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Here's another photo of the lights, this one looking all the way up.

Windseeker might be the ride to be on next season.

Apologies for the horrendous quality, but here is the best photo I could take from my upstairs window of the Eiffel Tower lit up!

I am not gonna lie, I cracked myself up with this response to the original tweet

It was definitely exciting and worthwhile! One thing I did not expect was just how quirky/temperamental Vortex can be. It may not be as temperamental as its predecessor (the original Bat) but that doesn’t mean it’s not moody every now and then (as I found out firsthand in July...absolutely crazy July ). I actually enjoy that part of it a lot because quirks are all part of a ride’s “personality.” Working (and driving!) Vortex is literally a dream come true. WindSeeker is cool too, and I appreciate it a lot more. I’m excited to learn to drive WindSeeker next season! I do not know anyone who would think that I would not want to return next year. Anyone who would think that is crazy. Apparently, I’m in a literal depression over the fact that the season is over, primarily because I have been at the park nearly every day instead of twice a month, which makes quite the difference. Plus I had faced Closing Day without a Vortex ride, something else I had never done before. (Stupid Ohio weather lol) At least I will still get to go to the park for WinterFest, as I am a conductor on the Train! Thanksgiving break and Christmas break will be so much more fun this year.

Yellow is not a holiday color and red is?

I'm curious if we'll be seeing the ol' Speculation Fence at the start of the 2018 season like we've seen in 2008, 2013, 2016, and 2017

I think I got in one Votex ride all season, and one 'seeker ride. I'll have to make a point to come see you on the train!

I think any type of announcement window is closed for now. At this point I think the focus is Winterfest as it should be. I don't think we will hear anything until the end of WF, or in January.

I like the double lift hill! The elements in the second half look quite fun.

“The little lights aren’t twinkling, Clark.”

On The Racer last season, I was able to see some wooden track ties for what I figured was for future track maintenence. Since Dinosaurs Alive is near the back of Coney Mall, the best view is from the Blue Racer turnaround, right hand side of the car. You could even see the DA associates waving as you zoom past, so we'd probably be able to see something. No pictures, though, for obvious reasons.

Kentucky Kingdom was heavily advertising in the Cincinnati area this summer with bill boards. There was even one just down the street from Coney Island. My wife and I took advantage of the out of state ticket deal, which included free soft drinks, earlier this summer we had a fun time at the park. It was by no means KI, or even Holiday World, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. When my son is older and can rides rides, we will be going out to Holiday World. It is a family park and although it has grown bigger in recent years, and the matriarch is no longer greeting visitors, it is still a fun place to go, and not that bad of a drive from Cincinnati.

So this is my ballot that I'm about to send in: 1, Voyage-Holiday World-USAIN 2, Mystic Timbers-Kings Island-USAOH 3, Raven-Holiday World-USAIN 4, Thunder Run-Kentucky Kingdom-USAKY 5, Legend-Holiday World-USAIN 6, American Eagle (Blue)-SF Great America-USAIL 7, Great American Scream Machine-SF Over Georgia-USAGA 8, Viper-SF Great America-USAIL 0, Goliath-SF Great America-USAIL 9, Blue Streak-Cedar Point-USAOH 10, Tornado-Strickers Grove-USAOH 11, Sea Dragon-Colombus Zoo-USAOH 12, Woodstock Express-Kings Island-USAOH 13, Teddy Bear-Strickers Grove-USAOH 20, Beast-Kings Island-USAOH 50, Racer (Blue)-Kings Island-USAOH 51, Racer (Red)-Kings Island-USAOH 666, Georgia Cyclone-SF Over Georgia-USAGA Yep, the Devil went down to Georgia. (And yes, leaving Goliath present but at 0 is my protest against RMCs being considered wooden.)

See it says including winterfest under the option.

They may be waiting to announce anything till winter fest to increase the guests in the park for it and get more people to experience it who may have not intended to before.

Working at The Great Pumpkin Fest was by the most fun I've ever had, by far. I know that's a bold statement, but I've been eager for a while now. Working Winterfest however, is out of the question for me, considering I can't work past 7. Also, Vortex and WindSeeker are awesome rides, plus they never have lines.

