Reporting back from Chicago and more... finally.

I'm back from
- the Chicago Trip
- a CTA Train Tour
- the old Carson Pirie Scott store
- John Hancock Center Signature Lounge
- the original Pizzeria Uno
- More Train Tour
- UIC
- More Carson's
- Macy's formerly Marshall Field's
- Cheezborger cheezborger cheezborger
- IIT and Crown Hall
- Train and Bus tour
- United Center: Blackhawks vs. Predators
- Organ Tour with Frank Pellico
- Steppin' Out Friday Night with yet another Train Tour
- Checking out the Wrigleyville
- Train Tour back to the Hotel
- Go to the ACE No Coaster Con, and drive there...
- But only after, you guessed it. Train tour.
- Arrive at the Con. A/V Problems, what did you expect.
- John Robinson threw stuff at us again
- Maureen Kaiser freed from the Paramount shackles.
- Pizza fun at Giordano's
- Some drinks with coaster friends at the hotel
- Breakfast then, heading back home?
- Naw, ANOTHER TRAIN TOUR!!
- This time, Sears Tower!
- Low visibility, but gets better.
- Train tour back to the car
- Leave Chicago, but only before a snowstorm in northern Indiana
- Back home, tired as hell
- CACE February dinner at O'Charley's (already?!)
- Jason Aldean at Whiskey Dick's. Finally a reason to leave Chicago.

Carowinds' new logo?

It's been lurking around some forums, and some folks at PKICentral.com came across what may be the first non-Paramount logo for one of the "former" Paramount Parks:



The logo looks sort of funny (the ® is placed weird: "Car®owinds"), and the black looks kinda grainy, like it came from a fax. The park name is presented in the same font as Cedar Point's, including the flag in place of a dotted "i", but in a straight across design than the double-arched style of CP's. Also, since the parent company has sort of renamed itself, "Cedar Fair Family of Parks" sounds more appropriate than simply "A Cedar Fair, L.P. Park."

If this logo is going around, it might not be too long before Kings Island's new logo is revealed - will they go in the same style as Cedar Point and Carowinds, bring back the classic logo from 1972-92, or create something different?

The Dismantling Game continues...

As Kings Dominion is working to add to WaterWorks, one other attraction may be going away...

The park's 5-year old S&S launch coaster, Hypersonic XLC, is listed for sale. Whether there are any takers has yet to be seen. Sister park Cedar Point had been trying to seel Demon Drop since later 2005 season, but still had not found a buyer, even though it operated in 2006. Whether the same will be true for Hypersonic is unknown at this time.


As one Cedar Fair park is changing, another Six Flags park seems to be disappearing for good.

A thread on rec.roller-coaster shows Six Flags New Orleans' Batman the Ride, a B&M inverted coaster, being dismantled. This most likely confirms that the park, which has been closed since August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, will not re-open. This coaster was first installed elsewhere, so now, the first B&M to be relocated, has been relocated more than once...

Also from the Six Flags Blotter, Magic Mountain's once-innovative Superman: The Escape is also listed for sale.

Of course this comes all after it was announced that Kings Island is removing the vertical loop from Son of Beast as part of modification to resolve the problems that caused the July 9th incident when over two dozen riders were injured.... So stay tuned, this might be a winter full of action!

"Kings Dominion" to expand WaterWorks, lower prices

As you may have seen earlier on, it was reported through a Career Day brochure on PKD's website that WaterWorks would be expanded. Today, the park confirmed it, not only with a press release, but also through an e-mail that I received.

The park’s waterpark, WaterWorks, is receiving its first major expansion since 1999. Located inside the theme park, WaterWorks is adding three major new attractions that offer something for everyone.

“New water attractions, new price, new year,” said Richard Zimmerman, vice president and general manager of Kings Dominion. “We know our guests are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollar and next year, Kings Dominion will be an even better value. With our expanded waterpark, and our unparalleled collection of roller coasters, rides and attractions, no other park in the Mid-Atlantic can offer so much fun and excitement.”

