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Sorry to double post but.... I just got to play with an interactive map. Those things are awesome! Not only does it give you directions from your location to your destination, but it gives you approximate walking time. Not only that - the right side of the map, powered by FUNtv, gives you ride and Haunt wait times and features user-interactive images from Instagram and Twitter. Next time you're at the park, you gotta play with it!!! I did a quick walk through: http://youtu.be/2_IOfUtBQLQ"]http://youtu.be/2_IOfUtBQLQ

Yeah, Ouimet or whomever wouldn't directly invent or even seek out this sort of thing. If you want to give management credit, credit them for making the investment/taking the risk. I'm sure this thing wasn't cheap, but the ad revenue opportunities are fantastic for this. This year, I've thought it was so funny that they've added something like FUNtv, which is both state of the art and one of a kind. Then they've added these interactive park maps, which can't really be found in other parks. ...yet their mobile app would be an embarrassment if it came out three years ago. Trust me - they are well aware. This is just the beginning. Thanks! Not unlike Cirque, this was something that you really had to see and was hard to explain.... unlike Cirque, I could film this and put it on the Internet. I think that maybe you don't understand the structure of Cedar Fair. Although some capital investments are handed to the parks chain wide (like FUNtv) many are individually based. Essentially, the parks are given a budget and are free to invest it as they see fit. I'm sure things are approved by corporate or whatever but it's not like it's Matt Ouimet, Phil Bender, the spirit of Jack Falfas, and Richard Zimmerman sitting around a table deciding which park gets which ride. I am, however, willing to go out on a limb and say that this is a corporate strategy, with KI being the guinea pig. Again - this is just the beginning It'll be FUN.

From Kings Island's official Twitter: @KingsIslandPR I think this is a great thing. It's probably more user friendly than a paper map, plus in and out of park advertising has fantastic opportunities with this. As you can see from the photo that Don Tweeted, it can be in cahoots with FUNtv, based on it showing the Instagram photos like FUNtv does.

If your worried about germs from that you don't even wanna know what kinds of things are on the trains or ride cars.

The new Slaughter House certainly takes the cake this year.

The healing power of Kings Island... I've been going through the consistently worst two weeks of my life the past couple weeks (I can only think of one worse full week, when I was going through some deep emotional trauma that I still haven't really gotten over 5 years later, and had the flu at the same time). We're entirely not through the woods, and some things are going to get worse before they get better, but at least things are finally stabilizing to the point I could consider a trip to KI. I didn't really realize how much I needed it until I walked into the park. Simply having an hour of complete mesmerization (the two half-hour Skeleton Crew shows I saw*) to take my mind off my troubles was worth its weight in gold. Getting to ride The Beast as she gave her 50-millionth ride was surreal. All in all, I feel much better after my night at the park. *speaking of Skeleton Crew, wow, Philip has really improved on the ring the couple weeks I've been away. He was doing some incredible stuff earlier in the season, but he's stepped it up even more!

I guess rolling these out right before the park closes for the season is a test before there fully installed for the 2015 season?

That's a neat idea. I like it. Just don't get rid of the paper maps, okay, Kings Island?

My family and I were probably 10 minutes early. We did see Mr. Don Helbig on the platform as we exited. Our Beast ride was amazing! In car 5, row 1, it was as smooth as I've ever ridden it. The chilly air, the near complete darkness from the straight shed and through the hillside tunnel, and surprisingly efficient crew made for a Beast ride as great as I've ever had. I've never kept track, but I've probably taken about 200 rides since my first in 1985. I've also escorted many first time riders over the years, including my brothers, close friends, our Brazillian exchange student (who still talks about it 25 years later), and both of my boys. It's great that after all these years The Beast has endured as a fantastic coaster, and an astonishing night ride. I can't wait to ride with my grandkids in 20 years!

My family and I were in the previous train. We overheard a ride op say they were at 1,500 around 7:00 pm so we tried calculating approx. what time it would happen assuming each train was a full train, so we came up with a time of approx. 9:10. After 3 previous rides we decided to get in line about 8:20 considering it was about a 45 minute wait at that time and ended up just missing it!! As usual though, each ride was freaking awesome especially after dark... The Beast is hands down the one of the best night rides in the world!!

With the hat there, you cannot see that point of view...Terp, running for the door.

