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If they made a chain grease scented candle I'd buy it.

I agree with this, generally speaking. When it comes to generic kids rides (flat rides, etc) No matter the name/theme, children will either want to ride a kids attraction - or not. Heck - most kids/parents refer to standard attractions in terms of what they are, or do... "Momma, Daddy - I want to ride the airplanes!", "Jimmy, do you wanna go on the motorcycles?", "Little Emily loves the merry-go-round." etc. etc. etc. At most of today's parks - outside Disney and/or Universal - the names and themes of rides is mostly a secondary overlay. Licensed characters only play an important part on story-driven, or character-driven attractions (dark rides, flumes etc.) Now, there's something to be said for the costumed characters themselves. Young kids DO want to "meet" certain characters at parks (and many "big" kids too! LOL) Also, I think the licensing of characters plays an important part in the ability to market and sell merchandise. When KI was built, Taft's interest was to capitalize off the immense popularity of the HB characters they owned. That's the main reason KI exists on the scale that it does. HB was a HUGE, necessary draw in those formative years. IMO, as the seasons passed, KI developed enough of a solid reputation that they outgrew & outlasted the need for the characters on whose backs it was built. Its also worth noting that its all very generational. For me personally, as an adult, I will always feel there's something lacking at KI without the HB characters - because they were such an important part of the park in the years I first visited. For those adults that first attended KI as children in the Paramount years, they likely feel there's something missing without the Nickelodeon theme. When/if the day comes that the Peanuts leave KI - kids that have first visited KI as kids with those characters may always reminisce about them. But that having been said - most of us... no matter what it was called at the time - remember our childhood rides on the Scooby Doo... errr... Beastie... errr... Fairly Odd Coaster... errr... Woodstock Express... Finally... outside of non-kids coasters or theme-driven attractions, most people (enthusiasts and KI buffs excluded) don't remember the names of the attractions either. For instance, I was recently privy to a conversation where the persons were talking about how KI used to have a "big log ride" and a "small log ride." In reality, they were remembering Kentons Cove Keelboat Canal and the Kings Mill Log Flume. Had I spoken up and corrected them on the names, I guarantee neither would have registered with them.

1. Enchanted Voyage 2. Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle 3. Scooby Doo Coaster 4. Winnie Witch's Cauldrons 5. Tomb Raider: The Ride As you can see, I'm a big fan of the KECO days.

Okay hear me out, just place that spinning coaster, in that plot of land next to racer/AE/FOF and you can keep an icon at it's spot and give A72 another unique attraction that could deliver family thrills like what I was talking about. I think either there or like @FUN&ONLY! was talking about, placing it in the PS area. Preferably taking out the petting zoo which only makes my hikes from SC and KI just a little bit unbearable during the heat of Summer. Also, for the markers, not every marker means something new is coming. I have seen plenty of markers for just electrical work get chalked up to a new coaster, a new flat and the like. Sometimes it is just electrical or plumbing renovations which parks like KI need. More than likely they were doing electrical back behind KM and had some updates to work upon.

Kings Island has announced its 2021 Season Operating Calendar The park will officially open its gates to the general public on Saturday, May 15. A Gold and Platinum season passholder preview will happen the weekend prior on May 8 and 9. Key Park Opening Dates: Gold and Platinum Season Pass Preview Weekend: May 8 & 9 Kings Island Opening Day: Saturday, May 15 Soak City Water Park will open on Saturday, May 29 (Memorial Day Weekend) The complete Soak City Water Park calendar and hours will be announced soon! Fall and Winter operating days and hours will be announced later this year. View the 2021 Operating Calendar As a reminder, all 2020 Season Passes will be honored during the 2021 season. Kings Island continues to monitor the ever-changing conditions surrounding the pandemic and is actively working with health experts and government officials to maintain the highest safety standards for guests and associates. Guests are encouraged to go to visitkingsisland.com for the latest updates on requirements, policies and safety protocols for the 2021 season, as these guidelines may be revised prior to opening day. Seasonal employment opportunities are available, and our new hiring process helps applicants apply and interview virtually. More details can be found at www.visitkingsisland.com/jobs.

The off season blues are hitting me hard now. Had another dream last night. It was a KIC meetup and we were there for ERT, and the ERT was on a RMC. I don't know the name, but it was about the size of Storm Chaser. It rode about the same as SC as well. DB was down, and yes, @malem was in his shorts and T-shirt.

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2021/february/terrie-zajo-named-general-manager-of-kings-island-camp-cedar

Glad to finally see there is proof this thing actually happened. I seem to be the only person who ever remembered it. IIRC, it included the sat-phone prop (or a replica of it), some monitors and advanced camping gear from the film. I do remember the promotional video, which I'm sure was the standard EPK (electronic press kit) used to promote it. The funny thing is I think that was the only time I entered that building. With this, the "we are watching you" ads and the Taco Bell campaign, I remember being so hyped for CONGO. It's more of a guilty pleasure, one I like probably more than most, but Jerry Goldsmith's score is undeniably amazing.

I never knew about that - thanks for sharing your memory! Here's an advert for it from July 14, 1995 in the Dayton Daily News.

I think AT&T has enough on their plate at the moment, to consider purchasing Six Flags. First I have heard of that rumor. I don`t think any parks would be interested in paying for the rights for Hanna Barbera. The characters simply are not relevant with the youth today.

