CoastersNSich

I don't want to try another PKI vs. CP, but one thing that I bet will change at KI next year will be the opportunity to check height before guests enter the gate. For the past couple years, Cedar Point has graphically shown the height requirements and the rides/coasters associated with that minimum height, in front of all four park entrances, not just the main gate. Oh, and greeters. I've ranted so much how much the park needs them to make sure every rider is of the correct height before they get in the train or ride unit.

Get out your Pieces of Eight album! From Valleyfair!'s website: I heard a good rumor this is the first of at least three GCIs for Cedar Fair parks. Dorney Park may get theirs in 2008.

I was just looking at the PointBuzz forums - according to a phone call to Cedar Point, If you bought your Maxx Pass through Kings Island, you CAN purchase a parking pass voucher for Cedar Point. I'm guessing that this option will also be available for Maxx Pass holders of other Cedar Fair parks - at least at CP.

Nothing different than what was mentioned earlier in this thread. They did reiterate that the ride has been closed since the July 9 incident, but nothing shattering. I just can confirm that they had a brief one on the 10 pm newscast on CH. 64.

I'm watching the 10 PM Edition of 12 News on My64. They're going to talk about it in a minute or so.

$45 may seem a lot with just a few coasters, but keep in mind that Dollywood is much more than just its roller coasters and rides. It's also known for its shows and live entertainment, shopping, and arts & crafts. From all the photos I've seen, and what I've heard, it's a beautiful park with good theming. They may put in coasters and thrill rides for the younger guests and other thrill-seekers, but don't expect it to be the next Cedar Point anytime soon. Being co-owned by Dolly Parton, it's probably a better place to go for a family that has different tastes. On similar note, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg may want $50 for a one-day ticket. That may seem expensive for four coasters. But to me, it's four excellent coasters by Arrow and B&M, great live shows, great food, wonderful scenery and theming, and all around attention to detail that I can't get at most other places. If I'm in the region for one day that year, I'll happily shell out the $50 - especially next year! BUT check out the season pass price: $75. The same price for a 2007 Kings Island pass - and Dollywood has better shopping, live entertainment, and a higher ranked wood coaster (#1 yet again)!

So, the guy tried to SELL his rain checks on park property? It's nice that the park gave them rainchecks for their inability to enjoy the park due to downed power lines, but parks like theirs generally don't give out refunds. If he was so concerned about getting some of his money back, could he have done so at home, at work, or somewhere that's NOT park property? If I were the park, not tied by corporate rules, I would have given him a refund knowing the special circumstances. I can understand though why they have a no soliciting/selling policy at these parks, so as to stop scalping of tickets that could possibly be counterfeit. If he was desperate to unload the tickets at the park, he wouldn't have asked for money.

Todd, I hope to run into you one more time before you move down to Orlando. It's been nice hanging out with you over the past few years. Best of luck to you. - Tom

Yes, Jeff spent some time discussing the MTV reality show that he has planned for Schlitterbahn. They're trying to make it a cleaner but real look at the daily lives of Schlitterbahn lifeguards. He hopes that the effect of the series would be to attract teens and young adults to Schlitterbahn to both visit and become lifeguards. He also talked about the Schlitterbahn parks oddly enough being seasonal. Even though it's still over 90 degrees out into September, they have to adjust their schedule to schools in session. However, their newest waterpark in Galveston has a portion that can be operated year-round - the roof can be retracted between normal summer and off-summer operations. The most ironic part of Jeff being there is that Schlitterbahn is a family owned park that allows guests to bring in food and beverages, and has free parking at their waterparks - a STARK contrast to the corporate parks of Paramount/Cedar Fair. He almost sounded like a protege of the Kochs, saying "Could we make more money off parking and food? Of course, but we understand that many families have limited budgets." The company has an interesting history - starting with their original New Braunfels water park, the Henry family had to create all the slides and attractions from scratch, as it was the third waterpark ever built. Being located along the river, it was a challenge, but ended up being an asset - and eventually, gained exposure on the Discovery/Travel Channels bringing them fame in addition to Golden Tickets. Now, they've built new technologies such as the Master Blaster, expanded to three locations in Texas, and are planning a massive resort water park in Kansas City, KS. So, yes, it's great to hear from Mr. Siebert once again, and that he's really enjoying it down there!

http://podcast.coasterbuzz.com/ Jeff Siebert joins another Jeff in this week's podcast. If you don't remember, Jeffrey Siebert was Director of Marketing Communications at PKI, and for most of his time there, the park's top spokesperson, and to most of us, a celebrity. He graduated from UC sometime in the mid-1990s, and worked for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks and Americana Amusement Park, before going to Kings Island in 1999. Jeffrey Siebery left PKI in December last year, and is now the director of communications for Schlitterbahn waterparks, based in Texas. The main waterpark in New Braunfels, TX has consistently been rated #1 in Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards.

I thought it was in Virginia, the time I visited in 2004. Maybe Cedar Fair relocated it, too.

