TR PKI 11-2-03

[DegenRider]

Day started at 9am as my mother dropped me off at the front gate (getting 1 last use out of 2003's parking pass)

I walked around International snapping photos. I went over to GR for some reason and there was Jeff Siebert in there. I said my hello. I took a group photo of the GR people and asked jeff if he had a moment after the tour was over for some non Park related matters. We said our goodbyes and I went over to the Ace brick looking for someone i knew. Finally my buddy Tom showed up and since hes an ACE'r and your allowed to bring 1 guest I went on The Beast walkback.

Beast woke up right on time and was running about as good as can be for a morning run. After that I wanted to ride the flyers. 3 cycles smooth loading and unloading. I met a few new people in line whos names escape me at the writting of this TR.

Amazing what a week can do. Crew was fast and fun again.

after 3 cycles on the flyers tom wants to go ride Delirium. We get over there and I nix that Idea. I am not about to wait for a ride that I may or may not get to ride.

Then its over to SOB. SOB was flying today and there was no stacking. We were on in 15 mins. Then Top Gun. Tom rides I do not. I will not wait over 10 mins for this ride unless its 1 train due to Maitance error and a truck. I Bsed with the Overworked and underloved Skyflyer crew. I decided to give it one last ride. I was joined by a worker who had never flew. We both paid and road. He liked it very much.

Tom rejoined me and we said our goodbyes. Next was Adventure Express. AE is quickly turning from a coaster I never road to one I always ride. It was around a 15 min wait. Infact thats the longest I have ever waited for this ride. After that Tom did Racer Forward. I don't ride Racer forward for the sheer fact IT HURTS. Backwards was way to long of a line so I waited.

Next was...Well I think AE was the last ride I road today. The lines were horrid by then. We sat and BSED inbetween coney and Rivertown for a while. Then walked all the way back around to bubba gumps shrimp Co.

They had to fish today. It was chicken ribs or shrimp. I got a PoBoy sandwich and a Salad. We ate watched football(VERY NICE BTW) and then proceeded to Festhaus.

We metup with everyone and when the video started everyone else in there was suprised at what was going on.

The Video is computer animated by BadNitrus. Its very good (some of the people moved a bit funky though). It had AMAZING detail and really helped you get a feel for the water park. Jeff then made an annoucement to everyone over the PA system. Thanking the GP for comming out today and telling everyone participating in part 2 to meet outside. We were all outside. Jeff made an Inaudable speech and we were on our way. We took a backstage tour of the backstage area. I ofcourse had seen it many times before but everyone else was snapping photos and taking video like there was no tomarrow. Jeff stopped and told about some of the winter rehab that already in progress such as SOB's 3rd train. AE's 3rd train and White water canyon. We then made our way over to the tracks where jeff put himself at risk for our safety and made sure everyone got across okay.

We were in THE WATERPARK. I had been in WW when it was a Ghost town but this was errie. Alot of prep work has already been done. Jeff explained that they are doing things to make it so you cannot see across the waterpark to make it feel bigger. He told us what was going where. From the 1989 area to the 1998 area. He showed us with more detail overhere where the new cabanias are going. Also where the new bar is going. Also that the under the powerlines are being utilised for a sand volleyball court or 2.

Jeff made several stops over in the newer area. I was busy taking photos so I didnt get all of it(luckly dane offerd to make me a tape of what he taped). We then walked back to the track where jeff took questions and made another speech. Then back in Nick Central he made another one and answered more general park questions. Then with about 10 ppl left he answered MORE. Thats right when alot of people left he still answered questions. Then with 4 he answered EVEN MORE. Then it was just me and him. I had an outside the park/semi educational question for him. He answerd that for me. I thanked him and I made my way though the sea of children into 1st aid for some water at the drinking foutain and some asprin (I stared into the sun while taking pics). Mostly for the water. I made my way though another sea of people and left the park at 4:50 Bidding PKI adeu till april 2004. I snapped 2 far off photos and then drove off.

Much thanks goes to Jeff Siebert and the rest of PKI for an awsome season. Also Jeff again for being so cool over the whole fanpage thing(You think I am done YOU AINT SEEN NOTHING YET!). Also for the great walkback.

Many thanks today goes to. Chef,Dane, other tour participants whos names I forgot cause I suck with names for the random conversations.

Other thank you's

My mom for the purchase of the 2003 season pass. The pass for not falling apart over my 30+ visits to the park this year.

The SOB/Top gun,Skyflyer and Beast crews Specifically for putting up with me being there so much.

SOB for over 150 rides this season!

All the people that make these rides go around.

My family for putting up with my PKI stories again (they thought they were over when I quit working there)

Security for keeping the park safe.

Everyone I met this summer and have forgotten about.

Rob Nungester for going with me so many times this year.

I now offically call my 2003 coaster season OVER!

[italianchef]

Today I had an incredibly great time at PKI even though my beloved wife, Mrs. Chef, couldn't be there.

I hung out with Ryan, Dane, Dan, Amber, Jonah, Eric, and many others from last time. Plus I met new people like Greg, Captain & Mrs. Picard, and others. And I ran into SOBRider at Jeff Siebert's behind the scenes tour. And I was most pleased that total strangers approached me, told me that they bought my book (The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island) and complimented me on it.

The day was long as I was at the park from 10 AM to after 11 PM. I rode The Beast 4 times, FoF twice, Adventure Express, The Racer, Vortex, SOB, Top Gun, the Paramount FX Theater (Elvira's Superstition), Curse of the Crypt, Maze of Madness, The Racer, Flying Eagles, Zephyr, and that's all I can remember. We had lunch at Mandarin Cuisine and dinner at Festhaus.

The people whom I hung out with were very kind and very cool. I am most pleased to be part of the outstanding PKIC community and look forward to future outings such as this.

Please allow me to thank those of you who hung out with me, have bought my book, have said nice things about my writings, and even just people who are kind. PKI has given me the opportunity to meet many great people and I feel blessed and priviledged. I've made many friends and look forward to future good times. I wish you all a great winter and hope that we can keep in touch.

Best wishes to everyone!

Sincerely,

Charles Infosino aka Italian Chef

:chef: