Crispy1979

removed

>>>I think that all the male employees at PKI should wear tuxedos and speak with English accents - like butlers. And I think that all female employees at PKI should wear French maid outfits and speak with a French accent. And all employees should wear white gloves. JUST BLOODY KIDDING!<<< (In reference to a thread that was closed)- you would have liked the waiters' and waitresses' uniforms at the International Restaurant when it was open. ;-) Men- black pants, white tuxedo shirts, black bow ties. Women, black skirts and white blouses. Cris

When I worked at Six Flags, it WAS the job of the seciruty guards to make sure everyone was in proper uniform. As we walked from the backstage area to the onstage area, a security guard was placed there in the morning to make sure our shirts were tucked in, we had a belt on, we had our nametags on, we were wearing our name tags and hats (if we chose to wear them) properly, that the guys were properly shaved, etc. This was the whole point of the security guard being stationed at the gate in the morning. We were not allowed to have cell phones with us on stage. They had to be kept backstage in a locker. When they opened the employee commissary, we were also not allowed to eat in the park while in uniform or on break. The the food workers were not allowed to sell any food to a uniformed employee. (I got around this, however. I would wear a white undershirt. Then when on break, I'd go into the restroom and take off my uniform shirt. I never got caught my a lead or a sup, luckily) I think that as long as an employee is onstage, they should abide my the dress code. Imagine going to a play and one of the characters finished their lines and then starts taking off their costume or talking on their cell phone while walking off stage. I think it creates the same effect of unprofessionalism. Then again, I wish PKI would return to their tradition of using theme "costumes" uniforms for the various areas of the park. Cris

Well you know what I mean... I was confusing the abbreviations in the previous post. Cris

I agree. In the late 80's the only major coasters in the park were The Beast, Vortex, The Racers, and King Cobra..... and no minor coasters. Now we have Beast, Vortex, The Racers, Son of Beast, Flight of Fear, and minor coasters like Face Off, Adventure Express, and Top Gun. There's even more kiddie coasters. There used to only be The Beastie. Having more coasters to disperse the crowd certainly helps with lines. Cris

Maybe they just sent the surplus towles from Carowinds to PKI to sell. I've bought some Disneyland items at Walt Disney World before. Cris

Here's something odd I always found interesting.... Adventure Express is obviously themed to what was the "Wild Animal Safari" section of the park... and fit in with the theme of Amazon Falls, King Cobra, and the Wild Animal Habitat.... and on maps was listed as being in that section of the park. But from the beginning it always seemed a little out of place to me because to get to the line you didn't have to crosse into the Wild Animal Safari section of the park.... in fact, it was located just as you pass through the "Oktoberfest" sign in the former site of the Flying Dutchamn. So although the ride was listed as being in the WIld Animal Safari section of the park, it's always been that you entered from Oktoberfest. Now that the Wild Animal section has become "Action Zone" Adventure Express is listed on maps as being in Oktoberfest. Kind of out of place. Cris

I remember the year that Adventure Express opened (91) While waiting in Line they had bits of narration that somewhat described a theme or story. The voice was a British explorer type of accent.... you know the "Dr. Livingston, I presume" type of accent. But the narration describe "expeditions" to a newly discovered archeological find. I don't know if they still play the narration in line. I don't believe so. Cris

Go to this site http://www.glbtcentercincinnati.com/pride/tickets.html There will be info on there about purchasing memberships and tickets. Or just go to http://www.pkipridenight.com and click on "Tickets" and it will take you to the same place. There is also a FAQ section. I hope that helped. Cris

>>>Do you all advertise for the red shirt gay/lesbian day?<<< The red shirt Day in June is not in anyway sponsored by the park. It is much like the red shirt days at Disney World, Disneyland, and other such events. It is organized by outside groups, and all PKI does is open the park and sell tickets on that day like they would any other. Kind of like if a church group went to the park and they all decided to wear the same color shirts. Red shirt day was apparently very popular in the late 80's through the mid 90's. I found out about Red Shirt Day this past year on a website and asked on here about it and was told that there isn't a large turnout for it since the September "Night of Pride" started. The September event is not officially sponsored by PKI either. They rent the park out to the Cincinnatti Gay and Lesbian Community Center and they in turn sell tickets as a fundraiser, while the sponsors mentioned in the first post help pay expenses. PKI does work very closely with the group as far as organizing entertainment, allowing for the resale of tickets, and letting the group use PKI logos and copyrighted material. So, they thought your friends were identical twin lesbians? Sounds like a very bizaare "Doublemint" commercial. Cris

