KIfan1980

If you do make a road trip to Worlds of Fun, I believe that you must also hit Silver Dollar City in Branson as part of the trip. While the park doesn't have the largest selection of coasters, it has a few good ones. Wildfire is a B&M looper that has an awesome first drop into a cool inversion element. Powder Keg has fun airtime and turns. Thunderation is an awesome Arrow mine train that you can ride forward and backward (and is great both ways). Beyond the coasters is where SDC really stands out though. Incredible theming, good food (at reasonable prices as I recall), wonderful shows (seasonal/festival dependent). There is also Marvel Cave that you can tour as part of the admission price (I didn't but will in the future) and some other fun rides (Fire in the Hole dark ride, themed train, and few good flats). There are also some other things to do in Branson - check out Railriders PTR http://www.KICentral...showtopic=18582

I understand the fear of the unknown, but it's not like we knew what Dick Kinzel and Cedar Fair without Apollo would have done over the next several years. It should have been obvious to folks that CF was not in a good financial position because of the debt - and while they were still adding rides, it was only because they were unable to back out of existing contracts if I remember the prior conference call correctly. Cedar Fair and our parks would likely have changed no matter what. One question would be, why would the leadership of CF accept this offer from Apollo - especially when they probably realize it will be the end of their leadership of CF? My belief is that it was probably what they saw as the best of several poor alternatives (debt covenant driven bankruptcy?) for the business. Second question would be, why would Apollo make this offer for CF - especially when they realize the current state of the business? Again, my belief is that it is because they see a Fundamentally Good Business in trouble and feel like they have the ability (including the financing) to carry it through the short term troubles and get a good return on their investment by owning/selling/spinning it off in the future. We don't know what will happen - will it be good or bad in the long run? As Terpy would say, yes. As I'll add, don't sweat it now as you can't control it.

Assuming this deal goes through, I'd be surprised if so much as the name Cedar Fair changes (for a while at least if ever). While this company probably already has some ideas/plans as to what they would do to enable themselves to make a profit on this investment - I doubt spending money to change names is one of them. Looking at their other investments, it does not look like showcasing or developing the "Apollo" brand is part of their strategy (unlike Paramount which was promoting an overall brand). Looking at their history (as much as I'm able to which isn't much and requires some belief in wikipedia), it looks like they buy companies that they beleive have short term issues (enables them to be purchased cheap) but good long term fundamentals (to enable future sale, IPO, or other tool that provides a return on investment for Apollo). While we can't forsee what will happen - Is CF the next Linens-Things (Apollo lost a lot of $ when they went bankrupt) or AMC Entertainment (Apollo made a boatload on this investment)? Only time will tell.

And not just private equity companies.

Thanks for the links. I swear I need to a copy of "KIC Search for Dummies" by The Interpreter as a Christmas present

I just took advantage of some cheap flights and will be in the Tampa area in late Feb (visiting family - taking one of the kids). This provides me with an opportunity to visit a new park and ride some coasters in what would otherwise be the offseason. It also will enable me to pull my 50th coaster credit forward (was going to happen at a spring break Dollywood trip). I searched for TR's here on KIC, and found a few old ones (WooferBearATL in 2005ish) and several teasers from Ryan's recent trip indicating a final day at BGT (couldn't find an actual TR), but am looking for more info. So if you have an recomendations/advice on anything from what to ride when, things not to miss, food, admission discounts, what coaster to make my 50th credit - please let me know. I'm also debating whether to take my son and family to the park (almost 4 year old and non riding grandparents) or leave them to do something else that day, so would appreciate input on the kid appeal factor as well.

Understand and am willing to be patient as things are worked out. A couple of items to put on the list to tweak/tailor (or someone can correct me if I'm just missing it!) On the simplified version for Smartphones: - I do not see a "view new content" button option - I don't see a way to click to the last unread post in a thread On the main version: - Similar to what Vortex is showing a couple of posts back, the "Fastreply" section shows up in the wrong spot (covering up other content) Thanks.

It would have to be the early 80's. Only real question for me is what ride that I can't ride today would I want to ride again - The Bat or King Cobra. Of course, there are many many rides from that time that I'd enjoy riding whichever year in the early 80's I chose: - Backward Racer - Flying Eagles - Flying Carpet - Screamin Demon - Animal Safari Monrail - Antique Cars - Bayurn Kerve - and several more that I'm missing the names of right now.

