CoastersRZ

They spent a lot of money on the special effects. I believe they added them in 1969.

I don`t know if Zephyr or Scrambler ever operated for Winterfest in years past. I know that they weren`t included in the reincarnation in 2005. (In fact most of Coney Mall) was not open. Tinker`s Toy Factory which will be held in the Festhaus, will likely be similar to Santa`s Toy Factory which ran during the original version of Winterfest and the version that ran in 2005. It is a good show. I am super excited for Winterfest, and am sure I will visit multiple times. My wife and I plan on being there on opening night!

Yes, the tunnels are still there. They are actually more like bridges than tunnels. If you park in the Group Sales lot or go to something at Moonlite Gardens, then you pass over these tunnels. There is no track left, and security does park their bikes in them. There is actually a third bridge/tunnel that carries the runoff from Lake Como into a creek. There really isn`t much to see, and the tunnels are surrounded by trees on both sides, although they did just trim the trees back a little bit. If you visit Coney, be sure to check out the new museum exhibit located by the Swing a Round ride. Some very cool photos and artifacts in it.

Yes, it looks like they were exploring the idea of building a looping coaster from Arrow earlier than 1987. Keep in mind that King Cobra opened in 1984, so placing the earlier version of the ride there might not have been the location of the ride. Parks always do guest surveys to help key in on what would be most profitable for them to install.

Please provide a source to where it was stated that they found a can of red paint and a paint brush under the ride.

I was there last year, but didn`t do any haunts. I wish KI would do some of the Halloween themed overlays they are doing for some of their rides. It doesn`t take a lot to do some of these, as some of them are just soundtracks, but still adds to the overall atmosphere. Kudos to Cedar Point for doing small things like this.

Marty Sklar wrote a book a few years back which I read. Well worth a read for any Disney fan.

Keep in mind that standards can change over the years. I am not stating that The Beast couldn`t safely be run with just buzz bars and no head rests. But buildings that were build forty years ago to meet building code, might not meet building codes today, especially since ANSI A117 was introduced (ADA).

Sad news indeed. Especially following on the heels of Marty Sklar. Thoughts go out to his family.

My wife and I actually visited the park earlier in June this year. We even ventured into the water park for a few hours. The water park has a weird set up, with new slides on the site that used to be home to Chang. It is definitely a fun little park (although it isn`t exactly little). Storm Chaser and Lightning Run are really fun, smooth rides. Lightning Run doesn`t seem that tall or big, but it packs a big punch. Definitely worth the trip. And Storm Chaser is breath taking as well. Nice to see you posting again Ronny. I too have not posted here as much as I used to. Been busy with my son. My Kings Island trips have become more sparse, but still manage to visit about ten times so far this year. I still am working at Coney, winding down in my 16th season working there. Hard to believe I have been there that long.

If I am not mistaken, Thunderhead at Dollywood has to close once the temperature dips below 35. Mystery Mine has a higher operating temperature limit. I believe 40 degrees that is has to achieve to operate. Let me tell you that 37 on Thunderhead is quite breath taking.

It would be amazing if Coney Mall received a revamp like Carowinds did with County Fair this year. Some "new" classic flat rides, and some new theming would really help liven up Coney Mall. I think the light conversions that have been done on Shake Rattle and Roll and Scrambler are a great start. But there are several areas where some flat rides could be added. Compared to Canada`s Wonderland, Kings Island is sorely lacking in the flat ride department.

Personally, the Six Flags parks that I have been to (Six Flags Great Adventure, Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags St. Louis) all had a certain quality about them. I wouldn`t describe it as "cheap," but they all seemed to have a sense of being superficial and only after making money. The theming seems cheap, and not maintained really well. I wouldn`t say dirty, but they feel a little more seedy than a Cedar Fair park. I would prefer to visit a Cedar Fair park any day over a Six Flags park.

I`ve actually wanted to visit Michigan`s Adventure for quite some time now. It seems like a very nice, family friendly park. (I also want to get to Valleyfair). Those two parks comprise three of the Cedar Fair parks that I have not visited. California`s Great America being the other. Once my son is older, we will be taking him to these parks. On the subject of music, what would riding Top Thrill Dragster be, if one did not here "Baby I`m Ready to go" music? Or hearing the western theme music in line for Maverick? The experience would certainly be different.

And eventually, those college aged people will become parents who will then take themselves and their kids to the park...

I also would like to say the notion that the music that is played on International Street has no impact on whether or not a college age student visits Kings Island. I think there are enough college age students that visit Kings Island. The instrumental music in my opinion is a small touch that makes the park feel like Disney. I do not like that other than Planet Snoopy, the entire park seems to play the exact same music. It would be wonderful if each area of the park had a theme to the music that was played. It can help give that extra piece of atmosphere. And it helps to make the "Best Day Ever" that Matt Ouimet has championed while at the helm of Cedar Fair. His logic is that if parents take their kids to KI and they make memories at the park, they will in turn want to take their own kids to the park when they are older to recreate the same fond memories they had of visiting the park when they were kids, thus building continual future, repeat customers. Music, theming and atosphere are big contributing factors to that.

So the question is, was Kings Dominion still playing the instrumental music on their International Street this weekend? And is there a reasoning behind the decision to switch from the instrumental music to the pop music? Sounds to me like someone is micromanaging. Please make sure to voice your opinion to the park directly on how much the music added to the atmosphere of KI and International Street.

I do not approve of the move to pop music on International Street. Makes it feel less magical when entering the park. Not to mention the same music can be heard throughout the park, regardless of the section of park you are in.

I wonder if it had anything to do with the park wide promotional announcements for Winterfest and the Fire and Safety weekend this weekend. Hopefully the classical music returns to International Street. That made the park entrance feel majestic, as if entering a Disney park.

Yes, that was a thing during the original Winterfest that ran from 1982 to 1992.

I was at the park tonight. I noticed Christmas lights were strung around some of the building on International Street. Sweet Spot, LaRosa`s and Graeter`s all had lights strung up.

Yes, that is sound logic. However, they may have chosen to forgo the heating element when installing the HVAC system to save money. Why install a heating system when the ride is not open in the peak winter season?

I think the area of the water tower (now the area of shaded seating in front of Ice Scream Zone) was just part of the midway. Extreme Skyflyer was added in 1995 (called Drop Zone when it first opened). Before the Action Zone rebranding of Adventure Village in 1999, there was a gift shop located where the Ice Scream Zone is today. In fact the exit of King Cobra used to dump you into this gift shop. Not unlike what banshee does today.

Yes, that is the Kings Mills log flume as it was known then. It was standing but not operating in 2000 before being renovated for the new Nickeloedon Central in 2001. Today it is known as Race For Your Life Charlie Brown. The ride originally opened at Cincinnati's Coney Island in 1968, and was located next to the Shooting Star.

Topic bump. Coney is looking for ride operators to look weekends through mid-October. If you are interested in a part time weekend job, please send me a PM. Or if you know someone who is interested, let me know and tell them to contact me. And yes, Coney now offers direct deposit. Thanks, Robbie