alluna

Yep, I kind of agree. as much as I'd like a little KI history area there (old ride cars and stuff!) I often go with my sisters who are a bunch of smokers. It would be nice to hang out among some pretty foliage and shading trees while they get their fix instead of standing in the sun outside Festhaus or next to a smelly restroom! Oh, silver linings.

I found a great way to research why people become vegetarian: http://tinyurl.com/ycu2nap

I love how this starts with 'not to be rude or anything'.

Hagman's setup was $750,000.00. You can watch him talk about it in the video included in the realty link I provided in the last post: http://hookedonhouse...or-9-5-million/ This was in 2003, so the cost would be more, but is probably right around a mil or so. And does it matter if they're selling it back to Duke or Mason? They can most definitely sell it. Someone here also said that solar energy can not be stored or is difficult to store, which is not the case. From Wikipedia: Just sayin.

It is entirely possible to run large amounts with electricity with solar panels. Larry Hagman, (Major Nelson from I Dream of Jeannie and J.R. from Dallas) has enough solar panels on his property that he actually generates enough energy to sell back to the city and power the houses that surround his house! I think the simply quoting how much energy it takes to run each ride isn't a feasible argument on what could provide that energy. You have to also look at how much kw an array of panels can put out. Larry's ranch is on 43 acres. From his realtor: "Hagman is a major proponent of alternative energy and equipped his estate with one of the largest residential solar power systems in the United States. When Hagman first installed the system in 2003, his annual electric bill plummeted from $37,000 to $13. His system generates some 150,000 kilowatts per hour enough energy to power not only the entire estate, but a dozen or more average households." 150,000 kw per hour provided by a system installed on private property. Imagine what could be done if a theme park budget took some land and put solar panels on it. Even if you didn't set up the system to power ALL of the electricity needs, a system like this can ALWAYS offset the cost and use of resources. I think that some people here are missing the point. Offsetting a percentage of the cost is still a significant savings. It would take time to install an array of panels to cover all electricity needs, but a small portion of existing panels will still save lots of money and offset those energy needs. So even if you have an array that only puts out 150,000kw per hour, like Hagmans, that would be 319 rides on Delirium per hour (a silly amount, I know, but I'm going with the numbers already provided), 40 rides on Back Lot Stunt Coaster per hour, or 300 rides on The Crypt per hour (again, an unlikely amount per HOUR, but you get the idea.) Simply saying 'ooh' and 'ahh' at the number of kw needed to provide BLSC with power is not a good basis for a statement such as 'Could solar sytems be used for powering rides? No ' Yes, it sounds like a lot of power, but solar panels are quite capable of producing it. EDIT: Just for reference, I looked into it and Hagman's amount of solar panels are the size of a football field. An American football field is 120 yards long by 53 1/3 yards wide. That means it takes a little over 1 acre to generate 150,000kw per hour. EDIT PART DEUX: Also, there is an off-season at KI where the produced energy could be sent right back into the Mason grid. Essentially, KI could sell the unused energy to the city during these months.

Hmmm. I'm not seeing the menu for the Happy Days burger joint. Unless I"m just not seeing it? It's got a different name now, I'm sure, but it's the 50's themed joint with the cars out front. We used to order a burger from ehre and ask for an extra bun, They'll give you an extra bun (or at leas they did for us) and while my son ate his burger, I'd put lettuce, tomato, etc. on my bun at the condiment bar and call it a meal. It sounds devious, I guess, but it costs the park pennies and that burger we purchased was priced at least 5x what it cost them to make it, so I don't feel too bad. At least we bought the single burger that day instead of doing the parking lot lunch! Not sure if they still have a condiment bar there, or will give out buns, but it worked for us once.

Selective, It looks like it took a while to compile this! While I'm not a strict vegetarian anymore (now a pescetarian shamelessly rolling in shrimp), I do know that it can be hard to find vegetarian choices at theme parks! At KI, I always waited for a stroll past Potato Works or gorged on cheese pizza at Festhaus, with all sorts of gross snacks in between and a parking lot lunch. This list is definitely going to come in handy for someone. Good work.

I didn't realize that the newer passes didn't have photos...I haven't gotten one since probably 1997. Aren't they afraid that people will pass around the passes?

I am loving this painting: Will be cool to walk by as the coaster is rolling!

I almost forgot how absolutely cool that was. I couldn't be afraid in that one because I was so busy pointing and going 'oh, cool!!'

Don't believe this? Watch this news video! haha. You just jumpstarted my own barrage of rickrolling today. Thanks! :lol:

Well, the page that was shown with the photos was really a media page, (not one under the 'attractions section...unless I just didn't see that version) so I think it was in the interest of getting out a press release and various resolutions of the preview photos for journalists and websites to use....

I left a comment thanking them for all the answers. Whether it's an April Fools joke or not, I thought it was about time for a congrats for putting up with the repetitive and tough questions.

