CoastersRZ

I think that the press release was worded very carefully for a reason. I am glad to see Fun Spot Atlanta adding a coaster. That park is home to some former rides that used to operate at Coney Island (Carousel and Swing A Round). Too bad Coney`s owner decided to throw in the towel on the rides, instead of investing in them like the owner of Fun Spot seems to be doing...

Yes. There comes a point where the park has to weigh the maintenance cost of a ride verse the return on investing in other existing attractions/new attractions. Sometimes, the cost of upkeep on a ride does not justify the expense. There isn`t enough return on investment/ridership to justify the cost. Look at The Racer. The park has spent money on upgrading and maintaining it because it is one of their classic rides. And it has good capacity. Vortex likely needed an expensive overhaul. One that park management deemed did not justify the expense. Keep in mind that Vortex was designed in the late `80s. Way before computer aided design programs were around. Compared to today`s latest and greatest scream machines, Vortex was ancient. Yes, I was sad to see it go. The only thing that bums me out is to see such a prime area of real estate at Kings Island sitting behind a tall fence with just grass planted on it. I do wish they would have saved some of the trees behind LaRosa`s when they took it out. I am hopeful that in the future there will be a new attraction(s) in that plot of land that will continue to thrill guests for years to come.

I just remember being at the top of the Eiffel Tower, in the same spot for nearly an hour + to get the photos from the tower that you see in that gallery.

But keep in mind that Worlds of Fun has already stated that they will not be having Winterfest this year.

Yep. BoddaH1994 is correct. This was announced for last year, but was never implemented last season. I wish rides would make a return at Coney sometime again. Don`t know if that will ever happen with current ownership...

https://kicentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Episode-16-Jeffrey-Siebert.mp3 Host Robbie Zerhusen (CoastersRZ) is joined by Brad Perdue (IndyGuy4KI) on this episode of the KICentral Podcast. On this episode, we have special guest, Jeffrey Siebert. He was manager of communications and guest experience from 1999 to 2005 at Kings Island and is currently Park President of Six Flags Fiesta Texas. We discuss his time at the park, and where he went after leaving Kings Island. Enjoy! Robbie

Not everything needs to be chocolate. I find both Orion and Banshee to be intense. Not in the out of your seat causing bruises on your thighs as your body slams into the restraint like with Voyage, Steel Vengeance and even Maverick. As I have gotten older, I have learned to appreciate the smoother yet intense rides. Don`t get me wrong, I love the above mentioned rides, just I think they are almost too intense. I have nearly grayed out on both Banshee and Orion before.

Why do you think that B&M rightfully warrants the bad rap? I think B&M are fun rides, that are very repeatable. Parks love them because they have good capacity and normally good uptime.

I believe that it was stated they were for a water line replacement project. That road used to be Columbia Road prior to the park being built, so there likely are some utilities that still remain along that road, such as the water lines.

I have a feeling that Cedar Fair was playing the park operating calendars conservatively. I think that if the demand ends up being there, that they may expand their operating hours/add more days in the back half of the season. Especially if things with Covid continue to trend in the right direction. Kings Dominion was probably having a hard time securing enough guards in a timely manner. I am fairly confidence that Cedar Fair trains their guards to the Ellis and Associate standards, which requires several training classes to complete. I agree with Brad though, what is Busch Gardens offering their employees that they do not have staffing issues? Unless they will have staffing issues once they open, which Kings Dominion is hoping to prevent by delaying the opening by a few weeks to avoid having upset customers.

Personally, I would like if the supports were repainted to match the rest of the supports on the ride. Also, if that were done, when the paint does fade, it isn`t as noticeable with the tan paint, compared to the yellow of the lift/drop supports.

Sorry I couldn`t make the recording of this podcast. My wife gave birth to our third child, a healthy baby girl on Sunday, and we were just getting home from the hospital when this was recorded. We already have the next episode recorded, with another special guest, and former park employee. It was a fun interview. Stay tuned for the release of that episode. As always, if you have thoughts on subjects or special guests for future episodes, please let us know!

I doubt we see a replacement for Vortex so soon. There are areas of the park that have not seen an upgrade in several years. Planet Snoopy is ripe for a good overhaul and a couple of new attractions.

Is Six Flags loading every row on trains at their parks that are open?

Now had they themed a whole area of the park to dinosaurs with eateries, rides and such, then it could have been viable. But without the major IP that Universal has, I am not sure that it would have been a viable move. Keep in mind that I believe Cedar Fair partnered with an outside company for the dinosaurs. I believe that Cedar Fair provided the staffing, walkways, and electrical hookups, while the outside company provided the dinosaurs and the maintenance of them.

And there was not a lot of repeatability with DA. Yeah, they added a new dinosaur in, but there just wasn`t a lot to keep people coming back. Now, my son loves dinosaurs, and would have loved to experience DA.

Might have to make it out to the Columbus Zoo this year. Still have not been on the Sea Dragon.

I think a merger like that would be complicated because of the foreign currency. A Herschend takeover/merger with SEAS would be interesting. I have often thought that some of the Sea World parks, particularly the two in Florida, and even the one in Texas could be a good fit for Cedar Fair. Heck, even BGW would be a good fit, although it is close to KD.

https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/teen-writes-book-on-the-history-of-kings-island

Was there anyone previously in this role? Or are they both new roles? I know that Tim Fisher is COO of Cedar Fair.

Mine is now slated to arrive today by 2:30pm! So excited!

That is when mine is expected to arrive as well. Found it odd that it shipped from PA and was at a USPS distribution center in NJ, only to come back to Ohio!

Still waiting on mine to arrive. Excited for it to arrive and start reading it!

https://kicentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Episode-14-A-Ride-Through-Time.mp3 Join Robbie (Coastersrz) and Brad Perdue (Indyguy4KI) as they interview Evan Ponstingle, author of the new history book about Kings Island, "Kings Island: A Ride Through Time". Be sure to also check out Episode 8, where we previously interviewed Evan. Pick up your copy of the book at the Emporium at Kings Island or online at River Shore Creative here. Here is Evan holding his book at the Emporium.

Hopefully he has the funds/investors to make this a successful long term venture. Could this be the start of a new company that focuses in smaller regional parks? Very interesting development.