Festhaus

[TOPGUN1993]

I want to no why the Festhaus is always so dark? Its so dark I can hardly see my food.

[Reclaimer]

The Festhaus has many purposes..and for that reason, it remains dimly lit.

(Have you seen the "back room"?)

[BoddaH1994]

Normally it's so dark so you can see the projection screens.

[WooferBearATL]

Well lights can be turned up in it and it becomes bright as day.

They used to only be dimmed during shows.

[DragonLord]

If all the lights were up all the way it would be really bright in there!

The main reason is for the projectors. You can't see them if the lights are on. It also used to have a show in there while people ate, but they haven't had a show in the Festhaus for a long time. That will change with WinterFest though!

As of the "back room" guests are not allowed there, so don't even try!

[WooferBearATL]

As of the "back room" guests are not allowed there, so don't even try!

There are many "back room's in the Festhaus. I'm not so certain why folk think they're so special. Are you talking about the old dressing rooms or the stock rooms?

[Shaggy]

FYI... for Winterfest, the entire Festhaus is being overhauled. The screens are gone, and the old "Bavarian" theming hidden for years by facades is being revealed/refreshed/repainted.

Included in this is a restoration of the magnificent stained glass window that has been hidden from view for years. It's an antique window that was once part of an extremely old Cincinnati Mansion and installed in the Festhause when it was built.

In addition, all banners and additional lighting "sconces" are being added.

Shaggy

[CoasterKrazy]

I had no idea there is so much history behind PKI. Too bad it has been ignored for such a long time now, and is quickly being removed from the park. (Namely removal of Coney Island rides and original park themeing)

[WooferBearATL]

I had no idea there is so much history behind PKI. Too bad it has been ignored for such a long time now, and is quickly being removed from the park. (Namely removal of Coney Island rides and original park themeing)

There's a great deal of history behind much of the park. Paramount, at least to this point, had little care or concern for that history and basically wanted to place thier brand on the park. With the advent of the return of Winterfest, I'm hopeful that someone in Paramounts Management division has come around to restoring some of the the things that made and make Kings Island a premier park.

[Shaggy]

There's more than even many PKI afficianados realize. I contantly find out new info about artifacts etc at PKI that I simply overlook.

A good example... many of the chandeliers came from Coney Island... namely the one in an International Street Shop. From what I recall, it is an antique worth tens of thousands of dollars. It's been a while since I have seen it since I rarely go in the shops... but I assume it's still there. I even forget which shop it's in.. maybe the Nick shop?

Of late, I have been intrigued by the Don Quixote (sp?) statue on International Street. It was a sculpture commissoned by the park for the opening. I'd love to know who made it.. how it came to be etc. But give me time and I will learn more. ;-)

Shaggy

[BoddaH1994]

There's more than even many PKI afficianados realize. I contantly find out new info about artifacts etc at PKI that I simply overlook.

A good example... many of the chandeliers came from Coney Island... namely the one in an International Street Shop. From what I recall, it is an antique worth tens of thousands of dollars. It's been a while since I have seen it since I rarely go in the shops... but I assume it's still there. I even forget which shop it's in.. maybe the Nick shop?

Of late, I have been intrigued by the Don Quixote (sp?) statue on International Street. It was a sculpture commissoned by the park for the opening. I'd love to know who made it.. how it came to be etc. But give me time and I will learn more. ;-)

Shaggy

Shaggy,

I invite you to make a "little did you know" thread about the historical tidbits of the park. That would be interesting for us all.

Ryan

[Gordon Bombay]

I had no idea there is so much history behind PKI. Too bad it has been ignored for such a long time now, and is quickly being removed from the park. (Namely removal of Coney Island rides and original park themeing)

There's a great deal of history behind much of the park. Paramount, at least to this point, had little care or concern for that history and basically wanted to place thier brand on the park. With the advent of the return of Winterfest, I'm hopeful that someone in Paramounts Management division has come around to restoring some of the the things that made and make Kings Island a premier park.

Paramount did what they had to do to make money, Im so sick of all these people whining, things have to change if the park wants to stay competitive and profitbale. There is stil A LOT of historical pieces scattered about the park, paramount is not this awful company you always make it out to be, theyve done more for the park than any past owner.

[FOF/Z 4-ever]

^I agree. Paramount has kept lots of stuff that were there from the original days of Kings Island. Some of it may have been taken down or in storage, but you'll be supprise on how many items PKI still have in storage. All they need to do is clean them up and they'll be like new!

[flightoffear1996]

We should all right a petion to the park asking them to try to keep some of the old things that everyone loved about PKI there and in decant shape. I know I need a dictanary.

