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A dedicated Mac & Cheese place would have been a good fit for this location. Or return it back to what it originally was as the Sweet Tooth and sell ice cream and cotton candy. That would be a better fit in Coney Mall than a place to get adult beverages.

Another kids update:

I attended Dorney Park's Winter Chill Out yesterday and got to see Iron Menace in person. I am very excited for this ride! As has been noted many times before, this is something very unique compared to Dorney's competition and will definitely allow them to stand out. It looks a lot taller in person, and the colors really pop. It is shocking that they were able to fit such a huge ride into a piece of property formerly occupied by a Vekoma Boomerang! I am very excited to see the final thematic package for Iron Menace as well as for the surrounding Steel Yard land. The level of detail of what they have done so far is very impressive, especially for a park like Dorney. Kingdom Productions is doing the scenic fabrication; they did the fabrication/paintwork for Adventure Port last year. Everyone there seems very committed to the McTavish Steel backstory, and it's so awesome that the corporate XDS team developed this authentic, regional story to reflect in the park. I also have to note their Ghost in the Machine haunted maze, which we walked through with the lights on. I was absolutely blown away by it! Everyone at Dorney is so excited for this ride. I got the chance to speak to both their Communications Director and their General Manager, and they were so enthusiastic about Iron Menace, Dorney Park, and hosting this event for the first time. It really seems like this project has injected so much new life into the park. I attended Dorney twice in 2022, while I was completing an internship at Hersheypark, and thought it was very "meh." After yesterday, I walked away very impressed and excited for Dorney's future. I can't wait for Iron Menace to open and see where they go from here!

Tickets were still available just shy of two weeks after being on sale, so as a card-carrying member of ACE, I decided I’m not sitting this one out and got a ticket.

New construction video from the park posted today.

Adventure Express is back on track.

Imagine an adult beverages drink plan...

The park says Camp Snoopy will open late spring. What does that mean for rides that were integrated into Camp Snoopy, including Franklin's Flyers, Woodstock's Air Rail, and Charlie Brown's Rushing River Log Ride? If they're open with the park on April 20, then only part of Camp Snoopy opens late spring as other parts would be open.

Isn't this standard for most trains at KI. Outside of Mystic Timbers and the trains themed like trucks, and maybe the spaceship shells on the FOF trains, the teeth on Diamondback. Most of the Cedar Fair Parks have pretty standard trains with some sort of paint scheme. Makes it easier for maintenance, I wasn't expecting any radical train design for this, especially when themed to a soap box racer...

It’s quite telling about how this year will go based on the fact that the other parks are showing off their lavish dishes that are new for 2024 and KI booked a photo shoot for their pizza and fries.

It was done during my years there. Sometimes it was my decision. Other times it may have been requested by one of the divisions at the park, or the ride manufacturer. I wanted people to see rides testing. It generates interest, excitement and anticipation. That was not a reason I turned off a webcam. Others had different thoughts on that.

This constant need to attack the park and its communication is really getting old, and feels unwarranted here. Someone updated the map in the app early, and it was noticed. Accidental leaks happen and I believe we have noticed them before. Changes like this are typically packaged together and announced at the same time closer to the parks opening. Last year the first reference I can find to Outpost Frozen Cocktails was not until April.

I can ask Don to write a blog about it so they can come out with the same content 48 hours later if that helps...

