The Interpreter Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 Actually, so far Kings Island has been owned by: Taft Broadcasting Kings Entertainment Company (KECO) Carl Lindner Paramount Communications Viacom CBS Cedar Fair So Cedar Fair is the seventh owner...and no, Paramount Communications, Viacom and CBS are/were not the same company...(yes, Viacom bought Paramount Communications, and CBS split off from Viacom, but the ownership changes drastically affected the park and what might otherwise have been its future directions...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khaoskat Posted June 24, 2007 Share Posted June 24, 2007 I have been 3 times this year, we own Gold Passes, but due to a few things beyond our control, haven't been able to go as often as normal. I have been kind of neutral on the changes and park since CF took over. We mainly visit the kids area... 1) I really like the fact that a few rides that used to have height restrictions on them, now allow all children (except lap held infants) on them with an adult (for instance last year you had to be 40 inches tall to ride the log ride, this year, just need parent). 2) I really like the fact that a lot of the kids rides now have safety belts on them that used to never have them. 3) I love the fact that they have the child height measurement station at the front of the park right next to the return visit booth/Gold Pass Booth. 4) I like the fact they brought back the Gold Passes this year. 5) It doesn't seem as crowded in the park this year. Every time we have gone, even the Gold Pass parking is 1/2 empty and ride lines in the kids area are not as long as they normally are. 6) Customer service is much better. I had a few complaints with KI in the past, and they never seemed to get resolved or even acknowledged by the Park; I have even left customer feedback for an employee that I thought did a really good job in a very tough situation and never even received a thank you for your compliment. With CF this year, I at least heard back that they were addressing the issues (we went opening weekend and the arcade/kiddie games were eating my son's tokens, they were so crowded in the ticket redemption areas that you couldn't get an employee to help you. I left a customer complaint and actually heard back in about 4 weeks. 7) They need more life jackets for children in the water park area. Last year we had no problems on the lazy river or water slide rides with finding one for your child. This year, You couldn't see a single one, and a few of the rides require our son to have one and we didn't bring one because in the past they have always had them at the rides. 8) I like the fact that on the lazy river ride in the water park that they now have double tubes. It works great for me taking my 4 year old on it. Not quite old enough/tall enough to go on his own tube, but too big to sit on my stomach and share a single tube. 9) If you have a child who is not old enough to require a ticket, they still let you do the Gold Pass privs on the rides with that child (log ride and scooby). I really think only time will tell right now with regards to the changes. I don't think we have seen the whole effect yet. I am still waiting for them to put up their 4th of July stuff (ie like last year they had the Gold Pass special viewing area, picnic, etc). I also agree that prices are a bit high this year for everything, but I do know that security is great if you are coming in with kids, especially if you go through a line that has a "grandpa" in it. They let you bring in a few snacks in your diaper bag for the kids w/o giving you grief -- and give you a few pointers on how to get "food" in. My son (2 yo) was finishing up his McDonalds as we were walking in, and the security guy let us even though he was finishing his hamburger through security checkpoint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoddaH1994 Posted June 25, 2007 Author Share Posted June 25, 2007 Let's look at pros and cons: PROs Awesome new coaster (CBS planned on no new rides this year) 5 Shows (Upgrade from CBS's 1 and a half) Far Cleaner park (Upgrade from CBS's Rumpke Island in the last year) Wings Buffet Maxx Passes CONs Higher prices No more Winterfest A lot of new management (may affect some of you) No more movie themes KI passes will not get you into the former Paramount Parks without Maxx A lot of stuff is arguable, but I think the PROs outweight the CONs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DropZone99 Posted June 25, 2007 Share Posted June 25, 2007 I miss Paramount's Kings Island. I might not be saying this if i where 5 years old, because right after i was born KI became PKI. The only good things about CF is that we got Firehawk, cleaner park, and that they're fixing SOB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cormaster Posted June 28, 2007 Share Posted June 28, 2007 I do think in the long run it will be a good thing. Cedar Fair just needs to ditch that horrible music. Maybe get off the Muzak bandwagon and jump on the XM/Serious bandwagon. Theres plenty better things to play than that crap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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