International Restaurant

[CoastersRZ]

Reopen as a full fledged restaurant yes. But keep in mind that privat groups have been having meals in the IR during WinterFest, so it is obviously up to snuff as far as health codes go in the kitchen area. (Unless they are simply preparing the food elsewhere in the park and bringing it in to be served up in the IR).

[BoddaH1994]

(Unless they are simply preparing the food elsewhere in the park and bringing it in to be served up in the IR).

You may know something that I don't, but every event that I've seen up there has always had food brought in from the outside.

Also, since we're talking about wheelchair accessability, I think they would be able to bypass that. Granted, there's no public elevator, most of you know that there is an elevator behind GR. If they put up signs saying "Ask for Assistance for Wheelchair Access" and allowed handicaped people to use it, they could probably get away with it.

[jzarley]

The other strong idea was a Star Trek themed IR.  While the Vegas property is still viable, the parks were moving away from Star Trek.  It had lost the appeal that the parks needed.  Interesting though that Stealth was re-themed as BORG Assimilator at PC.  Maybe there is some life left in Star Trek!

On a side note, I heard from marketing that Stealth was originally to be named Mission Impossible, after the Tom Cruise movie.  Word was that because PGA was to open the ride before the movie premiere, Paramount Pictures nixed the idea.  They did not want the ride to premiere before the movie.

I think the sad part about Star Trek theming is that they never used the franchise in the 90s when it was enjoying a resurgence with two series on the air, and a new movie every other year. I never could really understand why one of Paramount's most valuable media franchises was ignored, while two "Waynes World" themed areas were built (and, have since disappeared...)

I think it's interesting that Paramount was concerned about debuting a MI ride prior to the movie... That's a fear Disney doesn't seem to have--"It's Tough to be a Bug" opened at DAK months before "A Bug's Life" was released in theaters, without negative consequences...

[WooferBearATL]

Demolish the Front Gate and IR?

OH MY GAWD!

Paramount needs to sell the park. They need to sell the park or have it taken away from them before they do any more damage to it!

What's next?

Would they really think of tearing down the Eiffel Tower?

Oh My Gawd!

[kjkjkj]

if they tear down IR then they should let people,THE PUBLIC, go inside and walk around

[coasterville]

When I found out that International Restaurant was going to be open on a limited basis during Winterfest. (It was open to the public during November, and according to their website, selected dates near the end of December as well), I thought that perhaps this was a test run to see if the restaurant was still viable. Of course, with the cold weather we get in December, I'm sure the park going public would be receptive to almost any indoor dining option, and then with the great view you get with the IR.

I really hope that PKI doesn't consider mucking up what may be one of the better amusment park front gates. IR provdes a great dining/banquet hall facility, is efficient, it has all the park services in one place, and it has gift shops no matter which way you approach the gate to leave, and really ins't all of International Street meant to be that great big gift shop as you leave the park?

The front gate also provides a nice tunnel effect, similar to the train station at Disney which shields you from viewing the park from the outside, or viewing the parking lot from the inside.

More importantly, though that big gift shop at the park exit idea just seemes bad. If it were such a good idea Six Flags, Disney, Busch, and Universal parks would all be using it. I think Herschend parks (Dollywood/Silver Dollar City) seem to like the mega shop on exit idea, but not any of the major players. Ride exits through shops, fine, park exit, not so much.

I have got to think that the chance for shoplifting has to increase when you channel 25,000 people through your forced exit shop all at one time, not to mention it clogs the exit as the paks that do have the mega shop at park exit make sure its not a straight shot through the shop.

Besides, I think PKI has done away with retail at ride exits. Recall when King Cobra exit went through the Congo Curio, that was back in 1984 if it were really a great idea we would have seen the park implement ride exit through retail on a lot more rides. Even the attraction specific gift carts that once stood at the exits of some rides have been eliminated, with the excpetion of on ride photos.

[jzarley]

They need to sell the park or have it taken away from them before they do any more damage to it!

Sort of like a theme park equal to Children's Protective Services?

[Browntggrr]

PKI should have IR operating. Rumor has it that IR lost money. Even though I find that difficult that it did lose money having that one entity improves the park as a whole. It would keep guests in the park as opposed to leaving to go elsewhere and have a sit-down meal. The longer that guests stay in the park, the more money they will spend.

As far as the health code issue; if they are serving food in IR, it has to be up to code, it does not matter if the food is being made there or if it being catered by an outside source.

It was mentioned earlier that there could be a issue with being non-wheelchair accessible: Elmer nailed it. As long as there are no major renovations or structural changes to the building, IR is grandfathered. Now, that would be bad business. About $10,000 is all PKI needs to have a wheelchair only elevator installed, and if PKI is worried about that amount of money being spent on a person that is in a wheelchair we should all have major concerns about the park we love.

[WooferBearATL]

LOL! I used to be a Social Worker and worked in Children's Services. I suppose that's where I get the idear to take the park away from Paramount and give it to more nurturing owners. <G>

[Jasper]

I believe that they should do like out in Vegas and put another story on top of the Eiffel Tower and make a resteraunt.

