After a long and difficult offseason, Paramount's Kings Island has returned in full force! Not only do you get to return to some of your favorite rides and attractions, but the kids can enjoy Nickelodeon Universe, the new and improved kids area!

This opening day update includes:

• Nickelodeon Universe up and alive for the first time!
• The special character breakfast with some of the most popular Nickelodeon characters.
• General park improvements and things you may notice different from last year.
• Signage from the Funtastic World of Hanna-Barberra.
• ...and of course, general shots of our wonderful park awake once again for the season!

Click here to see our latest photos.

Dane: Please excuse our mess in the gallery. We will be making our own conversion from HB to NU. I am also upgrading the Photo Gallery Engine to produce faster browsing and better quality images. Also some new colors!

Bill: **UPDATE** Just added 18 more pics that features NEW Spongebob theming as well as the "Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide" Meet and Greet that the park held yesterday! Check them out right here!! Watch for the NU Video coming soon!

Dane: Bills Nick Universe video is now up and ready for download in the Video Showcase!

Bill: **UPDATE** Added a few more pics from 4/23/06. This update features the "Blue's Skidoo" and "La Adventura de Azul" NU rides that just opened this weekend. Check out the pictures right here!

Regards,

Ryan

PKICentral.com - Doing it Ackbar-style since 2003!

Great pictures! As usual, you've captured the full look & feel so that those of us who won't make it to the park for a while can enjoy the experience

One question...is the amphitheater that was added with "Splat City" now gone?

You mean this? Because it is still there.

Nice Pictures, I can't wait to get out to the park this year!

Yep, that's what I meant...missed it in the pics. Thanks--

Funtastic World of Hanna-Barberra was closed does anyone know when it will be open?

UMM I rode it http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/pkiguy1/deta...e12.jpg&.src=ph

I rode it too. It's... not bad.

Well they only had the Spongebob side open when i was at the park today. From 10:00 until 2 o`clock only the Spngebob side was open.

So on a scale of 1-10 how was opening day? Better than last years?

can anyone say how fun avatar was?

greatly apreciated

thanks

~~vl2

can anyone say how fun avatar was?

greatly apreciated

thanks

~~vl2

On a scale of 1 - 10 Avtar is a 15!

I agree. Avatar is fun for kids and grown ups alike.

thank you

~vl2

Avatar is very much like a wonderful updated Viking Fury...smoother, more fun, and more participatory!

It's a great addition to Kings Island. I had very low expectations for this thing. It actually surprised me. It's that good!

I rode it today, and loved it.

Well they only had the Spongebob side open when i was at the park today. From 10:00 until 2 o`clock only the Spngebob side was open.

Yea I was there too at PKI today. At around 4:00 they closed Spongebob and opened Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera. Avatar on a scale 1-10 it was a 8. the Danny Phantoms Flyers where better to me.

Added "Nick Universe: It's My First Day" video. Check it out in the Video Showcase!

Excellent video Bill!

The video was great, my question is what the coaster count in the park is now. I know we are not in the race for the most coasters in the world but I was just curious of what it might be now? I really don't pay any attention to that at all but just a thought...

Avatar is a powered ride. It is not, by most definitions, a coaster.

I can’t wait to hit the park. I should be home and at the park in Early June!

Very nice vid. i really liked seeing th epark for the first time this year. NU looks great especially Avatar!

Great job with the video Bill. As much as I love making movies and editing them I love watching others movies. I love the different camera angles you used while recording Avatar. The song is also a great choice. Great job. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year!

Which brings the question, what's the name of the song Bill used in creating the awesome movie?

The name of the song is "Funhop" by Todd Schietroma. I never heard the song before until I listened to the "Date Movie" soundtrack a couple months back. After the song played, I knew then and there that it would be the PERFECT NU theme song for my video.

Thanks for the nice comments.

CombatStupendous has been kind enough to share some of his opening day photos with us which can be seen by clicking here.

Update on the status of Nick Universe. Both Blue`s Skidoo and La Aventura de Azul were open today. Blue`s Skidoo features blue and pink cars that look like Blue and ... (I don`t know of a pink dog on that show as I have never watched it). Also, La Aventura de Azul had TWO and only two trains so far running. They ARE NOT the same train cars that they had on the ride in years past but all new cars.

The Nick Go Round still only has horses on the outside row (hopefully they will be adding horses to the inside row as well, otherwise they reduced that rides capacity in half). They add some Nick characters above the rounding boards, but it appeared as if they were not finished adding them.

Just wanted to let everyone know that new pics taken on 4/23/06 are now available to view in the gallery. This update features the "Blue's Skidoo" and "La Adventura de Azul" NU rides that just opened this weekend. Check out the pictures right here.

Nice pictures, I saw the Blue's Skidoo thing running on Saturday, the whole NU are looks great.

I added another picture of the Nick O Round now that it has all of its horses and theming installed. To see the picture, click here.