BoddaH1994

^ I can't swear that the lake was there. I had always thought that the lake was the same one that was where The Beast stands now where they had the canoe ride. There are ups and downs to the Paramount takeover. Although a lot of the "warm" feelings of the park are now gone, the park is now under the Viacom unbrella, which does mean a lot deeper pockets. You also have to keep in mind that before the Paramount takeover, you were a lot younger. (I noticed from a different thread that we are roughly the same age). Back then, Kings Island was a much more 'magical' place simply because you were younger. The nostalgic mood is both justified and reasonable in that sence, but it is also illogical to assume that the good times are all behind us.

I think changing the Adventure Village to the Action Zone was a mistake. I really like the Action Zone rides, but I just wish they had made a whole other part of the park for that. They could have beautifully themed Adventure Village if they wanted to. I think AZ is well-themed with the Stunt Crew Grill and things like that, but I think we sacraficed a lot of "woodland" potential with that. It could have been like another Rivertown. p.s. What ever happened to the daily AZ stunt show??

Nah, if PKI announced Winterfest, people would forget what the heck the Beach is in a matter of minutes. I think the costs would be low. I mean, setting things up would be expensive, but only a handful of employees would have to work, and I truely believe that they would be able to attract large enough crowds to make it worth while. So long as they make sure to advertise it as a Christmas thing, and not as that the park would be entirely opening. A lot of people would be disappointed with a misconception about that. PKI also has a LOT more money to play with, so anything that the Beach could offer, PKI would match or even top. Keep the faith my friend, if you keep asking about it, it will come.

What do you guys think is the biggest mistake that the park ever made? This is just a curiosity thing. If you could go back in time and tell the park not to do something, what would it be? Just to keep it fun, let's omit the King Cobra. I know a vast majority of us miss it, and we've state it a thousand times, so let's try to be creative. Keep in mind: You don't necessarily have to limit yourself to rides being removed. Any aspect of business is viable (they shouldn't have gotten Subway, or whatever) "Should have added a flying coaster in 94" will work, but let's limit the "should of's" when it comes to adding attractions ****Also, if someone says, for example "Shouldn't have gotten rid of The Bat" don't post with a lecture as to why they got rid of it. We're here to have fun, not for a physics lesson! I mean, come on people! I'm doing these posts to help ease the off season blues, so let's have some fun with this! Be creative! -Ryan

I agree, Moster would be a b*tch. I'd say any ride that does have the seat belt (once again, too lofty of a concept for most people) like FoF would be frusterating to work. They probably design the controls so pretty much anyone can do it, though.

^ I have heard that theory as well. Let's just pray to God that if Cough desides that he's going to demolish the park, our friends at ACE step in.

Ok guys, this is WAY just speculation, because the park is currently defunct, but hypothetically speaking, if they reopened Americana, would you guys want to meet there? It's not far at all from PKI and they have a classic John A Miller wooden coaster. Other than that, we could just ride the flats that they have there. Also, since you're allowed to bring in your coolers and stuff, we could have some sort of "everyone brings a dish" picnic or something. Don't take this as a hint that it's reopening, because I really have no information pertaining to the future of that park. Personally, the park wasn't exactly my cup of tea since I have been spoiled by PKI, but I'd still hate to see a park go under. It would be cool as a one time thing, I think.

If you ever doubt how cool SR&R is, ride it with Coasterguy, he'll show you the ropes!

I don't really think it's really rough at all. The only part that I don't like is how to shoots you sideways like it's banking when you're at the top of the 2nd hill. I'm not sure if it's a design flaw or not. I voted that The Vortex will be around for a while beacuse I don't see it going anywhere in the next few years. Unfortunately, I doubt it will be around 10 years from now. I just hope that if they replace it, they give us another classic-style steel in its place. For now, long live The Vortex!

I agree. In fact, Jeff Seibert even said that the smartest thing they ever did with the Festhaus was take out the German food and replace it with pizza. Perhaps for the first year or so, they could have some Australian dishes, but more than likely, they'll just end up giving traditional American food cheezy Aussy names i.e. pizza=Syndney Slices... lol

I agree with SpecialK, no. It is my understanding that the feeling that they were trying to promote with Winterfest was that you weren't walking into King's Island: The Theme Park, but rather King's Island: The Winter Wonder Land. The few rides that were open was an extra perk.

Monroe??? Whatever do you mean...we get plenty o benifits for working 60 hours a week in 90 degree weather. As bad as you'd like to make it sound, you knew exactly what you were getting into when you applied.

You comment stinks. I think its great. I would be happy if someone said, hey well give you 30,000 for a firefighter memorial. This is a day of rememberance. People fought wars, and died so you and I could be free. Don't you get that? in dying the same way, firefighters and police officers die all the time, to protect and save the general public. Its as if, people dying is not enough for you. I will be honest and tell you I find this highly offensive to me, my "brothers and sisters," all war veterans, and anyone else who has given their life in trying to help others. Even moreso for firefighters and policemen. Police officers and paid firefighters are greatly underpaid for what they do. Especially the volunteers who accept no pay to help people. The fact that there is a memorial for the vets is great. PKI really owes it to the community to help it out in any way it can. I realize that it brings in business and tax dollars, but it also brings in things like heavy traffic, so the city has to dish out more every year to repair the roads. Your implication about PKI is both a disservice to the park and the country that we love.

ahh... no one makes you ride anything. God gave women long fingernails so they could defend themselves if someone want to force them onto a ride.

