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The new area behind The Tower is absolutely wonderful!!

I'm hopeful Herschend will make the right moves for Kentucky Kingdom. I've always felt like the park was rundown under previous ownership, even though they were building new rides. As for what I would personally like to see added to Kentucky Kingdom, I definitely think something a bit more family friendly is on the horizon, maybe an Intamin/Vekoma full scale family coaster themed to the Kentucky Derby? They did say this investment would be specifically in rides and attractions after all. Hopefully this means Deluge finally comes down too.

That area was definitely the highlight for me. I know this is a hot take, but this would have been a great chance to let the giant "elf" go back to just being a Halloween display. The new tree lighting doesn't seem too different from the old one, but it also kind of feels like an advert for the $30 upcharge toys. I also didn't really see any lights out, which is an improvement from the last couple years (especially with lights being out/the wrong color on the Eiffel Tower).

Thanks very much, I plan on going tomorrow and I wanted to game plan

Racer, Soap Box Racers, Sol Spin, and Space Buggies are closed. All other rides are open.

Kentucky Kingdom announced on a live feed that Herschend, the parent company, had committed to $25 million in capital over the next two years. That likely eclipses the total investment that Kings Island has had since 2021. Silver Passes on sale now.

Went this evening. Racer and Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers were not open due to temps. It was freezing but had a good visit overall. The new Winterfest Way was cute, the steamed up car at the drive in cracked me up. Another cute Easter egg was found at the entrance to the drive in, which I loved. First ride of the night was on Kings Mills Antique Autos. I don’t remember for sure, but looked to have less decorations throughout the course. Just outside of it in “Tinsel Town” there were less decorations and no silver trees to block the path to WindSeeker like in years past. We took a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley and surprisingly it did well in the cold. I still think people are confused that it is a “ride.” Ate one meal at Coney BBQ and it was yummy! I got the turkey with gravy and Sweet Potato Fries, tried the Cranberry BBQ sauce but it wasn’t a good mix with the gravy so didn’t have a ton, though tasty. After dinner, we hit up Mystic Timbers. It seemed to be running quite slow, but was fun. Ended up doing Snow works. Hopefully this video works: IMG_7731.mov Let me just tell you, if I didn’t have Fast Lane, I would have been ticked waiting in line to go an inch off of the drop. Cargo Loco was next and then I enjoyed the sights. We decided to hit up Tinker’s Toy Factory. I hate to say it, but it put me to sleep. Being a theater person, I love live E, but it felt like the same tired show with no energy. Bonus points, it warmed me up! I then was shown the Nutcracker Wand by a friend and picked one up myself. They are definitely fun, but didn’t really get more than a QR code to show me where activation points were. Wasn’t shown how to play tag or what to do to interact with the parade or shows. Disappointed in that, but still had fun with it. The map shows some locations not really where they are, for example in Coney Mall. The points are shown more toward the outside of the walkway (Racer side) but they were actually in the middle of the mall. Watched the parade. It as well was the same as it has been in past years. Wish they would at least update the interactive songs. Everyone around me kinda just stared. I then met up with friends at Boo Blasters. It was a nice inside ride, but the gun didn’t work/score. Really hope it gets updated in the near future to something better. We then hit up the KIMVRR. Wow. What a disappointment. The interactive wand activation point was the highlight. The crew loaded maybe 1/3 of the train that went ahead of us. When we finally boarded, we sat on the train waiting to be dispatched which took forever, probably a good 10 minutes. Could have been due to building steam pressure, but it was odd and they kept letting people get on. When we finally got moving, there was no music, though there was audio when instructions were given. 12 days of Christmas was not played. The train took off and was moving extremely quick through about the first half of the course. There were a good number of lights that were either out completely or partially worked. It was just disappointing and someone recently said here they think they should update the displays around the train and I’d agree. But only if they can maintain them, because as of right now, it doesn’t look like they’ve been maintained. What should have been a quick/nice ride on the train became at least a 1/2hr experience. The premium drink plan came in handy with the hot chocolate. It was tasty and had no issues trying to find it. The shopping experience has stayed kinda subpar. Nothing really new, aside from generic coaster gear and overpriced hoodies. I found one hoodie I liked, that featured I-Street during Winterfest. I quickly found myself putting it back after seeing that it was $52. Despite the “issues” I had, I still had a good time. Hoping to make it back at least one more time.

