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Tonight was absolutely perfect. It snowed from 6:30ish past closing. The kind of snow that sits on the trees. They did not open Mystic Timbers but everything else was operating at some point, although some of the outdoor shows were up choreographed or did not run all times. They ran the rides until 9:30 and quietly closed things down but let the guests enjoy the beauty of the park until 10. Silver Dollar City might have more lights, but they typically don’t get real snow there either and the snow is the best atmosphere possible for this event!

Sure do - beautiful night

I happened to have this file handy. I posted it to my Instagram also

I think we may have gotten our answer about why the support wasn't put together on Friday. Looks like they got an extra boom piece put on the end of the third crane to make it taller. Seems like they might be putting up the support now as well.

Happy snowy Monday everyone! Love how Orion’s blue track pops through the white snow

I was there tonight. Mystic Timbers runs great in the cold. Happy with this shot of Vortex:

Looks like some more Racer track work.

I believe I remember the year Banshee was being built, we had a harsh winter and the workers worked through it. Including in the bitter cold and snowy weather.

I was just about to say I think they are putting the tallest support for the turn-around back in right now. I can’t believe they’re working in this weather but glad that appears to be fixed!

Hey thanks for keeping an eye out for me, cool having other enthusiasts help me out! I went to Procam because I know the owner and always told myself when I buy my camera I'm getting it in Cincy, didnt want to spend that money for a box in the mail wanted to go into a store lol. Anyways. ORION, anyone who hasnt seen it yet. When people say on here pictures dont do it justice. They really really dont. It's huge, very very steep. Gives Diamondbacks drop a bloated look. The coaster is definitely menacing.

If you look at the weatherbug cam, it looks like the tallest support is finished!

Also, it looks like the giant red crane is finally moving again. I wonder what its doing?

It was very pretty with the snow, but it being a wet snow felt bad for the ice rink employees. They were trying so hard but it came down about as fast as they could clear. Wanted to get more pictures but I wasn't expecting the snow to start so early and my feet were soaked.

Boy do I hate the water drops on the camera! They are so annoying!

Its hard to see, but it looks like the next support is being re-installed.

I'd be curious to hear other peoples' thoughts on this. The redesign is definitely possible (not do it now-wise, but within-budget-wise) and it looks pretty great, but he makes a good point at the end about how intensity isn't always favored by the GP. Interesting video overall.

Came to see how the ride looked in the snow. Interesting that they're still doing a test run for Zephyr lol

Tbh Orion looks awesome in the snow!

Duh....Lockers will be available

In case anyone is interested, Kings Island Gear is now offering the new Vortex and one of the Orion Christmas ornaments. https://www.kingsislandgear.com/collections/nanocoasters I ordered both of them...shipping was a flat rate of $10.00.

I think an extra thousand feet of length that would’ve allowed it to explore and utilize the topography east of the dinasaurs alive path could’ve made this ride the best in the world. Unfortunately steel prices and construction costs are very high right now and I don’t feel like waiting through a recession for KI to get it’s giga so I’m happy with what we’re getting.

Looks like the turnaround has been topped off, or at least gotten another piece or two of track.

Kings Island is closed today due to inclement weather. www.visitkingsisland.com

Winterfest will be CLOSED tonight, December 16, 2019

Surprised no one has written RMC in the snow lol

I’ve seen that view too. Once you make the turn it looks like a poorly drawn mountain range.

Whoever's making these complaints is also probably the president of an HOA. They just seem like the type.

Heading east on Western Row Rd there's a spot were they match up almost perfectly.

I have to imagine it would run better with Millennium Flyers than those track shredding three bench PTC's.

My heart is sad, I can't believe this day is here

You do realize that’s not how it actually works right?

@JonahWilliamson You going to procam in Amelia? That in itself is a little jaunt from the park and the traffic should be somewhat manageable back to the park by then. Are you coming down 71 to 275 to 32 to get there? You may hit traffic that way and add about 30 mins for cutting across Columbus on 71. The closer you get the south end of town the worse it will get. Last stupid question, why not go to Midwest photo which is a slight detour there in Columbus? Anyhow, safe travels and hope you enjoy the time.

The ole NIMBY syndrome (Not In My Back Yard)... In all likelihood the homes came after the park was there...but there will be some surrounding homes that could have long-time residents that were there prior to the park. Interesting the article says allegedly runs past 1am...that is a fact on nights park is open until 1am LOL Wonder if KI could annex themselves out of Mason and then stick it to the residents when their taxes go up to make up for the loss of revenue KI brings Mason... Contrast that to Glendale Ohio where the railroad has been there since 1851 and residents recently got passed a Quiet Zone where the trains cannot blow their horn approaching roadway intersections...clearly nobody is still alive from when that rail was installed in 1851 so people moved in knowing about the trains...

A friend of mine donated some of their pictures to KIC from the tour yesterday.

Better picture of the mysterious cleared land from wild gravity travels. Note flag markers are present. http://www.wildgravitytravels.com/orion-kings-island-update-32-behind-the-scenes-tour/

Okay so watched the Wildgravitytravels video and took some screen shots. Things of note... They have taken a large hill and trees out along the right side of the entrance to area 72. Could we possibly see bathrooms here?! Honestly think this is a possibility. They have removed the concrete in front of FoF entrance. Not sure why. They have extended FoF que structure as seen in the blueprints. Here is an overhead google maps showing the cleared land and area of the extended que. I’m most curious about that cleared land space as it’s not on the blueprints and we have no indication what it might be. Things are coming along nicely! Here is wildgravitytravels video

Here are some more pics WildGravity Travels got.

Here’s a photo from today’s behind the scenes tour!

I would ask in guest services. I am not 100% sure if they will or not.

I think over time Coasterdynamix has gotten more accurate and higher quality with their work, I hope in the future this continues and they just get better!

There is no way Orion is the most lackluster B&M ever. The reason the nanocoaster (not the actual coaster) may not appear to be as cool as the Son of Beast and Vortex nanocoasters is because Orion does not have all of the supports and inversions that the other two have. I would not judge the layout of Orion based on the nanocoaster itself, and I am sure that the actual Orion will be great! However, I still think the Orion nanocoaster is cool for what it is, and it is nice for the park to be offering it as well as the other two new models!

I would suggest calling the park and they can direct you to the correct person. I give this advice as I once contacted Cedar Point and was able to order a Rougarou shirt over the phone and have it shipped to me. The lesson learned that day was: you'll never know if you don't ask!