KIfan73

Well, it was pouring down rain on my way to PKI this morning, but, luckily I didn't let that bother me. Ended up being about the best weather I've ever experienced while there. I just don't know how anybody could complain about the place. Even if all the rides were broke down, it is just such a beautiful place. Everybody was friendly, the guy at Starbucks even offered to grind up any kind of coffee I wanted. Overall a great day, can't wait to go back!

Thanks for the replies, I really appreciate it. I'm looking forward to it. I'm a teacher, and I have a long weekend off. I just found out after all these years that there's a mall close to KI, so I may go there for a little while if its raining. Thanks again! Johnny

I'm heading to PKI tomorrow. It shows rain in the morning...if it does rain, will they usually just open the rides after it rains, or when they shut them down are they down for good?

Never noticed either way. Thats funny. I was going to write something about Viking Fury. It seems like the one ride that is never mentioned. I think its awesome how its the only ride left from when KI always used to put rides over water. I always feel like I step back in time on VF, especially with that and Festhaus about all there is to Oktoberfest. I am surprised they have let VF survive this long, honestly. I'm glad they have, though.

I long for, on a warm sunny day, walking through the turnstyles, hearing the music, and seeing the fountains and the tower. Thats my favorite part.

That would be a neat coaster for KI. Have it go all through the park. Start in RT, over swan lake, around the tower, maybe through AZ, and back...The Beast II, perhaps?

I wasn't trying to say anything bad about the ride. I never even got to see it. I was just going on what I've read about how it was down a lot, and they removed it after only 3 seasons or so, and the company had to replace it with The Vortex. Interesting video, though...would love to see more like it...

That was awesome! I'm surprised they got it to run long enough to get the video. Kings Island was ahead of their time, for sure. I love how the video starts out like an old horror movie. They need to do some of that again. Does Kings Island not look different in that video? All grass and trees!!

First of all, I would pack Wings diner with hundreds of pounds of explosives, and blow it up on opening day, for all to see. Second, I would REALLY like to see something done around the lake across from LaRosa's (is that swan lake?). That seems like such a neat, almost mysterious area of the park that is so underutilized. When you see old pics of PKI, it seemed like all the rides were over water. I'd like to see some of that again. I would also like to see Paramount Story changed to PKI's story with lots of old pics of PKI from years past. Also have all over the park a sort of monument that would show what had been there in past years. I think also for one of PKI's anniversaries they should have a parade on Int'l Street like they had on opening day in '72 with a few members of the Brady Bunch show on hand to kind of re-dedicate the park. Overall, I want to see PKI advance into the future by acknowledging its awesome past.

Wow, thanks!!

Just wondering a few things about the new resort next to PKI (Great Wolf Lodge?) When will it open? Is it actually part of PKI? Indoor water park? Is it also going to be like a hotel where you can stay at during the summer, and shuttle to the park? Thanks for any info!

I've had this idea that I think would be really neat. I think it would be very interesting to somehow create an online PKI map that would show changes to the park over time. For example, you would click on an area of PKI, and it would show what was initially there, and what is there now. It would be sort of a visual history of the various areas of the park. It could also be animated. Start with what was there in 1972, and do a time-lapse of the changes of the park each year. It would not have to have super detailed pics, just like an outline of what is/was there. Does this make any sense?

I know its early...but last year the countdown to opening day in the spring got me through a lot of crappy Ohio weather days.....I hope we can have it again! Thanks for a great site!

^Yes, it was. Good food, good service, really cool view.

I definitely don't consider myself a PKI expert, just a fan. But, if I had to guess, I would say that somewhere along the line, years ago, that for whatever reason, PKI management really let the upkeep of the park go for too long, and it is just taking years to get a majority of the stuff taken care of. For some reason, money was going somewhere other than into the park. My main concern is that PKI keeps looking to the future so that we always have it!!

Well, its the end of another season (except for Winterfest, of course). Time to reflect a little... By all means, this post is not supposed to slam PKI in any way. My trips there this season have been some of my best ever. I would have to say that at least 90% of what I experienced was good, or great. However, there are things I feel that really stand out that need to be changed/improved. 1) Wings diner. I think that place is horrible. To me, it is like going to a really classy mall and seeing a dollar store in the middle of it. Bland atmosphere, bland menu. When you walk in there, its like the restaurant that time forgot. 2) Shops. Actually, the trip I went there last weekend was the best experience I've had for awhile. 50% off puts the prices about where they should be all the time. There seems to be such an opportunity missed at PKI for nice shops. All there are are the same items sold all up and down International Street, all overpriced. The appearance is also so outdated in the stores. There are so many people walking around a place like PKI with loose money to spend that have really nowhere to spend it. 3) PKI needs a nice sit down resaurant bad. Why not just let (for example) Bob Evans or Applebees build one in the park? They could charge higher than they normally do (to bring in enough profit the park needs), and it would still be lined around the building all the time. When I plan a trip to PKI, I have planned for awhile, and I have a pocket full of money when I get there. It is usually my vacation. If there were nice shops with nice stuff in them, I would always walk out with bags full. If there was nicer dining, I would be willing to pay for it. When I'm there, I'm in a good mood, the sun is usually shining, I'm in the mood for a good time, and I feel like the world is a great place. I'm also in the mood to spend money...PKI, let me spend my money! I won't spend it on $3.00 Italian Ices or a wooden sign with my name (or anyone else's) carved into it, though.

This was my first trip to Fearfest, and I was really impressed (I'm 32, by the way). PKI is awesome on its own, but to me the Fearfest stuff was just icing on the cake. I loved the atmosphere. The fog, people jumping out everywhere, the decorations, and the purple lights on the tower were just awesome. I even liked the cold. It just had a cool atmosphere...and I have to comment on PKI adding the Starbucks. That right there just really improved the park tons, to me. I think other people thought the same thing, as I waited in line for 45 minutes for coffee at about 9:00 at night! Even that was fun, though...

Yeah, that was it.

LOL, sorry about the wrong date. I was almost asleep when I typed that....I dont know why I can't think of the name of the maze I went through....Its was the one the one to the right of IJST...after you walk past the Eifel Tower, its to the right...

Wow, just got home from my first FearFest ever. After years of missing it, I got to experience it. What a blast. The cold was awesome, the lights were awesome, the fog was awesome. Only got through one haunted attraction, but it was enough. Just a really fun atmosphere. Even waiting for IJST for an hour and a half and 45 minutes for a cup of coffee at Starbucks was fun. Can't wait to go back again....

Int'l Street, definitely. And, the Italian Job, that ride exceeded all of my expectations.

Thats exactly what PKI needs. Theming is great, but it is like icing on a cake...you also have to have some substance.

I think if PKI's food choices were as good as the rides in the park, it would be a much better place.

Thanks for the info. I'll watch PKI's site this spring. I'm really excited. I haven't went all this summer, as I kept putting it off all the time. Now I have no excuse and can just head down whenever I have the time. I live about 90 minutes away, so I think I'll be able to get there a couple times this fall and lots next summer. Thanks again.

I purchased my first-ever Gold pass thats good for the rest of this year and next year. Can anybody tell me what extras you usually get with a Gold Pass? I couldn't find anything on PKI.com. Thanks.