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Gotta say... KD is knocking the ball so far out of the park for 2014 that my jaw is literally on the floor. Hint, Hint, Hint KI.... Floral bell... topiaries... Ghinkos... Flying Eagles.... "International Street"...

Oh bull ****. Kings Island, are you hearing this?

3 supports and 3 pieces of track. Link to gallery

From KDs Facebook: On the 6th day of Christmas, #KD40 gave to me: Our famous strolling Clown Band! Direct from the 80’s, the Clown Band - one of the most recognized entertainment groups - brings its shenanigans back to the streets of Kings Dominion (Photo from KDs Facebook)

Sorry I didn't see this until now but to answer some of your questions: 1. We were at Kings Island because we are trying to get everyone from the Cedar Point area and up North here to know about Kings Island and also let them all know there is a brand new coaster coming in 2014 in Ohio once again. We have had a lot of interest out of this as well. 2. The video will be up maybe late this week we are working on it now Glad you like the shots we took also I'm not sure who is doing all the electrical on the ride. Don did say they try to keep everything local in the area.

Anyone remember when the IJ:ST had yellow track in the renderings? Things happen without warning, and I think this was one of those moments.

With temps warming this week, everyone will probably haul and get as much done as possible. Before the rains come, we should be able to spike into the upper 50s, if not low 60s. Then next week cold sets in again. To reinforce the video, I found this picture online. This pretty much confirms my previous thoughts that they had removed 3-4 feet of dirt under the lowest parts of the track, to allow for safe travel throughout the circuit. Also confirming that sometimes the PR guy doesn't know all the final details.. remember that time he said no extra digging would occur?

Good progress today. 5 supports and 4 pieces of track. Link to gallery

Man… They are straight HAULING it today.

WALL OF TEXT COMING: A recent Facebook post I made. "I love all animals, and like reading about them, and watching things on TV about them, but I am seriously SICK of all the Orca crap popping up on my news feed. Get over it already! Blackfish is a MOVIE. It was worded so that it puts the blame on Sea World. The former trainers said that they never thought anything bad would happen. After seeing the movie, my first thought was, "These people did not think an animal as big as a medium sized school bus could or would harm them?" ANYTHING with a mouth can and will bite. Also, places like Sea World and Busch Gardens do more good than bad. Do you know that there are animals that thrive is zoos that are classified as "EXTINCT IN THE WILD"? "Extinct in the wild." Gee there's nothing wrong with THAT statement. Furthermore, those of you wanting the whale released need to think about the last time an orca was released after a MOVIE brought him to everyone's attention. Keiko, the star of Free Willy was released. Up until he died of pneumonia, he had been known to seek human interaction, beg fishermen for food, and was underweight. (Google it) What happens if Tilly were released and did the same thing? What would stop that orca from seeking human interaction? Attacking someone who doesn't have food for him? The film Blackfish started out putting the blame on the whale stating that "he became frustrated and that is why he attacked." Then they shifted the blame to Dawn, stating that she didn't reward him, ran out of food, and kept asking the whale to do more. Then they shifted the blame to Sea World for not having more safety measures in place. Are you freaking serious? One thing you have to understand about working with animals is that when bites happen, it is never the animal's fault. The person working with the animal did something wrong and was injured Since this movie has been released, I have seen people post their opinions on orcas in captivity, and I have not said a word about it. I have not argued my point of view with anyone, and some people may not like what I had to say. If that is you, do us both a favor, don't comment here. Delete me from your friends list, unlike my pages, etc. This is all I am saying on the matter. Real friends will respect my opinion, as I have respected and not commented my opinion about their opinion."

razmataz, fooling around with spoiler tags

Yall need to stop stalking Banshee, she likes her privacy Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

All I will say is this. There are reasons for a pull through, this is one of them. Be glad that if this was indeed the issue, it was noticed. That would be bad to try and cycle the first train if this is an issue

Knott's Merry Farm 12/17/2013 This is a real quick post cause I'm bout to go out to breakfast with my friend and then it is off to Knott's again for the day. Yesterday I put my focus on the shows (Gift of the Magi, It's Christmas Snoopy and even the kids show) From what I experienced so far the Merry Farm is quite good for what it is. One of the ice skaters in It's Christmas Snoopy I could almost swear was at Kings Island the last time they had a ice skating show...it was a brief moment of deja vu. Show itself I LOVED. The Charlie Brown Christmas special was incorporated into the show and they even had Linus' famous true meaning of Christmas speech in it. Certainly my favorite ice skating show I seen at Knott's in a long time. Gift of the Magi was also well done, singing and the acting, so I am looking forward to Christmas Carol today. The park itself is gorgeous at night with the Ghost Town buildings lit up (pictures will be up when I get home). Park was really dead yesterday (I anticipate the same thing today) so there wasn't much of a line to speak of for anything. I gotta admit the skyline looks different without WindSeeker, as it didn't take me long to get used to it being there :/ That's what I got so far, hope we are all good! IMG_0402 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr

^ As an industry enthusiast I am banging my head against the wall when I watch a park like Hard Rock Park and now the New Kentucky Kingdom follow a path that has been proven over and over to fail within this industry. That is why myself and so many others may seem cranky or pessimistic about their future and the decisions they have or have not made.

