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I had heard about the ice on the track as well, but yeah, it could most likely be due to Mystic's startup temp. I was also there last night and had fun despite being tired from walking around at the zoo earlier that day. I really enjoyed seeing The Mistletones, who really benefitted from having a seperate stage as opposed to last year, where they shared the stage with Jingle Jazz (each group rotated out on the half hour). This really gave them a chance to shine and because of that, I enjoyed their show a lot more this year. I also saw the Charlie Brown Christmas Spectacular, was slightly better than last year (still not my cup of tea, though...). In addition, I got my picture with Schroader (finally!) and said hi to Mr. and Mrs. T. EDIT:Also, Everest may want to see an optometrist...

New construction photo from @KingsIslandPR on Twitter.

Great ideas. Would be nice to see the Festhaus go back to what it looked like, the detail just draws you to the building! Bringing back the Ferris Wheel there (or on IS behind the Eiffel Tower), the Skyride, and a new Keggers ride, it would bring people to the area. It seems like it’s just a area you pass though right now, if you’re hungry you stop and eat.

I'm sure ridership for Vortex, Shake Rattle n Roll, and WindSeeker will increase exponentially which might help lines some.

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.

I'm sorry, but I need to put this out there: OKTOBERFEST ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE REDONE!!!!!!! Why, you might ask? Well, if you have been strolling through the area at all for about the last 10-15 years, you will have noticed that there are only three rides (none are original), its one of the smallest areas in the park, and the German theme is 95% gone. Here are some examples: https://goo.gl/images/92aTFJ https://goo.gl/images/XLTSGK https://goo.gl/images/4K6vg4 https://goo.gl/images/rSBB2v And yes, the countless other rides that used to be here (Der Spinnen Keggers, Ferris Wheel, etc) and the bands. Kings Island should bring them back. (btw this is in no way roasting or making fun of Kings Island; I am merely making a suggestion to better this area of the park)

Ya know, I watched the Partridge family episode last night. The most iconic scene for me was the shots of International Street like the picture below. I personally think that a return to this set-up would benefit not only the park, but the eyes of the guests too. Just remove the trees, plant new ones, paint job on the buildings and some other landscape work and you are good .

I’ve been torn having been to both, but this year with the “step up” at ki winterfest, I think we may have edged out Dollywood. Hate to say it but even with their glacier ridge addition (which feel VERY Kings Island and slightly out of step with the feel of the rest of the park) KI just has more kinetic energy and “spectacle” no one beats Hershend in the way the apply lights to buildings (crazy anal detail) but there’s just a “big ness” here. Different parks and different moods, but you can’t not smile when you walk in to KI

And half price at 9:45.

Steel Vengeance (1) vs. Maverick (1) The Beast (1) Vs. Banshee (1) Yes, I keep tying things up, but I can't resist giving the not-voted-for rides a little love. Maverick and Banshee are great rides too!

See page 9 of this thread for the IS Winter Buffet menu (there is a blend of zucchini and squash in a red pepper sauce that might be appropriate for vegetarians). There is a different menu for the Reds buffet for which the menu is also listed earlier in this thread.

And if no one does recognize you...you won’t be...that’s kinda surreal.

I believe that Mystic Timbers has a minimum start up temperature. It was 33 when I got to the park last night at 4:45. Mystic Timbers never opened last night as the temperature only dropped. There were still people pouring in when I left around 7:30.

Well, I'm FINALLY getting my chance to see Winterfest next Friday. Here's hoping for my first coaster snow ride.

I'm in the minority here but... I personally think the oktoberfest area has been completely lost and they have no intention of bringing it back. The area is very small but they could fit a couple flats in there. I have no idea what they could potentially theme the area to if they dropped oktoberfest entirely, but I could see them seeing it as an extension of Coney Mall or whatever they call Action Zone now. However, removing Tower Gardens and that air brush building would open up a lot of space for an oktoberfest revival or complete area retheme. Only time will tell!!

Twitter posts. Very excited to see some trains testing.

Yes, that is correct. Worlds of Fun has one Crown built engine. A lot of the track is visible from inside the park. That park has kind of a weird layout. It is cool all the views you get of the train.

That area of the park seems forgotten for some reason. I noticed the last time that I was there that there just isn't a feel to that area any longer. I looked at it as possibly they're thinking of a complete revamp of the area, or that it truly is forgotten. I miss the German theme it once had, and it needs to have some form of continuity come back to it!

I'd like to see the Wheel, Keggers, and the clock and characters above the Festhaus return and I think the Festhaus itself needs a facelift, inside and out.

I absolutely agree 100%. As for the Festhaus, I would LOVE if Hoffbrahaus ran it! the real catch is getting them to do it.

This should be a major priority. There needs to be an increased amount of Gemütlichkeit throughout the entire area. With more mature trees and shade, this is totally doable. As mentioned, re-Germanize the Festhaus and lakeside beer garden. More German food options. Roving bands..at very least German music on the speakers. Sling Shot can go-and use the area behind it. Oktoberfest should be a refuge where you can relax either in the shade or in the AC of the Festhaus and grab a bite and a beer and enjoy some music in a comfortable, beautiful setting. I'd turn the food and beer operations of Festhaus and the beer garden totally over to Hoffbrahaus if they'd do it.

Agreed to make Oktoberfest a great thing.

Here are my suggestions: 1. Re-Germanize the Festhaus and the Bier Garden & Hall 2. Expand the area by removing Sling Shot and ending it around Banshee and Adventure Express with flat rides such as a Ferris Wheel and a new Der Spinnen Keggers. these are my ideas so far; if i think of any, i'll put them down.

Politics aside, you can't deny this is cool. This train was painted in honor to former President George H.W. Bush, who was a lover of trains, in 2005. Several years later this locomotive, engineered by navy veterans, is piloting the train taking the president to his resting place in Texas. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/navy-veterans-crew-george-hw-bushs-historic-presidential/story?id=59650849

Well, part of the reason for the removal of the curbs, is trip hazards. The amount of people that walk on the pathways likely led to trips and first aid runs. Not to mention the accessibility issues with people in wheel chairs. And in its current set up, it gets more of the pedestrian traffic closer to the shops where they can see the items that are for sale, which likely leads to a higher traffic through the stores and increased merchandise sales.

KDs sign looks a lot nicer but I think KIs is better. KIs IE street trumps alot of parks midways.

It's capacity was not very good, and I assume this one won't be much better. In theory, they could get up to 1600 riders per hour, but I would imagine it'll be closer to half of that.

The queue's were almost always full at the old Antique Cars even on a slow day.

That’s probably a good thing. Not going to pull crowds like a new coaster will but it’s still a new ride and something that everyone can ride, and is something with lower capacity so lines will probably be long still.

I just noticed this today.

I wish I lived closer to the park...there is just so much to see and do at Winterfest! On our 2 day trip it was not even possible to get everything in. No regrets though, still had a great time.

I wonder if its going to be an actual pond or a concrete pool like Diamondbacks splash down.

I'd prefer this (saved on my pc years ago- no source that I know of)

Anyone going to WinterFest tonight or the next few days? Hope someone can get some updated photos.

Dang I'm really going to miss the Flight Commander area.

What is the Jukebox Diner? Also can anyone explain what got torn down to make room for the tiques?

Not to mention, since it is the new attraction for next year, it requires people to spend extra money to be able to use Fast Lane to get on the new attraction. Thus making more money for the park.

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

Not a fort Kinzel sign. Be cool to have some big Cincinnati tourist attractions signs though.

What every other park has on theirs:

Any speculation on what you guys think will be on the billboards throughout the course of the ride?

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