italianchef

It is EXTREMELY unlikely that CF is going to shrink the Nickelodeon Universe to expand Rivertown. NU and its predecessor, Hanna-Barbera Land, has drawn large numbers of families to Kings Island. The Golden Ticket awards that the park has won because of the children's area is reason enough to leave it intact. Kings Island will NOT shrink its children's area. HOWEVER, I cannot guarantee you that CF will keep the Nickelodeon theming. When CF acquired PP, the Nickelodeon license only came with 4 years. Nearly 2 have passed. In 2 years from now Cedar Fair will have to (1) renew the Nickelodeon license, (2) turn all former PP children's areas in Peanuts children's areas, or (3) find a new theming for the children's areas, such as PBS Sprout. And I have NO IDEA what CF will opt to do. Best regards, Italian Chef

The Italian Job Stunt Coaster is themed to Los Angeles. Hence, it is likely that "Los Angeles" or "L.A." may appear in the new name of the coaster. For example: L.A. Speedway L.A. Highway L.A. Stunt Driver Best regards, Italian Chef

This would have been more of a poll if you gave us choices to vote for. I'd like to vote for Disney World, as others have. But Disney World is an amusement complex with 4 separate theme parks and 2 water parks. Each has individual admission. Hence, my # 1 favorite amusement park in the world is Disney's MAGIC KINGDOM in Orlando, Florida. Best regards, Italian Chef

WOW! A bottle of water. Like 3/4 the world is covered with that stuff! PP should've dug in their jeans and pulled out their greens for you!

Congratulations Maureen. I'm sure you feel like the second luckiest woman in the world. The first prize goes to my wife, and she'll be demoted to second place after my son gets married to a rich young lady someday. CONGRATS! Italian Chef

How much did Ryan get paid to be a horror model?

Italian Chef predicts that TR:TR will be removed within 50 years.

My favorite Halloween attraction was Club Blood. Though I prefer women who are twice the age and perhaps twice the weight of the actresses in Club Blood, I greatly appreciated the aesthetic charm of this Halloween maze.

I would LOVE to write a revised guidebook to Kings Island. However, its creation would be 100% dependent on Cedar Fair's cooperation. We'll see. It would be an exciting project because so much has changed in the past 4 years since my book was printed. Hanna-Barbera Land, Nickeloden Central, WaterWorks, and the Kings Island Campground no longer exist. Nickelodeon Universe and Boomerang Bay now grace the park. Cedar Fair now owns the park. The de-Paramountization of Kings Island is in full swing. The awesome GREAT WOLF LODGE now exists on Kings Island property. And thank God, (1) I am now a father and (2) I no longer work at 5/3 Bank. On a sad note, my uncle, who I dedicated the book to, died last year. If it is possible, I would love to write a revised edition of the book. Is it feasible??? Best regards, Charles PS - Thank you Lord that I no longer work at 5/3 Bank!

Today I went to KI with my wife and Little Chef. I now call my son Little Chef becasue he is now over 40 inches tall and 3.5 years old. Prior to today, Littel Chef never rode a ride without me or Mrs. Chef and nothing bigger than Little Bill's Giggle Coaster. We got to the park very early and were the first people admitted to the park. First Little Chef and I rode Little Bill's Giggle Coaster. Twice. Next all 3 of us rode the Lazytown Sportcopters. After that, Little Chef ran to Nick Jr. Driver. We placed him in a car next to a little girl. At first he cried because he never rode without me or my wife before. But he immediately began to have fun. This ride changed his life. Next Little Chef ran to Blue's Skidoo. He rode alone and wasn't the least bit scared of the high altitude! Thereafter Mrs. Chef and Little Chef snacked on blueberry ice cream. Then Little Chef ran to Fairly Odd Coaster. I rode it with him. And much to my surprise, he kept his arms up, didn't fuss, and had fun!!!! After that Little Chef ran to Phantom Flyers. We rode it together. Much to amazement, he didn't get scared. And my son is only 3 and half years old!!! All 3 of us then rode Timmy's Air Tours. Our last ride of the day was Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad, where Little Chef ran around in the pumpkin patch and took a pumpkin with him. By the way, he did trick-or-treat at Nickelodeon Universe, but not much. Little Chef was hungry as it was a little after 1 p.m. Hence, we ate lunch at Wings Diner - and it was good. We spent another hour shopping. I bought Paramount shirts - 2 for $5. Hence, I bought 4. Since all Paramount named items, including The Unofficial Guidebook to Paramount's Kings Island are 70% off, I bought 5 copies of my book and a sweatshirt for Little Chef. Little Chef now loves KI as much as me. And I was so so so proud of him for doing the big boy rides. Best regards, Italian Chef

I believe that it is an intelligent and practical decision to liquidate the "Paramount" merchandise as Paramount no longer owns the parks.

