Nothing can prepare you for it.

When I go to the park without my son, I spend no money - this season. I go out to eat at fast food and limit my expenses. But when a 4-year old is hungry, I find it difficult to tell him to wait for us to leave the park. This is especially the case because my son has a speech delay and a BAD temper. When hungry he screams at the top of his lungs. It is not a pleasant sight and makes driving difficult. If you were a parent, you'd understand how I spend $ on my son that I don't on myself.

I actually did NOT rent a locker. Re-read my report. Today's burger was only because of physical weakness. And I am a vegetarian 99% of the time. I have made a point of only purchasing food at Central Grill because it has "value meals" and I bring my souvenir cup from home to get water. I no longer purchase soda and other items that I used to. If it were not for my son, I'd spend MUCH less at the park. What do I tell a 4-year old when he says "I want ice cream" or "I want chicken"??? I can get by on eating fries, but I cannot expect my kid to do the same.

The last 3 times I took my (4-year old) son to Kings Island, always on a Friday, lines were short and we had a great time. So I decided to take him today, Wednesday, thinking we'd have no lines. I was VERY wrong. On the way to the park - and on the way back - several cicadas ended their lives on my windshield. And we saw quite a few at the park. We were there at 10 a.m. and I was surprised to see how many people were at the park. I realized it while I was driving into the park. After arriving, we got photographed with Angelica Pickles. First we rode Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. We did poorly, 630 to 30. Then we rode again and did better, 1140 to 60. At that point in my life, 1140 was the highest score I EVER got. Then my son rode Backyardigan's Swing-Along, followed by Jimmy Neutron's Atom Smasher. After that, we rode Lazytown Sportcopters and Nick-O-Round. My son chose to ride a horse instead of a bench for a pleasant change. My son had an ice cream snack after that. And we took pictures with Scooby Doo, Wanda, Cosmo, Little Bill, and Jimmy Neutron. After that, my son and I rode Fairly Odd Coaster twice - and waited nearly 30 minutes the second time! The park was REALLY crowded today! Next we rode Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad TWICE. By then it was 2 p.m. and we headed to Central Grill for lunch. My son had chicken tenders and fries. Due to low energy, I did the unthinkable and ate a cheeseburger. It was delicious!!!! I suppose my cholesterol won't shoot up 100 point from one burger. Thereafter, we rode Timmy's Sky Tours, followed by Plankton's Plunge. We finished the day with two more rides on Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. I scored 1410 to my son's 60 the first time. In all my years of playing SDATHC, 1410 was my absolute highest score. I lost track of score on the second time because my son fell asleep. So we left at 3:30 p.m. We had some nice experiences. But both my son and I were irritated by the HUGE crowds. Why were so many people in the park on a Wednesday???? And why did cicadas end their lives on my windshield?? Best regards, Italian Chef

I applied for the contest. Nowadays my finances are tight, so I would appreciate a win.

Maybe if Pepsi comes to Kings Island, Congo Falls can be changed to Pepsi Falls and Wings Diner can be changed to Mountain Dew Diner.

Interesting article. If Cedar Fair wants people to spend more money in the park, it should lower the outrageous price of food, drinks, and locker rental. Due to the high prices and my poor budget, I have made it a point of spending less money at the park this year. If prices go down, I'll spend more.

I also noticed the cicadas at KI last Friday. They are colorful and annoying.

I'd like to see the last vestiages of Paramount leave. So I still think that Congo Falls and Wings Diner should have new names.

Steak sounds nice. Heck, I'd really appreciate White Castle. Cheap, greasy, high cholesterol, fat-filled burgers. Yum!

Meat is full of hormones, toxins, and animal fats. A vegetarian diet helps reduce cholesterol, makes digestion easier, and helps relieve arthritis and tendonitis pains.

Indeed. Due to health reasons, I have given up meat. Though I occasionally will eat meat when in a restaurant. However, I am still the Italian Chef, who makes many meat and seafood dishes for my family and friends. Best regards, Italian Chef

I have two cats that annoy me. My wife insists that we keep them.

Other than using the obsolete names of certain rides, it was a nice trip report. I'm a KI specialist who has been to the park way many times and I've done Great Wolf Lodge 4 times. But I never combined the two. It must be nice. My current budget does not allow me to return to the Great Wolf Lodge, but I hope that will change in the coming weeks or months. Best regards, Italian Chef

I was at the park today and Nickelodeon Universe was not too crowded at all. We had few waits over 5 minutes.

