KIfan73

I guess Fearfest could become Feastfest. They could just put Thanksgiving buffets all over the park, and people dressed up like Turkeys and Pilgrims walking around the park .

^I agree. AZ is always exciting; Rivertown has great atmosphere; IS is always great (needs some different shopping experiences), but I hear crickets when I walk through CM. Nothing really has changed there for so long (not counting FOF, but I don't think it really "adds" to the area). The old Flight Commander site is really an eyesore IMO, also.

Last night at the park they told me whenever I come in '07, they will give me my permanent pass then.

Its all about perception. Cedar Fair may very well be making some very good decisions, but I don't think they're doing a very good job of making current customers feel that they are. Paramount, to me, did a good job of making the public feel like it was "their" park. Cedar Fair seems to have the persona of "well, its our park now, and this is the way its going to be". Is that necessarily wrong? No. It is their park. I would just think they should be a little leary of doing anything to make dedicated patrons to feel like a "unfriendly" company has taken over. To cancel Winterfest and to jack people around on the season and/or parking passes are two pretty "unfriendly" moves to make.

Sounds like many of you are saying no big changes, as far as from a visitor's viewpoint: "Quasi-theme park to higher-profiting, clean, marginally-themed park?"

Wait, you don't think Cedar Fair will own it very long?

I know that there has been endless speculation about what Cedar Fair is going to do with our park. Its easy to go on and on and on. What do you think people will be saying in 10-15 years? As an example, I would think Paramount's influence on Kings Island, looking back on the last 13 years, could be summed up as: Traditional amusement park became family-oriented quasi-theme park. What do you see in the crystal ball?

I went to FF for the first time last year. If you don't worry about how long the lines are, and just kind of take in the atmosphere, its a blast.

Well, at 33, I don't feel so old now....

Wings is horrible. If that restaurant was anywhere else besides in an amusement park, it would have went out of business years ago. No atmosphere, actually a depressing place to go into IMO. I think BGSS is the place to eat. Great view of the lake/pond, too.

I understand a park has to watch the pennies closely, and spend on those attractions that get the most attention, but it is a shame to see a ride not be as great as it was when it was new. I remember seeing tons of people actually stand in the "viewing area" of TG and watch the ride go by.

I remember riding Top Gun soon after it first opened. It was a pretty neat experience. Cool TG music throughout the queue, the billboard had jet coming out of it, everyone in flight suits, going through all the effects in the queue building. It was neat.

If they have changed back to no free parking, I am going to consider Cedar Fair a pretty shady organization.

I don't see anything about free parking for renewing pass holders...

Was there really even much of a city of Mason to speak of before Kings Island?

Great TR. Makes me want to go!

Wonder how large and/or profitable KI season passholders are as a group.

I've rode Drop Zone twice. The last time I rode it (Aug 4), I was terrified! In fact, I couldn't bring myself to ride it again later in the day. Its actually the ride up that gets me. The drop itself is fun. Delerium (which I rode the first time Aug 4), DZ, and F/O are all rides that I have to be in just right right mood to ride. The Beast, however, is just plain fun. I love that ride. To me, its just the right balance of keeping my interest, great views, and just enough speed (although I notice way more braking going on than I used to!)

You know, thats funny. I went to KI the first time when I was 3 in the mid 70s (still have the pics!). I didn't go again until '92 with some family, and we all rode WWC. For some reason, over the years, I just didn't notice it over there. I think for awhile I thought they had taken it out. When I went in July, I found it but the line was tooooo long. So last Friday, we got on it, and I think it might have been the funnest thing all day. Yeah, the weather was awesome. I'd like to get down once before the end of the season, and then, of course, go back for Fearfest.

I hate to not get a pass, but I'll probably just plan on going maybe once during the season, and just buying a single day pass. Even with a pass, its a 160 mile round trip, so, at best, its $25 for gas. Plus at least one meal, and if I have to pay for parking, and the pass goes up, trips to the park will go under the "unnecessary spending" column in my budget.

If parking isn't included, I know I'll be out.

Any ideas yet?

Wow, what a nice visit to the park on Friday! Was going to head down earlier in the week, but decided not to in light of the 100+ degree heat index. My cousin hadn't been there since grad night '98, so he rode along too. Friday was showing a chance of showers, but boy did we luck out. Absolutely gorgeous day. Got to ride all the major rides, save for IJ, and some twice. FOF was actually a virtual walk on, and so was TRTR. I rode Delerium for the first time on Friday. Wow, that is one incredible ride. Also got to ride F/O for the first time since '00. That one is pretty intense, as well. One of the caricature girls was so bored she offered to draw me for free. Very talented, but didn't care for the drawing or I would have offered to buy it. New experience @ the park, anyway. Also, rode WWC for the first time since '92....For years I've just walked past it, not noticing it, finally found it my last visit, and actually rode it this time...that was maybe the most fun thing I rode all day....the way it is back in the woods, and the length of it (plus I got soaked) made it a blast. Anway, just one more great visit!

Is this park in Myrtle Beach for real?

I honestly started to avoid SOB starting last fall. I'm not a spring chicken (33), and I honestly felt like the couple times I have been in a car accident after I rode it. I really hate it for the park, because it was such a huge undertaking, and sucha great concept. I've never liked its placement, either. To me, it almost seems like an afterthought. Like, its just kind of out on the outskirts, and has such a nondescript queue. Of course, The Beast is WAY out there, but I don't get the same feeling with it. I really hope I'm in the minority, and they can get it up and running SAFELY asap.