Total Eclipse Of The Point was beyond amazing! From checking in at the tolls to actually scanning in at the gate, it was a breeze! Once in the park, all were handed lanyards with information about the timing of the eclipse, a map of things available and it also had a button and pin featuring the "Total Eclipse Of The Point" and a pair of eclipse viewing glasses as souvenirs. The Wild Mouse crew of zany mice got their own glasses too! As you walked into the park, guests were funneled to the right side of the midway toward the boardwalk, no one could walk past Kiddy Kingdom on the main midway. Throughout the path, there were signs dedicated to facts about eclipses as well as things to commemorate the event. They had a table to pass out cards "tracking" the phases of the eclipse, a table with a giant coloring sheet (markers as well) for guests to sign/color, a time capsule where guests filled out cards with questions about who you were with, what your favorite thing to do at Cedar Point was, how old you are, etc. The boardwalk also featured a DJ with a killer playlist and a couple of games including 3 point challenge, wrangling a stuffed seagull, and another game I didn't really pay attention to. I don't know the Kiddy Kingdom ride names that were open, but didn't seem like there were a lot of folks in that small area. The rides on the Boardwalk were Atomic Scrambler, Himalaya, Wild Mouse, Calypso, Giant Wheel, Troika Troika Troika, Maxair and GateKeeper. Grand Pavilion was open for drinks at the bar and food! The menu featured was what it'll be during the season with a few added desserts and meatballs (that will return for the season). I got the honey glazed chicken drumsticks, tropical rice and a cosmic brownie. The drumsticks were a little salty, but everything was good. What was really cool was the front door area was wrapped in celestial versions of the park! Some folks (not me sadly) were able to purchase the VIP package to do a tour on top of Valravn. I had several friends who did it and I'm extremely jealous. From the pictures they have taken, it was gorgeous. I ran into the GM and AGM of the park as well as Tony (didn't get to talk to him), but we had great conversations. I've gotten to know the AGM from several years ago and the GM in the past year. They are both kind, funny and real. In the later part of the day, the GM came up to me and said, "hey if you look over there, we're about to fire up the big boy." She wasn't wrong! TT2 started testing and wow, it flies over the top hat. Seeing how far it goes up on the spike is a lot different in person than it is in pictures/video IMO, of course with people on it, it should go a little higher. My friend kept saying he didn't like how it doesn't have a stopper at the top. But of course, the main reason of going there was to see the Eclipse (well I was just ready to be in the park in April). I had never witnessed an eclipse before. Throughout the day, I anticipated being able to notice a difference in the brightness of the sky throughout the phases, but that wasn't the case. Looking up with the glasses it was neat to be able to see what was happening with the sun and moon. My friend and I were joined by other friends on the main midway, directly across from Raptor's first drop. Sitting on the ground/leaning on a bench, we were in just the right spot. Waiting for totality to occur, we'd have our glasses on looking and then look toward the ground without the glasses to see the change in brightness, there was a change but there wasn't almost....and then almost right at the totality we noticed a shift. It looked different out, lights came on in some areas (though they made sure most of them stayed off). Then totality. It got dark and just looking up to see the moon right in front of the sun's ring shining behind it was breathtaking. The seagulls did not like the change in light...they went crazy (which was funny because one of the signs said wildlife would just go calm). Looking down the midway and seeing everyone just reacting, clapping, hollering, shouting "this is awesome," was great. It was just a great experience for me to be there with my friends and witnessing this once in a lifetime event for me. Then of course, the moon kept moving and daylight returned. A good amount of folks left after the eclipse but we all hung out and continued to ride. There were a limited number of tickets available and it was a nice sized crowd, not too light not too heavy. IMG_1572.MOV (I have better photos of the eclipse, but saving those for me Took 5 spins on GateKeeper, 1 spin on Giant Wheel, 1 spin on Matterhorn, 1 spin on Calypso and 1 spin on Wild Mouse. While the number of rides wasn't a ton, the event was more about the eclipse, the friends and the experience. It was well worth the $99 I spent for a ticket. So incredibly thankful that Cedar Point hosted this event (even more grateful I didn't do downtown Sandusky that looked to be packed to the brim).

My ACE card came in the mail today. Can’t wait to attendant my first ACE event next month!

A bad day to have destroyed the pump house at Sunlite. Good luck CSO!

I have an idea, what if this year (well way later this year or next year) what if Kings Island came up with a Christmas themed maze, like Halloween Haunt but not scary but family oriented maybe a Santa workshop in which you enter a building and walk through the North Pole encountering elves, Snowman, and of course the big man himself, Santa Clause along with Kings actors of course or a maze themed to A Christmas Carol would be a very unique idea. What do all of you think?

Official video from the park:

Kids were invited to come unveil the trains with Snoopy. https://local12.com/news/local/kings-islands-camp-snoopy-snoopys-soap-box-racers-cincinnati-derby-club-kids-join-unveiling-cars-mason-latest-coaster-adrenaline-track-thrill-seekers-updates-reveal-late-spring-visit-shaded-play-space-beagle-scout-acres-season 10:1 says they put it on social tomorrow and claim it just happened. Any takers… anyone?

