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Monster is getting it's arms!

This is for all you who say that anything that can't easily be tied back to the bottom line is wasted effort and money. Mr. Ouimet, former CEO of Cedar Fair, explains that shade and beauty add to bottom line: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/matt-ouimet-42387521b_when-i-was-on-the-cedar-fair-team-we-routinely-share-7446895894349836288-gdUZ?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAABMEnvEBukWk_4JZ4j5b8tmanp0ZAE6r0KA

Sure, but not sure how they're supposed to get in front of an unauthorized photo that was taken and posted in violation of their agreement with vendors? Are they supposed to prepare a media package before moving forward with the actual ride removal?

But once again. they weren’t in front of it and were reactive instead of proactive.

Once again a Six Flags park didn’t control the narrative with a ride closure and only responded to the media because they had to with a photo in circulation.

In any other park, Orion is a flagship coaster. But within the KI-scape that includes a coaster like Diamondback, it will always play second fiddle. The layouts are too similar, with elements of Orion riding like lesser versions of what can be experienced elsewhere in the park. I’ve had a bit of a personal renaissance with Orion over the last season or two. It’s a blast. There are just better coasters in the park. Comparison is ultimately a thief of joy, so it’s important to enjoy it for what it is, regardless of stats, etc. It’s just not the coaster it’s “supposed” to be. That said, regardless of timeline, I still believe reception would’ve been the same given the park it’s in.

It doesn't seem unreasonable to share information with the public before, as, or shortly after it's decided. It's not like these decisions come lightly or too fast for an Instagram post.

The picture seems to have been unauthorized, so it's possible they had planned to announce it at a time of their choosing, but were forced to respond to an earlier than expected press request. Also pretty stupid of whoever took that photo to not be more careful. It won't be difficult for the park to figure out who took it, considering you can see the side of their vehicle in the photo...

BGT has the stronger coaster collection... well if they are all open. Been to that park 3 times and all 3 times two different coaster were just not open. In numerous cases no refurbishment listed on the website, not broken down temporarily, just not open or staffed... The 3 times I've been at BGW all the coasters were running with the exception of Verboten was closed two of the three times with workers activity working on it both times. Also they at least put that on the website so everyone knew before they went. I agree Tampa has better coasters but their operations of one train consistently on iron gwazi and burning me now three times with 2 non operating coasters has made me a believer in BGW. BGW has always delivered for me when I was there and as I said while verboten has had some up time issues the last few years, at least they are transparent about it unlike BGT

It's hard not to love BGW. Walking it & soaking up the atmosphere is a must but using the train's (3) stops to the premier rides in the evening is fantastic.

Had the opportunity to meet him in 2014 and have always had a great impression of him. Can agree that he's a great LinkedIn follow.

He’s a great LinkedIn follow for those brave enough to use it.

It's got the arms on it now! That's a good sign... I'm still waiting for the multi color pods from the CP one to show up on it. Kinda interested if there will be any paint color changes to the ride and if they will go all out and fix the lights too

Look I agree that the employee should not have taken that photo and posted it. In my years working at KI, when we would go in for on ride training, we would be told we can't take pics of new stuff/construction that hadn't been publicly shared by the park. I especially remember training day 2023 as the rides I worked were near Adventure Port and we were told if we got caught taking pictures of the construction we would get in serious trouble. At the same time, it's not that hard to make a simple announcement saying that "the decision has been made to retire this ride" before anything gets out by unauthorized people. It's also not hard if they know in advance a ride is going to close to announce it and let people get their last ride. Even if it is a ride with low ridership, it is still someone's favorite ride. I thought this would change with the new CEO, but I wonder if it is those on the board of directors who don't want to publicly announce these things.

There still would've been disappointment/criticism as it's not bigger than Millennium Force in the same state. That only fueled the decades old theory that Cedar Fair purposely does the bare minimum at KI bc of fear of upstaging Cedar Point. Orion also is shorter than I305 and Leviathan in stats so that would also draw criticism.

Yep! Although, I think Tampa is a pretty park too. I think it’s just hard to beat the hills and trees of Williamsburg. I’ve also spent a lot more time in Tampa with it being so close to Orlando—I was only at BGW a few times, so maybe it’s just more “special” to me that way. And, over half the times I was at BGW it was off season (I think February twice) so I’m sure part of it was wanting to get on the rides yet not being able to 😀

I know he talked to the news and that it was published in the article, I just think parks should formally announce this kind of thing on their channels via either a blog post and/or a social media post. They don't have to do exactly what Silver Dollar City is doing for ThuNderaTion, but a short blog article from the park is all I'm asking for. It's obvious (to me at least) that Silver Dollar City is doing what every park should do for a standard ride retirement. Announce the retirement at least a few months before its last day of operations. Sell some ride-specific merchandise. These don't need to be new designs, just something for the fans. Make a blog article and social media post to announce the closure and thank the ride for its service to the park. Nothing big but something to remind guests that it's the last time they'll be able to ride it. If this was not a planned closure — which it sounds like that's the case — I still think they should make a post via their official channels.

I will be upset if I get to the park next week (!!!) and they aren’t selling plushies of the characters. Also figures and a flashlight toy and other unique stuff like that.