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Had a fantastic night last night! It was our last visit of the season (29). Park was super packed but my wife and I had a very successful night. Here's the rundown: -Rope dropped the Mac 'n Cheese Bar, went to watch Swingin' into Christmas (5:30 show). -Walked through Action Zone, Adventure Port, and Coney Mall. -Used our Single Use Fast Lane on Antique Autos (bypassing a probably 60-90 minute wait) -Hit the 6:30 MistleTones, 7:00 Jingle Jazz, and 7:30 Yuletide Follies. -Made a lap through Planet/Camp Snoopy, Rivertown, and the Drive-In. -Watched the parade from Coney Mall near Area 72. As soon as the parade passed, headed straight to the train for a 5 minute wait. -Went to I-Street to grab a slice of pizza and ate by the skating rink. -Last stop of the night was a 1 ride wait for the Holly Jolly Trolly. Strolled out of the park at about 10:02. Until 2025 KI!!!

They have always charged parking unless you have a pass. Temperature and other things like maintenance dictate what is running. Eiffel Tower is turned into a tree and lots of stuff up there 50 foot platform hasn't been open in many years. Between accessibility and lighting wiring, it won't be open anytime soon.

Do you think the mindset is they have your money and let you go next year with it gone and thus the sting is gone by August and then renew for 2026 or is that giving them too much credit LOL

Pulled it last night!

It was gone last time I visited, which was Monday.

Has anyone been to the park recently to see if it is still there?

Splurged tonight! The desserts were fantastic!!!

Hey we got that new 2024 Coke Refresh Station! Things are looking up in Action Zone!

I agree with you on other areas needing attention. That said, AZ has a collection of aging attractions with low ridership clustered together. It, unfortunately, makes sense.

(Not directed at you specifically) I don’t think the removal of any of those attractions is anything more than “wishful” thinking from enthusiasts who’d like to see half the park demo’d in favor of concrete and lackluster coaster installations. Have there been any legitimate rumors saying this? Aside from regularly scheduled seasonal work involving Timberwolf? That said, I hope none of that comes to fruition, including the removal of Top Gun/The Bat. There are so many other areas of the park that need attention before AZ. I’m afraid that massive ride removals would only lead to large spaces of cleared land and wooden fences for 5-10 years.

You forgot the *in the park

I said this in the last thread. It may be rumor, may not- but it's not out of the realm of possibility. It will be 32 years old at the end of the 2025 season- the exact same age as Vortex was when it was deemed past it's service life. I don't think it's a stretch to say that even before the announcement was made, Vortex had a higher ridership count. Top Gun/Flight Deck/The Bat (or whatever its being called this decade) is a dinosaur coaster concept and probably not in the top 10 in ridership numbers at the park. I feel that if the rumors about Invertigo, Congo, Timberwolf, and now The Bat are accurate.... then 2026 or 2027 could bring a new experience. Would like to see the scar at the back of the park addressed though.... but those attractions occupy prime "front of park" real estate and are aging/low ridership. My hope is that they chase after a unique "experience driven" attraction/coaster... multi-launch and under 100ft tall and theme the h*!! out of it. Create and write the story you want then design the attraction to tell it. I love the theme and layout of Taron (Phantasialand)- which if not mistaken cost less than Orion. BUT, history tells me it will be another "TALLER, FASTER", etc...

I suspect the date already happened. Seems to be the new thing.

They didn't really give a date for these closures did they? Also, interesting that Hurler is not on there. I feel its time to get rid of Hurler and not Nighthawk

Losing Scream Weaver is a huge loss, IMO.

Yeah I was going to say, if Carowinds announces next season that they're closing Nighthawk and to get your last rides in while you can, we won't have much to worry about here, but since they went the SFGADV route, we better get our rides in on The Bat next season, anything is possible, I wouldn't think KI would do that, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Carowinds just announced that Nighthawk and two other attractions will be closing after the window to ride them had passed. This is only the beginning, if you think this is an isolated example you’re in for a rude awakening.

Keep in mind, that our member here reached out to Over Texas and they denied that their coaster was leaving. Didn't Great Adventure do the same with Kingda Ka? Most of the steel coasters will leave Kings Island at some point in my lifetime. Diamondback, Banshee and Orion, I'm looking at you. Millie will die one day, as will SooperDooperLooper. There is a difference in an immediate closure and a planned obsoletion. Hopefully in the future, the chain will give cherished coasters a proper send off. I get that the two chains are figuring it out as they go, but if this is the new norm, it's not looking good.

I do want to reiterate. KIC has spoken to the park and there is no plan to remove The Bat. As of right now, The Bat being removed at the end of the 2025 season is just a rumor. Until we see evidence or get word from the park it is just that, a rumor!

