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Don't know what kind of bat this is but it's really neat looking!

After meeting my dad for dinner in Mason, we decided to drive by Kings Island and take a few pictures of Banshee and The Bat. I was able to borrow my dad's camera he never uses. We then into the parking lot for Great Wolf Lodge. A good idea would be going to the KIC Holiday party at Great Wolf Lodge on December 6th-7th. Find more details in the KIC Meetups section. Here is Flight Deck one last time with it's old paint job.

I'm gonna be "that guy" for a minute... There is every possibility that the sign coming down is meaningless. It may just be getting a fresh coat of paint. Though I can think of other signs in AZ that need it more...

"Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox" from Wikipedia:

^Wow... simply wow. I hope you're kidding. Great Pumpkin Coaster is a great way for young kids to start their coaster obsessions riding.

And a few more: They hijacked my phone. Don't they look like they've been friends forever? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes and no. While it shows The Bat, it doesn't give a very close view of it to see what's going on. You're right! I'm not observant at all lol hmmmm

Interesting article pertaining to a shifting of focus on future rides...... Linky.....http://www.iaapa.org/news/funworld/funworld-magazine/cedar-fair-entertainment-company

Carowinds had to refund presold tickets for Winterfest 2006, Cedar Fair cancelled it within days of the sale closing. Park maps and signs were changed or altered to reflect ASAP. Most likely, the decision was made long prior to the sale being final, Cedar Fair's presence was there in March, we called them "Spies" cause they were guests nicely dressed with clipboards and ties. Then we found out they weren't guests, they started wearing Paramount Parks nametags but none of the Park managers knew Any of them. Then Paramount Parks managers went from wearing Paramount Parks polos to suits and ties. Then Knizel himself was spotted at Carowinds wearing a Paramount Parks nametag...rumors abound. Two weeks later, news broke...we had been brought by Cedar Fair pending SEC approval.

There seems to be a bit of an elitist attitude amongst these forumns that only pass holding enthusiasts will notice changes such as repaints in stations and tidying up. I have to disagree. Sure if they have never been there before they won't know better but they still will think it looks nice as opposed to seeing it as tacky if left unchanged. Casual park goers will certainly pick up on at least a few changes made though, they are not all dumb. Obviously the more you go the more you will notice but for someone such as myself that only has gone once a year lately it is not hard to spot changes.

Yep I noticed it yesterday via webcam. I figure Action Zone will have to get a re theme, what does a Stunt Crew Grill, and On Location have to do with that area anymore? It's not like it's a backlot anymore as it was themed too when it was known at the Paramount Action Zone!

I like it.

Nice article, I took one other thing away from the article...The desire to update the front gate at all of their parks. I've never been to CW, so it was interesting to see how they placement of Leviathan was kind of a tester for their idea and I'll presume what became Gatekeeper which completely interacts with the front gate. At a place like KI, I don't think a gate keeper style ride would work as well with the focal point being the tower behind, but I believe the front gate is long overdue for a major overhaul. When they talked about how all gates were now ADA compliant as well as stroller accessable it set a huge buzzer off in my mind. IIRC, there are only two gates into/out of KI that are ADA/stroller accessable. Generally its not a huge issue for us when we're pushing our stroller into or out of the park, but occasionally it becomes a tangled web when leaving the park while others are still entering. KI's front gate, ticket procurment center could be a lot smoother if they had more automated machines. In today's age, there is often no need for human interaction when purchasing a ticket. Granted, they can't get ride of humans completely, but when I renewed my season passes October, I had to wait in about a 20 minute line so I could pay for my season pass. I could have done that with an automated system which hopefully would have speed things up. Some people may not have waited the 20 mintues and then utimately ended up not renewing their passes for the following season.

