Hawaiian Coasters 325

International Restaurant has an elevator I believe

Yeah that definitely looks like a VIP lounge or just a patio seating area just for everyone.

When it comes to a potential Oktoberfest overhaul, there is a lot you can do. I came up with a little mock up art. The color circles are where potential flat rides could go. The orange one I believe is where the spinning keggers were, the red is SlingShot's area, and the yellow is just an open grass area in between Tower Gardens and the restrooms. I think any flat ride could work in any area. I think bringing back the spinning keggers is a great idea. Another idea is a Zamperla NebulaZ themed around beer brewing (similar to how Hersheypark's is themed around mixing candy). Another idea is a Trabant type ride. Those are currently my 3 picks for a potential Oktoberfest overhaul. The two light brown arches are Oktoberfest entry points that would have an Oktoberfest sign. I think honestly they should go around and put area signs at the entrance to each major area (AZ, Oktoberfest, Coney Mall, and Rivertown). The ladder game structure looks to be sticking around for something. Idk what its going to be used for as they recently put up a 50th banner in there and they painted it and gave it a roof. Maybe a photo op or even a lounge area. I think after 2022, they could use it for extra seating for Hanks which is why I kept it. I agree, they should update the Coke Marketplace to make it German/rustic like for Oktoberfest.

11th commandment broken......lol

Honestly if this is the case, I'll kinda miss the ride. However, I thought it did not fit the Oktoberfest area at all. I think Oktoberfest should receive an update theming wise with maybe a new ride or two.

I've said it before, this location would be a good spot for a multi level german lodge restaurant. Think the restaurant being built at Canada's Wonderland, but would serve German/Irish Pub food. Think of the views of Banshee from a patio of such restaurant.

It was which is why I am confused. Idk if something came up unexpectedly? Maybe an overhaul is coming? Our slingshot is an older one (opened in 2002). We'll see what happens.

Something is going on with SlingShot! Saw this post in a group I'm in: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1911796235874779&set=gm.1196540507852133

These changes are really good changes! Hopefully they continue this. Some changes in particular I want to see is Jukebox diner get some updates done similar to what Cedar Point did with Coasters Diner. I believe they made it cafeteria style which I think makes the lines faster there. I also want to see the area to the right of Jukebox turned into a covered patio. They already have a small section of covered seating there, but I'd like to see that whole right side turned into a patio and put in a new bar there. Another change I want to see is Coconut Cove in Soak City get expanded a bit. Make it so you can line up inside the building so the line isn't always spilling onto the midway there and on both sides of Coconut Cove give it covered patio seating.

Or when @King Ding Dong is there......lol

Kings Island code of conduct: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/code-of-conduct

Last year they were all pretty short pretty much walk on especially during morning ERT.

Not really a full layout concept, but more of an idea of how they could route the station/queue line if they were to make it part of Rivertown which I honestly hope happens because I really want our next coaster to have a cowboy/western theme like Maverick!

I would also like to see the Banshee lighting package updated. Banshee's light package from like 2014-2018 had a lot of LED lights and a little fog, but it seems like lately the lighting package has been disappearing and not as good as it used to. The LED movers that were in the queue were I think removed after 2018 which is a shame. The maintenance lights on the lift also seem to be burnt out. I'd like to see the lighting package updated maybe for its 10th anniversary in 2024 along with a repaint. I'd also like to see a purple LED strip added to the lift like on Orion. I'd also love to see that. Maybe build a wood queue house over the queue line. Also please repaint Diamondback.

Made a mock up of something I'd like to see. Think something along the lines of the 2 story rustic lodge restaurant going to Canada's Wonderland get built in the large grass area near Diamondback's brake run. Have it be sit down like Brewhouse and feature a nice patio on the basement level facing Diamondback's brake run. Could even have live music on it. Would also be a nice grand entrance to Rivertown from the tower.

@King Ding Dong must not be in the park. Look whats open....

An interesting sight was spotted at Worlds of Fun in their old Dinosaurs Alive area. Some survey stakes/markings were spotted and clearing has begun. Obviously it could be anything, but 2023 would mark 14 years since their last coaster Prowler opened in 2009 so to say they are overdue for a new coaster is an understatement. Also their has been rumors from Screamscape (like always take that with a grain of salt) about them wanting to add a modern replacement for Zambezi Zinger or Orient Express. https://www.screamscape.com/html/worlds_of_fun.htm We'll see where this heads and will be an interesting development to watch over the weeks and months ahead! Fingers crossed its a coaster, but of course we'll have to wait and see!

There hasn't been any official announcement regarding Spirit Song, but tickets would be on sale if they were having it, so likely not this year. However, one of the sister events to Spirit Song that takes place at Dollywood ran by the same organizers is back so maybe they are seeing how it goes and they could bring it back next year. We'll just have to wait and see.

I believe in the past, they didn't start putting up the audio/sound equipment there until like a week or so before the concerts began (or in that case the start of Spirit Song).

A friend of mine who is on The Beast crew is currently on the crew of West Pie (Woodstock Express, Whirlybirds, Red Baron, Mini Dodgems, and Charlie Brown Windup along with the height wall there) until Beast opens.

They did just repaint it so that likely won't happen for a while. I could see some Rivertown like theming added in the future though (think Mystery Mine).

Skillet is coming at the end of July with an opening act for them. So basically it could be like Spirit Song.

To go along with this, during Spirit Song they would usually have some radio station tents and booths set up near Congo. I wonder if some of those booths and tents will be at these concerts specifically the Skillet one where maybe Star 93.3 sets up their tent. They usually set it up right by Congo near the entrance to Timberwolf and it features a photo wall and cool goodies. Imo it makes AZ have very nice energy before, during, and after the concerts.

Glad they are bringing in Skillet! A lot of people who usually go to Spirit Song will likely go to this as Skillet is usually one of the big headlining bands of the 3 day festival along with artists like For King and Country, Newsboys, TobyMac, etc. A theory I could have is Premier Festivals may still be working on things with how the future of these festivals may go. They haven't announced they are permanently discontinuing spirit song and those other events and one of the sister festivals to Spirit Song (Rock the Smokies at Dollywood) is back. Maybe the park knew people miss the event so they decided to get Skillet to do a concert at the park to sorta hold Spirit Song fans over for next year when it could make its big return. Just some thoughts. I know absolutely nothing about what's going on behind the scenes.

The non park admission entrance to Timberwolf must be this new pathway that I saw from the tower that goes under Invertigo and connects to the pathway that goes under congo falls. I posted a sketch of it in another thread while back. It'll also be interesting to see if they'll have concessions during these concerts in the theater area. The blog post does say something about them selling lager at the events. During Spirit Song people would bring food and drinks from the park into the concerts. Idk if that'll be allowed for these or not. Also, another question I have is restrooms. Will they have like porta potties or something set up in the Timberwolf area for those who need to use the restroom and don't have park admission.