Very cool! Thanks for the demonstration video. I've never seen anything like this in an amusement or theme park before. I'm wondering if this was another one of Mr. Ouimet's brilliant ideas, or if this was a local idea from KI management. Probably not. Almost certainly a concept developed by the map industry and sold to various markets. I highly doubt the park or Mr. Ouimet devised the concept. At most, they decided to try it in their park(s).

"You're taking your first step into a larger world." - Obi Wan Kenobi

Just got back from Haunt tonight and had a blast! I did 6 mazes tonight (yes, 6!) including 5 that I've never done before. The new ones were Carnevil (which wasn't too bad), Board to Death (which was actually really scary as some of the rooms were super dark), Killmart (which was cool), Cornstalkers (not too bad) and Club Blood (which I did twice- the first time was like a party, the 2nd time was a bit scarier). I also saw Blood Drums and Skeleton Crew and rode Firehawk, Banshee, Bat, Vortex and Boo Blasters. Before/during my second round of Club Blood, I learned the hard way about telling the greeters that you don't like to be scared (or even asking "How scary is it"), even in passing. As I mentioned before, the second time through Club Blood was a bit scarier than the first as I told the lady at the entrance, "I don't like being scared, but I do like to party". Oh well, you live and learn. But seriously, I had an amazing time tonight and it was great to see all the roamers, including two of my friends. EDIT: In addition to the 5 new mazes, I did Slaughter House to see Sam and afterwards gained the courage to do Killmart.

Or the tables you are eating on, utensils you are using, the screen of your phone, etc etc etc

The policy is no reentry after 7:00pm.

Yes, but KillMart certainly has the lowest prices on cake.

As far as I'm concerned, make an area strictly for bouncing basketballs - and they can call it whatever they want - and get a trademark for it, too! Then, keep those f**king balls out of the park and out of my way before they cause a migraine or, worse yet, a fall!

You can't miss it. Seriously. It's absolute absurdity. I could see temporary placement as a stage for the 100 Years of Magic celebration (which is what it was meant to be). But to have this meticulously re-created 1930s Hollywood Blvd. that's period specific and beautifully detailed and lovely, with a Cinderella-Castle-esque majestic recreation of the Chinese Theatre at the end of the street drawing you in... And then to put a 122-foot-tall hat in front of it? Huh? A fantastic example of how simply absurd it is: Parkeology conducted a MUST-READ "interview with an Imagineer" who discussed the painstaking detail and effort put into Disney California Adventure's Buena Vista Street. The Imagineer discusses the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into recreating a 1920s Los Angeles with authentic tiles, textures, fountains, bricks, colors, and craftsmen. The Imagineer then excitedly breaks the news that the towering "Hat of Dreams" will be placed directly in front of the Carthay Circle Theatre recreation, with lasers, a stage, and Pin-trading inside. When the interviewer argues that Mickey Mouse wasn't even created in the 1920s, the Imagineer counters that in this exciting new backstory, the theme of the hat "is 'magic!' Or maybe it's 'fun' I'm not really sure." BEFORE AFTER It sounds absolutely unbelievably absurd and outrageous, but that's very sincerely EXACTLY what happened at Hollywood Studios! Haha! Jim Hill, famed Disney writer and enthusiast, reports that the park will be re-branded, and that the current name choice is... *drumroll please* Disney's Hollywood Adventure I also wouldn't be surprised if the Disney's loses its possessive. That's the new style. Disney Aladdin on Broadway, Disney California Adventure, Disney FastPass. I don't love it, but it's fine I suppose.

Rumor between interns is a giant Frozen castle/area. I think we're just going to guess everything is Frozen until here on out. It's been right so far.

According to Kings Island via Twitter, the rider was Mark Specht from Berea, OH. He is evidently a roller coaster enthusiast, as he is wearing a CoasterMania shirt in the included photograph:

I was on the train! That was so cool! I know it's shocking that I never have before but I celebrated with my first hands up ride on any coaster! I already was excited just to see Don in the station, but to be on the 50-millionth ride train! We may not have all won the prize but we were all the 50 millionth riders

Maybe they're updating it to look like a modern day movie studio. Green screens everywhere! Then for only $79.99 you can buy a digital copy of your visit complete with CGI fun and excitement.

