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I completely disagree. I'd be all-for a refurb/update of WWC including some animatronics. Knotts very successfully updated their rapids roughly five or six years ago - and its breathed a brand new life into it. It has various animal animatronics peppered throughout the course with some are visible to those waiting in line. Its quite fun to be on the lookout for them. When I was last there, it had one of the longest waits in the park due to renewed popularity. I typically avoid rapids rides (I dont like having squishy shoes.) But I anxiously hopped in line for Calico River Rapids at Knotts because I wanted to see all the theming... not because I wanted to get soaked. I'm a fan of "plussing up" existing and aged rides in order to keep them fresh and interesting. The issue with animatronics is, they wear out fairly easily (especially in the elements.) And historically, KI hasn't been the best at maintaining them. But the ones used at Knotts (built by Garner Holt Productions) seem to be a bit more weather-resistant and built pretty sturdy. The redesign was overseen by Ken Parks and his team at Cedar Fair's XDS... and they did an incredible job at developing the story for Calico. It made it a well-rounded attraction - with a fun and cohesive storyline - instead of just "a rapids ride." WWC at KI is now 40 years old and it's ridership has visibly declined. I vividly recall the immense popularity of it those early years. A lot of that had to do with the fact it was a star attraction - and people were curious about what it did, where it went and what it was like back in those woods. The first season it opened, the line to ride stretched all the way through Rivertown virtually all season long. I'd love to see them show some love to the attraction rather than let it die as other parks have... cough... Carowinds... Cough... Over the years many of WWC's original "tricks" have disappeared.... the water snakes (I loved those - they were crazy water hoses along the side of the trough that would wiggle and whip around squirting the boats) the waterfall/mist tunnel, the hidden "boom cannon" etc. It could use some love and frankly a rehab could make it immensely popular and marketable again. In the hands of XDS and Ken Parks, there's no telling how cool and fun it could be. Photos are a small sampling of Calico Rapids from Knott's Website:

I think people would be too busy getting wet or trying to avoid getting wet to take much notice. Personally, I think the K.I. and M.V. Railroad could utilize more scenes and figures along the stretch from Rivertown to the water park.

Dollywood has opened a new restaurant. It’s can’t-miss for those planning a visit this year. https://themeparksbydon.com/new-wilderness-pass-restaurant-brings-smoky-flavors-and-scenic-charm-to-dollywood/

Celebrating its 25th anniversary season, Dollywood’s Splash Country remains more than just a water park. It’s a Smoky Mountain tradition where memories are made, one splash at a time. https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywoods-splash-country-celebrates-25-years-of-soaking-up-summer-fun/

I'm starting to agree with what @Diamondback_Is_King said. My current prediction is that the Skyflyer plot will be used for some Halloween Haunt 2025 maze, whereas the 2026 family thrill attraction will go somewhere else in the park.

Or how about a new event space for something like live music and lawn games. Think the lawn area (or what was a lawn area) near Harmony Hall/Thunder Striker at Carowinds which they used for the easter/spring break activities a few weeks ago and last year a stage for the Summer Music Fest series.

I would rather see investment in KI&MVRR. They could get bang for the buck and tie theming into both attractions, but I wouldn't bank on it.

Here are ones I took of the new paths. Since the others didn’t show up from the other user. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TT2 is just as phenomenal as last year! I didn't notice any side sway and holy cow the rhythm of trains being sent today! Can't wait til they close all the parks but Cedar Point ;-) Talk to budget friendly Koontz....he's the one who can/should be petitioning things for KI....but hey we got a kid coaster last year.

