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that would be one terrifying sleigh ride.

Until recently, I never even considered credits. I just rode coasters, because I like to ride coasters. This season, in many ways changed that. I found myself on a few amazing trips I wouldn't have even considered. This site is largely responsible. Thanks to this site, I've encountered some truly amazing people, some I'm sure are life long friends. I (we) made trips to, Cedar Point, Michigans Adventure, Indiana Beach, Six Flags Great Adventure(NJFTP), Dorney Park, Kings Dominion, and of course our Kings Island.

That would be awesome if there was a tour during the winter. Like NoChickens said I would make it up there in a heartbeat.

I'd make the drive in a heartbeat. To roam the park, blanketed in snow, would be awesome. Personally, I'd love few things more than to have a chance to peek into maintenance. Seeing the trains being refurbished would make this poster very happy indeed. Or, the sign shop, I've been told that is a very interesting place as well. But all in all, any chance to see the park during it's winter season would be grand.

I really like this idea of a live production of Charlie Brown's Christmas; that would be really cool. I was too young (and in some years, not even alive) to experience KI's first Winterfest and I didn't go to the 2005 revival of the event, but I do think another Winterfest revival could be an interesting idea. To reference MagentaLizard's post, I was thinking the "something special" could be a holiday Cirque-esque performance. I mean, we have Skeleton Crew for Haunt, right? Why not have a winter Cirque show. I'm sure that would draw people to the event. Also, Flight of Fear could be open and maybe be themed as a sleigh ride or something. Just some thoughts...

On the other hand, at least one poster here would likely come in from the DC Metro, and attended the last one--snow and ice included, when he lived three hours away....

Continued refurbishment and reinvestment is a must in the lodging industry. Mr. Kinzel and Co. took the Sears, Roebuck approach--and did very little of it. You see the results of that at Sears. See also The Kings Island Inn...

Which parks do you intend to visit next year?KI, several times of course, take a couple trips to the Point. I have a game plan to make one big round trip and hit KD and Carowinds (who doesn't, wanna ride a 325 ft B&M?). Hopefully I'll get to hit Dorney Park and Michigan Adventure, too. If I can get that all in, I'll be one happy guy

Have we determined yet if the poster with the username The Beach Waterpark is in any way affiliated with the water park of the same name in Mason, Ohio? If so, the user needs to be a bit more selective about their wording and posts here... You're literally speaking as the park. At LEAST identify yourself as "PR" in your username, and please add a signature identifying your position and name, or at least initials. As it is, your words (off-putting, snarky, and unprofessional as they can be) are being understood as official canon delivered from The Beach Waterpark and Adventure Landing. Even with "PR" in your name, I can't imagine posting with the attitude you have in your posts. Imagine if The Beach Waterpark had an unofficial fan site and a user named "Kings Island" reprimanded and sarcastically eye-rolled users once in a while. So professional. So respectful. If that user is not affiliated with the park, they ought to change their name. I certainly won't be visiting The Beach Waterpark just from the dozen or so sassy posts I've read from the user of that name on here. If they're affiliated with the park, they should know that. If they're not affiliated with the park, then the park should know that.

Significant news concerning hotel investments and returns were covered in the Q&A portion of the call. Steve Litt of 4010 Capital inquired about rate opportunities and possibilities of completion delays and the direct and indirect benefits associated with the renovations. CEO Matt Ouimet expressed confidence the Breakers project was progressing on or near schedule despite surprises which have been encountered when opening the walls within a 120 year old property. Ouimet reiterated the hotel project(s) were projected to have returns below the generally expected range of 15 to 20 percent. He referred to "primarily an episodic investment" and catch-up capital investment. The CEO indicated the occupancy gains would be minimal as they run near full already. He hinted any gains would come from rate increases and the gains of extended stays with additional on park time and spending. This represents a pulling back from earlier statements when Cedar Fair indicated rate increases tied to the three tiered strategy of "good, better, best." Also of note was the lack of any mention of hotel refreshment progress at any Cedar Point properties other than Hotel Breakers. Room inventory at Hotel Breakers will be reduced modestly following the renovations. Major surprise was in the answer to a question by Ray Cheesman of Anfield Capital concerning early bookings for Hotel Breakers. Ouimet indicated they do not see significant hotel bookings until spring. This may suggest rates are not yet set or are under review given the trends from this past season. The sudden pull back from dynamic, tiered, increasing, pricing is puzzling and perhaps troubling. One wonders if the extensive Hotel Breakers rebuild project was necessitated by new regulations which would not allow for the removal and replacement of the hotel on the current foot print so near shore. Cedar Fair seems intent on anchoring the underutilized mile beach front with the Breakers. No doubt additional investments will be necessary to monetize the beach given the lack of positive guidance for hotel revenue increases. Please see the Seeking Alpha transcript of the 3rd quarter conference call, page 6, for more information: http://seekingalpha.com/article/2651655-cedars-fun-ceo-matt-ouimet-on-q3-2014-results-earnings-call-transcript

