robintodd

Tony from the Onpoint blog (on Cedar Point's website) posted this in a list of answers to questions: What's Kings Island getting next year? (I know, but if I told you....) So someone knows.

I don't post here alot but I thought I'd add my 2 cents. B&M Giga Announcement July 4th weekend. Dippin Dots guy at CP told me......

My wife, grandson and I went yesterday. Ate around 1:30pm. 20 minute wait. The service was GREAT. Not time at all for food (maybe 10 minutes at MOST) and the value is unmatched in the park. Seems like the problems the had the week before were solved. Very impressed with the new addition.

Yes, released in 1988 by Was (Not Was) info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_the_Dinosaur DJ Todd

Just a thought but has anyone thought of the tiques being brought back? That or Dino and Fred Flinstone are returning........

Or, as the intro calls it, the "spray zone". I guess Snoopy sprays on the first 3 rows... That was priceless "Snoopy sprays in the first 3 rows" LOL:):)

I got to see the show last night and in my opinion, it's one of the best shows in years (and I've been going to see shows since they opened). With a background in theatre I'm usually very critical of the shows. Celebration was and will always be the best show ever produced for the park (I still have the vinyl album signed by the cast). Back to RBL. From the story to the "audience band members" participation to the music choices they did an excellent job. You can tell they took their time. Combining songs was the most impressive and effective. The show had me doubled over with laughter. The costumes are straight out of rock band and the feel of the show is spot on. It's a shame it will be here for such a short time. This is one I would see over and over again and would have good staying power especially with the participation of the audience. I have 3 comments about the show. First, this show should have been done indoors. The 9pm show was cancelled due to weather. I also think they could have used the projection screen(s) as opposed to the 6 tv's (I understand they did this to have the ability to transport the show to different parks). Indoors would have also helped the fog and the lights for the show. Mostly it would have helped to NOT HEAR OTHER SHOWS. Hearing Don't Stop The Music was VERY distracting. Second, the choices for the last songs aren't exactly my idea of good ones to end a "rock" show considering neither of them are actually good "rockers" (Don't stop believin and Life is a highway REALLY?? ) I'm sure with the set lists of both Rock Bands they could have found better songs. Third the sound was not balanced at ALL. The Lead singer's balance had way too much treble (in my opinion). The voices also sometimes blended in with the music. The singers are VERY talented and were top notch. I just felt the overall balance was abit off. I also though it could have been louder (this IS rock band afterall.) It's not enough to make the show bad. It was just an observation (indoors would have had better control of the audio as well.) Again I'm very impressed with the show. The costumes, dancing, acting, script and the idea are all original and extremely enjoyable. Hats off to the cast and crew of this amazing show. I'll miss it when it's gone. Todd

So I went to KI around 9pm, it was my birthday and I wanted to see the Starlight Spectacular. At 10 they did the announcement for the fireworks and ... no fireworks. They did the announcement again around 10:15 and still no fireworks. I'm sure it was a technical problems but I was still curious if anyone knew what went on? I kept on hearing in my head the martian from Looney Tunes repeating "Where's the ka-boom? There's supposed to be an earth shattering ka-boom."

I believe they are having it at the International Showplace. That's what it says on the site.

I am looking for 2 - 4 also. Can't believe it sold out so quickly! I just got back from a Xmas trip and was going to purchase tickets and boom! Glad to see the high interest though. I'm only 20 minutes from the park so "last minute" would be fine BoddaH Todd

I just got back from Cedar Point and their "darkness" show was FANTASTIC. I don't know why Kings Island doesn't do a show like this. It's a live band and they do classic rock with some newer stuff thrown in. It is a very entegetic show. They would PACK the international showplace if they did something like this there. The talent is excellent all around (the drummer was form Cinci) and they had the Red Garter saloon rocking inside and OUTSIDE because noone else could fit in the place. The premise is simple. They get together and work out what songs to do in the show. They did evernesence (sp?) and it sounded FANTASTIC. The cast was mostly that from the Monsters of Rock the year before. This is something I'm already looking forward to next season when I go to the point. If you get a chance you can catch it on you tube. (the keyboard player really pulls of foreplay/longtime well from Boston). With the success of rock band and guitar hero 80's rock will work. You really need to experience the show to know how good it is. That's what makes it so special, it's an experiece. Everyone understands the music and mood of each song and it shows in their performances. Todd

Just FYI Pine tree's are only put up on wooden coasters. Todd

And I believe Cedar Point was 8th.

