OldieButGoodie

I agree in principle, but gravel would be terrible to stripe for parking stalls and for motorcycle safety. With no stripes, people tend to park farther away from the car next to them and fewer spots result. A few crosswalks across the exit lane (through the middle) would be nice too. Too many folks wander across the flow of traffic in the driving lane, which is really dangerous, even at 20mph.

I have never been stopped by security with my gear so asked what the policy/process is. The answer's always 'no' if you don't ask, right? Here's the response: Hello, Chris, Yes, you can bring a monopod/tripod into the park for photos. You would not be able to set up where it might impede pedestrian traffic. You would also go through our security. I did check with security to make certain that they would allow that to come through. Have fun! Sincerely, Dana Miller

I've taken my own monopod, and there was a guy who appeared to be a guest with a tripod Saturday. I've seen tripods at the shows before as well, so I think as long as you're careful to not create a safety hazard you should be good to go. I've never had trouble in restrooms when I had to go. I carry my Canon 5D on a sling strap and a) turn it off, put the lens cap on and let it hang and b ) don't tough it while in the bathroom. I've never had a problem, never been questioned, and of course never done anything I shouldn't. You should be good to go, and Winterfest is such a spectacle to shoot!

Here's a thought KI, just set end of day for 01:00 the next day. During the summer, *nobody will be there*. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Sorry to hear this, I liked the I-street music you and the others put together, but apparently we may be in the minority on this. The suggestion that they were migrating to the park was not meant as an 'excuse', just a plausible theory, and I'm sorry if that offended you in some way. The park has done many things that disappointed me over the years, and several that delighted me. I'll put this one in the disappointment category, and move on.

Fascinating to see the various reactions and opinions (since nobody really knows...) I see it as perfectly reasonable, the original post was at the end of August, they had one opening weekend before closed to park sell-out events, during which they migrate to Haunt for the 22 September launch. Not really 'a month early' in my view, but your mileage may vary and everybody is entitled to their own opinion (although disparaging remarks are uncalled for). If they don't return to the music we all seem to like next year, I'll definitely write a letter. Until then, I think I'll enjoy the Haunt and worry about the summer season music when we're back in summer season. I'm psyched for this year's haunt!

There is much to do, much to test, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I think it makes sense that it might have switched from a separate soundtrack to the 'park-wide' one beforehand, since they closed for daily ops and began haunt setup at the end of August, and are closed to the public until September 22. Plan B will be to use earbuds and listen to my own stuff, if they don't revert to the IStreet music next year!

There I was, reading the thread and thinking exactly this. They play (have always played, I think) the same s/t across the park during Haunt. Makes perfect sense that they simply switched it over for the upcoming event. Happy to hear this - the non-pop-music format was a pleasant break from the rest of the park. I liked the area theming of long ago much better!

I was disappointed. The sign out front told what the deal was, and then what the up-charges were for passes. There were no asterisks, no fine print, no other markings at all. When we arrived and paid, we were told the souvenir cup was not included for the season pass-up-charge. Seemed pretty lame since that was the last opening day for the year. We ended up having to go back through the drink line over an over.

A-10s beat Beyoncé too - if you've ever seen them fire the gun! (BrrrrrrraP!)

Makes good sense, doesn't it, that ERT is bestowed upon the friend? Cost is nil, goodwill for the passholder is high, and impact to the lines is likely minimal. Wouldn't it stink to bring your friend but have to meet them after ERT was over or wait until GA and longer lines? Always better to check and know based on facts, than make assertions based on what you 'think'... thanks for checking that King! I DO always manage to miss the event (on the KI calendar) on the day that GW holds the 'tow show' though, and end up roaming around over there until the park opens at 7pm!

So much space... so much opportunity... just fogging it would add a bunch - esp if done near the entrance so the following train can't see in so easily...

