disneygurlz2s

Sorry, I haven't been on here since I posted the other day . She was at the park from 11-1 today and I got to meet her. She was very sweet and it was really funny because everyone in the line (50 or people) were people like me in their 30's-40's with their children who all had the same look on their faces "Who is this old woman?" But, she was very sweet and was telling all the little ones (my daughter included) that she is also the voice of SpongeBob's grandmother, which upped her status with them considerably. It was too cool and she talks to you just like she talked to Richie and Joanie!! PS... she was wearing the same outfit as above^ LOL Shari "brush with fame" Shoufler

Oh.. and I forgot to add this.... PKI has made some major changes in height restrictions for their larger kiddie rides (ie Beastie, Wild Thornberrys) and some of the flat rides. Many that had previously been 36" have been changed to 40" and the Racer has gone from 44" to 48". Shari "I was being rushed to finish my trip report before because my husband wanted to go eat" Shoufler

Well..... Can't say this is much of a "trip report" per se, given that the bulk of my 3 1/2 hours at PKI today was spent in either A) the arcade, B) a gift shop and C) The Festhaus eating. I can thank my daughter Samantha for this fact (and yes, there was a lecture about future visits). That said... for those who care (and I have discovered there are quite a few of you here who don't ) here's what I have to share as far as news and reviews about PKI 2005. First of all... heads up Gold Pass Holders... the park has made some major changes to the parking lot this year, and the entrance to Gold Pass parking has been changed to where you enter through the "center" of the parking lot, instead of directly off the main "road". It was very confusing and I ended up doing a U-turn and having to go back, so my advice is pay attention to the signage as you go in because I didn't. In addition to this change, they have now made the entire front parking area (closest to the main gate) handicapped parking. They have also completely removed the tram circle fencing at the front gate, which makes me wonder if they are no longer going to run any parking trams at all..... (not that they have run many in recent years...not like they use to in the "old days") Season pass processing was smooth and we were in and out quickly. The security checks have not changed at all-an article in yesterday's Cincinnati Enquirer made it sound like they had, but that is not the case. Once we were inside the park, I was on a mission.... to meet "Mrs. C". PKI has also opened a "Happy Days" diner, a revamping of what was previously Tuckers, and they had Marion Ross there today for the opening. There were probably about 50 people in line and they were all like me... moms and dads in there 30's and 40's with kids who had no clue who she was. She is very aware of that, and made a special point of telling all the little ones that she is also the voice of Sponge Bob's grandmother (I didn't know that, either) and that seemed to impress them much more! The park is really a mess at the moment... lots of refurbishment still going on. Italian Job is completed (and yes, there is a WHITE car on the train) but obviously not running yet and from what I saw (when not inside a gift shop) it looks pretty cool. The Eiffel Tower was closed; being repainted, and the walkway along between the Italian Job and Coney Mall is a mess...it looks like potholes that have been patched. If the rides in HB/NICK were any indication, there were some opening day kinks with Beastie and Wild Thornberry's breaking down/getting stuck. One thing very positive thing I did notice was the employees.... I haven't encountered park employees as pleasant, friendly and helpful at PKI as the ones I crossed paths with today. Maybe it was just since today was the first day and the weather was spectacular.... but I would love to see that attitude continue through the season.... Oh... one more thing... I noticed on the park calendar that they are going to be open the entire week before Memorial Day (limited operations) this year... that's something new! Happy Theme Park Season everybody.... Shari

Having just returned from Opening Day at PKI (see other topic) I have to say that while I respect your opinion, Eric, I do think you are being just a bit toooo passionate in your "dislike" of the park, and I do resent that you seem to have it "in" for those who are fans of the park. Everyone likes a certain park or parks for a reason. If I had to choose my favorite park-hands down, it wouldn't be PKI, it would be Magic Kingdom at WDW. That said, however, PKI is my home park, I have been going there since season one and have even worked there for a few seasons. I will be the first to admit that they are lacking in quite a lot of areas these days (a fact I blame on Paramount) and I really can't say that I see it as being a "destination" park-where people would plan their whole vacation around a trip there. However, for those of us here in southwest Ohio, it is a great place to spend an day or part of a day-particularly if you have kids. If I were someone who wanted only to ride major thrill rides, I can't say that I would be particularly impressed with PKI as they have definitely lagged behind Cedar Point, IOA and many of the Six Flags parks in that area. However, I am the mother of a six year old and there is more than enough for us to do. Shari "just my two cents worth" Shoufler

Cool! Marion Ross is coming here tomorrow (Saturday) to open the one here at PKI as well. I am hoping to get over there in time to see her.

