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Losing Sunlite Pool was a major blow because it was something my parents and grandparents (great-grandparents even) got to experience. It was from a time when classic amusement parks had jumbo pools for summertime cooling. It's unlikely that something so impressive like that would be built again- and I'm aware of the push for Sunlite 2.0. With that in mind, it was a simple shape and could, theoretically, be recreated elsewhere (but again, not likely). The same can't be said about the charming buildings on the rides side, which are relics of an era where amusement parks were interested in detail and beauty. Some parks still do pay mind to those things, but it's becoming more and more rare. Here's to a positive future for Moonlite Gardens and the other Mall buildings.

This press release they handed out at IAAPA sets the opening in April.

The hype around this ride was absolutely unreal. I was barely six and remember it being everywhere. Truly a different time. It was unbelievably exciting, I just wish the finished product lived up to that hype.

I was only 12 at the time, but I really enjoyed Son of Beast’s campaign. The giant box violently shaking and growling was really cool and intimidating. Lot’s of mystery and speculation leading up to the announcement.

If we ever do end up losing any historic buildings/structures on the rides side of Coney Island, I'd love to see Kings Island do something to either move them to the park or recreate them in some way. I know that isn't really something Six Flags would do, but a man can dream. Otherwise I hope someone else can find a way to preserve them elsewhere in the Cincinnati area. Some ideas for relocations/somewhat faithful recreations if it ever had to come to it: Kellogg Avenue auto gate Stays where it is as the entrance to the property. If it would have to be moved/recreated, rebuild it at a new local museum. The Cincinnati area has enough history with amusement parks (between Coney Island, Chester Park, and Kings Island) that I think a dedicated museum would be justified. Picnic Grove gate I think this one could stay where it is while being recreated elsewhere. A similar structure might look really nice either somewhere along Kings Island Drive, in the back half of Coney Mall, or somewhere in a revitalized/rethemed Soak City. For the KI Drive idea, I think an inspired structure could be placed on the corner where Western Row / I-71 come together and there's currently just a giant unused field. Send it to the theoretical museum. Moonlite Gardens Of course this stays and gets revitalized. Could be recreated as a new indoor restaurant at Kings Island (see my other proposals for this). Otherwise the sign gets sent to the American Sign Museum. The other buildings and features feel like they aren't as special. I think Hampton Court served as some inspiration for the Kings Island Theater and might be harder to recreate as faithfully. Are there any known plans for the Administration Building that sits to the east of Hampton Court? It doesn't look the most upkept in photos from the past 15 years.

As they did with a lot other content.

But no one has so far (other than CoasterJack for PTON). Last year I was able to get the permits/project info online (I don't live close enough to just hop on down there to do this) including the cost of project and construction documents. Now, they list permits issued monthly....so January will be available sometime in February.

They offer a premium experience for starters. Universal Orlando Resort is designed to make you stay multiple days. Six Flags parks are mostly regional with people visiting for a day, then going home. There’s less opportunity for Six Flags to monetize second and third days, on-site lodging and vacation package behavior. Universal excels at turning demand into high-margin upgrades, on top of tickets, food and merchandise. Six Flags is heavily dependent on season pass visitation in many of its markets, and that pressures per-cap spending. Universal also has those global, world-class IP as a repeatable content machine. They utilize it well. That’s my thoughts on it.

If all of this is true, I must admit it's better than I'd hoped for the site. I mean we all hate the fact Coney closed and we hate the fact that MEMI didn't seem the most straightforward with the goals or intentions at first and don't get me started on sunlight pool. However, if they keep the old arcade buildings and food court for office space I can respect that. Also I'm very happy to hear moonlight gardens might be fitting into the new plans for the space because it's been a staple for Cincinnati for so long. I was also pleasantly surprised about them keeping the picnic pavilion area which I remember being a nice venue spot for festivals when I was a kid. Nice to see that alot of the property (minus sunlight pool) is being retooled to fit the new use of the space.

It would be a really nice thing to see a little park again, but unfortunately MEMI isn't in the ride and attractions business. But with a lot of the pre-Kings Island buildings still there, it will be as if Coney Island never closed (minus Sunlite Pool obviously). I think MEMI started calling the site Riverbend Park a while back after the sale. With both entrances still marked with the Coney name, I would love to see them retain the name for the new development. A YouTuber flew over the site a few weeks ago also. On the topic of Moonlite Gardens, the video shows some work had been done on the north wing of the building closer to Lake Como. It looks like two new electrical boxes/ panels were added, which would not make sense if they're set on demolishing the structure. As mundane as it sounds, it is a positive sign and suggests a longterm goal.

I'll be honest, this is a much better location for the Farmer Music Center than I had originally thought. I was under the belief that it would be occupying some space on the midway. This location in the West Parking Lot still leaves the original midway and some of the buildings for future use. There's even plenty of space left along the midway for a nice carousel and some food vendors (I'm only somewhat kidding). With the Moonlite Gardens sitting condemned since 2019, I really hope they can do something to restore it and make it useable again. If it's just the floors that are the issue then it may be a relatively easier fix than if the entire structure is having issues. As unlikely as it is, I really would love to see some of Coney Island used for more than just festivals and events at some point in the future. Unless the plans call for more land to be used, there's room for the aforementioned carousel, a couple other flat rides, and a small roller coaster (not that the owners would be into that, though). The massive loss of the Sunlite Pool won't be remedied any time soon, but I think it could still be a nice little family park again. Heck, they could even rent it out for a majority of the year like Stricker's Grove does if the demand is there.

I don't want anything with the letters B&M associated with The Vortex plot. Give me a Vekoma, Mack, Intamin, or HECK give Zamperla a shot but please no B&M!