Kings Island theming

[Austin]

I went on Memorial Day weekend, and I am almost positive I heard the crashing sound! It's more of an electro-blast sound.

Yeah, you're right about that. I got used to calling it that because when I worked there, that's what we all called it.

That's interesting that they would even have it playing. I said in another thread that one of the light/sound tech guys said that he would never fix it because it blows out the speakers over the launch tunnel, and they're hard to replace, being over the track and everything. Maybe they were messing with it on Memorial Day, trying to add it back?

What ever happened to the satellite tower they have outside the Fight of Fear :/

They ripped it out.

http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23006

I wonder if they'll add it back in, considering all of this amazing work they've been doing to it lately!

[CedarPointer]

That sound could easily just be played over the station's speakers, which obviously work.

[bkroz]

Few ideas for theming would be have a cemetery far away from any foot traffic and house the smokers, it is ridiculous to walk my healthy kids in a great kids park area and have them inhale smoke. I mean really if you can't smoke in the parking lot before and after you come then you need help.

Ironically, the Tower Gardens are a cemetery during October, and they house smokers there!

But really, there are no designated smoking areas in Planet Snoopy, only near the Baby Care Center that's sort of across from the International Showplace theater. That doesn't stop people. And it appears that it's not that these people aren't informed about smoking areas, it's that they don't care. Judging by the behavior and attitude of some people, I can understand how it would be a difficult for a teenage seasonal employee to work up the courage to say something (especially given that it often appears that they'll either ignore you, or toss it on the ground then light another one 10 feet away). But I don't see why the park's stance isn't that if you are smoking outside of designated smoking areas, you will be escorted from the park without refund. Just having a policy like that would do much to deter these folks, and breaking a park rule is breaking a park rule, no different from line jumping or inappropriate clothing.

[Austin]

That sound could easily just be played over the station's speakers, which obviously work.

That's what I told him, and he just stubbornly said no, lol. Maybe the managers have made them make this happen? Who knows?

[fan of beast]

the clock people over the Festhaus entrance do not work. i remember that from my childhood. reminds me of Frankenmuth, Michigan.

[Snowman]

" I love KI and no matter what they do or don't do it is still my home park and love it.

I agree completely Timbo1. I hoped this wouldn't turn into a KI complaint thread. I'm glad it's stayed positive with great suggestions.

So here's one for my beloved home park, noticed by my wife:

Right before you pass through the exit/stamp turnstile look at the poster of WS on the right. The seats are blue, but turn around and watch WS climb, and the seats are clearly Red!

Also KI has filled some potholes in the parking lot. A sincere, "Thank You" I love my home park.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

the clock people over the Festhaus entrance do not work. i remember that from my childhood. reminds me of Frankenmuth, Michigan.

...Which reminds me of Münich (laut lachen )

It would be nice if they were able to return that clock to its former glory. It's just a fun, amusement-parky thing, even if the area is no longer really themed for Oktoberfest.

[standbyme]

I will start this post out by saying that I have been really happy with how CF has added all of the pavers everywhere...it is my favorite thing that they have done since taking over. (And yes, I think that even includes Diamondback.)

So, as mentioned above...the next improvement I would like to see is the Festhaus clock people brought back to their former glory. (That would be followed by bringing back the actual organ to the carousel.)

[lopan]

I have a memory of King's Island that I loved as a kid. There was a long tunnel toward Beast I believe that was covered in some kind of ivy, shrub, or plant. I always thought it was so cool to walk through. I had a 5-10 year falling out with King's Island (though am visiting more than ever with my Platinum Pass these days), so does anyone know why this was removed or what happened to it?

Maybe they could bring back a similar concept somewhere in the park, like in Dinosaurs Alive?

i asked that question last year at the 5@5 person and they just said "it was removed cause it had served its purpose"

[Oldiesmann]

the clock people over the Festhaus entrance do not work. i remember that from my childhood. reminds me of Frankenmuth, Michigan.

