KIfan1980

While it seems as though it should be a desirable location, in reality - there is lots of available space off this 71 exit that has not been successful for businesses and that has not been easy to sell (the old College football HOF, the old Outlet Mall, the theater, the "available" farmland). Unless someone decides they can do better than the prior beach owners - expect Ronny/QCD to be doing a sad, deteriorating waterpark photo essay in a few years.

Lovin the extra learning we get from threads like this and the involvement of KingsIslandPR - hope you stay engaged on the forums!

The ride was one of my favorites - the restraints weren't the easiest to get into, but if you followed the directions, they weren't painful. The ride had some nice elements - the drop seemed to whip you upper body over - the loop put pressure on your legs - the helix was fun (especially trying to see the water) - I also enjoyed the bunny hops and where the track leaned to the left the most (something so simple is more effective on a standup) Wouldn't build another standup today - the novelty is gone and there are other experiences that would be fun to have at KI, but wish KC was still around.

I'll share one thing that I enjoy doing at Disney - especially on an off day when I'm not visiting parks is to go visit some of their hotels, and you can find some very nice restaurants to eat at while there. Take a walk around the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Wilderness Lodge, Boardwalk. This is a lot more fun to me and gives a better feel for the sights and sounds of Disney than visiting Downtown Disney, which as mentioned above is shopping, shopping, shopping, food, and sometimes a little entertainment.

Personally, I'm surprised at the name because when I hear Tidal Wave, I tend to think about Tsunami's and devastation that has occurred from them versus a fun day at the waterpark.

You really had to create a new username and profile to post this and announce it to the group? Somehow I'm assuming that the park already knows that you are an unhappy former employee (I'm sure you are not the first and won't be the last either) and would not write postive things about your employment experience. But even if they knew you and your real screen name, I'm doubting they were going to go out of there way to read this and then find a way to make life difficult for you - even if you'd written it under that name. You talk about Etiquette - maybe the better etiquette in this situation would have been to say nothing.

So the last two years I missed this because I was on vacation. So this year I moved our vacation to June I may still be able to make it though, will have to check on it, but hope to.

Ok, I'll bite - here is my list: Busch Gardens Williamsburg Disneyland Lego Land California Busch Gardens Tampa Epcot Dollywood Knotts Berry Farm Animal Kingdom Magic Kingdom Hollywood Studios

Compared to the cost of continuing to search for, pump, develop, refine and purchase oil, it pays for itself in a matter of a few decades, if that. The table in the following link from the US Energy Information Administration (Congressionally funded - intended to provide independent and impartial data) shows the predicted costs for plants expected to enter service in 2016. http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/electricity_generation.cfm Solar is some of the highest total cost generation available. The technology doesn't exist today to store, but I agree hopefully is coming. You also almost make it to the point I was making (that you left out of all your quoting) that While I agree with the premise that we need to develop alternate approaches to energy, to be helpful and feasible today, it needs to be an integrated look with current energy options - coal, oil, gas, nuclear, etc... Today, there are many solar projects in process or that recently came online - much of it is driven from government requirements for % of renewable energy usage by utiliies, and government incentives for alternate energy. Even with that though, there is also a need to build new conventional power plants and nuclear power plants to keep up with the demand. For reference, a couple of recent major Solar PV projects are expected to produce: 17MW in Gila Road AZ, 30MW in Webberville TX. The Gila Road project is now supplying 4,000 customers with power. Considering there are about 115,000,000 households in the US, we'd need 15 to 30 thousand of these projects to meet the residential need. Looking forward to seeing it get to the point where it is economically feasible to put on my roof or paint on my walls. Unfortunately, today the technology and cost isn't where it needs to be - and it has been forecast to get there "soon" for a LONG time. The first time I heard these predictions was twenty+ years ago when I spent significant hours working on a Solar Car to race in the North American Sunrayce and World Solar Challenge. We can debate Mass transit in the United States another time (I'll just say it is one thing that I enjoy when I travel to Europe) On the renewable energy front, I go back to agreeing with you that we, as a country, need to move forward in this area, but we can't do it in renewable energy alone as the initial investment is cost prohibitive at this point in time - especially when there is a significant amount of conventional options available.

We'd only have to worry about things like - how to pay for those Solar energy plants and wind farms, the inconsistencies of energy supply on cloudy and non windy days, the disruptive noise of the wind turbines, and the space required. While I agree with the premise that we need to develop alternate approaches to energy, to be helpful and feasible today, it needs to be an integrated look with current energy options - coal, oil, gas, nuclear, etc... This is an interesting point as I'd note that there are several expensive items considered "necessities" today that were luxuries in the past - just think of high speed internet, smart phones, cable/satellite. The basic bills I paid coming out of college were: Debt, Rent, Car, Groceries, Utilities. Didn't get the computer, cell phone, cable, etc... until after I was on my feet.