It's very concerning how this is following very similar steps to Kingda Ka. It starts out as just a random thought, but then makes its way to a rumor. Then, lots of people start paying attention (like Screamscape). Before you know it, you find documents that prove the rumor true. Everyone waits for the park to make an announcement, but in the meantime, everyone gets their rides in while it's still running. Before you know it, the ride closes forever and fans are furious. Kingda Ka was just the first of many rides to close. The Bat, Invertigo, Congo River Falls, Nighthawk, and hydraulic launch coasters could be following. We are entering a new era for theme parks. Remember to enjoy the park, and have fun. Regardless of what happens. Kings Island will always be a place to have fun and share memories with friends and families. Because of this new norm, you never know if your latest ride will be your last. Enjoy every moment of it.

How much of this is just engagement bait? Or is there something to it? https://x.com/TPRBrandon/status/1869057034970394890

The news is getting out, look what’s at the top of Screamscape this morning: Kings Island - An Interesting Future Ride Removal Rumor The noise is only going to get louder, make sure to get your rides in next season.

I am reminded of a quote that Jason McClure (former GM of CP and now Senior VP in SIX) has said and I have used it on the forum frequently as to why something may or may not be said from Corporate: "It is important to remember that Cedar Fair is a publicly traded company and that affects the type and timing of our communication." That simple statement says it all. There are countless of real world, everyday examples demonstrating this same technique in other businesses and industries. At the end of the day, they are not under any obligation to tell us the whole truth and thus they control the narrative and how it is presented (unless of course someone leaks it out earlier). The fact of the matter is someone in the know will not officially come out and say something against the narrative the park is telling...unless they don't care about potentially losing their job LOL.

I personally like how the "newish" user comes in and writes a thesis on how they think the TOS suck. As if they were a long time member here, or are they? Schell if I know.

I understand the distrust in Six Flags for now....but what I don't get is a newish user comes in and says something to the tune of "The Bat is leaving because someone from Charlotte told me." Not long after the fact that Six Flags says 'xyz' isn't going anywhere....so are we supposed to trust them or not? I always try to ride The Bat as often as I can....so not much will change for me to prepare if this is true. I'll be really sad if it does end up happening.

I contacted Six Flags Over Texas the week before the La Vibora closure was confirmed and they denied it was being removed. Let's just say, while I don't see current evidence of The Bat closing or being demolished, the merged SF/CF chain has been dishonest and has broken trust with the guest resulting in me not really believing anything they say.

Appreciate your willingness to keep the thread up. Let’s all not forget in early November of 2023 when GADV was claiming that there were no plans to remove Kingda Ka. As adorable is it is predictable.

The KIC admin are going to moderate and do their best to follow the TOS along with making a decision based on other known and possibly not known factors. We are not always going to make a decision that makes everyone happy. On the subject of The Bat. I removed a thread that was posted by a member claiming to have insider information from Charlotte without revealing a source. The park nor KIC admin owe or need to make a statement because a thread gets posted about an insider information rumor. I have spoken to the park and there is no plan to remove The Bat. As of right now, The Bat being removed at the end of the 2025 season is just a rumor. I realize everyone is a little on edge with the changes the new Six Flags company is making. We are all passionate about our park and want to see it be its best. We also can't get so upset about the things we don't like that we forget to enjoy the park.

Unfortunately I don't think with the current leadership and ride removal trends that The Bat will last too much longer but I hope they can get a 5 year plan in the works to retire AND replace the older attractions they want to get rid of. For example we all know that boo blaster, Invertigo, and Congo have to be on the short list of soon to be removed rides and The Bat can't be too far behind them. If they could remove all 4 by the end of 2030 and have built a new dark ride, a new coaster in The Vortex plot, AND a coaster in the Invertigo/Congo plot, I'd say that would be acceptable. However, making no investment and only removing rides is not what anyone wants to see happen to the park. While I hope we never see the day that The Bat gives it's final rides, all I'm asking for Kings Island, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, or whoever is in charge of these decisions is PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give the fans a 3-4 weeks notice like has historically been customary to do and don't just tear down a ride that has been a classic at the park for over 30 years without any word during the off season. I understand that rides get old and are removed but please Kings Island have the respect for the guest and the fans of the ride to at least give them a chance to get final rides if that decision ever has to be made

I'm not trying to be difficult here--there's every possibility that you're 100% correct--but you do have to admit that there have been many posts over the years that claimed to factually have insider knowledge of what's coming and going that are still active posts on this site. Not to mention that if the person claiming The Bat is on its way out is correct, there wouldn't be equipment on site in December 2024 if it's being removed in late 2025 or early 2026. You've got me as far as the whistleblower thread goes. I'm not enough of a conspiracy theorist to be sure of myself here, but there's a part of me that wonders if, since the ride removals are allegedly being done without warning in order to minimize loss of season passholders, the park would have a vested interest in not letting that story gain a lot of visibility. It IS odd that one thread stayed while the other disappeared.

There is a whistleblower thread still here claiming about things KI PR did / didn't do during the Banshee incident. So, I wouldn't say KI PR was a factor as far as putting pressure on KIC to having The Bat thread removed. The issue with The Bat removal thread is that it is presented in the context of its removal being fact. Yet, there isn't any indication of removal. No markers, no heavy machinery present, literally no activity that would indicate something going on other than routine end of season maintenance. At least the Congo Falls speculation thread has photos of activity with some of signage missing:

What bones does SIX throw KIC or ever?

