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The golden year is almost here! When Kings Island opened in 1972 it began with a brash experiment of bringing world class excitement of a Disney like formula to a regional seasonal park. Almost 50 years later, Kings Island has grown into the Midwest's largest and one of the most successful in the US. For it's 50th, as enthusiasts and people who love our park, what are you most excited for and more importantly what are the things you would love to see the park do for next season? For me, I would love to see signs around the park showing the history of each location, the rides and attractions that have been and information about what they were. I would also love to see this as the year Live Entertainment makes its grand return with showcases from some of the most beloved shows that have graced the park in its 50 year history. This would include a huge makeover of the grand finale fireworks. I'd love to see a documentary played on FUNTV and daily live trivia of the parks history for real rewards everyone can play while in the park though the KI APP. Since it is the 50th and its stone is GOLD I would love to see that idea transform the perks for GOLD+ members. Lastly, and most grand I would see the Eiffel Tower repainted all in GOLD. What are your dreams you would love to see for the 50th season? Who knows, we know the park reads these comments and maybe they will fall in love with some of the ideas we contribute.

Kennywood and Waldameer have dropped the masks as of today.

Coaster Nation is very observant and knows when the park trims a tree and cuts the grass. Unfortunately, instead of posting their observations to bring up discussions, they jump to conclusions and present possibilities as fact just to get clicks. It really makes the rest of us who support the park look bad. While the rest of us are trying to help deliver the parks message because we love the park, there is CN who seems do the opposite and muddies/distracts the message trying to be delivered with already debunked or not confirmed information. I don't think the author of these articles means any harm in any way, but I feel publishing these articles is a major disservice in supporting Kings Island.

The view from my office in 2016. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think we've entered the stage of 'get a vaccine or take your own risk'. Which is totally fair at this point. Nobody over 12 can complain about vaccine availability, appointments are available in abundance.

The Racer, Chef's Plate, Grand Carnivale Returns, and the KICentral Podcast is mentioned. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2021/may/kings-island-mailbag-the-racer-chefs-plate-and-grand-carnivale

I’d love to see a flat ride be added to Oktoberfest for the 50th season. In terms of merchandise I’d really love to see the return of souvenir maps!

Precisely my take on the matter as well. "We've offered the vaccine, it's widely available, if you want it, get it, if you don't don't. If you want to say you did but didn't, you might end up sick."

https://kicentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Episode-16-Jeffrey-Siebert.mp3 Host Robbie Zerhusen (CoastersRZ) is joined by Brad Perdue (IndyGuy4KI) on this episode of the KICentral Podcast. On this episode, we have special guest, Jeffrey Siebert. He was manager of communications and guest experience from 1999 to 2005 at Kings Island and is currently Park President of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. We discuss his time at the park, and where he went after leaving Kings Island. Enjoy! Robbie

I would love to see Kings Island debut a new front entry plaza with a renovated front gate, new ticket booths, and new landscaping. Like @Hawaiian Coasters 325 said, they can just upgrade the facade of the front gate building. I would be okay if they completely redo everything else though. It would also be cool to see a legacy walk (maybe in Tower Gardens), a new ivy tunnel, some Oktoberfest love, and new live entertainment celebrating Kings Island.

Definitely would love to see a big time celebration like what Cedar Point is doing. A trivia with prizes you could win would be nice! Definitely should play a documentary on the FunTVs (I may be a minority, but I don't like the FunTVs lol). I also would love to see a new skywheel as well as Boo Blasters revamped into a modern Phantom Theater (similar to what Knott's is doing with their dark ride revamping it and basing it off an older attraction). I also would love to see an upgraded entry plaza (not year down the current entrance) but maybe give the building some TLC and new ticket booths and a new season pass processing center. This may be a big stretch, but I would also love them to try and reopen the 60 ft level of the Eiffel Tower and make it like a relaxing area with patio style seating and stuff. I do agree the ET needs a repaint, but not gold. I just would like to see fresh aqua/blue paint to make it more fresh. Obviously, they likely won't do all of these, but this is my wishlist for next year and maybe even the next few years (park improvements wise).

I hope that gets you some listens!

WONDERFUL!!! Thank you!

Not too sure Haunt will actually occur this year (that site advertising the return of Haunt in 2021 appeared immediately after the 2020 cancellation of Haunt last year, so not sure how current the information on that site really is). When looking at season pass benefit information for 2021, the word “Haunt” is specifically missing (and in all previous years “Haunt” has definitely been listed as a season pass benefit). “Every year, the benefits and value of being a Gold or Platinum Season Passholder keep getting better. Not only do you have unlimited admission to Kings Island, Soak City Water Park, Fall and WinterFest, but you also enjoy exclusive events” With the park conserving cash flow with reduced park hours this season, I believe the poster advertising a Fall Fest instead of Haunt is likely accurate.

CDC has decided today vaccinated people can indeed take off their masks inside and out. And don't worry about distancing. Live your life.

He's an absolute legend. An asset to the industry, and to enthusiasts. Terrific Podcast.

I saw guests on Saturday carrying around paper maps! I was overjoyed. They said they got them over by the height checking station near the front gate.

One of the photos your are probably referring to was mine. I didn't post it as a social distancing observation. I posted it to discuss the 2021 season, as in the ride was officially running and we were in line. Now, it seems from your posts that you are not comfortable going to Kings Island at this point. Guess what? That is totally fine. No one is forcing anyone to go. Was the social distancing as good as it should have been? No. Did I feel uncomfortable at any point during the day? No. Here's why. I've gotten vaccinated. (I AM NOT STARTING A VACCINATION DEBATE. SIMPLY STATING A FACT). I did this to get back to normal. Saturday was one of the most "back to normal" experiences that I have had in the past year. Bottom line, if you feel comfortable in maskless crowds, enjoy the park. If not, then either wear a mask or don't go. As for me, I plan to enjoy the heck out of KI this summer.

IMO wing coasters have become saturated in our region; we have four within 5 hours of our own park. The only way a wing coaster works, again IMO, is if its gimmicky. A compact wing with a ton of near miss elements, like you see with X-Flight at Six Flags Great America, is the only type of wing coaster I would ever want to see at KI.

May 8, 2021

Happy season passholder opening day 2021!!!

Grand Carnivale, July 2019

I just hope that if they are getting rid of the park maps for good they do what Cedar Point does and have a poster sized souvenir map that you can buy

I never pull out the maps when I get them (I've been going to KI all my life, so I don't need it; there are also electronic maps everywhere). For me, it's what KIghostguy said. It's about collecting; it's a nostalgic thing. When I was a kid, the first thing I did when we got to the park was grab the map and unfold it to look for showtimes, find where the new ride was, etc. I like the idea that I can still do that, and I love that now my kids get just as excited about it. They may be inessential, but for some it's a big part of the experience.

I know it would never happen but I personally would love to see a rapter or t-rex track coaster in Vortex's spot. I doubt it because of capacity but I feel like it would be a photogenic ride and also able to have those inversions come back that we have lost. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I would like to see some upgrades and enhancements to WWC but I don't want to see it get a big lift and drop like MRF. Ithink it would hurt the immersion in the forest for it. Mystic Timbers has already cut into the area a bit. Would like to see more theming to tie in with the Mystic Timbers story added along the course and some fog or other effects added (misters back in the tunnels maybe) but overall I think it's a great rapids ride and wouldn't want to change it too much