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Hello all, hope you are all doing well in these post-Covid times, I had the opportunity to go up to the Island of Kings last week for the first time since 2019 and I didn’t miss the chance! I didn’t go to KI last year so I had not had the chance to ride Orion yet, but actually the first thing I rode when arriving to the park was the reworked Racer and it felt like stepping into a time capsule. I also love the old fashioned sign and logo on the trains. It was so smooth for The Racer and legit felt like a different ride than years past. Even in the back seat it felt smooth as butter, I was throughly impressed. With the slight Drizzle meant no lines, so I headed over to Orion admittedly a little nervous but excited beyond comprehension. I had long dreamed of riding this coaster. I rode middle of the pack and first off I really like the speedy lift hill. Makes for a quick flight up. The first drop was amazing as well as the next part where you are literally going sideways. The rest of the ride went by so fast that I had to ride it again and while I do think that I wish it was a bit longer I still really am glad we have a Giga. That first drop is amazing! Vortex not being there was so weird and I hope they give that spot a good replacement. I was also pleasantly surprised to see that Boo Blasters has most of its effects working and also I got a higher score than I think I ever have so my blasters were on point that day. Overall I had a great day and I look forward to many more! View of the former Vortex spot from The Beast train.

We had an amazing visit this past Sunday. We were able to use our drink and food passes without long waits and were able to get a on quite a few rides as well. So much improvement.

Let’s not just assume that Halloween Haunt is already cancelled and get mad at Cedar Fair. We don’t know that yet. Even if Kings Island runs a more family oriented event instead of their typical event, I could see them trying to open a few scare mazes if they have the staffing to do so. Also, people have to realize that it is impossible for Cedar Fair to please everyone. Kings Island is obviously trying to please their customers, and they for sure wish they didn’t have staffing issues and limited park hours. If Kings Island could control everything, we would have a season like 2019. Kings Island literally cannot do anything more than raise their wages to attract new workers to bring back normal park hours. And, since Halloween Haunt is apparently a big money maker for Cedar Fair, they for sure wish they could just have it like any other year. The problem is, this year is not normal, so they may not be able to have Halloween Haunt like they usually would. They for sure will try their best to host the event or something similar, but they don’t necessarily have complete control over that. Kings Island is stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one side, they have passholders who claim they don’t get enough value with their season passes while others think the season passes are too cheap. Is Kings Island screwing over customers by not giving them good value for their season pass or are they giving away the gate? No matter what Kings Island does, there will always be people who are unhappy. This is true for any business. Let’s also look at the good on things and not always the negative. Too often, I feel like people only come on this site to bash things or complain. If you look at Kings Island for what it is, it is a well-kept, well-landscaped amusement park that is home to a world-class ride collection. In terms of operations, Kings Island is operating seven days a week, Kings Island is not closing lines early, and Kings Island is running live entertainment. A lot of regional amusement parks cannot say the same.

The sudden and unexpected departure of Cedar Fair chief council Milkie has ruffled feathers at Sandusky City Hall. The Sandusky Register has a surprisingly frank story delving into the concerns and dissatisfaction by city officials. The article touches upon concerns about corporate positions shifting to the Charlotte office. https://sanduskyregister.com/news/326168/city-wants-sit-down/

@BeastForever I remember that as well. Much like how many people want Timberwolf demolished, tearing out existing infrastructure is always a bad idea when you have the ability to fix it up. Once infrastructure is gone, its hard to bring it back.

Compared to the park's own social pages and other fan social pages, KIC is very light on complaining. Here the posts are more in your face compared to social media as well. You make good points on what we do have. What if CW was our home park? They would probably love to have what we have been able to enjoy and they are still waiting to open.

That having said, it should be noted that Mike Koontz has said on several occasion that he's not a fan of the underutilized buildings either. He's commented on the Crypt building in particular (at 2018 Coasterstock and in A Ride Through Time). He's said that he definitely wants something other than a Haunt maze to go into the Crypt building eventually, he just doesn't know what that would be at the moment. Whether it be a ride or something else only time will tell, but let it be known that management (at least, current management) does have interest in investing in underused infrastructure.

This is way way north of where that was gonna be.

So now that I've had some more time to think about all the new stuff I learned, a few thoughts I would like to add: Of all the great stories in this book, one of my favorite has definitely got to be: As for my thoughts that are not potentially spoiler-inducing, I will say this: The big takeaway I got from the final chapter "Still Going Strong", is that, after reading about all the fine attention to detail that park management and staff put into the I-Street Renovation, Antique Autos, and of course the theming packages for Mystic Timbers and Orion, I am assured more than ever of their ability to put the best product forward. They really do think about everything it seems. An example of this that really struck me was how they made sure when you ride Mystic Timbers, which color train you're in would have no indication on which creature would present itself in the shed. But what about which song that plays? Nope, apparently that does not give it away either! So in other words, it's completely random and there's no way to decipher a code. That is ingenious! The park is in a position right now where I, and I'm sure many others, can confidently say that the park is 100% in the right hands and those behind the scenes are truly skilled and passionate at what they do. Perhaps most importantly, the park is united in a common and cohesive vision - more so than it has been arguably since Taft/KECO. It is great to observe the park in a time where everyone involved is on the same page as they are now. Again great stuff! And I look forward to that Zoom event tomorrow!