Its to see who can annoy the most park guests by bouncing bastketballs

It seems as though many folks are having their "best ride ever" on The Beast this season...... ....and that in itself is great to hear. I'm one of those people. A 35 year old wooden roller coaster that still has people coming back and enjoying their ride better than the previous one is an amazing feat, and it really says something about the ride. We'll all probably like it just as much at 50..........Wait?.......50?........Yes, indeed.

And yet another new one.In 2014, Universal Studios Hollywood removed the "Auctioneer" character from its Purge scare-zone after the mother of a 13-year-old girl was offended that her daughter and her friend were called "Slut 1" and "Slut 2" by a performer.Two news stories over the event: InsideUniversal.net - Purge Auctioneer Removed After Controversy Surrounding Explicit Remarks HollywoodReporter.com - Gloria Allred Demands 'Accountability' After Universal Studios Employee Allegedly Calls Girls 'Sluts' and 'Whores For anyone unfamiliar, the Auctioneer character played the "antoganizer" role frequently found at Halloween Horror Nights. It goes hand-in-hand with "Chucky's Insult Emporium" from last year, and as the name would suggest, the idea is to antagonize and insult the guests. Kings Island had their own version back in 2006 (Heckle & Howl) and again in 2007 (queue entertainment for Trail of Terror), although the latter was far more intense and drastically less funny than its predecessor.

Just found some photos from a trip in October 1994. A photo from the front: For those of you not familiar with the Resort, you can get an idea, from this angle, how many rooms are in just one of the front buildings (that I have circled in pink in the photo below): A shot of the old sign, along with the bus waiting to take guests CLOSE to the front gate, back in those days: A shot inside:

Geo-fencing... look at the park getting all techy on us. Good move and likely the start of some cool innovation.

I remember the two rides I took last night. Missed 50 mil. by ten minutes. The ride itself was better than usual. The brakes were minimally used. Flying through the bottom half of the ride and helix a few mph faster than normal. Best Rides EVER!

A basketball tournament to be held on the 3-Point Challenge court? A formal dance located in the Picnic Grove?

yeah, they are pretty innacurate. I had to wait 45 minutes walking through the queue, and getting on a train with no one else, on Invertigo just 2 fridays ago.

Very cool! Thanks for the demonstration video. I've never seen anything like this in an amusement or theme park before. I'm wondering if this was another one of Mr. Ouimet's brilliant ideas, or if this was a local idea from KI management.

^That's one of the reasons I highly enjoy my October trips. September is usually packed with stuff, like school starting, band filling my schedule and the like. When I do get to go in October after all of that, it just feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders for those few hours. Its like a pressure release on all the stress, especially when I take a seat on a coaster.

There will be a day and age where paper park maps are obsolete.Maybe, maybe not.

....or, he shops at Goodwill?

New passholders receive one free visit this year as a "perk", if they choose to visit before the end of the season. Renewing passholders already have unlimited admission for the 2014 season, so the park is offering them alternative "perks". The Sunday Fast Lane Plus perk is specifically for the remainder of the 2014 season. Perks in 2015 will include admission to the special preview day, passholder events, exclusive ride time, and more. All "perks" are only valid on the date(s) listed. If you miss a "perk", you can't make it up later. There will be plenty of opportunities to get value from your 2015 pass, though, so don't feel bad if you can't take advantage of every offer.

I beg to differ. The problem is NOT the PR people, but rather the client. Mr. Hart, being the part showman/part tycoon-tyrant that he is, is getting the EXACT PR he wants. Note many of the missteps and zany statements have been his, or those of his crony/pal/co-investor attorney friend Glasscock. If the PR people were not doing exactly what Mr. Hart expects and demands, he'd dismiss them in a heartbeat. They are doing an excellent job of doing exactly what he wants. With Mr. Hart, if you are not a sniveling, bowing, yes-person toady, you won't last long.

Iconic 122' sorcerer's hat to be removed next year--so reports WTOP Newsradio in the Nation's capital.

I was just reading under the words that describe Back Yard Ball. Words that caught my eye are outdoor, sports, competitions, tournaments. Possibly a basketball tournament. 3 on 3?

Great picture to remember Diamondback Opening Day 2009! Sent from my iPhone using Taptalk

I used two of the interactive maps tonight during Haunt and I must say, they are pretty nifty.

