coasterdime

There used to be a bridge over that lake. The last year I remember it was 1994. I don't remember when it was removed. There was also a bridge over the Oktoberfest lake, leading to the Beer Garden. Again, I don't know when it was removed, either. Does anyone else remember the vine covered path when it still went somewhere? (HB land, near Oscar's)

I was never big on waterparks, but I really can't wait to see the changes for myself.

It does seem weird, Chef. On the other hand, I get e mail offers and news from the park, and my brother won't get anything....or vice-versa. Weird.

By any chance does someone have an online pic of the old sign, pre-Paramount? I loved the old logo...but not too upset with the change, myself.

KI opening day pics Not exactly construction pics, but here is a site that features 1972 Opening Day pics. I'm fortunate to have brochures showing park models (as the park was being built) as well as video of the tower being constructed. It is the same video featured on the Coney Island video for sale around the area. If anyone finds pics of construction, we'd all probably like to see!

It's funny you say that. I got my pass processed a few weekends ago, and the pic was great! Then I noticed they didn't print "PARKING" on it. I went back in, had to get photographed again...worst pic ever! I grew up very near the park, so I had my pass all through the early 80's...lived in PA from '86 until '01, and had passes ever since.

Actually, there are "forms" back there! I think they are just pouring a slab for something. The activity is NOT where the pole barns are....I know what they are, I've been in them many times. Also, if I saw heavy const. there, I wouldn't have bothered to ask anyone here. As I said in my opening post, this was very obviously NOTHING MAJOR. I actually debated with myself about even posting anything at all. I'm lucky enough to be at the park AT LEAST 5 times a week....often enough to notice something out of the ordinary. I've been enjoying this park since 1975... PKI even employs a fair number of family members (which lets me enjoy a ton of extras) I have enjoyed idle [construction related or not] speculation since then. Sorry if some of you are "above" sharing observations....

They activity is just behind the forward Racer's turnaround....immediately behind F/X. Also, this much activity is unusual. I've ridden The Racer a few hundred times this season, (really) and this activity is different. As far as cement trucks go, I just saw the forms....so it might be just a little early to be looking for cement trucks. From what I could quickly gather, the foundation seems to be on the small side. I really don't think it's too much to get excited about...but my curiosity is piqued.

Not trying to start a rumor or anything, but it looked like they are setting forms for a foundation, right around where the fireworks are shot. In the last two days, I've noticed plenty of trucks (and work guys) back there. Are they just building a better place to shoot fireworks?

I voted Italian....plus, I'd love to see a buffet style eatery at PKI. They seem to work well at other parks. I also wouldn't mind a full service place somewhere in the park. I visit the park pretty often, and have sampled pretty much everything. Bubba Gump's was the biggest surprise for me ths year. I'm usually torn bewteen BG and the Chinese place.

I've put my 2 cents on this topic in another thread, but I ALWAYS tattle on line jumpers. Usually, the ride op deals with them pretty well. The funny thing is, lately I've encountered line jumpers on rides with little to no wait! On Tuesday, two kids simply bypassed the line on Shake, Rattle & Roll (!) We told the op, a few others in line confirmed it, and he ride op went to their seat on the ride...and showed them to the exit! When the ops are fair, I ALWAYS stop by GR on the way out to let management know about what a good job they did. (everyone should)

We own 2 Saturns. I find them quite easy to maintain. Our 1993 SL2 has just under 400K miles, and is holding up rather well. Our 2000 SL2 only has 80K (we drive to parks a LOT!) and is still great. From what I've heard, the L series and their VUE don't quite have the quality.....We'll probably next leave the Saturn "family" and join the Toyota "family" Again, to keep on topic....Sunday will be my 70th PKI visit this season, and although the early ERT of years past is gone, the Fried Chicken picnic is always good. Lots of free stuff in that grove, too. Coaster "you get out of cars what you put into them" Dime

The magnets are completely failsafe. They aren't technically what "stops" the ride, though. The magnets simply slow the descent (darn near stops it) There are plungers which then take over the job to stop the ride in the right place. The next time you're by Drop Zone, watch for those plungers. They are hydraulic poles with black rubber caps.