They already do your great points...Mason police, as well as park security, are in and out of the park and the parking lot quite frequently even before this all started, and have had a bigger presence and it still happens. And they have cameras in that area. In a statement, Kings Island confirmed surveillance video footage showed that a group of juveniles were verbally harassing a boy and his father Saturday evening around 8:10 p.m. Law enforcement summoned to the scene determined the father, who was picking up his son, was in possession of a firearm. However, Kings Island's statement said the man had a valid concealed carry permit and never brandished the firearm. As you said, you would just go off property to fight... so if the police were at an unrealistic ratio of 1 officer to every 10 guests LOL, then the delinquents will just go to Great Wolf Lodge parking lot or go down a little further to the next hotel like they did on May 22nd..... Usually these types are the ones that authority is not a deterrent and they have no qualms about mixing it up with a police officer as well and that is part of the adrenaline rush for them is can they do right under their nose and not get caught.

I hate seeing these articles too, but I hope anyone who thinks about acting up at Kings Island thinks twice about it after seeing this in the news. This article shows that people are being punishes for their actions and that nobody involved in those fights is off the hook yet. @Shawn Meyer I agree that police simply being stationed at the drop-off lot would deter fighting, and I have seen police there this year. I don’t know if the police were actually near the drop-off lot when the latest incident occurred, but it seems like they responded fast, and the teens were arrested on the scene. I don’t know why people feel the need to fight at all, let alone at an amusement park, but a public area is certainly not the place you would want to do it. And what makes me confused is that these teens had already left the park. I guess they just needed something to occupy their time while they walked out. Also, while this is completely unrelated to what I said above, Rivertown Freestyle has been open for the last couple of days (which have been weekdays), and I am honestly shocked. I think all Coca-Cola Refresh Stations have been open in the dry park besides the one near the arcade in Rivertown (I haven’t really been past it). I have also noticed that many of the beer stands are now open after previously being closed. The only food place I really keep seeing closed is Rivertown Funnel Cakes. I also haven’t noticed any food lines super long anymore besides the line for Chick-Fil-A and Blue Ice Cream. I really do think the park is finding more staff. I think they are adding staff to places that have been open to speed up operations and opening up places that were previously closed.

With juveniles about the worst you can expect is the judge throwing a short short story at them.

Getting tired of stories like this. Hope they throw the book at them. https://www.wlwt.com/article/investigations-into-troubles-at-kings-island-not-over-yet/36732179

Must have been a rushed article...I noticed the writer kept an editorial note in there :-)

You don't want to buy a vowel first But sure go ahead and solve.

I’d like to solve the puzzle, Pat.

Is it possible that Kings Island could work with Mason police to patrol that particular area? That might scare the teens off. Also this is a dumb suggestion for the teens. If I was a teenager, and I saw these warnings around the park and parking lot, wouldn't it be best to pick a fight somewhere off property? If it were me, I'd find an abandoned property and fight there. But since I'm older now, I would suggest they install a couple cameras; maybe have extra security to patrol certain areas such as the drop off area.

@beastfan11 Without knowing the specific parks you are mentioning, I can only mention what I have experienced and read about on social media: Kentucky Kingdom is operating on a normal calendar, but they have had typically short operating days. Several dry park rides are undergoing renovation (likely delayed by the transition), but food stands and waterpark rides are closed or rotated because of short staffing. Indiana Beach is short staffed and is recruiting teachers as seasonal workers (KI could do this, and may have started to recruit senior workers as I saw more seniors working on my visit last week). Six Flags parks have seemed to keep the calendar intact, but people complain more than ever because of lines, closed food locations and rides. A friend in Orlando says he will not renew either his Disney or Universal pass because of the miserable conditions related to short staffing. BGW has and may still have very limited capacity, with many people posting about never coming back (they will).

I doubt that labor was budgeted for what the current outlay is. All I know is that labor issues are not local to amusement parks--it is everywhere, larger metro areas and small towns. How do you solve that without spending all your income...while still having to pay other obligations?

Evidently, you don't understand satire As far as purchasing a season pass, you encounter risk when you pay for anything in advance. Your agreement to the terms of the pass is explicit, but I can't find the legalize of it in my email. But they have their rears covered legally I am sure. The judge would have to look into the wording. Not being an attorney or judge, I can only speculate but pity is not part of the law. From visitkingsisland.com: **Season Pass benefits subject to change without notice. ***Platinum Passholder benefits may vary by park. Contact the park you are planning to visit for any questions regarding applicable benefits.

I see another Q conspiracy bubbling up here. Covid was the Karen Neighbors!

I nominate you to be placed in charge of finding way to get all the dry parks and water parks up to 120% staffing levels without putting the company under because of increased labor costs so that the parks can be open every day and until 10, midnite and 0100 as before. But that means you also have to be in charge of neighbor relations at KI who are currently enjoying quiet evenings without Diamondback roaring thru their bedrooms!

When I first toured the park in December 1971 with someday-to-be-park-manager-Al Weber, the station platform corral was stacked full of the canoes to be used on the two canoe rides. That appears to be some of them in one of the pictures. And I vaguely remember Bert Williams wearing a fishing hat like that. You may have discovered pictures of the very first test runs of #12 in February 1972. The ties appear to have a light dusting of snow on them.

Attached is the obituary in Live Steam Magazine for Ken Williams, Crown Metal Products founder. It was my recollection that Ken died later in the year between the delivery of #19 and #12, but apparently he was already gone before #19 arrived in October or November 1971. Ken's son Bert would have been responsible for delivering both engines and testing them. During the early years, the Losantiville station had a sign reading "Ken Williams, Stationmaster".

Save the date for this great virtual event on June 16 at 7 p.m. covering all things Kings Island: A Ride Through Time! Details on how to register are on the attached flyer. “See” you all there!

Congratulations to @VortexBFForever for wining the Eiffel Tower photo contest! I will be sending you a link to order your KIC shirt shortly.