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Boy, have I got news for you about how businesses work. I don't know if this was true in every presentation or just in mine, but Tony did admit in ours that part of some of the decisions that were made for 2023 were based in staffing and trying to consistently offer quality in what remains. I don't think that's mutually exclusive with, "We're trying to save money." I've had kind of a vibe from Cedar Fair recently (minus Kings Island and Carowinds) that they aren't particularly sure of what they are right now, and WCO 2023 only solidified that feeling for me. Cedar Fair post-Ouimet is giving me Disney post-Walt vibes--they seem to know that what was done 7-11 years ago worked but don't fully understand why, so they keep doing it in hopes that it'll keep working. I think that's why rides keep disappearing at Cedar Point and restaurants pop up in their wake, and why live entertainment hasn't moved past music revues (which has been standard amusement park fare since the 70's) and circus acts (which appeared circa 2012.) LARP-style attractions (Ghost Town Alive, Forbidden Frontier) were an interesting step in the right direction with a lot of potential, but CP was always an odd choice to me for one, and they basically hid it from plain sight. You had to look for it, unlike at Knott's, where you'd easily stumble into it (since Ghost Town is effectively their International Street, for the purposes of this conversation.) I'm not shocked it wasn't pulling numbers (Tony's words, not mine) and it's gone. It's a shame that Forbidden Frontier seems to have put a bad taste in CF's mouths about the entire concept. Cedar Fair circa 2012-2017 was redefining what the seasonal amusement park experience was, and it seems like we've faltered. Cedar Point's 2023 strategy being "we're adding a wild mouse and removing a bunch of other stuff" makes me feel like no one knows what to do with where things stand. Putting Tony Clark in the spotlight to have to break that news in person to a bunch of enthusiasts was an odd move at best, and at least in my presentation, it showed. Tony was very subdued and even the littlest bit sharp with people. It's unsurprising to me that they did a "text your question to this number" system for the Q&A, because that gave him the ability to ignore disgruntled questions.

Mac Shack was an instant loss for me. I tried it a few times and I didn't think it was worth it at all; especially in comparison to losing Pinks. Chick Fil A leaving is a serious blow, they brought it back due to guest demand and it always had a line when I was there. I am extremely upset with the removal of the Juice stand as I only got it once, and ever since they never staffed it for me to get any more drinks. With everything considered, the "celebration" classic leaving is a major loss. Let's continue the pain with the loss of the Town Hall Museum, which I for one have been eagerly waiting for it's reopening from the "COVID" reason to the we are still working on it reason. For them to just up and say we're not continuing is a major blow as that was a great way for guests to get out of the heat and relax a little bit. No first rider event/passholder preview absolutely is a slap in the face to passholders who in the past got these benefits, now sit here waiting longer for the attraction. I loved the way CP did these functions, having been to a few media days and some charity events, they took it up another level. The only good thing I can see here is that Famous Dave's is coming back to the park proper. The turnip never did anything special for me and honestly just felt like a waste of space as it wasn't that crowded. Having another meat option in the park will seriously enhance the food options overall. However, this is all screaming budget cuts to me. The fact that they are cutting back on basically discretionary expenses really makes me wonder how this season is going to run. Which also begs the question, why is Chick Fil A leaving and Johnny Rockets still there? I don't doubt that the park will have some decent culinary options coming, but this is after Keat's becoming a taco joint, Pink's going the way of the dodo, and now the Juice being demo'd. Everything tied in with the lack of CP Nights which I was planning on attending for the first time this year really just sours the deal. The only ray of sunshine is that with Frontier being gutted means that the park maybe planning a new attraction in that part of the park. I'll say it once, I'll say it again, the park needs a modern GCI or MACK launch coaster, which would fit snug in that section of the park.

Admittedly, Woodstock Gliders didn't fill the void of the OG Flying Eagles.

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/dining It’s no longer listed. Also got this confirmation from CFA Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

KI got lucky as it seems their version of the ride aged the best out of all three. Also, @CoastersRZ, where you at! What’s up with that weird structure on the roof???

In short... No Not to misconstrue that if you throw enough money anything, anything is possible. But this would require a much larger scale upgrade to a rollercoaster that had no intentions or the technology back then to provide such an element.

Everyone has to consider the previously announced additions to the recently announced subtractions. The new Boardwalk will pick up much of the slack for the new subtractions.

Interesting how it was supposed to have a splashdown after the indoor section. That would've been cool.

For Forbidden Frontier, if the park wanted to, they can easily relocate the playground. Ik a lot of people are upset about FF mainly bc of the playground. I was able to perfectly place it in Kiddy Kingdom. All they would need to do is remove or relocate a couple rides.

^^Will Caillou be there and get grounded lol

Would it be open when @King Ding Dong is in the park lol

My guess would be yes.

