XGatorHead 8904

It still is a lot cheaper. Besides, it is a great ride, have you even ridden it? Also, I never said right away, three years, maybe, for research. Maybe you should learn about roller-coasters before you deny an idea. Um...wow... saying that to Terpy? Hang around here long enough and you'll realize that Terpy is a wealth of knowledge in pretty much all things in the industry. If Terpy says it, it's pretty much going to be true... unless he says Magnum is a B&M, but he knows better.

It was designed that way. They needed to get the trains back to the level of the station, which sits at a higher elevation than the rest of the ride. The best way to accomplish this, of course, is a lift hill!

^Yup, first time I rode Voyage I started hands up, but had to put them down and hold on partway through the ride. On my 2nd through 9th rides though, it's been hands up all the way!

If I remember correctly, I think it was pulled pork. If you're looking for the brand of sauce, it didn't say.

Coastermania? Whatever… It was GatorMania Weekend at KI! So I wasn’t able to go to Coastermania at CP like a bunch of you, for a number of reasons: 1. I’m not a member of a coaster club (but I’m sure I could have tagged along as someone’s guest like some of you did). 2. Finances 3. GatorGirl had a rehearsal on Sunday for her dance recital. 4. I swore I wouldn’t go to CP again until I’m absolutely certain I can fit in Intamins again… and I’m sure it would have gotten old for violakat to keep squeezing me in them like she did for me on Drop Tower during RWCW! But this weekend, we ended up going to KI twice: Friday was unplanned, and Sunday was semi-unplanned. So I dubbed it GatorMania! But for some reason, the park wouldn’t grant us any ERT… 6/5 – Unplanned Trip with GatorGirl We were planning to go to Blue Ash for their Summerbration concert; it was Diamond Rio performing. We went last year to see Little Big Town, and they had carnival rides there that kept GatorGirl occupied. Mrs. Gator wanted to see Diamond Rio more than I did, so I was going to stay with GatorGirl while she rode the rides. But then we got to thinking… It would be cheaper for me to take her to KI instead of paying for the carnival rides at Summerbration. As it turns out, it was a good thing GatorGirl and I didn’t go to Blue Ash, because according to Mrs. Gator they had less rides there than last year. So I pick up GatorGirl from daycare, swing by McDonald’s drive-through and we’re on our way. First ride, of course, was Viking Fury. Then we made our way through Nick U, then over to Scrambler and Monster for night rides under the lights. Got off Monster just in time to watch fireworks, then headed over to Ice Cream Zone for our traditional blue ice cream treat! 6/6 – Semi-Unplanned Trip We decided on Saturday that it would be nice to spend some time at the park since we won’t be able to for another couple of weeks. So after GatorGirl’s rehearsal we headed straight to KI. First was the new Endless Summer on Ice. As Don told us at the Winter Blues Party, there were changes made to it. SPOILER ALERT: If you’d like to read about the changes, highlight the section below. If not… well, then, um... don’t highlight the section below! The ice skaters were good as always, and GatorGirl loved it when she got sprayed with ice (we were sitting 3rd row center). Next we went to Marty’s Party, then GatorGirl wanted a pretzel so we went in search of that. Even thought their sign said they had pretzels, the little stand between Jimmy Neutron’s Atom Smashers and FOC did not have them. We then went out to IS. Munchen Tower (the little stand at the corner of Emporium, for all you non-old food employees) has changed! They had been selling Belgian waffles earlier this year (and I think even as recently as Friday), but now it’s called I-Street BBQ. The menu looks good, with roasted corn on the cob, BBQ, Saratoga chips and turkey legs. I think we’ll have to try it on another visit. We eventually found pretzels at Tower Drinks. They said “gourmet”, but they were nothing like the gourmet pretzels the park had at the candy shop years ago, which were much, much better. We then got our first ride, which of course was Viking Fury. Then on to Scrambler (while Mrs. Gator rode Zephyr), then all three of us on Monster, then spent 40 nickels in the Arcade for skee-ball and the “clucking chicken” game. Our prize for 35 tickets was a defective train whistle… the holes that you blow through were not fully drilled out. I tried to exchange it, but the girl at the counter checked the others, they were all like that and she said that we had to do it ourselves at home but she wasn’t sure how to do it. I’ll have to get my drill out, I guess… We then parent swapped Delirium, and Mrs.Gator and GatorGirl left while I was on it to go ride Plankton’s Plunge. When I re-joined them, I discovered that they had met some friends of ours and their kids. So while GatorGirl and I joined them for blue ice cream, Mrs. Gator SRL’d Diamondback (I think she’s addicted… I wouldn’t know what that’s like ). Then it was my turn for Diamondback, using the parent swap card. As I was standing at the exit gate, I saw keiko_coaster. She asked me what I was doing there, and I tried to explain the parent swap procedure to her, but she was confused. I can see how it could be confusing if you’ve never used it, or if you’re not a parent. I then rejoined the rest of the group. Our friends left after SD&THC, but I had to get a ride in on FOC. So after riding that and stopping at Graeter’s so Mrs. Gator could get a treat (she’s not a fan of the blue ice cream like GatorGirl and I, so it was strawberry chip for her) we left for home at about 9:15. Two good days of fun! We had to get them in because the next time we're even able to visit is either 6/27 or 6/28, or maybe July 4th weekend. This weekend is my family reunion, the weekend after that is GatorGirl's dance recital on Saturday and a trip to The Beach on Sunday 6/21. Will this trip to The Beach be better than our last? I'll let you know, but at least this time we'll want to get wet...

