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Don on Twitter at @KingsIslandPR just tweeted this out: Construction of the bar area in the new Reds Hall of Fame Grille at Kings Island.

Maybe we should look into the rides we buy better. Buying a new ride? Just say - Show me the ridefax

I cant rember the exact year (maybe 2003 or 2004 but i was still in High School), it was extremely cold for opening day (maybe low 40s or upper 30s) that it started to snow. The park made the announcement shortly after opening that they would be closing at noon. My friend and I sprinted to The Beast where we road it in the front seat which was a big mistake. Our faces were so red when we got off of the ride. There were only 2 other people on the ride and they were sitting in the back. They spent the majority of the ride ducking down in their seats to dodge all of the snowflakes.

Only if you didn't have maintenace, in which case it would be catastrophic either way. The inconsistency is what makes it fun. A good rain ride sounds wonderful right about now.

so far from what ive seen, i am really pleased to see the improvements.

I think it shold do rather well.

I hadn't thought about a Red's theme, but other than that, this is exactly what I've thought Kings Island has needed for years.

Have you tried closing your eyes? Touche --- you make a valid point. I guess if I want it completely dark I could just close my eyes.

Just saw a live report on FOX 19, still pretty bare, and there going to fill over 100 positions. EDIT: Patio located under Diamondbacks lift hill, looks pretty sweet.

Have you tried closing your eyes?

I would have to agree with ViolaKat- Kat that 2009 was the most memorable Opening Day! I met some amazing people that i still hang out with as friends. Kat, Angie, Steph, Gary, Jesse, etc. There all still very close to me and i love my KICentral family! I had the opportunity to work opening day 2012 in the admissions department and then later enjoying the rainy cold day with many close friends. As last year, i will be at Opening Day; but in the admissions department selling passes and tickets.

Man its been a while since Ive been on here! As some of you know me I played Steve in Urgent scare in the hallway and in the last 2 weeks in the morgue and most likely returning again to haunt the halls of the hospital. I would really love Urgent scare to be revamped for this year with new layout, rooms, scenes, and actors. Would be nice if we had all of Acton Theater to ourselves that would make for one incredible hospital. Guess Steve can only be wishing until its time for fresh meat to roam looking for a non existent cure to whatever it happening to them. Couldnt see why anyone would want to fix whats happening to them? Just look at Steve I loved what happened!

^Did you look at this answer? Your question has been looked into. I'm trying to figure out if that is probable.

I've never been to the park for opening day and usually go the 2nd or 3rd public operating day for my first visit of the year. Thats my Favorite seat on The Beast, the next to last row is always the best to me!

I can vouch for that. Terp, who rides Beast in the front row or the next to last row, usually.

Love the shirt idea. We were way overdue for a new shirt design. having the username on the back would be preferred! Again, thanks for all your efforts on this LMHConcepts. Since you are close by, let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

Since you work at Dollywood and are very knowledgable about the park, I have a few questions. I haven't been in a few years, but I decided to buy season passes this year. Can you tell me about the Season Pass Preview Day on March 22nd? What are the hours? How crowded is it compared to the Public Opening on the 23rd? I have a friend on the bigger side (he's about 6'5" and a little heavy), will he have any trouble fitting on the Dizzy Disk or the Mountain Slidewinder? I've heard that the seats might be uncomfortable for some and wondered. Thanks for your help and useful tips! Pretty sure preview day hours are 10-7 but they aren't really posted anywhere. I can confirm on Monday. Preview day will be less crowded than opening day. It's hard to guess what the crowds will be like, as it largely depends on weather. 2011's preview day was very moderate with few lines, but opening day was very busy because the weather was beautiful. 2012 was very busy both days because we were opening a brand new B&M wing rider and the weather was fairly nice. In 2010, both days were deserted because it was rainy and cold. As far as your friend fitting, Slidewinder doesn't even have restraints. They are a custom built boat that's more like a mat. He should have no problem. Dizzy Disk, in my opnion, is uncomfortable for everyone regardless of size because the restraints are rather awkward. The two rides I would say he should be concerned about are Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. They are a similar size to Drop Tower's restraints. Also, Wild Eagle has a maximum height of 6'6" and most people who are close to that height have a difficult time getting in because of their shoulders. But you'll have no trouble at all with either of my rides - TN Tornado and Blazing Fury

I was aware of that, but was confused by the question. Thanks for clarification.

I agree ^ I've never had a pitch black ride on it..

I'm assuming you're asking if it'll be open on opening day. It is supposed to be open on opening day. Whether or not that happens, we'll wait and see. What was closed up until summer? Rivertown Junction. Photo from Opening Day 2012:

I would go one step further and and add little blue creatures that live in mushroom houses. It might also be fun to use boats instead of the current propulsion system.

I'd like a shirt as well. I think the new KIC logo looks cool! And yes, if the whole "username-on-the-back" thing works out, then I'm all for it!