Kings Island is hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch event: https://cf-ki.store.cffunki.com/packageList/promocode/motherbrunch?utm_source=park_facebook&utm_medium=social%20&utm_campaign=mothers_day_brunch&_cid=1454421321.1742345509

I was thinking with the new Food and Wine Festival area going in over near the Grand Carousel, it would be nice to see Intenational Street get some updates again, making it an even more grand area than it already is. This idea shows that the area behind the Eiffel Tower on the left that's empty can be used for 2 new International Street buildings, they would represent either Poland, Sweden or the UK. Kings Island would also update the path under and around the Eiffel Tower with new pavers, getting rid of the blacktop. I'm sure they already have plans for the next few years, so this could be done for the parks 60th anniversary in 2032, if it is too big a project to do in one year, they could do one for the 2031 season, and the other in 2032. 1. Yellow shows the new area for the buildings to be built. One of them can be a new restaurant, the other can be a new gift shop. 2. Purple shows the new Food and Wine Festival area that is being worked on now.

This is a topic that may have gotten me pelted with proverbial "rotten tomatoes" 5 years ago, but I think some of you may be starting to see the same thing. Kings Island does not seem to be the park it was 15 years ago. Summertime hours have been lessened, special events (think visits from the Reds, Wallendas, eating contests, celebrity visits, food truck events, etc.) are close to non-existent. Shows have been lessened. Halloween Haunt is a shell of what it once was. The park is no longer as beautiful as it once was. The greatest example being the essential destruction of the Royal Fountain. What could have been a loving restoration became a cost saving replacement. Ride additions are not what they once were. They are spaced further apart and are not the "world class additions" that Kings Island was known for until around 2015 or so. One glaring example of this cost cutting is Sol Spin-- the park bought the smaller capacity model with 1 seat per arm and not the side-by-side model. There was absolutely no reason to do this other than cost. My other example is that the Beagle Scout Acres play area. It was clearly done with almost no money and it shows. The clientele has gotten rougher. Kings Island remains a babysitter for many. The unrulier the kids the more likely this will be the case. Food and drink lines are exceedingly long no longer moderated by the expensive prices given the meal plans. The reduced operating hours have made the park consistently "more busy" which has dragged down the value of a season pass. I have to believe this is by design, making people wait is good for business because it means more will buy Fast Lane. Yet another anti-consumer move that will ultimately lessen the experience for a lot of people. A very large caveat is that I don't think this is the fault of the park staff. I still think they are some of the best in the business and KI's ride operations are the finest in Cedar Fair/Six Flags. This is a corporate problem. The powers that be would rather squeeze KI for all it's worth now than invest in the park for generations to come. It's corporate's attitude and goals that have changed. The "best day ever" has become "make their day good enough." My question to you all is do you agree with my general thoughts and what will be the ultimate result? Will the Six Flags merger ultimately succeed or fail? What will KI look like in 10 years?

Splash Country is a wonderful park with a unique wilderness setting that seems to fly under the radar.

I used to think that the new 2026 "family thrill attraction" would go here for sure...now not so much. Now I'm thinking that we might see it come somewhere we didn't think of

Thank you. Im very interested on what the plan is as it looks like they only planted grass in half of the plot. I would be happy with a new pathway connecting Banshee/Bat with Drop Tower.

Thanks for your perspective @Shaggy. I can definitely understand where you're point of view comes from. Additionally, I'm fearful that the new Six Flags Entertainment Company, isn't going to do much investing in older rides where they'd rather just remove them. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise us one day.

I wouldn’t say Kings Island has “Peaked” per se. You can argue there were better seasons than others depending on what you value. Food, atmosphere, ride additions, etc. I agree that the park has tightened the belt in some areas. But I don’t view it in a sense that our season passes have been “devalued.” If anything, the park has decreased the quality of in park experiences to keep passes cheap. A Kings Island Gold pass is $145. If you compare them to their competitors and they are one of the cheapest around. As far as where I see KI in 10 years will somewhat depend on who the GM is. Six Flags can go bankrupt tomorrow, and KI will still be chugging along. I’m certain Herschend or United Parks would love to get their hands on a park like KI.

Would be nice if our country clamped down on "service fees"

Hearing from Dolly Parton herself, it’s clear that Dollywood’s story is one of bold dreams, deep roots and unmatched heart. https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-celebrates-40-years-of-family-faith-and-dreams-with-dolly-parton-at-the-helm/