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From Twitter, same opening date as last year. https://twitter.com/kingsislandpr/status/555400827150798848

The seasonal staff at Coney that won the award, called the Jim Babb Award was me. I won the award back on December 30th at the seasonal manager and Super Staffer luncheon on December 30th. Here is a little information about the Jim Babb award. The Jim Babb award honors its namesake for his dedication to Coney Island, for always putting forth his best effort in getting the job done. Jim’s pride in his work and his enthusiasm for the park’s success never waned. He was always thrilled to be a part of the Coney team. Jim was 55 years old when he came to us with only a third grade education, but he soon taught all of us what can be accomplished when the will is there. He worked so hard, and so cheerfully, that our patrons went out of their way to commend us on his efforts. We remember this gentle man by naming after him our highest recognition of excellence. Only the seasonal employee who most exemplifies his attitude and effort merits our most coveted honor- The Jim Babb Award. I was only the 25th recipient of this award. I was given an engraved Citizen`s watch for winning the award. Pictures will come later tonight. Additionally, my name will be added to a plaque in the administration building. My picture will also appear by the plaque this season as well.

And now to humanize this topic a bit... I present to you a old photograph of Mr. Kinzel when he was celebrating his 2nd birthday. This picture was in a Christmas card to me from my great grandmother. She is first cousins with Dick and his siblings, and is actually really close with his sister.

Full calendar for 2015 here: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/hours-directions/kings-island

I have no idea what is going on in this thread

@CarowindsPark on Twitter : "Last pieces of track for #Fury325 being fabricated at the steel plant." Photo : Carowinds via Twitter Carowind's GM Michael Fehnel visited Clermont Steel Fabricators today..... @mikefehnel on Twitter : "I found some more steel for #FURY325!!! @CarowindsPark" Photo : Michael Fehnel / Carowinds GM via Twitter "Applying a coat of hornet lime green to a piece of track for #FURY325. @CarowindsPark" Photo : Michael Fehnel / Carowinds GM via Twitter "Here is the last piece of#FURY325. By the end of next week, it will arrive @CarowindsPark I can't wait!!!" Photo : Michael Fehnel / Carowinds GM via Twitter

The swarm is preparing to fly out of the double helix element and into the final two high speed camel back hills.... (Live Still-Image captured from the Carowinds Fury 325 Live Camera Feed)

Let the countdown begin... 93 days to go!

Has that ever happened before? I've been here less than a year myself, and I usually just find myself confused by his hints. I'm ok with that, and I love a mystery. Tying up some loose ends eventually would be nice too... Hint hint From diversions to actual name of the 2014 attraction mentioned loud and clear a year and a half before? Or telling a group at a Mexican place the exact stats for a TTD topper the season before? None of whom believed a word of it? Like that? Terp, who likes to ask questions, and whose tombstone can be found somewhere near a big blue B&M not at Cedar Point...

"Stud"-ly perhaps?

Nope. Not Young, either.

Here is a picture of the watch that they gave me.

I have never read a HP book or watched more than twenty minutes of any of the movies. That being said, I spent two hours in Diagon Alley today. Just today. I rode Gringotts (20 minute wait) watched the dragon spit fire multiple times, watched people use their interactive wands, drank the warm version of Butterbeer, and just walked around. It is beautiful and fun. Same goes for the IoA side with Hogwarts. I love it.