Anybody go tonight to give an update on what rides on running ?

There is a certain vacant spot that's in the zoning necessary for KK to build at taller heights which would be perfect for something cool...

Sorry (not sorry) for the double post, but… Happy Winterfest, KIC!

Christmastown offers full production shows where KD has the typical high school production Winterfest shows. Christmastown also typically offers longer operating hours. Plus it has full family experiences like the train. Those factor into attendance at Christmastown as well. The only thing superior at KD Winterfest is the lights. Even in the regular season, KD only has attractions for thrill riders and little kids. BGW is a better rounded park that appeals to more people. That being said, the rides are absolutely necessary at Winterfest given that Six Flags/Cedar Fair only installs attractions for thrill riders and little kiddies. Those are the only two markets of customers that they attempt to attract on a regular basis. They have yo have rides to attract to them at Winterfest.

There is more to Winterfest than just rides keep that in mind, its not about the rides, its about the experience!

We have beat this horse, the term Giga is a word. Call it a hyper or call it a giga. Just enjoy it. Topic closed.

And there is precedent for that. Remember, we did get the original Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle in 2003, the same year that Delirium was added. I think a new flat ride that utilizes The Crypt`s ride building, and uses the existing queue entrance would be a good fit. Give another ride that is in air conditioning and could run during Winterfest. Boo Blasters definitely needs a refresh of some kind.

On a serious note, trying to further decode 2026. I don’t think we will be getting a coaster at all. For one, coaster is omitted from the list of park additions amongst all the parks within the chain: Also Ride Entertainment Systems and Zamperla was listed in the commencement of work. So I’m guessing we’d get a flat thrill ride from their lineup? https://rideentertainment.com/sales-home/ https://www.zamperla.com

Don't say anything in front of Snoopy's Soapbox Racers and Backlot. Parenthood is tough.

I mentioned this on the comments of Tower Topics so I'll reiterate here. I think from the video TT showed that it would be fitting to use the Son of Beast station and the old Wild Animal Safari area to build the coaster. In the video it has different animals. Lots of room for it and the Lantern interaction during haunt would have served as a hint. I'm thinking they will use that building for something or they would have just demolished it alltogether. Anyway, I would be happy with that, assuming they will be saving capital for a coaster in 2027 in The Vortex plot.

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.

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

For context, when Kentucky Kingdom was reopening in 2014-15, I was very active in the KK thread here. I was excited that a park could be brought back from the dead and I was a new enthusiast. Most on KIC said the park would never open, never stay open, etc. I was "educated" that Kings Island does not consider the smaller parks as competition and they laugh at the efforts to reopen in their offices. To me, even in 10 people bought a KK pass and didn't renew their SF pass, SF looses revenue. I consider that competition.

Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World, Dollywood, and Kennywood are very much what Kings Island considers as competition.

I'll put it this way...I've bought a 2025 KK . I have not bought a Six Flags pass. Part of it is that the park is getting stale and absence makes the heart grow stronger. Part of it has been all this bickering about the park's communication ( I was guilty too, but there's enough division in the world today outside of KI fandom). I wasn't going to do KK either, but with their Christmas event and that pass will get me 50% off other Herschend properties, it's a no brainer. Getting back to KK, HW, Dollywood will be great next year. And maybe this will be the kick I need to get to silver dollar city. I think it works at Newport aquarium as well.

I think KI is concerned with both Kentucky Kingdom and Holiday World. Which I believe is the reason why KI is doing more attractions with Winterfest this year. Also there is part of me that thinks they are holding the family thrill attraction piece close to the vest until they get confirmation on what Herschend is doing. I don't think it was a coincidence that we have gotten many of the same flats (in the case of Kentucky Kingdom) and a coaster (in the case of Holiday World). I just need one of those parks to put in a Screamin' Swing so they'll add one to KI.

I suppose that's kind of like when you pick on that kid in high school, then they come back to school 50lbs heavier, all muscle. Got into CrossFit over the summer. But let's be honest, that park is in capable hands with deep pockets now. If they didn't pay attention before, they should now. Kings Island's offerings have been complacent at best for half of a decade. A good percentage of their market is in KY and IN. Those people may look for alternatives if Kings Island doesn't make any waves in the near future.

Yet Kings Island " laughs" at the thought of competition from Kentucky Kingdom!