OK, so I used to post regularly... now about once-a-month. And though I am usually content to be just mildly amused by the back-and-forth banter it will bother me if I don't comment. Couple things: - I'm pretty sure "DispatchMaster" isn't an attorney- at least not for CF. If they were I'm pretty certain they wouldn't post comments on KIC providing a digital paper trail regarding his/her client. - DispatchMaster refers to enthusiasts as entitled, whiny, etc... These "enthusiasts" also tend to be a significant portion of the KI/CF Season Pass base- which I believe in other threads DM has also referred to as whiny and entitled. I don't consider myself an "enthusiast" but am a Season Pass Holder. My family and I have had Season Passes EVERY year since we moved to the northern Cincinnati area in 2005, or 19 seasons- though I'd say I had Passes a few other years despite the drive. In 19 seasons, not counting food and other entertainment purchases, we've paid CF between $8,000 and $10,000. And in that time, YES, there have been times where things were implied and/or assumed that didn't happen or changed mid-stream; this is commonly referred to as a "bait-and-switch". I used to know from a place I worked at, but am spit-balling here for the moment. at one time, Kings Island had approx 300,000 Season Pass holders. Someone can correct me on this but I think that is right. That's been a few years ago, maybe it's higher or lower now. Passes cost more now, but let's assume that in 2024 that 300,000 guests paid $100 for an annual pass, the majority of them prior to Opening Day. By my rough math, that means that the Season Pass Holders and the associated enthusiasts (you know, the entitled whiners and complainers) annually give KI/CF a $30,000,000 interest-free loan before the product has been delivered. Even if it is only 30,000 APs (which I'm fairly certain it's closer to the former)- that's still a $3M interest-free loan given. I've owned a handful of businesses in the past decade.... I've never received that kind of pre-payment, let alone an interest-free loan. I'm not sure why offering a tooth-and-nail defense of CF is a hill DispatchMaster seems to want to reside on. Most likely not an attorney, but sure comes across as a stakeholder of some sort... And if that is the case, I don't care to be looked at with annoyance and exasperation or viewed as whiny or entitled- "I would rather that you just said "thank you" and went on your way." (Jack Nicholson).

Well haven't posted here in awhile but as some of you know I have gone crazy on Orion the past 2 seasons 1528 in 2022 and 2100 in 2023 total rides now on Orion 5150, see you all at the park soon.

I finally renewed my season pass. I decided to go with a CP Gold Pass with all season Fast Lane and all parks. Though I initially decided against it, I figured I wouldn't let certain things steal my joy and not visit KI at least a couple of times. I'm excited for 2024.

Nice to see all the paintwork going in, and nice to finally get details about Pigpen’s Mess Hall. A little odd to me that they just talked about it and didn’t show off any renders, but maybe they are holding that off until later.

Not too surprising KI wants to push alcohol sales by adding another dedicated location since alcohol drinks have a huge profit margin, and as they say, alcohol sells (which equals more profits for the park). However, families are looking for food/snack options, not alcohol, and probably agree the choice of a cocktail location by the park was probably a poor one in terms of an overall family/child/teen park satisfaction.

I would love to see a giant swing. I think it would be a great ride to add for the park.

Way to go Holiday World!

The new sign does not look permanent. The posts are not set in concrete, and instead are just temporarily stuck in holes in the ground and backfilled. I would imagine a more permanent sign and/or structure will come at some point, using the existing footers, at which point they'll remove those posts and fill in the holes with the dirt they intentionally left there.

It would be you to mention this

Some more photos from the article: Also a link to the article that works: https://local12.com/news/local/gallery/kings-islands-camp-snoopy-snoopys-soap-box-racers-cincinnati-derby-club-kids-join-unveiling-cars-mason-latest-coaster-adrenaline-track-thrill-seekers-updates-reveal-late-spring-visit-shaded-play-space-beagle-scout-acres-season?photo=11

Here’s a piece I wrote for the Sandusky Register with an update on Top Thrill 2. http://sanduskyregister.com/go/4bb65ec0f6a45

If you’ve ever needed a testament to not buy your pass in the fall and wait until you see the product you’re actually getting, here you go.

Hang on there, cowboy, I'm not offering a "counter-argument." Those people are gonna get drunk and fight whether they're doing subway shots with mayonnaise floaters and Italian BMT garnish, or, slamming back pints of that weird blueberry ice cream beer. Not so much a Southern Ohio thing, more of a... human thing.