Your disinterest in Harry Potter sincerely shouldn't change a single thing about your trip. If someone doesn't like the film Transformers, they 1) should still ride the ride, and 2) will probably love the ride, and 3) should probably watch the film before they go anyway so that they can appreciate the ride more fully. You don't have to have a heartfelt connection or appreciation for the intellectual property itself to be in awe of what creative people can do to bring it to life. A three-day ticket is just right for Universal Orlando. The two parks are worth exploring with more than just a cursory jump between rides. Without the park-to-park ticket option, I'd tell you to spend your first day at Universal Studios Florida, your second at Islands of Adventure, and your third re-visiting whichever you enjoyed most. A park-to-park option is always preferred in my book. Again, I realize you may not be passionate about Potter, but the Hogwarts Express is sincerely an E-ticket attraction that should not be missed if at all possible. Very impressive effects. That's my two cents and I'd be remiss if I didn't say it. And silly as it is, maybe try to get into Harry Potter before you go... I mean, watch the first two or three movies. Check it out. I realize you might've already, but you're going to see the darn thing brought to life; couldn't hurt to at least know what's going on. If one of your traveling companions wasn't into Jurassic Park or hadn't seen the movie in a long time, you'd probably encourage them to watch it anyway before you go. Same with Potter. You don't have to buy a wand and dress up, but geez... might as well prepare for two of the most highly rated and technologically advanced rides on Earth, right? If you're "only going for the rides" you'll kick yourself! Universal Orlando is not Cedar Point. It's got two full-fledged theme parks full of rides, but also attractions, shows, entertainment, restaurants, hidden nooks and crannies, and Disney-quality detail. Family rides like Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem are worth your time. At Islands of Adventure, don't miss Poseidon's Fury. Take a minute to check out the Mystic Fountain in Lost Continent. Walk along the coast in Port of Entry and check out the details. Ride Cat in the Hat and walk through "If I Ran The Zoo" in Seuss Landing. Walk through the Jurassic Park Discovery Center. Go into Hogsmeade's shops and get a glass of Butterbeer. There's really no reason to intentionally skip over anything, so I hope you don't. You'll have time to probably do everything, so I'd hate for you to say "I was here 6 years ago, so I'm not going to do that again." That's the wrong perspective. The parks are worth exploring and experiencing. Go big or go home. Get into it! There are many references to Jaws located throughout the Diagon Alley section of the Wizarding World (the half that's in the Studios park) since that's where Jaws used to be. They are very well hidden - just little "nods" to the previous ride (similar to the single golden ape statue in Revenge of the Mummy standing as a tribute to the King Kong ride it replaced). If you want spoilers, here's a good photo list of where to find things. Jaws himself is also still there for photo ops, strung up nearby in the San Francisco area. The season you're going in will determine a ride order. Unless it's a very busy, obvious peak holiday time, you'll have plenty of time to do the things you want.

Most likely the same company that always rents the park out on the first Sunday of the operating season...

In the Facebook thread of the announcement (https://www.facebook.com/visitkingsisland/posts/10153464055928368:0) someone asked about the preview for passholders and this was KI's reply: So that answers that.

I don't think so!Aaahahahahaha! (Does anyone else get excited when Terpy's hints/cryptic posts actually make sense?)

Green track for a giga. Why does THAT sound familiar? Big Terpy...

Thrilled to see some nights open till Midnight. Riding Diamondback or The Beast in extreme darkness just enhances the thrills.

Big pythons, maybe?

Already working on the special effects and original music... Can't wait!

I don't think so!Aaahahahahaha! (Does anyone else get excited when Terpy's hints/cryptic posts actually make sense?) Maybe it's the Disney fan in me but I got an Enchanted Tiki Room vibe off that hint. Now I need a Dole Whip.

Has that ever happened before? I've been here less than a year myself, and I usually just find myself confused by his hints. I'm ok with that, and I love a mystery. Tying up some loose ends eventually would be nice too... Hint hint

Hearts saying, "if you build it the people will come" that wasn't the case with Hard Rock Park

^To anyone curious, that's 1972. I enjoy the art of the poster maps in the 1980s, particularly 1982 and 1988. I wish the park would still sell poster maps every season, as I can't imagine they're incredibly expensive to produce and make great souvenirs.

U mad bro?

I have them set up to backup to my personal home server every week. Pay a third party site to back up nightly onto my second server and the host does a backup every 3 or 4 days. I'd say we have a pretty good backup plan.

And while y'all go to the lobby, I'll just stay here and chat with the projectionist. Oh, look...a little birdy goes tweet, tweet, tweet. Do you think you are leaving the theater, now that you've heard the birdsong? Terp, who does what he does because he does, as if he must -- in this case.