So with another season essentially over, I'd like to pose a question. For those who worked at the park, is it everything you thought it would be? Anything about it you didn't expect? Will you be returning next season or during Winterfest?

so uh i made a Cedar Point corkscrew redo i might make a pov video in the future

There have been years where KI hasn`t added new attractions. Keep in mind that Cedar Fair has announced all attractions and general improvements that they are doing to the parks. While KI hasn`t mentioned anything specifically, in a Cedar Fair press release they stated that KI (along with other parks) would be getting enhanced food options for next year. They do not necessarily need to have a new ride to market every year. They can still push Mystic Timbers, and the second year of Winterfest. Personally, I am super excited to experience Winterfest in a few weeks.

I will absolutely make that claim. Holiday World is IMHO simply superior to both of those parks across the board. Don't let the low number of coasters fool you; quality is more important than quantity, and they have a LOT of quality in their coasters. When I say that Legend is my least favorite coaster there, that's very much relative, since it still beats the majority of the other coasters I've ridden elsewhere. The flat rides are mostly better than those at KI as well. Customer service at HW trounces the same at KI in all respects, especially in food service. Speaking of food service, Plymouth Rock Cafe blows away anything KI or CP has to offer; how about a full Thanksgiving meal in the middle of summer for a very reasonable price? And that brings me to another point: they have much more reasonable prices on food than KI or CP, so you won't be left wishing your Cedar Fair dining plan could absorb the cost. And did I mention free unlimited soft drinks, free parking, and free sunscreen? Yeah, I think I've made my point. In 2013 I actually bought a season pass to HW and made three trips down there (four-hour drive each way), staying for two to three days each time. Well worth my money, even though I had to cut back on KI visits that years to afford it.

I have been thinking about a speculation fence a LOT lately. My coaster enthusiasm was truly started at Kings Island and I will forever cherish the sacred land, no matter the coaster lineup. On August 8th, 2013 Banshee was announced, a record-breaking B&M invert that would establish KI's dominance in the Midwest. However, I had solidified the thought that Kings Island would be receiving a B&M Giga, similar to what Canada's Wonderland had received only a year prior. I was slightly disappointed but was ecstatic that my home park was getting some 24 million dollar TLC from Cedar Fair (Cough, Cough, Michigan's Adventure).Three years past only to be once again surprised with another good ol' fence. Again, my early enthusiasm Deja Vu struck hard and was once again believing that Kings Island was going to be receiving a Giga in 2017. These thoughts were quickly spoiled as a GCI was leaked to wreck havoc in Rivertown. Don't get me wrong both Banshee and Mystic Timbers are both Fantastic coasters, and fit Kings Islands lineup needs greatly. I don't want my statements to have come across as greedy or ungrateful, I'm so thankful to have a home park filled with like-minded individuals, as well as, great coasters and flats. However, Banshee and Mystie aren't a Fury. A seemingly reoccurring thought hits me as I roam Banshee's Plaza, Kings Island has steadily grown in the last ten years and Cedar Fair has refurbished the coaster lineup exponentially. A B&M Giga with a dedicated and well-drawn out plaza would make the atmosphere of Kings Island feel like a clean, utopian wonderland. Metaphorically speaking, Kings Island is sleeping giant, a B&M Giga would wake up the coaster world. Take the addition of Fury 325 to Carowinds and Intimidator 305 to Kings Dominion as prime examples. I have a feeling that the fourth gold ol' fence since 2014 will be the largest, tallest, fastest KI gem.

^ Assuming $80-100 for a hotel room that helps but not by much. Admission and feeding 3-4 people on the road is what kills it for me. The wife isn’t going to camp anyway. I guess my point is HW is a tough sell to the GP with such great options here in OH. Don’t think I have heard anyone claim HW is better than KI or CP and we are a long way from getting bored of them.

^Yes, the one ride that's one of the worst 3 or 4 rides in terms of downtime at the park.

Maybe KK is trying to pull in the already existing KI passholders for a weekend of something different?