5@5 MAILBAG: Wednesday, March 30 Ryan Suhr - Many fantastic rides have been located in the building that will house Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, all of which were dark rides. The biggest contradiction I've seen was the transition from the scary Phantom Theatre to the family-friendly Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. Although, judging by the photos supplied, it seems like this one will be its own unique experience. Which of the two ride experiences (Phantom Theatre and Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle) would you consider to be the most comparable to Boo Blasters on Boo Hill? You're right, this building has been home to some great rides. We are very excited by what we've seen for Boo Blasters. In my opinion the Scooby overlay was out of place for this type of attraction and I'm glad it's heading back. Phantom Theater may have scared the pants off some kids and I think this one will too. There is still a fun, playful nature to this ride with the ghost blasters and some of the gags so kids will enjoy it. Honestly my initial reaction has changed 100% by what I've seen and I'm excited to ride it. ------------------------------ Rain Blanken - Boo Blasters on Boo Hill 3D Questions: "Guests can choose to enhance their ride experience on Boo Blasters on Boo Hill with 3-D glasses." How much will these glasses cost? Are they the kind that the park recycles to use again or are they disposable red/blue 3D glasses that kids will want to keep and parents will need to carry the rest of the day at the park? The moaning and groaning over this 'feature' may be scarier than the ghosts. This will be a great ride with or without glasses. If you don't want glasses, you don't need them. That's important to note. There are extra features that will make the ride experience different with these disposable 3D glasses. Prediction: You will ride this ride once and forget about the "moaning and groaning" shown here today. ------------------------------ Tony Douglass - Thanks for the release of the dark ride today! Will we be getting a new dark ride for 2013, since Scooby was put in in 2003? The ride does have a tradition of every ten years, or does this ride now have ten years worth of being housed? So that it will be removed in 2020? If I could predict what will happen in 10 years I doubt my NCAA bracket would have been busted weeks ago! This ride has taken many forms but there are no plans to replace it in a certain number of years. I think change is good - once I see it. I was a big fan of The Smurfs and objected to Phantom Theater. I was not happy about turning PT into Scooby Doo. As I mentioned above, I was skeptical of this change. Each time I have enjoyed the new experience. Yesterday I looked at a picture of the outside of Phantom Theater. Looking back, it was time for a change. ------------------------------ Amber Hodge - Will the Snoopy souvenier cup be the same at all of the parks, and if not will it be re-fillable at each park? The Snoopy souvenir cup will have a King Island logo on it and it is only refillable here. ------------------------------ Justin Balogh - Will Backyard BBQ be earlier or later in the day? 3-4 seems a little early for dinner, and too late for lunch. We have made a couple of changes to the Backyard BBQ. First is the time. You are right about the odd time we had before so this year we're moving to 5:30 – 7:30pm. The menu is slightly different now with chicken tenders, hot dogs, Montgomery Inn pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, watermelon, ice cream treats and unlimited soft drinks. 12.99 and 6.99 for non-passholders / 9.99 and 5.99 for gold passholders is a great value. You'll also be surprised by the new shelter improvements for this BBQ meal. Our F&B team is working hard to improve the overall experience and have made quite a few upgrades to the Picnic Grove area. We'll post some construction shots in the photo album tomorrow, okay?

Hah, galaxy Song. Here is the perfect replacement instead of PS: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/attractions/detail.cfm?ai_id=189 I love playing with their number system on the site...

Really really hoping they answer my questions today about the 3D glasses over on Boo Hill....

I've got mine. Maybe yours is stuck in spam?

From the newsletter: BOO BLASTERS ON BOO HILL NEW FOR 2010 Visitors to Kings Island will have an opportunity to experience an all-new interactive family ride in 2010, Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. The animated adventure begins when guests enter the attraction through the front gates of a haunted castle. Be careful! Those who dare enter must battle Boocifer, the meanest Ghost of all. But don't be scared. You have a secret weapon called a Boo Blaster to zap Boocifer and all the Ghosts away as you travel through ghastly graveyards, creepy corridors, and down into dingy dungeons. If you collect enough points, you'll rid this castle of Boocifer and his Ghosts. Guests can choose to enhance their ride experience on Boo Blasters on Boo Hill with 3-D glasses. "Boo Blasters on Boo Hill features special effects and a variety of ghostly gags which makes each ride a different experience," said Greg Scheid, vice president and general manager of Kings Island. "This is a ride kids, parents, and grandparents can do together and will enjoy riding over and over again." As previously announced, also new this year is Planet Snoopy, as the park's nine-time, award-winning "Best Kids' Area in the World" receives a fresh new look with a timeless classic, and four new live stage shows: Way Too Much TV, Signed, Sealed, Delivered!, Charlie Brown's Hoedown and Snoopy Rocks on Ice! Kings Island opens for weekends beginning Saturday, April 17 for the 2010 season (the park is closed Sunday, April 18, but re-opens Friday, April 23). Daily operation begins Friday, May 21. Photos: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/news/detail.cfm?item_id=1047

Yep, hopefully it stays open and safe from now on. We saw a tarp draped over the opening on Saturday and a work vehicle out there. On Friday the slide was simple not turned on. I'm hoping that the injury rumor was false, though, or that it got fixed.

