Paramounts Kings Island (Cincinnati)

rlander · 07-15-2003

We went to Paramount's King's Island yesterday for my son's birthday. We had a great time and enjoyed many of the rides. But it sure made me wish all parks were like Disney World. There is just no magic at PKI. There is theming, but it falls way short. My biggest complaint is the unmanicured landscaping, chipped paint, and garbage everywhere. For example, while waiting in line for most of the rides, there are cigerette butts, cups, papers, etc. in the grass (weeds) and bushes below the walkways. These are areas that never get attention because they are never accessed by the park members.
The other problem we had was several of the large attractions were either temporarily down or not even open. On a couple we had waited in line for 30 minutes when it shut down. This has always been a real problem at PKI. They should give out a pass that would allow you to get to the front of the line when the ride opens.
Several of my friends who have never been to WDW think I am crazy for going on vacation there for a week. They think it is just like PKI. Boy are they wrong.

mickaholic4077 · 07-15-2003

That's a shame about the park,but did your son have a good time? If he did,then it is worth it,right? I agree with you,though,there is nothing like WDW!!!

garada3 · 07-15-2003

Do people still stick their chewed chewing gum on the rail and supports of the queues?

I haven't been to a Paramount park since the mid 1980's but this one image is still burned into my brain.

Did you get to ride the Beast? A great wooden coaster!

rlander · 07-15-2003

Yes, he and my DD had a great time. I made a point not to pont out the problems I saw. I am sure they did not see the notice or even care. Things were probably the same when I was a kid, but I never noticed.
I asked my DS when we were on one of the coaster if he likes PKI better than WDW. He said no way....WDW is a million times better.

rlander · 07-15-2003

Quote:

Originally posted by garada3
Do people still stick their chewed chewing gum on the rail and supports of the queues?

I haven't been to a Paramount park since the mid 1980's but this one image is still burned into my brain.

Did you get to ride the Beast? A great wooden coaster!

Yes, there is gum everywhere. From the minute you get out your car in the parking lot to getting on the rides. It is disgusting.

I did not ride the Beast this time. My DS didn't want to. He has riden it three times but it kinda beats him up. I rode Son of Beast earlier this year. It is great and super fast, but it too is super rough. Have you heard of this new ride?

Speaking of this subject, it is amazing how smooth all the coasters are at WDW. Even Rock-n-Roller coaster is smooth as glass. You don't get this at PKI or any other non-Disney park I've ever visted.

garada3 · 07-15-2003

Yup I have heard of that one!

I am from the Cedar Point area and grew up with summer passes to the place. We still go every summer when visiting family in the area (this year the first week of August). A few years back when Son of Beast was new, Cedar Point had just opened a new coaster called Millenium Force.

Anybody figure out the acronyms yet? That summer the coaster competition in Ohio was SOB vs MF! I am looking forward to trying out Top Thrill Dragster, if it is up and running the day we are there.

I am glad to hear that your kids prefer WDW to PKI. I was for a time a bit worried that my kids would be disappointed by WDW. They are used to rides, rides, rides at Cedar Point, not the themes and the shows that make up a big part of WDW. But they are getting to just about every disney video our local video store has and are allowed an extra hour of TV a day IF they watch House of Mouse! We also watch the vacation video and play with the computer tour that I bought.

Just trying to get them excited for the trip! I know I am!

rlander · 07-15-2003

Have your kids ever been to WDW? If not, I think your kids will love WDW much better than Cedar Point.

I'm with you about the tv and Disney Channel. During the summer we let our kids stay up until 9:00 to 9:30 pm, but only if they are watching the Disney Channel.

Michael Darling · 07-15-2003

Yeah, 2000 was the year of the "family friendly" coaster abbreviateions here in Ohio- Son Of Beast, Millennium Force.

I know you speak bad things of PKI, but you have to admit it's been cleaned up a lot in the past 5 or 6 years. Their rides run better, the park looks better, and the staff is more friendly. The big thing you have to realize when going to PKI is that it's not a theme park. It's an amusement park and it's not Disney. Nor is it a Cedar Fair owned park where white concrete and perfect cleanliness rules the day. For a hideous park visit any Six Flags park east of the Mississippi. Then get back to us on how dirty PKI is!