Beginning with Tidal Wave Bay, Kings Dominion is adding a second wave pool to the waterpark. Filled with hundreds of thousands of gallons of water, Tidal Wave Bay will offer hours of swimming adventure.

The new Tornado attraction combines high thrills with spinning and churning wet spills. Extending 65 feet into the air, the Tornado provides riders with a unique water experience that everyone will want to ride again and again. Finally, the addition of the Zoom Flume, will give families the opportunity to enjoy a rafting adventure together. Four riders at a time can climb aboard the raft and “zoom” down the curving and tilting raging water path.

Also, Kings Dominion is lowering the prices of daily general admission. Adults get in for $5 less than 2006, at $44.95. Junior/Senior pricing (also a Cedar Fair thing) is $24.95, and admission after 4 PM will now be $29.95 - it is the first time pricing at KD has been lowered since the park opened in 1975.

If you notice that in the typed portion of the press release, "Paramount" is not mentioned even once...

Report: Canada's Wonderland De-Paramountized?

http://www.pkicentral.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=8698&view=findpost&p=140581

A visitor to Canada's Wonderland, who was there for a job interview, noticed some changes underway.

He claims that the "Paramount Canada's Wonderland" signs have been removed, and replaced with those saying "Cedar Fair presents Canada's Wonderland." Also, there is some renovation work going on throughout the park, inside and out, and that some ride names have been changed. Lastly, while Nickelodeon characters will remain as expected, apparently the Hanna-Barbera characters and areas are being removed and changed, to replaced with the Peanuts.

Because there isn't photographic evidence, nor multiple sources, this information can't be confirmed. But, knowing that Cedar Fair is in charge, expect changes to take place. The changes that this visitor listed, to me, are a bit believable.

State releases Son of Beast report; Loop GONE

From the desk of Maureen Kaiser:

Son of Beast Statement
12.13.06

The State of Ohio’s Department of Agriculture released today its final report detailing the outcome of the extensive Son of Beast inspection. The report reaffirms initial indications that the incident was an unforeseen single event failure.

We will now focus our energies on the appropriate and necessary changes needed to reopen the ride in 2007. In addition to reinforcing the physical structure of the ride, we plan to remove the loop. Taking this extra step enables us to use lighter trains, which will reduce the load and lead to a more comfortable ride experience.

We are making good progress on Son of Beast and are fully committed to reopening the ride in 2007.

You can read the Department of Agriculture's final report here.
(WCPO: Son Of Beast Accident Blamed On Design Flaw)

While I'll miss the signature, unique loop, hopefully the new trains will give a much better overall ride experience. (image courtesy CYoung2003) "BEER!"

Winterfest: It's time to move on.

On Monday, folks at Kings Island and Cedar Fair finally confirmed the on-going rumors: Winterfest has been cancelled for 2006.

Of course, in January, people for PKI, then owned by CBS Corporation, were touting the success of the 2005 return. Then, in April, when the park opened for the regular season, they began to sell tickets for Winterfest for the great low price of $9.95. There was little chance that Winterfest would go back into the history books.

Then came "the announcement" about "the sale" in May. People were questioning, "What changes is Cedar Fair gonna make this season." The acquisition press release and conferences gave no solid answer, but tickets were still being sold, but quietly. Then again, "quietly" is how the winter holiday event's life for 2006 would seem to end. Soon, around when the keys to the park were given to Dick Kinzel and his guys, the in-park ads and brochure ads were taken out. Winterfest bears appeared as game prizes. Then ticket sales were pulled...

I, for one, was disappointed that Winterfest faded away for the second time. The opportunity to skate on that great Royal Fountain. Heartwarming songs and scenes on the KI & MV Railroad. Scrooge's hilarious bathroom jokes. One of the best live shows I've ever seen in the park, Santa's Toy Factory. And one of the tallest structures in the region transformed into a Christmas tree. Sadly, I'm going to have to wait at least a year to see these things again.

