I would say to go with Door #1, renew and get a $99 Kings Island Gold Pass for the rest of 2025 and all of 2026 included. This is a low enough price point where two visits to any park would make the price worth it, and it allows you the choice of going/not going to Six Flags parks on your own terms. With an all-parks meal plan and standard drink plan that price goes up to about $300 total (after taxes and fees). Even that is a good deal considering the fact that Dollywood and other chains passes are up around $250-$300 without the dining plans. I wouldn't get Prestige unless you plan to go on days where crowds are normally lower because otherwise you'll be contending with all of the other new Prestige guests for access to Preferred Parking, the VIP lounges, and the Fast Lane lines.  Buying now for 2025/2026 would let you visit any parks that might soon be sold/closed by Six Flags. It might even make for a good series of on-site blog posts for you to write for themeparksbydon. If Six Flags ends up declaring bankruptcy or selling assets sooner than expected then you would also be able to document that.  You could wait until 2026 to see if (and when) this offer comes back out for 2026/2027, but then you would lose out on the pre-paid pass access to all of the Six Flags parks and not be able to go as spontaneously as you might want to.    If you'd like to continue the course you're currently on in regards to access to parks, dining plans, and other benefits: renew now. If you're fine with going to the parks less and paying for access each time, wait until 2026.

I wonder if that could have been caught and fixed while the ride was down, or if the water system is only able to be thoroughly tested while the ride is in operation. 

That is true, but I'd still like to see another stand-out coaster beyond Vortex's replacement and more attractions that the entire family can handle  

I wouldn't be so quick on the Warner Bros. Discovery naming schemes. They are currently looking to un-merge and become separate Warner Bros. and Discovery Global again in 2026. I can't recall which company would get which properties, but I think the DC characters and licenses will stay with Warner Bros. while the Looney Tunes properties may go with either. I fear that any changes beyond new signage and paint will only lead to the area having less trees and awful appearances. 

Not that ChatGPT is always right LOL, but I asked it which is more popular LOL: When comparing the popularity of Peanuts and Looney Tunes, it really depends on the context — whether you're talking about cultural impact, revenue, or fan base. Looney Tunes: These characters (like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Tweety Bird) are more ingrained in global pop culture. Since its creation in the 1930s, Looney Tunes has expanded across countless TV shows, movies, video games, theme parks, and merchandise. Its vibrant, slapstick humor has had an enduring appeal to both kids and adults worldwide. The franchise is a staple in animation history. Peanuts: Charles Schulz's Peanuts, which features Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang, has a different kind of cultural impact. It's much more grounded and often thought of for its heartwarming, sometimes melancholic, messages. Peanuts is widely loved, especially around holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving (thanks to the iconic A Charlie Brown Christmas and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown specials). The strip itself ran for decades and left a huge mark on the comic world, though in terms of global brand recognition, it’s slightly less in-your-face than Looney Tunes. In terms of sheer recognition and reach, Looney Tunes might take the lead globally, especially considering its continuous presence in pop culture and merchandising.