CoastersRZ

Enchanted Theater is in the Boo Blasters building. The entrance is located behind The Great Pumpkin coaster. They used to have live kids shows in there (HB themed shows). Then when they moved Circus of Horrors 3D Haunt maze into that building, they stopped utilizing that area for live kids shows so that they could keep the Haunt set up year round. That begs the question, is the Haunt gone? Or have they decided to dismantle it for this event?

Yes. Also note that KI has the 4pm opening times for Winterfest on Saturdays, while Carowinds does not. I am kind of surprised that they haven`t also extended the hours one hour later to close at 11pm on Fridays/ Saturdays. I think the event was very well done (especially compared to the 2005 incarnation). I hope that they continue to build an expand upon it. I am sure one of their biggest hurdles is having enough set up time.

MDMC01, to answer your question, I prefer the setting of The Bat to that of Vortex at Canada`s Wonderland. Because the way the lift goes up in Wonder Mountain, you do not really get a sense of height like you do with The Bat. And I seem to recall the ride felt slower than The Bat, but that could be because of the lack of trees near the ride. The Vortex does have the fact that it is close to the rest of the park, and not a long trek to the station like The Bat has.

As an interesting aside, the Harlem Globetrotters are actually owned by Herschend Family Entertainment. The same company that owns Newport Aquarium, Silver Dollar City and is partners with Dolly Parton to own Dollywood.

I still have yet to catch this in person. I can`t wait to check it out. I would hope that they would upgrade the lights to the fountains eventually. They would be amazing if they were upgraded to LEDs like on the I-Street buildings. But the fact that they synced up the existing lights to the buildings and soundtrack is amazing. I am glad that they are utilizing the LED lights on the buildings for more than just Winterfest. Also, the instrumental music on I-Street gives the park a wonderful Disney feeling.

Yes, they are wonderful pictures. It is amazing to think that Coney is gearing up to start its 133 season this year!

While not Kings Island specific, Paramount Parks did add a B&M at Carowinds in 1999 in the form of what is now Afterburn. Still a great ride at that park. I am glad that Kings Island got Flight of Fear in 1996, compared to the B&M that Cedar Point got that same year.

I still think that that spot would be a great spot for a classic flat ride.

It does note that the list of attractions is the 2017 list of attractions to let people get a sense of what to expect for the second year of WinterFest.

As am I. I haven`t seen one of the four dragon pedal boats that Coney is getting yet, in the times I have been down at Coney doing interviews/getting ready for the 2018 season. I will say the paint job for Python is looking nice. Additionally, they have moved Boats and Trains and Helicopters kiddy rides. They switched places with each other.

I didn`t know that there was a Space Mountain K`Nex set. I have two of the K`Nex coaster sets and a double Ferris Wheel set in my basement. I also have many of the LEGO Architecture sets, as well as a Statue of Liberty set.

https://shop.lego.com/en-US/Roller-Coaster-10261?CMP=EMC-VIP2018_04_26_Roller_Coaster_EN+_US&HQS=hero_b_cta_NA_EN&RMID=VIP_2018_04_26_Roller_Coaster_Announcement_NA&RRID=147069744 I personally am a huge LEGO fan (I have the Disney Castle set in my basement). I might have to purchase this, although the price tag is pretty steep.

Coney has exciting things in store for the 2018 season. In addition to the previously announced temporary attraction, the Island Wheel (more info on that here) there are many exciting changes coming to the park. To make room for some of these additions, one attraction had to be retired. The Como Cruisers have officially been retired. Taking up residence in their spot on Lake Como will be Storybook Pedal boats. Swans and Dragons pedal boats will now call Lake Como home. There is more that is new in 2018. The Mini Golf Course has been renovated, and features recreations of 9 Cincinnati landmarks. Additionally, the Python roller coaster is receiving a new paint job and some theming. Check out this rendering: Additionally, Coney has partnered with ThinkTV Network and CET Public Television to create a “beyond broadcast” experience that incorporates popular PBS Kids characters with a “play and learn” environment. Included will be interactives that have been chosen specifically to align with the PBS Kids mission of building imagination and curiosity. Starting with the new PBS Kids Backyard, a playground area for kids to climb, slide, play and learn. When it’s time to cool down or calm down, parents and kids can head to the new PBS Kids Quiet Time area. PBS Kids Quiet Time area allows moms and their little ones a cool quiet place to step away from the sun and crowds for a needed break. The room is equipped with two private breastfeeding stations, changing tables, private restroom, and a quiet space for kids to relax. This new space is equipped with PBS Kids “quiet time” videos to aid in calming little ones and perhaps help foster nap time. In addition to the changes to the Python, several rides at Coney are getting new 3d ride signage from Kingdom Productions. Read more and see more photos here. Below is just one sample image of the new sign for the kiddie airplane ride, now called Flying Aces. Find out more information on Coney Island by logging onto their website at www.coneyislandpark.com or checking out their Facebook page.