Kings Island's All Star Reds Resort?

I believe that whatever he chose, he would still be given a lifetime ban. As far as I am concern, Pete did not ever take drugs to enhance his abilities like current players are doing or have done. He was not a drunk and get into fights some the HOF have done. But we have players that have or are taking steroids and other drugs and they are still either playing or are still eligible for the HOF. He did not bet against the Reds and did not throw games as the Blacksox players did. Look at players that have abused cocaine and given lots of chances and are still in the good graces of the game as far as marketing and HOF are concerned. If Hank Arron had been playing today and broke the Babe's record now, he would had been accused of using enhancing drugs for his achievements. In my opinion, the likes of Bonds, Sosa should be banned for life for their steroid drug use. But because of Rose's being banned for life, he can not attend on field functions without the approval of MLB, like in the case of the greatest 100 players event. The Reds have been granted the All Star game for 2015 and unless MLB approves, Rose can not be included in the on field activities. They can't even market his likeness or jerseys featuring Rose's #14 on it. He would make a great radio color person but because of the MLB ban, he can't. He should be allowed to be voted into the HOF and if they want to continue the ban from managing or having a part in the on field coaches, so be it. But his jerseys and posters will be on display at the Reds Grill for all to see.

Yeah, if you go that route I might be willing to pay $25 or possibly even $30. And yes, I'd love to have my username on the back.

And just think. Most of the time, Tip Top is not even that easy to spin fast. Gator - Apparently I went over your capacity and incapacitated you temporarily.

How very, very true, Gator! Kat says, "Flight of Fear, really?"

How many people want shirts? Also, if given the choice between getting a t-shirt, or getting an iron on decal to place on a shirt YOU choose, which would you want?

Call it Riverfront . . . that's nostalgic.

I agree with all of the tips that everyone has provided so far. Rides: excellent, Shows: excellent, Food: excellent. We were season pass holders there last year and enjoyed each and every visit. We were even there on the busiest day in the park's history, and the lines were not bad at all. Tornado is the best Arrow looper (or half of an Arrow looper as some people say), Thunderhead is my #3 woodie, and I love Mystery Mine and Blazing Fury in all its 1970's glory (although I miss the splashdown ). Wild Eagle is pretty good. It's relaxing, not intense in my opinion. It swoops and soars pretty much like riding along with an eagle... although I'm pretty sure I've never seen a bald eagle fly upside down... There is not a bad place to eat in the park. Miss Lillian's is our favorite, but all of the other places are just as good. Love the giant skillets! My last piece of advice is DO NOT... UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES... ride Lemon Twist with dare-to-fly! (that's the only time I've ever had to sit down after a ride to recuperate!) We're really bummed that we don't have season passes there this year (there's certain issues in the extended family that we anticipate will occupy our time and money this summer, and possibly next summer too, so we don't forsee being able to visit DW as often as we would like). The other day, out of the blue GatorGirl said, "I can't believe we're not going to Dollywood until November!" I sadly said, "I know..." But on the bright side, the family issues may lead us to Florida, where we hope to make a side trip to a certain magical place in the middle of the state.

I like it... the sight of me in a speedo would be sure to send 'em running in fear! We could get a whole bunch of us from Slaughter House for an even better worse reaction! Sorry to put that image in everyone's head...

FYI, Steve was my favorite part of that haunt last year.

Here's the full article: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130304/SUB1/303049984&template=printart

Opening Day 2009 was the most memorable for me. Not just because of Diamondback but because that was the first time I'd ever gotten to really hang out with a lot of KICers. I won the drawing that Rex and The Beast (.com) held for a seat with Rex during the first rider auction which was a HUGE surprise to me. I seriously never win anything and when I got that email I went running through my house yelling "I GET TO RIDE Diamondback!!" My mom thought I was crazy. (Rex and I in the back seat. In the front seat is Jackson, aka Beast1979) I ended up staying the night before in the Super 8 across the highway with Angie (gigacoaster2k) who had become a really good friend over the winter. We're still incredibly close. She was the first good friend I made as a member of this site. Opening day, I also met my now-best friend Stephanie (kittenpooh), my now-husband Nick (dare-to-fly) and many, many, many others who have become really good friends. I can't remember all the usernames of the people in this photo, but they include KICers Makayla (ogrmac), Angie, (gigacoaster2k), Dustin (kiruler102), Derrick (PhantomTheater), Danielle, Jesse and Shawn Opening day 2011 was another memorable one if only because everything went wrong. I missed The Racer evac because Nick and I went to lunch at exactly the wrong time, but I got about a million texts about it. At one point, I finally gave up on trying to ride anything because like Chris (chugh43) said, everything went down when we tried to ride it! I took Stephanie's kids and spent several hours in Nick U with them while everyone else tried to ride Diamondback and Beast. The best part of opening day 2011 though was when we took Stephanie's daughter Mindy on her very first "grown up" ride - she'd hit the magical 48" mark over the winter and started her entrance into the enthusiast world with a night ride on The Beast!! Pretty much everyone in this pic met because of KIC. Mindy is on the far right after her "new favorite ride!" Opening day 2012 was memorable because .... oh yeah, I didn't go to opening day 2012 because some KICer decided to get married that day.