As far as empty days, this past Easter was incredible. I don't know the attendance figures or anything...but I rode EVERYTHING more times than I could possibly count. Also, I'm doing my part to keep attendance up. I've been to the park 41 times so far this season. Sometimes for just a few hours, but I'll still play a game or two...and usually eat!

The Beast did indeed open back up late in the day. I rode it around 9:00. I was told that the storm created some havoc for the park's communcation center. Anyone know any more about this? The big Beast problem (and it DID reopen, so it wasn't too serious) was that the ride's fire alarm kept going off. (I was told this by a Beast/Eagles crew member) It was weird tonight. When I arrived, after the storm....all of the coasters were down, yet most of the flats continued to operate. The rain eventually let up, and the evening wasn't too bad. I can't believe the parks luck with weather the past few days!

We (myself, and a group of 12 family and friends) got to the park early. When we got into the park, we ran over to buy those picnic buffet tickets. We then ran to AZ. I ALWAYS go to the back of the park, but my group wanted to try Delirium. For the most part, the park didn't seem as busy as I thought it would. It could be the park is just doing a GREAT job of working crowds. We did everything in AZ, including Congo Falls. At 10:30, the temp was already HOT! Racer was a walk on, so our entire group took a couple of rides on each side. still love the way this coaster delivers air time in the FRONT, instead of the back. I still love this ride! We all stopped to play games. I won my 1 year old niece a unicorn on the Age & Weight game. I'm 32, and pass for 17. $5.00 is still high....but with me, it's a sure thing. I also won a large prize on the Goblet Toss, despite the fact they took out half the pink cups since last season! Anyway, we managed to stay ahead of the crowds most the the early day. Water Works was busy....but great for people watching. The only real problem of the day (only park-at-fault problem) was that picnic buffet. We arrived in the first hundred or so people. Even so, the buffet line was running out of food! The pop stands were running out of Coke. We didn't even get a cookie! We waited for a while for thing to improve....they didn't. As we were leaving the grove, my sister-in-law began to tell some of the people still waiting to enter the grove about the situation..... Now, here is the part where I PRAISE PKI. We all went to GR, to complain about spending $120 dollars on dinner, and receiving next to NOTHING. GR gave us a card, and explained that the picnic would be extended. They apologized and were INCREDIBLE about the situation. They told us the problems were corrected, and to take the card back to the picnic....and we would be readmitted. True to form, there was now plenty of food, fresh, hot, delicious....there were cookies, popsicles, and Coke! We got our money's worth! About this time, all the events that Dane described began to unfold. Anger and bad weather washed over the teeming masses. Our group huddled under the Stunt Crew Grill. I had a beer and watched the people running from the weather. When the cancellation announcement finally sounded, the park EMPTIED. When the lightning stopped, the rides began to re-open. I then rode SDATHC, Shake Rattle & Roll, and then finished out my night with a bunch of rain soaked Eagle flights! As we were leaving, some in our group stopped to talk to a game op. (the peach basket game in Coney Mall) He was telling them to go to GR and they would give those in our group w/o season passes a FREE ticket to return Saturday! Very cool PKI! This park has growing pains every spring, but by the time the heat of Summer arrives, this park is on the ball! They are incredible about handling their mistakes (dinner) and go out of their way to accomodate people, even when God gets involved to show us his fireworks. Most of our group came back, and although the fireworks weren't quite as intense as last year, (IMHO) it was still a great show.....and a great weekend.

I received a survey invitation tonight about the feasability of a lifetime pass. The park (PP Headquarters) is considering the idea. They wanted to know what a lifetime pass would be worth to me. What do all of you think? I visit parks all over the country every season, and still save the most time for PKI. I have passes from all of the chains, but managed to use my pass 60+ times last season. How does one put a dollar amount on that? How much would you pay? Do you think it is a good idea? The park also touched on what I (or any survey taker) felt were the park's strengths and weaknesses. Pretty neat survey, all in all....