Today I went to Kings Island alone with my son. We arrived before 10 a.m. and rode Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle first. We didn't score too well; my son (who is 4 years old) scored 30 to my 750. Then we entered NICKELODEON UNIVERSE, where we spent most of our day. We boarded Lazytown Sportcopters and had almost no wait. It was a relaxing, but non-thrilling experience. After that, my son rode Blue's Skidoo alone. We then rode Little Bill's Giggle Coaster together two times in a row. My son rode Backyardigan's Swing-Along after that, followed by Jimmy Neutron's Atom Smasher. Next, my son and I rode Fairly Odd Coaster, which was lots of fun. We actually got some air time. We then rode Timmy's Air Tours, followed by Plankton's Plunge. My son then rode Swiper's Sweepers alone, followed by La Adventura de Azul with me, and then Go Diego Go alone. We took a break for lunch and ordered our food from Central Grill. I appreciate their combo meals, but wish that they offered something vegetarian for me. I was stuck with fries. My son, who eats meat, had chicken and fries. After lunch my son rode Nick Jr. Drivers alone. Then we rode Nick-O-Round, followed by Phantom Flyers (which made me feel like Superman), and the Wild Thornberry's River Adventure - which got us wet. So I thought it would be a good idea if my son and I ran through SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom Bash. It looked like a mere sprinkler. I WAS WRONG!!!! We were drenched!!!! No part of my body was spared from water. Lucky for my son, I brought a spare pair of dry clothes for him, so I changed him after the water experience. Once dry, my son and I experience all that Nickelodeon Universe had to offer - except for Reptar and Airbender because my son is too short. Then we went to Rivertown and rode Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad 3 times. My son LOVES the train. After that we returned to Nickelodeon Universe and rode Fairly Odd Coaster 3 more times. Then we went to Coney Mall so that my son could try Monster for the first time. He wasn't interested. So we went to Oktoberfest to try Viking Fury for the first time. He refused to ride that, too. So we returned to Nickelodeon Universe and rode Fairly Odd Coaster 3 more times, and then took a break so that my son could eat a snack. Then we rode Lazytown Sportcopters 3 more times. The line was short. We son wanted to ride more, but I needed a break from the slow ride. After that my son ate a second snack. We then rode Fairly Odd Coaster 2 more times. That made a total of 9 Fairly Odd rides for the day. My son and I then finished the day with two rides on Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. I forget what we scored the first time, but he got 90 to my 1080 the second time. By then it was nearly 7 p.m. and I was tired. So we went home. Today was the most Nickelodeon Universe filled day of both of our lives - and it was an awesome day! Have a great weekend! Italian Chef

I'd say Tuesday thru Thursday.

Sorry that it rained on your KI parade.

There is no reason why KI cannot have a Headless Horseman because the legend has been around long before the Paramount movie. I personally would really like to see the classics: Dracula, vampiresses, werewolves, mummies, witches, etc.

My son's favorite ride at Kings Island is the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad - which has no "theme" as far as TV goes. But he also loved SDATHC because of Scooby Doo and the Fairly Odd Coaster. Overall, I agree. A generic theme is good enough for a little one.

CrazyKay, Your trip report is very nice. Please clarify when you say it was your first trip with your family. Do you mean the first ever or just the first of the season? Also, did you ride La Adventura de Azul - which your nephew refers to as Thomas? Best regards, Italian Chef

Correct. No more coin lockers in Boomerang Bay. I find $7 for a puny locker to be outrageous. Someone needs to tell management that we are in a recession, and remind them about the law of supply and demand, because patrons like me cannot afford $7 for lockers and $3.50 for soft drinks, etc. That is why I chose NOT to use a locker and ate lunch out of the park. KI would make more money if they charged more reasonable rates. And I have been noticing more people NOT eating at the park. When I do eat there, lines are shorter.

Funny you should ask. I went to Boomerang Bay yesterday and the lockers $7 + $5 deposit money. A total of $12 up front. So, my wife and I decided NOT to rent a locker as they are over-prices and too small.

I am proud (or sad) to admit that Little Chef is better at lightsaber fighting than me. We have toy lightsabers at home and play Star Wars. Though I obviously go easy on him and play total defense, my son is very aggressive and avoids my many of my blocks. Hence, I get hit by his lightsaber blows.