That has been told as well as myself, I wish that it would occur, possessed tikis, it all has been asked, yet still not answered. I sense a darker presence this year, one darker than ever before, a new haunt, or haunter that brings a darker horror to this Kings Island this year. I should really elaborate on the subject, so I can do so here. A new demented presence will come to this '13, a haunt so chilling, even the graves will shake. Screams will become the music to thy ears, while blood and tears become the drink of this dark masquerade. The Haunt will grow thicker, and more decayed than any Haunt of it's kind. Kings Island, scare and only. A diversion? A BB1 prophecy? Or a BB1 crazy talk? The spirits know... Kinzel's coming back?Terp, who just HAD to.

I like this topic mainly because i work it ..

I did it and it looked like poo... so i just took leviathan's track layout, edited it and stuck it there. Oh and gave it the name Mammoth (it was all i could come up with) heres what it looks like I love how this was used for the rumor on the Save Son of Beast's facebook profile. While I would love to see a new coaster in this spot, I highly doubt the park would name it Mammoth after a park, that is not in the Cedar Fair chain, within 4 hours has a ride named Mammoth.

That is, most certainly, a step in the right direction.

Another musical revue.... Once upon a time shows at Kings Island had story lines and not just song, song, song (more accurately song snippet, song snippet, song snippet).

Ah. No. We have so much expansion space, why are we so hell bent on ripping out foilige and squeezing in attractions? Let's put in a Ferris Wheel. And some Flyers.

They don't have as much time to warm up as you think. I don't know how many hours the state makes the rides run before being certified, but a lot of them aren't ready until opening day. Dragster at Cedar Point a few years ago wasn't certified until about noon on opening day.

Sadly, I don't have any pics from the majority of my opening days at the park. However, I did go prepared in 2009 to document the opening of Diamondback. I thought I'd post some pics and a video of that opening day! Here is a picture of my girlfriend holding the shirt we got for being first time riders of Diamondback that day: Here is a video I made using pics and videos of Diamondback's opening day. I posted it in another topic a while back, but I'll repost it since it's relevant to this topic as well!

So we can watch our own POV of I305 with our personal voices, instead of listening to Blobb Alvey yell "TWISTYYYYYYYYY" through the whole ride!!!

Well heck, I'm excited about the Haunt topic, anyway. Yeah, it's a little unorthodox to talk about it this early, but it's still something to be excited for pertaining to the upcoming season. It's not like the guy is asking what you plan to do next off-season. Sheesh! Even though Nightmare Alley was a little weak in terms of static theming, I 100% loved how Haunt stretched to all areas of the park last year and would have no qualms about it looking exactly the same this year. Gone are the days of the occasional awkwardly bare paths--with the exception of the Eiffel Tower-Rivertown path, there was something going on everywhere you went. (Of course, as the season went on, the number of actors diminished, but that's the norm. For me, the fact that they at least tried to maintain Haunt atmosphere throughout the park is a great step forward.) For 2013, if a Haunt is changed or removed, I'm putting my money on Cornstalkers. I'd like to see it pull a Cemetery Drive and become a scream zone. I don't know if they'll actually remove anything, though; I'd sooner expect a new trail, perhaps in Timberwolf. As I've said before, I'd love to see Tombstone Terror-tory get a breath of fresh air in the form of new props/theme, but they've stuck with the same general idea for so long that it must work well enough. (Man, I'd love to help design the new haunts...)

Return of the Phantom Theater would be awesome, but an arrow points in a different direction for Phantoms Revenge.

I think more than anything else at an amusement park, Halloween events are truly a case where "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Everybody has different expectations, as well as different preferences for intensity, gore, and the like. In 2011, my group of five were discussing favorites at the end of the night; everybody had a different favorite, and some people's favorite mazes were another person's worst maze. Even the exact night you go can greatly color your view as crowd sizes can vary wildly depending on weather and are far heavier on Saturdays then Fridays. In 2012, we had off and on rain all night on a Friday, and the park was dead to the point that most mazes were walk-ons, leaving us happy that could do them all with plenty of extra time. Somehow, I doubt the people that visited eight days later on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend had the same experience.

Kings Island Racer off-season improvements..... Via Facebook Quote Kings Island Facebook "Carpenters spent today working on a section of track near the bottom of the first drop of The Racer roller coaster. In addition to track work, bent posts, batter braces and ledgers have been replaced this winter on the 41-year old ride. More than 97 million guests have taken a ride on The Racer since it opened in 1972, the most in park history. Its record year was 1976, when a park record 3,681,338 rides were given."

Definitely my favorite one so far.