Is Kings Island "underrated" or what?

I am not sure I can say PKI is overrated. I believe PKI and CP get nearly same attendence every year. It is quite possible that coaster enthusiast communities do not embrace PKI with open arms, but the family themed atmosphere attracts more important group of people for the park. My favorite park is CP but PKI is not far behind. I have been to SFMM, SFoG, PKD, BGT, CP, Hershey Park, KBF and Dorney Park this year along with PKI. I will rate only CP higher than PKI as far as enjoyable experience.

I do not agree with people saying the Kiddy area rides cannot be ridden by adults. Runaway Reptar, Beastie, Scooby Doo Ghoster Coaster and Haunted Castle are the rides that some adults ride without kids.

I agree that PKI needs Magnum or MF types of steel coaster. With a good hyper steel coaster, it is possible that PKI will beat out CF as the most popular seasonal park in the country.

---

Rocket Air said:

Nickelodeon Central is what receives so much praise, and last time I checked, parents can ride Wild Thornberrys River Adventure and Rugrats Runaway Reptar with their children.

---

I would not consider those family rides. They are gentle thrill rides. Family rides are the Disney type rides that ANYONE can ride regardless of height or motion tolerance. MANY of the rides at KI are sit-on-the-bench-and-wait type rides because of height limits (kiddie rides) or if someone does not like thrill type rides (event gentle ones). I am talking about rides where NO ONE is left out. Most theme parks don't do a very good job at this, and KI is included. But they are constantly referred to as a family type park for some reason.

The 'kiddie land' issue brings up something I noticed while at BGW this past weekend, and hadn't seen before. I'm used to parks separating out the 'kiddie' rides from adult rides in segregated children's areas, such as PKI and CP do. However, BGW had the children's ride intersperced between the adult rides. Basically, the theme of the ride at BGW determined it's location, not the targeted age. So this is a question directed at parents: Do you prefer the rides for your children spread throughout the park, or condensed in an area designed for either just children or children+parents to enjoy? Having no children myself yet, I have no prior experience with this, and I'm curious which works better.

The typical family can and will ride the mentioned. I can only think of a handful of rides that qualify for EVERYONE.

---

PKI fan2 said:PKIS food and flats blow CPs out of the water...

---

Obviously you've never actually eaten at Cedar Point. I will take the Gameday Grill/Johnny Rockets/Red Garter over LaRosa's any day.

Bubba Gump's gets a nod, though because they serve Amberbock :)

---

CincyDJ said:
The 'kiddie land' issue brings up something I noticed while at BGW this past weekend, and hadn't seen before. I'm used to parks separating out the 'kiddie' rides from adult rides in segregated children's areas, such as PKI and CP do. However, BGW had the children's ride intersperced between the adult rides. Basically, the theme of the ride at BGW determined it's location, not the targeted age. So this is a question directed at parents: Do you prefer the rides for your children spread throughout the park, or condensed in an area designed for either just children or children+parents to enjoy? Having no children myself yet, I have no prior experience with this, and I'm curious which works better.

---

Hershey does the same thing. I find having them throughout the park works best. That way families of different age groups can stay in the same areas throughout the day. They don't necessarily have to be kiddie rides throughout the park, but rides without height limits that kids/adults with low tolerance can do while the others do the more wild rides in the same area.

I grew up with PKI and will always love the park. It's a whole different experience from CP and it really irritates me when people start comparing the two.

I don't think it's underrated OR overrated. It's just a very pleasant park with a great atmosphere with two of the most insane flat rides (Delirium and Drop Zone) that keep getting better everytime I ride them.

I can't wait to see what's in store for the future.

I don't think there has been a PKI coaster that I DIDN'T like, well, except for SOB but that's only because of the pain.......:-)

-Tina

<-----who remembers my first and only ride on The Bat, then it broke down forever. ;-)

---

coasterqueenTRN said: I don't think there has been a PKI coaster that I DIDN'T like, well, except for SOB but that's only because of the pain.......:-)

---

Tina, that's because you were too busy taking pictures onride. ;)

That was Nasai:The Ride I was taking photos on. Don't you remember? ;-) It was so damn rough I could barely hang on, let alone hold a camera. I still have bruises from the restraints! ;-)

I can't believe you forgot about our ERT. And I thought we had something special.

I feel so used and cheap now. ;-)

-Tina

*** Edited 7/23/2004 11:24:13 AM UTC by coasterqueenTRN***

Wow... *checks bottle of Wild Turkey* ... NOPE. Empty. Whatever you say, Tina. ;)

PKI has Skyline chill (not near as good as the Skylines outside the park but still good), Wings ( "montgomery inn ribs" but cant touch the real ones but still good.) and larosas. CP has a couple of good places but too spread out and service was terrible when i was there this year

Don't worry Rob, I heard Wild Turkey (and intense G's) tends to cause blackouts.....;-)

-Tina

And when you mix Wild Turkey and G's together, you get a ride you won't remember. :)

---

PKI fan2 said:
PKI has Skyline chill (not near as good as the Skylines outside the park but still good), Wings ( "montgomery inn ribs" but cant touch the real ones but still good.) and larosas. CP has a couple of good places but too spread out and service was terrible when i was there this year

---

*thinks about Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn* MMmmm..... :)

I do give PKI props for including local favorites in the park. MMmmmm...