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So my friends and I have been having so much fun at Winterfest this year that we just had to learn more. What better way to figure out the way things work that to recreate the most iconic part of Winterfest: the world’s largest Christmas tree. Step one: make an Eiffel Tower Step 2: Make it realistic Step 3: Make it a tree Step 4: Program the lights As you can see this is a work in progress, but it was fun to learn how all this stuff works.

Here are some photos I just took. Looks like the formwork for the station is going up, and the grading for the paths and ponds is getting done.

Not a picture inside the house, but probably one of the best photos of the house. Definitely shows how big the house is in comparison to the Fort. From Bing overview a few years back.

I don't think so. I don't always eat at the park. That can be expensive sometimes, especially when you consider the price for the same food outside the park, and there's a budget to consider. When I do decide to eat there, it feel special. Some of us also have to consider health concerns, such as dieting to lower A1C levels, sodium intakes, and carbs. A lot of times, the best way to control this is to make your own food at home as opposed to eating out.

Though I mostly eat one meal in the park, that’s not always the case. There have been one or two visits where I’ve packed a lunch and went out to my car to eat. Also, Saturday night, I didn’t even eat at the park! It doesn’t make you any less of a patron if you choose to eat outside the park; just being there is enough (though buying food and merch does help the park’s bottom line, so...)

New Autos on FL+ only. It makes sense, considering it is a mid-range capacity ride and large number of daily FL users. Source:

I've been in the house - a couple of times. Its nothing of note... just an old ranch style house in ruins - full of litter and grafitti... oh, and an old couch. It had a basement and there were lots of old used oil cans in there. This was probably 15 years ago or so... FYI, it was the only house left from several that originally existed in the area. All but the one were demolished in the early 1980s for the construction of a KECO corporate office building. (Later it was called PKIU and was used for employee re-hire weekends/training seminars etc. Not sure what its used for today.) I believe it was when the train was re-routed for the waterpark that the lone remaining house was covered with the "Fort" facade. I think it served as a break area for employees at some point.

WinterFest currently ranks #3. Kings Island is asking for your vote before the poll closes on Monday, December 10th. https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-theme-park-holiday-event/winterfest-at-kings-island-mason-ohio/

Thanks! Yep. Special RGB lights and very complicated software.

Maybe some sort of aesthetic addition, such as how the park added a shaded area and the Chicken Shack the year they debuted Banshee.

I don’t think that’s what he meant.

Hey, look at that! That would be pretty darn cool.

Thunderbird is the best Wing coaster I've been on, it actually feels like you are flying, unlike Wild Eagle and GateKeeper, where the car just happens to be on the side of the track. Not saying they are not fun (GateKeeper was fun when I rode in July), but I like T-Bird more). One reason I'm excited for Holiwood Nights next year is I plan on getting more ERT on T-Bird than I did this past year (being my first one, the focus was on Voyage and Legend). Plus, I'll get to feel like Porco Rosso* in his seaplane during that launch out of the shed! *Porco Rosso is a movie I recently saw that I'm sort of obessessed with at the moment lol. You can see my review in the movie thread, but basically it's about a seaplane pilot bounty hunter who had his face turned into a pig.

I found a cool list about which coasters should/ should not be rmc'd https://www.thecoasterkings.com/10-coasters-that-should-be-rmcd-and-10-that-shouldnt/ If any Cedar Fair park should get the next RMC treatment it should be Canada's Wonderland but with the edition of YS, we might have to wait a bit- however there are rumors going around about Mighty Canadian Minebuster getting RMC'd

I take pride in being a Buffet Buster.

Took a page from @Hawaiian Coasters 325 and @Maverick44 and made a Gerstlauer indoor/outdoor concept

@Maverick44 I have family that lives 5 minutes from there. I drive by all the time. If I see anything, I'll be sure to let you know, so you can drive by also.

I'm not saying they aren't different experiences. I'm just pointing out their classified on RCDB as wing coasters and I can't argue that they are wrong. None of them have track above or below you when riding, therefore they're wing coasters with a 4D/free spin element. Intamin also refers to Skyrush at Hersheypark as their wing rider model even though 2 of the 4 seats in each row are over the track. RCDB classifies it as a wing rider/custom. The Beast and Shivering Timbers are completely different experiences, but they're both wood coasters. To get more specific, Ragin' Bull and Diamondback are completely different ride experiences as well, yet they're both B&M hyper coasters.

I drink, but I've never understood the need to grab a beer at, well, just about anywhere. The thought of getting drunk and going on Banshee doesn't appeal to me, but it's the cost that is the biggest detractor. Seriously, if you pay the price of just one, you're well on your way to paying the price of a six pack at the store. But for some reason, people go for it. In fact, it's now a go-to business model for less suspecting establishments. Want to see a movie? Have a $6 beer? Shopping at Jungle Jims, why not get hammered? Even some Starbucks have beer. It works. I bet if Toys R' Us had offered craft beer, they'd still be around. It seems like the only way get more foot traffic is to offer people suds.

Mystic Timbers is smooth and has great theming. However, The Beast is well-paced and gives us a longer ride, taking us on an adventure.