However, somebody dropped the ball. And I won't name Cedar Fair as one of the guilty parties.
First and foremost, the pricing. $25 at the gate? Season Passes were not accepted for entry, and sometimes, no discount for passholders? Specific-day tickets? $5 parking? $7 skating rink fee?
This is compared to 1982-92. Gate admission closer to $10. Season Passholders got in free. Free parking. Translation: successful.

However, compared to 1992, more area holiday events have popped up, and/or gotten better since then. The Beach Waterpark offered 4 admissions for $40 to their Holiday Fest. Holiday in Lights at Sharon Woods, where you don't have to get out of the car. Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo was relatively affordable.
Also, peoples' views of Kings Island, as well as the makeup of the park itself, have changed. In the early 1990s, live shows were all around the park. There was a great collection of shopping and dining, more gentle rides for those of the youngest and oldest ages.
Now I know how PKI promotes itself as a family park, but sometimes, "family" does include 50, 60 and up. Have any of you ridden Runaway Reptar? Hint: it's a VEKOMA!

So, it seems they marketed it as "Winterfest is back by popular demand!' And again, like I said earlier, it was good! However, it wasn't the same Kings Island. I don't think they drove home enough that was filled with live entertainment - superior to that of other area winter attractions.

The people's response: As warm as the temperatures. I don't think many wanted to pay $30 or so to go to a cold Kings Island without thrill rides. Carowinds, another Paramount park, held their own Winterfest. At least they had the opportunity to run their B&M inverted coaster, Top Gun. Still, a Charlotte paper captioned one scene: "Waliking in an Empty Wonderland."

In defense of Winterfest, Kings Island was located in an area that was very accessible to many. Its layout was that of a theme park: great for a winter village event. This is compared to when Cedar Point held its first and only Christmas in the Park in 1994. Can you say a winter desert? Add horrible winds and temps along Lake Erie, and the smaller town that is Sandusky - just wasn't going to work. I think that if Cedar Fair were to price Winterfest right, it would have been a hit this year.

But here is the meat of this entry: At least for 2006, Cedar Fair's decision is final. No looking back. Any attempt to try to get Cedar Fair executives to reverse course will be futile (I feel like I'm quoting a Carowinds coaster's slogan). Rather than try to tweak a shaky winter event, I believe that it will be best for new ownership to spend the time to get the park up to Cedar Fair standards. My bet is that once early to mid-April 2007 comes, Kings Island will be a better park than it has in several years. A cleaner, friendlier, more efficient park.

There are some that wish that Cedar Fair will bring back KI to its pre-Paramount glory days. But for some of the mis-steps I believe that previous owners made, the park is still very successful. While I believe that things will be more consistent, some of the old charm the park had has faded away, and may likely never come back.
Now, I would love for them to bring back the old 1972-92 logo - very beautiful and sorta resembles Cincinnati's German heritage (yes, I took a class at UC related to that). This is one roll-back I hope Cedar Fair does, they can't go wrong with a classic.

But when all is said and done here, Winterfest isn't coming back this year. And I'm OK with that. Let's move on, and look forward to the rest of the operating season, and of course, 2007.

"NOT SO FAST!" or "Paramount's Kings Island, a Cedar Fair, L.P. Park"

So as to not confuse people, Cedar Fair revised the front page of their website. On the map, they added the "Paramount" to the five Paramount parks that they just acquired.

Does this mean that they're going to keep the Paramount names altogether?

Not necessarily.

If you go to the parks, it's still business as usual, for the most part.
Staffing has improved on rides, especially The Beast.

It's Official: Cedar Fair acquires Paramount Parks!

In case you missed it:


On Friday, June 30, the agreement was finalized for CBS Corporation to sell its Paramount Parks to Cedar Fair, L.P. for $1.24 billion. Having acquired five parks that Paramount/CBS owned, including Kings Island, Cedar Fair now owns twelve parks across North America, now including also, Canada's Wonderland, the Partnership's first property located outside the United States. This agreement gives full and immediate control and management of the five Paramount Parks to Cedar Fair.