Gold and Platinum passes work for WF...

I intended on putting 3 trains, yet only put 2. Don't know why

No I'm pretty sure the disposal cups are still valid because it's sold with the same option as the red souvenir cup online and it states under the description including winterfest. I'll try and get a picture.

I emailed them and they replied back this morning. The Yellow all day souvenir cups are no longer valid at winterfest. Only the Red all season long cups are valid at winterfest or the refillable hot chocolate mugs.

One can wish that attitudes was removed to provide more space for antique cars, using that space and tower gardens.

I really like it! I do have to ask, why have a MCBR when you can have the second lift function as one of sorts? Unless, of course, you want more than 2 trains on the circuit at any time.

An interesting article about Kentucky Kingdom and it's history: http://www.inparkmagazine.com/revitalizing-kentucky-kingdom/?utm_source=ITPS+Amusement+INdustry+News&utm_campaign=c49f643941-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_11_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_51d9c64022-c49f643941-231732317

All those reasons that you stated are very viable and valid options given the financial capabilities of Cedar Fair and Six Flags. However, I feel I can speak for all enthusiasts who know about the late Will Koch and the family ordeal that occurred after his tragic and abrupt passing. To make a long story filled with legal family arguments and many severed relationships. 70 years ago Holiday World was founded by So Louis J. Koch, two generations later So Louis J. Koch's grandson (Will Koch) took management over Holiday World and it's operations. Will's innovation lead to two great CCI coasters that call Holiday world home. The Legend and The Raven truly put Holiday World onto the map and enabled a larger woodie to rise out of the wooded, southwestern Indiana wilderness. In 2001 Will tragically passed away due to diabetes complications. As result his widow, Lori Koch took control of the park. Will's brother Dan Koch was promoted to interim president, however, due to severe disputes and disagreements Lori fired Dan completely destroying a family. Dan and his mother (Pat Koch) moved down to Alabama to form Alabama Splash Adventure. The dry park features Rampage, a 120 foot, terrain twisting, CCI woodie. Though unlikely, I would love to see Dan and Pat rekindle their severed ties with Lori and the rest of the Koch family. Similar to Herschend Family Entertainment, who owns both Dollywood and Silver Dollar City. I feel the only way that Holiday World can endure the brutal amusement business in the Midwest is if the Koch's would reunite and invest equally in both parks. Hopefully, love and family will prevail in this situation possibly preserving the fate of Holiday World and Splashin' Safari. Sorry KI, I hope to see a classic, family-run park succeed!

To fryoj... But why change it for Haunt? It’s already supposed to be a supernatural being in the shed.

True man, but usually, there is either a new coaster, new flat, or water park expansion.

It is! But if KICers can do anything - it's organize things. I just wonder... what? I'll cross post and see what others think.

Dollar Menu?

Ok I'll email them and let you guys know what they say. Thanks.

oof

That would be fun if they did--to my knowledge, they never have done something like that. For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure Dapper Day is independently organized, and Disneyland (and Disney World, and Disneyland Paris) technically just "host" it.

They have added even more lights to the event this year, along with new songs. I went through this last year, and it was an amazing experience. Please get there early if you go. There were reports of 1-2 hour waits to get in last year, particularly on weekends.

Wow Ronny! Great article! A great read

Yeah, Sundays are typically not as busy as Saturdays in amusement parks. So we will see. I might just wait until next year. I'll see how work goes.

We were told at the Keys to the Kingdom tour in late March by Ed Hart himself that the announcement would be in either April or late May (not early May as they didn't want the news to get lost in the Kentucky Derby coverage). Seems that plan fell apart.

I really love Thunder Run. The new train didn't make much of a difference in the ride, in my opinion. The retracking and new ledgers on the front of the coaster did wonders for the ride. Hopefully the continue this work over the next offseason(s).

There was a building that was being built by Twisted, the parks pretzel stand. Turns out it is a drink station!

Awwww.... This is SO cool!

It is a thunderingly good question, FOFreak!

Gold Star--The Taste That's Taking Over!