standbyme

Yeah, I just got this e-mail: Paramount's Kings Island has made a business decision to cancel the WinterFest event for the 2006 season. The park will re-focus its resources during the core operating season. All guests who purchased tickets online through the Paramount's Kings Island web site will automatically be refunded back to the credit card that was provided when they were purchased. This refund transaction will start July 22, 2006 and could take up to 3-5 business days to appear on your account. Please check your credit card statement to verify that the refund has been credited to your account. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and certainly appreciate your interest in our park and our special events. We look forward to providing you with more fun and entertainment in the future. Should you have further questions, feel free to contact our sales and service center at (800) 288-0808. Sincerely, Paramount's Kings Island

Not that I am saying that you weren't told Winterfest has been cancelled...but I pre-paid several tickets and so far I have not received an e-mail telling me that it is not happening and that a refund is forthcoming...so i'm still holding out hope.

I also couldn't agree more...I really don't like the ride, but I like the "skyline" that it makes.

I went to BAFFD once...and only once...it was a nightmare...you couldn't avoid the crowds anywhere...good luck.

If i'm not wrong, I think that the Nick Character photos are the highest in the park...they do superimpose stuff over the picture which looks cool though...but beware, I bought one earlier this year, it looked very nice on the moniter but the actual print I received was kind of dark...not really worth the money.

If you lose your pass and someone turns it in, the park supposedly will contact you. (Which, don't give up hope, there are still honest people out there.) If that doesn't happen, all you do is fill out a small form, show some kind of picture I.D. & give them $10.00 and you are all set. It happened to my friend last year and it didn't take more than half and hour. Good Luck.

I always check Ebay all the time for Kings Island stuff...usually there is nothing REALLY special or odd...but this certainly is different: http://cgi.ebay.com/Lifesize-Indian-from-K...1QQcmdZViewItem I can't say as I actually remember this in the park...but if I did I would probably be thrilled to see it offered. (Does anyone happen to have an old picture showing it in the park?)

Sounds like a good time! Too bad it just didn't rain...I hate when lightning shuts down the rides. (It's fun riding The Beast & Delirium in the rain.)

In the department of "You can't please everyone"...I personally think it is great how loud the music is playing...it makes me sad that they finally have the music loud again and this will probably be the last year of hearing all of those great Paramount movie songs!

Glad to see everything is back to normal...I may have been going through a little withdrawl symptons yesterday....but I never once thought that you guys wouldn't get everything fixed fast.

Gee...get ready for some great replys! Personally...and this coming from someone who used to not like coasters...the loop is actually the best (and least scariest) part of the ride. The SOB is ROUGH...do not sit "on the wheel"...which means sit in the middle of the car. Good Luck!

Usually there is already a subject about this...but I couldn't find one, so...who is going to be at Beastbuzz this year? (Obviously I am.) For anyone who hasn't been, it really is a lot of fun...especially the scavenger hunt. (It's amazing how many little details about the park you walk past all the time without noticing.) As for this years backstage tours, I haven't heard what they are this year...but even if it's only The Beast again that is enough...I always enjoy seeing it close-up from ground level. With Cedar Fair taking over I am wondering if this might be the last one...I hope not.

PKINickRoedl...the "We have a farm" question was a nice little touch!

Shaggy....I knew that I could count on you...and I always do! Your info was real helpful. If you ever feel like digging out your "big maps" and figuring out the years that would be cool....until then I will just keep checking Ebay. I have bought several publicity folders....and as you know those come with the brochers not the map type...so currently I actually have more of the '80's brochers than I do of the hand-out maps. As a side note, which would also qualify for the "You know you're a PKI addict if..." thread...I spent $74.00 for my 1972 "big map" about 5 years ago...and then over $200.00 more to have it framed & matted with ultraviolet light proof glass...but it does look great!

Yeah...I go to Ebay all the time. One of the tougher things is that some people who have maps call them brochures and vice-versa, so that gets a little confusing.

I have been meaning to post this for awhile now…and finally I have gotten around to it. I collect Kings Island memorabilia. I have been attempting to acquire all of the old park maps…both the free handout type, and the big type that you purchase in the shops. I have a couple of questions that I am hoping someone can answer. First off, the free handout type…the earliest one that I own is 1984. Some of my questions about this type are: #1. Has the park always given out the free maps since they opened in 1972? #2. Have they always been about the same dimensions as they are now? (I have seen some “Fun Guides†on Ebay from the early ‘70’s that are more rectangular…and I didn’t know if that was what the original freebie type looked like.) Secondly, as for the big maps that you purchase: What years POSITIVELY exist? The years that I know for sure are: 1972, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1991, 1992, 2002. (There have been no new ones since 2002...correct?)

Geez...Spongebob looks like he's some kind of a lush.

They just posted this over at Coasterbuzz: http://www.coasterbuzz.com/2006-143-549010.htm

The sale of the parks made the Fark website this morning...they consider it "cool". They posted a link that has a video & article. http://www.channelcincinnati.com/health/9253170/detail.html

I've got my fingers crossed that this turns out to be good news. Also...so much for some of the people saying that "it wouldn't be who you think"!

I don't agree with some of the posts, but I wouldn't want to visit a board that only allowed good things to be posted. As tough as it is, sometimes it's best to just try and ignore certain posts.

Amen. I want the current generation of children to have just as good of memories as I do of the park when I was their age.

I think Shaggy's message kind of got lost on a few of you...I think what he meant was don't forget all of the good things Paramount has done...there are plenty. I also see a little cost cutting...but can you blame them...it is a business. I for one am not happy that Paramount is selling the park...I enjoy it now and worry that the new owners (whoever they may be) will not improve the park. I have always been a "careful what you wish for" kind-of-a-guy! For all the people complaing about how Paramount has run the park, I hope in a year you will not be saying "Gee, I wish Paramount had never sold the park". My mind set is: I hope the park stays at LEAST as good as it is now...I would be happy with that...if it improves then that is just a VERY nice little extra.

Landscaping is an important factor with me...I like the park looking green...which is why I was dissapointed with the antique cars being removed and being replaced with the "cold" looking IJST. I was amazed that someone said CP had good landscaping...I have not been there in over 8 years, but the last time I was there I saw nothing good landscaping wise.

Yeah, it sounds like you had a good trip! (I think this is the first trip report i've read what condiments someone did (or didn't) put on their sandwich.)