This is still a work in progress. We hope to have an update soon.

That has been a common question. They were typically blocked off for Haunt. I am not sure if they are concerned with people walking to and from the Drop off area, or what.

I was not that impressed with Goliath at Six Flags over Georgia. I personally do not mind mid course brake runs.

I still wish that KI would bring back the Clown band. It adds so much to the atmosphere!

They were promoting Winterfest as part of your Gold Pass if you upgraded your ticket today on FunTV in the Festhaus this evening. I rode The Beast once yesterday and once today, and did not notice anything different with the lift speeds on The Beast. One thing I noticed both yesterday and today, is that the actual lights on the Carousel were not on. Hopefully this gets fixed as the ride looked extremely dark. The lights on the Carousel shelter were on, but the lights on the actual ride itself were not. Just seemed off. Glad to hear the band organ playing though. Had a nice evening at the park this evening with my wife and son. I actually rode Woodstock`s Whirlybirds for the first time ever tonight with him. The crew working that attractions was quite awesome and interacting with the guests and high fiving people when they got off, asking what our favorite ride was, etc. We enjoyed their enthusiasm so much, that we stopped by guest relations on the way out to leave them a guest compliment.

I am thinking that the trees that were in the area with the planters (I believe the brick planters are the existing ones) were likely dying/past their mature life, as I think they were original/transplants from Coney. It was nice to see the new colored concrete seat wall where the High Striker game used to be. Also, the Subway building was repainted. Additionally, the Main Source Bank ATMs have been rebranded as First Financial Banks, after the First Financial Bank purchase/merger with Main Source Bank officially closed on April 1st. I also noticed that the lights on the actual Grand Carousel were not on when I went by around 9pm. Hopefully someone just forgot to switch a switch, as the ride looked dark and kind of sad without those lights on. The band organ was at least on and playing though.

The Beast was decent tonight. Lines were pretty long for food stands. We ended up eating at Juke Box Diner. Line wasn`t too bad, and food was ok. We rode The Bat shortly after it opened. When we got in line, the line started at the bottom of the stairs. Line took about thirty minutes, due to dispatch times being about five minutes.

They used to do it every year. In fact, they used to do it four or five times a year, back when Erich Kunzel still conducted them, before his untimely passing due to cancer. In fact, his final concert at Riverbend caused a traffic jam on Kellogg that delayed the start of the concert, which in turn caused Coney`s rides to stay open an extra hour. (This was back when rides closed at 10pm on Saturday nights, and they were having fireworks on select Saturday closings, and Coney couldn`t shoot off the fireworks until the conclusion of the concert).

I see what you meant. The Cincinnati Pops used to play some concerts at Riverbend in the summer months. I am not sure if they have done that recently. I do know that the Riverbend schedule the last several years has been pretty well filled out, as in several concerts in back to back to back days, etc.

Actually, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra`s wholly owned subsidiary, Music and Event Management, or MEMI, is responsible for booking acts at Riverbend and the PNC Pavilion. They also book events for the Taft Theater, and manage the Rose Music Center, which is owned by the City of Huber Heights. http://www.cincinnatisymphony.org/stories/annual-report/music-event-management-inc/

Yep. And we have caught people smoking on pedal boats at Coney. And I am not just talking a cigarette or pipe, either.

The Rose Music Center. Add in the fact that the Jack Casino now books acts, and The Banks is looking to add a concert venue as well. What many people do not realize is that Riverbend Music Center is actually owned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.