Gabe

I live in Mason. I can stop by city hall by tomorrow. Never done this before so enlighten me if you would, who do I go to and what should I ask? Walk into the building and there is a receptionist on your left IIRC. You are asking for the building department, but what you likely need is the address for the project at hand; not sure how KI handles that (unless you have the project number, which is doubtful); in order for the person behind the desk to link to the project that you are looking for. Beyond that, I have no clue, I've only submitted/paid for projects that I've been working won, I've never gone in and randomly asked for a permit for some project I'm not involved in. Keep in mind, there are multiple permits for multiple stages of work. You are probably looking for site plans this early, which may fall under the jurisdiction of the zoning department, rather than the building department. Your best bet is to ask for the public records available for Kings Island (bring their main address) and see how much help the person behind the desk can give you. Some people will walk you thru the whole process, some won't give you the time of day unless you are a very specific request. I have not dealt w/ the building department in Mason very often, so I can't really tell you about the people working the desk there. Also, be aware that there may be fees to copy said documents. Usually they are free to inspect in the office, but if you want copies, they are usually made at the office. You might also check online..

Not to be confused with the fan-fav Sundae Slide from Double Dare. (grab that flag!)

I've never experienced Disney charging guests the price of a meal just to look around. If you just wish to peruse the rooms without eating, simply go to the host stand outside either just before or just after lunch has ended. They'll likely accommodate you. Avoid going during the height of the lunch and dinner rush since the servers are busy getting orders in and out.

If Disney's BOD agrees to fund WDW's request for $3.5 billion in park improvements, the sky's the limit! I'd venture a guess that the vast majority of that $ would be earmarked for the MK and Epcot, given the happenings over at DHS and DAK.

I just began noticing the 2016 version of the KK ads in the paper late last week. Nothing about geographic restrictions this year-simply says $29.99 for both parks for 2 separate days with free drinks included.

For those wishing to have a magical wedding featuring an up-close view of Cinderella Castle (from the East hub gardens), does Disney have a deal for you!: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/you-can-now-marry-right-in-front-of-cinderella-castle-at-disney-world_us_57278ffde4b0f309baf172cb Previously, the closest one could get was either the wedding pav. at the GF or on the train station platform inside the MK on MSUSA. For the price, they ought to throw in a night or 2 inside the Castle suite!

Disney hasn't "won" anything yet. It won't until the 11th Circuit COA (and, if and until a rehearing is denied and/or SCOTUS denies cert, if cert is sought) either affirms or denies the ruling on appeal. If the ruling is reversed, the case would be remanded back for trial.

I have yet to see any ads in the paper touting discounted admission to KK for residents of IN, OH and TN. I did however, see a billboard promoting KK 2 day tickets for $29.99, but with the added incentives of free parking and free drinks.

Which seems odd, given that ABC has yet to officially renew (or cancel) the Muppets. Its fate will be revealed at the upfronts next week. Also, Cinemagic Kingdom sounds like a recipe for disaster. Guests have trouble enough getting to the current MK; this would increase the problems tenfold.

On the other hand, the recent intro of FunPix seems to encourage and promote cell phone usage in the parks. Same with the app.

Having ridden these on my recent cruise, I'd advise getting there early to ride. The wait on the cruise ship was about 15-20 mins and that was with about 20 people in line. The slides require a bit of time between riders, so capacity, even with 3 slides going at once, is going to be small.

I like the new game cards. I don't tend to carry much if any cash in the park, but I do carry my cc, which came in handy this past Saturday when my daughter wanted to play the goblet toss game. She assured me that "she only needed one try" to hit the pink (grand prize) cup (one of 2 on the "grid" if you will). So, I loaded a few bucks onto a card, she stepped up (well was allowed to stand on top of) the ledge, aimed, tossed, and after a few bounces, it landed in a pink cup! She was over the moon and I couldn't help but laugh. The games op said she's been working that game sev seasons now and very rarely if ever had she seen someone hit a pink cup, much less on the first try. She disappeared into the attic of the game for a few mins to grab her prize. She chose a giant, plush "Shopkin". We used the rest of the money on the pop the balloons game with darts, which I played (sharp object!) and won some plush emojis for her and her brother, who wasn't interested in going to the park.