Really? And what are you basing this information on? Clearly, I stood outside of Cedar Point every day last season and personally interviewed every man, woman and child that went in. Then, when I told Lucy the results, she said she'd give me five good reasons and ended up waving her fist in my face. I'll give you Snoopy, but not Lucy. I was always scared of that girl. How would standing outside Cedar Point everyday last season personally interviewing every man, woman and child that went in give you accurate information on what kids are dreaming about? I set up a psychiatry booth and charged them 5 cents each.

Really? And what are you basing this information on? Clearly, I stood outside of Cedar Point every day last season and personally interviewed every man, woman and child that went in. Then, when I told Lucy the results, she said she'd give me five good reasons and ended up waving her fist in my face. I'll give you Snoopy, but not Lucy. I was always scared of that girl.

ahoy, urakan. I wear contacts...but I'm always terrified that the wind is going to catch them and they'll dry out and FLY out of my eyes as everything starts to move in slow motion. 'Nooooooo!' Seriously, my eyes do get dry on the coasters so I sometimes manage to remember to bring eye drops. Other than that, I haven't had any bad experiences sans-glasses.

I just wanted to thank you for yet another post that overgeneralizes the "unpopularity" of Peanuts. Just because YOU don't care about them doesn't mean that there aren't people that do. I have a 5 year old daughter who is COMPLETELY PSYCHED to finally meet Snoopy and the gang. We watch every Peanuts special every time they're on, and we have for years, for as long as GatorGirl has been watching television (and Mrs. Gator and I watched them every year we've been married before GatorGirl was born). She loves the specials. One of the first stuffed animals I bought for her was a Snoopy doll wearing bunny slippers, which I bought at Cedar Point while my wife was pregnant. She still sleeps with that thing at night. In fact, just last night out of the blue GatorGirl asked, "When is the Charlie Brown St. Patrick's Day show going to be on?" I told her there wasn't one, but told her that the Charlie Brown Easter special is on next Wednesday. She said "Yay!" When I tell her how long it is before KI opens, she says "But that's too long!" She's even still holding out hope that SD&THC will become "Charlie Brown's Funhouse", the name she thought up on her own for the re-theme, even though I told her it's not going to be a Charlie Brown ride. When I start saying that no one dreams of meeting you, GatorHead, then that is probably the appropriate point in which you can address me like this. Don't lose your marbles over Peanuts characters and end up insulting someone with this level of snark you have delivered. Ain't worth it. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt here and say you've had a bad day. For the record, I chalk my own kids up to the group that is very very familiar with the Peanuts gang. I've done my homework and ensured that they are well-versed. They know them well, have books of the strips, watch the cartoons, the whole nine yards. HOWEVER. It is very very unrealistic to assume that we are not only in the minority, but that there should be an entire campaign to familiarize todays kids with Peanuts. Oh, wait...I guess there IS. Even the park agrees with me, GatorHead. There's no need to run a poll. No matter how much both you and I love Charlie Brown, it certainly does NOT mean the rest of the nation does. It's just a fact, the park obviously agrees with me (Read & Ride w/Snoopy), so go eat a cookie and calm down already. I was busy discussing people suits here and you got me all distracted.

True, live action can never be a cartoon, but I still think real people will look more like the characters than any freaky skin suit does. Even if they had a pre-teen playing Lilo or Aang, it wouldn't be hard to have a coach with them the whole time. Kids who stage act can consistently say lines. I guess it's just a matter of getting the right kids and a solid, supportive team to work with them. Yep, more $$$ than a weirdo suit, but I think they'd have a better draw of families based on character greetings and character meals. Disney World bases so much of it's revenue and advertising on meeting the characters, that it seems like a really neglected market where KI is concerned. Of course, KI jsut switched to a set of characters no one cares about, so it probably doesn't matter anyways. No kid is in bed at night dreaming of the day they'll meet Lucy of the Peanuts gang... Also, I think if the Aang kid in the Avatar movie were out of the movie context and greeting around the park, they would have him in more vibrant colors and the cape thing, sticking more strictly to the original character design. In the context of the movie, it's obvious who he is, and within the realistic styling of the movie, there is no need to adhere to cartoon-like coloring, therefore the costumes/makeup are considerably more subdued.

Why the heck don't they just get people to dress up as the characters? These are PEOPLE in PEOPLE COSTUMES, which is why I think it's so creepy. Surely they could find an army of short teenagers willing to hone their acting skills. I always thought the same of Lilo at Disney World...just get a cute little girl to come in and pay her on the same hourly system they use for child actors (except less pay!). It's more expensive and they have to switch the kids out a lot, but darn, it would be much better than a PEOPLE COSTUME. Then again, I'm sure they thought of this alternative and for some good reason decided on Lucy ala Silence of the Lambs.