Simple solution: - Fri night and Sat am ert at CP - Sat night ert at HW

You should take a photo of your posters and share them here. They were classic.

It would have been back in the 80's (when it seemed as though rules were more strictly enforced). I knew people who were kicked out of the park for line jumping on Racer and not following the rules while riding the Antique Cars (chinese fire drills, switching cars with people riding from the other side, stopping the car in the middle of the track and leaving the ride).

Didn't see this morning, but assuming channel 12 just reran the story from last night, the other interview was with Beatle (I will bet you just didn't recognize him in the suit and tie).

Well I was thinking about writing this up as a Trip Report , but since Terpy started this topic, I'll add some info here. I attended the meeting, and while the newscasts I've watched (Cincy 5, 9, 12, and 19) portrayed it as a "heated debate", it was actually quite a one sided discussion: - There were two attendees who spoke that favored the tax (although one seemed to be having her mind changed by the meeting) - There were about 30 attendees who spoke who opposed the tax. This inlcuded several KIC'ers, along with Mason residents, Local Business Owners, Members of area Chamber of Commerce, Local Tea Party Officials, A-Kid-Again charity rep and parent, along with KI, GWL, and The Beach employees - The remainder of the audience who didn't speak was about 50-50 split of residents to non-residents and all but a couple seemed to oppose the tax - In the end, it was very anticlimatic as the issue was tabled until February, which will be after the new city council is seated (two new members, Mayor who was abstaining anyway out of office). While I'd have like to have seen it defeated tonight, we'll have to do it all over again in Feb it seems - Ryan's protest made all the local news, with Avatar and Beatle interviewed on 12

Ok - sent my email to council. Will see if I get the same form response as Railrider. Also, a couple of recommendations if you want to send an email or letter: - Make it personal. I believe multiple copies of the same letter would actually not help as it looks like a planned group activity. A unique email from you requires thought and is more likely to be valued - Be Respectful. If you come across as immature and disrespectful, your opinion will not be taken seriously - Get to the Point. A short email is more likely to be read and understood [Example: I want to voice my opposition to the proposed admissions and parking tax as I feel it will negatively impact our business partners as well as the community. Kings Island and The Beach employ many people and the tourists who visit the parks help sustain numerous other businesses in the area - a tax puts both the jobs and tourists at risk.]

Looking for some help/additional info (and will apologize in advance in case I missed a link). - Is the specific resolution that will be voted on available somewhere or just the news articles? - What besides The Beach and KI would be subject to the tax? If thinking tickets to the Crocs Volleyball or Tennis tourneys? What about the Mason Childrens theater? Where does the definition end? I am a Mason resident and plan to attend on Monday and send an email, but would like to read in detail what is being proposed to make the soundest argument possible. Thanks for any help.

On closing day I explained to my kids that this would be their last rides on the rides with Nick names. The first question asked was - are they taking out or changing the rides? When I responded that I thought most of the rides would be the same just with different characters, I got the following response. "Oh, ok" Not even a question as to what the character names might be.

From the cincinnati.com article that Terpy linked: Bradburn, who has unsuccessfully pushed for the tax in the past, argued that the fees, similar to ones that are implemented in other communities in the region, are not unreasonable. He suggested the financial fallout estimates are inflated. "I think they're wrong on the numbers," he said. "They'll survive." Gee thanks Mr. Bradburn - just what is needed is city leaders who think the world will be just fine if a major local business/attraction "survives". What you should be working on is how to further grow and develop the area by helping existing businesses thrive and bringing new businesses to the area. This is a plain and simple attempt at a money grab by the City of Mason. Just because other communities have "similar" fees in the region doesn't make any of them right - with this one especially poor based upon the agreements when KI was annexed. I agree with Avatar that the City of Mason made a mistake by giving reciprocity for taxes paid to other cities. To give a real example on this - I used to pay 2.1% to City of Cincy (where I work) and 1% to City of Mason (where I live), next year I will only pay the 2.1% to City of Cincy. While many cities do this, some only give partial credit (up to half) and some give none (like Mason used to) - and the truth is most people knew this when they moved into Mason and accepted it because they liked the services and amenities of the community. I can still remember the look of shock on the face of the council member who came to my door asking me to sign a petition to put reciprocity on the ballot - when I said "no, I think its a bad idea" - they were dumbfounded that I didn't want to lower my personal taxes. I'm glad Mr. Bradburn welcomes my comments - he along with other members of council (who are probably more important to give input to as Mr. Bradburn's mind seems made up) will get them. While KI can't exactly up and move, they can make an choice to invest and grow or just try and survive. At higher risk are other attractions that I'm guessing would be subject to the tax (for example the Volleyball tournament, Events/Concerts at Timberwolf) which could go elsewhere or skip the Greater Cincy area completely.

