Browntggrr

10 year olds walking around without adult supervision with money in their pockets is a recipe for disaster.

Not with kids...unless you count the couple of songs in the Lilo & Stitch movie. I have worked in a record/music store for over 20 years...I can count how many Elvis CDs that I have sold to anyone under 10 on my fingers. In my original statement I was just trying to clarify the demographic of who was decorating the trees at this event...there were no "younger" themes like The Simpsons, Nick, Jonas Bros., Miley Cyrus...this is an event geared towards the over 40 crowd...and The Peanuts fit right in! Yeah, your point was clear as mud. A school group goes to a festival of trees geared to adults. I would also hope that you could count, using your fingers, how many total CD's that anyone under 10 has bought.

http://www.ojr.org/ojr/people/robert/200911/1798/ I really liked this article, even though I don't agree with all his views. And this article does not just apply to newspapers and their websites, but for most businesses today.

Some interesting videos of the construction: http://io9.com/5407828/first-look-at-harry...orld-theme-park J.K. likes butterbeer & more videos: http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2009/11/...tter-sneak-peek This project looks simply amazing. I really hope it will meet my expectations!

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2009/11/dis...s-and-scooters/ I'm confused. How can they have different prices for the same size lockers? And talk about gouging the guest! Higher prices for the water parks, where guests almost have to use a locker? So much for trying to attract guests in a poor economy by doing the "little things".

http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-25...oo_and_Aquarium

Appearances and fact are often quite different. I am not saying that they are not, but, I would like to see more evidence that the park is self-insured.

^ Water under the bridge. oops I meant cement...

But do keep in mind that they also had two "Elvis" trees, and one with nothing but photo ornaments of local physicians who have passed away! You don't think Elvis is popular?

Yeah, the same thing happens with many kids. I ask my daughter's friends what their favorite Nick character is, and they give me a blank stare. I then ask what their favorite Spongebob character is and they all have an answer. I'm sure if the teacher asked if the kids knew Snoopy, they would have all responded with a "yes". But aside from that, Peanuts are obviously popular. A whole themed tree? That speaks volumes.

Even though the guest is suspected of battery, they are the ones with these injuries? Something is not right here at all.

Extreme Makeover: Roller coaster edition "CHIPPER! MOVE THAT WOOD!"

That could be why CF closed SoB down this season. It is possible that the insurance carrier pulled SoB's policy. Unless there was some type of "warrenty" (or call it what you like) clause in the purchase agreement, CF can not go after Paramount/ Viacom. Under most large purchases (like a home or business) once the buyer signs and the check is handed over, the deal is done. I would be shocked to find out that there was such agreement, and, we probably would have already heard about it due to the lawsuits. If the pieces were never used, then they are not part of Beast. You are the proud owner of some rusty nuts and bolts.

During "It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" I told my kids (again) that Charlie Brown & Snoopy were going to be at KI next year. They both gave me an "ok" answer and shrugged their shoulders. I then mentioned that SpongeBob and the rest of the Nick characters will be leaving; they gave me the same "ok". My oldest daughter then went to get a tape measure to see how tall she was. She wants to get on Beast this summer. So I can easily say, my kids really don't care about how the kid’s portion of KI is themed. What company does not like to save money wherever they can? Speaking from the experience of being a business owner, finding ways to spend less is an everyday job. If something does not have to be done, it usually is not. That is why every business has a yearly budget for improvements. Everything gets ranked from most important to least important. And under most circumstances, the common guest will never see where the most money is spent.

http://www.fox8.com/news/wkw-news-akron-zo...0,6604586.story

http://cbs2.com/consumer/Disneyland.rides.....2.1299974.html

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...csbEA&pos=7

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/200...y+World+coaster

http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/200...ensing_agr.html Well, there goes that idea.

Only $10 million for all the repairs & re-engineering? To me, that seems like a VERY generous estimate. I would have guessed about double that.

I said that not having a stand-up or inverted hurt. I did not say that it was a defining factor. And this is the exact reason why I am looking for clarification on the poll, it is very open ended. But don't get me wrong, I do like the poll. But it also can have people start splitting hairs. There are many reasons why I put KI in the average range when it comes to their collection. And the most basic answer I can give is that they don't have the variety to be put in the "above average" catagory. And IMO, this is the exact reason why CF pulled the trigger rather quickly in building DB. I have no park in the "Excellent" catagory. There is not a park that has every type of coaster- wood, steel, sit-down, stand-up, inverted, flying, suspended, launch, dive, bobsled, water, 4th dimension, pipeline, water, floorless, racing (what did I forget?) etc. Above average- SFMM, CP, & SFGAdv. Average- KI, Hershey, KD, BGA, SFoG, SFoT, Carowinds, CW. BGW would have been in the average catagory, but with the removal of BBW, it has fallen off my list.

^ I need some clarification. Is this poll about coaster collection or coaster quality? I have seen comments for both sides. If it is about collection, KI rates an average. Not having an inverted or stand-up hurts in this department. If it is about quality, KI is barely an average. KI only has 3 coasters that I no problem waiting in line for over an hour.

Wow, where the heck is my mind... Yes, it was. Still out of my mind though...

Does this so called "expert" realize that people like John Allen designed and built coasters for years without computers to assist them? When he says that you can't do it without a computer, he really means that HE can't do it without a computer. Makes me wonder if he is capable of adding 2 plus 2 without a calculator! I believe we need to read between the lines with that comment. While the article could have been written clearer, but it did say this: Bold emphasis added: Was it John Allen that suggested where the new supports went, or was it PP engineers with all their years of coaster construction experience? Did JA intend for a certain type of wood to be used, or was a decision made after his portion of the design was completed? And did JA expect PP to take the project over from RCCA? IMO, with this information, it is apparent that SoB was doomed from the start. This article could very well be the final nail in a well sealed coffin.

Exactly. When the Peanut specials are on, Nick gets turned off, and that is my kids' choice. We also have the privledge of having paid TV for Nick, many families do not, so the luster of Peanuts has not worn off as opposed to Sponge Bob which they can see at any time. Even more satisfying is now that my daughter is getting old enough to read on her own, she opens the newspaper to the comics and reads Peanuts (But her favorite is Baby Blues). I would love to see HB come back to KI, but since CF has Peanuts, that will probably never happen. Good question. Why did Paramount purchase KI and destroy the themeing KECO laid out? Rivertown? Gone. Octoberfest? Gone. International Street? Gone. Hanna-Barberaland? Gone. Adventure Village? Gone. I really did not expect CF to bring back those themed areas, they are not in the theme park business. In the video: "Riding History to the Limits" http://www.cetconnect.org/KingsIsland/ you can clearly see the themed areas that were lost during the Paramount years. It is quite apparent that Paramount was more intrested in promoting their own brand as opposed to what the park patrons wanted. With the exception of FoF, you are happy with the 3 other coasters Paramount installed in 13 years? I would rather have FH & DB in the whole 3 full years CF has owned it.