BoddaH1994

I realize that, but 30 minutes is about the max length you'll see a show at Kings Island. Imagine going to a 47 minute show, it would proportionately feel like an eternity!

Wow... that's incredibly long for a theme park show.

Thanks for asking for our input, RWNContact and welcome to KIC. I noticed that when you're looking at the rides and you want to narrow your selection by park, the "update deck" button appears nearly off the screen (at least on my browser). I didn't even know how repopulate the list until a few minutes ago. Keep up the good work, Ryan

Are you implying that the theatre wasn't ready to open with the park?

Oh, I totally agree. I went to Holiday World once, and had a great time... but it'll likely be the last time. The Voyage is am amazing coaster... very likely the best wood I'd ever ridden... but that's just not enough for me. I think that a lot of you, especially the younger ones, will see in time that the over all product that a park offers is a lot more than just a good ride or two. Kind of like how each individual aspect is much less than the sum of all its parts. If any of you want to check out a park with similar pricing, size and charm check out Kennywood in West Miffin, PA. Now THAT is an amazing place.

Absolutely... 1 - I would agree on the music. I have to admit that over all I like the classic rock that Cedar Fair plays, but I thought the classical music and movie themes that Paramount played near the front gate was incredibly appropriate. Same could be said about the soundtrack to the fireworks. 2 - I miss Paramount's saucy attempt to make Action Zone the "backlot" section of the park. From what I've heard through the grapevine, they were originally going to make it have a full movie studio backlot theme but never went through with it. I really do believe in themeing. Kinzel said that the roar of a rollercoaster is themeing in itself, but I don't buy that. Walt Disney probably rolled over in his cryogenic chamber when he heard that. Do you think Disneyland would be what it is today if it were just a collection of rides? Would there even be a Disney World? What would the city of Orlando be like if Walt had taken that route? 3 - I think that Paramount was much better in announcing events and expansions in a spectacular way. Many of you were there to attend the Wintefest press announcement in the Paramount Theatre (Now Kings Island Theatre). Jeff and Maureen showed up dressed up in costume and they announced it in the form of a Christmas tale. It even snowed in the theatre that hot July day!

A lot of the resentment, for lack of a better term, is misplaced... That was Paramount who swapped the camp ground in exchange for a 15% stake in the GWL at Kings Island. When Cedar Fair acquired the Paramount chain, they did not purchase that stake, however Great Wolf bought it back from CBS about a year later. Incorrect. In 1995 Kings Island added Nickelodeom Spat City, which was part of a duel kiddy area along with HBL. In 2001 there was an expansion which included the renovations you mentioned above. It wasn't until 2006 when Kings Island debuted Nickelodeon Universe that HBL was no more. Check out the KICentral History Section for a full time line of park expansions from 1972 on. You're listing off a bunch of things that were great for the first few weeks, but quickly fell apart - as most new attractions and themes that Paramount built did. The Italian Job operated at 100% for a matter of days before the inboard audio, water effects, etc stopped working and were never replaced. You could make a similar argument with Tomb Raider, although its demise was a bit slower. The "Outer Limits" part of Outer Limits: Flight of Fear disappeared in the late 90s (I think) when Viacom sold the rights to the show Outer Limits to Scifi. All of your nostalgic memories are inarguable, but they were not how you remembered them... long before Cedar Fair stepped in. I think you're remembering something better than it actually was. Paramount ran a good program at first, but quickly cut budgets ridiculously toward the end. I think someone else put it best in saying that the Hollywood theme was just kind of shoved down your throat. It was the look and feel of a traditional theme park with meaningless movie relics just hanging around. What was the point? Closing thoughts: If you look at the past three years, where the park was and where it is now, it is absolutely incredible. Cedar Fair has added thrilling new attractions, tons of world class shows, new eateries, and cleaned up the place. If the only thing that we can all agree upon that we miss about Paramount is the piped in music then we are one VERY fortunate group of enthusiasts.

They sure do open shows late in the season....

Those prices are still very comparable to Kings Island prices if you go the right route. No one's going to argue that the amenities at Holiday World are convenient. They truly are. I do, however, have a problem with people saying they're free. Again, it's kind of like saying it costs $47.99 to walk through the gates at Kings Island but then you get to ride Diamondback, The Beast, The Vortex and Flight Deck for free.

You name off a bunch of things a describe them as "free" but that's far from the truth. The truth is that you paid for all of those amenities when you bought your ticket by paying major league prices for a minor league park. It's all built in. Claiming that you get free sun tan lotion at Holiday World is like saying that you get free rides on Top Thrill Dragster when you buy a ticket to Cedar Point.

Kings Island Gold Pass members can save 15 percent off the best available guest room rates and 10 percent off services in the spa at Great Wolf Lodge. Visit GREATWOLF.COM or call 1.866.954.9653 to make reservations. Use the corporate code: GOLD when prompted to take advantage of this special offer.

Video Story on The Beast Maker: http://www.fox19.com/global/Category.asp?C...;autoStart=true

Really? Wow, that was just down right disrespectful, and mean. No it isn't. He tells the truth. I have met several people that will bash, disrespect and badmouth any park that isn't their home park. It really annoys me to hear these narrow minded people call themselves enthusiasts. And there are every bit as many people out that will take all they can from their home parks yet in their minds their home park can do nothing right.

