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^ Lol Wait! Did you hear that?? Yeah it sounds like wailing Banshee! Could it mean something? I would assume that it means that we are 35 days away from Opening Day at Kings Island, but that's just my guess. I made this a little bit ago in my graphic design class and I was pretty happy with the results!

No. INTAMIN's reputation with Cedar Fair did. And the "But did you die?" or "acceptable level of risk" attitude is why. Safety is Paramount at Cedar Fair.

Or an announcement of an announcement of an announcement....

I think that looks like the base of a lamppost.

Staying at Cedar Point. The Turnpike cars were the cars that were removed from Cedar Point. The Antique cars along with the Cadillac Cars will be at CP in 2015.

REally any manufacturer that makes a spinning teacups or Tilt-A-Whirl style ride could be sought to build one at KI and give it a barrel theme to fit into Oktoberfest. Always thought this would be great to bring back. Would add another attraction to that area of the park for cheap and be another flat ride that is a style we no longer have at the park either.

... Perhaps a DIVErsion lamppost!

I realized today that Coasting for kids is the day i will be at KD so i signed both myself and my wife up for it. I had a pretty good run for Scream For A Kid Again so we will see how this one goes. if you would like to donate here is the link. I will update at a later time with my wifes link. http://support.gktw.org/site/TR/CoastingForKids/General?px=1187529&pg=personal&fr_id=1373

They are now saying 58 feet will be the flood crest. The highest flood since the flood of 1997. Enough of a flood to completely submerge all of Coney under at least some water.

It would be interesting to see the International Street shops get some names that match their architecture, and flags from the appropriate countries for each building. For example, divide the Emporium into a few different stores instead of one big one and name one store something like Munchen Gifts, or Rhineland Souvenirs, to match the German architecture of the building. Maybe rename the Glassblower shop to Cristalería Glass Art, as it was called in the seventies. The word cristalería is Spanish for glassware, and would blend well with the Spanish/Latin American architecture. I believe they had a decorative carved candle shop in the Spanish building, where someone dips a candle into colored wax and carves it into different patterns and designs. It would be interesting to see something on those lines return, however it's unlikely. In Rivertown, an area themed to the "river town" of Cincinnati in the 1800's era, could get a shop named something on the lines of old Cincinnati. Coney Mall could use some classic midway flats, and maybe some popcycle shaped trees and shrubs, to pay homage to the Ginkgo Trees that were at Coney Island. Those are a few ways the park can improve their theming without going all out like Disney.

Its Tony, so your answer is yes.

You know when.....you are driving down a country road, you see a dip in the road, and you intentionally speed up so you can experience airtime.