It's so good to finally see a track update from davidw. It's been almost a month since we've seen any progress on the track and supports!

I just noticed something. Banshee truly is a woman because she has some sweet curves.

I think she'll put up with our stalking for about another four months before she takes her revenge.

As pointed out earlier in this thread, releasing these animals to the wild may very well now be a death sentence. Surely you don't think that's a good thing.

Not really relating to Carowinds, but the Plaza Fiesta strip mall next to Carowinds will be torn down to build a Cabela's store. Also, it appears that they are making good progress in moving the Skycoaster.

They probably didn't intend to dig out any more. Probably some combination of not knowing the actual size of the ride envelope and/or the topographical plans not being correct/followed correctly. It would have been easier for them to do that work before the ride was in the way. Even easier if the footers wouldn't have been there. Either way, I'd say when Don said that, just about everyone involved in the project thought there wouldn't need to be any more digging under the track.

This really made my day! For those who've never ridden a carousel with an operating band organ, there just isn't a comparison. Woo Hoo!

What a waste! Replace it with a classic flat!

I would love for KI to bring back the Clown Band. Hopefully if not for the 2014 season, then the 2015 season!

I agree with Terpy that 2014 should be fine. Pent up demand should allow them to have good attendance from the locals with minimal marketing expense, so perhaps the little marketing they are doing presently makes sense. Hopefully it will ramp up in the spring, particularly in other markets they intend to draw from as it gets closer to time to open the gates. Also they will need spend more next fall to support 2015. I wish them the best and am trying to be cautiously optimistic about the parks future but I have not followed the industry as long or as closely as many that post here. I am very excited to see the park re-opening and plan on making several visits next year.

And HRP opened with a much better ride line up than what Kentucky Kingdom has. Nothing is set in stone, just because ride improvements are slated to happen does not mean they will. After all Lighting Racer is still questionable in my opinion seeing as how a footer has yet to be poured and they plan on opening when? This is why I question so much about this park.

only 119 days until media day, ladies and gents.

Cedar Point's traveling band made a comeback this year. I believe they are called the Beach Bums Band, but I don't know for sure if that is the correct name. I'm sure KI has something like this coming.

If I remember correctly, he did say a SHOVEL wouldn't be used? Haha *joke* (I don't believe he did say that) I couldn't find his post to clarify. Must not've been in this topic? Either way.. "Nobody's perfect" -Hannah Montana (2007)

*cough* just a classic haunted house that doesn't have shooting.

this was not extra digging it was required digging.

Location...Location...Location... The failure of both parks can be traced to the root problem of not dealing with the issues presented by their location. How many times has Kentucky Kingdom failed and have those root issues been dealt with?

Look at Mason prior to KI...nothing around it really, nice small old town That changed quick

And just how has it done that? The full faith and credit of the Kentucky taxpayer. 2014 looks to be fine. It's 2015 and onward that this plan doesn't look even remotely workable. And I beg to differ with you. Hard Rock Park had a superior location to Kentucky Kingdom. To claim a park is in a location where it doesn't have to deal with substantial competition is to overlook the problems with Kentucky Kingdom's location that contributed to the park's past failures.

It isn't all about the resources though. It is the decisions. Announcing the new attractions at 11pm for example.

Looks great. Kudos to whoever came up with this idea and kudos to management for actually following through with it.

What I have done in the past is place the order online. Print out a picture of it with description and wrap that with a note saying it will be shipped on what ever date it should be shipped. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seems like they also installed the very bottom support of the 'batwing' element.

I now have a parody of "Send in the Clowns" going through my head. Since you weren't here back then, a poster here was oft sayin' back in the Diamondback days: Send in the cranes There ought to be cranes And then it's next year. Terp, who saw that poster just moments ago.

I'd STILL rather have Gold Star. The Flavor of Cincinnati.

We are still Paramount's in their book... Awe...

I'd hate to work Guest Relations when season passholders find out they get to pay to park each visit.

Maybe they should try Snapchat?

But a poorly planned announcement of a major attraction and little to no advertising has not helped spur season pass sales I am sure. Which is one of the reasons that pass prices have not been raised and are slated to stay at bargain bin prices for the foreseeable future.

Last night I had a dream that The Beast was refurbished with an RMC topper-track design. Instead of the second lift hill, it stopped about a third of the way up and launched into the final double-helix sequence. Absolute nightmare. There was also an Intamin Inverted Impulse (Wicked Twister) in X-Base, so I guess the dream wasn't all bad...

^^ I see what you did there...

Local artist. Multi-year attention to a historic attraction. Me likey.

Kings Dominion has now started a "12 Days of Christmas Surprises!" campaign, which will feature something new everyday, that they will be doing to the park in 2014..... On the first day of Christmas, Kings Dominion gave to me: The return of the iconic Floral Clock! (Photo Courtesy of Kings Dominion) "The Floral Clock will be completely rebuilt in its original location at the end of Center Street near the historic park Carousel."

i'd do anything for a classic schwarzkopf ride!! there is still space and hope for a Bayern Kurve in the old skylab space in front of AE... hmm.