XGatorHead 8904

I don't think any enthusiast in their right mind would have a dog named Trim Break. Other rejected dog names: Staple, Just One More Click, Off Season, Downtime, and Walk of Shame.

That happened to me when I was a kid too, when we went to (then) Marriott's Great America. As we were walking along the midway I got a little too close to someone who was holding a cigarette and got a nice little burn on my arm. Today it wouldn't bother me as much, but as a kid it hurt like hell.

Wow. The more interviews I see with him, the more impressed I am. It looks like Cedar Fair is in good hands, and I can't wait to see the direction he takes the company. I like that he said that for KI and KD, the 2 parks in 1 is a great marketing tool. Let's keep it that way! Also caught another Disney-ism. At one point when he was talking about having something for the guests at night, he referred to it as "a kiss goodnight". For those of you that don't know what that is in Disney terms, at the end of each night, some time after the official "closing time" as guests are leaving the park, they light up Cinderella Castle in various colors. It's not as impressive as The Magic, the Memories and You presentation, but it's a nice touch to end the night.

^Son of Beast didn't stay, and there was a haunt in its station.

I've been looking around online, and apparently Great America in CA had them in 2000, if not before... http://www.epinions.com/review/trvl-Family_Travel-Theme_Parks-All-Paramounts_Great_America/kifm-review-64E9-A4B0D56-3945204F-prod6?sb=1 ...the KIC timeline is correct and KI added them in 2003 (thus proving my failing memory)... http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/paramounts-kings-island-adds-metal-detectors-in-2003 ...and Carowinds installed them in 2003: http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/carowinds-tightens-security Those darn racial tensions must have flared up in Charlotte too!

I could have sworn they were there in '02, but all the years run together any more. But blaming the installation on the racial tensions in Cincinnati doesn't make sense either. Especially since the detectors were installed in 2003, and the Cincinnati riots were in 2001. The timing does not add up. EDIT: Pedro Cerrano beat me to it.

Let me rephrase that then. After 9/11, all Paramount parks were instructed to install metal detectors if they didn't already have them. I thought I remembered KD's Admissions manager tell me when I visited in 2002 that they had had them for a while, and you seem to have confirmed this. I definitely remember discussing with him during the tour he gave us of their Admissions area about how their's were placed behind the turnstiles, and how I was glad ours were out front.

I loved that place! I believe it was called Canyon Canteen. It's been so long that I don't exactly remember, it's been almost 20 years. It was a Skyline footlong place after that, now funnel cakes, and I think it was even something else between Mexican & Skyline. Canyon Canteen had excellent taco salads!

I believe the installation of the metal detectors was more due to the racial tension that Cincinnati was knee deep in years ago rather than 9/11. I repectfully disagree with you on that. After 9/11, all Paramount parks were instructed to install metal detectors. It wasn't just KI.

Wow, Giant Wheel looks great! I was impressed with WindSeeker last year, but this is better!

Looks like I need to get on the ball. I'm behind in donations!

Unfortunately I think there's a greater chance of mis-reporting by The Enquirer than there is of the organ returning.

Yeah. I remember in 2006 people were dumping soda on each other. Hoodlums. I bet they wouldn't have done that if the soda in question was the cool refreshing taste of RC Cola, rather than Coke!

The Tiki Room is no longer under new management. After Iago caught fire last year, they took that opportunity to change the program and revert back to the original Tiki Room show. http://allears.net/tp/mk/tiki.htm

I'm in! I've been wanting to do this for years, but I've always been on vacation when it's been held before. It's a great cause and I'm really looking forward to it. Here's my page if anyone would like to donate.

I don't mind an odd number. In fact, there's an odd number in my group going down to Dollywood this weekend (me and two friends), although there will be other people there that we know. I don't mind riding alone so it's no big deal to me. I used to go to KI alone a lot, and still do from time to time, although now it's mainly with friends or with my family (Me + Mrs. Gator + GatorGirl = an odd number).

I could be wrong, but I thought it was the same way last year; Gold included admission to Haunt and regular did not.

How do you pull that off since Mt Dew isn't served at the park?

I loved KC. It's by far my favorite stand-up. The front "seat" was the best, watching the track disappear beneath your feet as if you were walking/gliding on the rails. I never rode the clones SkyRider and Shockwave, because when I went to Wonderland and KD, KC was still operating so I just viewed a ride on those as redundant. Just one more reason (among many) to try to get to those parks again.

^So wood that be a rebuilding year? (For the Reds, not SoB)

Come this October we will be able to do a walk through of the building now that the ride is gone. 'Course, there will guys in masks hiding in the corners waiting for opportune moments to leap out and scare unsuspecting passersby, but still... I hope not! I much prefer makeup to masks.

^Sounds like a step in the right direction. I'm looking forward to trying the cheesesteaks and the new items at Outer Hanks. Thanks for the good news, Don!

^The answer to your question is right there in the article you posted.

^Ok, thanks. Guest Relations and Admissions were separate departments when the waterpark was built, and were through my tenure there. They joined together sometime after 2005, like '07 or '08, some time around then.

When we do eat inside the park, it's usually LaRosa's in Festhaus or the Backyard BBQ. When I'm spending the day in the park with friends, we usually go to Taco Bell or Wendy's. But my favorite place to eat in the park is any location that has blue ice cream.