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If Mike sees this I wanted to thank him for everything he has done for the park and preserving its history. It is sad to see someone go especially someone you knows cares so much about the park. This is definitely a scary time and will be the reason the park truly starts to see the merger.

I mean, why would his departure change a group outing event? Would a middle school band trip change with his departure? The only thing I can see changing is if he is scheduled to speak. However, the California VP/GMs are staying through May, he would likely have the same treatment. If that's the case, he can continue on and the enthusiast community present can give him a good send off.

^Another casualty. I doubt whoever replaces him will have as much respect for the park as he does. Unless Jeffrey Siebert comes back, but he's a Texas bigwig now.

And Grain & Grill has you get food first then pay, so at least you can eat while waiting to pay, unlike the pay first, wait who knows how long until food comes out...

Interesting article exploring the evolving food and beverage service and offerings, particularly from the perspective of kitchen equipment and labor reduction techniques: https://fesmag.com/topics/trends/22740-amusement-parks-make-major-f-b-investments

I wonder how similar this set is to Cedar Point's Blood Bath maze (AKA Club Orpheus). Kings Island definitely needed a new maze, and if it means the return of vampires to the event then I'll be super happy. Medieval/gothic are also themes that I don't remember seeing at Haunt in recent years. This could be a re-skin of Madame Fatales in a new location, but those sets do look more gothic than MFCoT. Now to just get a good Hot Blooded replacement show and some special stuff for Haunt's 25th season at Kings Island!

This is interesting. The new haunt maze is going to be themed to medieval torture or another from of Gothic vampires. What do you think the theme is gonna be?

Jason has had Kings Island and Cedar Point among his parks as the regional general manager. Nothing changes there.

I think some have moved to a new regional GM position. Word is that Jeff Siebert has moved from SFFT to a regional GM of the Texas parks. I personally do not think the 10% reduction in full time staff is a good thing. It will certainly impact the guest experience. Remember a few years ago when they were increasing the full time head count because they said it was actually cheaper than having to constantly train seasonal/part time staff? If I had to guess, Mike Koontz at KI will retire. Then likely one of the ops managers or assistant GM positions will become the "Park Manager", reporting to the regional GM.

Food & Wine Festival prep:

I think your may be judging Grace before we get to know her more. She made a judgement call that her being here to promote the current addition to Soak City was as or even more effective than letting the now former communications director stay to promote it. That move speaks volumes to me. I am hoping when the dust settles, that KIC and the season pass page can have a working relationship with the communications department again. Chris and I would love nothing more than to order a new card and present it to the next Communications director at a future Coasterstock.