It's an odd theory, but the goal of the Disney parks is to never have visible garbage anywhere in the park, but at the same time, you never see an employee changing trash bags. I wonder how that works out for them. Anyway, I gave it a 2. For the most part, I am very happy with the appearance of the park and would be proud to bring anyone there and tell them that I am an enthusiast. On the other hand, sometimes the themeing goes after a couple of years. I especially am not impressed with the hanger on FoF a lot of the time (although I do salute FoF crews' efforts to clean and restore it. It really does make a difference. -Ryan ps. Coasterguy, why can't you make 5 the highest and 1 the lowest like normal people usually do?

Would you guys partake if PKI relaunched Winterfest? Personally, reguardless of what attractions were opened, I'd love to walk around the park in the winter. I just hope that if they do relaunch it, it won't be too expensive. It is my understanding that Winterfest was pretty cheap when they had it several years ago, but who knows... that's the economy for you.

I'm just curious as to where you guys see the park in ten years. What rides do you think will be added? Which rides will be removed? Will any new records be set? What about the food, shows, attractions, customer service, themeing, Paramount ownership? Let's see how good of oracles you guys are! -Ryan

I agree. The helix's just aren't the same. The helix is the best part on The Beast, but it's painful and monotinous on SOB in my opinion. I've heard comments from people who have similar opinions. Why do you think that is?

Hey, this topic is way old, but I thought I'd just thank everyone for showing up. It was a great success! We should do it again in the future. If you would like to comment more on this day, please fill out a trip report. Thanks again! -Ryan

I'd love to see one from a company that we haven't seen yet. PKI is very B&M worthy. Intamin would be cool too. To be honest, I really like traditional steel coasters like The Vortex, so I hope it's not something too 'out there' although I would set my feelings aside for a 4d.

anyone second that notion? ::BoddaH raises his hand::

This is going to look like a plug, but it's honest. I'm gonna read your guidebook. The pics and info in it always bring my sould to that wonderful spot up there in Mason. I also will have to continue to page through those articles of Rollercoaster! Magazine. I really like the content in them. I would consider joining ACE myself, but I'm not sure how badly I want to be associated with some of the members there. Come on guys! We've got the off season meeting to look forward to, right?? -Ryan

hmm... It's odd that no one has said anything about this.. On the B-Bay tour, Jeff Seibert didn't confirm nor deny Winterfest coming back, but he definately alluded to it. In my book, it'll be back, and it'll be back soon...

Ironically, it's the other way around. There a ride similar to Tazmanian Typhoon at Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN, but that is the only racing slide of that type according to Jeff Seibert. Now, I'm not sure what he meant by "that type" but reguardless, he said it. Anyway, I agree.. Typhoon all the way!! I can't wait to be flushed!!

When I was young, my family used to go to Americana every year. I thought it was the greatest place on Earth! We used to go for one precious visit every year. All of my neighbors used to talk about KI, but I couldn't relate. My family is and was well off, but my parents were always really cheap. My parents said it was too expensive. On year, my aunt announced that she just wanted money for her birthday because she was going to buy some piece of art and it was expensive. When she blew out the candals, she said her wish was good weather for the next Friday, because what she was really going to was take me and my sister for our first visit to Kings Island. You wouldn't believe how excited we were! --Side note: Believe it or not, I didn't make that story up. My aunt is really messed up on the social side. She used to "borrow" my sister and I for different social things with her church and tell people that we were her kids. My sister even recalls my aunt instructing her to call her "mom" if the situation arose. Anyway, leaping ahead about a week, we set off for Kings Island. We rode most Hanna-Barbarra attractions. I remember specifically riding that stupid slide and getting my hand burnt by it rubbing up against the side. We did get to ride the monorial though. At the end of the night, I wanted to do the most thrilling thing that I could possibly do, which was The Racer. I rode that and it scared the crap out of me, but it did top off my day. She took us once a year for the next two or three years. I believe the last year she took us was the year of the Paramount takeover. After that, my parents finally started to take us. Needless to say, I fell in love with the park and as soon as I was old enough to get my first job, which was cutting grass, I bought my first season pass. Probably went 15 times that year. Not bad for a 12 year old kid who had to talk his parents into driving the just under and hour drive up there to drop him off and pick him up. I did the same thing for several years. After a while, I took a few years off... well, I guess you could say that I was off my game. Maybe going to PKI once or twice a year with the family. Anyway, wiz a few years into the future... I decided to buy a season pass this year. I probably went twice a week or so. Once again, not bad for a guy who lives all the way in northern KY. At this time, I also found the PKI fan pages on the internet. Through that, I was able to meet a bunch of you people... I guess you could call us freaks or something, but we're a rarity. I finally met other people who knew what year most of the rides were made, or who manufactured The Vortex, or could name all of the sections of the park, etc. Thus furthering my love for the park. I have always been good with computers, so I majored in computer science. Let me tell you, it's miserable! Imagine staring at thousands upon thousands of lines of code all day. Around June, I was on Top Gun and I had an epiphany. I realized that making people happy through the amusement industry was my calling. I immediately droped the computer science major and picked up engineering. I have always, and continue to realize that working in the amusement industry is a long shot, but I'd say it's worth it just for that hair-line opportunity... and so you could say that PKI has changed my life. wow.. this post really turned out to be WAY more than I expected.. You guys had BETTER be at the next PKIC meeting day next season! -Ryan