Sounds like you all had a great trip - thanks for sharing the PTR/VTR with us all! I've been lucky enough to visit the Arch more than once and agree it is amazing (even on the 2nd/3rd trips it still blows my mind) - I probably have as many photos from as many different angles as you all do. I found this funny as my 6 year old calls BLSC the "Mini Cooper Coaster" which I think is a much better name (although the licensing agreement might be too much for CF/KI) I do remember at least one of these tunnels on the way back to rivertown through what is now part of NickU I believe. Cool is the operative word - it was a great place to rest on a hot day On your next trip to St. Louis, I can recommend another place to stop in Effingham (and not the massive cross you took a photo of which is also there). If you like cars, there is a place called the Mygarage Corvette Museum http://www.mygaragemuseum.com/ which is a private collection of Corvettes and VW Bugs.

The fact that this is related to the 2006 incident is very hard to discern from the article Also, as the lead Dept of Agriculture investigator from the accident, would the engineer have had to sign off on the ride as safe to reopen in 2007? Just wondering.

Let's not get too caught up in this article. I'm assuming this is a paid consultant of the plaintiff in the case. He was investigating the 2006 incident which means the study may have been done before the ride reopened in 2007. The case in question is not about SoB today, it's about SoB in 2006.

KI: 35 - I didn't actually count, but on my 34th trip a KICer/Admissions Associate (who can't seem to keep his own name straight ) happened to mention it as I walked in WDW Magic Kingdom: 2 WDW Animal Kingdom: 1 WDW Epcot: 1 WDW Disney Hollywood Studios: 1 Strickers Grove: 1 Silver Dollar City: 1

Final count for me was 195 in 35 trips, although I didn't ride DB on every trip including closing day.

The Food page has actually gotten a lot better recently, including a link to a menu for the locations: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/attraction...ry.cfm?ac_id=68 I'm glad they are making some improvements on the food pages (and I'll admit that the update is a lot better than the almost nothing that they had before), but for those of us who deal with food allergies - I'm still waiting for a page like the following (from Cedar Points website) to show up at KI. http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/food/special.cfm Or the following from Silver Dollar City or Holiday World are also good examples. http://bransonsilverdollarcity.com/food-re...tractionID=1255 http://www.holidayworld.com/visit/restaura...tlets#downloads

Ummm I dont even think Darlene Bell (I think that was her name) has gotten that many rides, and they celebrated when she got to 500! Im pretty sure they would have celebrated your 1000! They did celebrate when Gary Coleman and Andrew (I forget his last name) reached 1000 and at least Gary was well over 1400 last I talked to him. If you don't have facts don't challenge

I would say news on SoB will be non-existant till close to opening day 2010. If you guys are right on the announcement, then the only option I can see for SOB 2010 would be SBNO - If the decision is to remove, why wait? - If the decision is to try one more time to fix, there is a lot of planning and effort followed by testing; all of which I'd expect to take a significant amount of time I struggle a little with seeing a significant connection between the current trials/settlements from the 2006 accident and any decision on the rides future - It has been estalished that in 2006, the ride experienced a failure that resulted in injuries to ~27 people. Many claims from this incident have settled, some are open lawsuits, but both Kings Island and the State Dept of Agriculture believe that the problems that led to the failure in 2006 were resolved prior to the ride reopening in 2007 - What has caused the park (and/or Cedar Fair, its insurance carriers, etc...) to keep the ride closed in 2009 (my belief) is the ride experience and risk of further injuries like was suffered by the woman in May Bottom line, as was stated many many pages ago, whatever decision and announcement are eventually made on SoB will be driven by the economics of the situation. KI/CF will evaluate costs of the various options (including costs to fix, maintain, insure, remove, "replace", etc...) versus the economic benefits (including attendance) and public relations benefits/risks. I guess we'll just have to wait and see!