BoddaH1994

I assure you, that's 1000% NOT true. So this was a last minute decision that noone at the park knew until Jeff made it public? And that Maureen was not in "training" to replace Jeff? Not trying to argue, but that is how I was taking it and when I started seeing her on the news and not Jeff, I was thinking to myself, "where is Jeff?" or "is Maureen taking his place or are they partners?" But if you are soo certain it is not true, then I will let it be. I have no doubt that Maureen has always been in training to replace Jeff. That's part of your responsibility in a corperate environment, to train your possible successor. No one knew until Friday. He wasn't pushed out or anything. Plus, they're likely not going to mess with a replacement until after Wintefest anyway. Don't worry, you guys will be the first to know if anything unfolds.

That was the article that he was writing when he ditched us on the last day of the season!

I assure you, that's 1000% NOT true.

Jeff is truely a great man and he will be missed by all. This is truely a sad day for PKI and PKIC, but at least he's going on to bigger and better things. Thank you Jeff!

Media day was announced at the press announcement on July 25th.

From the Coasterbuzz Newsletter: We'd like you to set a date for the spring... for BeastBuzz 2006! Our fifth annual event at Paramount's Kings Island will happen on June 10, 2006. Prices and registration details will be posted in the spring. For more information on the CoasterBuzz Club, or to join the club for $20, check out the club page: http://www.coasterbuzz.com/club.htm

Plus, does it have to be a ball? On the same subject of having a light show, they could have smart lights progressivly lighting up the tower and hitting the top at the stroke of midnight to bust out in a lights show with fireworks.

I think there are fireworks on the 31st.

Perhaps model it similar to how PKI does their newsletter? Any ideas of content on what you guys would like to see?

I'm not sure why skating on the fountain would be so hard for people to believe... It was a fixture at every other Winterfest in KI's history, so it's not exactly a new and radical idea. I'm saying hypothetically as if it had never been done before. If anybody had posted that they would like to see that, or had predicted it happening everyone would have jumped on them.

Don't play it down like it can't happen. I think we seen time and time again that anything's possible when it comes to Paramount's Kings Island. I mean, you guys didn't know about it and I said we'd be skating on the fountain this Winter, I would have been destroyed by people telling me it's impossible for one reason or another, but it clearly is and has been possible. The DZ idea isn't too bad. I'm not entirely certain how it would work, but it would be perfect. They could have the main party in the Festhaus and have an outdoor heated pourch on the AZ side to watch the actual "ball" or whatever drop. What they could do is have DZ raise every minute or so for an hour and have it reach the top and drop at midnight. That would be theatrical. Plus, with all of the possible constraints that the cold could give, all they would need to do is ensure that it worked properly and safely once.

Some of you may have been around to remember our PKIC newsletter. The newsletter contained different articles about PKI, important dates, and update information. We scrapped it because of several different reasons. Would you be interested in us bringing something like that back? Couple of notes: The newsletter is for people who sign up only. No one who hasn't signed up will receive any irregular mail from PKIC. As always, your e-mail address is 100% private with us. The newsletter contains information that may not be found on PKIC, especially information that has been buried in the forums that we find important. Newsletter members are sent e-mails immediately when PKIC has a major update (Not necessarily every update) The e-mail is sent out at most every couple weeks to every month. How does it sound?

I'm just curious as to how many of you intend to go to Winterfest. On a side note, how many times do you intend to go?

I remember seeing photos of the pedestals sitting in the picnic grove waiting to be painting... probably on PKIGuide...

I remember Jeff somewhat "teasing" about WF during the BB construction tour on the last day of the 03 season, so it has clearly been in the works for a long time. Rumor has it that they intended to start it last year but for some reason it didn't fly. WooferBearATL, when was the fountain revamped before? I could have been wrong with the 30 year comment, but I remember people posting on the forums that it hadn't been touched since since the park's debut, but then again, you can't trust everything you read on here.

I disagree. I think a lot of what you mentioned is coicidental. The fountain hadn't been touched in over 30 years and needed a revamp, plus the way that the ice rink works, it wouldn't even have mattered if there were a fountain there or not. The sound system... eh... maybe. My money would be on the parade though. I know I could hear the theme while walking into the park on the 4th of July, so I doubt they did it with WF in mind much. As far as indoor dining goes... they could have pushed the concept of indoor dining for WF, but I doubt the choices they made would be directly influenced. We know that the deal with Starbucks wasn't finalized until after the IJ tour so I doubt that was really rushed for anything, and Graeters.. what can I say? Ice cream doesn't seem like the most tempting thing during a Winter event. Just my thoughts.

I bet they do SOMETHING in there. I find it hard to believe that the Festhaus will be entertainmentless. I think all signs are pointing in the direction of having a live show there, so my official guess is that they'll have a small area for venue-style seating and have the tables around it. I'm not saying it would be THE answer to the seating problem, but it would be AN answer.

Flight Commander went to Wonderland in Sydney, AU. Screamin' Demon went to Camden Park, but was removed recently after standing SBNO for several seasons. Flying Dutchman was sold to SFKK. Flying Eagles went to Carowinds. Kenton's Keelboat Canal was scrapped. Bavarian Beetle was scrapped. ...can't think of any others off the top of my head.

To be honest, I've never heard much good about the park since SF took over. People who had warm memories of Jazzland were suddenly introduced to poorly managed parks with several rides and shops closed daily.

But they all break in with local events. The national events allow for X number of minutes for local festivities each hour. True. I remember back in '92 watching one of the channels go back and forth between Times Square and Cincinnati's party on Fountain Square.

I just noticed on Six Flags' web site that if you go to the SFNO page, it obviously says that the park is closed due to Kartina. Now here's the thing: if you page through its operating calendar, all the dates are marked as closed until you reach July of 06 and it's labeled as "TBD". It looks like Six Flags is going to take a shot at reopening next season, which is awesome considering the amount of damage done to the park.

What's the story with Flashback? From what I've read, it's on the waterpark side of the park, and they used to close it with the waterpark during the winter months, but one year they just never reopened it. What gives?

I have also heard rumors that the screens are gone for good. If they do install a live show, don't crucify the park if it's a little on the lame side next year. Just remember that the first year that the Paramount Theatre was renovated, they dried up the budget for the whole year doing that and didn't have much money for the actual show.. hence Magic of the Movies. The next year, they were able to utilize the venue and had one of the best shows PKI has offered. Just give this stuff time.

I bet you anything that's the reason. It would stick out from behind the tree lighting set so they just removed it for now. Trust me, if PKI were sold, you'd be the first to know.

Eiffel Tower Tree Lighting: 6:00 White Christmas Express: 5:00-Close Santa's Christmastown: 4-Close (Note that Santa will be takeing a break from 7:30-8:00 to participate in the nightly parade) Holiday Illuminations: 5:45, 6:15, 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15, 8:45, 9:15, 9:45 Santa's Toy Factory Musical: 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 8:30, 9:30 (Due to the popular demand for this show, this attraction is by reservation only! Reservation tickets can be picked up at the return visit window) Nickelodeon Tree Lot: 4:00-Close Christmas Parade: 7:30pm Please note that any night Winterfest closes at 9:00 there of course will be no shows starting after that time.