Leaderboard

IF they were ever to bring back any water features, you already know they would have to fence it off as much as possible. People are disgusting and disrespectful. That water would get so gross so fast. If teenagers think its funny to spit on people on rides, I can only imagine a bunch of idiots trying to hocker into the water or throw trash in there. This is why we can't have nice things.

I think the biggest problem is how they are seemingly incapable of figuring out what they're selling before they take people's money for it. It's becoming way too frequent that their finances don't go the way they want, so they either take away something people already purchased or give away the gate and ruin the park experience to make a quick buck. And then they wonder why people are increasingly choosing other local entertainment options.

I was optimistic about him being named CEO, and remain so after listening to the earnings call and talking with people that know him.

Overall after listening to the earnings call, I think John seems to understand that each park is unique, and it's a good sign that he's been traveling to each park to hear from leadership, instead of commanding a "this is what we should do response", he seems to be taking his time to truly understand what makes each park and market unique. Though also found it interesting that they declinded to comment at this time on the Enchanted Parks filing.

^^^ Very this. And at a regional park, no less.

I’d go with D, nothing will compare to Boo Blasters. I’m joking of course, I’ve been dreaming for this since hearing about the original in my childhood that I never got to experience. I think there will be people who don’t fully know that it’s not a remake of the original and might dislike it because of that, but I personally love all the changes that I’ve seen. It seems very muppet-y to me personally, and I love the muppets so I might like it better than what the original actually was. I think it’s a miracle that a non-IP dark ride with 33 animatronics is getting built in 2026.

I’ve had an internal debate with myself for a while now whether or not when they (finally) add an Epic option to AP whether I’ll decide to pay upgrade or not. (My guess is that I’ll probably do it 😀) I do have a bone with UO’s marketing referring to “the four theme parks of Universal Orlando”. There are three theme parks and one waterpark—otherwise WDW should get to add two more “theme parks” to their count as well 😁

Along with every other guest LOL.

You get unlimited free tap water in the VIP Lounge with Prestige.

I wondered how much season pass sales were hurt at these parks. I know I would have really been upset if KI did not have Winterfest.

Love the idea. It sounds like six flags are going too invest in more theming and immersive experiences which I’m all for so I could see bringing back the water and theming for the station/Queue but not counting on it. Love the idea of the extension after the brake shed it’s always needed something done with that just a boring straight stretch of track with major trim brakes. One could hope but also not counting on it haha

It feels like this new leadership team might be recognizing the strengths of these parks instead of flatly looking at the cost of running everything. They also seem to finally recognize that the Six Flags of 2026 can be a different company from the two legacy corporations that formed it. Let's hope that they can continue whatever good momentum they're getting into. Attendance being down seems about right considering some parks cancelled their holiday events. Spending being up also sounds right with all of the fixes they're trying to accomplish. As for Reilly declining to comment on the Enchanted Parks filings, I'm not putting much stock into whatever that could mean. Is it a sign that there are active negotiations or that nothing is happening? Ask me again in July and maybe we'll have a better answer.

It looks like the new leadership really wanted to get their pass revisions in before a majority of the parks open for the season. It would've been better if they created a sub-group pass type for the Gold+APP buyers that would end on 12/31 and then make the "new" regional Gold Pass the standard. That way the Gold+APP passholders wouldn't automatically gain all of the Prestige benefits while still maintaining what they paid for. Call it Gold+ and treat it like the Legacy Memberships for Diamond Elite and Diamond Elite VIP memberships. The current pass program is relatively simple, but the rollout is what has caused all of the pain. For all of us Legacy Cedar Fair folks it's gone from Gold/Platinum to Gold/Prestige both w/ the APP to Silver/Gold/Prestige to Regional Gold/All-Park Prestige. I really hope for 2027 passes they find a model and stick to it — though that is what I assume all of this trial and error is for. In reality this isn't even trial and error, this is just the process of switching to a new pass system without changing the pass names. Maybe for 2027 they should just change all of the pass names anyways since the passes are different from what they used to be, especially for the Legacy SF passholders whose pass names and benefits have all changed so much recently.

Why mess with a layout that has worked well, and likely exceeded any expectations that were laid for nearly 50 years?

I think Cedar Fair could have. They are/were able to hold their own with Knott’s on the west coast. In a pre- Blackfish world, there was interest in buying/merging with the Sea World parks too. I think it could’ve worked at that time. Not sure if Six Flags in 2026 could hack it, to be honest.

As we move ever closer to The Beast's 50th anniversary season, do you think adding the pond back under the turnaround would be a project that Kings Island (and Six Flags) would be willing to invest in? I really think it might be, especially if that section of track already needs rebuilt for any reason. They could get the mill effects back up and running while they're at it as well. What else could they invest in for the occasion? I think a new Rivertown expansion replacing the TR:TR building would be nice. These next few years might also be a good time to figure out how to improve the ride experience going through the first brake shed. I know it slows the train down to a near halt to reduce wear and tear on the track, but is there a better solution that could involve a new section of track layout right there? The easiest rebuild solution could be adding a counterclockwise helix coming out of the brake shed and going into the second tunnel. I don't know if it would wholly solve the issue, but it would at least allow the train to use some of its energy before continuing toward the second lift hill. It'd also add more track and ensure that the length record is kept.

I hope the winter events are brought back at KD, SFOG, SFGAd.

Could this mean talk of Winterfest leaving KI stops and perhaps a return to some version at KD and other parks that had these types of events removed? “In hindsight, that decision did not optimize profits at every park the way we needed it to. Those events can be meaningful demand drivers, and removing them created a self-inflicted headwind in terms of both attendance and operating leverage. We’re taking that learning directly into our planning for 2026, and we will rethink the winter holiday strategy with a tighter, returns-driven approach, market by market, rather than applying a broad brush.”

Perhaps...🙃

Maybe because Walt is frozen himself?