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https://www.tickettailor.com/events/masonsymphonyorchestra/2000992 Saw this come across their story feed on IG. Thought this seemed pretty unique. Bought two tickets for my lady and I as we were both pretty sick this past weekend and didn't get to do anything for Valentine's Day. So this will make up for it. Pretty cool!

This is why a new gen Vekoma multi launch is my top choice for that area and it's pretty clear based on the survey back in November/December that the park and corporate are in fact looking into that. Ever since Vortex left there is no coaster that goes upside down that has a 48" height requirement. Banshee is 52" and Invertigo/FOF is 54". A ride like AlpenFury would be great, but it has a 54" height requirement I think.

I often wonder what a retracked Vortex would be like. Fresh track, fresh paint and in a dream world, new trains ( preferably the new Vekoma trains used on their current sit-down loopers ). And just think-with the awesome light packages those new Vekoma trains have that could have really made a statement for Vortex while it went up the lift hill and slithered through it's twisted steel structure. That alone would have really brought on some excitement for riders and bystanders alike, especially at night! I really believe that would have revived the classic coaster for long-time fans who quit riding or rode maybe once a year and it would have made new fans for up and coming thrill-seekers. Vortex was really such a good solid middle ground coaster. Thrilling enough for the adrenaline junkies but with a height requirement that met new thrill seekers at a more modest standard so more people could get in on the action.

I also saw this and thought it's kinda cool the theater is being used in the office season

Me too. It's definitely different to see. I'll report back some time after the experience!

Disney has confirmed that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will reopen in spring 2026 after being closed since January 2025 for a major refurbishment. https://themeparksbydon.com/big-thunder-mountain-railroad-reopening-2026/

I've said before that I would like them to convert the current Peanuts Showplace space to a Phantom Theater museum/gift shop area that features props from the old Phantom Theater ride as well as that being where the character meet and greet could go. They could move the Peanuts meet and greet to Beagle Scout Acres (which they sorta already have over there). Or they could go back to having Snoopy and the gang on International Street. Maybe bring back the Peanuts Block Party and have shows on the bandstand during the day like before?

Too much time has passed for whatever might eventually go in that spot to be a Vortex replacement. There wasn’t a plan for that spot when Vortex was retired in 2019 like there was with other rides. If Kings Island could go back in time, they wouldn’t have retired Vortex. They would have done what Busch Gardens VA did with Loch Ness Monster and put the money into it to preserve the ride for future generations to enjoy.

I hope the park can find a way to host more stuff like this in the KIT throughout the year! It's a nice venue and could easily host smaller concerts or the award ceremony stuff for Music in the Parks. I think the A/C would make up for the lost capacity moving from Timberwolf. They used to host the awards and lunch over in Picnic Grove, though I don't recall when they moved it. I know Carowinds uses their indoor theater for a Festival of Music (somehow different from MitP) and it seems nice enough for it.

Right. And that has been my personal vote of choice since Vortex's removal would be a Vekoma new-gen looper of some variety

Maestro, Arpeggio, and Larry would be my picks for walk-around characters! They probably wouldn't be able to meet right in front of the facade due to the Peanuts licensing agreement, but that little path near the exit and/or on International Street would be great. For Maestro I wonder if they would go for a human character (like in Phantom Theater Encore), puppets (obviously in the case of Larry and Archie), or something more like the 1992 walk-around Maestro?

I personally would love to see phantom theater characters return considering they did have a maestro character when the original opened. You know people would line up for photos with arpeggio (the cat) and larry

All the references to "cave, mine, beneath the surface" makes me wonder if there is another rocking boat on the Herschend horizon. Wonder if we could see a Fire in the Hole type situation with Flooded Mine going away at the end of 27, then reopening new in 28.

When a family of 6 or 7 wanted to get into a cart on Boo Blasters On Boo Hill... and obviously that would be too many people so they told the father that they would need more than one cart. But the father started cussing out the KI employee and making a scene and then dumped his pop cup everywhere (nearly get me). Behavior like that should not be tolerated and should be kicked out immediately. I think about this from time to time.

This is how you do it right. When I read this, my first thought was that traveling to SDC this year is a must. I love this ride and am so glad it's getting a more than proper send off.

I could honestly see The Vortex replacement in 2028 followed by a parking lot coaster (Invertigo/Congo/TW area) along with a renovated entry plaza in 2032 for the 60th anniversary (which is crazy to think we are getting close to the halfway point to that year as the 50th year feels like yesterday). Assuming we don't run into another major financial disruption (ie another pandemic or major recession or even bankruptcy).

I have ridden it quite a few times in my college days in Dallas. Me and my best friends would hang out as much as we could at the park and ride The Judge, the original version of The Texas Giant and Shockwave as many times as we could. My early years of truly understanding my joy of coasters. There used to be an awesome all you can east Chinese restaurant just across the road from the Judge that we would always eat lunch at. Fun days!

I don't know why, but when I saw this picture I thought of Kitty Claws at Holiday World 😂

Thinking a meet and greet with Puppet Larry from the Encore show is a no brainer.

^dont forget that they asked about adding on the street. Lol