With all due respect to Mr.Helbig, he is a PR guy, not maintenance. Unless he has done said maintenance job, there's no way he can honestly answer your questions. Each car is from the rides is stripped down to every last nut and bolt. It's in the neighborhood of 6,500 parts for all of the coasters combined. Diamondback alone has more than 1,600 parts checked annually. Everything that you can imagine is disassembled and looked at and then rebuilt over the winter. A ride like Backlot Stunt Coaster will take 4-1/2 months to do the nine cars on it. Firehawk is up there as one of the hardest trains to work on. A lot of very detailed work with all of the coasters and other ride vehicles.

http://thewaltdisneycompany.com/sites/default/files/reports/q4-fy14-earnings.pdf I hear attendance at the Florida Parks has been record breaking this year and when you see how Frozen has contributed to the bottom line, there is no wonder all parks are getting the Frozen treatment.

Vortex, far too many times to count. And the coaster I rode the least, excluding Planet Snoopy, was Diamondback. If I want to ride boring coasters, I'll go to Sandusky and ride Millennium Force. At least there I can have cheese on a stick while I wait in line. Actually, despite Kings Island being my home park, there were several rides at other parks that I rode more than I rode Diamondback this year. Namely, Magnum XL-200, Phantom's Revenge, Leviathan, Viper (of the Darien Lake variety). And I couldn't even tell you how many times I experienced The Runs at Kentucky Kingdom. When referring to roller coasters, The Runs are a wonderful experience.

I finally crunched the numbers tonight and the following are this season's (and some all time) results: -My most ridden coaster this year was Banshee with 21 rides. This was followed by a tie for 2nd place between Adventure Express and Vortex (16 rides each!) and Beast in 3rd place with 14 rides! -My most ridden flat was Drop Tower for the third year in a row (even with it being down at the start of the season) with 9 rides. This is closely followed by a surprising three-way tie for 2nd place: Boo Blasters, Viking Fury and Zephyr (5 rides each). Delirium is in 3rd place with 4 rides. -There were 4 rides that I didn't ride at all this season. They were Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown; WindSeeker, Woodstock's Express and Xtreme Skyflyer. -The most watched show is The Boyz are Back (shocking, I know ) with 13 times -For the first time, there is a 2-way tie for the most times going through a Haunt maze; I went through both Slaughter House and Club Blood twice this Haunt season. Finally, I'd like to make some general remarks about my all-time ride (coaster) count highs: Adventure Express is still #1 (in ride counts, that is) with 64 recorded rides since I started counting in 2010. Despite riding The Bat only 5 times this year, it is still the all time #2 most ridden coaster at 53 rides. Vortex is #3 at 51 all-time rides. For those wondering how Banshee stacks up, she's in 9th place, but that's only because she's the newest KI coaster. I apologize if this is super long, but I really enjoyed finding out these results and more importantly, had a great 2014 season both working and playing at Kings Island! Here's to 2015!

More fun than it looks, Falling Star at Indiana Beach. And why not a clone of this? The Crypt, at Kings Dominion.

We've also been asked to link back to the source when quoting tweets or press releases. And why wouldn't we?

Repairing the water elements in Tower Gardens would be fantastic. That area, in it's former glory, was beautiful and a great place to just relax. Being a smoker myself, even I see that wonderful space as a waste. And in this era of this OR that, there really is no reason the back corner couldn't be both. Not going back to quote, but someone mentioned the Festhaus clock being removed. Is it possible it was removed to be repaired? I for one hope this is the case. Racer, "sigh", I so miss the original paint, that would make my heart soar. AE, while I do think FUNTV was a great addition, it just doesn't fit here ( or BooBlasters for that matter). Refurb the ride elements.

^Well, in this case, yes, if you view it from a certain context. KICentral gets loads of hits from people looking up Kings Island news. Linking to the original source ensures that the information isn't being made up by KICentral members. Other people could come on here and mistake news from being originated from here instead of the park. Just because news has an obvious source doesn't mean you shouldn't post the link. Trust me, I get your sarcastic remark. I thought a lot like that at first. But this site has certain obligations to the park, therefore, KICentral and its members benefit a lot from it, and so does the park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kXLuAvw84g Found it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trl_LTRtKHI Part 2 Also, I've been trying to find the show where Fred Flintstone dances with a carrot (as Terpy remembers), but I can't seem to find it anywhere... EDIT: Actually, I think I found the correct show from this video, but it doesn't show him dancing with a carrot (link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruoRNC6m8dM- show starts at 4:31)

The razing of the water maze should be interesting to watch too.

