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Did a little hotel mockup idea

The KI Inn site is basically off the table now as Rivers Crossing announced a few weeks back they are going to be expanding onto that site. I believe they're developing half the lot into parking.

Hey, everyone - We had Josh Sneed, the owner of Cincy Shirts on Tower Topics the other day. He was nice enough to give us a discount code to give out and a gift card to give away. Check out what he had to say:

For me half the excitement for the upcoming season is seeing all the mini upgrades done around the park to make it a nicer place. Stuff like during the 50th they redid the walls of Racer's station to remove the chainlink fencing and put in a more permanent looking wall.

I wish they would do some work on the entry plaza side of the building. At least dress it up and make it look like a grand entrance building like other parks have. Or if you want to go modern, replace the banner with an LED screen. Cedar Point fans should be used to at least some gaps between big projects. They went 6 years after Maverick when they opened GateKeeper. Wild Mouse was the first coaster addition since Steel Vengeance which was a 5 year gap. If you don't count that as a major addition then Top Thrill 2 was 6 years. Siren's Curse was the first fully ground up coaster addition since Valravn.

I've been really enjoying the smaller additions and renovations during the off-years. Adding a new major coaster every 3 years is not at all sustainable, and these smaller additions and renovations are a good way to keep the park updated as needed. (That's something I think Cedar Point/CePo fans need to figure out as well, especially with how many I've seen upset that the park isn't adding a ride for 2026.) I just hope we do eventually get a good new major coaster in 2027/2028. Just today it looks like there have been people working on replacing the shingles on the I-Street side of the entrance building. Adventure Port and Camp Snoopy were good additions (although I hope they add more foliage to Camp Snoopy soon) and River Racers/Splash River Junction helped to revitalize that area of Soak City. I think Phantom Theater is more in the major investment category than not, but it's certainly not on the scale of a major coaster or full area revitalization.

Off season and college are killing me, and I need phantom theater updates

Why hello Owen lol. I didn't think you would be on here! I agree the smaller additions each year are much needed and are better than nothing at all imo. I personally would rather see new major coaster additions be spread out more and have more of a focus on improving the park and adding stuff everyone can enjoy. Personally I think there won't be any new ride in 2027 as I'm guessing 2027 capital will mainly be delayed 2026 projects and projects already planned pre merger. KI got their planned 2026 project with Phantom Theater and since 2023 KI got some sort of new attraction every year so I think 2027 will be more of an "off year" with more of a focus on park improvements and maybe some new events. I personally would like to see the park take advantage of the "55th anniversary" opportunity when it comes to marketing in 2027 as that'll be the 55th anniversary season. Now I don't think they'll do anything on the scale of the 50th celebration, but I could see some marketing and advertising done to celebrate 55 years. Also in 2027 Mystic Timbers will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Personally I think that would be a great year to update the shed and add some new music, theming, monsters on the screen, and maybe even an animatronic or 2 in there (if budget allows). I wouldn't mind seeing the shed completely redone and they could bring back #whatsintheshed for some marketing and do it right this time.

I 100% claim credit for this

I am already wishing for warmer weather and longer evenings. These cold, dreary days damage my inner soul.

I'd rather they keep Soak City included for Gold and Prestige passes and bring back the Silver Pass with a different set of limitations. Make it separate admission for day tickets and Silver Passes while increasing the price of Gold and Prestige. An all-season Silver Pass with blackout dates (instead of ending after Labor Day) would probably also get more people to buy it. Having one of the only large-ish waterparks in the area should be a bigger selling point, but it's probably not as marketable as I think. Kings Island used to advertise itself as the largest amusement and water park in the Midwest but now where other Six Flags parks have something like "The Carolinas' Premier Entertainment Destination" Kings Island's website simply says "Kings Island".

I think they could (and should) do both increase pass prices a bit AND make the water park a second gate that could be a nominal charge add-on for season passholders across all tiers.

If the company does it right, I think they could pair raising season pass prices with a rebrand away from the Six Flags name. That would at least give them a visible excuse as to why they're doing it as a "new company". It will be interesting to see how soon any immediate changes come to Kings Island from having the new CEO and Chairman.

As opposed to making SC a separate admission, I feel like it might make more sense to just increase the prices of season passes. Which, unpopular opinion, I wouldn’t be opposed too if it meant improved experiences.

There was probably some truth to that during the "make it all new and DAZZLING" Paramount days when the goal was to actively get rid of the past so the park seemed hip and new (like removing Antiques and Flying Eagles to put a new ride in that spot that arguably wouldve been way better in a different part of the park) but with the new focus on being a well-rounded, family-friendly, multi-generational park, I think the train would be safe as just a round trip ride.

I hope that doesn’t spell doom for the train if that happens- I always argued the waterpark saved the railroad from potential removal as it became a transport ride.

Both sides of the entrance building need a lot of work IMO. The entry plaza side needs an entire facade put on it, but the front of International Street also needs something to make it more than just a vast expanse of pavers. Canada's Wonderland suffers from a similar issue, but their I-Street is also larger and doesn't have a side path at the front like KI's does. Kings Dominion has a way smaller plaza and therefore doesn't have that problem. A raised planter with a tree on either side of the plaza would do a lot to help break up the sight lines. I don't think the Cedar Point fanboys expected a coaster for 2026, but there are enough that seem upset over there not even being a new flat ride or something else that's "substantial".