italianchef

Today I watched PKI on The Travel Channel. It was one of many parks featured on a show called THE ULTIMATE THRILL and there might be an encore presentation of it tonight. Drop Zone, Son of Beast, and The Beast were featured in the presentation.

First off, I would like to thank all of you kind folks for wishing me well. I admit that I did live in Japan for one year, my wife is Japanese, and I've taken 8 Japanese people (visitors from overseas) to PKI. However, I was shocked and most flattered to learn that my book is selling in Japan. Here's some funny Japanese: Ohio (familiar) or Ohio gozaimasu (formal) means Good Morning. So when I lived in Japan I often said "Kentucky Gozaimasu" because I was from Kentucky. HAI means yes. So, in Japan I'd sometimes say "Hai, how are you?" Konnichiwa means hello, konbawa means good evening, oyasuminasai means good night, and saionara means good bye. SUMIMASEN means excuse me. SHINKANSEN is the Japanese bullet train that runs faster than any other train in the world. Sometimes I'd say "Sumimasen on the shinkansen". It was funny and confused folks. I heard a rumor that Paramounts Parks might build a park in Japan. If it's true.......maybe we American PKI fans can help out. Best wishes to all PKI enthusiasts, Italian Chef desu

If you can make it.........groovy and I wish you a Happy Birthday. If you can't make it - I'm sure to have another book signing in the future (and hopefully at PKI). And once again......I wish you a Happy 21st Birthday. Not to get off track, but I remember my 21st Birthday 10 years ago. I couldn't wait to be IDed so that the bar tender and/or bouncer would say "Happy Birthday". I went to AT LEAST 4 different bars that night. And not one person asked to see my ID. Happy Birthday! Italian Chef

Friends, Romans, and Countrymen (and Countrywomen), lend me your ears – or eyes rather. Our beloved Paramount’s Kings Island was recently in USA Today, a NATIONAL publication, for Delirium. How good is Delirium? It’s one of only 5 new rides to get highlighted this year by USA Today. Additionally, on my MOJO Radio interview (for those of you who don’t know, I am author of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount’s Kings Island), I praised Delirium as an awesome ride that GREATLY surpassed my expectations. As a PKI enthusiast and Greater Cincinnati resident, I was very proud to see our local park and its latest thrill ride to be highlighted in a NATIONAL newspaper. Thumbs up PKI! You management folks rock and roll. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/vacations/d...05-23-rides.htm Have a great day, Italian Chef

Which is the best flat ride at PKI??? I'll answer that question with one word: Delirium!!!!!!!!

Greeting fans of Paramount’s Kings Island. In case you are interested, I, the PKI enthusiast and author of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount’s Kings Island, will have my second book signing on June 7th, 2003 from 2 to 4 PM. It will be held at the Walden Books at the Kenwood Town Center. It is located at the bottom floor and not far from the food court. If you can make it, I will be honored. If not, as the Australians say "no worries".

Minna-san, Today I just found out that The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island, written by my favorite author - me, is on sale in Japan. I find it very ironic. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/1...9230595-1275544] Arigato Gozaimasu, Italian Chef-desu

I saw both Brady Bunch movies from the 1990s and think that a third filmed at PKI would be great. And I've seen travel Travel specials on Cedar Point, Paramout's Kings Dominion, Dollywood.......but never PKI. Hey Travel Channel - do a show on PKI and interview me, the author of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island, in the show. Okay???

In the early 1970s THE BRADY BUNCH and THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY filmed episodes at Kings Island. I am happy to own copies of both. Which modern TV shows (such as Friends, Malcolm in the Middle, etc.) do you think should film an episode and PKI and why?????? And to be bold, what plot would you create?

