KIfan1980

As a parent of a child with allergies (GF and tree nuts) I've found it extremely difficult to learn what is served where at KI. Individual food stands tell you to visit Guest Relations, and at Guest Relations there used to be (I didn't check this year after many years of frustration) an out of date binder with incomplete information - for example, they had a page showing the ingredient lists of all the different fries served in the park, but nothing to identify which fry was served where.

With the number of Season Passes sold by Kings Island, you can be sure that there are likely normal distributions on many fronts and I'd guess that many of us fall to some of the extremes of those distributions. For example: - # of Visits of Pass Holders: On one end is the family who buys a pass and never actually goes (it does happen), on the other end is the person who goes almost every day (y'all know who you are) - In Park Spending: On one end is the pack a lunch and never spend a dime group, on the other end is the eat in the park buy a souvenir and splurge for ice cream every trip family Based upon these distributions and the way the KI has discounted passes year after year, it seems that Kings Island believes that the average pass holder is going to visit often enough and spend enough in park to justify a low pass price. They do, however, have to charge enough to justify the value of the individual day ticket price as there is also money to be made on the admissions side from multiple sources: - Non pass holder visits make money (including parking and in park spending) - Group sales are important to KI (and they expect a discount versus a gate price) - Discounted tickets are a perceived value (which is necessary for a business)

My kids were disappointed in howl-o-fest today. No pumpkins and no candy unless you want to pay extra for Dino's.

I guess the motorist thought the plane was a jet - not a prop (although younguns may not know what I speak of).

While a relocated ride to KI would have been nice, I agree with the win-win tag on this. Cash to help the CF financial position and elimination of CF as a barrier to 49ers stadium construction. While the stadium is still a ways off - getting this done now doesn't hurt.

Mr Hart says the state owes him more than $4 Million that he has loaned to the fair board. I thought previous articles had indicated that he'd put more than $3 Million of his own money into reopening KK - was that really only a loan?

I'm trying go imagine what 12" long 4" thick plastic item a guest might have been carrying in their pocket.

Thanks for sharing your PTR - I watch most NASCAR races with my boys and took them to Kentucky this year. Sad that the Nationwide race is leaving Lucas Oil Speedway - looks like a fun track.

I will be attending P&G day on Sat or Sun this weekend.

And for clarity - nobody lost their leg unless I'm miss-reading the article.

You know they'd never be able to get away with that. The same people who are outraged at food and drink prices now would be outraged if they made gold passes $99 so they could lower the food and drink prices. They can't win. You are right, the park can't win - someone will always be unhappy - just look at the Soak City thread Also recognize though, that some of us are only sharing our opinion on a very tough topic and think that it would be in the best interest of the park that we consider "ours" to price things differently. For me, the issue that the park is facing is self inflicted to a certain degree - going to $99 would seem like a huge increase and would generate negative reactions, but only because KI has devalued the pass by offering this deal the last couple of years. Wasn't it renewals only for 4 days the first year? Now it is all Gold Passes for almost 2 months. Maybe it's working - KI seems to be doing well, but I fear for where it goes from here. In a prior thread, I noted how I'd paid less and less for a Gold Pass over the past 5 years - is that a sustainable model?

I recall standing in the parking lot discussing this with you months ago - although I say it is too cheap.

Had the opportunity to ride the Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach a couple of times yesterday. From chatting with folks, it has definitely changed the park - bringing in more guests and exceeding estimates for riders. As for the ride itself - I enjoyed it. Some good ejector air in the front and speedy pullovers in the back.

One persons theming might be advertising to another. I mean what if they sold naming rights to rides and some movie studio bought some? Keep it minimal and fairly inconspicuous, I'd be ok with it.

Yes. jcgoble3, surprised Terpy didn't jump on that It also might be because the real answer is probably "no" - because let's be real in August, I doubt anyone does Plan with layers - don't forget hats, gloves, and maybe even goggles

That MI law is also on the books in Wisconsin. It all has to do with ensuring there is enough summer employment available to keep the tourist attractions open through labor day as the states need the tourism from what I understand.

You miss Paramount - I miss KI of the 1980's and complained about Paramount the way you complain about Cedar Fair. For example, it annoyed me to no end that they changed the logo and had the audacity to add Paramount's in front of the Kings Island name. In some way, what each of us grew up with is what we remember as the "best times for KI". But as I've grown older, and experienced KI through my young boys - I've started to realize that to them, KI still has a magic that is bigger than who owns it at the time. Each owner, I believe, is doing what they think is best for them as owners, the park as a whole, and guests in total - do I agree with it all, no and will comment on what I think are issues, but don't think a Paramount was better and CF is awful assessment is valid either.

Typically at P&G day, you can get a pass for $20 less than the current advertised price - so since Gold Passes were advertised at $69.99 last year on that day, the price was $49.99. Note that some years, it has been for $20 off the regular price only. This price is intended to be valid only for as many P&G tickets as a guest has - but they have not required that all ticket holders be present at the ticket window. They might ask more questions if you are buying more than a typical families worth. Past practice does not mean it won't change.

Avatar - i think you are mistaken in the timeline. I believe: - CF purchase closed end June 2006 - SoB accident (with loop) occurred July 2006 - SoB reopened (without loop) July 2007 I don't know when Don was hired, but CF owned the parks when the loop was removed.

Uh, no it isn't. Some people may, but definitely not everyone wants this.

