Is PKI losing its appeal?

It doesn't come close to losing it's appeal to me and my family.

The more I read, the more evidant it is to me that PKI is a family park. The majority of people (not all and not just on this board) who are complaining are single teens, single young adults or single adults. Being a married adult with a 5 year old, PKI is an awesome park. I would choose PKI to take my daughter to any day of the week compared to say Cedar Point. If you aren't looking for the family park atmosphere, then do me and all the other people who appreciate PKI for what it is and what it has to offer...stay at home.

Okay.

I'm a married adult who is not fond of Kings Island because I enjoy the rides and atmosphere at other parks more.

Why am I not allowed to dislike Kings Island?

I, for one HAVE to agree with Loriu here, I have always recommended PKI as the perfect park for families and families w/young kids.

As for the park, I have been going to PKI since the mid 70's, and I have no complaints about the park what so ever. It is clean, stunning landscaping, well maintained and their employees had always been wonderful.

My hubby and I went back a couple weekends ago for the GOCC/ACE Fall Freak Out and we both had a wonderful time. So much in fact, we bought '05 season passes. Even though I am one of those CPers, PKI is still my home park and I have nothing negative to say about it at all. It seems to me it wasn't having any problem still packing in the people.

You can't possibly make EVERYONE happy EVERY day when it comes to amusement parks. We know that, they know that.

Jo
'00 '02 '03 Raptor Crew
Lifetime Raptor flights: 1006 :)

For a married adult, you sure are reading too far into this. I can't find one instance where anyone said you cannot verbally express your dislike of KI.

What I do see is you, twisting Jeff's sarcasm into the supression of anti-KI opinions.
*** Edited 10/18/2004 1:47:21 AM UTC by Neuski***

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millrace said:
Why am I not allowed to dislike Kings Island?

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Who said you can't?

And 3.3 mil people think otherwise. :)

Oh hell, people - complaining doesn't do any good anyway.

And yes, Jeff - you can be a little cocky sometimes. ;) But then again, I can be a real whiner. Truthfully, I've been coming to this site a LOT longer than people think. I'm just using a different name now because there was a time when I STOPPED coming here because of all the attitudes I would catch when I voiced my opinions - and since I changed email address and can't remember my first screen name, I just started all over again. But I digress. I feel if I voice my opinion, someone is going to jump on me and criticize what I have to say. So I figure, why open my mouth at all? It's like the only opinions that count are the ones who have glowing comments to say about parks, and coasters, and - well, WHATEVER the subject is. There are people on this site who act like they know it all, and are more important than other people. They think that their opinions above all others are the most important and authoritative.

You want to know why people like me are disillusioned with PKI? Because they remind people like me that it doesn't matter what our hopes and dreams are for the park. There are SO many incredible things that you see at other parks, and I've been dying to see them at PKI. But when I open my mouth to the people at PKI, I'm brushed off as if it doesn't matter what I'd like to see there. So yeah, I'm jealous. And I suspect that's what a lot of people are when it comes to the park. We see places like Geauga Lake, and Cedar Point get these fantastic, smashing reviews that are featured all over the cable travel channels, and on amusement park specials, and plastered all over the inside of magazines. And what does PKI get? Barely a mention.

I know that PKI isn't competing in the coaster wars, but you'd think they could AT LEAST get a full circuit coaster that has an inline roll, or some other element that gives the park some clout. Consider this....out of the 5 major Paramount parks, 4 of those parks EACH have a stand-up AND a full circuit suspended looping/inverted coaster. PKI doesn't have either one. Not to mention, two of those parks have flying coasters, and one has Hypersonic. On top of that, one of those parks (PCW) has a stand up, SLC, flying coaster, and is now going to be getting Italian Job. Heck, PKI took away one of our steel coasters - King Kobra - and didn't even care enough to replace it. And now, it's ripping out another favorite ride. So you see, PKI is really lacking, and it's disappointing for those single thrill seekers who really don't have the money or time to make the trip to Northern Ohio to ride world class steel coasters. So yeah, there's a lot of jealousy on our part. That's why we get so pissed off when we see year after year that CP, or GL is getting another world class coaster. Or one of the other Paramount parks is getting something unique. I wouldn't get too attached to anything else at PKI right now. Chances are, it won't be around long.

So you tell ME if we have a right to complain or not. The thing is, even after saying all this, I know some of you are going to jump on me. Go ahead. I expect it, and I'm used to it. *** Edited 10/18/2004 2:18:11 AM UTC by fuseuser***

Kings Island does Beast Buzz, so Jeff wants to be on their good side. ;) Nahhh, I'm just playin'.

