ragerunner

The site work (infrastructure) is going to be the biggest part of this project. Since it doesn't appear they have a lot of foundation work that needs to be done, no major building projects. Once the infrastructure gets done it more of assembly (rides), set decerating (theming) and building facades. This can go fairly quickly since alot of this is done off site some place else and ready to go.

That was my thought also. That new circular concrete pad looks to be about the right size for a Kite Flyer.

I would say the Quick draw's railway will become the Dora train ride. I would think they will redo the entrance, keep the same concrete layout for the track and add the show pics. (I hope they add a new train(s) to increase the capacity, those Quick draw trains have seen better days.)

Maybe the reason they don't have any concept art is because the plans for the area have changed enough that the concept art that they have been reported to have just doesn't work anymore.

I don't see were this was posted yet, if it is sorry for the double post. PKI has new construction pics up on their website. (Feb. 2) http://www2.paramountparks.com/KingsIsland...cfm?item_id=289

I agree with Interpreter, I think the current owner has scaled back the original NU Plans. This would explain why information coming out of the park seems to not conform to what was announced in the fall. I think there was plans to build a great SpongBob attraction but, it got axed sometime in the late fall. (Just a guess) Building a great NU or a subpar NU would make no difference in the parks selling price so, why spend the money.

Hopefully we will get a good themed coaster next year. ($100,000,000 no, but maybe $20,000,000) Not in defense of PKI but even Disney opens 'carnival' rides. Examples: Animal Kingdom's TricersTops Spin and Primeval Whirl and Disney's California Adventure has a lot carnival rides. Let hope PKI can theme them as well as Disney.

You are probably right. It will be an investment company. Question from one of my previous post: Who owns the Alton Towers, et... park system?

If the parks are for sale as a group then probably an investment firm is the only potential buyer. As someone else mentioned, Blackstone does have the buying power. Might be interesting since they own 50% of Universal parks and Legoland parks. They could still turn one or two of the biggest parks into a Universal label or/and add lego themed lands at each park. This would help them expand the lego end of the business without needing to build new parks. Not to start and arguement but I dont see how KBF and Great America are in the same markets. They are almost 400 miles apart. That would be like saying PKI and Six Flags Great America in Chicago are fighting for the same market.

Since they stated in the article they have "numerous parties" interested. Does any body think that the parks may be bought by different groups. Example: PGA - Would be a nice fit for Cedar Fair and within their budget? PKI - Universal, I know that NBC appears to be not sure if they want to be in the Theme Park industry but, it would give Universal a major hold in the midwest market. I have also wondered if Busch Entertainment might not be interested in returning to the midwest after the sale of Sea World in Ohio? (both would be great for PKI) PKD - Maybe Cedar Fair, Universal? PCanada - ? Carowinds - Cedar Fair? Just a thought. Also, does anyone know who the owners are of Alton Towers and their affilated parks? Who ever buys them I think it will be good for the parks. Hopefully the new buyer or buyers are wanting to be in the theme park industry, well because they bought the parks. I will say, I do hope that Cedar Fair is not the buyer of PKI. I think they would have a monopoly going in the Ohio market and that is usually not good for consumers. Plus, which park would be their flagship park? Cedar Point or PKI which has a better attendance record? Ultimately it probably will be an investment group like jzrley said.

CombatStupendous89 I not sure what I said in this post that made you think I thought I knew everything. Actually, 2 of the 3 are questions not statements.

PKI has posted some construction photos for NU. http://www.pki.com/News/photo_gallery.cfm?item_id=282 First, it does appear that the Green Slime Maze is staying and will just be changes to a water walk through SpongBob attraction and remain outdoors. (This is disappointing) Second, the Nick Theater is also still standing. Does anyone think they will just keep using this as a meet and greet area or add a show. Third, what about them enclosing the theater and using it as part of the spongbob underwater world area. i.e. enclosed play area or the spongbob ride? (I can hope) I am not giving up hope that they will surprise us with something, but the clock is ticking.

PKI has posted some construction photos for NU. http://www.pki.com/News/photo_gallery.cfm?item_id=282 First, it does appear that the Green Slime Maze is staying and will just be changes to a water walk through SpongBob attraction and remain outdoors. (This is disappointing) Second, the Nick Theater is also still standing. Does anyone think they will just keep using this as a meet and greet area or add a show. Third, what about them inclosing the theater and using it as part of the spongbob underwater world area. i.e. inclosed play area or the spongbob ride? (I can hope) I am not giving up hope that they will surprise us with something, but the clock is ticking.

I agree, it is a shame more US parks don't install more Mack rides. They have some really cool stuff. I like there supersplash rides and their gravity and emotion coasters. I would also say that Europa Park has to be one of the best theme parks on the planet.

