Browntggrr

This is not surprising. Those who want to ride it would certainly dominate the numbers, as those who don't care to ride it have no reason to say anything and just keep walking to another ride.

An announcment of SoB being closed for 2010 was made back in mid-March. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2010/03/kings_island_hopeful_new_owner_or_not.html Given this information, what else is expected? Sure, CF could announce that the ride is being torn down. People will then second guess that decision as too hasty and not enough time was given for more re-engineering ideas. Or CF could say the ride will re-open as is. Some will be happy that the ride is operating again. That is, until another guest gets injured. Then people will second guess not only the guest's injury but why CF did nothing to improve the ride. And also, CF could put in more money to improve the ride again. If those improvements arn't good enough, people will second guess the amount of money spent was not enough, and others will second guess why the money spent at all. And lastly, CF puts in millions more into a ride that has a black eye, and will very likely always have a black eye no matter if the re-engineering actually works or not. Given any of those scenarios, CF is doomed for failure. So exactly what motivation does CF really have making another announcement?

So you have seen it in person?

http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/conference_call/index.cfm

With video: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailynewsmckeesport/s_688124.html

What motivation does the park have to mention it? The ride is closed. "Come to Kings Island and look at the tallest and fastest wooden coaster!"

I am partial to HB since it has an indoor pool, TGI Fridays (and other restaurants), and is closer to Challenge Park & park entrance. The best deal? That all depends on what you are looking for. Also, DT is not as bad as some want to make it seem. No, it is not as thrilling as other coasters, but it still serves the younger generation of riders and gets you out of the sun for a period of time.

http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/entertainment/24066960/detail.html

That's cool. I'm sure you can still recite your lines to this day after all the shows you performed in.

I would say lack of entertainment shows in the park. When there are a lack of options, some will be attracted to the one thing that stands above the rest.

No, not all the shows were bad. And the handful of shows you mentioned were entertaining. Yet, given the amount of years Paramount directed the park, and that Paramount is an entertainment company I would have hoped that there would have been more than a handful of entertaining shows that would have been remembered. It is encouraging that CF has given more of an emphasis on the shows recently, and is utilizing venues like Festhaus that seemed to be put on the back burner under Paramount's direction. With any luck, CF's emphasis on entertaining the guests will continue to grow in the years to come.

And just think of how the attendance would have dropped even more if CF did not drastically improve the entertainment shows over Paramount.

New pic of StR operating: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/photo.php?pid=42677324&o=all&op=1&view=all&subj=10625691462&aid=-1&id=20923183

CP removed the Frontier Lift in 1985 for ID that was built in 1987. You can still see the load/ unload station near the entrance of SRF & Skyhawk. The building is currently bathrooms and storage, but you can still see remnants of the old lift at the rear of the building. Here is a picture of the old Frontier Lift load/ unload station courtesy of our friends at PointBuzz. http://pointbuzz.com/photos/Photo.aspx?id=3014

I believe that both parks are about 364 acres. The difference between the two is that CP sits on a long peninsula whereas KI went with the wagon-wheel configuration. So from one end to the other CP will be larger.

As with most people, myself included, we tend to look at certain things through rose-colored glasses. This is a KI site, so it is understood that a vast majority of the people will be KI fans no matter what- just like I am a Browns fan no matter what. I will bash the $hitsburgh Cheaters till I'm blue in the face, just like some will never be happy with CP. It's just the way that it is. CF knows they can't please everybody- and even attempting that would be foolish as they would be chasing their tails. They need to keep the majority happy. As enthusiasts, many may not always understand that. I was lucky enough to visit many parks at a young age. That gave me a wide view of different parks & the rides they have/ operate etc. Many other people have only visited a small handful of parks leaving them a small comparison. Such a small comparison often leads to the "KI vs. CP" or "Paramount vs. CF" discussion. Can any of those truely be compared? Back on topic... STR could have already been given a conditional license to operate. There have been boats operating (although the wrong boats) that could test the safety features (photo eyes, prox switches, e-stops, anti-roll backs etc.). It could be that the only thing stopping the approval of the full-operating green light is the actual operation of all the boats together, which can take place at night (as the approval operation often does) to get in the necessary operational hours the state is looking for. Or it could also be that the Register is making a mountian out of a molehill to sell more papers.... EDIT- There have been confirmed reports that STR has been testing with CP employees on the boat. I would have to say that the ride has been approved for operation, but, the official papers are not in CP's hands.

...and don't forget the Salt Water Taffy on the way out of the park!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: It is too bad more people did not know KI pre-Paramount. It truely was one of the best, if not the best, seasonal parks back then.

Good for those guests going this weekend! Although, I would anticipate the line to be TERRIBLY long due to the hot & humid weather we have been getting here on the shores of Lake Erie, and, given that this would be STR's actual opening weekend, I would also anticipate various breakdowns.

Universal goes ape for 3D Kong New attraction at Hollywood park opens July 1 http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118020990.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 Anyone heading out West? This attraction sonds like a can't miss!

CP will have test seats at MF, TTD, and Maverick. I don't see why there would be an issue with any of the other rides. Now the kicker is, just because a person can fit in the test seat, does not necessarily mean they will still be able to ride. As Terp mentioned, the seatbelt lengths are known to vary, more on MF than any other ride. If the test seat is a struggle, I suggest to watch the people getting off the train at the exit station and look for others' that appear to be close to your wife's figure, and try to get that seat. I would also wait for your wife to get in the seat herself and get buckled up before you do- CP employees will not struggle to buckle a person in, but that does not mean you can't.

There is no fine line between thrifty and cheap. It is one or the other. Thrifty is someone that cuts coupons and will compare prices to get the best bargin. Sly is someone that can get a 20oz. drink into a park. Cheap is someone that orders a cup of hot water in a restaurant- because they brought their own tea bag.

http://www.ocregister.com/news/business-254556-expected-grow.html

I'm used to a blind squirrel finding a nut, but I'll take a blind pig finding a truffle..

You bring your own drinks into the park? Not always. When our kids were still in strollers, it was easy to bring drinks (and food) in the park that were stashed in the underneath carrier. Often times now, my wife will stick a drink in her purse. When the drink is gone, we refill the bottle with water.