DonHelbig

I attended ERScream. I thought ACE put together a nice event and made the best of the way things turned out with the weather.

To preserve the integrity of the first riders auction, I only had 15 spots to work with for non-traditional media to attend Diamondback media day. To help localize the story for media outlets, I used most of these spots to invite enthusiasts from Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Toledo, and Detroit for TV news satellite hits. KIC had representation at the event out of the 15 spots, as did ACE and GOCC.

When it comes to relationships with groups like American Coaster Enthusiasts, they don’t see the picture at all. You can’t build long-term value while treating the very community and people who helped build your legacy like disposable assets.

I know a number of people that did not renew this year and instead are now passholders to other parks in the region they experienced for the first time the past couple of years. There are other options that provide better value, they’re finding. And there will be more this year.

Not a wise move to tamper with longstanding relationships with ACE and JDRF.

Dollywood changes up the menu items and entertainment for its festivals so there are new things to experience. The name of the events are the same, but it’s not the same old every year. EPCOT has new menu offerings, entertainment and topiaries every year during its Flower & Garden Festival, so it too doesn’t feel it’s a rinse and repeat event. Busch Gardens VA makes changes to its menu and other offerings for its annual Food & Wine Festival. It gets more immersive every year. I thought Kings Island made an effort to improve Food & Wine last year. It was still very small scale in comparison to Busch Gardens but a step in the right direction. Grand Carnivale the past couple years just feels like it’s rolled out to fill dates on the events calendar. It’s still a nice event but not what it could and should be.

Surf Dog has officially been reclassified by Kings Island from a roller coaster to a thrill ride on the park’s website. This change begs the question if you counted Surf Dog as a credit, does it still count as a credit because it was classified as a roller coaster by Kings Island when you rode it?

Kennywood isn’t just opening for 2026—it’s celebrating its past, present, and future with new events, nostalgic food, and milestone ride anniversaries. https://themeparksbydon.com/kennywood-opening-day-2026-new-events-food-anniversaries/

Dollywood has been named one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Entry-Level Employees in 2026 by Newsweek, highlighting its employee culture, benefits, and impact on guest experience. https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-best-entry-level-workplace-2026/

Delaying the release of an events calendar until just before opening day is a missed strategic opportunity. By that point, many guests have already mapped out their 2026 travel plans around parks that announced their events months in advance. In a market where consumers are making decisions earlier than ever, waiting to communicate key dates means risking that Kings Island gets left out of the consideration set entirely. It’s not about timing. It’s about mindshare, trip planning influence, and ultimately attendance from guests who may have chosen differently if they’d had the information sooner.

https://advertiser-tribune.com/news/824487/six-flags-under-pressure/ https://www.financialcontent.com/article/marketminute-2026-3-17-wild-ride-jana-partners-demands-immediate-sale-of-six-flags-entertainment-as-merger-synergies-stall

This is more how they should use X. They’ll sell more passes by not pushing passes on social media with the frequency they and other Six Flags parks do.

Even the trash cans at Dollywood tell a story, reflecting the park’s attention to detail. They’re designed to blend seamlessly into the rustic Appalachian and Victoria-inspired setting and feature natural-looking wood or dark metal finishes that compliments the surrounding atmosphere rather than distract from it. The trash cans at Kings Island and other Six Flags parks distract from the atmosphere. They stick out when they should be designed to blend in. Details like this matter.

Debt reduction! 🤣

Do they need to bring in more people? No. Do the people they bring in need to spend more money? Yes. That means getting more people during the core season that aren’t passholders in the park. Concerts would be an opportunity to do that. But they’d need to be planning and booking now for 2027 to make concerts be a success.