While in line for MT I got a text from a friend that said, "Want to know what's in the shed? #Disappointment" - and I have to admit, it was very AE-like for us. I'm optimistic though - there's plenty of technology and opportunity there - as a prior poster mentioned, foggers, misters, other lighting - maybe it's just not yet finished. :-)

Wow - on Saturday the on I will pay attention to the sign tonight. I have honestly never looked at it. As for the cup.. I have gone in previous years as well and never received a cup other then the paper one to get refills while in the picnic grove. I am skipping the feast this evening though due to how horrible the food was last Friday. The buns were very dry, like they were left over from the previous week and not stored properly. They just crumbled apart so i had to eat my pulled pork sandwich with a fork (sacrilegious). Beans were cold... probably the best item was the pasta that night. The gift i got at the end of the day was time on the throne...I will go to old faithful (larosas or the burrito spot) tonight and pay attention to that sign as well when i get to the park. Sorry to hear you had a crappy experience. I love rooting for KI but its always a big bummer when these things happen. Wow - on Saturday the only thing that was cold that should not have been were the hot dogs. Buns were fine, pork was hot (although I'm doing a low glycemic index diet so I did eat it with a fork lol). It's just the principal of the thing for me. If the sign had an asterisk or other disclaimer it was not apparent to me. I have a pic of it, but cannot upload until later on. I'm planning to go down again tonight, we'll see if it has been updated. Just seems chincy (is that even a word?) to pull that on your passholders with dining, when there are only a couple weekends left and you're really just trying to eliminate the inventory anyway.

We did this last Saturday. The sign out front spelled out the charges for the deal, including the $5 upcharge for all-season dining. Supposed to be all-you-can-eat buffet (hot dogs, pulled pork, and delicious fried chicken), a one-time front--of-line maze pass, and a drink cup. But oh, while paying, "the drink cup is not included with the all-season-dining", which kind-of stinks. Platinum passes and dining plan were roughly $1000 at the beginning of the season. There was no asterisk that excluded all-season upcharge users, and the drinks one can consume from 6pm-1am are pretty limited. It was advertised as "while supplies last", and there are truckloads of those things. I feel that the sign should have said it wasn't included, or we should have gotten them (truth in advertising). What do y'all think?

Last Saturday I saw a terrible thing that could have turned out very, very bad. In the Coney Maul, a young family was moving toward the exit along the Subway, Dad was pulling a *wagon*, with daughter (about 3-ish) in it, and Mom behind. Someone got spooked by a scareacter to the side of them, jumped backwards and tripped over the wagon. That wagon was *impossible* to see due to fog and general crowd (the park was quite overcrowded), but neither the child nor the person who went a**-over-teakettle got hurt. The shouting match that ensued was beyond belief, with the Mom threatening to "f*** somebody up!". How in the world is a wagon allowed to be there at all after Haunt begins? That just seems like such a safety issue, it's low and folks attention is eye-high looking for scareactors, the fogging obscures things as it's supposed to, etc. Just truly glad nobody got hurt.

Man, oh man... if they had biometrics ala Universal, and that they were networked so they were available on around the park throughout the day - then I might buy the all-day locker deal. Oh, and not to pick nits, but I'm pretty sure the Boston Marathon used pressure cooker IEDs. Backpacks would surely be noticed if locked to a fence, and probably result in a Worst Day Ever.

^ Teenage (or any other) tailgating is a very poor idea at KI, especially at Haunt time. They beef up security and have bike patrols galore, so chances of navigating those waters successfully is slim, even for 'expert' tailgaters. The new gate system (and the old) would not accommodate the crowd well for Haunt if they opened the parking gates at the same time as the park opened. :-)

They do have the 'No Boo' necklaces for a small stipend, but if you just don't like the fog and gore, Friday is not the night.

Not sure a capital investment has to be an addition... what if something's being removed to make way for future expansion/development? I wonder if they're planning to maybe remove Timberwolf?

I wonder if it's time for Timberwolf to go, allowing room for 'future development' which I hope would finally mean a giga! There is plenty of space out there as others have mentioned, and it might allow re-use of Son of Beast's station. One can dream, right?

I like the concept for the new ride, and I think the new ride will leverage everything about The Beast that folks love as others have said. I kinda hope announcement 2 is removal of Timberwolf for 'future development' and a Giga in the near future, but we shall see. Good to meet a few of you last night - I'm lousy with names but you know who you are!

If not for the relationship with Intamin, a Maverick type ride would be cool in that area.

You just made me the happiest guy around! I can't wait to hear the organ, and to watch and listen to your work. Thanks so much for sharing these photos - no way for any of us to really experience the journey without them, and it's much appreciated!

I think that most adult smokers from Ohio follow the policy, but we have folks from other states where it's not prohibited in restaurants or other venues and they don't always know (even though the announcements play all the time). The kids are typically in those rebellious age zones, and will 'test authority' until there is some consequence. Some will stop if asked, others will not. Still, it's so much better than it used to be. Maybe someday...