Does it still play "flight of the Valkyries" up there??

Here's a concept I made for Adventure Express - would this be at all possible?

The town hall remodel being cancelled was announced last year. At the time they said it would be impossible to reopen the old town hall because they had already gutted the building back after the season ended in 2019. They also said that they anticipated it would be several years before something might happen and they were not certain if they would use the existing design or if it would be something new. So I am unsure why this is considered news. Wild Turnip was a quick service restaurant on frontier trail, the entire point was to serve people who had dietary restrictions. The problem was it always had staffing issues and was rarely open, in part because it took special training to work there. I do not remember ever seeing it operate, but I actually heard good things about the food. From what I can tell there was no explanation as to what closing Forbidden Frontier even means. Is it just the characters, or is the whole island that closed? It feels like the entire thing is closing, not sure if that means it’s being removed which suggests something is happening out there, or to reduce labor to operate the park, and it might return in some form in the future. They installed bathrooms on the island, some interactive elements, and a big play structure. Overall I think Cedar Point is trying to reduce the number of employees it takes to operate the resort. Finding enough employees has been hard for a while and it seems more difficult then ever, it does not help that the park does not pay that well. I suspect that’s why the CP Nights is not happening, staffing.

Is the water effect at the end something they could possibly bring back? Doesn’t look like the track gets wet from the pov they posted.

Remember when we all thought that Trio Tech was going to be at every park in the chain?

My guess is being closed on Sundays didn't help. You have one location that can make food that is not opened or staffed 1 day of the week. In my opinion Chick should have made an exception for theme parks, zoo's, etc. when it came to their Sunday policy. I wonder if CF asked them about that. I could see people coming into the park just to get Chick, however I doubt not having a Chick would keep anyone away. Let's see how many people will be asking for a refunds since the choices of the meal plan changed during the off season

The water effects can be seen in that video. There's a real-life POV after the animation.

Chick-Fil-A has officially been taken off of the park website, Subway, Panda Express, Skyline, Larosa's, Starbucks, Tom & Chee, Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's and ICEE are the last remaining outside food destinations in the park. Honestly a major shame as I loved getting a sweet tea on a Saturday afternoon from there. Would be interesting to see if this was a corporate or park decision (Maybe a question for those evergreen headache inducing Q&A sessions at Coasterstock for those who are going this year) as the restaurant was always packed whenever I went to the park.

I did ride it a couple of times under the Italian Job name. It wasnt really a splash down. It was like yard sprinklers that sent multiple strong streams of water outwards as the train passed over the track.

Any updates on where the new VIP area will be? Also what about the earlier enrtry and how that works with the Presitge pass...

Here's a drawing ElToroRyan came up with a few months ago: source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sZKmHcinpE&t=714s

Coming to the big box in 2023:

I think the obvious answer to that is "No." It's a conspiracy!

Diamondback’s first two supports on the lift hill are now completely painted. They have started on the third one as well.

unless it is a base for tile or paving stone... but either of those I'd assume they would do with stamped concrete for better durability... time will tell

^The issue is not that they can't do CP nights....I suspect the analysis has determined the return on the investment wasn't there. Or maybe they plan to repackage/rebrand it.

I don't understand why they can't do CP Nights. I don't really think there is any other event they can do on the Beach that isn't the same thing. However, I have thought of how cool it would be to do a music festival/concert series on the Beach. There are Beaches that have done that in the past. source for photo: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.travelchannel.com%2Finterests%2Fbeaches%2Fphotos%2F10-great-us-beach-festivals&psig=AOvVaw1RjxmVK_8u_Y0Ow3_WYXCj&ust=1677518933355000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA8QjRxqFwoTCMiG_pPbs_0CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD

That should be in The Italian Building, though. I'd like a bread factory in The Swiss Building.

Maybe their schedule for 2023 simply hasn’t been announced. They could have all new events, although I have to admit that CP Nights happened to be at a time when I was staying at Breakers and it was a great time. I’ll miss that. I’m on the fence about Forbidden Frontier. I liked the floating bridges, the “Truce Day” idea, and the animals. Unfortunately, I feel like many of the tie-ins were probably late budget cuts which ruined the project. Glad Grand Pavilion looks nice though.

I would love a Hugo's type restaurant. I don't think it would really interfere with LaRosa's if they focused on non pizza items like the Calzones, stromboli, pasta and salad dishes.

Remember all those things you enjoyed? We’re taking them away. Terms are subject to change. No refunds. See also: Prestige Pass benefits

Some Iron Dragon track removal might be for crane placement, or just coincidence and it needed some work.

It was also supposed to have a bunch of nice landscaping instead of concrete and gravel, but we all know how that worked out.