Night of Pride, the September event, has been going on since '97, according to the website. An unofficial Red Shirt Day had been going on before then, but it's almost non-existent now because of thepopularity of the September private event. Quite honestly, even being a gay man, I often feel weird being around some gay people. lol. But there is a sense of "family" in the gay community. Just as you don't get to choose you're own blood relatives (don't you wish you could sometimes?) you don't get to choose the family of people that share your sexual orientation. Also, the gay community seems to have a good sense of humor and not take themselves too seriously (just think of Will and Grace) so it's often nice to sit back and laugh at one another. As for working Pride Night, and other private events. When I worked at Six Flags, the private events were the best to work. Everyone is very respectful, well behaved, and the crowds are usually light. Makes you wish working at the park could be that enjoyable everyday. Cris

Thanks. The reason I was asking is that I rode Beast last year (I have not yet been to the park this year) and did not notice a difference. When I rode last year, they had already changed from the old fashion friction breaking at the end to the new breaks, so I'm guessing the magnetic trims were added at the same time. I didn't notice a change, but I only get to visit the park once or twice a year. I'm sure the difference is more noticeable to someone who regularly attends the park. Cris

Yes, we had a similar topic about the unofficial Gay day event that is held in June (and less attended now that the September private event has been started). Several PKIu'ers, such as CoasterXtreme, posted their experiences about having gone to the September event and highly recommended it. The event does benefit the Cincinnatti Gay and Lesbian Community Center, but you by no means have to be gay or lesbian to attend. Also, I simply started this topic to provide info to those that would like to go to the event, and to provide an opportunity for PKIu'ers at the event to meet each other and introduce themselves. I know PKIU'ers on this board meet up at the park throughout the year and thought this would be a great opportunity since some of us will already be there. DISCLAIMER : As I've started this topic to provide information, and to organize a meet, I'm sure there may be those on this board who can't resist to stray off topic and get this topic closed. I'm hoping everyone remains respectful and that does not happen. If anyone is so inclined to stray off topic, I suggest you start a separate topic in the board, so that this one will not be closed. In the event this topic should be closed I can be reached at the e-mail on my profile MmeLimace@aol.com and i will pass along any information that other PKIu'ers share with me. Hope to see some of you in September! Cris

I'm just curious... when were the magnetic trims added to The Beast? Cris

Another good thing about Six Flag kentucky Kingdom.... they sell Rolling Rock! Cris

My boyfriend and I will be attending the "Night of Pride" event at Paramount's Kings Island on September 26th. I was wondering if anyone else on the message board who will be attending would be interested in meeting up at the park at a designated spot. Perhaps all of us PKI Unlimited folks could meet for a group photo, get a table together at the Festaus to watch the drag show, or just meet up to say "hi" and introduce ourselves. For those of you not familiar with the event and would like to attend, the event will be on September 26 of this year from 6pm- 12 midnight. As this is a special event night, Season Passes will not be valid for the event. Tickets can be purchsed in advance for $40 at locations in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, and Lexington. KY. You can also purchase tickets for only $2 if you become a member of the Cincinnati Gay and Lesbian Community Center for $35. You can also pay $42 per ticket at the gate on the day of the event. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the Cincinnati Gay and Lesbian Center, a non-profit organization. Sponsors of the event include the Millennium Hotel of Cincinnati, Coors Light, American Express and Griffifth Marsh Financial Advisors, the Sweeney Team of Comey and Sheppard Relators, The Dock nightclub, Hamburger Mary's, Queen City Career Assoc., and La Rosa's Pizza. Go to www.pkipridenight.com for more information. I hope to see some of you there! Cris

Concernign Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, they have food stands that sell beer, so if they are selling beer in the middle of a park walkway, then it would seem pretty hard to have a "designated" area, in contrast to PKI where the areas that sell beer have their own seating area. Also, during the state fair they open more beer and alcohol booths in Kentucky Kingdom, in the midway, and throughout the fair. As they are just stand alone booths, you are able to carry your alcohol throughout the entire property of the Fair and Expo center. Cris

The year i went there, Phantom Theatre and the Train were operating. There were shows in what is now the Paramount Theare and Festaus. An interesting thing about the ice skating is that you were allowed to bring your own skates into the park.