Really nice article. There were two lines in the article that pertained to new ride additions I thought were particularly interesting: and Those statements - in my opinion - not only provide insight as to where future additions may fit in but also come off as veiled shots at Intamin. The Interpreter has been saying that we have pay more attention to what's being done (i.e., what's actually being installed) and less about what's being said. We've seen Cedar Fair shift towards rides that are more "fun" versus "intense" and lean towards manufacturers that have reliable track records (B&M, GCI). Guardian at Canada's Wonderland will certainly be an interesting case study because it strays quite a bit from Cedar Fair's comfort zone. What it also tells me that they're not afraid to spend the cash if they think the return on investment warrants it AND presents the opportunity to do something cool and unique at the same time (think Gatekeeper and Cedar Point's entrance). I really hope it's successful because I'd love to see a unique dark ride like that at KI in the near future.

It was the sign on the gift shop in AZ that's located next to Drop Tower

I think we have this whole Clifford Junior thing wrong. To me it just looks like his adolescent brother. We could call him Ginger.

Did YoungStud post from your account?

Here are a few pics from the last day. It was such an awesome day all the way around. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have a little sympathy for poor Ned! He just lost his second wife!

There was a ride barreling through there in 2009 and it never seemed to be an issue.

it looks like CJs minions are bringing him pieces for sacrifice...

its a fair question, and plans change, but Rob Decker states in that article that they still want to be a company that challenges highest, fastest, longest, etc... My guess, is we won't see the days of the coaster wars where Cedar Pointe was adding a major new installation every year or two. Looks like they'll spread major installations of coasters around so that each of their major parks gets 1 every 5-6 seasons, then inbetween they all get a children's area upgrade, or flats, a dark ride, etc.... smaller installations that appeal to the family as a whole and not just the thrill seekers. Seems like a good formula to me, as you said, we'll see how the next 10-20 seasons play. If this is the starting point, that would mean 4-5 new coasters (including Banshee) at KI by 2034. Certainly some will be lost due to age by then; hopefully I won't be too old to "play"

Worst post ever.

That's CJ (Clifford, Jr.).

Yeah, that would be a darn diddly shame. Blondy, who just had to.

Better than Ned Flanders...

I think Backlot gets the hate for what it replaced As for me -because of that location my wife and I ended up there this year for the first trip to the park since both of us were in middle school and by taking that random ride it started the fire for us so much so that we are planning a trip to Dollywood to curb the offseason blues. So for me it will always be a favorite.

i have say my intial thought at first was the Backlot Stunt Coaster... its just an eyesore. would love to see a maverick style coaster or something that could blend in with the geography and much needed improved landscaping there at the centerpiece of the park. but after reading though here, it does seem congo falls is out of place the most. and i wish people would leave adverture express alone. just respect it for what it is, a mine train coaster and a great mild family ride. its a specific genre of coaster thats about as classic as the modern amusement park itself. besides, there is plenty of space for expanding to the same area behind Banshee as hightlighted on here from the Xbase area. which also brings up the point, i wouldnt mind seeing Firehawk being removed, perhaps a better B&M flying coaster could go where congo falls is currently... certainly would make that area an aviation themed area for coasters. and ohio is the birthplace of aviation... could all even work in a haunted ohio theme as well. anyway, just my random thoughts on the matter.

Hey look, it's the Batcam

King Cobra! But I would def bring back The Smurfs, Flintstones,Jetsons,Yogi Bear & Scooby-Doo! to greet guests on International Street.For my wee ones Scooby-Doo and The Haunted Castle (They hate Boo Blasters) Hmm.. and Smurfs Enchanted Voyage.( Sorry it was a childhood fav of mine)

I would ressurect the distinct themed areas. When I was a kid (late 70s) every land had its own music, costumes, decor, and rides that matched the themes. I still remember walking down International Street listening to festive classical music, and the employees there had French looking outfits. In Rivertown, the backwoods banjo music, the gingham costumes, and all the buildings had that weathered timber look. Wild Animal Habitat had real animals, safari outfits, and exotic looking flora. Octoberfest, yep they wore lederhosen. Or faux lederhosen anyway. And the rides were called "Das Viking Fury" and "Der Spinnen Keggers". In those days, a trip to Kings Island literally felt like a magic trip around the world. Now it is still fun, but feels like what it is: a nice park in suburban Cincinnati. Magic Kingdom still has this distinct themeing throughout. It seems like nearly every ride has its own dress code, and the music transitions so smoothly as you walk from Adventureland to Frontierland, or any land. I swear they even talk different based on the land. I love that.