Suck it up. The park has had midnight closes before, nothing new. Not to mention the 11:00 closes on Saturdays for years and years. I always appreciated the extra money when I worked there. What's your attitude going to be like on the 1:00 am closes during Haunt? And management does read these boards, and can have a good idea as to who's who. I know when I was in management there, I read PKIUnlimited and PKICentral plenty of times!

Out of those choices, I voted Coasters. I'm not a fan of chain restaurants in parks, unless they're of a local/regional variety like LaRosa's, Skyline and Graeter's. I can get Starbuck's, Subway, Cinnabon, Chik-Fil-A, Friday's, McDonald's, Burger King, Denny's or Johnny Rocket's very easily outside the park, in multiple locations across the US. When I go on vacation, you won't see me eating at national chains (unless that's all that's available, or if it's a chain that's not in my area... like Krystal's, Jack in the Box, etc.). I like the independent places. And when I'm at a park, the same rule applies... I want something only the region or the park itself has to offer. Gator, looking forward to spaghetti at DelGrosso's, whatever Lakemont Park, Knoebel's, Idlewild, Conneaut Lake and Sesame Place have to offer, and the chocolate at Hersheypark...oops, Hershey's national!

Isn't that the answer to all of his questions? How many times must people tell him that?

Wow... seriously? You work in the department that processes season passes, and you don't know what guests need to bring in to have their passes processed? Seriously??? What has become of my old department?

But "sucks" is a five letter word! (I'm just messin' with ya! ) But seriously, I agree that's not appropriate for a ride op to say over the mic (as much as I agree with that ride op's statement ). As the father of a 4 year old, we try not to use that word around her, and cringe when someone does (I know, I know, there are much worse words out there... some of which have slipped out of my mouth in front of her). Not that my 4 year old would be in the DB line anyway, but as others have said there are people who could be offended or unaware of the rivalry. The ride op probably wasn't thinking about what he was saying, or who may be possibly offended by it. Not that that's an excuse...

I rarely get actual food at the park, but the one item I get almost every visit is blue ice cream! When we do get actual food, it's almost always Larosa's.

If you're naive enough to believe this, then I suggest you read about my line jumping showdown here: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...st&p=300757. The FOC crew did nothing about this situation. If they had been trained on how to deal with it, that makes their lack of response even worse. While I was pi$$ed for a little afterwards, I didn't let it ruin the rest of the day. There was too much fun to be had! I reached a breaking point when it comes to letting line jumping slide. My breaking point occured when two teen girls line jumped at Voyage last year. I was in line, just entering the lower queue room (which was full). These two girls said they were trying to get to their friends. I jokingly made a comment to the people around me, something to the effect of "Yeah, sure they have friends up there." A few minutes later, they guy behind me tapped me on the shoulder and pointed to the stairs going to the station. There were the two girls, climbing the steps. They had circumvented the entire lower queue room, which took me 30 or so minutes to get through. It was at that point I said enough is enough. And now my crusade has started. Luckily I haven't had to fight the fight too much this year, or the remainder of last year. When I suspect line jumping is about to occur, I place my hands on each handrail in the attempt to block the offender. This, so far, has worked as a good detterent, and I have not had to take further action. If they were to still attempt it, then I plan on saying something to them at that point. How things go from there I would have to play it by ear, adapting to the situation as it occurs. I'm kind of like a Citizen On Patrol (why does Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol come to mind? ). I'm sorry you had such a bad time, Sparky, and hope that you give the park another shot. KI will not become a Six Flags Ohio on my watch! (Now if only I could get that elusive Anti-Line Jumper Paintball Grenade Launcher I've been hearing rumors about...)

Would "CFL" bulbs be "Cedar Fair Light" bulbs? Gator, who just HAD to...

You obviously don't have a 4 year old daughter! GatorGirl and her friends at daycare would not be pleased with you... that is, if they knew the definition of "fad"! I love it! We could paint it red & white to match a certain university's colors! Swoop: The Official Mascot of Miami University Athletics

No question about it, Sundays are the better day to go. They're not as good as the middle of the week, but out of the weekend days Sundays are a little less crowded.