I can't justify the cost for a PKI trip, unless the Italian Job is somehow really amazing. Just my .02.

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fuseuser said:
...I STOPPED coming here because of all the attitudes I would catch when I voiced my opinions...

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Welcome... To the Internet!

Honestly I have enjoyed every trip that I have taken to PKI. Now I didn't go to the park this season as I my trips took me in the wrong direction, but I have always been impressed with the park. I would say that with the addition of the Italian Job, PKI will probably be a "must-see" next season. I am disappointed in the fact the flyers are leaving, but that was just one ride and did not "make the park." IMHO that distinction belongs to the Beast. I don't know why some of you are complaining about the park. I know if I had it as one of my homeparks I would be saying "look at me" and be a 100% fanboy. Enjoy what you have, you could have something like Kentucky Kingdom instead. ;) (j/k)

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fuseuser said:
I feel if I voice my opinion, someone is going to jump on me and criticize what I have to say. So I figure, why open my mouth at all? It's like the only opinions that count are the ones who have glowing comments to say about parks, and coasters, and - well, WHATEVER the subject is.

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And how is that any different than real life? You've never had anybody argue with you face to face because they dis-agree? Of course someone's opinion is the only one that counts, to them. Thats why its their opinion...

I disagree with what you say about the park. Are you wrong for the way you feel? No, but I don't feel the same way. You do make some interesting claims that almost sound like you're stating facts, but I won't go there. I think PKI is the perfect park already, and could care less about some silly little flat ride.

I do, however, disagree with alot of whats been going on on this site this week. Jeff, I feel that you had no right what so ever to tell people to stop writing/calling the park, etc. It isn't your place to tell someone what they can't do when they're not on your site. If it goes against the CBuzz Club TOS, so be it, but I fell you have no right to tell someone to stop in the manner you did, but again, thats IMHO. Do I feel you were wrong? Yes, I disagree with alot of what you say, heck its my right, just like its yours to disagree with me. Do I feel that people often turn things around on your ego when that isn't the underlying problem? Most definitly.

On to the people that keep complaining about the flyers leaving-It has gotten old. Its different if you want to talk/discuss/reminisce(sp?) about the flyers, but some of you are going way over the line. Its a done deal. Voice your concern, and then discuss it. Don't voice your concern, and then keep whining and saying the same thing over and over and over again. Its like the "My park isn't getting anything next year" whine. How do you freakin know? Its only October, for cryin out loud, and the Season isn't even completely over for alot of seasonal parks.

This pre-offseason has been the most annoying so far in terms of nothing worth while being discussed, no really funny threads happening, and absolutely too much whining, moaning, and attitude. Sure, I have attitude, but some of you are just way out there. If this is going to be the entire off season, its gonna be a long, boring winter. Thank God for Dollywood in December, and Solace in March...

Hey, I love PKI, and almost every park I've been to has been fantastic. The one time I was there on a *non-event* Saturday, it WAS too crowded for me, and I ended up at LeSourdsville.

The moral of the story: Go with me and you'll always have a great time! :)

The OTHER moral: Don't think of it as "complaining", call it constructive criticism....but PLEASE, do make it constructive, that way parks are more likely to LISTEN...;)

I grew up in Huntington, WV. Not counting Camden Park, KI was my homepark until I moved to PA at the age of 15. A few years ago I worked at CP, and PKI I visited PKI all of the time. Kings Island really has a special place in my heart. I feel very connected to it, like it's my homepark away from home. It's about a 7 hour drive from my home, so I rarely get to visit anymore.

I was sad to see KC leave, but WOW; look what took it's place! To me, it's always a pleasant surprise to find out what their next attraction is going to be. I am always expecting a new huge coaster and instead it's something else-Something unique and inspiring.

I really hope that removing the Tiques and replacing them with a coaster doesn't disturb the peacful atmosphere in that area of the park, but I expect that to be unlikely. I have always liked the layout of PKI, and one reason was that the Tiques helped the middle of the park to be quaint and charming, like a park should be.

I don't see PKI losing it's appeal with me, because of all of the great memories I have there. I haven't been there in a few years though.

Kings Island will always have a special place in my heart. I've been through the gates at least once a year for the last 20 years, that being said, there is some truth to fuseuser's rant. I'm excited about IJST, but the removal of the flyers has left a sour taste in my mouth, not just because it's the flyers, but because it's more of the same old story...removing rides to build new ones. This time they have taken out two. I think we can all agree that there were plenty of places to put the flyers instead of getting rid of them.