I must have been lucky then, because every time I rode it and every time my attention was drawn to that ride, the fire worked. KI still has the fire scene before the tunnel. Perhaps you're confusing it with KD? Sorry, I meant in the opening Season (Add a few More) The "Gunshots" Would triggger Water Effects that spary waterto the train. I also miss the doors GamesAndRides, Missing The Old Itailian Job Stunt Coaster. Ah, thanks for clarifying. I remember the "splashdown" at the end, but had forgotten about the water in the fire/helicopter scene. To switch gears here, I have never understood those people that say "move Congo Falls/Log Flume/WhiteWater Canyon to the waterpark!" or "Water rides only belong in the waterpark." To this, I say... "WRONG!" There is a long history of water rides in amusement parks... longer than the modern concept of a waterpark has been around. Water rides are a great way to cool down during a hot summer day. I actually like that Congo Falls is where it is. If I'm in Action Zone or the west side of Coney Mall, I don't have to trudge all the way to Rivertown (or the waterpark) to get wet and cool, and vice versa if I'm in Rivertown. I don't mind walking around in wet clothes; it keeps me cool. If you want to stay dry, don't ride them and let them remain where they are for the rest of us to enjoy. while I do not like to get wet at the park I would never remove these rides .They take people out of the lines for rides I do like DB Racer Beast Vortex Banshee The Bat and others.

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^^ that's so diddley-o sad...

^ we established that yesterday

Same here, my only worry and I posted on pointbuzz about it too. Is in the next 10-20 years will we have more installations that are ok and family oriented not intimidating like Gatekeeper...or will we still have the occasional intimidating/intense rides. I'm all for famlily fun and spending in the park, but I do enjoy being a ride warrior from time to time.

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet or if they do this yearly but, the sign for the clothing store is gone.

She's the lady in the SOB announcement video!

Both log rides? Did I miss something? Is KCKC back?

We all seem to think that we would be the only one that would care for those changes, but I think if you went up to a member of the general public and took them by the hand and said: "Okay the fence next year that will be replaced by a brand new roller coaster that hangs below the track like Flight Deck, it will be called Banshee. Now I have been thinking, what if they replaced that ugly concrete with bricks, wouldn't that make it a lot prettier. *Shows them Coney Mall and brings them back to site* Wouldn't it?" So the response might be: "Yeah sure..." but maybe that would spark something in the mind, they might appreciate the time it takes to do such a thing. I told my brother that Flight Deck was getting renamed and rethemed to The Bat, he asked: "Why?" I said so it can complement Banshee and make it's own little section. He than said:" Does this mean no more walk ups for Flight Deck" I told him "No, I wouldn't expect anymore of those" Then after a few seconds, he said: "Are they going to change the other rides there?".... Oh, Jake you really are my brother. EDIT: Jake is 7, so similar mind set of the General Public.

Guess we just keep going out along the edges, always where I burn to be, but then again the further on the edge, the hotter the intensity.

I just wish I could dream. I haven't had a dream in what must be twenty years now.

It was never shortened. It's always been that short.

^You have a point, Terpy... Or Comic Book Guy... razmataz, who is going to watch the Simpsons now.

KI still has the fire scene before the tunnel. Perhaps you're confusing it with KD? As far as what I would remove... NOTHING! I believe that there are only two acceptable reasons to remove an attraction: 1. If it is unsafe. 2. If the cost to maintain and operate it outweighs the benefits of keeping it open.

hey now no isulting AE that is a great ride that the whole family 48 inch+ can enjoy together. Also frankly one of my favorites; fun theme, line always goes fast, and the twists and turns even at 35 mph are enjoyable.

(nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana) Batcaaaaaam! PhantomTheaterKiss who just had to. This is EXACTLY what went through my head when I read "Bat Cam" Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

more track in the air

^ LOL speaking of "baby".... It appears Clifford had a baby!!!! There's now a small red crane down in the valley by the still un-named small black and cream crane

Shes Grown ALOT Since August. Our little babys growing up