Footers on site!!! https://twitter.com/TonyClarkCP/status/576064299401089024

Hey guys, I went ahead and sketched up my own "ideal build-out" of Kings Island. If you follow my Theme Park Tourist articles, I designed an ideal build-out of Disney's Hollywood Studios a few weeks ago. The purpose is basically to imagine your perfect version of the park - to balance it, theme it, and give it a stellar line-up of attractions. Of course, even in an ideal setting you want some sense of choices being realistically possible in terms of space and time and even budget, but is this a potential path for the park? Eh, probably not. It's just fun to think about. The direction I took the park mirrors my own interests and priorities, as you'd expect. I won't go into exhaustive detail on the things that remain the same or only change slightly. Instead I labeled the things that are different. First of all, I used the park's existing layout (and many of its themes) for the most part and divided it into seven themed lands: Tower Street, The Woods, Coney Park, X-Base, Seven Hills, Planet Snoopy, and The Grove. Some things barely even need mentioned, like Boo Blasters becoming "The Great Pumpkin Adventure" (a non-shooting dark ride), the return of the Tower Gardens, or that I've had trees planted almost everywhere (and definitely around Diamondback). For larger version, open this in a new window. The Woods (formerly Oktoberfest & Action Zone) The Woods is a new, huge area created by combining Action Zone and Oktoberfest and more or less unifying it into a mythological forest. Guests enter The Woods from Tower Street by passing under a short tunnel of twisted vines. Within are three sub-sections differentiated only by their style. A German sub-section (occupying the space formerly its own land, Oktoberfest) contains The Curse of DarKastle 4-D motion-based dark ride cloned from Busch Gardens Williamsburg, with a new showbuilding constructed between The Racer and Flight of Fear. The ride's exterior - like Busch Gardens' - is a snowy German castle facade with antique brass towers that drip and mist in the sun. The ride is entered via an overgrown garden courtyard with a stone wolves statue in the center. While the exterior is just a facade, it gives a castle backdrop to the entire German sub-area (previously Oktoberfest). Adventure Express remains but has been renamed Verlorenschiene, which means Lost Railway. Of course, it gets cosmetic upgrades and a new lease on life as a wild mine train through collapsing tunnels. Festhaus remains, but it contains an Oktoberfest-themed show. The building itself is covered in crawling vines (including the still-broken glockenspiel -- now part of a story) as part of the misty, dark atmosphere of The Woods. DarKastle exits into Der Marktplatz, a German-themed store with authentic German gifts and DarKastle merchandise. Hanks becomes Brezlen und Bier, serving fresh pretzels, pretzel sandwiches, and beer complete with a patio for relaxing. Rounding the corner is the second sub-section within the Woods, based on United Kingdom myths and legends. Delirium remains painted black and gray, placed inside a Stonehenge-type circle of standing, mossy rocks arranged around it. (Trying to think of a fitting rename for it... Deliria seemed like a nice twist, but is that too close to diarrhea? Somethin Druid-related? Mystic-related? Ideas?) Obviously Banshee remains, as does The Bat. The third sub-section is a sort of exotic amalgamation of ancient worlds... Part Congo, part India, with misty jungle paths, toppled statues, broken pillars, and torches. Drop Tower is renamed Dyaus Fall, named after the Hindu god of the sky. The path leading to it is lined by broken pillars that progressively get taller and taller leading toward the massive 300-foot drop ride, which fades from stone grey on top to teal blue on the bottom. Invertigo is renamed CobRa, with a massive stone cobra right in the cobra roll acting as the ride's marquee and scaffolds built around the maroon-colored ride as if supporting an archaeological dig. The style of Chessington's Disk-O (above) gives a good idea of the stone serpent feeling I'd be going for. Obviously all paths lead to TOMB RAIDER: The Ride. Hey, it's my park. This, of course, would be a more traditional Top Spin, not the Giant variety, but otherwise a very similar (if not improved) experience. Coney Park (formerly Coney Mall) Of course, the first step in Coney Park is a complete face lift. Racer is redone in its red-white-and-blue color scheme, with crisp white paint. It's Coney Park's main visual draw, just as it was in the 1970s. The coaster and all of the land's flat rides receive matching incandescent bulbs strung across paths and in trees. The idea is to turn Coney Mall into a turn-of-the-century boardwalk-style land with a reverent and romanticized style. Backlot Stunt Coaster is replaced with Steeplechase, a Zamperla launched MotoCoaster with horse-shaped trains. The coaster launches from Backlot's launch area (obviously new track and infrastructure) and immediately blasts up and around (just like the new Coney Island's Steeplechase) and begins a winding, surfing race. After an over-banked turn over the formerly-Happy-Days-restaurant, the train hits a final boost that propels it up and around the ride, where it re-uses Backlot's splashdown style and hits the brakes. The ride is, of course, all white and strung with the same chaser lights as the rest of Coney Mall, and all the trees around it sparkle and glow at night. In other words, it would have the really beautiful, classic look of the coaster at Luna Park, but amid trees and gardens instead of a parking lot. I think it's a really nice replacement for Backlot, and one that doesn't require the intense effect maintenance. The other new addition, replacing Vortex (sorry guys) is Kings Mill Run, a launched Zierer family coaster. Yes, based on Verbolten. This coaster departs from Vortex's former station down a slope and meanders through the tree-lined paths, eventually stumbling across an old-Ohio covered bridge. The train passes over the bridge, then comes into view of the Kings Powder Company, a large, brick-facade manufacturing plant. The train launches up and into the building, which is on fire. The massive showbuilding for the coaster is dark with the trains racing around flames, fog blasts, and old industrial manufacturing machines. The train comes to a stop in an attic full of creaking, flame-glowing wood as a final burst of fog signals a 20-foot vertical drop track. The coaster then advances out of the building and hits a second launch, bursting up into a massive over-banked turn (about where Vortex's Batwing is) then flies down to the water, splashing in a lagoon and spraying water onto burning trees (visible from the path... sort of the ride's signature moment), passing under the covered bridge from the ride's intro, blasting into an Immelmann, then racing through The Racer's structure for a turnaround where Action Theatre once stood. X-Base Now its own land, X-Base gets a Chance Unicoaster called Mission Control wherein riders can control how their ride spins and flips along the flat-ride circuit. Firehawk is officially branded Operation: Firehawk to play up the actually-well-designed storyline of it being human flight technology testing. Maintaining the barbed-wire fencing (separating the entry path from the flat ride) and the incredible blue lighting at night, I think this land would really tell a full story. Add in a few P.A. announcements paging government officials and a few flashing red off-limits lights and you've got a stellar land. And yes, I added a bathroom. Seven Hills (formerly Rivertown) Named after Cincinnati's nickname, this early Ohio settlement along the river gets its theme restored and touched up, with woodcarving and local craftsmen selling their wares. No Three Point Challenge. Sorry. Only big change would be Mistrie Mining Company, a 3-D interactive dark ride modeled after Wonderland's Guardian. It would be a family coaster re-using the queue for The Crypt (obviously redesigned as a mining operation) to tell the story of Mister Moses Mistrie, whose mining operation was supposedly on cursed land (not a stretch either, given that building's history). Given that the drop-track is utilized on Kings Mill Run, Mistrie Mine instead features a motion-simulating finale leading to a backwards dive swooping dive out of the ride building. The Grove (formerly Picnic Grove) Simply built in the area formerly used for the Picnic Grove (and retaining a few shelters for special events) this wooded land features three much-loved rides: a Ferris Wheel, the Flying Eagles, and a Parachute Drop. All are designed in vintage style. The Grove is supposed to just be a sort of enchanted-looking glen - peaceful, and vintage, sort of removed from the hustle and bustle of the park, all with white lights and simple paint. There's also a Pavilion-style restaurant that can be rented out for special events. Conclusions You guys know I'm a sucker for immersion, story, and theming. What I've done here, I hope, is to give the park distinct and identifiable lands and settings, most of which are rooted in Ohio history. Like a Disney park, the lands are of idealized and romanticized times and places, with rides being logical and telling stories, even if only through their atmosphere and surrounding elements. Is it perfect? No. But what it does do is refresh two coasters with more fitting and modern replacements (Vortex -> Kings Mill Run; Backlot -> Steeplechase), add four dark rides all of different styles (Tomb Raider, Great Pumpkin Adventure, Mistrie Mining Company, DarKastle) and bring the park five new, fresh flat rides (Tomb Raider, Ferris Wheel, Flying Eagles, Parachute Drop, Mission Control). Actually some pretty modest changes for an ideal build-out. Kings Island is already a well rounded park. I just added emphasis on the things I enjoy. I did not turn Kings Island into a Cedar Point, and I didn't want to. There is no Wing Rider over the entrance and no giga coaster. Nothing wrong with having them, nothing wrong with wanting them. My focus was on themed lands, family rides, and atmosphere. Yes, to the extreme. But still. I know these things are hard to visualize, so let me know if you have questions, and definitely tell me what you think!