>>>PKI would've discontinue a restaurant/attraction if it was very profitable.<<< The International Restaurant was always busy, and I can't see it ever not making a profit. As I wrote above, the restaurant had both an entrance from inside the park and from outside the park... so people would come just to go to the restaurant and not even go to King's Island. The main reason it was closed when Paramount took over was an attempt to save money in operating costs by streamlining management. That is, putting the operation of the park's food services under fewer people and offering the same type of foods throughout the park. Cris

I'm not sure of the exact year it closed, but it was '93 or '94. The restaurant was well known and visited independent of Kings Island. that is, it had a seperate entrance from the outside of the park, so that people could go to the restaurant without actually paying admission and visiting the park. If you entered the restaurant from the park entrance, you had to get your hand stamped, and then show your stamp to re-enter the park. It was quite a pricy restaurant... they served things like lobster and prime rib. Cris

Just curious... does everyone remember "Escapades" from the '92 season?

ADA went into effect in 1990 and the International Restaurant operated well after that. Also, the space has been available the past several years for rent and for use for private parties, conferences, and catered events. If the restaurant had been closed because of ADA, then the space couldn't have been available for private parties. So it is not as if the restaurant was suddenly shut down because it did not comply with ADA. The site has been in use after ADA went into effect in 1990. Cris

>>David Zellner (I believe that is his name) said that the park`s long term plans include adding a sit-down resteraunt. << Hmm, do you think this would mean using the space where the International Restaurant (over the entrance to the park) used to be? Or building a new location?

The whole reason Festaus was built was to house an ice rink. It extended the length of the Festaus building and was surrounded on three sides by the tables that are in the building now. I would say at least 70% of the current seating area used to be the ice rink. The skating platform was raised like a stage. In essence, Festaus was a dinner theatre. The fourth side of the skating platform (the back) lead to the backstage area where the performers came on and off stage. There was also a backdrop, proscenium arch, and curtain there just like in a regular theatre. Lighting and spotlights were provided from the catwalk above. The doors in the rear of Festaus were not there and the only way to enter the building was through the front doors. Families would get there very early and stake out their seats, and get their food. The lights would go out for the show, so you would be watching/eating in darkness. The show was a large scale production and included a large cast of probably 20+ skaters, half male and half female. Not only would they do the normal pair and solo skating that you see on TV, but large production numbers making formations on the ice. Every year had a different theme. One year every segment of the show followed a Broadway musical with the closer of the show being Phantom of the Opera. Another year, each segment of the show represented a decade, starting with the 1940's and ending with the 90's. Another year, the show was themed to a history of cinema starting with a Buzby Burkley number. The last few years they did a flying effect in the show with the performers on wires and dressed in glowing costumes illuminated by black light. The very last year of the ice show in the Festaus was 94 when Paramount had just bought the park and the individual numbers were themed to Paramount movies. The following year, they moved the show to the Paramount Theatre. However, the show was really bad in this location. The skaters could no longer make formations on the stage as there was not enough room to skate. The skaters could also not perform the large jumps and were practically skating in place. Also, because of the small stage and the new venue, the cast was reduced from 20+ skaters to only about 6 skaters. I guess the best way to put it might be like this... Think of going to a theatre where you can buy popcorn and concessions and sit down and watch a play or musical. Now imagine if the owners of the theatre decided to not to show plays or musicals anymore, but still keep the concessions open. They eventually remove the stage, and you are left with a big empty building where people can come in, buy their concessions and sit down and eat. That's pretty much the story of Festaus. Cris

>>>Oktoberfest gardens was the German theme name for the building. They changed the name to Festhaus when they stop selling metts and brats at Oktoberfest.<<< Mars1825 is right. Bubba Gumps was previously Oktoberfest Gardens. Prior to that it was called Der Biergarten. I'm not sure when the name changedto Oktoberfest Garden, but I checked a 92 brochure and it was still Der Biergarten in 92. Also, in the 92 brochure, it mentioned in addition to the German fare, that there was a LaRosa's counter open Festaus has always been called Festaus. Also, in the 92 brochure, it mentioned in addition to the German fare, that there was a LaRosa's counter open in the Festaus, as well as an Italian counter that served chicken parmagian and the like. So it was not only German food. Cris