I bought the Partridge Family episode at Kings Island – titled “Stars in our Eyesâ€. If you have a credit card, you can buy it from www.bestbuy.com for $7.99 with free shipping the way I did. The tape has 3 Partridge Family episodes and the third “I Left My Heart in Cincinnati†is about Kings Island. It began with the family singing in front of the Eiffel Tower at the park. I noticed that Yogi Bear’s face used to be part of the sign. Keith was afraid of height and his family teased him about it. Not only did he fear roller coasters, but even the Eiffel Tower. The Partridge Family apparently stayed at The Kings Island Resort, though it looked different from what it is now. Keith had a crush on Audrey Parson, a PR lady 10-12 years his senior. I thought it was cool because my wife is older than me and most women I dated before marriage were older than me as well. Keith tried to impress Audrey, but made a fool of himself. His younger brother Danny had to save him from drowning after attempting a diving stunt. Audrey didn’t really take a liking to Keith. She ended up taking Keith and Danny on a tour of Kings Island and the three of them got on the Blue Racer. Danny and Audrey had a great time, but Keith didn’t. Then they dragged him on The Eiffel Tower and the Monster. Keith looked like a real wimp and even got sick from the rides, while Danny had a great time. Thereafter high school senior Keith realized he had no chance with Audrey and 7th grade Danny developed a crush on her. After that got resolved, the Partridge Family and Audrey rode the Carousel (and poor Keith looked wimpy again), Kenton Cove’s Keel Boats, and some Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera ride. Then the family rode The Racer and Les Taxis. And they danced of The Banana Splits. Overall, the episode was great because it showed historic footage of Kings Island. And it was a funny episode.

Though the book is UNofficial, nearly all of the pictures come from the park, as does the official park map, and all the technical statistics. Additionally, Mr. Jeffrey Siebert gave kudos to the book as a park repesentative. And the book is sold at the park and elsewhere. Then why is the book unofficial???????? There are two reasons why the book is UN-official instead of official: 1. To make it "official" I would've needed formal approval from Viacom, which would've delayed the release of the book by one year. 2. If the book were OFFICIAL, I would have to pay royalties to Paramounts Park, Hanna-Barbera, Paramounts Pictures, Nickelodeon, and every trademarked entity. That would've augmented the price of the book from $10.99 to $20.99. I wanted a book that was affordable for the average person rather than price myself out of the market. Have a great day everyone and thank you for your interest in The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island. Sincerely, ItalianChef

Yes Sir. That was me at the media preview party and my wife took my picture of me and Scooby Doo - uh you....both. And Scott Innes was a great person to meet. Have a great day, ItalianChef

Positive feedback such as your means more to me than any amount of money that I might make in royalties. I wrote the book for my love of PKI first and foremost. Your laudatory comments flatter me and all the efforts that were put into this book. Thank you Sir. Sincerely, Charles Infosino

That's a great question. I was not an author, but a corporate bank employee (and I still am). The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island was my first book - and I did it "on a whim". I found Disney and PKI to be so much alike, and I used the Disney Unofficial Guide to plan and navigate my honeymoon. I, a non-author, managed to write the book, find an outstanding publisher (Orange Frazer Press), and have it for sale at: 1. PKI 2. Bookstores throughout the tri-state 3. Amazon.com 4. The Cincinnati Visitor's Center 5. Some other web sites, including Wal-Mart. Please note, that I have published some newspaper and magazine articles. However, The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island is my greatest accomplishment in writing. And I never could have done so without the dynamic staffs of PKI and Orange Frazer Press. I am humbled and priviledged to work with both of them. Have a great day, Charles Infosino

You must have read my comment about my wife calling me a "looky looky American". Now that I have finally admitted that I am Charles Infosino, I shall tell you all the following. 1. I love my wife Yukari first. 2. I love red wine, especially Merlot, second. 3. I love Paramount's Kings Island third. 4. I love cooking fourth. 5. I love cartoons fifth. Nuff said. For those of you who made positive comments about my book, I thank you. I visited PKI before my honeymoon at Disney World in Florida and then again after my honeymoon. On my visit after my honeymoon I told Yukari that I was going to write a guidebook about PKI. That was in 2000. The rest is history. Sincerely, Charles Infosino aka ItalianChef aka Looky Look Italian-American

Indeed there will be another book signing at PKI when the weather is better. My book signing on 5/10 suffered the same low turnout as the park due to the rain, thunderstorm, and hurricane warning. I got soaked, but it was funny. And thank you for your support. From here on, I'll be honest about my true identity. And I must tell folks in advance that I have a "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT" with the park. That means that I am PROHIBITED from telling you SECRET information that they tell me. That doesn't mean that I can't speculate on things that they haven't briefed me on. And since many of you are younger than me - and I have a MBA, lived and worked in Japan, etc..........feel free to PM me any questions that you have about college, career advice, etc. LONG LIVE PKI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup.......I am who you say I am. And since I only got 20 free copies as author and had to give away copies to family, friends, and in-laws in Japan, Florida, New York, New Jersey, California, Ohio, Media, and Kentucky........I had to buy a total of 16 COPIES on my own. And if anyone took offense to me, all I can say is sorry you feel that way. Self-promotion is a perfectly acceptable form of promotion for a person of my assets......next to nothing. I was waiting for folks to figure out who I am and am grateful to the people who buy the book. I am honored to be on the same forum as other PKI fans and wish all of you, even those who spoke poorly about me and my book which pays homage to Paramount's Kings Island, well. And I especially send my best wishes to those who spoke nice about me and/or my book. Sincerely, ItalianChef