OK Elissa.... we were both wrong!!! LOL!! :shock: Go Gretchen.... Go Meredith.... old people....kickin' butt!! Now, if Ron and Kelly would just get eliminated, I will be happy with the final 4 teams!! Shari "can't believe CBS has suckered me in to giving them another undivided hour of my life every week" Shoufler

Age: 38 (yikes) Middle Name: Marie Pet Peeve: people who think the glass is half empty Color of your bathroom: yucky beige Best Movie of ALL time: The Wizard of Oz/Gone With the Wind/Titanic Best Song of ALL time: We've Got The Beat/Fins Best TV Shows: Survivor, Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, CSI Favorite Band/Artist: The Go Gos/Jimmy Buffett Favorite Ride at Disney Parks: ToT (FL), RocknRoller Coaster, Haunted Mansion, Small World, Tea Cups Yummiest Ice Cream: Cincinnati's own Graeter's If you could eat lunch with one person, who would it be: Carol Burnett Morning Person or Night Person: Night Person Pets: cat, Little Murray Sparkles Favorite Color: pink Where you would go for fun (not an amusement park): the beach Coke or Pepsi: Diet Coke Opinion about Peanut Butter and Jelly: sure Best Vacation Spot: Orlando Cook or Go Out: go out Beach, Desert, or Mountains: Beach

If you're still there after "Desperate Housewives" I'll try to join in. But the women of Wysteria Lane come first, you know. Shari "I have my priorities" Shoufler

OK... here's my wish list: 1) Meredith and Gretchen 2)Uchenna and Joyce 3)Rob and Amber 4)Gay Guys 5)Brothers 6)Annoying POW and annoying beauty queen Here's my expected outcome: 1)Uchenna and Joyce 2)Rob and Amber 3)Brothers 4)Gay Guys 5)Ron and Kelly 6)Meredith and Gretchen Shari "This is my 2nd favorite show next to Survivor, now" Shoufler

LOL..... I don't live far from Kettering, and this was in our local paper, but there were some huge differences in the two stories... Here in the local paper it never said this happened at midnight, and it also didn't say she was already in labor..... My understanding was that it happened in the middle of day and that she was still 2 weeks from her due date. It did say, however, that she had refused an ambulance as she didn't want another bill to pay, and that she has delivered both her daughters herself, at home, as well. Shari "Can't even fathom it" Shoufler

I love daylight savings time!!! I think we should stay on it all year though.... Shari "Give me daylight" Shoufler

Yeah, we'd dump our husbands any day for a Disney Rodent, I am sure... Shari "and my 6 year old wants to marry Dash Incredible" Shoufler

My husband and two stepdaughters did Discovery Cove back in June of '01. They were thrilled about the dolphins but all three complained about the fact that, for what we paid, their time in the water with the dolphins was extremely limited. I think the whole thing would have seemed to be better value if the could have utilized the Sea World pass more, but they literally only went for the one day, and their evening was cut short due to a storm. Shari

Amen to that one, Greg...... As much as I like them, I was kinda shocked that they didn't at least slow down, and I thought it was funny that Phil went all "Jeff Probst" on them and called them out on it! Gretchen and Meredith rock.... I hope the old people just kick everyone else's ass!! Shari "Gretchen's has some of the best sound bites on the show" Shoufler

