CoastersRZ

http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/31568-typhoon-tower/?p=701910

A new 16,000 square feet interactive water play structure is coming to Coney Island in 2016. It will include a 33 foot tall "Hydro Storm" that will dump more than 1,300 gallons of water at a time, making it the world`s largest Hydro Storm. It will also include two water slides. The attraction will be located in the northeast corner of Sunlite Pool, near the main parking entrance to the park. http://coneyislandpark.com/typhoon-tower

I didn`t get to Kings Island as much as I would have liked this summer. (Working a full time job and as a rides manager at Coney on the weekends tends to restrict my availability slightly. Not to mention spending time with my wife, although we did visit KI numerous times together). I made 11 trips to Kings Island this year. But I got to visit lots of parks this year. They include Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Knott`s Berry Farm, Pacific Park, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Hollywood, Holiday World, Six Flags St. Louis, Worlds of Fun, Silver Dollar City, Kentucky Kingdom and Stricker`s Grove. All told I added 49 new coasters to my track record, which now stands at 223. I know I haven`t been on KIC as much as I used to be. But I still like to pop in from time to time, and I still read the forums.

Coney posted another tease to their Facebook page yesterday (see below). They will announce the new addition next Thursday.

And it should also be noted that Jimmy provides the narration for the Backlot Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood.

But The Bat did have seat belts for a few seasons.

To my knowledge, Racer receive quite a bit of track work a few seasons back. I rode The Beast this past Friday, and thought the ride was quite enjoyable. Still one of my favorite wooden coasters. Of course I rode it at night, and there is nothing quite like a night ride on The Beast at night through the woods.

Coney just posted on their Facebook page this image: They also posted this caption to the image: "A storm is coming in 2016. Big news coming soon! Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for updates."

The Beast theming actually has a Son of Beast reference. Right between the first and second queue house, SoB is spelled on the ground with rock/sticks, and there are a couple of pieces (wheel covers) from the original Son of Beast trains. They also added signs to the first and second queues that say "Beast Containment Area 1/2" or something to that effect.

I know that this topic is WinterFest at Carowinds. I didn`t specifically state anything about Winterfest at KI, other than the oddity of having both Halloween and Christmas stuff out at the end of the "regular" season in October. I`m sure Carowinds had this same issue when they had WinterFest in 2005. It would seem that Carowinds would be a logical park for Cedar Fair to introduce a winter event again. They have been investing heavily at Carowinds. If successful at Carowinds, it could help add meaningful revenue to Cedar Fair`s bottom line. I think if done right, these events could be successful for Cedar Fair, and not just at Carowinds. (Yes, even KI could. )

Well, by your logic, people still have to traverse the parking lots at the Cincinnati Zoo and Columbus Zoo. The Columbus Zoo parking lot is quite expansive and open, just like Kings Islands. See also Dollywood with the popularity of their Smoky Mountain Christmas. Part of the attraction to these events are the Christmas lights and decorations. To me, it would seem like a logical way for Cedar Fair to extend their season and generate some revenue at a time when the parks are normally not generating revenue. However, in hosting winter events, it condenses the time the park has to do off season maintenance. This is especially true for any rides that are open. I know that Dollywood received one of the Ozark Wildcat trains so they can rehab it during the summer, and then only have to rehab one of Thunderhead`s trains in their short three month off season. Additionally, when KI last had Winterfest, their was the weird last weekend where there was Halloween Haunt stuff up, but there were also Christmas decorations throughout the park.

Sorry to hear that. I believe that his son, Augie Lococo still works for Cedar Fair today. See this article about Gatekeeper: http://www.toledoblade.com/business/2013/04/06/New-roller-coaster-on-fast-track-for-Sandusky-bound-thrill-seekers.html

Look at the recent history of additions at Coney. This year the rides side saw the addition of two new rides. Last year Wipeout replaced a ride. 2013 also saw a ride replaced by another ride (Como Cruisers replaced bumper boats). The last new addition over at Sunlite Pool was the Twister water slides, which were installed back in 2009. So it might be time for something new over at Sunlite. But then again, a water ride or log flume could be a big hit at Coney as well. It is quite hard to see into the future before something actually happens.

There might be a couple of the "crates" from Phantom Theater set up by The Beast`s lower queue house. Or as new signage states, "Beast Containment Area 1". There are also some tombstones with sticks in the formation of SoB and some panels off of the original Premier trains between queue house 1 and 2.

While the current park president at Coney, Vic Nolting, is retiring soon, I can assure you that he will not be replaced by one Bart Kinzel. Any word where Bart ended up after he "left" Carowinds?

I agreed with Australia winning. I thought that England was second best. I didn`t get to enjoy any of the shows in their complete entirety except the finale as I had to keep answering my radio.

On the flyers that the park was handing out yesterday with information on Fire Up the Night, there was a teaser on the bottom. It said "Big. Wet. Wild. Coming in 2016!" Hmmm.

Imperial79, how did you enjoy the fireworks? I was there yesterday from 2pm until well after the fireworks, managing the rides.

It should also be noted that ten years ago, Kings Island was gearing up for its short lived reincarnation of WinterFest. Its one and only season that it returned for was in 2005.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2015/09/22/fireworks-coney-island-international/72624488/ Coney`s rides will be open from 4pm until the start of the fireworks at 8:30pm. This is the fourth year that they are doing this event. New this year, will be hot air balloons glowing in Moonlite Mall, similar to on July 3rd. It is a fun event, and admission is $30 per carload. Pass holders to Coney receive a $5 discount. I will be there working. If you plan on going, be sure to say hi if you see me!

Coney made it through the flooding the way they always do. Some hard work and cleaning from the employees and the park looks like new. The rides office (which is located right by Swing A Round), had about eight inches of flood water in it.

I agree that a ride like that would be a huge hit. It would certainly tip those on the fence into visiting the park, especially those who have never visited Coney before.

Definitely a good read with lots of informative facts in there! I rode the Carousel yesterday and the band organ was playing, although it seemed as if the drums and symbols were turned off. Still great hearing the organ play, but it was missing the full effect with the percussion not there.

Very exciting news for the Cincinnati Zoo. For those of you who have never been to the Cincinnati Zoo, it is a wonderful facility. It is also one of the oldest zoo in the country. They have been making lots of renovations and investments over the years. I would highly recommend a visit.

Yes, Al Weber was GM of Kings Island from 1992 to 1998. He had been with the company all the way back to 1976 when he was director of operations at Carowinds. After leaving KI, he became COO of Paramount Parks before eventually becoming CEO, until Paramount Parks was sold to Cedar Fair. He is actually a native of Cincinnati, having went to Xavier University. He actually got his start in the business working in operations at Cincinnati`s Coney Island! http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/al-weber-named-president--ceo-of-paramount-parks-77689812.html That article also mentions Jane Cooper, who was the CEO of Paramount Parks prior to Al Weber being promoted to that post. Incidentally, Jane also graduated from Xavier. She is now the COO of Herschend Family Entertainment. I have never been to Indiana Beach. One of these days I hope to make it out there.