That hasn't worked since 2005 from my understanding. The rumor is that the guts of the clock were removed, though I'm not sure if that's true. It's likely similar to the carousel organ - too expensive to maintain and something that most guests won't notice / care enough about (eg not something they'd lose money on in the long run).

[CedarPointer]

I wouldn't mind the broken clock if they'd fix that door that's always open.

[Snowman]

Here's a crazy idea for the WindSeeker. Paint the loading deck cement with a pinwheel "swirl" pattern that rotates the opposite way the ride goes. When someone rides in the inner seat and looks down, they would see an amazingly huge kaleidescope effect.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

^ Brilliant!

OOPS... The other way...

[Snowman]

^ Brilliant!

OOPS... The other way...

Dude.....It's like you got in my brain and made the exact thing I was thinking of!

[Outdoor Man]

actually i think the festhaus clock worked as recent as 2007 or maybe 2008. I remember watching it after the CF buyout and thinking that maybe the "little" things will be brought back up to speed. As Mr. Helbig said a few years ago, they were going to restore KI to the way "people remember it...."

I would just like the simple things. Like- a GERMAN-themed "festhaus" feature something more german than "Panda Express." LaRosa's is pushing it... but at least they're European. I would have preferred restoration of some of the theming like the carousel organ to the millions invested in the Dinosaur attraction.... that doesn't really fit a theme consistent with Coney Mall, and I can't see it staying longer than a few years. Now, that being said, I have not been yet (though I intend to)- just saying I would have rather they put money into infastructure as opposed to an attraction that will likely expire in a short period of time.

[FlumeRunner]

I'm amazed at how well the synchronization between the monitors in the Flight of Fear queue has held up. Although that camera could be turned as someone suggested earlier, because it's pretty silly to say "There are civilians in the Hangar!" and the camera pans to an empty queue. Just a minor little annoyance

[CedarPointer]

I would just like the simple things. Like- a GERMAN-themed "festhaus" feature something more german than "Panda Express." LaRosa's is pushing it... but at least they're European. I would have preferred restoration of some of the theming like the carousel organ to the millions invested in the Dinosaur attraction.... that doesn't really fit a theme consistent with Coney Mall, and I can't see it staying longer than a few years. Now, that being said, I have not been yet (though I intend to)- just saying I would have rather they put money into infastructure as opposed to an attraction that will likely expire in a short period of time.

http://www.dinosaursunearthed.com/2011/03/dinosaurs-roar-to-life-at-the-worlds-largest-animatronic-dinosaur-park-at-kings-island/

“Dinosaurs Alive! is a long-term investment and reflects our commitment to providing our guests with world-class thrills, fun and family entertainment,” Kings Island vice president and general manager Greg Scheid said. “The sights, sounds and movements of the life-like dinosaurs will excite and educate guests of all ages.”

[Titan]

I would have enjoyed Dinosaurs Alive a lot better if it was like the boat ride at the Columbus Zoo.

[FlumeRunner]

I would have enjoyed Dinosaurs Alive a lot better if it was like the boat ride at the Columbus Zoo.

I would enjoy that boat ride better if it was like Dinosaurs Alive

[The Interpreter]

There is nothing European about pizza. It is an American creation.

[Mikewhy]

I would just be thrilled if maintenance would fix all the lights that were out at the park when I was there a few weeks ago. The Snoopy Startlight spectacular had about 30% of its lights not working, there were many lights out around the International Street buildings, and there have been some colored lights in the International Street fountain that have not worked for years... Kings Island is a great park and deserves better...

[CedarPointer]

I suspect that the water has to be drained from the fountains to change the lights (anyone know?), and I've never seen it drained during the regular season.

[Outdoor Man]

There is nothing European about pizza. It is an American creation.

that's why I said it was a stretch... or however I worded it. it's perception is italian, not necessarily european. Let m eput it this way, you could make a better case for that in a German themed building than Chinese...