CoasterKrazy, I was thinking that too, but isn't that show a travelling one? If so, do they have the props to spare? The statue REALLY looks outta place, but so did the giant TR:TR display in front of the fountain last year. The concensus among a lot of ACE members (and really, most of them know no more than the public) is that B&M have been in frequent contact with the good folks at PKI. I'm not saying that that means a shiny new B&M next year, but for me, at least; that means hope....

The better part of the statue was still in pieces when I left....but from my limited knowledge of Greek Mythology....I would deduce this thing to be Zeus, or someone of his caliber. I remember seeing lightning bolts, and eagle wings....it was all done in a brown-green-bluish color scheme. I wouldn't say it looked like anything from "Cradle of Life," but I could be wrong. As soon as someone else who saw it chimes in, we'll know more. I'll be back for a litte while tomorrow. I'll look for more details.

I stopped by the park for a few minutes on Monday, and there was a large Mythical statue being assembled behind the Eiffel Tower....just to the left of the little ampitheater.(used to be called International Showplace) Anyone know what's up?

PKI Webcam Here's the webcam....to bookmark when it eventually DOES return. For a good portion of last season, the cam was pointed towards the parking lot. I used it to see if the park was busy or not....sometimes the cam influenced my decision to go to the park. In years past, the cam was pointed to show SOB, Rugrats RR construction; and late last season the floral clock, Monster, and Racer were sometimes shown. Didn't Jeff Siebert mention in the last chat that they were going to improve the webcam....or possibly add new ones?

DragonLord, Don't worry, you didn't offend me or anything. I enjoy the discussion. It's just as good to hear your take on things as it is for you to hear from guests. (I hope) We may disagree on things from time to time....but we have something in common; our intense interst in PKI. When the park does things right....I talk about that here. When I see things I don't like, I'll talk about 'em here, too! Sometimes I'll even get an answer or two. As far as working for the park.... When I was a little younger, I'd dream about working for the park. I lived in Pittsburgh for most of my teen years....would have made for one heck of a commute! I'm 31 now, am content with just enjoying the park as a guest! (Admittedly, a job in Jeff Siebert's dept. could be a blast!) As I have stated in other threads, my love for this park is the major reason I moved to this area...I'm not even close to giving up on the park yet....

Sunday was a busy day, but as I said before, a good day. The lines moved well, the park was clean, and the weather chased a lot of folks out later in the afternoon... and I got a couple of very cold hours to ride everything I wanted! (I took my "rain clothes") out of my car on Saturday night....go figure! I'll take a busy day with good operations any day over a slow day with down times and closures....

That was a fun show! I was there for the filming, so my legs are featured on DZ, and I'm a smiling, happy, clapping rider about to take his 25th ride on SOB! (I'm on for a split second in the segment shot in the station.) Jeff Siebert kept us alive and laughing every time the train passed through the station.... The Drop Zone shoot was especially funny. The park wanted at least 50 riders. (to make sure there were plenty of people) If I remember correctly, fewer than 20 showed up! Mr. Siebert was so desperate to find riders, he joked about pulling the fire alarm at Kings High School! If you look at some of the shots, you will see a few empty seats....I still don't know where they found as many people as they did! It was a cool show though....even though the TR:TR footage has yet to be shown.

In my experience, cracking down on smokers is something PKI does better than most of the parks I've visited recently. Once the smokers are caught, or even when another guest complains; the employees have, for the most part, been relentless about stomping out the problem. By the way, I also have to give kudos to some of the employees for something kinda related....It seems that employees have become much more aggressive about line jumpers. When I get cut, I'll tell an employee..and something will actually get done! A few weeks ago, about a half-dozen kids jumped in front of us...The employee at the beginning of the [Delirium] line jumped into action, and made the problem go away! PKI is more vigilant with these two issues than most parks, IMHO.