Personally, I love PKI. I live 3 hours away and I've used my season pass 4 times. It's not the biggest park, nor is it the cleanest, but I absolutely love Top Gun, Delirium, Beast (at night only), Tomb Raider, Vortex, and the Flying Eagles (fun to "snap" them).

I had the privledge to attend a coaster enthusiast event that PKI hosted about a month and a half ago where the Public Relations director treated us all like gold. The guy (his name is Jeff Seibert) is totally awesome and even took us on a "behind the scenes" tour of the park- just because he wanted to. It wasn't planned, he just did it. I think one of the biggest reasons I love PKI is that every time I have met Mr. Seibert he has made a very good impression on me. I will continue to support his park as long as he does.

PKI has always been good to me.

PKI gets a 8/10 on the Gilmanometer.

rlander · 07-15-2003

I know that I have tainted PKI's image on my post. Believe me....I wish it wasn't true but what I report is very true. This is my hometown park. I have been to PKI at least 100 times. No kidding!!! I have riden the Beast at least 100 times. No kidding!!!

I have never riden Tomb Raider. It is closed every time I go. Really frustrating!!!

I never really noticed the problems at PKI until I visited WDW as an adult. There is no excuse for the things I noticed at PKI!!!

rlander · 07-15-2003

BTW....I believe the number 1 reason why PKI and parks like it have these problems is there are teenagers running every ride. I did not see one employee over 25 years old in the entire park. The fact is teenagers don't have the same pride in ownership as adults.

brumcg · 07-15-2003

I've been to PKI 3 times, I think, in the last 11 years... That was probably 3 times too many.

My last experience (about a year ago) was very similar to Jeff's. There were numerous rides down and everything was very disorganized. In addition, man, I'm getting old. After 5 hours of getting tossed, turned, and flipped...I was toast. Tomb Raider hammered the final nails in my coffin that day; I'm just not meant to be upside down that much.

Michael Darling is correct though, that I shouldn't compare PKI and Disney - 2 different things. Unfortunately, I do anyway.

Bruce

07-15-2003	#1 (permalink)
rlander Happy Disney Dreams Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,455	Paramounts Kings Island (Cincinnati) We went to Paramount's King's Island yesterday for my son's birthday. We had a great time and enjoyed many of the rides. But it sure made me wish all parks were like Disney World. There is just no magic at PKI. There is theming, but it falls way short. My biggest complaint is the unmanicured landscaping, chipped paint, and garbage everywhere. For example, while waiting in line for most of the rides, there are cigerette butts, cups, papers, etc. in the grass (weeds) and bushes below the walkways. These are areas that never get attention because they are never accessed by the park members. The other problem we had was several of the large attractions were either temporarily down or not even open. On a couple we had waited in line for 30 minutes when it shut down. This has always been a real problem at PKI. They should give out a pass that would allow you to get to the front of the line when the ride opens. Several of my friends who have never been to WDW think I am crazy for going on vacation there for a week. They think it is just like PKI. Boy are they wrong.

07-15-2003	#6 (permalink)
garada3 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 424	Son of Beast? Yup I have heard of that one! I am from the Cedar Point area and grew up with summer passes to the place. We still go every summer when visiting family in the area (this year the first week of August). A few years back when Son of Beast was new, Cedar Point had just opened a new coaster called Millenium Force. Anybody figure out the acronyms yet? That summer the coaster competition in Ohio was SOB vs MF! I am looking forward to trying out Top Thrill Dragster, if it is up and running the day we are there. I am glad to hear that your kids prefer WDW to PKI. I was for a time a bit worried that my kids would be disappointed by WDW. They are used to rides, rides, rides at Cedar Point, not the themes and the shows that make up a big part of WDW. But they are getting to just about every disney video our local video store has and are allowed an extra hour of TV a day IF they watch House of Mouse! We also watch the vacation video and play with the computer tour that I bought. Just trying to get them excited for the trip! I know I am!

