CoastersRZ

The water level in Lake Como was usually supplemented with water from a well in the warm summer months. This well was housed out near Gate 1. They likely haven`t turned this on this year. Back when the pedal boats were there, if the lake level was low, sometimes we would have issues with the boats getting stuck under the wood dock. Such a shame what has happened. They could have operated Sunlite pool for a couple more seasons. All it has been the last several years is a gravel lot. They haven`t even parked cars at it for concerts. I have a hard time driving by it on Kellogg. I spend many hours and summers down there for the rides department.

I think some have moved to a new regional GM position. Word is that Jeff Siebert has moved from SFFT to a regional GM of the Texas parks. I personally do not think the 10% reduction in full time staff is a good thing. It will certainly impact the guest experience. Remember a few years ago when they were increasing the full time head count because they said it was actually cheaper than having to constantly train seasonal/part time staff? If I had to guess, Mike Koontz at KI will retire. Then likely one of the ops managers or assistant GM positions will become the "Park Manager", reporting to the regional GM.

Yes, I am always getting kicked off of the KI wifi and continually having to reconnect.

I wish Kings Island would bring back the Clown Band.

Here is the link: https://local12.com/news/local/kings-island-cincinnati-queen-city-stunt-coaster-backlot-announces-reimaged-ride-will-have-guests-racing-through-streets-season-passholders-opening-day-celebration-classic-coasters-experience-announcements-consumer

Wow. Thanks for sharing that insight and those pretty cool photos! I was actually on the Skycoaster crew during Haunt seasons in 2013 and 2014. It was a very fun time. I still miss the days of working in an amusement park running rides.

Yep. It was in the Kings Island Theater. And then they moved Tinker`s Toy Factory into the Kings Island Theater.

Site is working for me. I just haven`t updated it since the rides were removed at the end of the 2019 season. The former owners sold out to Riverbend, and I have felt kind of indifferent about the whole thing. Such a waste of a wonderful Cincinnati asset, and where I spent 20 summers of my life. I miss working the rides there so much, and am sad my kids will not be able to work there like I did.

I remember back in the day when the early ride time was an hour! Thirty minutes isn`t much time, especially if a ride is having trouble waking up in the morning. But I am thankful that KI still offers that perk to passholders.

I had heard that the Flight of Fear at Kings Dominion was slated to go to Carowinds. I also believe that they turned part of the indoor queue of the Kings Dominion version into a Haunt for several seasons.

I wonder if there will be any Gravity Group Engineered Precut Track as part of these renovations.

Dollywood and the Kingdom Heirs are like peanut butter and jelly. You can`t have one without the other! Hopefully they continue singing their in some capacity and form (even if it is less appearances) for years to come.

It would certainly be interesting to see the changes that would come to KI if Herschend bought KI. By all accounts, the Herschend properties are well run. Although, it seems that Wild Adventures is kind of the red headed step child of the chain and doesn`t get the same level of investments as the other properties. I wonder if that is because the area the park is situated in just doesn`t draw in enough guests and the ROI is just not there.

And one of the benefits of these solar panels, is in the heat of the summer, it shades your car, so your car isn`t as hot when you get out to it if you leave the park sometime in the afternoon. I think some of these, like with the zoo, are partnerships with a company that installs these. Not sure the financial arrangement, but there is significant savings. See more information about the zoo`s solar array in this article on the zoo website: https://cincinnatizoo.org/new-solar-array-over-second-parking-lot-at-cincinnati-zoo-pumps-out-power-and-provides-shade-for-cars/

You have a fixed asset in the park`s buildings. Why not try to monetize it as much as possible. Not sure if true, but way back in the day I heard a similar rumor about KI, trying to open I street year round. I believe for a few seasons that the International Restaurant may have been open close to year round, at least on the weekends.

I believe that is was just as you suggested Ryan. Some picnic tables in a gravel area that guests could bring the lunch they brought with them and eat at. It was also pretty well shaded from the trees. I think I may have been there once to eat in 1998, the first year I had a season pass. I was only 13 at the time so I don`t remember much about it. It was accessible from the parking lot, and if you wanted to eat there, you would have to leave the park and go down to it. I think there may have been a set of stairs that took you down to it from about where the lift for Invertigo is, but I maybe mistaken.

And eventually if places cater exclusively to shareholders, things do not end well for those companies. All the local Applebee`s by my house have disappeared. I remember, way back in the day when Cedar Point closed at 11pm every day of the week in the month of July.

Yep, that is just a normal part of winterizing that building. Nothing to see here.

And there is precedent for that. Remember, we did get the original Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle in 2003, the same year that Delirium was added. I think a new flat ride that utilizes The Crypt`s ride building, and uses the existing queue entrance would be a good fit. Give another ride that is in air conditioning and could run during Winterfest. Boo Blasters definitely needs a refresh of some kind.

Having visited Carowinds this year, I would say the theming in Aeronautica landing is pretty good. The whole area had a nice feel, and had background music playing that made it feel like a Disney type experience. Definitely a unique area. I would hope that Action Zone gets some love at some point. Obviously, the Vortex plot needs a replacement. I still wouldn`t mind seeing a flat ride in Area 52, since both rides back there are 54" height requirments.

So long single rider line on Mystic Timbers at Winterfest.

Disney used to do this in order to help finance the rides at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. The practice has fallen by the way side a bit, but I still believe that Test Track has a GM sponsorship.

Siren`s Curse: Vekoma Tilt Coaster https://www.cedarpoint.com/new-in-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawFY0uRleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHbYPgqBPgF5zQeW1mZw9dou1qmEsQ4K8ri744pL9ABgwAYpgdFxFyG-glQ_aem_PigBOoup28Xi2oA0BFQ1ug

I saw the interactive lanterns as well, and it linked to their website, but I couldn`t find any additional information on the website... Seems like there is a disconnect there.

You can always combine Hershey with a trip to Dorney and Knoebels. That is what we did this summer. It was a Saturday through Wednesday trip (with Wednesday being a travel day back home). Looks like a nice addition to the park. I really love the new entrance area that they built for the park.