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There is a grass area behind the Crypt building where Coasterstock participants were taking to get behind-the-scenes photos of Diamondback that would be a possible spot to relocate where the drones launch from, if they continue to use drones in 2025 and beyond. It's only a couple hundred feet from the current location.

That's a good idea. A little off topic, but still Coney Mall related. I actually like the patriotic music they play in Coney Mall during Tricks and Treats and I would like to see them play it in Coney Mall during the regular season as Coney Mall is supposed to represent an old timey/Americana style park.

I think that is true, but they will need to find a new location for the new drone show, so I feel like it is possible for us to see a new location for the show at the start of next season if they are planning on putting something in The Vortex plot in 2026. They could probably try to launch the drones from the area in front of slaughter house.

Imo while closing a few headlining rides early for fireworks sucks for those who love night rides, at the same time I feel like it helps encourage people to watch the show on I-street as well as get people out of the park faster so associates don't have to stay as long to do closing procedures (ie putting the ride to bed, cleaning, walking lockout areas).

I mean, Orion is designed a family friendly coaster pet the GM/VP. Haunt is family friendly. Everything he has done in recent years, besides all of this years bars, is family friendly.

Also I wanted to point out, it wouldn’t be as hard as you think to make a 10 inversion Mack Stryker coaster. Let’s take a look at Voltron, it already has 7 inversions. It has a non inverted Immelmann. If you change that to a regular Immelmann that’s inversion number 8. It also has a top hat. If you change that into an inverted top hat that’s inversion number 9. There is also an over bank turn. If that is rotated a bit more it can turn into a cutback making 10 inversions. I believe Mack’s temperature requirement for their launch coasters just like Intamin’s is rather low. In the single digits. The biggest concern is not about temperatures it’s about if the trains will valley throughout the course. Keeping it low to the ground just like Voltron would make low temperature operations possible. That’s also the reason Mystic Timbers runs during WinterFest. Another concern would be off-season maintenance. If they can take about half the amount of trains off for WinterFest I think it would still be able to run successfully.

The structural issues with both the original Bat and SOB doomed both coasters. If I remember correctly, part the lift hill structure for SOB fell over in high winds during construction. The design flaw in The Bat was what made it so much fun unfortunately. That wild swinging back and forth was what made the ride memorable for me. I'm sure it was slower and rougher than I remember...seems forever ago. But it was a new concept at the time that I was in awe of. I am really happy they brought back The Bat name at least. I agree. I think it would amazing if they could rebrand a new ride around the story of a doomed Son of Beast. I'd still be wary though since it does have such a negative light. I would love to see a ground up RMC there with some Beast theme.

I agree. Personally I’d rather see a Mack Xtreme spinner but that’s unlikely considering the guests might not enjoy the spinning aspect. And Mike Koontz may not be a fan of it as well. A Mack Stryker is my #2 choice and I think makes more sense for KI overall than an Xtreme spinner. I think they could easily make it very different experience from Maverick 3 hours north. Time will tell. I’m very intrigued to see what this off-season has in store for us. Also I know being able to run a new coaster during WinterFest would be huge for the park. Mack coasters and the Stryker coaster can run in lower temperatures and especially if they keep it low to the ground.

Thanks for doing this! While I enjoy the close perspective photos with description, I really like seeing it overhead where you've found these. As @disco2000 said, maybe new bars? Could the markers be where site lines are surveyed? Are there any near/around I-Street at all? Coney is one of my favorite areas of the 2 big Ohio parks. The only thing I really don't like is where Killmart is, leading to the back of Windeseeker/Action Theater. It just feels dull once you pass Zephyr. Yeah KMAA opened the area a bit more, I don't feel like there's a spectacle in terms of what we see. The Killmart building IMO needs refreshed/brightened or razed, a new record breaking coaster (that provides midway excitement) plopped in Vortex's former home, the WindSeeker Plaza (in front of and behind) needs refreshed to be more welcoming and open.

Something even similar to Voltron but themed to something retro with a Batwing near the path sounds like a dream come true

Coney Mall is one of my personal favorite sections of the park and I of course want a very special coaster to take plot formerly occupied by Vortex. While I know the park would never do it, I'd totally go for a rebranding of the area back to "Old Coney". Put a skyride down the middle of the mall and add another classic flat (Trabaunt please!) and maybe a Ferris Wheel (I still say someone needs to revive those double and triple wheels) Then have a Mack or Vekoma in The Vortex plot with retro vibes and elements. That boomerang element near the walkway is an absolute must to pay tribute to The Vortex.

We really like the daytime music on Coney Mall during Tricks & Treats. Having that music during the regular season would be amazing!

I think whatever goes in The Vortex plot should have an early 20th century theme to fit in with the rest of the Coney Mall area, hence why I suggested naming it "Shooting Star" or something else relating to Coney Island. I also thought a 50's hot rod theme could also work, but I think the park could go with something more unique than a car theme, especially with BLSC and KMAA right next door.

Possibly. This is just a thought I've had and I don't really think it's entirely feasible budget-wise for a coaster year, but could it be possible to retheme Coney Mall into Coney Island? Mainly with remodeling some buildings to look like this picture below or retheming some of the shops and restaurants to fit in with a Coney Island theme. Have the cherry on top be a new coaster in The Vortex plot themed to Shooting Star. I think it would be a really nice way to pay homage to Kings Island's predecessor. With the actual Coney Island being shut down, I don't think the park would need to contact them in order to use their name but I could be wrong.

