Browntggrr

You don't know?!? It's the one next to the animatronic caveman rubbing 2 sticks together! ">

I have WAY too much time on my hands....

^ Texas Giant

The rails are gone? Here come the rumors of the TG treatment!

I wonder if the one train policy is a requirement from the insurance company due the accidnet on Beast years ago. Although, I seem to remember some verbage of KI (CF) being self-insured.....

The wife & I just downed some Skyline (trying to dry off a bit) after a rain ride on Beast. Amusement parks, rain, & white shirts- not a good mix for some!

This decision only leads me to believe SB did not draw much of a crowd. If it did, the removal of US would not be such a question mark.

Brown, while it hasn't be said for certain - I believe some reliable persons on this site pointed out that the other side is now completely devoted to the haunt attraction and void of being a theatre. Hence the "free" Spongebob offering is now gone and the one active theatre side is now the new attraction - Dinosaurs Alive 3D. It was my impression, which could very well be incorrect, both SB & DA3D would be available. If SB is not available, that would be a disappointment, but certainly not to the level as a select few have taken it. I do enjoy a good discussion, but the constant beating every single decision the park makes has been getting old for quite some time now. If the only way you can enjoy the park is if they follow your instructions, please don't go since they cannot meet your expectations. If the horse is dead, why still beat it?

After reading your posts all these years I know that you are not naive...so when you make a statement like this I wonder if you are not just playing devil's advocate. How in your heart of hearts can you see this as a good choice...to pay for something that has been free for over 15 years? If they had just built the theater this year and it was an upcharge I could see where you are coming from...that is not the case. Don't take my statement as support- I never said it was a good choice, but I do understand the upcharge. I also understand that I choose not to spend the money.- Yet to make such an outlandish statement that this is the worst decision in the park's history, is simply having a closed mind to the actual business that KI is in. One side of the theatre has had limited use for a number of years, and the other side has had the same offering for 8 years- i.e.- the draw is very limited. Now we have the choice of both sides- one side for a nominal charge. As of right now, we have lost nothing. If the park had increased the price of a gate ticket & season passes for DA & 3D movie, that would certainly have been a terrible decision- but that is not the case.

If adding a choice is the worst thing KI has done in 40 years, they are much further ahead than I have ever given them credit for.

So can I assume that since Spongebob was not only 3D, but had motion seats that you WERE surprised it was free!?! Well, given it was SB, I was surprised I watched it without being paid.

I am happy it is available & to have a choice.

I don't believe so, but, DA is a trademarked experience. For KI (or CF) to purchase the animatronics, movie & be allowed to use the DA name & advertising is a stretch. That could be it. When I had my business, I charged $1 cover- not to pocket extra $$ but to weed out some of the crap & pay for my extra security. Some people paid it w/o batting an eye. Others complained. I kindly told them that the bar down the street does not have a cover charge and to have a nice day.

If DA is here longer than 1 year (interpretation of what a long time means can go in many directions) the park will be charged this year as well as charged again however many years to come. If the 3D movie is not worth it, people will not experience it more than 1 time- which is not what the park wants. But as of right now, we do not know what the movie will be like at all. What I do know- I am upcharged for 3D movies (usually $2.50), so a $2 charge is not that surprising to me. DA & 3D movie are not geared for the thrill ride seeker (as many of us are). KI has many guests that ride only a small handful of rides, and are entertained by the other non-ride attractions. It is very possible they will love the choice of DA & movie.

Please explain the difference when they add something like Diamondback and don't make it an upcharge attraction to make up for the undeniable "higher cost to the buisness". I am totally serious...explain to me how the two are different. Both cost money...Diamondback even more...both are NOT low capacity rides...why upcharge for one and not the other. Return on investment. People expect rides like DB at KI & DB will be at KI for many years to come (perhaps 30+ years, making the initial pricetag of DB less than $1 million/ year) Attractions such as DA are at the park for a limited amount of time and add to the park experience, if you choose to partake in it. I would guess DA & movie has a pricetag of $2 million.

There are numerous reasons. The # 1 being higher cost to the business (or park in this discussion). For instance: Johnny Walker Blue costs more to make than Dewar's thus the extra cost is handed down to the consumer through the local watering hole.

I honestly don't see why there is such an negative attitude about the charge. People have a choice. If they don't want to pay extra, the park has numerous other things to do that were included with the normal ticket price. DirecTV has an upcharge for premium movie channels, HD channels, sports channels etc. Airlines have an upcharge for first class. Automobiles have an upcharge for special features. Movie theaters have an upcharge for 3D movies. Cruise lines upcharge for balcony rooms. Hotels upcharge for rooms with a view. The upcharge example are endless. If KI has overpriced themselves for this attraction, they will soon find out since guests will simply move to a free attraction. Attractions like this make for a more intresting park, upcharge or not. I would rather have the choice of spending my money than for the park to not offer an attraction like this. And let's not forget- It's not even open yet. How do any of us know if it is worth the money or not? I can remember when other attractions (i.e. Planet Snoopy, Boo Blasters, DB- (does anyone remember the "pierce the sky" negativity?) Firehawk etc.) were met with similar criticisms. KI is what it is today by the people in charge. Granted- some decisions were bad (as no business always make the right decisions), but for the most part, the powers that be have made great decisions, and KI is a great park as a result. The positive, or negative, upcharge for DA & movie will not be truely seen until July at the earliest.

Yeah. right. That's wishful thinking. People have not only complained about the addition of an exhibit that only costs extra if they choose to, they complain about the placement of a fake advertisement dinosaur, trees dying in vain after the announcement of SoB's status, the potential removal of an 8 year old senory ride, and believe HH is satanic. People... Person... What's the difference! Too true!

Yeah. right. That's wishful thinking. People have not only complained about the addition of an exhibit that only costs extra if they choose to, they complain about the placement of a fake advertisement dinosaur, trees dying in vain after the announcement of SoB's status, the potential removal of an 8 year old senory ride, and believe HH is satanic.

If the contractor also tests the ride, then there is no reason the ride can't be "fired up". The tests will include numerous things: e-stop, all safety checks, all prox switch checks, etc., and most importantly- role playing (i.e. what happens in a power outage). Dry runs & inspection can be done at the same time.

Unless someone works for the park, no one here has that type of information. Typically, in deconstruction projects, a contractor is hired to demolish a structure. Part of the cost is allowing the contractor to remove all materials and do what they wish with it. For the most part, the contractor sells as much of the materials to be recycled. All the nuts/ bolts & various metal used will be sold for a hefty dollar. All the wood can still be used in the paper industry even though it has been treated. My guess to bring SoB down= >$1,000,000.

I recieved an e-mail from KI @ 5:38pm that mentions WS as new for 2011. There is nothing hinting it would not be available Saturday. http://www.visitkingsisland.com/public/news/newsletter/index.cfm?item=166

My guess is, the parking cost offsets property tax (for the lot), which is always different where ever you live/ work/ play etc. Again, just a guess.

^Great info. Instead of taking things at face value, some need to stop beating the "I want to make-up reasons to hate KI and make everyone drink the kool-aid" drum.

Those who want to save a buck will do what is necessary & know what to do. Those people will not go to the park w/o discounted tickets already in hand. Those who do not look for a deal obviously do not care what the price is and will pay the full ticket cost and will have a fun day at the park. The park would be smart to train all front park workers in the advantage of season passes for guests. At $51, passes should be an easy sell.