I think it is hard to compare the two. They are both wooden coasters but that is about all they have in common. I think Beast is still probably a better night ride, but Mystic Timbers is a close second.

I agree! The Beast is more fun because you know that heres a 38 year old roller coaster that beats the heck out of you, but thrills you at the same time and doesn't cause real pain. Mystic Timbers is actually more thrilling then you might think, as even I had doubts, but after riding Mystic Timbers last night, I was surprised and I think other people will be surprised on how thrilling it is. I do still prefer The Beast as my favorite wooden coaster, but I think when you ride Mystic Timbers, it defiantly is up there with its elder coaster!

Took a night ride in the front row this evening. It was a great night ride. Better than Banshee in my opinion but I still prefer my Beast night rides.

I'm excited to ride MT as soon as I can get to the park in a week or two after all the positive enjoyment I've read and heard from those who have ridden. One of my favorite parts about The Beast is the second lift hill. I enjoy the calm before the storm. Anytime I've taken a new guest to Kings Island I always keep them away from The Beast until after dark, it is pure laughing pleasure for me(eating bugs included) in that front seat with a newbie at night in pitch black darkness. Doesn't get much better, several great memories!

Having ridden Mystic Timbers today, I must say that they are two different styles of coasters. Mystic Timbers certainly gives The Beast a run for its money in my book. Would I rank it higher than The Beast? The jury is sitll out on that one. But Mystic Timbers, like so many other GCIs I have ridden, is non stop action from the time you leave the lift hill until you hit the breaks at the end of the ride. The ride is intense, yet fun. I definitely think that Kings Island has a hit on their hands. It really rounds out Kings Island`s roller coaster collection nicely, in my opinion.

Apples and Oranges. Besides, MT is a newborn, The Beast has already gave birth and lost a son in the park. She will go down legendary in a class all to her own. That being said, I enjoy each coaster for what they are, they all have their own personalities.

No sense in weighing in until the moment of truth, I suppose, but I can say this: 1. If MT lightens lines at The Beast, particularly at night, I'll be happy. Not sure how the dynamics of that are gonna play out, but if so, cool. 2. Good for KI if they can build a coaster that once I've had a chance to ride it a few times would even make me think of returning to this discussion! I just remember first riding The Voyage a couple of years ago and being totally surprised by it--my first thought when exiting was, "this might be better than The Beast." But, on second thought, The Voyage might be what The Beast was to me when I was a kid riding it for the first few times--a complete and total onslaught of the senses. A total knockout. A surprise. If KI can get me to that place with MT, more power to them! I cannot wait to be able to give my post-ride review!

I prefer The Beast for being rough. Truthfully, I think MT looks fun but videos don't look as thrilling to me. Granted, I haven't ridden it yet, but as of now I'm sticking with Beast!

That's why I'm picking between the coasters that I've ridden.

I think some people will choose Mystic Timbers over Beast because of how rough The Beast is but i love The Beast and how rough it is and how amazing the night ride is

Hmm- while I can't fully answer this question until Mystic Timbers opens and I get to ride it for myself, I guess I can speculate. Mystic Timbers is probably gonna be a excellent wooden roller coaster- it'll be fast paced, promises a LOT of airtime, and also boasts a wooded setting (same as Beast offers) with non-stop action from the moment you leave the lift to the final brakes and shed. All of these are things people probably usually look for in top-rated wooden coasters, and Mystic Timbers should have them. However, if you try to judge Beast like that- and many probably do- Beast falls flat. Beast isn't non-stop action with no chance to grab your breath (you actually get several spots where you can), it lacks airtime (save maybe on one hill- if you're lucky as I only got air on it ONCE), and it has sections of long straight track and long curves that aren't super forceful, and it has several trim brakes. But it does offer good speed (well, when running good and with a decently loaded train- it can feel a bit slow sometimes), an amazing wooded setting that makes you feel like you aren't even at an amusement park (though you are very reminded of that fact with possibly the best view ever atop the 2nd lift), and it builds up to the amazing double helix finale. It is a very unique coaster- there simply aren't any other rides quite like it, save maybe The Ultimate @ Lightwater Valley in the UK but even that is pretty different since it is a steel coaster. So really, Mystic Timbers vs. The Beast is comparing a more "mainstream" answer to "What does a great wooden roller coaster do?" to one that challenges that very notion with a weird layout. I think in most polls and stuff like that, Mystic Timbers is probably gonna rank higher than Beast, since most GCI's at other parks already have. As for me personally, I am gonna wait until I ride Mystic Timbers for myself. I adore Beast though, so beating it is gonna be a tall order. I'm also a bit grateful that Mystic Timbers is in the same park as Beast, so unless time is running down and I need to pick ONE to ride before closing, I'll be able to ride both and not have to choose every time I ride KI (given that both are working and not broken whenever I visit). If Mystic Timbers night rides are even half as good as Beast's though? I'm gonna wanna visit a lot more during Haunt since then you can get a bunch of night rides in and thus do both easily...