Our you talking about the info from ExtremePKI. If so, the info was located under Avatar in the forum. (Front page) If you are talking about what I thought would be the rides, just pieced together information from this web, new articles and years of watching the amusement industry. If this is true, and I don't know it is until the park makes the official announcement. I think it is kind of funny that either Shaggy or TREX post a reply to my october posting say "So much faith in Zamperla?" trying to steer people away from the post.

Back in October I posted the following: Here is what I think will be the new rides for the Nickelodeon Universe: Avatar - I think this will be a new Zamperla coaster using the same type of design and technology as a Disko but a longer track. Plankton (Free Fall) - Zamperla Jumping Star Ride Danny Phantom (Flying Ride) - Zamperla Kite Flyer Azul (Dora's Train Ride) - Zamperla Rio Grande Train Ride Blue's (Jumping Journey) - Zamperla Jump Around SpongBob - I don't know. Zamperla will also do the modifications to the Carousel (turn it into Nick) and supply new bumper cars (or modify the old ones) for the Jimmy Neutron Outerspace bumper car ride. I just noticed on ExtremePKI that they are now says that PKI did buy a Zamperla ride package. I still hold to my post from October that these are the rides coming to the new NU.

Back in October I posted the following: Here is what I think will be the new rides for the Nickelodeon Universe: Avatar - I think this will be a new Zamperla coaster using the same type of design and technology as a Disko but a longer track. Plankton (Free Fall) - Zamperla Jumping Star Ride Danny Phantom (Flying Ride) - Zamperla Kite Flyer Azul (Dora's Train Ride) - Zamperla Rio Grande Train Ride Blue's (Jumping Journey) - Zamperla Jump Around SpongBob - I don't know. Zamperla will also do the modifications to the Carousel (turn it into Nick) and supply new bumper cars (or modify the old ones) for the Jimmy Neutron Outerspace bumper car ride. I just noticed on ExtremePKI that they are now says that PKI did buy a Zamperla ride package. I still hold to my post from October that these are the rides coming to the new NU.

Does anyone know if PKI is presenting at the No-Coaster Con in Chicago on Sat.? If they are I would think they would show the art work for NU there.

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.

If Avatar turns out not be a rollercoaster then I think the chances of the SpongBob ride just went way up.

You are correct that House of Blues does like more urban setting over all, but Rainforest, and Nascar are very much into suburban locations. Example: Mills malls, etc... While people might not drive from Columbus just for this people in the Cincinnati-Dayton Metroplex would. And yes, I think if you combine PKI having parts of it open year round with the GWL people from Columbus, Indy and other place would visit to experience all the attractions next to each other.

I think the best place for a CityWalk or Downtown Disney Concept would be next to the movie theaters by the Kings Island Inn. Remove the Kings Island Inn after the Great Wolf Lodge is done and I think there is a real market for a dining, shopping and entertainment area in Cincinnati. Along with the movie theater add a Hard Rock Cafe, a Parmount Movie Store, Nickelodeon Store, and two or three other themed restaurants like, House of Blues, Nascar Cafe, Rainforest Cafe, a few night clubs and some other retailers like Great Basin. This is very workable as far as the complex goes, getting the Inn's land I don't know about that.

I would agree that their are some staffing issues etc... But, if some of the european parks have figured it out, why not. Maybe they would only be open on the weekends during the 'off season'. Yes, prices would have to be reduced because of the reduced attraction list. But, people in the midwest are looking for things to do in Jan. and Feb. Why not go ride Tomb Raider, catch a 4D show and let the kids play in an indoor play area. I would think PKI would like to have income coming in year around and not have the property vacant for several months. They can work out the construction issues if Disney and Universal can. I do think they would need to work on dining and shopping. If the area gets hit with Blizzard than the park would do the same as schools, and other place just announce they are closed for the day. I would be more than happy to pay extra for an annual pass instead of a seasonal pass.

Do you think PKI is slowly preparing itself to be open year around? While I think they would be a few years away from a year around schedule, they may be setting themselves up to be open all year long. First you have the Great Wolf Lodge, they also have F/X theater, Flight of Fear, Tomb Raider, Scooby Doo, and SpongBob? which are all indoor attractions. Also you have some potential additions with the new Nick Universe along with the train, carousel, bumper cars and skating during the winter months on the International fountain. If they would add one or two big indoor attractions over the next two or three years, like Adams Family if they made it all indoors, a 3-D movie in the Parmount Theater, and a War of the Worlds (or something along that line) attraction that might also be indoors and they could operate on a year round limited schedule. Many of the European Parks already do this is climates that are just about like Ciny's. Example: De Efteling in Holland, Phantasialand and Europa Park in Germany. I think PKI is the only major park in the midwest with enough attractions indoors(with a few additions) to make this work. What do you think?

I think this could really open up the options for rides, shows and attractions at the Parmount Parks. It could also really improve the merchandise that is available in the parks. I hope this happens.