[Outdoor Man]

I would just like the simple things. Like- a GERMAN-themed "festhaus" feature something more german than "Panda Express." LaRosa's is pushing it... but at least they're European. I would have preferred restoration of some of the theming like the carousel organ to the millions invested in the Dinosaur attraction.... that doesn't really fit a theme consistent with Coney Mall, and I can't see it staying longer than a few years. Now, that being said, I have not been yet (though I intend to)- just saying I would have rather they put money into infastructure as opposed to an attraction that will likely expire in a short period of time.

http://www.dinosaursunearthed.com/2011/03/dinosaurs-roar-to-life-at-the-worlds-largest-animatronic-dinosaur-park-at-kings-island/

“Dinosaurs Alive! is a long-term investment and reflects our commitment to providing our guests with world-class thrills, fun and family entertainment,” Kings Island vice president and general manager Greg Scheid said. “The sights, sounds and movements of the life-like dinosaurs will excite and educate guests of all ages.”

yea, i've read that and similar things before. How long before the animatronics start going bad... and all of a sudden there will be a $5 attraction full of statues. Honestly, I'll give it 5 years. unless they do something to expand that area- which would ruin the jungle/tree look- i can see it becoming a mostly ignored attraction after 3-4 years.

[jcgoble3]

I would just be thrilled if maintenance would fix all the lights that were out at the park when I was there a few weeks ago. The Snoopy Startlight spectacular had about 30% of its lights not working, there were many lights out around the International Street buildings, and there have been some colored lights in the International Street fountain that have not worked for years... Kings Island is a great park and deserves better...

Not to mention the light out on WindSeeker already. To clarify, all 64 seats have a white light on the bottom of the seat, visible when the ride unit lifts into the air. On the night of June 30, while waiting in line, I noticed that one of those lights was out.

[CodyDL]

didnt the lights in FOF line used to be off now in the past years they are always on...

[LongliveKingsCobra]

From what I remember (which is not alot) The lights did at one time turn off when the video "surged" all of the lights went out and then slowly flickered back on. Neat effect, yes, but those that couldn't control what their hands did during that period of darkness got the effect taken out of the program.

[Tanna]

The Kids' park when Taft own it was fantastic, the benches with characters on it, the flower shaped lamp posts, along the little raceway, they had cutouts of the characters. My only problem with the Snoopy franchise is that there are so few characters. The Squiddly Diddly mini monster ride was very well done, and the teacup ride had a witch that rode her broom around the top. The bumper cars were Flintstone mobiles.

I think the only real theme that KI ever had was the division of themes. You knew where Rivertown Started, and where Coney Island began.

I loved the floral tunnel.

It just seemed to get mashed together over time, due to the fact that Tom Cruise became the official theme character of the park, and you couldn't turn the corner without a Cruise theme jumping out at you.

(I had to choose the Lamest ride in the park to propose marriage in, "Day's of Thunder", back when Paramount owned it. I wanted to propose on the Merry Go Round, but had a bout of fear over dropping the ring stopped me.)

I thought the theming of The Bat was suitable to the midway, it was an old Victorian house, with gingerbread trim, as I recall. It fit well with the oldy stuff on the midway.

[Snowman]

There is nothing European about pizza. It is an American creation.

that's why I said it was a stretch... or however I worded it. it's perception is italian, not necessarily european. Let m eput it this way, you could make a better case for that in a German themed building than Chinese...

Panda Express isn't Chinese..... To quote Interpreter,"It is an American creation"

Went through Boo Blasters today and whoever is reading this thread from KI........ You Rock!!!........They added a 3rd ghost on the cross stick. Well done. Also, Don't know if it's worked all the time, but the lightening flash and thunder strike was working to. Very Cool.

[faeriewench]

When did the floral tunnel actually go? I do remember it was there as recent as 03-possibly even 04 cause I was underneath it a couple times sweeping. I think at that point it was mostly for food service purposes cause of all the tables. So...Nicktoons Universe transition?