BoddaH1994

KI Since 1991, heard about KIC when a guy named Dane approached me and said, 'Hey, look what I've been working on...." The rest is history.

Haha yes this is the first year Global Amusements Company hasn't run that game and the games department has taken it over, so we are trying to get better at it as you speak come back in a month man! Does this mean we're not going to be hassled as much at that game?

I don't know if you guys saw or not, but they're replacing the springs in Sling Shot. Also, Eurobungee seems only about half constructed.

Neither was Orlando until Walt had a vision...

^ I completely agree with the above statement. I really think that the ratings are more of a service to people who have younger kids and don't want to force them onto a ride which is inappropriate for them. I can see this being a more fair metric: 5 -- Extreme Thrill Ride Beast SOB Drop Zone Vortex 4 - Moderate Thrill Ride Racer Top Gun Delirium 3 - Mild Thrill Ride Adventure Express Congo Zephyr 2 - Low Thrill Ride Eiffel Tower 1 - Everybody-friendly ride Train Antique Cars Most stuff in NU

What can I say? The park's loosing an asset. I just hope whoever takes your position is half as friendly and generous as you are. We're still going to be friends, right???

So are you saying that the ride manufacturer's within the last year changed their height requirements on all these attractions, and that is why CF raised them so that they would comply with Ohio Law? I'd guess that it has more to do with consistency with the rest of the Cedar Fair parks. Let's say that a family goes to Kings Island and rides Congo Falls and their 5 year old child is tall enough to ride. A week later they go to another Cedar Fair park and ride a clone of it and are told that their child is too short. When questioning it, the ride op tells them that it's for safety. Not only does it make the family mad, but it implies that KI isn't safe, which of course is not the case.

The Vortex's restrains use a ratchet-style system to secure the lap bars. Having them just pop up is something that's extremely rare, however when the restraint is brought down, sometimes it'll sit between gears and once the ride is in motion it'll pop into gear, which sometimes makes people think that it popped up a few notches when in fact it didn't.

I know that a lot of the onboard audio was removed from IJ but I'm going to be optimistic and say that they removed it to repair it rather than removing it simply to get rid of it. At least I hope so!

Since we've seen the rebirth of the entertainment department under Cedar Fair, I was just wondering what you guys thought of the two new shows that debuted on opening day, Ryan

From what I understand the third train was parted. It may not be a viable option to run 3 trains without purchasing a new one.

I'm sure it's not the case anymore, but in the past parks have paid people to walk around with giant stuffed animals so it makes the game prizes seems more obtainable and easier to win. Also, don't forget that when you play a game it's not a normal transaction. You are paying for the experience and the chance to win a prize. It's kind of like when you go to the county fair and pay $3 to ride a 2 minute ride, which doesn't seem like it has much value considering most 3 hour concerts go for $20 or so.

^ I disagree. Paramount had its own system of rating rides and Cedar Fair does as well. Clearly a ride that's a 5 in the eyes of Cedar Fair isn't always more thrilling than a 4. If you look at the ride line up, you'd be out of your mind to think so. There are a set of guidelines that establish exactly what a ride does, and rates it based on that. For example, I believe the train under Paramount was a 2. Why a 2? Because the train experiences changes in speed and elevation, thus fitting the criteria of a 2. Obviously you don't put the train as a two on a five scale of how thrilling a ride is, but it does meet certain criteria to be considered.

It's less of a bus and more of a church charter van. hahaha A special thanks to all those who attended. There are photos of the event in the gallery.

As most of you know by now, Friday will be Maureen Kaiser's last day with Kings Island as she pursues opportunities outside of the park. We truly wish Maureen the best, and this is your opportunity to leave farewell wishes for Maureen.

Sad faces. You know we owe most of the success of this site to you, right?

I noticed GR people were out and about offering to answer questions and offering park maps to guests throughout the park.

I'd say leave it the way it is for the most part. Maybe put something in there of interest like statues, more plants, etc. but I think the park needs to maintain it as a nice quiet area.