My first visit ever to WDW was on the Wednesday before Easter in 1985. Of course, this being my first visit, I had no particular expectations about WDW and was just sooo excited to be going, that it never crossed my mind that the mass of humanity present that day was excessive. I returned later that year (mid-late August) and was amazed at how much LESS crowded it was. Of course, since then I have visited in January, early March (before spring break), June, July, September and November and I can attest that unless you truly love crowds the weeks preceeding and following Easter are not for you-regardless of where you stay!! Shari "I only got on 5 attractions that day, I think" Shoufler

Awww... come on now, that's what makes the Jungle Cruise the Jungle Cruise!!! Shari "Everybody say oooohhh, everybody say aaahhh, everybody say WOW! Why, thank you!!" Shoufler

Well, I don't know that it's CRAZY... but, yes there was! It was on the shore of Geauga Lake, which was a separately owned theme (ride) park. The Sea World in Ohio did not have rides as the remaining SW parks do now. When Busch decided to close it, Six Flags bought both parks and for a while continued to have animals there. Six Flags has since sold it to Cedar Fair and they are revamping this year from what I have read. I probably visited the park 6-7 times between the late 70's and late 90's. It was less crowded, less expensive and easier for us to get to than Florida. Shari "and the Shamu ice cream bars were pretty damn good too" Shoufler

I miss Sea World of Ohio!!! Shari "splash zone" Shoufler

Guess that's me... old and young......because I love that ride, even though my own (then) three year old had to ask me to stop singing!! Shari "Sorry, I really do love that ride" Shoufler

My husband could probably do it if it were like ribeye from Longhorn or Texas Roadhouse or something, but not intestines and brains. This isn't Survivor; these people aren't starving!! Shari "Up to that point I thought 'Oh, I could do this'"Shoufler

I read in our community paper yesterday that PKI is adding a "Happy Days Diner" (I think Carowinds is doing the same) this year. I would imagine it is going to be the previous site of "Tuckers" (or for you really old timers like me, "The Brass Ring Restaurant") as the article said the restaurant would be located near "Italian Job". Also, they are revamping the ice cream parlor on International Street and it will go back to being an actual "dine in" ice cream parlor, just like years ago!! They are going to be serving Cincinnati's famous (and Oprah's favorite) Graeter's ice cream. Of course, since Graeter's is already expensive, I am sure at PKI it will be at least $3 a scoop! Shari "of course, I will still buy it while I am there" Shoufler

Despite the fact I am still p-o'd that they got my flyers, that looks like a really neat revamping and wonder if that isn't what is going to happen next year at PKI? Rumor has been that they will be taking the antique cars and transplanting them to the Nick area. Wonder if they will do away with all HB references and turn the entire kiddieland into Nickelodeon. Hmmm..... Shari "Did I mention I am still mad about the flyers?" Shoufler

^LOL!!! I know.... I have a girl I have been best friends with since the 6th grade and I think I've kissed her maybe three times-at our weddings and at a funeral!!! Shari "that's just a little tooo friendly" Shoufler

YES!!! Gregg, I am a serious fan of this show, which is hillarious in that, when it first aired (Borneo, season 1), I had ZERO interest in watching it. My husband started watching it about week 2 or 3 just because it was the total watercooler talk at his job. I got hooked and that was that. I haven't missed an episode. I am loving this season. I am not finding the "characters" as interesting (the women pale in comparison to the Yasur tribe of season 9) but the situations, challenges etc are great! There's a girl here in Cincy where I live who has been doing twice annual fundraisers called Reality 4 Diabetes. She brings in all these different reality tv stars for a weekend of meet n greet activities. The most recent one was last weekend and on Thursday night there was a "Survivor Viewing Party". I got to sit and watch last week's show at a table with Sandra (winner Pearl Islands) and Chris (winner Vanautu) and some cast from several of the seasons. It was a riot to listen to their comments and insight. I also got to spend some time with Mia (3rd voted out in Vanuatu)and she was telling me how Tribal actually takes 4 hours!!! Shari "obsessed with that silly show" Shoufler

I really love this park.... nice variety of rides and attractions. If you are just there for "thrill rides" you won't need but about a half day, but if you are into the whole theme park experience you could definitely make a full day of it. Shari "I love any park with a Tilt A Whirl" Shoufler