First off, I'd like to state that I am a huge fan of Scooby Doo, so much so that my book has a picture of he and I shaking hands. So much so that I own every PlayStation 1 & 2 Scooby Doo video game. So much so that I own Scooby Doo clothes, toys, pictures, and movies. And I think that SDATHC is a great ride, in the same league with Walt Disney World's Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. I greatly enjoy SDATHC and welcome it to Hanna-Barbera Land and PKI. Now with that said, I shall proceed. The most awesome dark ride that I ever experienced at PKI or anywhere outside of a Disney theme park to date was the PHANTOM THEATER! My reasons are: 1. It had an atmosphere similar to PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - the most romantic and expensive musical that I ever took Mrs. Chef to. Phantom of the Opera is our favorite musical and Phantom Theater reminded us of it. Phantom Theater was a somewhat romantic ride if you rode it with your significant other. 2. It was VERY similar to Disney's HAUNTED CASTLE.........very similar indeed. It was almost as good, kind of like how Sutter Home's Moscato wine is almost as good as Robert Mondavi's La Familia. Both are sweet, high quality dessert white wines. However, La Familia is 4 times as expensive than and only 50% better than Moscato.....just as the Haunted Castle would be in turn to Phantom Theater. 3. The music sounded much like Beetle Juice, yet some of its scores sounded like Phantom of the Opera. 4. Until PKI announced it's closing........the lines were VERY short. I'd ride three times in a row after lunch. 5. It was very entertaining to watch and absorb. Okay folks, those are my opinions. I am older, more traveled, more worldly, and more experienced than most folks on this forum. Hence, my guidelines for evaluating a dark ride might differ from most folks here. Nevertheless, there it is. Italian Chef - The Phantom of the Kitchen

Do you miss Phantom Theater? I do. Right now I am listening to the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera, the most romantic (and expensive) musical I ever took Mrs. Chef to. When I rode Phantom Theater, I felt a little bit of Phantom of the Opera's atmosphere. Additionally, I was greatly reminded of Disney's Haunted Castle - which I rode in WDW in Florida, Disneyland in California, and Tokyo Disney in Japan. Yes, SDATHC is an awesome ride....but it does not have the romantic charm that PT had. That's my opinion anyway. And my wife and most of my friends agree with me.

Delirium is my favorite flat ride. It gives me an awesome feeling. TR:TR is more of a movie themed attraction than a flat ride in my opinion.

The Beast! I like the long ride, the hills, the helix, and the rush!

Where are the poll choices? My favorite souvenir is The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island. It's got pictures, the official park map, in depth technical descriptions and reviews about every ride, attraction, show, eatery, and shop in the park, history, lodging information, touring plans.....and it is really cool! That is my favorite memorabilia. I think that everyone should buy 2 copies: 1 as a collectors item-souvenir to keep at home and one to use while waiting on line in the park.

It rained and rained and thundered and rained some more. The weather was awful. As a result, park attendance was low and and it reflected in the book signing. Many of my friends who said they would go didn't show because of the weather. On a positive note, the park staff (Jeff Siebert, Marnie Gurrery, etc.) were VERY kind. PKI's staff is not only professional and competent, but genuinely nice as well. There will be another book signing and I hope that (1) it won't rain and (2) some of you nice folks can make it. Stay dry folks, Italian Chef

The book signing will be held today in Emporium from 1-3 PM. Unless the rain stops, in which it'd be in front of the Eiffel Tower.

I have a friend who is the marketing director for Orange Frazer Press. She notified me that the author of The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island will have a book signing at Paramount's Kings Island this Saturday, May 10th from 1-3 PM. I don't know about the rest of you.....but I intend to be there.