An off-season tour is something we're considering.

Thank you, Don!

A really good themed dark ride. No shooting, just immersion into the story.

Washington Metro....

Although it is still labeled as the "Killmart Web Cam," it appears to have been moved to Planet Snoopy to showcase the construction project for 2015. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/online-fun/webcams

Banshee 140 rides. The last weekend was brutal.

40 plus rides on Banshee and Diamondback, might not be to bad for being 2 and a half hours away

^The Breakers opened in 1905, making the property 110 years old and not 120. https://www.cedarpoint.com/media-center/park-history

Don posted in another thread that the park is considering it- didn't specify when.

I worked in KillMart this season so my opinion might be a little biased.

It should be cool seeing the theater get razed as well.

It's pretty obvious were I got this (for all those playing at home it's a little thing I like to call Facebook and on a page titled: Kings Island)Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk Not sure how your screen grab of your phone is obvious where you got it. Use that exact excuse in lieu of a proper citation on a school paper, please. Let's see what happens. When you re-post the words, thoughts, photos, or announcements of others without explaining where they're from, you're plagiarizing. It may not seem like much to you, but it's important. As if we didn't know it enough, the park explicitly asked us to be sure to link back to their various sites when borrowing their words, photos, or thoughts. It matters. And when a news site stops here to pick up the latest buzz, it may not be 'obvious' to them.

I think Soak City could use another slide tower complex to help disperse the lines from the other slides.

And The Beach is a highly profitable operation making money hand over fist. Oh, wait. The simple truth is Cedar Fair has taken the pencil out, sharpened it, designed park seasons to maximize fun, property and staff utilization and opportunities, and unit holder equity and distributions. Post after post talks about demand, demand potential and workabilty. Few talk about profit potential. Paramount Parks lost a kaboodle of money om the 2005 Winterfest, but that event was HIGHLY successful. It succeeded beyond CBS's wildest dreams. It showcased two of the Paramount Parks right before the sale. The better example is Winterfest 1.0. Many want to blame Paramount for shutting it down. Coincidental timing. Lindner and Kings Island management were already pondering shutting it. It wasn't making money anymore. Expenses had spiraled, while the revenue side was largely static. And that's where the problem is. Yes, with enough money, most things are possible. That doesn't mean they are wise. There are many reasons Knott's Merry Farm continues and Winterfest does not. Chief among them are profit potential, weather, staffing and logistical issues...probably in that order.

The cars from the Firehawk roller coaster were transported to the maintenance shop today. #KingsIsland

I think the picnic area is a great addition, I recall church and school events at LeSourdesville, where everyone met at a certain time for a picnic. I went to Halloween early this year, and there were seas of matching shirts due to all the groups of people in the park. (On a side note: I don't know why I didn't mention this sooner, but a friend of mine, Harry Adler, died about a month ago. He was part of the construction crew of Taft's Kings Island. I know that one of his jobs was assembling The Racer.)

Their WindSeeker is in Kansas? Now what would be their MO for putting it there? On topic, I assure you that Larson flyers are snappable even on the low speed. I snapped a few times at Kentucky Kingdom. I snapped about 5 times in one cycle at Cedar Point. I can't imagine they would have Larson put in a set that runs at a special, lower speed than normal just because they are located in a childrens' area (which, as it happens, the Lake Erie Eagles are too). If anyone on here has only ever ridden the ones at Holiday World or Stricker's Grove or the Columbus Zoo, I assure you, those don't even compare to the Larson flyers. On the other hand, if you've been to Carowinds, or rode them at Kings Island in 2004 or earlier, the Larsons also don't compare, but in the opposite way. Regardless, if the ones we get are as good as the ones in Sandusky, we're in for a treat.

I too had my first ride on Skyflyer.. Just yesterday, actually since the prices were at the lowest for the majority of the day. That too is my most memorable, I've always wanted to try it out. It's just a really fun way to drop, having to pull the cord and whatnot. In second place is riding the Lake Erie Eagles because I don't have any actual memories of riding Kings Island's back in the day, though I'm sure I rode them.

I think I enjoyed finally conquering Xtreme Skyflyer over Banshee. Banshee is one of my favorite rides, but its, at the very least, similar to other rides I've done before. I knew a little bit of what to expect. With Skyflyer, it was radically different than what I'm used to in drop rides. I feel significantly safer on rides like Drop Tower since there are fail safes in place, like a giant magnet at the bottom should it fall early plus you have the restraints. Skyflyer is just so open and all you have on is that vest. That's a reason I really enjoy riding water slides, you have nothing to ride in and secure yourself to. All Skyflyer has is that harness and the really long chord on which you swing from.