[WooferBearATL]

Paramount did what they had to do to make money, Im so sick of all these people whining, things have to change if the park wants to stay competitive and profitbale. There is stil A LOT of historical pieces scattered about the park, paramount is not this awful company you always make it out to be, theyve done more for the park than any past owner.

I politely disagree. Paramount knew nothing about park management when they took over. It seems as though they are finally getting the hang and understanding of what it takes and it appears that Kings Island is returning to a former glory. Posetive signs are the return of Winterfest, rehab of the Festhaus and the capital investment in the Nickelodeon area.

Would be nice to see concentration on theming and actually casting employees in themed uniforms again.

[DeLorean Rider]

Baby steps man...Baby steps.

[stephenmayes]

I hardly doubt that it is so dark that you can barely see your food. Its a nice cool place that is a relaxing break from a busy/loud/energetic park.

[WooferBearATL]

Baby steps man...Baby steps.

Yeah, I know.

But when I saw that Winterfest was coming back, I just had the thought "Maybe Paramount Hired Someone that really understands what running a theme park means."

But then it actually is probably a learning curve item. Granted, Taft Broadcasting did not know everything when they opened Kings Island or Kings Dominion. They had to learn through trial and error. The thing that I had found sad with when Paramount took over was that they attempted to reinvent the wheel. I never have understood why companies have felt that they need to not learn from the lessons that their predeccesor had already learned.

[coasterville]

Shaggy mentioned that the Bavarian theming in the Festhaus has been hidden by facades, does that include all the colorful wall murals that used to be in there. I had the sickening feeling that they had just painted over them.

I did note the stained glass window when I was in there last Sunday, that has been hidden by a projection screen for years now. I forget did that window used to have backlighting? I also noted the colorful banners are coming back, but I fear for the wall murals as they have already started hanging wreathes over the plain white walls.

[Gordon Bombay]

Baby steps man...Baby steps.

Yeah, I know.

But when I saw that Winterfest was coming back, I just had the thought "Maybe Paramount Hired Someone that really understands what running a theme park means."

But then it actually is probably a learning curve item. Granted, Taft Broadcasting did not know everything when they opened Kings Island or Kings Dominion. They had to learn through trial and error. The thing that I had found sad with when Paramount took over was that they attempted to reinvent the wheel. I never have understood why companies have felt that they need to not learn from the lessons that their predeccesor had already learned.

Your always complaining and whinging about how Paramount Parks is such an awful company and cant run theme parks, yet obviously theyre doing pretty darn good for themselves. Paramount has put more into the park than any past company.

[Reclaimer]

As of the "back room" guests are not allowed there, so don't even try!

I'm a little late to get in on this, but I forgot about this topic...

When I mentioned the "back room", I was making a joke, hence the smiley with a tounge sticking out after my comment.

[RailRider]

Paramount is 10 times better than Six Flags so lets not complain, because they are better than a lot of ops companies out there.

[Outdoor Man]

Combat.... cool down. I know that "tense" is difficult to read on screen- but I don't think that I would classify what others are saying as "whining." More like stating opinions.

now, back to festhaus.... do they ever use the other side of the building anymore?

[Gordon Bombay]

I said he was whining because constantly, on almost eveyr post he makes he criticizes paramount for the way they run the park, im not defending paramount just because i work at the park, but he has no reason to back up his claims. Paramount, while they have done a lot of crap to the park, theyve done more good, and not only that theyve done more than ANY past owner. The park is cleaner than it has been in the past, the money put into it has gone way up, and the treatment of employees has gotten better. Paramount isnt this evil company he keeps making it out to be.

[WooferBearATL]

OK Combat, please provide your examples to back up your points. And do remember that I came from KECO management so I can back up mine.

[Erosarrow05]

Well, Woofer, you stated Paramount tried to reinvent the wheel, perhaps you can give us some examples. Being a previous employee for 3 seasons, i really didnt think it was managed or run all that poorly.

Perhaps you could also clarify what part of "KECO Mgt." you were apart of.

[WooferBearATL]

Maybe I can show it by pointing out things that were either done away with or changed:

International Restaurant closed. One of the most gorgeous points in the park and most relaxing to places to enjoy a very good meal. Was never a money maker like Beer Gardens, Festhaus or Columbia Palace, but it was never supposed to be. It was one of those things that set the park apart from many other things.

Eliminate Beer sales from the park. Food service prfits dropped severely with this advent. As you know, the park has slowly moved beer sales back into select locations.

Closing and eliminating many food service operations. Vending machines were put in to make up for some of the removals. Locations certainly were not eliminated due to unprofitability. I can think of only one satelite stand that did not make a profit regularly.