OK, how do I put this? Um, it really scares me that you two are actually young enough to have gone to a Sharon, Lois and Bram show then, especially considering I was working at the park at the time. And come on, admit it, you weren't just there for your brother! And I can't let this go uncorrected. That was most definitely NOT Paramount's policy. When I was in management, we made it very clear to our associates during training that in the event of severe weather they needed to direct guests to the nearest shelter, which for us at the front gate was the basement of the season pass building. I know you worked in the waterpark, which is very sparse in it's shelter areas. If your managers or supervisors gave you the impression that the park's policy was to have the guests fend for themselves, they couldn't have been more wrong. Why would that be the policy? Just think of the legal nightmares that would have caused if someone had been hurt or killed because the park failed to provide adequate shelter in the event of a tornado. All areas of the park have a designated shelter that the associates are to direct guests to. This is true under Cedar Fair, was true under Paramount, American Financial, KECO, and probably before then. If this wasn't covered in your training or stressed to the associates in your area, that was extremely irresponsible of your supervisors. I'm not one to blindly defend Paramount but I will defend them on this. In the pre-Paramount days, there was one time (this was in 1990 or '91 when I worked Rivertown Karts) where I had finished my shift and went home. A bad storm came through the park that evening. The next day, the people that had worked the night before told me that they had to go to the nearest tornado shelter, which was the walk-in at Columbia Palace (now Rivertown Junction). Luckily, in my 17 years at the park, I somehow managed to never have to seek shelter. Amazing, considering how many hours of my life have been spent there!

^Terpy, you should know better. There were no logs on KCKC, there were keelboats. For logs, see another ride in the park where a certain elephant has taken up residence.

It's basic Chaos Theory. You know, if a butterfly flaps its wings in China, it rains in the US. If a cigarette is in school, a bush burns in Boomerang Bay.

In no particular order... 1. Coney Island Cyclone. A classic. 2. X2. Unlike anything I've ridden before. 3. Kingda Ka. I would have said TTD, but this one's taller. 4. Leap the Dips. Just for its historical significance. If all goes right, I'll be crossing this off the list in August. 5. Coney Island (OH) Shooting Star. Just because of hearing friends and relatives tell of it. Being born in '72, I missed it by a few years. And since I'll hopefully be marking off Leap the Dips soon, this will take it's place... 6. Griffon, Sheikra or Oblivion. I've never been on a dive machine. Some say they're one trick ponies, but it's a trick I haven't experienced yet.

I did a double take when I saw piccolos and saxes in the pictures! Thanks for clearing that up, Kat! Gator, once and always an STD... Stupid Tuba Dummy! MU! Go Band! Only 145 days until I get to play my tuba next...

The guy driving Viking Fury on our last visit was great. After the ride, he'd say, "Welcome back riders, how was your ride?" When he got the response that you can just imagine he would, he said "Really, that bad? Well then, please exit the boat and find a ride you like better, I guess..." This got a good laugh from the people on the ride and from those waiting in the station.

There were a few (very few) good points in this article. I completely agree with #1. I know that at KI a very small percentage of people pay full price... and those that do most certainly do not need to if they had just done a little homework like the article says. From there the article takes a steep decline. My favorite quote, from attorney Adam Glick: Really? Most? How irresponsible for the author to include this in the article, particularly with no evidence to back up this claim... which comes from an attorney who makes a living suing parks. This and other claims without proof to back them up... What a misleading and one-sided article.

Wow, tough choice... It's a tie between Skyflier and Delirium for me, with Drop Tower in 3rd.

Can I get one too please? $100,000,000, eh? How many sharks with lasers can that buy? 1. Bring back the organ on the Carousel 2. Bring back Antiques and Eagles 3. Fix the Festhaus clock 4. Repaint Racer to its original paint job 5. Paint Flight Deck 6. Move Starbucks and bring the Bakery back to that building 7. Improve the quality of the food park-wide, including but not limited to bringing Montgomery Inn back to the park as a table service restaurant in IR, bringing German food back to Festhaus and bringing back the smaller size fries at Potato Works. I personally wouldn't mind seeing Subway, Chik-Fil-A, Panda Express and Starbucks kicked out of the park, but people like them so I'll keep them around (I'm not a fan of getting rid of things unless they're problematic). 8. Build a duplicate of King Cobra (my favorite standup), but with better steel of course 9. Move LL's Screechin' Eagle and GL's Big Dipper to KI 10. Add a ferris wheel, either one like the park had before or a giant wheel like CP's 11. Build a dark ride as awesome as Spidey at IOA 12. Build a B&M inverted 13. Install a Wild Mouse (or a Wildcat... I just love that ride at CP!) 14. Install Demon Drop and Chaos 15. Update Timberwolf to attract more/better artists, but that would be difficult to do with Riverbend's PNC Pavilion as competition. I may have some money left over...would it cost anything to lower the food prices? A few nickels to change the price boards at each place, at the very least...

^Yeah, I didn't count that one because that was pretty much all you. I didn't say anything to the kid. If I had, he probably would have peed his pants!