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This is just mean at this point Don. You have made it very clear at this point you did not have good relations near the end of your career and I am sorry that happened. No one deserves an ending like that especially at a place you love. I know your love for KI is a very real thing and it was very apparent while you are at the park. But it has become exhausting to read your posts that add nothing but pointing fingers. if posts for your podcasts are blocked I can see why. Read them again, they are off putting and teasing. Telling Chad to “come out and plaaaaaaaaaaaaaay”. c’mon now look, I don’t know Elizabeth but I remember how happy I was being young and getting my first huge promotion. It was the best feeling ever. When I ultimately left that position I congratulated the incumbent regardless my opinion of how they were choosing to run the company.

The last thing I want in the old Bat/Vortex spot is another family type coaster. That spot has been occupied by two of the most iconic coasters KI has ever had. I loved the original Bat. And while Vortex wasn't my overall favorite, to say it fit that spot and was an icon for the park is a vast understatement. It was just stunning to look at on the midway. I feel that a major coaster should always be reserved for that area. KI needs to step up and install a coaster worthy of that spot. I know the season pass numbers and families are key, but so are the millions that love big coasters. I will be so disappointed if it is not the case.

I have a feeling the crypt building is where we should keep our eyes on. If the park goes with a family thrill coaster, I think the Crypt building is the best spot for it. Imagine a well themed indoor queue line and then a dark ride section pre launch and then launch out into the woods and hug the terrain.

It is confirmed she got the job via her new title on X: https://x.com/zpop7 Congratulations Elizabeth!

On the outside, I can see where people would think it's not competition. Having been on the inside, it is.

Definitely in the camp of not having said family thrill ride in The Vortex plot. That plot should be reserved for something of the same/better caliber coaster. Not saying that a family thrill coaster couldn't be worthy in it's own right, but I think you all know what I mean. Something big, thrilling and something that honors the legacy of Vortex ( and even the original Bat ) should go in that plot. I did see the Intamin family coaster and I find it cool/interesting that the model can include inversions. I will say that I hope it isn't another shuttle type ride like the CGI rendering showed since we already have two. And that is IF we were to receive one of these. Obviously we have no idea what kind of family thrill attraction we are getting since there are many many possibilities and since the announcement was very vague.

Totally agree about the lack of shade. I've been cooked alive in those barrels some days, especially with the middle rings heating up in the sun, it's hot to the touch. However I've had no issues with the spinning aspect. My family and I have spun till I've lost my balance trying to get out of the barrel. The barrels do feel heavier compared to a traditonal teacup ride, but once you get them going, they're a blast

Hasn't Koontz said he wants something done with the Crypt Building before retirement. Could we see this be his magnum opus to his family additions . But in seriousness, I do think this could be a possibility. I can see a project that would cost somewhere in the range of a coaster, but not necessarily a coaster. So the crypt box, or I'm on board with a Boo Blasters Retheme...

Get your facts straight. If you read my posts or listened to the podcasts, you'd see where I said I was grateful for the 17 years I had there; grateful for the opportunity. There were no hard feelings when I left. I have maintained relationships with people that work there. It's fair game to call Elizabeth out for how she has gone about things, especially when it's in writing from content creators. She doesn't get a free pass.

That’s cool. Congrats to her.

I truly don't feel like the 2026 project will be in Vortex's old spot. I know nothing of what or where, but that's just my gut feeling on it. I could definitely be wrong.

This is an exciting addition!

If true, congratulations to her and I hope she is able to excel at it.

My only issue with it is that it's too small. They should have extended up to the funnel cake shoppe, rethemed the tie dye stand and put another flat ride on between the tie dye stand and Enriques. They also should have made the menu slightly different at Enrique's instead of just renaming the place from Hank's. ( But I do love that they continue the legacy of Henry in the name to the current time, Enrique was a perfect name!)

Guess that now makes two parks that won't interact with me on social media.

Can we consider Sol Spin as a "Family Thrill Attraction"? Can we consider Mystic Timbers as a "Family Thrill Attraction"? The statement was very vague, and could really mean anything. Could be a flat ride, coaster, or as far as we know, it could be a walk-through thing. But the fact that the other rides say coaster means that KI will most likely not be getting a coaster. Very sad time for coaster enthusiasts at KI. My hope is that they are doing all of these small additions and then adding an amazing coaster. But every year we are like, "It's going to come next year" and then it doesn't. I really hope that KI adds some real good coasters in the near future, but there is that tiny bit of doubt in the back of my mind. Anyway, hopefully KI will add a new thrill coaster in the next 5 years.

After looking at the Vidanta World stuff then Intamin's catalog I did find a ride listed as a family thrill attraction. It's also something missing from Kings Island's lineup and would look splendid along Coney Mall somewhere. But that would be the coaster wheel. https://www.intamin.com/product/coaster-wheel/ Which I think would be a pretty solid addition while still leaving room for something bigger later.

Since Vortex was a 48" coaster, can we assume it was a "Family Thrill"? I guess I am saying we could get a very similar ride to Vortex and be considered a family thrill coaster even at the 48" mark.

Sad to say I have not set foot inside this water park since it was known as Wyndot Lake. But I think next year will be my first visit back in many years. My union gives deeply discounted tickets so I'll have to make a point to check it out!

Might want to read it again. Ryan Suhr and I discussed on Tower Topics when the merger was announced there would be changes, as there always are when mergers occur.

Like Son of Beast, Don's not coming back.