When I was at the park this past Saturday, I went to Chick Fila about 11:30 and only waited a few minutes. The woman taking my order was prob in her 40s and was on the ball. While ordering, I noticed an older gentleman in the back who was a line cook. I wonder how many older people the park employs in food service?

Maybe the park will cut the flume up and mount pieces on plaques to sell to rabid flume fans for $100 a pop. Limited Edition! Will Sell Out! How many SOB plaques are still collecting dust in backstage closets?

Don't ask, Don't tell? despite signing a pledge and a federal court ruling permitting the use of such pledge: See: http://www.wlwt.com/news/Noah-s-Ark-job-float-your-boat-Then-you-must-be-Christian/39040630

I recall the final scene in the 7DMT was dialed back somewhat, both in scope and execution, due to time and money restraints. The truth lies somewhere inbetween.

If going to SFGA be prepared for lots of traffic in and around Chicago as you wind your way up to Gurney. I'd avoid going through the city on 90-94, but rather, take 294. It's a longer route, but not quite as bad traffic-wise. Plan accordingly.

Breakfast is at the Pinocchio Village Haus, which is a Quick-Service venue. The burger bar inside could easily be swapped out for a breakfast buffet like you'd find elsewhere, so you're looking at scrambled eggs, bacon, etc. The idea is to ride the 3 rides in FL as much as possible, so I doubt a family wanting to do so is going to spend time eating a sit down breakfast. They can walk about 500 feet down the path to BOG if it's fine dining they suggest (sorry Lumiere!)

Logically, this upcharge as it currently stands can only apply to those staying off property. For example, Morning Extra Magic Hours at the MK are usually 8-9 with rope drop at 9. For $69 a pop, is an average family going to shell that out for the ability to ride 3 FL rides, plus what will certainly be a continental-type bfast? It's basically gaining entry at 7:45 Am for off property guests who pay, or free at 8 AM if staying on property. Disney's logical way around this would be to only offer the upcharge on days not featuring Morning Extra Magic Hours at the MK, but that hasn't been announced as of yet.

I will be coming from the south as well, so as I understand it, you will still exit at KI Drive and, instead of veering off to the right to hit the south tolls, those lanes will now all feed into the new north toll entrance. No need to exit by GWL and drive south. Also, maybe it's just me, but wouldn't it be more clear for those automated lanes to read "Gold/Plat Passholders" instead of "self-scan?" since the daily tickets have a barcode, people with those tickets are likely to think that going through the automated lanes is permissible.

Theoretically, the ability to only go one at a time is a real benefit to those early risers who hit the park for Extra Magic Hours, or at rope drop, since you'll now be able to keep booking FP at a faster clip than if you had to book 3 rides back to back to back, which had meant not being able to get into the system again until 2-3 hours after the park opens, which, as we all know, really bumped the next available FP time out (depending on the ride) to later in the day. I can attest that having an hours-long window btwn your 3rd and 4th FP was not very fun or enjoyable. Speaking of early risers, now Disney wants those not staying on property to pay for the privilege of entering early: http://fortune.com/2016/04/07/disney-early-morning-surcharge/

The FP+ tweaking continues down in Lake Buena Vista, just in time for the summer season. In a nutshell-better time flexibility when choosing your initial 3 rides/experiences, the ability to book 1, 2 or 3 initial FP+ instead of 3, and the ability to use your smartphone and the MDE app instead of park kiosks to choose your next FP+ upon the exhaustion of your initial allotment. See http://attractionsmagazine.com/new-fastpass-options-coming-my-disney-experience/

Given the forecast, I wouldn't be surprised to see WWC, Race for your Life and Congo Falls all closed. Nobody wants to get wet when the air temp may barely break 50.

Or Katzenberg, who I've heard isn't too fond of his role these days at Dreamworks. In all seriousness, I'd throw out John Skipper's name. He's been responsible for a big resurgence at ESPN, which is the darling division of the Mouse right now.

I've slept since then, but I recall reading in these forums that as part of the free preview night, participants would be able to walk through one of the planned haunts this season. I hadn't heard if scareactors would be employed for this sneak peak, however.