As the Anderson High School alma mater starts out "By the fair Ohio`s waters, Stong and staunch and bold." The Ohio River is above flood stage. Coney just posted some pictures of the flood to their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/coneyislandpark Lake Como has grown by several feet, with the island in the center of the lake under water. (It would be hard to launch any pedal boats off of the pedal boat dock, since it is under a few feet of water. The river is forecasted to crest at 56.3 feet. Flood stage is 52'. The last observed river level was 52.84 at 2pm. http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=iln&gage=ccno1 Remember, this is one of the reasons that Taft Broadcasting decided to "close" Coney down and build Kings Island. Hopefully the water goes down quickly, so that we can start to get ready for the 2015 season. There are two new rides on the way to Coney this year.

Knowing that guy, its a photo of a footer somewhere in Downtown Sandusky. That would be fitting of his types of "announcement". Sparky, not a fan.

And the number of serious issues SIX has had with Star Flyers? As opposed to WindSeekers? See also California. Or Knott.

Thank goodness. Best. News. Ever.

It wasn't an accident. One would think the CEO of a huge media company would be in the know on such things (and Iger is). He was pandering to the shareholders in attendance during the Q & A portion of the annual meeting (esp. the doe-eyed kid who asked the question). It's been known for some time that once the Star Wars overlay is complete (2017 is the latest), Disney will drop 'Studios' from the name. Fantasmic has no plans to go anywhere. The Rivers of Light show debuting this summer at AK will be Florida's answer to Worlds of Color. Following that, Disney will then work on a new nighttime parade for MK so that the MSEP can be permanently put out to pasture.

A solid lamp post footer we have there.

Well, if someone breaks the terms of a contract now, if you let it slide, what's to stop them from breaking more of the terms in the future? No reason to do business with a company that doesn't keep its word. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can't believe I only just stumbled upon this. I saw your DHS mock-up a few months back and was incredibly impressed, and this too blew my mind. Although there are small things here-and-there I disagree with, overall I'm a giant fan of this concept. I especially like The Woods and how it marries Action Zone and Oktoberfest so perfectly. I also like smaller details, like the Stone Henge set-up around Delirium or the reference to the local area in Kings Mill Run. The map makes it a bit hard to tell, but are Congo Falls, Xtreme Skyflyer, and White Water Canyon still around, or were the three rides axed?