[CoastersRZ]

Ryan, no I don`t know something you don`t. I was just stating that if they had the meals brought in from the outside, than the health code status of the kitchen doesn`t really matter. I assumed that they had catered food served up there anyway. But, the only time I have ever been up there was on WinterFest Media Day.

Browntgrr, I believe that it does matter where the food is being prepared at as far as health codes go. Yes, the serving area and dining areas have to be up to health codes, and anywhere where the food may come in contact. But if they are not using the kitchen for anything, then I do not believe that it has to be up to health codes. (But I`m no expert on health codes, so I could be wrong).

[flightoffear1996]

They should open up the IE Restaurant. The park could make alot of money having open up there. Plus its a great view.

[CoastersNSich]

The best thing for that space would be a totally revamped restaurant. The place is nice but the look is a bit passé (and hign end/formal) and the only way I see it succeeding is to attract the casual park goer. Yes, the prices may be a little more than park stands, but not ultra-expensive... more like Friday's or Max & Erma's.

I think the park desperately needs a sit-down restaurant, but something more attractive to today's park guests. It would also be a good idea to add a standard passenger elevator that is easily accessible.

[Browntggrr]

The only difference between having the food made in the kitchen vs. being catered is the amount of detergent being used in the dishwasher and how hot the water would get during the washing cycle. Assuming that the dishwasher has not been used in quite some time it could be an issue.

Other than that, health inspectors will look at refridgerator/ freezer temperatures (41 degrees & zero degrees respectively) which sould be no problem for any units that are already in place, any type of salad bar needs to be kept at 41, heating units (for soups etc.) need to be kept hot (it has been two years since I owned my restauraunt- I forget the exact heating temp, but I believe it to be above 100). The inspectors will also look for the condition of the floors in the kitchen- if the tile is torn or ripped up etc. Inspectors will determine on a license on how clean the entire restauraunt is- no drain flys, water damage, pest contol etc.

Where PKI may have an issue would be is it up to fire code. Is the Ansul system up to date? Have the vents above the grill been kept clean? Are there enough fire extinguishers and emergency exits? But just given the fact that there are events held in that room- it should already be within fire code guidlines.

It actually is not that difficult to meet health code guidlines since a majority of them are common sense.

[ragerunner]

I think they could really increase the popularity of the International Rest. if they would add Character dining (at least for Breakfast and Lunch). It will turn a nice profit if they would do that.

[CoasterKrazy]

I really hope that PKI doesn't consider mucking up what may be one of the better amusment park front gates. IR provdes a great dining/banquet hall facility, is efficient, it has all the park services in one place, and it has gift shops no matter which way you approach the gate to leave, and really ins't all of International Street meant to be that great big gift shop as you leave the park?

The front gate also provides a nice tunnel effect, similar to the train station at Disney which shields you from viewing the park from the outside, or viewing the parking lot from the inside.

While I enjoy the "tunnel effect" you mentioned, I don't believe PKI has one of the best front gates. It seems to be fairly efficient from what I have seen at other parks, but it is lacking in the aesthetics department. Surpirsingly enough, Kings Island could learn from Six Flags as far as entrances go.

[jzarley]

I too owned my own restaurant for a few years, and can echo Browntggrr's comments on the inspection process. (Browntggrr--I certainly hope you enjoyed owning/operating a restaurant more than I did! <g>). There are also different "risk levels" to which food service outlets are assigned--from selling pre-packaged foods to being a full-fledged restaurant.

The most difficult part of the whole inspection process (and it was still pretty easy) was getting the food service license to begin with, and I assume that IR has kept their renewals up-to-date all along. And really, the only difficult part was making sure you met all the standards going in...all equipment on casters and NSF certified, sinks being mounted at least 4" from the wall, a proper mop sink, cleanable ceiling tiles in food prep areas. cleanable surfaces, etc. In addition, I'm willing to bet that most mgmt in PKI F&B are "Serv-Safe" certified.

In fact, I always found the health dept. inspection process so easy that it amazes me (and scares me a whole lot) that restaurants actually fail inspections!

[Gordon Bombay]

What kind of restauraunt did you own? Was it unseucessful or did you just want to get out of the business, if you dnt mind me asking.

[Browntggrr]

Well to make my story brief; my restauraunt was also a tavern too. On one of our dancing nights, a patron tried to leave with a open full beer, and we stopped him at the door. He got ****ed, got into his car, and while leaving the parking lot he shot 5 rounds at me (I hit the ground) and at the bar. One of my patrons inside was struck in the side by one of the bullets (basically a flesh wound- we were all lucky), and that was the beginning of the end.

I have a wife and two kids, and being treated like Bambi on the first day of buck basically left a sour pit in my stomach.

But the police did get the guy, and he is serving a 20-40 year sentence.

[kjkjkj]

well thats good that they got him, but it sucks that he shot at you guys in the first place