I selected other. Why tear it down, when you could... TAER IT DOWN! Seriously, how many polls on SOB have there been?

I'd be surprised by the time the 2007 season starts, that the park's site isn't http://www.kingsisland.com. Whether it's moved to kingsisland.com, or even still at pki.com - expect a total overhaul.

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/admission...es/joe_cool.cfm It's sort of similar in concept to the Gold Pass programs that PKI offered, but with DAILY ERT before the park opens, as well as discounts on food, merchandise, games and accomodations at select locations. However, there's no free parking or reserved parking, fast-lane rides, bring-friend-free days.

No - I assume that you have to purchase your pass through Cedar Point - NOT Geauga Lake, Kings Island, or any other Cedar Point - to get Joe Cool Club, whether free or paid for.

Sun-Sentinel.com:

Thanks for the season pass info, cstrwomann. Cedar Fair would not have purchased a park that they truly felt was a sinking ship. Trying to correct the mistakes of Six Flags as well as their own is not easy, but they still see the potential in the place. The mistake they made in doing away with wildlife is being softened with Wildwater Kingdom. It's possible WWK will become the focal point of Geauga Lake, and you may see some rides, especially large coasters, dismantled and moved to other Cedar Fair parks. I still believe that Six Flags grew the place too fast, yet I still believe in Geauga Lake as a great amusement park. Give them a few more years.

Going with a Maxx Pass at every park (except Canada's Wonderland) eliminates some confusion. For 2007, a Maxx Pass at Cedar Point cost less than a 2006 pass at CP with the Geauga Lake add-on. I also like that they're offering Joe Cool Club again - and if you buy a Maxx Plus pass through CP before Nov. 15, you get free Joe Cool! For parking, however, you may have to get used to stickers or, yet, simply pay the fee at Cedar Fair parks you don't visit often.

They should stop playing that song. Better yet, they should play the original version by Badfinger.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...NESS06/60907008 Cedar Fair to keep headquarters in Ohio SANDUSKY  Although Cedar Fair LP had suggested it might move its headquarters from Sandusky to North Carolina, a company official said yesterday the amusement parks company won’t do that. The firm let lapse a lease in a Charlotte business park it acquired as part of its June purchase of Paramount Parks Inc. Spokesman Stacy Frole said Charlotte employees moved to nearby Carowinds amusement park, where they continue to run information technology and payroll operations. Chief Executive Officer Richard Kinzel was evasive in June when asked whether Cedar Fair might move to Charlotte.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9 September, 2006 MEDIA CONTACT: Paula Werne, 812-937-5209; fun@holidayworld.com TWO NEWS RIDES FOR THEME & WATER PARK SANTA CLAUS, IN-----A seven-story family water slide tops the list of $4.5 million in additions for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in 2007. "Our Zinga water slide is the most popular ride in Splashin' Safari," says the park's president, Will Koch. "The new Bakuli will add a fun twist to that ride experience, as families will find themselves spiraling inside a gigantic, high-banked bowl." Bakuli*, more than seven stories tall, will begin with riders careening down a nine-foot-wide, enclosed water slide. Using four-passenger cloverleaf inner tubes, families will ride in the dark, navigating sudden, tight turns. "And then the bottom will fall out," Koch adds, "and into the sunshine and the 60-foot bowl you'll spiral." The purple, green and yellow bowl will be located on the island in the middle of Bahari River; the start tower will be to the north of the river. Koch says Bakuli, which is the Swahili word for "bowl," will add capacity, which is again a priority in 2007, as attendance in 2006 is expected to surpass one million guests for the first time in the park's 60-year history. Holiday World's new ride is Turkey Whirl, a themed tilt-a-whirl. The Thanksgiving section will also gain a new restaurant in 2007; the Plymouth Rock Café will offer cafeteria-style Thanksgiving dinners with outdoor seating for 300. Koch predicts a five-percent increase in attendance for Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in 2007 and the need for 50 additional seasonal employees. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari will be open September 9, 16 and 23. Then Holiday World is open September 30 plus October 1, 7, and 8. For more information about the parks, log on to www.holidayworld.com or call 1-877-Go-Family. http://www.holidayworld.com/new2007.html

Grammar: G-R-A-M-M-A-R. Grammar.

How about Carowinds? Carowinds only is $54.95. Their Maxx Pass is $89.95 (same as KD) Carowinds, like KI, is also offering the Maxx Plus Pass (including separately gated water parks) for the same price is KI, $149.95. So, the Maxx prices may not seem like a shock, but for those folks that only want Carowinds, what a deal!! http://www1.paramountparks.com/carowinds/s...season_pass.cfm EDIT: Great America's passes will go on sale "soon"

She's probably going through her photos that she's taken... while riding in Vortex's cobra roll.

Regarding parking at other parks, and entry to other parks with Maxx Passes, Michigan's Adventure Season Pass FAQ page may give good hints...