Hah....please! I'm with you there. If it was the best show ever at KI then the standards have really gone down. The idea was kind of cool, though a little confusing. But whoever selected the music really bombed it. If you're going to have a dark show, play dark music. If you're going to have a story, play music that goes with the story. Don't just throw in contemporary pop hits like "Rehab" because they're popular at the time. Once they sang that, I was totally out of it. I saw a small stage show of A Christmas Carol in Cincinnati a couple years back and they used current music to push the show and it worked because they sang songs that fit the mood and the story. They didn't just throw music out there because the audience might recognize the song. If Dead Awakening could pick better songs or, god forbid, create some original music; it might be worth all the hype it got. I agree DA was BAD. How can you do a show like that and not include anything by either White Zombie (Living Dead Girl??) or Marilyn Manson or hell even Ozzy for that matter . The best show anywhere last year as Monsters of Rock at CP. It was extremely entertaining and well done. I believe there are videos up on Youtube for it. The best show ever at Kings Island was Celebration. It set the bar very high and I doubt it will ever be topped. The format, the costumes, the music, the dancing, the sets and the singing were all top-notch. They held on to it for two seasons and even released a Vinyl LP (showing my age) of the show, mine's signed by the cast. Todd PUHLEEZE... Monsters of Rock? While not bad, it was like a watered down version of School of Rock at Kings Island. Plus people talk about having music that goes along with the story line? Monsters of Rock had a small blurb at the beginning about something cryptic (maybe raising the dead...? I can't remember) and then it was just a concert. Just my two cents. The music of Monsters of Rock was much better. Plus I was there when they were taping because they were being considered for an Award for the show. (not sure if the won, would love to find out). Did you ever see Celebration?? Todd

Hah....please! I'm with you there. If it was the best show ever at KI then the standards have really gone down. The idea was kind of cool, though a little confusing. But whoever selected the music really bombed it. If you're going to have a dark show, play dark music. If you're going to have a story, play music that goes with the story. Don't just throw in contemporary pop hits like "Rehab" because they're popular at the time. Once they sang that, I was totally out of it. I saw a small stage show of A Christmas Carol in Cincinnati a couple years back and they used current music to push the show and it worked because they sang songs that fit the mood and the story. They didn't just throw music out there because the audience might recognize the song. If Dead Awakening could pick better songs or, god forbid, create some original music; it might be worth all the hype it got. I agree DA was BAD. How can you do a show like that and not include anything by either White Zombie (Living Dead Girl??) or Marilyn Manson or hell even Ozzy for that matter . The best show anywhere last year as Monsters of Rock at CP. It was extremely entertaining and well done. I believe there are videos up on Youtube for it. The best show ever at Kings Island was Celebration. It set the bar very high and I doubt it will ever be topped. The format, the costumes, the music, the dancing, the sets and the singing were all top-notch. They held on to it for two seasons and even released a Vinyl LP (showing my age) of the show, mine's signed by the cast. Todd

I don't have any, but I do know that the International Showplace was donated by Him to the park. Thanks Mr. Van Dyke!! Todd

No, it was small and yellow, much like the one in thrill seekers. I seem to remember it being suspended (not inverted) so it may not be the same one.

I can't be certain but I remember about 2 years after The Bat was built I was at Kings Island and randomly selected to choose from a couple of options for next years attraction and was taken back into the admin buildings. I'm pretty sure the model pictured above (the one with the yellow track) was there. At the time it would have been the first looping inverted coaster (of course I voted for it ). I am very curious if this is the same model some 20 years later. Todd

Not really a surprise, no news at all. First Drop magaizine had this back in November of 2007 (reported by screamscape). Seems the 3 turns could be mistaken as "loops" but other than that fits the article nicely. http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/4884/ki9745wb8.jpg Todd

I believe it is the car from Waynes World. It was located in the old Paramount Story area in front of the waterfall.

Any idea of the show times for 80's? I didn't see anything on KI's website.

Thanks Interpreter. It's been about 5 years since I was there. They still have T2 (inverted coaster)?

Decent park. I like it. Chang is awesome, and the sisters are fantastic. Never really seen a "huge" crowd there. Quite a bit of walking (especially to get to the "main park") you have to go over a bridge that goes over the highway. But all in all worth a trip. Todd