It is however, unknown, what concrete and/or visual changes will take place, and when. For now, and most likely until the end of the regular operating season, the five parks will operate as normal under their Paramount moniker. Also, the current season pass programs will be maintained: meaning that Paramount passes will not be accepted at existing Cedar Fair parks, and vice versa. When 2007 passes go on sale, and/or the system of pass validity across the expanded Cedar Fair chain is not known, but it is likely that one season pass will grant its holder the option to access all three of Ohio's major parks (Kings Island, Geauga Lake, and Cedar Point).

Licensing for Nickelodeon for four years, and ten years of Paramount licensing, were included in the acquisition. It is expected that Nickelodeon Universe will be maintained here, but the name of the park will go back to simply Kings Island - even if Paramount ride names and theming was to remain.

Press Release and more Acquisition information

DEVELOPING: Cedar Fair, L.P. to acquire Paramount Parks, including Kings Island!

"See, I told you so!"

As early as April Fool's Day, 2005, I made an joke on my website that Paramount's Kings Island was sold to Cedar Fair, L.P., the owner of Ohio's two other major parks, Cedar Point and Geauga Lake. Within next day, the fake announcement was pulled.

Then, later fall 2005, Viacom Corp. announced it wanted to divest Paramount Parks, and several players, including Cedar Fair, were mentioned as possible buyers, but that talk faded for a bit, as Viacom split into two companies: Viacom Corporation, including MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount Pictures. And CBS Corporation, including CBS and Paramount Parks.

Then, of course, this preseason, 2006, CBS Corp. itself announced its intention to sell the Parks, and once again, the Partnership out of Sandusky (where Cedar Point is) looked like to be one of the interested parties. But would one of other park (or non-park) companies be interested?

- Six Flags: New CEO Mark Shapiro announced they are not interested, after some hard times, including the closure of AstroWorld in Houston and the sale of its land, as well as some other properties.
- Anheuser-Busch: They might be a good fit for the Parks, but when did they last open or acquire a large theme park? Remember when they sold their Ohio SeaWorld to Six Flags?...
- Universal: Again, they would be most likely to continue the Hollywood concept, but I remember hearing stuff they wanted out of the park business. Paramount invested into the Parks, but very lightly compared to Universal has to its parks...
- Some investment group: What are they in it for? Viacom and CBS were in it more for the growth, return on investment, etc. Would this mean more of the same as Paramount (good or bad)?

Then, Friday Morning (May 19), I read that at the end of a stockholder's meeting, Cedar Fair CEO Dick Kinzel announces that they are interested in buying Kings Island. Just Kings Island itself, or any or all of the other Paramount Parks? That got things moving.

And now, it becomes reality: this morning, it is announced that Cedar Fair indeed has agreed to purchase Paramount Parks from CBS Corp, for $1.24 billion.

Questions and assumptions:

It is mentioned somewhere by Kinzel that this includes the rights to Nickelodeon characters - important, as Kings Island's new attraction this is the impressive Nickelodeon Universe children's area.

Not sure about the Paramount themes, but I'm assuming they're going away, and the park's name will simply become Kings Island. Same for Carowinds, Kings Dominion (2004 visitor here), Great America (Santa Clara, CA), and Canada's Wonderland.

What about Bonfante Gardens, which Paramount Parks currently manages, as well as Star Trek: The Experience at Las Vegas Hilton, and CBS Television City at MGM Grand in Las Vegas?

Rides/attractions planned for 2007 at Kings Island and other Paramount Parks? May Cedar Fair throw something in for next year, or hold off for something BIG in 2008. As you know, Kings Island is probably the biggest seasonal park around lacking a B&M (or Intamin) steel coaster and my bet is Cedar Fair will finally deliver.

Season Passes: My guess is through the end of the season, Season Passes purchased at a Paramount Park can only be used at Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Carowinds, Great America CA, and Canada's Wonderland. And for 2006, passes purchased through a Cedar Fair park will not be vaild at any of the current Paramount Parks. The deal is not exactly final and in stone, for one, and two, Paramount and Cedar Fair have different season pass and admission systems.
In 2007, can one use the same season pass to gain access to both Kings Island and Cedar Point?

What I can safely assume is that this summer will be interesting, and how a transition will take place!