07-15-2003	#8 (permalink)
Michael Darling Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Right Behind You Posts: 435	Yeah, 2000 was the year of the "family friendly" coaster abbreviateions here in Ohio- Son Of Beast, Millennium Force. I know you speak bad things of PKI, but you have to admit it's been cleaned up a lot in the past 5 or 6 years. Their rides run better, the park looks better, and the staff is more friendly. The big thing you have to realize when going to PKI is that it's not a theme park. It's an amusement park and it's not Disney. Nor is it a Cedar Fair owned park where white concrete and perfect cleanliness rules the day. For a hideous park visit any Six Flags park east of the Mississippi. Then get back to us on how dirty PKI is! Personally, I love PKI. I live 3 hours away and I've used my season pass 4 times. It's not the biggest park, nor is it the cleanest, but I absolutely love Top Gun, Delirium, Beast (at night only), Tomb Raider, Vortex, and the Flying Eagles (fun to "snap" them). I had the privledge to attend a coaster enthusiast event that PKI hosted about a month and a half ago where the Public Relations director treated us all like gold. The guy (his name is Jeff Seibert) is totally awesome and even took us on a "behind the scenes" tour of the park- just because he wanted to. It wasn't planned, he just did it. I think one of the biggest reasons I love PKI is that every time I have met Mr. Seibert he has made a very good impression on me. I will continue to support his park as long as he does. PKI has always been good to me. PKI gets a 8/10 on the Gilmanometer. __________________ - "Michael Darling" The "caps lock" light scares me, and the "Shift" key is my best friend.

07-15-2003	#11 (permalink)
brumcg Mouse Meister Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1,299	I've been to PKI 3 times, I think, in the last 11 years... That was probably 3 times too many. My last experience (about a year ago) was very similar to Jeff's. There were numerous rides down and everything was very disorganized. In addition, man, I'm getting old. After 5 hours of getting tossed, turned, and flipped...I was toast. Tomb Raider hammered the final nails in my coffin that day; I'm just not meant to be upside down that much. Michael Darling is correct though, that I shouldn't compare PKI and Disney - 2 different things. Unfortunately, I do anyway. Bruce __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Our March 2010 Spring Break trip! 113 days 19 hours 46 minutes

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		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > The Mouse Trap
Paramounts Kings Island (Cincinnati)

07-15-2003	#2 (permalink)
mickaholic4077 Currently in Timeout! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 90 miles from The Mick!!!!! Posts: 6,181	That's a shame about the park,but did your son have a good time? If he did,then it is worth it,right? I agree with you,though,there is nothing like WDW!!!

07-15-2003	#3 (permalink)
garada3 Senior Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 424	Do people still stick their chewed chewing gum on the rail and supports of the queues? I haven't been to a Paramount park since the mid 1980's but this one image is still burned into my brain. Did you get to ride the Beast? A great wooden coaster!

07-15-2003	#4 (permalink)
rlander Happy Disney Dreams Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,455	Yes, he and my DD had a great time. I made a point not to pont out the problems I saw. I am sure they did not see the notice or even care. Things were probably the same when I was a kid, but I never noticed. I asked my DS when we were on one of the coaster if he likes PKI better than WDW. He said no way....WDW is a million times better.

07-15-2003	#7 (permalink)
rlander Happy Disney Dreams Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,455	Have your kids ever been to WDW? If not, I think your kids will love WDW much better than Cedar Point. I'm with you about the tv and Disney Channel. During the summer we let our kids stay up until 9:00 to 9:30 pm, but only if they are watching the Disney Channel.

07-15-2003	#9 (permalink)
rlander Happy Disney Dreams Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,455	I know that I have tainted PKI's image on my post. Believe me....I wish it wasn't true but what I report is very true. This is my hometown park. I have been to PKI at least 100 times. No kidding!!! I have riden the Beast at least 100 times. No kidding!!! I have never riden Tomb Raider. It is closed every time I go. Really frustrating!!! I never really noticed the problems at PKI until I visited WDW as an adult. There is no excuse for the things I noticed at PKI!!!

07-15-2003	#10 (permalink)
rlander Happy Disney Dreams Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,455	BTW....I believe the number 1 reason why PKI and parks like it have these problems is there are teenagers running every ride. I did not see one employee over 25 years old in the entire park. The fact is teenagers don't have the same pride in ownership as adults.

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