Ok, so every year me, my wife and my son go to Cedar Point on the last weekend, unfortunately because of a scheduling conflict we had to go the second-to-last. Friday we checked into Breakers around 10pm. My wife (and I) love Breakers. The hotel is decorated to the max along with music. It really has a Halloween feel to it (plus it's 100+ years old). My son decided to take a nap (typical 14 year old) so my wife and I headed into the park. Blue streak was a walk on so we did that, afterward we did Millennium Force and waited 15 minutes. While walking we went through the Fright Zone and Carn-Evil. I love the walk thru "scare zones". They are my favorite. No wait, lots of scare and the ability to see others get scared (I saw one actor have two girls on the ground in a fetal position screaming just by standing over them!) Saturday, as has been stated previously was ridiculous! We went straight to Maverick at opening and waited an hour and a half (it impresses me that Cedar Point takes the time to make sure the ride wait signs are as correct as can be). Front seat only had 3 groups waiting so the wife and I headed there, the son miss counted (did I mention he's 14 ) and went 1 ride ahead of us. Awesome ride. By that time it was about 1:30 and the park was PACKED. We took in the magic show just across from Maverick. Very nice, audience participation, kid-oriented but an appeal from adults as well. We walked around for a bit and went to Friday's in Breakers to watch the OSU game (go BUCKS). Afterward my wife and son went up to the room to take a nap. During that time I went to go see Monsters of Rock. This show is AWESOME! It puts ANYTHING I have seen at KI in the past 15 years to shame. You can catch pieces of it up on you tube. The show is simple a four piece band (drums, bass, lead & rhythm/keyboards) with 3 female singers and 4 male singers. It is in the small saloon just past Millennium force. The venue was PACKED. Standing room only. They started just playing and did a FANTASTIC set. Mostly 80's rock. Guns & Roses, Poision, AC/DC with a new song or two mixed in. The voices were spot on and blended very well. The musicians were perfect. When my wife and son got up I told them we had to go see the show. Before that show a gentleman stated he was video taping the performance because the show was up for an award. It deserves to win. The second show was better than the first. It really grows on you quick. The finale is Kickstart my Heart and really drives. I saw kids there head-banging! The audience ranged in age and everyone seemed very pleased. If you have ANY chance to see this show next weekend DO IT. I could have sat through all the performances that night (while drinking beer!) and I would have had a great time. After the show, we walked through Fright Zone, CarnEvil and FearFaire. Fear Faire is my favorite. The have an animatronic dragon that was amazing. I could easily just sit in the zones and watch other people get scared and be entertained. Sunday we got up and headed in to ride Top Thrill Dragster. The lines were much more manageable, 1 hour wait. After that we rode Magnum (30 minutes) and then headed home. All-in-all although I won't go until the last weekend next year, the Monsters of Rock show saved the Saturday. After seeing that show in a venue that could hold maybe 100 max I am very disappointed in Dead Awakening at KI. Monsters of Rock would EASILY fill International Showplace with people standing outside just to hear it. The singers are done in make up (even a vampire with red-eye contacts) but the groove of the show is awesome. The do "what about love" by Heart and the 3 girls sang their butts off. One word describes the show ENERGY. Tons of it. Cedar Fair should take that show and put it at every one of it's parks. For those of you who are going to ask yes, it is 10 times better than school of rock. Again it's the energy, variety and the talent that sets this show apart from anything I've seen in a long time. I hope this show wins, they deserve it. Finally I wish to say that Cedar Point had NO LINES for scare zones. Why do WE???? Even packed the monsters still scare, it's easier for them to blend in! The park looked beautiful as always. I hope the start to pull more of that feel to KI. Todd

My wife and son went to the park tonight after the football game. We got there at 10:45. The park looked FANTASTIC. We rode The Beast and from the hill you could see the fog hanging over the park creating about a 25 foot ceiling! We went through the Cemetary, very nice addition. Afterward we went to Work site which impressed me as I never got to go through it last year. Cornstalkers had a line. I miss the "scare zones" They are usually my favorite part of the trip to Cedar Point and I wondered why the did away with them this year. We then rode The Beast, went through Death Row and then Massacre Manor. We grabbed a cup of coffee and noticed the Dead Awakening (sp?) show was starting at 12:30. I should preface this next piece by saying I was involved in theatre and dance from age 5 till 20 (including 2 years in Blue Jacket as a fronters man/soilder/white captive). My favorite theme park show of all time was Celebration at KI. The show ran for 2 years and they even pressed an album of the show (yes, vinyl ok, so I'm 37 ). My view on the Dead show is very mixed. The cast is FABULOUS. Great dancing and very good voices. The lights, OUTSTANDING. The soundtrack is VERY WELL DONE, probably the best soundtrack I've heard in the park in 10 years. My problem, the continuity of the show. It was hard to "follow". Alot of new music, but nothing that would bring people back for more. I expected some more "fun". Some older classics (if you consider Rob Zombie or Marilyn Manson old). They did do evernesance (sp?) and did it well. I'm not saying the show was bad, I just believe it could have been better. The Taft's spoiled me in the 80's. Their shows were very top notch. I also noticed a continutiy problem in the ice show this year. If you saw it you know what I was talking about. I just missed some of the obvious hallowen songs even of current time. Dragula would have been awesome. The Beautiful People would have played very well when sung by a bunch of ghouls. Also, there is a song by a group called Book of Love, the song is a remake of "Tubular Bells" from the Exorsist, very nice beat. I hope I'm making sense but those are classic halloween songs. Not that all the songs were bad in the show, just maybe a more cohesive story line that was more obvious than the one presented. Yes, there is one that you catch onto about two-thirds of the way thorugh the show (I won't give it away here). All-in-all Haloween Haunt is AWESOME. Very impressed with everyone involved, especially with the cast of the Dead show. My dissapointment is in the show, not the execution. I hope I don't come off as mean and you understand where I'm coming from. I know how hard it is to execute a show and am happy to see the addition of one. Hopefully some of the song suggestions will make it into next year...... Todd