Neither. A post was made here claiming to have insight that, much like how Kingda Ka's, Green Lantern's, and Nighthawk's removals were handled for SFGAdv and Carowinds this year, The Bat will be quietly removed in the 2025-2026 off-season. It could easily be someone making something up, but it does track for how things are currently being handled by SF corporate, which is why I think it's reasonable to expect a statement from either KIC leadership (e.g. "we have asked the park for confirmation and will share responses"), KI's PR, or both. Instead, the thread was quietly deleted. I've been around here long enough to know what pressure from KI PR often smells like.

Hold up? Is is confirmed Bat is leaving in 2025 or is it just speculation by another thoosie?

It couldn't go higher than that for the old train. But new trains are at a much more steeper incline for the seat.

New trains or could they be looking at raising the max rider height from 76 inches to something around 78 inches?

That would definitely be an upgrade for Woodstock's Air Rail. I could totally Ki doing something like that. They love Planet/Camp Snoopy

Ride clearance envelope seen underneath Woodstock’s Air Rail. Could it be getting new trains next season?

New Year's Eve International Street Restaurant seating up for sale Prices are $150, $135 (gold w/ meal plan), and $130 (prestige w/ meal plan)

I think Kings Island will continue to see investment. My question is will we see as much and will we see thrill rides built again? Does CP continue to get all the record breaking new and unique coaster while we continue to get family coasters and flats? Again, I'm not complaining about getting new rides but I've been saying it and I know others are too (and it's just not enthusiasts mind you) who are ready for that next thrill attraction

I won't say I disagree that we will maintain a high enough priority to get "something" frequently. I am past my time of having children young enough that they want anything to do with kid or low-thrill family rides. I just hope CF doesn't overly double down on this concept of making KI a family park since thrill rides are what appeals to my family. In my mind, having just gone through their young childhood lifetimes to date raising them at the park and also visiting many others, KI is already one of the absolute most family-friendly parks there is. My children never had issues finding plenty to ride, and stepping up from small rides to the big stuff. There's nowhere better. Where we slip now is in the thrill department. Even overall inferior parks have a ride or two that easily meet or exceed our top tier thrill rides - both coasters and flat. Prime example? Kentucky Kingdom has Storm Chaser that is more forceful and insane than anything we have now. Waldameer has Ravine Flyer II, which is pretty consistently favored over Mystic Timbers. Fun Spot Atlanta has Arieforce. Fun Spot Kissimee has Mine Blower (after the RMC re-track, it is awesome). Similar parks like Carowinds has Fury and Copperhead Strike, which both destroy anything we have that's similar (and frankly, nothing we have even remotely compares to Copperhead). Plus, their flat ride lineup is stellar! Kings Dominion has a handful of rides, especially coasters, that would easily beat out our top ones. Plus, with the addition of Rapterra they will have what, 6 coasters with inversions next to our current 3 (and Invertigo is miserably bad)? I won't jump to conclusions until the '26 announcement is finalized, but we're cautiously monitoring things.

I strongly believe that Kings Island will continue to receive new additions. The parks that will be receiving these additions are CP, KI, KD, Carowinds, Canada's Wonderland, Knotts, Magic Mounntain, Great Adventure, and maybe Over Texas. Six Flags (Cedar Fair) takes pride in KI, and I have no doubt they will fail to give KI more additions in the future. Who knows what these additions may be, but I am sure that KI will receive at least something.

If the Crypt building ends up being demo'd, I'd buy the eye off the triangle of light door in a heartbeat. LOL. (I hope you all know I'm not kidding) But The Vortex plot, for the love of everything DO NOT put a family ride in there. That would be a HUGE slap to the face to everyone.

I would absolutely love an indoor/ outdoor coaster in the crypt building. Especially if they retheme the outside of that ugly box or at least repaint it. I think a family coaster like Big Bear Mountain would work great their, but of course that would be a lot of money so I could see something like a nerfed big bear mountain in that spot. Maybe take the new era disney route and just paint that thing blue.

A family coaster in the crypt building OR The Vortex plot is an epic failure. The crypt building needs an intense, inverting flat in there. (If they remove the triangle of light door I'd buy a piece of it in a heartbeat or a piece of Shiva off the wall) That Vortex plot needs the inversion record. Its what it was built for. (Well, actually a suspended coaster that later ended up being demoed and replaced with the inversion record) If they put a family ride in either of these two plots, I'm revoking my pass permanently.

Along with the wing coaster, Project 305 seems to have a repaint underway- orange track and black supports. Perhaps a tiger theme? Pics courtesy of Carowinds Fans Only via Facebook. (go figure).

So Rapterra already has track work complete and trains on site. Kings Dominion - It's an exciting day as #Rapterra's trains are... | Facebook Facebook

Same with a fireworks ride on WindSeeker! Those were incredible.

KI Central becomes... SFKI Central