I'm generalizing here, but typically speaking there's not a lot of Venn overlap between people who would get in to a fistfight and those who can afford to get drunk at an amusement park.

My bucket list park for the year is Fuji Q Highland. I will be visiting Japan, my flight is next week. The problem is I have been to Japan before and never made it to Fuji Q. It is a long way from Tokyo, takes a full day, and I have limited time and too many plans. So I will literally be able to say in two weeks if this happened or not. During my trip I will also be visiting Tokyo Disneyland, Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Dome City, and Nagashima Spa Land. I have been to all of these parks before. Disney has a new Beauty and The Beast dark ride. Universal frequently has seasonal specials like turning an indoor coaster into a VR experience themed to an anime. Nagashima Spa Land had a lot of ride closures due to weather and maintenance last time I visited so I hope to finally ride Steel Dragon 2000. If I have time and money this summer I hope to make the drive to Silver Dollar City and make a stop at Lost Island Theme Park on the way. The new Fire in the Hole looks fantastic. I am concerned Lost Island will not survive long term so feel visiting soon would be a good idea. Will be visiting Cedar Point for Top Thrill 2. I have tickets for Holiwood Nights and look forward to Good Gravy. Will make trips to Kentucky Kingdom and Kings Island. If I have some days free plan to try to hit some zoos like Indianapolis, and likely Columbus. That’s the stuff I am confident about. Plans change, but a lot of the big stuff is booked to an extent.

The stripes are cool though I agree with that the ride in general needs a good overhaul. I mean even something like they did with Adventure Express would be fine. Bring back the real Flying Eagles and a Backlot overhaul in 2025? I'm down!

Here is a good one too!

Saw this post on Facebook. Looks to be drone shots of them destroying the pool. I do hope they save moonlight gardens. Had my first dance and real kiss there. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/SYPvJue5rPaoR9mj/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Exciting news for Dorney! The park PR team has knocked it out of "the park" with their updates this off season!

Iron Menace has completed its first test run!

Those outdated window ordering buildings have dismal capacity, which is why parks are moving away from them and going with the more modern Harmony Hall/Grand Pavilion type eateries that can not only more efficiently handle volume, but also centralizes food service staff. So making that a specialty cocktail spot makes a lot of sense.

I agree, it seems like there could have been a better choice for that building. I still think they should have put Tom+Chee there and put Skyline in the former Chic-fil-A place instead as this past year showed that the park could handle 2 Skylines as the Coney Mall location was way more busier with the other Skyline converted to G&G that rarely had a line. Or the Mac&Cheese would be a great fit. Anything to help spread the dining plan offerings and lines out would have been a good thing. Eliminating a meal plan dining location when they are pushing dining plans seems short-sided. The Mercado behind Enrique's is close enough for those needing to fill their alcohol wants, along with the beer stand in front of The Racer, that as someone said is probably gone now and will probably be converted to a one-time Front of the Line selling point LOL. Instead it seems like they are trying to squeeze more nickels out of the guests already in the park with additional in-park up-charge items.

I bought a 2024 KK season pass. I'm looking forward to the different events.

We are heading there this weekend. My first time in several years (pre-Wildwood Grove) and her first time ever. It does feel nice to spend the money someplace that genuinely cares about the guest experience.

A St Patrick's Day Update from Woodstock's Air Rail (formerly Flying Ace) https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=815044267329930&set=a.644361897731502

Someone already mentioned this, but I'll say Delirium is my favorite at Kings Island. However, last year when they introduced Cargo Loco and Sol Spin, those were huge upgrades for the flat ride department at Kings Island.

Honestly I miss Scooby at this point, at least Scooby worked and was a lovable character, we need a new dark ride hell make it two new dark rides enough with coasters for a while

I just saw on a video last night that the high quality Phantom Theater was only there for 10 years. That awful, cheap replacement has been there for over 20 years. How can a piece of garbage like the current ride exist for that long?

I think it's going to take a whole lot more than stripes to retheme The Junkyard Coaster!

If I want a pure, unrestrained shot of adrenaline- Drop Tower If I want a complete, satisfying ride experience with great forces and weightlessness- Delirium If I want to giggle uncontrollably and feel like I’m 5 again- Shake, Rattle, and Roll

For me the best is Drop Tower. My favorite is Delirium though.