Whenever I smell asphalt, I think of the 70's/80's at KI.

I think it exists. I'll update if I find a link.

Working Grand Carousel this past year, I just loved it during Fall Fest when I would smell Coney BBQ. It reminded me of going to the fair which I couldn't go to because of covid which cancelled the one I usually visited in Indiana.

A small Mack Rides Spinning coaster could fit there if Zephyr was moved. https://rcdb.com/12224.htm

I'm very interested to hear @Shaggy's take on this, but in the meantime here are my thoughts... Culture, industry, geopolitics, economics, and entertainment trends have changed A LOT since the "heyday" of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom—an era when SIX was truly invested in that park and its potential. A time back when there were talks of big-budget investments that forced then-Paramount's Kings Island to respond in kind (i.e. SFKK's plans for a "Gotham City" that allegedly led to the creation of "Action Zone" up north). Since then, KI flourished and SFKK, well, we know how SIX treated that park. One of the reasons that I've always heard from industry folks about why SIX backed off so much from KK was that the park always had a strong season pass base. Essentially, even if the new additions were paltry compared to other similarly sized parks, the season pass holders kept coming. A strategy that might work for a short time, but certainly doesn't work in the long term (especially if you keep cutting and are under the corporate umbrella of a debt-ridden Six Flags corporation). At the same time, (P)KI has also always relied on a very strong season pass base, but also attracted (and presumably still does) a good amount of travelers, particularly regional travelers. So, all that being said, is there a "threat" (not implying that this is Baconator's word, but I mean this from a competition standpoint) from a rejuvenated Kentucky Kingdom? That depends on how many people in the Louisville metro/market/region currently make a trip or two to KI and spend money at that park. Will they now be wooed away by Herschend's (or previously Ed Hart 2.0's) Kentucky Kingdom? Hard to say and even if they are... does that even make a difference to KI? Back in 2006 (so, yeah, this is an old example and a one-off interaction), I had a conversation with a family from Louisville who was visiting Kings Island for the day. This trip was one of their vacations that summer. They had a great time, but were disappointed that Kings Island's Action Theatre was showing the same Spongebob movie Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom was showing (they had waited in line for a decent amount of time). They wanted to make the most of their day because this trip was a real treat for them. My point in mentioning this is that family, despite being from Louisville and having Six Flags in their "backyard," viewed (Paramount's) Kings Island as a superior experience or at least a destination worth going to even with a theme park of their own. I'm not sure how much, if at all, Kings Island advertises in the Louisville market, but I do think it's interesting that Kentucky Kingdom (ever since its rebirth) has advertised in the Cincinnati market. When I paid a visit in 2017, they even had a great deal specifically for "out of state" visitors that was clearly geared at this market (billboards all over Cincy had advertised the deal). I don't think the two parks will ever compete for season pass bases (their bread and butter), aside from maybe a handful of guests that live somewhere in the middle. But they may (especially depending on how Herschend develops the park) compete for regional tourism dollars. But to that point, the industry (and entertainment in general (and entertainment post-covid)) has changed a great deal and the two parks themselves are very different from the PKI and SFKK movie theme park days. Kings Island is certainly a much bigger heavy hitter compared to the two, but the distance doesn't make this a PKI vs Americana situation. Herschend is probably more concerned (I assume) with establishing and growing a loyal season pass base and if they do feel competition, it's from a park in Santa Claus. No doubt both KI and KK currently do (and will continue to) keep an eye on each other's movements, but I'd say until (or if) KK becomes some sort of true destination, there's going to be peaceful coexistence. In regards to Herschend becoming a "heavy hitter," I'm very excited to see what they do with the park. I've never personally been to Dollywood, but that park's reputation certainly speaks for itself. It's an industry darling and its attractions, events, and staff are well regarded. Louisville is an interesting market (a large metro, even if it's not a "major league" city) and the park has great potential to be a true crown jewel of the area's tourism/local pride. The first time I ever visited Kentucky Kingdom, it was shortly after Six Flags had abandoned the property. Ed Hart's group was pushing for a new plan (before Bluegrass Boardwalk was a thing) and I was able to tour the property. I assumed there was absolutely no way that park was ever going to reopen given the state it was in (some sections had been closed even longer), the ridiculous land and lease situation, and trying to find a viable group. After the Boardwalk fell through, I just assumed the park was done. I was certain of it. Lo and behold—I finally got to visit it in 2017. I was so happy to have been so wrong. What a great park that's really doing some great things these last few seasons.

I would rather Kings Island bring back an old more beloved ride like Der Spinning Keggars, Phantom Theater, or Enchanted Voyage in some form or another. I know Kings Island used to have a Ferris Wheel for a few years, but I don’t think it is missed too badly by longtime fans of the park. Also, in my opinion, Ferris Wheels are not really worth riding that often with their terrible capacity and lackluster ride experience. If you want good views, the Eiffel Tower has you covered with much better views than any Ferris Wheel could provide at Kings Island.

It is easier to announce an event at a later time, than announce now and have to retract later if situations change. I think this is the best move for them.

Coaster with the most distinct smell: Adventure Express.(or at least the 2nd tunnel before the lift hill.)