^^ The weirdest part is that PR can be done right pretty simply. That's not to say people in PR don't work hard and can't make a HUGE difference because they can and do. But having normal, average, fine PR is not nearly as hard as Kentucky Kingdom is making it. They're creating mountains out of molehills so to speak. No comment is an acceptable answer in some situations where Kentucky Kingdom has, inexplicably, insisted on commenting. See that early close where they apologized for closing due to weather, publicly stating on their Facebook page that they should've stayed open but there had been miscommunications and fumbles among managers. "Whoops!" Come back next time! they said. It won't happen again! Where a comment has been necessitated, Kentucky Kingdom has given two or three as they go through various levels of rewriting and reposting, all in the public eye! Speedos and security guards, breastfeeding, ADA compliance, Drop Towers, untrained employees, miscommunications among management, "Whoops!," water park rafts, September closure, failing to meet expected attendance, $5 admission (kind of), "no comment, but..." On and on. Each of those topics and Kentucky Kingdom's "response" could fuel a week of discussion in an introductory PR class. And that's to say nothing of the political and tax discussions leading up to the park's financing and continuing to this day and on to next fall.

It's almost offensive to my theme park sensibilities that they bothered to keep the inverted busts and took the time to glue red LEDs onto their eyes before boarding them up. Like, what was wrong with that incredible and unique effect? And if you must replace it with generic spooky eyes, why "defile" (to sound dramatic) the busts beneath by purposefully putting the LED eyes over the statues' eyes? C'mon.

^^^ The offer is for one free gate admission in 2014; free parking on new passes is valid during the 2015 season. You could ask the parking attendant when you arrive, but don't count on parking free this year. ^^ Promotional offers aren't valid after they expire. If you don't redeem the free Sunday Fast Lane Plus by the end of the season, you'll lose it.

In terms of weight limits, in my two hours in the waterpark I couldn't help but notice a couple of prominent scales with signs saying that many slides have weight limits and guests should check their weight. On another note, HW enforces weight limits on Hyena Falls. The way they do it is that the lifeguard at the top must ask Every. Single. Rider. "Are you aware of the height and weight requirements for this ride?" and then "Do you meet those requirements?" If the lifeguards are doing their job, you literally cannot go down any of the Hyena Falls slides without knowing that there is a weight limit. It's repetitive for the lifeguards and annoying for riders marathoning the slides that have to answer those questions over and over, but it works.

I've done the king's ransom package before - that was a heck of a trip. Of course, my grandmother paid for all of it... Also, if you want to tick off your waiter, go to a really nice restaurant in WDW on New Years Eve and ask for only french fries. You'll get an appetizer of french fries, an entree of french fries served with two sides of french fries, and a dessert of french fries drizzled in french fries. In my defense, I was in 7th grade...but man, that was a lot of french fries.

If I'm not mistaken I believe it's in the very first room.

Hello, what's all this then?

I'm developing a knitting pattern to make a hat for myself. It will have a cable running around my head that looks like a roller coaster. What I think will really sell it as a coaster is if I can get a small pin that looks like a coaster car or train that I can attach next to the "track." It's driving me crazy that I can't just go to KI and look in the shops for myself to see if such a thing is available. I know I've seen small enameled tack pins for sale, but haven't paid enough attention to know if there is anything like what I want. I also haven't quite been able to find something representational of a roller coaster car or train online (at least nothing that doesn't also have a track as part of the design). I may end up needing to use a pin of an automobile or train engine instead. This is the sample I've been working out my pattern on, it's not the final color or anything, but gives an idea. The lizard pin is standing in for the coaster pin I want.

About a week after the delivery of my copies of R. L. Stine's The Beast and The Beast 2 I bought off of eBay (thanks to the forum member who made me aware of their existence, sorry I forget who), I was amazed to see this awesome t-shirt on the $5 rack at the discount store in Coney Mall. What I found even more amazing was the similar tagline on the shirt's "comic book" and the first book (which says "Is the roller coaster really haunted?") Even though they're only loosely related to KI, the books made a nice segue into the Haunt season. Right now I am finally sitting down to watch the Roller Ghoster episode of Ghost Hunters. I keep getting confused every time I see Son of Beast, because other than three visits (two during the operation of SoB, but visiting with a non-coaster-rider, and the third when it was SBNO) I hadn't been to KI for about fifteen years before this summer. This despite innumerable visits before that, and at least 20 this year. So everything is really familiar except SoB.