Have you ever just thought about Kings Island maps and remember that one map that just stuck in your head? Well I sure have. I know there is a wide age range on this website and some maps are more special than others. I have one map that I just absolutely loved, 2006's KI map. Growing up in the Paramount, Nickelodeon Universe days of Kings Island was a lot of fun. I know that the old Hannah Barbara and Nickelodeon days are behind us but it's always nice to remember getting off our favorite rides as kids and seeing our favorite TV characters in real life. 2006 was the first year I got a Gold Pass and even though I only went 3 or 4 times, it was my most memorable season next to the 2014 season. Here is a picture of the map. Can't wait to see what maps and stories from KI you guys have!

So you're very distant cousins (1st cousins 3 times removed according to Wolfram Alpha). Fun!

If I can make it work, I will be riding it for the first time on a Sunday mid-April, followed by a concert the next night. I'm very grateful that my best friend lives 35 minutes away from the park. I'm a bit sad that I never took advantage of this when I was in high school and college...

Here's a picture of 2009's map with Diamondback and Son of Beast. I too wish they'd return to the PKI map feel.

Even if you don't like Harry Potter, the Hogwarts Express is also a heckuva lot easier of a trip than walking from all the way at the back of USF to IOA. I have to echo goodyellowkorn's sentiments (like I usually do) and say that even if you're not a Potter fan--an entirely foreign concept to me, may I add --there is so much to either Potter area that can be appreciated just for the theme park magic in it. And both Butterbeer and Pumpkin Juice are really tasty in general. I have to really highly recommend Poseidon's Fury, too. That experience really does not get the attention it deserves. I'm a HUGE Potter fan, and Poseidon's Fury is still within my top three favorite Universal attractions. Have a great time!

So passholder preview night is likely to be the 17th?

Coaster Crew sent out an email stating that they were no longer an official club for coastermania.

Definitely buy the Park-to-Park option. Even if you don't want to do the Hogwarts Express, it's useful for hopping back and forth on your third day, and even in the evenings of your first two days if you start to feel bored. I bought Park-to-Park on a two-day visit and was glad I did, as I found myself jumping around in the evenings.

Unfortunately, it seems that I will be busy on Opening Day. Depending on the details for the preview night, I might make a trip down for that.

The 1979 map because it's the year of The Beast. I would also have to say the late 90s Paramounts Kings Islands maps are my favorite too.

You beat me! Lol. Though I can't go to opening day, I can't wait to see the new videos everyone puts up for opening day/night of 2015!

I'm with BeastForever on this one. 2005 had it going on!

^ I agree with that 100 percent. I've been hoping the last few years that we could once again buy poster maps at Kings Island. ....And actually, Cedar Point indeed still sells poster maps every season.

Paddleboat Excursions? Wildcat? Pirate Ride? Terp, who likes to ask questions.

There is such a thing as over-thinking. There is a lot of that in this thread. Terp, eating popcorn.

Building a shadow box to display my amusement park memorabilia. Lol....if the season doesn't start soon I'll be knitting hats next.

No I have not. To each his own though. People hate Gatekeeper yet I loved it.

Sit back. relax, and enjoy the show. Please remember to turn off all cell phones. Thank you.

* His laundry allowance, paid in addition to his salary, was more than 95 percent of seasonals made. * He allowed Cedars and the other employee housing at Cedar Point to fall into terrible disrepair. Same for Breakers. * He ran a worldwide competition to hire a new General Manager at Carowinds...and chose his son. To say the younger Kinzel was utterly unqualified given his history would be kind. * He fired employees at the drop of a hat, including his brilliant right hand man, Jack Falfas. Then he lied about it. Mr. Falfas sued, and won. * He thought Blackberries were toys, and when Paramount Parks was acquired, he got rid of most of them. * He put his son-in-law in a high level position at Cedar Point, doing so without a meaningful competition. * When he acquired Paramount Parks, he drove out their senior management. with very few exceptions. Most of those who didn't leave voluntarily were shown the door. * He was a micromanager extraordinaire. * A direct quote: "I'm an operations guy, not a finance guy." Yet he made virtually every major financial decision for years. * He stacked FUN's board with yes-men: his cronies and pals. * He conducted a wide search for in house legal counsel, then selected his long time golfing buddy. The legal community...snickered. ...just to name a few...

Or the pretended ignorance. Imagine....

...like Paul McCartney? jcgoble3, shaking his head at the ignorance of certain people