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Gemini serves the purpose of being a decent size "family" coaster. Although not originally opened (or promoted) as such, it is not daunting. IMO - the newer coasters at CP have grown to a disproportionate size that alienates a sector of younger, and less brave riders. Gemini is high capacity, and still a terrifically fun ride. Its actually a dont-miss for me when I go to CP. I'd hate to see it go. For posterity, I have to chuckle when I read things like "CF would never put a _____ in their flagship park..." Only because I can remember back in the day, the exact same thing was posted by many enthusiasts when the rumor mill began speculating that CP was looking at an Intamin Impulse! Never say never ;-)

Tear it down and bring back Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal. A guy can dream right?

My guess is many protocols will still be in place, particularly masks and social distancing. The vaccine will likely only just be getting mass distribution by spring and summer, so I wouldn't expect a return to anything resembling normalcy until fall at the earliest. Masks and social distancing have been proven to reduce the spread of the virus (we live in Michigan and recently were able to decrease our daily case load from 8,000 a day in November to about 1,000 a day this month just by mask protocols and shutting down again -- we're now slowly reopening, so we'll see what happens). Personally, I thought these were two areas where KI did a great job last year; wearing masks never felt like too much of an issue (we just quickly learned to wear lightweight cloth ones) and I think the park was set up really well for social distancing. We felt safe and, correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe there has been a mass outbreak connected to a theme park. What I think you might see a pullback on are some of the other measures. For instance, now that the virus has been shown not to live on surfaces for a long time, I wonder if you'll see less of the shutting down for cleaning. Since KI stopped the reservation system in mid summer, my guess is you won't see that again, and hopefully they'll be back to normal operating hours (the biggest letdown for us last year was having to get everything done to be out of the park by closing time, which was like 7 or 8; I can't remember which). You may even see Soak City open back up. My guess is temperature checks will still remain, but I remember that was a quick nonissue last year. The park really handled it all well. My hope is that we'll see a park that runs like normal (normal hours, a standard calendar) but with the safety protocols of masks and social distancing. It's not "back to normal," but I think it will be a big step in the right direction.

Kings Island is probably either filling Diamondback with additional sand or repainting it. Either way, likely nothing major is happening to the ride or to other rides. However, I can’t stress enough how AMAZING a Diamondback repaint would be. It needs it!

https://www.whitewaterwest.com/en/

I think they should tear it down and use that space for something new. A lot of people talk about putting in a new log ride as a replacement for the former log ride that operated there. Idk who makes log flumes now especially since parks are pretty much removing log flumes and water rides in the dry park. However, the main thing I want them to do is open the extended pathway on the right side of Beast's station where the exit used to be that's now being used as a backstage area. I found this picture of that area and it looks like you could go inside the red building. Idk if that was a gift shop or what it was if anyone remembers, please let me know. Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/7LLqPqGydrb2yX6h8

I feel like a redo of the attraction using modern technology would be fun. I don't think a slavish re-creation (same rooms/scenes) would be that great, as chances are the ride and its effects were likely much better in your memory than in reality (although it was a fun ride). But there was some clever IP to use and it holds a place in visitors' hearts. I think what was described above, a total redo of that building and installation of a new ride system (or, better yet, use something like the Crypt's building) that uses the IP to create a whole new experience might be fun. And KI has shown a willingness to celebrate its history and lean on nostalgia. A new, reimagined Phantom Theater isn't totally out of the question, particularly if you use projection mapping or something other than expensive animatronics. I don't think it will happen, but I don't think it's totally out of the question.

IMO, The BIG question for this season is if trains will be filled, as they are being again at some of the southern parks. It's even more critical for operations at Cedar Point, but also KI to a slightly lesser extent. Without full trains, CP will almost certainly have to use access passes once again for the big 4 and not sell any daily Fast Lane.

I drove by that day and saw it also. I pulled into the dropoff, and looking through my long lens it looked liked nothing more than track inspection.

I think the premise of the question is flawed, as there is still a chance that the park could re-install the attraction as it was in a modern take. The layout would have to be restored, and major restoration of the original cars and figures would have to occur, but the park and chain has been on a nostalgia kick for some time now. I don't think it's too far to say that BBoBH is aging, rapidly. It is a new take on a system built in 2003, and we are now in 2021. The history is there, the enthusiasm of the attraction, is there, it is a cheap investment and would have a large ROI with families who missed the attraction. The whole building in my opinion just needs a deep cleaning and needs to be refreshed with a classic attraction.

Oh my word, is Hershend buying Cedar Point?????? There is a water park VERY CLOSE to Kings Island and a couple of dry/waterparks relatively close to KI, kind of to the west in neighboring states. One fits the Herschend image to a T.

I noticed this last summer, too. It seems they did some rehab on this and everything seemed to work better, the animatronics were working and it just was an all-around better ride. My kids (ages 9 & 5) still love it; it's probably the ride they go on most at KI each year, and I enjoy the game. I grew up with Smurf's Enchanted Voyage, and it was a really great little dark boat ride. I still remember it vividly. And I thought Phantom Theater was a lot of fun. But truth is, a lot of my love for those rides probably stems from the age I was when I rode them anyway. I'm not the target audience for this one anymore; but if kids love it, and KI wants to keep it around, that's fine.

What is wrong with Gemini? I find it to be a very fun and enjoyable ride. Personally, I would rather they remove Rougaru before Gemini. Even with the new floorless trains, that is a ride that I can skip on any visit to Cedar Point.

It's too cold for that.

Last off season, they were filling the back half of the tracks with sand to cut down on noise. Wonder if they could be modifying that in some way...

..Introducing Kings Mills Striker! This coaster will feature a beyond vertical drop, multiple inversions, and multiple airtime moments through the woods and hills of the Kings Canyon Mining Company.

I got stuck in front of one of the quick resetting targets

After visiting the past two seasons, while I do miss Scooby Doo, the ride is in better shape than in prior seasons. The animatronic was moving better than in the past with more fluid motions, I've had a working gun every time, most of all the pop outs work, and the "Get away from Me!" guy works, which for a season or two was static. All this ride seems to get is hate, but in my opinion, it's still way more immersive and in better shape than the other versions at sister parks. It may not be Disney or Universal level, but it's still a very enjoyable dark ride (there are much worse I've been on). I know maintaining each individual element can be a lot, but I just wanted to say I've been very pleased with the condition of Boo Blasters in the past season. Hats off to the maintenance crew.

I think mask will be required. Should they be? No they dont make me feel any safer

Hmmm, I wonder what season it is

a "filler" intamin in between MF and TTD is not on the same level of a POS S&S.