I give Halloween Haunt a perfect score! It exceeded my expectations.

I hired a baby sitter and attended KI's HH Media Night with my wife and our friends Kim & Ken. The park was late in letting us in. But it was worth the wait. We media folks enjoyed an awesome dinner of beef, pork, sushi, vegetables, cheese, fruit, cake, other foods - and a bar. I enjoyed some wine. The only ride we did was Vortex, which I enjoy more now that it has seat belts. We enjoyed: Club Blood, which was my favorite. I'd like to return. After that we did Masacre Manor, Death Row, carnEVIL, Red Beard's Revenge, Trail of Terror, Torture Chamber and if anything else....I cannot remember. There were very many costumed performers, great decorations, and awesome music. I declare Halloween Haunt a success. Best regards, Charles aka Italian Chef

WOW! What will become of all the land where the rides are? I reckon that CF will sell the land to developers. Is the water park profitable - or will that be closed in a year or so?

Phantom Theater of course. It was the most Disney-like attraction in the history of Kings Island. I wish that CF would revive it, but I know that it'll never happen.

This weekend my family went to the Columbus Zoo and spent the night in a hotel. I must declare that the Columbus Zoo is much nicer, cleaner, and more entertaining than our zoo. On the way back today, my family stopped at Kings Island. First we went to Wings Diner for a buffet lunch. Next we rode the Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad. I noticed the cardboard cutout MYSTERY MACHINE that was located next to SDATHC. Why is it there? Was it moved there for the end of the season or it CF removing the Scooby Doo Meet and Greet area????? We spent the rest of the day in Nickelodeon Universe. My son was super-awesome! He RAN onto Little Bill's Giggle Coaster, the Nickelodeon Carousel, and other rides. And he threw his arms up in the air. Other times, I've practically had to beg him to get on the rides. My toddler is becoming a big boy. I look forward to taking him to Nick-or-Treat soon. Best regards, Italian Chef

Hey Y'all, While surfing the NET I ran into an article previewing Halloween Haunt. After reading it, I got so excited about Halloween Haunt that I hired a baby sitter and will take my wife to this event http://www.pulsejournal.com/e/content/oh/s...92007loop1.html Best regards, Italian Chef

I don't miss Paramount at all. But I strongly feel that CF must lower the cost of food and beverages or the Kings Island parking lot will unofficially become "Tailgate Central". As a patron, I do appreciate the number and quality of shows, the new seatbelts, and the enhanced cleanliness of the park. But the augmented price of the already high food and drinks has been a business problem for the park and a disappointment for me, too. Hopefully, CF will learn from its marketing research that the pricing structure needs to be altered to enhance the profitability of the park and guest satisfaction simultaneously.

What new addition? Did you forget a link? Please elaborate.

My wife and I have gold passes.

With a 3-year old kid, I seldom travel. Gold pass for me.

I vote for International Street. It is the face of Kings Island.

I voted for Wings Buffet. It is the only place where kids under 3 eat free, patrons are not ripped off on drink prices, you can solid value for your money, and the food is pretty darn good! Italian Chef

Today Mrs. Chef, Toddler Chef, and I woke up early and go to Kings Island by 9:30 a.m. We took pictures with SpongeBob SquarePants, Angelica Pickles, and Blues Clues while we waited for the park to fully open. The first ride we did was SDATHC. Mrs. Chef beat me by 90 points! Then Toddler Chef and I rode Little Bill's Giggle Coaster twice, followed by a family ride on the Nickelodeon carousel. Next we headed to the FX Theater to see Spongebob in 3D. After that I took a break from my family and rode The Racer (forwards) and Adventure Express alone. I always do when I visit the park with my family. Then we played games at the arcade in Coney Mall - and Toddler Chef won tickets! He did a great job. Next came a ride on the Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad. Then we took a rest. Mrs. Chef and Baby Chef ate blueberry ice cream while I shopped for Toddler Chef. I bought him a t-shirt. Since Toddler Chef began to fall asleep, we had to leave the park. It was a short, 3-hour visit. But it was fun and the park wasn't that crowded. Happy Labor Day! Italian Chef

CLUB BLOOD! I cannot wait to treat my eyes to ladies of darkness.