CoastersNSich

This is probably as smart a radio promotion as "Hold your wee for a Wii" was.

I know they took off the P-word from the big sign just inside the main entrance at Kings Island, and at Carowinds, too, but why not at KD. Or they could have made it a Drew Carey theme park, where Mimi plays "Panama" by Van Halen all day long. Also, did Ananconda get the seat belts? P.S. I spent $10 for 2 slices of pizza and a Coke at KI last year...

Great commercials! I'm going to SFKK in less than a week, so my coaster withdrawal is finally coming to an end! SFKK used to advertise on TV in the Cincinnati market, between 1995 and 2001, despite the obvious presence of Kings Island. Heck, you could even find Cedar Point billboards along Cincinnati highways until a few years ago.

The level of live entertainment for '07 at Kings Island may not be to the level it was in the early to mid 1990s (or earlier), but increasing the level of it this year is something I surely applaud. It's nice to see the International Showplace having something again, and the bandstand having more than karaoke. I doubt any area hotels are getting the early entry perks for their guests, but if it were to happen, it would most likely be Great Wolf Lodge as they are "The Official Resort of Kings Island." As for opening time, I'm sure they'll open most of International Street at 9:00 am this season. CBS did not open the front gate until 10:00 am earlier last year... can you say "debacle?" You couldn't even pass through metal detectors, which meant no restroom access. Not long after, they opened the front of International Street, but only one or two shops were open, and no places to buy food, especilally Starbucks and the mini-donut stand.

Good pics... was there still a fair amount of Paramount signage throughout the park? (excluding the ride names, like Top Gun)

I choose steel, and not just because of from a marketing perspective... "Steel Sells." Even though I understand and feel the beauty of a traditional wood coaster, and especiually the newer ones (GCI, CCI, GG, etc), more can simply be done with steel. Holiday World could be my favorite park if it had a decent steel coaster or two. But right now, it's Cedar Point - full of excellent and great steel coasters - and one very good woodie thrown in the mix.

Another step towards GL closing? Cedar Fair announced that they were going to change the park. I'm sorry but it drives me nuts when people say "Oh they are going to close the park because they got rid of this ride and that ride." just because they are getting rid of a few rides that doesn't mean that the park is eventually gonna close. SF:MM is getting rid of two coasters too and I haven't heard anyone say" Oh SF:MM is getting rid of two coasters this means they are going to eventually close right?" Rome wasn't built in a day and not even Cedar Fair can completely change a park the way they want to in just 2-3 seasons. Give them time to actually change the park and see what happens. Ok rant over. You got me going too! I get sick of hearing those on the "Geauga Lake Condo Redevelopment" bandwagon. Just because GL can no longer be a megapark doesn't mean it can no longer be a sustainable amusement and water park. Just because the attendance isn't 1 to 2 million doesn't mean that people aren't going anymore. There are many parks that get by with their level of attendance - it's just that their footprint is too big to support 0.75 million park goers. I hate to lose Steel Venom and the Monorail, but they still have great coasters like Big Dipper, Dominator, and a rehabbed Villain and Raging Wolf Bobs. (X-Flight is now at my home park, yeah I'm gloating a bit) And may I add, one of the best water parks in Ohio! And in reference to SFMM, even Six Flags realizes that being "the coaster king" isn't necessarily the way to go. I've never been to SFMM or the state of California, but I've read the trip reports under the old regime, and I believe that I'd rather have less coasters for a quality, well-rounded theme park. My fingers are crossed that they'll eventually re-open the Metro (monorail).

"Cincinnati. When we say "3-Way" and "Cornhole," we're probably NOT talking about Sex."

Kings Island (under Paramount:) 1998 - King Cobra, Amazon Falls 1999 - Congo Falls (Amazon renamed)/Drop Zone 2001 - Congo Falls/Drop Zone During that time I have been sent to a variety of rides throughout the park, including in Hanna-Barbera Land.

How can you overlook the Gemini station? It's a great example of Modernism at a coaster station! Gemini's station and exit. The banners and the station's glass ceiling in the middle.

You asked for it, Robb: http://firehawksnes.ytmnd.com/

From Northern Cincinnati: Kings Island - 20+ min. SFKK - 1.5 - 2 hrs. Holiday World - 3 hrs. Cedar Point - 4+ hrs. Geauga Lake - 5 hrs.