CoastersRZ

If I had to take a wild guess, I would say that the Gravity Group could be installing more of their new track system. If it improves the ride experience and reduces maintenance (which in turn reduces maintenance costs), that is a win for everyone.

Why do you think that? There is no past precedent for going two years with no capital investment at all. 2021 and 2022 were close, but I would argue that some of the investments in 2022 probably came from capital dollars (all the painting of rides, restoration of the carousel band organ and painting the carousel) and not from maintenance dollars. There was also the pandemic in there too.

The attendance in October of `22 was actually better than attendance in Octiober of `19.

Essentially, they think that increased expenses will eat into Cedar Fair`s profit margins. Based on what I saw at KI this fall, people were still showing up and were definitely paying for up charge things like Fast Lane and Fright Lane. We will know more tomorrow when Cedar Fair posts their quarterly results. They will likely give an update on operations through the end of October (the fiscal quarter ended at the end of September).

I too noticed that the NJM add was playing multiple times in a row while in line for Adventure Express and Racer tonight. It was like it was stuck on auto-repeat.

I can`t imagine KI going with the 24 person model. The big difference between the two is if the rider seats are single or double in each position. I would think from a capacity standpoint, they would opt for 48.

Is Tinker`s Toy Factory this year going to be the Christmas Fever version? I prefer the original version over Christmas Fever version. Last year they had the original version.

Keep in mind, that originally, Coney Mall ended at where Zephyr is. It was not until 1975 with the addition of the Zodiac and Shake Rattle and Roll did the Coney Mall midway get extended. They also angled the midway in that spot so it isn`t a straight run from The Racer down to the Antique Autos plaza.

I am just glad that KI announced this on their own day, and didn`t make the announcement on the same day as most of the other CF park announcements. I was under the assumption that the entrance on the left was for Sol Loco and the one on the right for Adventure Express. I think for next year`s Winterfest, it would appear that Cargo Loco could maybe be another ride open for Winterfest.

Looks like some solid additions to KI. Increased theming, a new family ride and a thrill ride, both flat rides. Nice to see some new flat rides.

Yes, that show has been discontinued. I am curious, A Peanuts Guide to Christmas is listed as being in "Charlie Brown`s Christmas Town." Bah Humbug, What the Dickens is listed as being in Peanuts Showplace. In the past, both shows were held in the same theater, the Peanuts Showplace, which is located behind the Great Pumpkin Coaster. Is there another location for the Charlie Brown show?

Yep. I get the same thing at the link above. Here is the correct link: https://www.miadventure.com/events/tricks-and-treats-fall-fest This is new for 2023. And it looks like they have their 2023 operating calendar live as well.

I think to a point we have been seeing a little bit of that. Look at the new restaurant they built up at Canada`s Wonderland. And you have the new Pavilion at Cedar Point for next year. But yes, I agree, that they could focus more on indoor attractions. I wonder if they will develop a food festival or something similar to attract people to the parks in January and February.

Carowinds and Kings Dominion have both released their operating calendars through Labor Day weekend, 2023.

Per the Carowinds website, they are open 11-6 in January, February and March. Surprised Kings Dominion is going year round. As you said Ryan, the weather in Virginia is comparable to Cincinnati. Given the large pass holder based and local population in proximity to KI I wonder if they won`t add additional dates.

Yes, it was a fun ride. Really felt like you were in the tree tops. The last few years the ride was around, it was in desperate need of some major refurb. There were lots of patches to the fiberglass. Don`t forget about the smell of the water. Unlike Race for Your Life Charlie Brown, KCKC used pond water that was not drained during the off season. Fish also lived in the water. On warm muggy Ohio days, the smell of the water was something. I was sad to see it go, but glad that they refurbished the flume that once resided at Coney versus this one. In fact, Flume was SBNO in 2000, the final season of KCKC. When Flume reopened in 2001, KCKC was closed and being dismantled to make way for Tomb Raider: The Ride.

Cedar Point is in their second year of having their Haunt on Thursday nights. I don`t see why KI wouldn`t try that, or at the very least expand the Sunday Haunt nights if they are successful.

Question is, was that thing that fell on it intentional or un-intentional? Definitely doesn`t look like for rehab work.

Yes, I am not disputing the fact that plans can and do change. I just think those of you who see this document and think that KI is getting a coaster in 2023 are setting your selves up for disappointment. Even a new coaster in 2024 for KI I think is a stretch. There are other areas that KI could use some capital improvements on before they get a new coaster. That being said, yes, I agree that they will eventually need to fill Vortex`s plot of land with something. It is a big area at the back of Coney Mall that needs something. Shake Rattle and Roll just looks weird with a high privacy fence around most of its queue.

I got to attend this event four time I believe. Once on the media preview, on opening night, once with my family, and then once, after volunteering at the park in food service, we were let go early because of light attendance and could enjoy the rest of the evening in the park. I liked Santa`s Toy Factory in the Kings Island Theater. It is the same basic show as Tinker`s Toy Factory, except it had a few more scenes/songs and was slightly longer. They were requiring people get tickets for their selected show time because they thought that the show would reach capacity. This show is actually from the original incarnation of Winterfest that ran from 1982-1992. I wish this would return to the KI Theater some day now and add in the additional songs. The lighting ceremony was pretty cool with the firework going up to the top of the Eiffel Tower. I really enjoyed the story line and actors they had on the train, and wish they would do something like this with the train at the current incarnation of Winterfest, versus the 12 days of Christmas. Overall, this 2005 version of Winterfest did not have as much live entertainment as what Winterfest has now. There were also not as many lights, less of the park was open, and there were fewer rides (and no roller coasters). Not to mention that admission was not included with your KI season pass. You had to pay extra to attend (I believe it was $18 or $19 per person with a season pass discount. Normal tickets were around $22 or $23 if I recall. I would that the current incarnation of Winterfest hands down. With maybe the train experience and Tinker`s toy factory from 2005 thrown in.

Everyone needs to keep in mind what Cedar Fair has been saying on their quarterly conference calls. They are going to be slowing down the cadence of major installs at the parks and spacing them farther apart than they had been in the past. They were hoping to focus on less capital intensive, limited time events, such as the 50th anniversary celebrations, that drive urgency and increased demand and repeat visits. They still are going to install major rides and coasters, they are just going to be spread farther out. I would not look for a new major roller coaster at Kings Island in 2023 or even 2024 for that matter. I could see some new flat rides, something done to Planet Snoopy and/or Boo Blasters and something added at the water park.

I think as Shaggy stated, that the kids area could use a revamp. The last time it saw any investment was way back in 2015 when Woodstock`s Gliders and Snoopy`s Space Buggies were added. It could certainly use a theming update, some fresh paint and a new ride or two... I think they need to fill in Vortex`s plot of land with something eventually. Ideally before another coaster lands in the already coaster heavy Action Zone. Soak City could use something new over there as well in the next several years.

When I was at the park this Sunday, there was a sign on the door of Hanks that said "Mobile Ordering Pickup"

And don`t forget for several years they had Holiday Fest. You could ride in a pedal boat in their lazy river! Holiday Fest wasn`t much, but I ended up going to it a few times. Winterfest is hands down better. I only visited the water park once in the late 90`s. We had received some comp passes from some family when we went.

https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2022/09/22/the-beach-waterpark-permanently-closed.html