CoasterJack

I think a City Walk sort of area with a hotel and some restaurants would be nice. Only problem is Liberty Center being located not too far away, so you'd have to make sure that you'd be catering with different options than what's already offered. Like if you bought the old Kings Island Inn area and ran a shuttle, it might work. I mean if you wanted to go the full 10 yards you build a man made water canal for boats and shuttle people. Definitely could turn it into some sort of shopping district/attraction destination. I just don't know if the demand would be there besides like Western & Southern tournament days or peak days in the summer. I just don't know something of that size could sustain itself realistically. If we're talking realistically, a reasonably nice hotel right off the exit where the Laser Craze is currently located. Good proximity to the highway, more affordable than the Great Wolf Lodge, but a bit nicer than some of the surrounding offerings, maybe even get a partnership with the park or something.

I was on an early morning rollback earlier this year, and to me, it felt as if the launch was choppy (I'll explain). The initial launch out of the station was normal, but while usually the acceleration is smooth and gradual, it felt choppy as if some of the LSMs pushed it, but almost like a few didn't engage with the train and it like coasted the middle of the launch portion without any acceleration before hitting the end of the LSMs and getting one last push from the set of LSMs at the end. It was odd because I only notice it only certain days, and even if I ride it multiple times in one day, it's different every time. Don't know if its on a train basis or case by case basis. Same thing though, some days they wouldn't be loading the 6th row or the entire back car, which kills capacity on an already bad ride in terms of rider capacity. The backwards helix is quite entertaining though, makes that intense element even more exciting, certainly not a family coaster when you experience a rollback though. I'm curious, has anyone else felt this quick last burst at the end of the launch compared to past years?

That's a perfect way of putting it. While it never had the level of the Orlando Parks, for KI, it's always had its charm and beats many attempts made by other regional parks. Also, Arrow Mine Trains have always had their charm, but I feel Adventure Express takes this another level with it's theming and character. While maybe not a Beast level night ride, the terrain style coaster gives amazing night rides. I hope KI can bring back some cool lighting effects on the tunnel, as well as on the arches, but at the same time the dark forest atmosphere is part of what makes it an interesting night ride

I think you might be referring to the loop that was played on the stretch of track before the first tunnel. If so I think I found the sound at 0:20 of this video. I believe there was a rainforest style loop that played up until a few years ago including a bunch of various train whistles and sounds. Rainforest Sounds Loop

Ah, you're right, that's the water tower featured in the concept art, my bad

I noticed that as well, maybe a future expansion?

Love this addition as well. Perfect fit for a few more flat rides that KI really needs. We've needed something like this to better round out the park. My only concern is that they save some trees along that walkway. If it turns out to have the same foliage as in the concept I'll be glad. My only worry is more shade gets cut from the park. That area currently has some of the best shade in the park.

Yeah my biggest and really only complaint that they could improve would be more fog. It's been really weak, and almost non-existent. I also miss the past years cool fall evenings filled with so much fog it filled the parking lot as well. I understand security reasoning, but it still feels even less fog in some areas than reasonable for that. Like there were zero functioning fog machines by the graveyard, which was disappointing in comparison to years past.

Personally, I didn't think it was too bad. Mainly just without scare zone back by The Vortex plot, felt a little dead crossing between Coney Maul and Rivertown Reaping. Also I totally understand it's the first weekend, but the fog really needs to be turned up a notch. Maybe it was the wind, but the fog seemed mostly non-existent in the graveyard area, as well as other areas in the park. I hope as we get further into the season, things will continue to be tweaked. But overall, new maze was decent. Would love to see a pattern start of a new maze revamped each year, maybe with a revamped club blood or wolf pack coming back next tear.

With how many positions are changing over this season, I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Koontz stays around one more year just to help with the transition. But I agree, the leadership team has been absolutely phenomenal these past few years.

I'm happy to see this as well! The quality and quantity of options offered within the park has improved tenfold since his arrival. Certainly deserves it!

