BoddaH1994

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.

If you read the fine print on the paper it says, "This ticket allows for one entrance into the parking lot but then will become invalid if scanned." You're covered.

Yeah, but I remember going on a Thursday in 2002 in which parking was $1, admission was $1 and an all day ride pass was like $8.

Opening day is only a few short days away but the members of KIC just can't wait! One of only a few shows to debut this Saturday, Hot Island Rhythms will begin daily shows on April 21st. Entertainment Area Manager Kevin Brunck was so kind as to share some photos of the fine performers rehearsing for opening day! Click here to see the photos from Hot Island Rhythms'rehearsals! 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 you look at the site, it looks like tickets are available every operating day between now and June 30th. I wonder if there's a significance to that date.

I love it when you post because you always bust people up with the truth.

Although I am empathetic, it seems as though having the parking pass on your season pass does good to the many rather than a sticker being better for the few.

The park installed several dozen special lights before Nights of Fire in 2005, which were only to be used during events such as NOF, Winterfest, and Fearfest. I know that as of last year, the park owned the lights installed permanently on the tower however had to rent the control board. Of course, there has been a lot of speculation in the past several months about whether or not the tower will be illuminated by the multicolored lights at night since Cedar Fair seems to have a love affair with such a thing (Millennium Force). If what you're saying is accurate, then that time may be now.

Regardless, welcome back to the KI family!

Interp said it all...

SPRING IS OFFICIALLY HERE – Kings Island OPENS APRIL 21ST! Put away the coat and shovel, pack up the kids and get to Kings Island to help us celebrate as the park opens for the 35th season SATURDAY, APRIL 21ST. NEW FOR 2007: A New Flying Coaster, 5 New Shows, and Much More! By now you’ve probably heard about Firehawk, our new flying coaster that will make its debut this Memorial Day weekend. Be among the first to see this massive steel structure rising into the Coney Mall skyline. Don’t worry, here are 13 other coasters on opening day waiting to help you pass the time until Firehawk is finished! Opening day will also bring even more music and laughter with the introduction of two of our FIVE NEW SHOWS! Bring the whole family to enjoy Dora’s Sing-a-long Adventure at the Nick Theatre where you’ll help Dora and Boots find the Big Red Chicken. Hot Island Rhythms, a mix of catchy Island pop songs, also makes its grand opening this weekend on the International Street Bandstand. THE GOLD PASS IS BACK: No Wait Processing Every Night This Week! With a Kings Island GOLD PASS, you get a reserved parking area, exclusive ride times, early admission to Boomerang Bay and much more. But you have to buy yours before May 27th, because that’s when all the Gold Pass VIP perks go away and the price goes up. And if you buy a Four-pack pass you can really save big. A Four-pack is just 84.95 per pass. Use it twice and it pays for itself. For your convenience, the Season Pass Sales & Processing Center is open from 10am - 6pm Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 and from 4pm - 8pm Monday, April 16 through Friday, April 20. The Sales & Processing Center is open every day the park is open but there is typically little to no wait time on these weekday evenings! See you at the park!

KI Pass only for now... money happenes to be a little tight at the moment, but I'll likely upgrade within the first week or so if that's an option.