We have said goodbye to just as many rides as we have said hello to. Since 1993 when Paramount took over, ten rides have been closed. Granted King Cobra was ready for the boneyard, and there have been some good additions, but there have been some disappointments too. I realize that PKI isn't fighting the coaster war, but we haven't seen a good roller coaster since 1996. Think of all the coaster technology that has come since then. There have been inverts, floorless, flyers, gigas, rocket coasters, impulses, the resurgence of standups and megas, and the rebirth of wooden twisters by GCI. What does PKI have to show for those last eight years of great technology. They have a good launch coaster, a giant wooden heap of pain-dishing mediocrity called SOB, and a whole 1000 foot of shuttle coaster called Face Off. Yes IJST is coming, but I will have to ride it before saying anything else about it, because the animations look good and the concept sounds good, but the marketing dept is good at hyping up rides, sometimes better than the rides turn out themselves.

Despite my unhappiness and disappointment, PKI will always be my home park, and will see me again next year. PKI hasn't necessarily lost it's appeal, it just isn't as appealing to the coaster fans at this point. PKI seems to be trying to establish themselves as a theme park in a land of amusement parks. *** Edited 10/18/2004 4:48:43 AM UTC by D the Great*** *** Edited 10/18/2004 4:50:25 AM UTC by D the Great***

As far as I know, this is a public forum. Why people are told what to say and what not to say is beyond me. Whether it is Knoebels, PKI, Cedar Point or Sylvan Beach doing something that people disagree with, it deserves the right to be discussed in a constructive manner. We are enthusiasts, but we are also customers. And as long as money from OUR wallets goes into a park's cash registers, I think that gives us the right to complain if we want.

It's one thing to disagree with a statement that someone else makes... that is called a debate. It's when one assumes the mentality of "I am right, everyone else is wrong, and T.S. if you don't like it" that a conversation becomes a lot of B.S. Some people understand that, those never will. The ones that never got it are the ones that probably walked around school with plenty of wedgies but no friends.

What were we talking about? Oh yeah... PKI losing it's appeal. Yeah, I'd say it is. I've never been there, so all I can say is that the prospect of visiting the park no longer appeals to me. Sure it has a ton of wood coasters- something that would seemingly appeal to me because of my signature- but it also seems to be on the fast track to sterilization. And when that happens, nothing can make me want to visit. Take Dorney park- it has a good Schmeck wood coaster, a good hyper coaster and a great B&M invert but I have driven 6 1/2 hours to Kennywood TWICE this year while not having been to Dorney ONCE since 2002. Dorney lacks character, it lacks soul... and when those things are gone, so am I.

The removal of flying scooters and the addition of another movie-themed launch coaster is just one more thing that seems to be killing what made PKI such a destination for enthusiasts all these years.

I think Dorney is the most disturbingly comatose park in atmosphere (one of the most important things to me) of any I've visited and I'm *positive* you won't think PKI is any Dorney. There's a lot more character and charm to PKI than Dorney can miscalculate on yet another fun coaster that will still have me leaving the park feeling empty inside.

There's something about everything from the tower to Vortex to the carousel to The Beast that keeps me coming back and keeps me attached to everything they do. Everything that the park has wrong from the ending of Adventure Express to the walk to Top Gun to what the heck were they thinking when they built SOB make it so right and that's just a few of the reasons the park's ears will always burn from enthusiast and GP mouths alike. And they'll thank you for it and hopefully they'll be a better park because of it.

+Danny, my .odd sense

Yeah...I'll agree...despite the recent changes at PKI, it is nowhere close to the concrete drabness of Dorney, and I can't imagine it ever will be.

I'll agree with Jeff, too, in that here we are about to enter into probably the best year for new coasters since 2005, and the pissing and moaning seem to have climbed to new levels already. I just hope the Dorney fan boys don't see my little post and have a hissy fit.

Danny, I have to totally agree with Dorney being the perfect example of a park thats lost all the charm it had.

I understand modernizing and building more thrilling rides. I don't understand tearing all the atmosphere out to do it. Nice relaxing area mixed with neat rides becoming sterile. Wave of the future I guess :(

Chuck, who wonders how long before WOF is just as bland.

I didn't mean to suggest that PKI is as sterilized as Dorney... I'm just suggesting that the removal of historic bits and pieces of the park, one at a time, is what caused Dorney to get the way it is right now. I just hope that the removal of the Flyers isn't a sign of things to come.