Thanks guys - interesting data. May help explain why the governor is reportedly interested in replacing Mr. Workman. I also have to admit that I'm surprised as I predicted KK would never reopen (and that the Koch's wouldnt be interested). While I know nothing is guaranteed, this is a big step. I wish them and the fans of the park the best in this endeavor.

I'd be interested to know how the terms of this lease compare to what Six Flags was offering when they renegotiated during bankruptcy prior to walking away.

I find the following quote from this article to be highly amusing (emphasis added)

And in a bizarre twist, my full version button has now disappeared. Maybe we are only allowed one between the two of us

Replying from the full version on my iPhone, so not sure why yours isn't working.

Can't remember if I've said it, but I am thoroughly enjoying this thread Paul - thanks! What I find interesting is how I totally missed some things in KI history (don't believe I ever saw Days of Thunder in Action Theater), while others are imprinted in my memory like it was yesterday (memories of the Safari, riding King Cobra, the queue/loading of KCKC).

If you go to Google maps, you can get a good feel for the location of the old HOF and Stadium (Galbreath Field - which was home to Moeller Football from the early 80's to the early 2000's) - As mentioned above, the site sites South of Kings Mills Road, East of Kings Island Drive, West of Columbia Road, and North of Wilson Avenue. The U-shaped driveway is visible, as is the parking lot. The building sat at the end of the U-shaped driveway with the football field/stadium to the South -the only remaining item is a scoreboard. Several parcels of land make up the entire area and they are currently owned by Great American Insurance, although they have apparently been trying to sell the land for years - Moeller wanted to update the stadium (before deciding to leave), but nothing happened since GAI was trying to sell the property.

Yes, there have always been trims there. As best I understand, there have been two changes: - While still using the skid brakes, they were lengthened and covered almost the entire length of the first drop - The change to the magnetic style And the college HOF building stood for many years after it closed - but was eventually torn down (likely since no one seemed to want it the cost to demo became a better choice than the cost to maintain)

I'd think the failed merger/purchase by Apollo has to be on the short list for worst CF financial moves. Although one could argue it was the catalyst for many changes that in the end have benefitted the unit holders - but Kinzel can't really take credit for that.

That press release doesn't show up on the holiday world website or Facebook page, although a link to the Bluegrass Boardwalk page and then the website and twitter account can be found on their Facebook Page. The press release is on the Bluegrass Boardwalk website, which makes me wonder if the journalist has the source listed correctly.

Got to admit this surprises me as I believe the Koch's operating Kentucky KIngdom (or Bluegrass Boardwalk) would impact Holiday World and Splashin Safari: - Financially, I've got to believe it would dilute the money to be spent - Personnel, I've got to believe it would cause key leadership to be split up (is the bench deep enough?) - Attendance, I've got to believe it would have an impact on the Louisville visits to HW I've been wrong before though.

I think renaming the 49ers would make as much sense as the Pontiac Lions would have during the Silverdome years or the Arlington Cowboys would today. Santa Clara is part of the San Francisco "Bay Area", so the name still works.

Didn't know Doug personally, although at a guess I'd recognize a face - but it is obvious he touched many lives. Condolences to his family, friends, and co-workers - may you all cherish your memories.

You are correct in your "several other operators" memory (unless we both are making the same thing up in our heads). Here is my take: Mr Workman played chicken with Six Flags when they looked to renegotiate the terms of the lease - and he lost for Louisville and Kentucky. Do you think the modified lease terms proposed by Six Flags would have been better or worse for the State over the past couple of years (and looking forward)? Mr Workman overstated the interest and ended up partnering with his old buddy Mr Hart to try and reopen the park. THere was never really a solid plan for that, despite what many want to believe, and the partnership fell apart. This approach may well cost the state further money based upon Mr Hart's claims. Now, the financial impact of KK closing is becoming real and Mr Workman is grasping at straws by reaching out to others like the Koch's in an effort to make something happen Maybe it's time for the state to evaluate the whole scenario and evaluate what should be done - maybe nothing can be done for KK except sell off the land and assets, but I'd also suggest the state evaluate the whole leadership/organization responsible to evaluate what they want going forward from the Expo Center and Fair Board (I doubt they want/can afford a $4.5 Million annual money drain).

Stadium takes another step toward construction with a loan from the NFL. Chief Strategy Officer (who helped drive the stadium financing deals) added to 49ers ownership. http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post?id=58607