The elimination of almost all entertainment. From HB Characters to no less than 2 shows in each show location. Live Entertainment was always a staple of the park and anyone that worked as an Usher can tell you the popularity of the shows.

Landscaping reduced to ease of care. Take a look at where topary used to be and grooming of the trees and shrubs. An entire staff at one time used to care with design and set up of great ornamental displays.

Theming gone to sh Basically one uniform worn by every employee of the park. It's as if everyone is assigned to work Coney Mall.

Removal of WAH. Wild Animal Habitat was an area that was not only popular but also served an important function. The work done with WAH employee's along with UC and the Cincinnati Zoo was on the forefront of working with endangered species. Quite a bit of work was done there through invitro fertilization.

Slower more moderate rides have been removed that cater to a wider range of people. (ie - The Taxi's and even Eagles)

Timberwolf is used and utilized maybe 3 or 4 times a year when at a time it had been used 3 or 4 times a week.

Winterfest was ended at the park. We all know that it is and will be returning.

I can go on, but I think that this post has gotten a little long.

Your turn Combat.

[Outdoor Man]

Combat; I agree- paramount has done more good than bad. You do have to admit though that it was a bit of a learning curve for them in the beginning- but I think that the learning curve is past an they are building.... really great premier parks. The park is cleaner than it was in the mid-90's

A LOT of money has been spent in investment in the park... sometimes, in my opinion on marginal things that seemed over-priced. But, most times you only know of mistakes after the fact.

One only has to visit the Paramount Studio in LA to know the professionlism that exists in Paramount as a whole.... but I do think in the beginning they were trying to be Universal / Disney and manage their own parks to this large conglomerate. And I think they learned.

I also agree with the opinions of "woofer"-- sometimes they make decisions and you know there is a reason behind it, but you think "what the...."

[Shaggy]

While my intent is not to get involved in a battle of opinions (everybody's differs... of course...) I do think it's necessary to point out one particular thing.

When Paramount assumed the lion's share of stock in the King's parks, the same staff that had been running KI the years prior remained. In other words, all the folks that oversaw landscaping, rides, maintenance, management, HR etc etc etc... were the same as before the buyout.

There seems to be this idea that Paramount came in, took over and all new people that didn't know what they were doing took the positions of those that had been operating the park. That's untrue.

Basically, the parks were beginning to carry a debt load, and budget cuts were leading to the sacrifice of quality throughout the park in virtually all areas. The latter Carl Linder years (just prior to the Paramount Purchase) were bad ones for all Kings parks. Paramount stepped up and purchased the parks which Linder was quick to unload. Without which, who knows what might have happened. Heck, if Paramount hadn't, then the parks may have become Six Flags parks eventually... need I say more?

Paramount Corporate instituted new corporate policies and procedures as well as initiatives among their regional park offices that first year. As with any business when ownership changes, so do the general terms by which it is overseen. However local management was left to operate as they had. IMO Paramount had an uphill battle since so much concern and ability to properly manage the parks had gone by the wayside in preceeding years under Linder ownership.

Look at the signs.... it was in the Linder years that rides began to dissapear in the park. It was also duing those years that cutbacks were made to entertainment. It was during those years that the attention to detail/quality began to decline among new attractions.

Someone mentioned the Wild Animal Safari/Habitat... well to cite it as an example... it had only a handful animals remaining in it's last year under Linder Management. It had become so inaffective as an attraction that they stopped requiring guests to pay extra, and even so they still couldn't get people to ride.

It took a year or two for Paramount to get their footing, but I think that the Paramount buyout brought about a breath of fresh air to the parks. They must have done something right, 1996 was their top attendance year to date.

As the 1990's rounded out, I feel that the Corporate Direction of the parks again lost steam. I think that overall the parks were then poorly led by Jane Cooper who was later terminated. IMO, the worst shape that KI has ever been in was during the 1999-2000 season. Poor corporate directive, coupled with poor local management of the park, led to a lagging year with poor decisions, a poor addition, and poor guest experience.

Ironically, in that time period, Paramount recognized the issues, and cleaned house of those that lacked the directive the parks needed.

Today's PKI is quickly becoming a well oiled machine with overall concern being given to the park and guest experience. The current park management team recognizes what makes the park succeed and they are running with it.

Shaggy

[specialk141]

shaggy, you never cease to amaze me. i have never once read a post of yours that i did not agree wtih, or get some very important message out of. i applaud you for your knowledge and insight. you are clearly the most inteligent, reliable source on these boards on a near daily basis. i salute you