Are you enjoying your free ride on the KIC bus?

Let me see if I can do this off the top of my head... Cat Scratch Fever Walk this Way American Woman Smells Like Teen Spirit Smoke on the Water Pour Some Sugar on Me Back in Black Heartbreaker Rock and Roll (Zepplin) There has to be one or two more....

Opening Day Photos

The rides will be there all season, this is a one time thing. If you're going to be at the park, just give it a shot. You'll have fun (I promise!)

Don't forget to show up at International St. LaRosa's for its grand reopening at 11am on opening day!

Kings Island and LaRosa's invite you to the grand reopening of the newly renovated International Street LaRosa's! Come to the elaborate celebration of this Cincinnati-favorite restaurant featuring LaRosa's owner, Mike LaRosa! (Yeah, that's Buddy's son) What: LaRosa's Grand Reopening Where: International Street LaRosa's Kings Island When: OPENING DAY 4/21/07 11:00am Enjoy! Ryan

Spring is here! For those of you who are native to the Greater Cincinnati area, then you know that the long-awaited summer is right around the corner and summer just isn’t summer without a visit (or several visits in a lot of cases) to Kings Island. While no longer under the Paramount banner, the park has returned to its roots of being known as simply Kings Island for the 2007 season. This is a result of Paramount Parks, Inc. being purchased by Cedar Fair, LP for approximately $1.24 billion. Cedar Fair, LP is a limited partnership that owns and operates twelve amusement parks, five outdoor water parks, an indoor water park and six hotels, headquartered in Sandusky, OH. The some of the most notable properties of Cedar Fair, LP being Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, Geauga Lake in Aurora, OH, and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA. Change is sometimes for the better, and Kings Island certainly proves that this year. The most impressive change that Kings Island is offering its thrill seekers this year is the addition of the new ‘flying’ coaster Firehawk. Firehawk has riders lay in a suspended flying position as it coasts through over a half mile of track and five inversions. The ride will be located near Flight of Fear in the Coney Mall section and debuts Memorial Day weekend! KICentral.com has been following the construction process and you can view the construction from start to finish by clicking here. Want to settle your stomach after a thrilling ride on Firehawk? Relax and enjoy one of Kings Island’s five new shows for the 2007 season: Dora’s Sing-A-Long Adventure, which debuts in the Nick Theatre on April 21st, Hot Island Rhythms featuring the carefree songs of summer vacation will also debut on April 21st in the International Bandstand, Twistin' to the 60's opens June 23rd in the International Showplace and invites guests of the park to ‘twist and shout. Come ready for hugs and smiles as The Nicktoons Live at Five debuts on June 16th at the International Bandstand this meet-and-greet with the characters is certainly going to be a kids’ favorite. The crown jewel will be the Endless Summer on Ice Celebration in the Paramount Theatre featuring ice dancing, signing, and popular music and it begins June 9th! If all of that entertainment makes you hungry, Kings Island is offering more food choices for 2007 as well. Panda Express is an Asian restaurant that will debut in the Festhaus in late spring featuring dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken, Sweet and Sour Pork, fried and steamed rice and crisp spring rolls. Fontana Bistro is another new eatery for the new season featuring fresh-fruit smoothies, Jolly Rancher frozen drinks and gourmet pretzels. If that’s not enough, visit Midway Treats and Eats in Coney Mall, which will serve delicious made-to-order Panini sandwich grilled to perfection. Prefer a classic? Visit Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Shack where they now serve crab cakes, or even Lt. Dan’s Back Porch Bar serves up deep fried pretzels, mega nachos, boneless wings and ice-cold beer every single day! The park opens weekends at 10am on Saturday, April 21st. Daily operation begins Wednesday, May 23rd with Boomerang Bay Waterpark opening Saturday, May 26th. For more information, visit KICentral.com or the park's official web site PKI.com. Update: To see photos of opening day including the LaRosa's Grand Reopening, Dora's Sing-a-Long Adventure, Hot Island Rhythms, Firehawk construction and Son of Beast track work click here.