As promised, here are a couple of adds to the PTR. In addition to our day at Busch Gardens and the time at Colonial Williamsburg, we also visited a few other area attractions. While I would have liked a trip to Kings Dominion, I'd like to remain married even more, so one day of riding/coasters was the max for this vacation. Here are some quick thoughts on our other activities: Virginia Beach - a top notch beach with great sand, good surf for playing in, an amazing long boardwalk, and it has the added bonus of being on the flight line for Naval Air Station Oceana - we probably saw 50+ F18's fly past while we were there. My boys could play in the sand and water all day long, so this was a good day for them US Army Transportation Museum (Fort Eustiss, VA) - a free museum where we had a chance to see some indoor exhibits and some outdoor displays of various Army Transportation. There were a ton of Trucks, Jeeps, Hummers, Motorcycles, Helicopters, Trains, Ducks, Planes. A lightly visited place that was well worth the 90 minutes we spent there - although you need to be prepared to enter through base security which is an interesting experience. Go Karts Plus - a typical go cart track experience which also includes some other rides (kiddie coaster, Disko, bumper boats). This is a vacation only activity for us which we always enjoy. Water Country USA - a separately located and admission water park affiliated with BGW which was a lot of fun. They have a ton of different areas to play and enjoy - my only complaint would be the distance you must travel to get to some of them. Highlight was the Hubba Hubba Highway - think a lazy river, but with just lifejackets (no tubes). If you know me, you know I didn't let my nephew past in this race The boys loved riding in the NASCAR themed go karts. Note that I don't need the credit that badly but the boys enjoyed Kyle loves the waves Neil loves the sand They thought this hovercraft was cool I prefer something that can tackle a big load Cool water play at Water Country After we returned from vacation, Neil was so excited that he'd crossed 48", he demanded we go to KI so that he could ride the big rides there. We started at Flight Deck He got to ride Blue Racer "because it always wins" with his brother He also conquered AE and BLSC that day and at Dustin's going away party added Red Racer, Vortex, and for his 25th Coaster, The Beast - not bad for a 5 year old

To celebrate my parents 45th anniversary this summer, the family scheduled a vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia. While the focus of the trip was the parents and Colonial Williamsburg, we also had the opportunity to enjoy some of the other attractions in the area - so here is my (likely not so short) summary for you all. I'll spare the history lesson on Colonial Williamsburg - but look it up. It is a very interesting place to visit. Kyle and I did get to fire a cannon - so that was cool What I'm sure there is more interest in was our trip to Busch Gardens Williamsburg - I'll begin with some of my thoughts on the park and then share some pictures. BGW is what you'd expect from a Busch Gardens park - beautifully landscaped, well themed, clean, and inviting In addition to the rides, there are some great shows - Celtic Fyre was incredible and some wonderful food - Trappers Smokehouse was a great recommendation They also had an illuminights event and fireworks - which I was able to experience from Apollo's Chariots I took advantage of the single ride Quick Queue - while likely not necessary on the day we visited, it helped me ride some 54" rides without causing the family to wait and gave me the opportunity for some extra rides later in the evening than I'd have otherwise got Now for my thoughts on the rides - overall I loved the coasters, but I found myself surprised by an element on each of them (maybe I'm just too picky). In addition to the coasters, the park has a good selection of family friendly flats that are well spaced throughout the park along with some fun transport rides (train, skyride, boat ride) Alpengeist - I love B&M Inverts and this did not disappoint. The first half of the ride includes a sweeping first drop, Immelmann, Vertical Loop, and Cobra Roll that I could ride all day long - amazing. But you better be ready for the snap into the mid course or you'll be nursing a headache for a few minutes. Griffon - While not expecting much from the dive machine, I was very happily surprised. The drop, action, and pacing throughout the ride (until the very end) had me wanting to ride again and again. These are definitely outside of front row rides in my opinion. Apollos Chariot - A good B&M Hyper with some great elements including the turnaround at the edge of the lake and wonderful return portion of the "out and back" layout as it dives across and under the out portion with some good airtime pops. Not as good as Diamondback, in my opinion, mainly due to what felt like a flat spot along the lake at the bottom of the first drop. Left me wondering what was supposed to be there (think SoB drop post loop removal). Kyle (my 7, now 8 year old) was very excited that this B&M Hyper had a 52" height requirement! Loch Ness Monster - I nice old Arrow Looper with tight loops and an enclosed helix with I think three tight turns for those that like laterals. What made this special for me was the 48" wristband that Neil (my 5 year old) got for the first time ever on this trip - so we got to share his first big boy coaster, his first inversions, and a great memory together. Curse of Darkastle - although I'm not the biggest dark ride fan, this is an amazing 3D experience, although I'm not going to try and explain it Europe in the Air - a fun flight through the sights of Europe Escape from Pompeii - the theming on soak ride is amazing Alpengeist Griffon Loch Ness Monster Alpie and Griffon Great first drop This kind of beauty is everywhere at BGW This turnaround is great Coming out of the trees as seen from the boat ride I love this kind of family ride (it's too bad my local park doesn't have one) Did I mention that 48" wristband! And the Good Food - but don't ask me how Kyle can get Corn above his eye If you go to BGW - do not miss this show. If I get a chance later, I'll add a couple of pics from the rest of our trip, including a visit to an Army Museum of Transportation, Virginia Beach, and Water Country USA.

Well, at least we agree on something I guess I can see the update to AZ coming in 2013 or 2014, but wouldn't hold my breath for a worlds tallest, fastest.

On DB, from cresting the lift hill to hitting the brakes is about 1min 5sec. This is almost exactly the time shown in the promotional animation. I'd guess the models B&M use for this are pretty accurate as they also model speed, g-forces, and other items required to design the ride.

It would be even more stupid if it didn't - kind of need to get the train back to the elevation of the station