Banshee, a total of 200 times.

I would have to say my favorite new credit was Banshee. It was truly perfect addition to the park in just about every way possible. My favorite overall credit from this season had to be my ride in the backseat of The Voyage at Holiday World. I love everything about that ride, and the back seat is a beast of an experience. Plus it was the first time my lady-friend had been to Holiday World, so that whole day was pretty awesome. Is it April yet?

I would say Escape From Gringotts and Falcon's Fury are my best new credits from 2014. Gringotts offers something incredible, and is a technology marvel. Even the wait in line is an adventure. Truly amazing. Falcon's Fury is just terrifying. Plain and simple.

My oldest nephew's Banshee credit. The poor kid spent all of last season not being able to ride anything other than the flats, and Woodstock Express thanks to newly diagnosed seizures. After a "take it slow" order for most of this season and some positive follow-ups, he was finally able to ride Banshee in October. He was ecstatic and couldn't stop gushing and smiling. That was a great experience. Another off season being seizure free and he can add more credits when I take him to CP. My credits? Ehh. Cool. What is my number?! Experiencing these rides with my niece and nephews, for their first time? Unspeakable joy.

Sorry, Kings Island, but in terms of coaster credits, Lightning Run just slightly beats Banshee for me. The airtime on that machine is, among all of the coasters I've ridden, second only to The Voyage, and it manages excellent and powerful ejector airtime without inducing pain and despite rules that literally require you to be stapled. I wish I had had time that day to ride it more than once, or room in my schedule to go back, but unfortunately I did not, and will have to hope that the Hartland survives for another year. But overall best "credit"? Also found at the Hartland in the form of Deep Water Dive. Rare is the ride that is well worth climbing twelve stories of stairs, but feeling that floor drop out from under me and then plummeting down 120 feet was worth every single step. That was the most fun I've had on a thrill ride in a few years.

I can't choose between Verbolten and Curse of DarKastle. My first visit to Busch Gardens Williamsburg forever changed my perception and expectations of so much in the industry. It's an absolutely amazing place. Honorable mention goes to Banshee (and Cirque Imagine, if I can toss that in, too) for strongly changing my opinion and expectations of Cedar Fair. The future is indeed bright. Also, I have to give a shout-out to Timber Wolf at Worlds of Fun for being the first-ever Dinn that I can truthfully say I enjoyed from start to finish. What a great ride!

Well, I only track my coasters. I rode a lot of new flats, too, but I don't track those. Favorite, however, is easily either Sledge Hammer at Canada's Wonderland or Rattler at Camden park. Maybe Lake Erie Eagles, but I'd ridden Larson Flying Scooters before, so I can't justify that as legitimately counting as a "new" credit in the same sense. Now then, first, I will list my new credits of 2014, in the order they were acquired. I'm going to use the spoiler tag to prevent this post from being enormous. As for favorites, probably Lightning and Thunder Run at KK (In that order), then Goliath, then Banshee. And all the way at the very, very bottom of the list, below even the Great Pumpkin Coaster, is Flight Deck at Canada's Wonderland. If I never ride that infernal contraption again, it'll be too soon. I think the highlights of 2014 for me were Banshee Media Day, my three visits to Kentucky Kingdom, my impromptu trip to SFGAm, and my trip with TDE to Cedar Point (during which I discovered Cheese on a stick, and my life will never be the same again...). To quote Brad Paisley, "As great as it is, you know what's a bummer? I ain't ever gonna beat this summer"

Banshee, without a doubt. Completely renewed my interest in riding roller coasters. It took me back to when I rode Vortex for the first time 22 years ago.

Best Credit of the summer : riding BBoBH with my son.

Banshee, without a doubt. Honorable mentions to the steel coaster Goliath at Six Flags Great America, Flying Turns at Knoebels Grove Amusement Resort and Big Droppy Thing at Six Flags Great Adventure.

I'm excited for the petting zoo. My wife probably won't let me go pet the animals though. She doesn't enjoy fun. Also, even though they aren't the old Flying Eagles, I'm looking forward to Woodstock Gliders. When I was a kid my mom and I used to go on the Flying Eagles a lot. She was awesome at them. I didn't even know snapping them wasn't just a regular part of the ride until I saw it on KIC. She was so good that 7 year old me wouldn't even try to take over controlling the rudder. I'd just sit there and let her go. Then came my teenage years when I didn't want to be caught dead on a kiddie ride. After that, the later Paramount years when I only visited the park a couple of times in 6 or 7 years. But now that some Flying Scooters are back, I'll have to practice. And maybe when I have kids, and they are big enough to ride, I can be as good on Woodstock Gliders as she was on the Flying Eagles.