It was also supposed to be yellow track instead of black according to the teaser footage.

A few other Italian Job/Backlot things came to mind that I need to put out into the world. 1) The weird “fence thing” atop the station roof. (@CoastersRZ, looking at you here for your architectural expertise) (P)KI and (P)CW’s versions of the “Italian Job: Stunt Track” debuted in the same year, 2005. They were so similar that even their budget cuts were identical. Both feature this weird, steel structure that looks similar to a fence atop their stations. (P)KI: (P)CW: I’m not sure what purpose this part of the station serves or if it was meant for something else. If anyone does know, though, I’d love to find out. Interestingly enough, when (P)KD got their version of the ride the next year…the weird, fence thing wasn’t built: WHAT IS IT!!!! And hey, while we’re talking about the Kings Dominion version… 2) Remember when Paramount announced it as “Italian Job: Turbo Coaster” but later changed the name to “Italian Job: Stunt Track?” Event after they changed the name on the billboard, turbo coaster was still mentioned… And ultimately it was just the same ride anyways.

It will a perfect attendance streak for me! 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21,22 and 23! Glad I was able to get tix again!

Our old Flying Eagles! I sooo miss that ride everytime I go to the park. I cringe at that basketball game everytime I walk by it knowing my favorite flat ride ever once resided there. I feel the need to go back to Carowinds or Knoebels suddenly...ha!

I mean, even if it had EVERYTHING promised in the promotional artwork and video, it still would’ve been a mid tier short ride for that regime. How they didn’t place an action movie themed ride in the area of the park known as “Action Zone” (who’s loose theme was action movies and sets), will always boggle my mind. Also, reading back a few pages, CBS gets a lot of flack for that ride being “budget cut,” but I believe CBS wasn’t fully in charge until early 2006. And IJ:ST would’ve been in planning stages a bit before its 2005 debut. I think Paramount/Viacom was just always cheap.

They wanted it to be prominently in the "middle" of the park. Turned out to be a GREAT decision.

Honestly, I don't believe it will be removed and relocated until it meets EOL. So maybe just surround it with trees and vegetation so we cannot really see it unless you're in front of it or in line. idk I don't remember why Paramount decided to place it there. They just wanted a coaster to match their movie and had this big piece of land without having to expand the park. Or some other grand Paramount scheme never completed. It is a fun ride and I enjoy it, it's just somewhat misplaced. I am still mad that Carolwinds got out glider ride though.

I'll take, "If Kings Island was purchased by Six Flags" for 200, Alex.

And either restore some dignity to the site by doing landscaping and getting rid of the freight containers and junked cars and faded out billboards. Or relocate the the coaster to Action Zone or another CF park (if the ride could be relocated). Of course this takes money and it's the struggle of getting something new and shiney or tweaking something that works well and consistently. They are tweaking AE, so maybe at some point, we can get the Junkyard Coaster looking more regal. So go spend that money at KI! Buy those funnel cakes, posters, tshirts. Because that is what fuels return investment.

I remember when the Eiffel Tower was sponsored by Sherwin Williams and when the Turnpike was sponsored by Marathon.

Unfortunately, there is not much more to the story. It was the sponsor and they would say, "Welcome to the Kings Island Eiffel Tower brought to you by Kodak." As you were going up. They also had Kodak photo spots throughout the park. I think that was the mid-90's, so it was under Paramount. Fun fact - I was doing fireworks at Kings Dominion a few years ago off their 50' platform and they still have the Kodak signs there!

I kind of like the thread bumps so long as they’re relevant! I agree with most of you - the billboards thing is a little too Six Flagsian for me. Also, remember when Kodak sponsored the Eiffel Tower or are you guys too young for that? Never mind.

I've ordered quite a few things from the online store (mainly posters and the train cutout assemblies). Every time it's been a safe, fast and pleasant experience. My only complaint is the shipping, which is a flat rate for no matter how much you order. So usually I just wait, and place an order of at least 2-3 things to make it worth the shipping fee. But overall, I'd say a pretty great experience, everything has arrived in good shape as well.

I actually like the idea behind this. I had been playing around with an idea similar where backlot is removed and a major new coaster takes the back half of that plot. The way you have it on both sides of the pathway frees up more land to do something bigger. I’d love to see it pretty symmetrical to frame the tower, move the floral clock to actually align with the path coming to it and possibly reshape the circle path to be better balanced. Add 2 flat to left and right of the clock and possibly on the other side as well where saltwater was. The flats would be part of “Carousel park” an extension of IS. The coaster would technically be Coney, but would read well in both areas. Make a clean-elegant design-maybe even like CA SCREAMIN’ that is steel “disguised” to look wooden. Maybe even with a large 360 vertical loop that centers behind the tower.