The question is if Paramount had left the ride, what would've happened to the ride over Cedar Fair's ownership? Would we see an overhaul or renovation, or would we see a replacement if the ride animatronics deteriorated. I mean we've seen the condition of Boocifer, so would we have that same condition for the ride, or would they choose to put something else in?

Looks like the spring cage is gone in the back too. I'm hoping for a refurbishment, but we'll see.

VIP Lounge?

I received an email this morning around 10am including a pre-sale code. Don't know if it's a unique code per passholder or if it's available for use and everyone can use the same code. Also don't know if I'm allowed to share it in here or if that's against any terms of use.

There is a music in the parks event each year. Students usually preform in Choir, Band and Orchestra at a nearby high school, my year it was Loveland, then drive to KI for the rest of the day. Timberwolf is used for the awards ceremony each year. A younger friend of mine is attending the program this year in May and the program says to meet at Timberwolf for awards.

I always admire that I'm back in the park for the first time in 4 months, then move along to the lower capacity attractions first (Invertigo, Flight of Fear), then move on from there around the park, simply riding what I'm able to find a decent wait for during the packed crowds. I'd agree with the statement that you should be as kind and courteous as possible to the kind staff, as it will be their first major weekend in a while. Usually the middle of the day comes to myself marathoning Adventure Express, Racer and Bat as they have good capacity but less of a line (well at least two of those three have great capacity). Then unusually get in line by the end of the day for a Beast night ride, but probably gonna have to change that up this year instead and resort to an Orion night right instead.

Especially considering GateKeeper is a few years newer than Diamondback

I mean theoretically, I'm sure there's a way RMC could make a funky station exit and break run. I mean Gwazi was a freak of a recreation using old footers, and that station had been SBNO for years, but also in all honesty there's nothing super unique about the SOB station. Sure it's memorable, but it's not exactly unique like the Gwazi African themed station or heck even The Vortex/Old Bat station. I still think it's odd that they didn't save The Vortex station for events, yet the SOB station has stood SBNO for over a decade for a haunt event. So I'd say theoretically, there's a chance it could be revitalized for a new coaster, which would be awesome, but in reality, I think it would be more trouble than its worth to reuse the SOB station.

Blackout and Wolf Pack in years past always felt understaffed. I guess if only having 5 mazes open means more scare actors per maze, it could be more quality over quantity. Still, I do see this being a problem for lines. With only 5 mazes open, we could be seeing some insane maze lines. Also I assume Field of Screams moved because since it might be hard to access that location because of Orion being there now.

Had an amazing time today. Food wait times were fast, staff was really efficient. All the wait times were under 10 minutes, even Orion, except for Flight of Fear, which was about an 80 minute wait. Lights were on earlier in the day, but shut off. They left the extra emergency lights on in the queue area though because there was a decent leak in the ceiling from the rain. Makes me wonder if the lights were on in the main ride portion to check for leaks there as well. The water was coming in at a decent point to where they had someone positioned to just keep cleaning up the water. Did anyone else experience this?

Thanks, I figured the building would protect the track, my fear back in the day was that an lightning bolt would overload the LSMs if struck, so I figured there was some system in place. I faintly remember hearing about it, but that was back during the paramount days, and I didn't know if there was any change since then. I'm just hoping the rain leads to less crowds tomorrow.

Just a quick question. I'm planning to head to the park tomorrow (Friday the 28th) for a few hours. It's been a few years since I've checked this policy, but in case of thunder, does Flight of Fear still operate when the other coasters shut down? I've been in the park a few times during inclement weather the past year or two, but I've never ventured over to see.

The other thing is teens make up a good portion of visitor attendance. I understand it's for the safety of the guests, but punish the thousands of other teens wanting to enjoy summer with their friends over the poor choices of a few other peers. If KI can find another way around, I think increased security or crowd control might be in order, but as long as it isn't a repeat problem, I'd hold off on the chaperone policy if possible.

While it would help. I don't think it would fix everything. I witnessed a different one, which definitely contained a decent amount over 16 & over 18 years old, so I don't know how much it would help there. I hope this is a one time thing, and hopefully, we won't have to worry about it later down the line. Part of me thinks everyone was already on edge from the crowds and lines.