If it is as good as Thunderhead it is easily in my top three in the park after Beast and Banshee. I have hopes that it will even be better so it could be number one.

Huge Beast fan but if I could only ride The Beast or Thunderhead, I would choose Thunderhead - I think for many Timbers will be the same way. Of course all the "complainers" on FaceBook will never admit how much fun this ride will be. This company has proven that you don't need crazy speed or height to make a fun coaster.

I'm curious to see if more people will chose to ride MT at night because of The Beast temporarily closing for the fireworks.

Pretty hard to beat The Beast with that layout. Not enough twisty mixed with the airtime for this to be better in my opinion. I'm gonna guess that this will most likely beat Banshee though. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk

I was being sarcastic lol. Since Beast closes during Fireworks, Mystic Timbers, can give riders a nice wooden ride at the end of the night without having to wait till 10:45-11 to ride.

If this is a joke, I hope I don't come across as tone deaf, but if it is a serious question, in all likelihood no. Fireworks are launched off to the north side of The Beast, and Beast goes pretty close to that spot during the show. MT won't go anywhere near that spot. Racer is probably closer to that location than MT will be.

The real question is.... Will Mystic Timbers have to close during Fireworks like The Beast has to?

If Mysty is as good as Renegade, my only GCI, I will enjoy it more than The Beast. However, that doesn't mean I'll enjoy The Beast any less, and if that makes lines for an end of the night ride that much shorter, then all the better for me

Even if Mystic Timbers is better than The Beast, what won't change is how important The Beast was to wooden roller. The Beast was a very avant-garde roller coaster in it's time and still is. If it weren't for The Beast a lot of modern wooden roller coasters we love to ride. However historical significance doesn't make a ride great. We won't find out how good it is until opening day.

If Mystic Timbers is as good as the WORST of the GCI coasters I've ridden (Prowler, IMO) then it's going to blow Beast out of the water for me. Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I think Mystic Timbers is going to be an awesome addition. A night ride may even rival The Beast. But, it still seems that The Beast is much more secluded. I would also add that MT is hardly a cookie cutter ride. The shed at the end is not the only unique element. Read the interview article located on this very web site.

It's like comparing Pete Rose with Joey Votto...who's the best Reds hitter of all time? Similar analogy that fits well IMO, old school versus new school, sorry couldn't resist.

Beast is a virtually hand-crafted piece of artwork, forged in the pre-AutoCAD days of super-smart design and engineering. It has legendary mystique (no pun intended) that makes it a wow whether it has straightaways, airtime hills, s-curves or not. It is not a cookie-cut design; it's as unique and individual as any one of the other marquee coasters out there. We're fortunate to have it as part of the park we love, and I for one welcome Mystic Timbers to the KI coaster family as an equal among all the others in this regard: it has its own personality - its own story to tell as you experience what it has to offer.

As I've stated on a different thread I don't believe in competition between different rides types or parks, I believe in advantages. Beast Advantages A true terrain coaster Extremely fast (still in the top 10 for fastest woodies) Incomparable to other wooden coasters Extremely long (Longest woodie in the world) Mystic Timber's Advantages Some of the best theming to be seen on a coaster (let alone on a woodie nonetheless) Low to the ground twists and turns An aubundance of airtime Fits in snug in a smaller space while interacting with two other rides.

The Beast is legendary and to me can not be compared to a modern day wooden coaster. As Shaggy mentioned, we are comparing a land line to a smart phone. I am very anxious to see how the night rides are on MT. I feel Rivertown will be a packed house at night with what I am guessing will be two awesome night ride machines.

I believe that Mystic Timbers might just be in contention with The Beast to become the fan favorite of the park. While some people weren't happy that we got MT and not a giga, I was excited because we are finally getting a modern wooden coaster. And after the GP rides it, I feel like they will most definitely warm up to it and realise that it is an amazing ride. It probably won't ever replace The Beast as my personal and sentimental favorite, it will be an amazing ride nonetheless!

I've put some thought into this, and I think Mystic Timbers has a chance to become the crown jewel of the park. Obviously The Beast will always be the sentimental favorite. Like somebody else said, they are two totally different rides, and they are hard to compare. But that being said, I honestly think MT will blow people out of the water. I was underwhelmed with the announcement of the ride and the initial POV. However, seeing the clips of the test runs and the off ride clips, along with the amazing themeing and such, I think we have a potential all-star on our hands. They have completely made me buy in to the ride. I have had discussions on here and in my personal life where I've said that it seems like KI blasphemy to say this, but with the themeing and the awesome elements, MT will be a better night ride than The Beast.

I think people will be shocked at how awesome Mystic Timbers will be. I definitely think there will be some in park competition but overall I think people will stay loyal to The Beast. The Beast's ride experience can't be matched where MT could easily be comparable to Prowler, Gold Striker, or even Thunderhead. MT's main giveaway is the shed. Without the shed and the extensive theming, nothing really sets it apart from any other GCI coaster. The Beast doesn't need intense theming or a shed to make it great and it never did.

some testing of king cobra outside togo international tokyo, japan before being shipped to Kings Island