Yes, the Elections will decide the fate of the Double Secret Probation.

Reds Hall of Fame Grill. The ribs are scrumptious, too! Burp.

Ah, my mistake. I never realized they had three of these type rides! I only remember riding two, but yes, I was thinking Turnpike Cars.

Popsicle is a registered trademark and, as such, is always capitalized here. Coney Mall once had ginkgo trees shaped like Push-Ups, and Kings Dominion still does.

This is the link for Courtney http://support.gktw.org/site/TR/CoastingForKids/General?px=1249942&pg=personal&fr_id=1373

Were you really surprised you couldn't find a small footer on a webcam that isn't zoomed in on any area in particular?

Are they really so cruel as to tease us like that and have it be a lamppost? Maybe it is a lamppost... Perhaps a diversion lamppost!

Hmmm, here's a thought... What are they doing with CP's Antique Cars? ......

Ah.... you can lock or delete this thread if you want. I didn't see the other section. Search should've been my friend... haha

They have other barrel-style rides besides the Intamin one. Example: http://www.flatrides.com/rides/barreloffun.html (This being a typical neighborhood carnival/county fair ride.) Maybe not likely to happen, just throwing out random ideas. I guess we shall see eventually!

Or just have Cedar Fair improve their themeing habits. Hopefully it will come...with time.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' data-author="The Interpreter" data-cid="670548" data-time="1426228463"><cite class="ipb" contenteditable="false">The Interpreter, on 13 Mar 2015 - 02:34 AM, said:</cite><p>And bought how many of the at first problematic WindSeekers? And a water ride at Cedar Point that was even more troublesome?Terp, who likes to ask questions.</p></blockquote> <a href="http://s362.photobucket.com/user/x241/media/image.jpg1_6.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/x241/image.jpg1_6.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo image.jpg1_6.jpg"/></a>

My bet is for the Wicked Twister midway.

Be careful, upstop! That reminds me, when I was younger, there was this road that reminded me a lot of Adventure Express as it turned right and then swooped to the left. Unfortunately, I think this road no longer exists.

I'm just happy Snake Pit and Potato Works were added.

The thing that makes that RCT2 picture even worse is the fact that RCT2 has an in-game screenshot tool.

@mikefehnel on Twitter : "I officially have a new favorite roller coaster!!! Just amazing! What a ride!" Photos : Michael Fehnel / Carowinds GM via Twitter

The Coney Mall Monster Crew didn't stack even once last summer. They rocked! That's how they roll!

Just to keep some laughs going here.

You should be an architect or designer. Definitely not an engineer. Your obvious great talents lie in the domain of the former. And you should have a great staff to advise and steer you. I'm completely serious. In another day and time, I'd have suggested Imagineer. Zamperla. Zierer. Cloning another chain's rides. And what is soon to be a multi-use residential development. Unpronounceable and unrememorable German ride name--for the Midwest. So many other great ideas. Such artistry. Yep. Designer. Architect. Not bean counter. Or engineer. Your great prospects would quickly be snuffed. May you win the Irish Sweepstakes, inherit a great fortune or become the favored employee of Matt Ouimet. But please forget Zamperla. At least. One modern day Luna Park is sad enough.

When you're trying to drive home and you are using your haunt-maze-maneuvering skills to function in the fog.

I just hope fluids don't shoot out of the riders at those same points!

I haven't heard of Fury 324. What is that and where can I find it?

@mikefehnel on Twitter : "Good morning from the top of #Fury325" Photo : Michael Fehnel / Carowinds GM via Twitter

Well then. What a load of KaKa.

I just saw someone comment online that Dragster is taller, faster, and more fun than Fury. I'm jealous. If this guy knows that Fury is less fun, then he mush have ridden it. I wish they would have let me ride it early, too...

As I continue to watch The Swarm fly its course repeatedly this evening, I can't help but ask Matt Ouimet and Cedar Fair....... Can we have one???? Please? Please? Please?????...... As if I'm the jealous child who happens to see what the neighbors children got for Christmas......

The primary reasons the original Kentucky Kingdom failed were location and severe under-capitalization. The New Kentucky Kingdom's situation cannot be easily distinguished as to either. What will the breaking point be? I suspect it will be a political one, and later this year or in 2017...