New Kids on the Block band member Donnie Wahlberg (front seat, right) takes a ride on the new Diamondback roller coaster at Kings Island on Saturday. The Dorchester, Massachusetts native’s background also includes feature films and television and is notably recognized in his roles in the Saw films. Photo credit: Don Helbig

The park has historically not done a whole lot on the 4th of July in the past few years. The Wallenda walk was a huge exception last year. With the ASA Tour, tattoo guy (this Saturday) and Nik Wallenda walk this August 16th, the park is clearly making an effort to have special events... it's just that none of them happen to fall on July 4th this year.

You've gotta give a hat tilt to Greg Scheid in that area as well. I haven't once visited the park this year without seeing him out and about.

It's over near the employee entrance which, as goofwdw stated, is in front of handicap parking. I've met Dane there several times as he trucked in on his crotch rocket. When you get to the park, ask the person at the tolls and they'll give you the best directions to it.

From the desk of the legendary Bill Mefford: USA Wakeboard National Championships At Wake Nation Cincinnati July 30 and Aug. 1 USA Wakeboard National Championships at Wake Nation Cincinnati, 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati (Fairfield) OH, 45014. (Located in Joyce Park). (513) 887-WAKE. See the best wakeboarders in the nation compete to earn a spot on TEAM USA and the right to represent their country in the Wakeboard World Championships in Korea. Preliminaries Thursday, July 30 beginning at 8 a.m.; Finals Saturday, Aug. 1. beginning at 2 p.m. $10 admission includes access for both preliminaries and finals. Children under 5 no charge; FREE parking; Admission tickets available at Wake Nation. More information at www.wakenation.com.

You may have read it in an article I wrote here. My sources are cited.

You're right by looking into doing things besides Diamondback. Let's face it, the ride is spectacular, but if I have to hear another podcast about how it's the tallest ride in the park, has great air time, is the B&M the park has needed for year etc etc etc one more time I'm going to go ballistic!! Many of the rides at Kings Island have a HUGE historical significance that many people can recite, but very few (especially the younger ones) can understand. The Beast Yeah, The Beast is talked about a lot, but I don't think people understand how huge this was when it debuted in 1979. New stations from all around the world would have Kings Island's phone ringing off the hook looking for the latest updates in the construction. Things that big simply weren't built like that at the time. The Grand Carousel Built in 1926... 1926!!! That's older than most of my grand parents! Now that companies like Chance make carousels a dime a dozen out of fiberglass it's hard to picture what a work of art Kings Island's Grand Carousel is. Each horse was hand crafted by Italian designers. In one of the many floods that Coney had, the horses were swept down stream and were retrieved as far away as Memphis,TN! Maintenance is a constant thing with the Carousel. There's always one horse that is being refinished and repainted. This is done in the sign shop. Fun Fact: Recently during the rehab of a horse, a ticket fell out of a horse. What was this ticket? It was a ride admission ticket from Coney Island! This decades-old ticket survived flood, transport, dozens of paint jobs and countless riders and ended up on the floor of the sign shop at Kings Island. Just think - that ticket could have been dropped by your grandmother on her first date with your grandfather! The Racer Yeah yeah... "Sparked the second golden age for roller coasters" but what does that mean? That is something that most youngins' can recite, but really don't have the capacity to really appreciate... even I'm guilty of this. Flashback to 1972. If you look at the history books, many amusement parks were meeting their end during this decade. American interest in amusement parks in general was weaning. That was, of course, until a park that was nothing more than a concept at the time announced that it would build the longest out-and-back racing coasters in the world. This garnered incredible media attention and put Kings Island on the map. This made building coasters not only more attractive, but a necessity for having a "talked about" park. You can attribute the building of The Racer for being indirectly responsible for everything from The Beast to Top Thrill Dragster! Fun Fact: John Allen, arguably the greatest coaster designer to ever live, designed The Racer. I had the opportunity to sit down with Tom Rebbie, President and CEO of Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Inc, in 2004 and I asked him if he had ever met Allen. His response was priceless, it was something like, "Oh, I met him several times. One time I asked him if he ever intended to design any steel coasters and he responded, 'You have to check the welds on both sides in order to make sure it's a good weld when you're building a steel coaster. That's the only way you can make sure it's really safe... and I don't know a son of a ______ that's small enough to climb inside the steel tubing of the track to take a look for himself.' Obviously with advancements in technology you can check it from both sides now, but that's why you never saw a steel from Allen." Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad It was built in 1972 and is model off of the Civil War-era locomotive The General. The actual General now resides in the Kennesaw Civil War Museum in Kennsaw, GA. Live Shows and Entertainment Why not talk about how going to a show at Kings Island is in some cases like going to an AAA baseball game or an AHL hockey game? Stars such as Carmen Electra, Susan Kay Johnson (Miss Ohio, 1987) and Susan Perkins (Miss America, 1978) can trace their humble beginnings back to being show performers at Kings Island. Check out Kings Island's Media Center for more story ideas.

I can assure you that the Wallenda Walk last year was absolutely incredible. I'll definitely be there this year. Also, the height of a sky walk is pretty irrelevant as far as danger is concerned. If he falls 70' or 700' it'll like have the same outcome....

I think it's fantastic that Kings Island is using something like this to add value to their product.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see.....

Kings Island's current Facebook status: "Kings Island Coming soon! Kings Island TV on YouTube."

The Beach is a wonderful park and offers a unique perspective on waterparks. Their winter event, Holiday Fest is a lot of fun too.