My main question is why are they putting these all throughout Coney Mall especially the one by the entrance to Adventure Port? Maybe with a Vortex replacement, Coney Mall gets more of a refresh so they're mapping out all of Coney Mall to plan that?

There aren't liquor stands within 50 feet of those dots, new alcohol stands confirmed

Markers found so far in Coney Mall or adjacent area (marked by red dot):

And years, and years LOL. Plus, per stormwater regulations, any disturbed land that will be left idle for more than 21 days needs to be seeded and strawed, even if they plan on doing construction 25 days from now...contractors complain all the time about that timeframe on active sites and have been known to occasionally move some dirt around to "loophole" that regulation LOL. So I think we see some of that as well.... Anything is possible, but they have had the chance for years to move the fireworks or drones to that spot, but then it would completely throw off the aesthetics that we get now from the front of the park. Being able to look over the fountain and past Eiffel Tower to the show behind it is what makes the show. Having everyone have to turn to look at Drop Tower for the fireworks and drone show would lose the aesthetic appeal they show has now. Just ask KD fans when they launch the fireworks from the front of the park to the left instead of near I305/Project305.

That area behind Banshee and the SOB station has been mistaken as a new attraction construction site for years. I believe that is where they dump the leftover dirt and stuff from past construction projects. I believe what people are seeing is the leftover dirt from the Soak City construction site being dumped there.

I felt like this was the best topic to post this under, but I saw today on one of the Facebook groups that someone had posted a picture of land leveling that was going on behind the former Son of Beast station and pieces for me started to fall into place. I do not think that the area behind the Son of Beast station will be the location for the next major attraction being added to the park. It is pretty apparent that something may be going in the former Vortex plot in 2026. As seen by the numerous survey markers that have been seen in that area. Those pictures are located in this thread, but I was listening to the new tower topics episode today and that also inspired the idea. But if something does go there then the park needs to find a new spot to be able to launch the drones from. I have a feeling that they will try to move either the firework launch area or the drone launch area to that big flat piece of land. Of course this is just speculation and I do not know more then anybody else. I just feel like that would be the most logical sense for the land clearing going on behind the Son of Beast station.

Decided to make a 10 inversion infinity coaster concept for The Vortex plot. This coaster would feature a launch and a vertical lift hill. The beyond vertical drop would become the steepest drop in Ohio at 97 degrees (beating out Maverick by 2 degrees). It also in typical KI fashion would use the terrain to its advantage and the drop would be roughly where Vortex's drop was. The ride would be split up in half with 5 inversions in each half. The first half starts with a launch that takes you into a cobra roll, then a banana roll, a camelback airtime hill, and then a corkscrew into a little airtime pop into the first set of brakes that takes you to the giant vertical lift. The drop will feature a hold like what Hangtime and Takabisha have and it would be angled perfectly giving riders a fantastic view of the park. Then after the 97 degree drop you go into a giant sea serpent roll and then go into a massive zero g stall, then after that you go into a batwing element paying homage to the iconic batwing on Vortex placed in the same exact spot allowing for awesome photo opportunities and then after that you go into a helix and then an airtime pop into the brakes. The theming of this ride would be a similar theme to Hangtime at Knott's with a surfing/50's style theme and would go well with Antique Autos, Jukebox Diner, Shake, Rattle, and Roll, and Backlot Stunt Coaster in the surrounding area. The finishing touch on this ride would be a KCL Enginneering lighting package that would really make this back side of Coney Mall really pop at night and would be programmed into the nightly firework show and during special events (ie Haunt and Winterfest it would also feature special synced up light shows at night). I give you all: Hang 10!!'

I think they're placing a sign here to tell what areas you'll be entering.

Another marker seen in Coney Mall:

I agree, the empty space that the former Bat and Vortex previously occupied is worthy of another iconic landmark and worthy coaster. The original Bat wasn't the fastest coaster around, but it was blast to ride while it lasted. Vortex was a stunning looking coaster and fit that spot perfectly, and a solid ride. My hope is that the powers that be install something in that spot worthy of its predecessors.

Look. I am always grateful for the new things we get. From flats to slides and everything above and in between. However, I really reallllllyyyy hope that a dive machine ISN'T our next coaster. I don't have anything against them as they do give a fun experience, but I really want to see something special go in The Vortex plot. That land has had two significant slices of coaster history upon it and I would really love to see something amazing there. I've said it a thousand and one times, please please please let it be some kickin' next gen Vekoma looper! It would be something new, fresh and a nod to the past. I'm not against a dive machine elsewhere in the park, I just want to see something different take the stage where Vortex sat. I realize my dream RMC-SoB 2.0 will likely remain just that, a dream. But if anything else were to be miraculously placed where the rebellious son's station still sits ( and I am in no way assuming that the station can still be utilized-a new one could take its place ) a dive machine interacting with Banshee could be cool and it would use up the remaining plot of land that SoB occupied. Just a thought.

You’re a quasi coaster You’re the margarine of a coaster You’re the Diet Coke of coasters -Dr. Evil probably

How about the Coke Zero version? Definitely not the Big K version though.

I want Kings Island to get a coaster / ride that provides the best experience for the money. Im done answering surveys of what coaster models and types I want only to be given the Diet Coke version of those coasters. I want to be wowed by a coaster that isn’t even on the radar.