CoastersRZ

I agree. I was disheartened when I heard about this. I certainly hope this doesn`t spell bad things for the park moving forward. I wonder if Pat Koch will still be at the park greeting visitors this year. Hopefully things can be amended, but the fact that Dan Koch was fired certainly doesn`t bode well. I sense some rough seas ahead.

I think its safe to say that Bluegrass Boardwalk certainly distracted them from their main property. It is really amazing how Holiday World has blossomed over the years. Hopefully they can pull from a larger demographic area in the coming years. Although, some of their geographic area also is the same geographic area in which Kings Island pulls from.

I`d say this is a great choice too. This guy was picked and came to the park when Will was still alive, so he clearly knows the park and the Koch family values. I was actually surprised that Dan Koch stayed up here as long as he did. Hopefully good things come out of Holiday World in the coming years.

And isn`t the Best Western in Kings Dominion`s parking lot owned by Cedar Fair? I could be wrong, but I seem to recall coming across that information at some point. I may actually be returning to Kings Dominion this spring. I last was there in 2000, so its been a while since my last visit. I also plan to hit up BGW too, and I`ve never been there.

I assume you meant to say the pic of the defunct "TA"? I think it is time for Action Zone to get an update in the coming years. Short of International Street (which has received some new pavers and general sprucing up the last couple of seasons), Action Zone and Oktoberfest are really the two areas of the park that Cedar Fair hasn`t really touched since they took control of the park. And Action Zone is definitely needing something new. The last new attraction to open up there was Delirium, and that is now ten years old! Hard to believe how quickly time flies. I remember looking at construction pictures for that ride online and riding it on opening day!

I wouldn`t say that Boocifer`s castle needs a major update. I still sorely miss Phantom Theater. It was a really unique attraction, and the Sally Dark Rides installation can be found at so many parks now, that it isn`t unique. (And it can be frustrating when those darn guns can`t seem to hit the targets no matter how hard you try). Hopefully this renewed focus carries over to the seasonal parks as others have mentioned. Keep in mind that Knott`s is just down the road from Disneyland, so the typical Knott`s customer is accustomed to seeing Disney caliber theming, while the average Kings Island customer is not. Not to mention that Kings Island is only open seven months out of the year, there is less time to generate revenue when compared to Knott`s.

And I`d have to assume that Disney see the potential to more than earn back the initial upfront cost of the program. In order to facilitate this initiative, Disney has installed free WiFi at the Walt Disney World complex, a 40 square mile area. I have to admit that the idea of having a Disney character say your kids name and wish them Happy Birthday is beyond cool and will certainly sell the magic and create a memory to last a life time. And as the article points out, it will allow Disney to collect information about their guests and their patterns, which will be useful in so many ways. From future park attractions, to amending show times, to park operating hours, staffing, and so much more. It will be cool to see what comes out of this. My one fear is that in the future, when you plan a trip to Walt Disney World, you will schedule your entire park visit, before even stepping foot in the park. That takes some of the spontaneity out of a visit to an amusement park if the entire day is all mapped out before even walking into the place.

Why do you want a new section of the park? X-Base, back by where Flight of Fear is could use some sprucing up and a flat ride or two and a set of restrooms. Have you ever hiked to the nearest restroom to Flight of Fear/Firehawk? Its quite the hike.

Wow! I started doing something similar in 2000, Don. I have been keeping track using an excel file since 2000. I love numbers and statistics and looking at numbers. Sometimes I wonder why I went into architecture instead of going into accounting, since I like numbers so much. But I also enjoy architecture too. I have visited Kings Island 367 times since the start of 2000 and ridden The Beast 749 times, which pales in comparison to your numbers. Here is a question for you. If you could ride one roller coaster that you never got to ride before it was closed/demolished, which one would it be? I would have to go with the Shooting Star at Coney. I`ve always heard wonderful things about that ride.

I have only ever been to one Coastermania, and that was back in 2007. It was a really fun event. I also enjoyed the similar Ride Warriors Weekend at Kings Island back in 2009. I wish Kings Island would do something similar again. It was a great time.

Yes, it didn`t exactly work out. They were even stating that people would have to get "free" tickets to see the Santa`s Toy Factory show. Essentially to reserve a spot in the Kings Island Theater. I think had the park priced Winterfest comparable to Festival of Lights, they would have had a huge hit on their hands, as Winterfest did have good entertainment value. They just over priced it. I wonder if the thought has crossed Ouimet`s mind of re-introducing it at some of the properties.

Winterfest compared to the event that The Beach had (HolidayFest) was like night and day. I found the Beach`s event to be lacking in entertainment value and just not a lot to do. I attended WinterFest in 2005, and would have recommended it to anyone. Yes, I think the pricing back in 2005 was a little high. But look at Dollywood. They pull off a wonderful winter event. Yes, Cincinnati is more subject to bad winter weather in December, and the unpredictibility that comes with that. But I think if the price point is right, a re-incarnated Winterfest can lengthen the season at Kings Island and several of the other CF parks. From everything I heard, the original WinterFest was a financial success. And I think if they priced it right, a new Winterfest could be too. They would have to be careful not to price themselves out of the market, which is what I think happened in 2005.

Speaking of the original subject of this thread, demolition began on RiverDowns today, as they started to tear down the first building. And the building that is actually situated closest to Coney (the white Club house building), will not be torn down.

Fair enough. Whenever one is on sound footing, I have no objections.

There is nothing wrong with a good hobby! Especially one that can be as rewarding as that. I actually have a Coca-Cola train that circles my room!

Well, it would more accurately be called a retention basin. Retention basins hold and retain water (and are usually filled with water), while detention basin`s simply detain water until the ground can adequately absorb it.

I have never heard of it referred to as that before.

I still have never made it out to Entertainment Junction. I have said that I`m going to go there the last year and a half and I just haven`t made it out there yet. This addition will definitely make me get out there once it opens!

I would think there would be some sort of fence, unless they plant some temporary grass. But that all depends on what they are going to do for future park expansion. And what exactly is a blitz coaster?

The main haunt was housed on what was the ride room of the building. The actual Haunt I think only took up about 1/3 of the ride room. They used the antechamber for the feast and part of the queue line. The queue leading up to the antechamber was used as just that, the queue line.

Thanks, Paul! You truly have some gems in your collection!

Odds are you would find me at Coneys Island, and not at Kings Island. But when I am at Kings Island, I spend most of my time at The Beast and Diamondback.

I agree. They would be a great fit at Coney too!

Not going to happen. Riverbend sits on land that used to belong to Coney. That being said, Coney may still have a few tricks up its sleeve for 2013...

This gives me another reason to visit EnterTRAINment Junction in the spring. And as I have said, Coney Island isn't going anywhere any time soon.