BeeastFarmer

It's a great experience. And look at the bright side: if it's sold out, you can go ride Mystic Timbers, The Racer, flight of Cheer and get a meatloaf burger!

Isn't next year the 50th anniversary of the park? Or is it a year older than Six Flags Great America? I understand why, but it sux that they will be unable to celebrate the milestone.

Kinda my point. If decisions are out of park's local control but based by some one in Charlotte based on a spreadsheet, anything can happen. Money comes before sentiment and people away from the sentiment are concerned about short term. If they removed The Beast, I would venture their pass sales would decline significantly. But then again, Vortex was beloved if not for the ride itself but definitely for the sentiment, a local decision was made after a rough ride, and apparently attendance has only increased. I don't think The Beast will be removed

I can't remember...did Kentucky Kingdom give notice for final rides for T3? If my thinking is correct, they did not. But the ride didn't operate in 2023 , also trusting my shaky memory:) It's sad when any ride closes, because someone out there loved it. But, if the new, new,new, new Six Flags (under CF leadership) does the right thing , they will give notice. But they are likely not able to do this at a park level. Project Accelerate was announced at the third quarter earnings call, which is the first for the combined company. In this timeline, they are moving fast to retire costly assets on a park by park basis. In some cases, local parks may not even know what the plan is for ride removals. In some cases, these removals are a complete disaster ( removal of Kings Mills Auto Livery Stable, Les Taxis, Flying Eagles for Junkyard Coaster) and others, they make sense ( SOB for Banshee). Let's hope you get progress made in the parks is net positive instead of net negative. Since these seem to be driven by costs and non local people, could The Beast be in danger? It's probably one of the most expensive rides to operate and maintain at KI, even with the cuts in ride staffing over these last two seasons.

Louisville theme park donates thousands to Norton Children's Hospital | whas11.com

SIX no longer exists. It's now FUN.

I haven't heard much chatter about that. It's more about markets like Louisville, Lexington, Evansville and maybe Indianapolis that have been suggested.

I agree but am struggling to grasp how closing a ride like KK or NH, which are expensive to operate, would save money (in the short term) when you have a huge expense to remove the rides. One time cost vs cost runs over time, but in an era where they want to show financial results, why would they do a bunch of CAPEX right now? Or, are ride removals not that expensive? I follow Jazzland on Facebook and the group that is trying to buy the land to reopen the park (the city has not entertained their proposal and has awarded it to another). This group claims that the company that is doing the demo is paid by the scrap value.

I agree with this. I live about 2.5 hours from both KI and HW. I will drive to Louisville, but I wouldn't drive to HW...I don't think there is a large enough market for an event there. They could do a small event for locals, but nothing extravagent. I have not even been to WinterFest this year. Tuesday would have been a perfect night to go, but I just didnt feel like driving 5 hours round trip for a five hour event, and I am a passholder for a couple more weeks.

That's kind of my point. Social media did not exist back then, but did the greats of KI PR (Ruth Voss, Bill Mefford) have in park information or disseminate information to the media?

Little did the last train on Son of Beast know they would be last riders ever. But that one is easier to understand. Historical perspective: Did Bayren Curve, Flying Dutchman, Der Spinnin Keggers, Flight Commander, Cinema 180, The Bat(1.0), KCKC, Ohio Overland Livery Company, King Cobra, Screamin' Demon, Wild Animal Habitat, Bavarian Beetle, Scooby's Ghoster Coaster and Halley's Comet and The Crypt have a "proper" send off? Or were they quietly retired with no fanfare?

At least it's announced, unlike some other parks. Maybe they did learn to acknowledge emotions of folks. This is from the blog linked in the social post: "We know that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate your passion. These changes are an important part of our growth and underscore our commitment to elevating the park experience. We’re excited about the future, and we can’t wait to begin this journey with you at Carowinds." It's interesting that they use the terms "multi year expansion" and "evolve." Most of this park has been renovated since the Cedar Fair acquisition. Anybody want to speculate on how else they are going to shake things up?

Are you on a cruise or something?

Keep in mind, that our member here reached out to Over Texas and they denied that their coaster was leaving. Didn't Great Adventure do the same with Kingda Ka? Most of the steel coasters will leave Kings Island at some point in my lifetime. Diamondback, Banshee and Orion, I'm looking at you. Millie will die one day, as will SooperDooperLooper. There is a difference in an immediate closure and a planned obsoletion. Hopefully in the future, the chain will give cherished coasters a proper send off. I get that the two chains are figuring it out as they go, but if this is the new norm, it's not looking good.

They didn't proclaim, "Schell no!" ???