FUN&ONLY!

In 1972, Kings Island had many rides sponsored by companies and a lot of asphalt walkways. Now these sights are much more rare to see at the park. Not everything was better in 1972 when it comes to Kings Island. For me, the saddest thing to see is parts of Kings Island that are not being maintained over the years. International Street was a shell of its former self pre renovation. However, after the 2019 renovation, it looks much better. Same story with the Festhaus and the theming on Adventure Express. I don’t think Cedar Fair neglects parts of the park for the most part. However, it would be nice to see the stations and queue areas of The Beast and Adventure Express fixed up. Furthermore, like International Street, some original aspects of the park have become outdated. The entrance comes to mind. Even thought it is mostly original, it could stand to be reimagined just like International Street was.

My theory is that COVID played a role in some of the shows being cut. I noticed that only a week ago most performers in the parade did not wear masks. Now almost all performers are wearing masks. I am all for COVID precautions, but I found it interesting that many performers were wearing masks after not wearing them previously. I heard that “What the Dickens” had its run end early as the cast was affected by COVID. For the Four Drummers Drumming, two of them are still in the parade, but the other two and the show is gone. Kings Island makes all performers fill out availability before they can be hired, so it is highly unlikely Kings Island expected to have to cut these shows. I assume that in some cases, one person or multiple performers tested positive or were forced to quarantine resulting in shows being cut. I don’t think there would have been as many shows for Winterfest as were announced if Kings Island knew so many of the shows would end their runs early. I think what we are seeing is just a sign of the times unfortunately. Hopefully, things will be better in 2022 not just for Kings Island but for the world.

It seems a few changes have been made to Kings Island‘s 2022 calendar since its release. Notably, Opening Day and the following Saturdays in April have hours until 10:00 PM. These days previously had hours until only 8:00 PM. Also, it seems like for Fridays in May, the park now opens at 10:00 AM instead of the previously posted 5:00 PM. The park still closes at 10:00 PM on these Fridays.

That is great news! Did he share any other updates at the event like retracking?

It is interesting that you mention that Winterfest feels better with a decent crowd because I completely agree. I feel like everyone wants Kings Island to be completely dead when they visit, but even in the summer, I feel like when Kings Island is dead, the atmosphere and excitement are lowered tremendously. Call me crazy, but when I go to Kings Island, I prefer there to be some crowds, especially for an event like Winterfest.

I wonder when pass holder preview will be. It could be on April 15th or could it be the weekend before opening day like it was this year.

I think in general there are a lot of props/ effects that have not been kept up over the years. I think Winterfest is improving every year, but a lot of the decorations need replaced from year to year. For example, look at Brewhouse. Half the lights that are supposed to outline the building are out. The lights outlining the buildings seem to have been kept up for the most part on International Street, but they could really use some love on International Street. In addition, one of the polar bears is missing from around the Winterfest sign, probably because it wasn’t working. When a tree or prop that is clearly supposed to be lit up isn’t, it is pretty noticeable.

I don’t think any new elements are being added to The Beast, but this work is more than just retracking. If Kings Island just wanted to retract The Beast, there wouldn’t be parts of the structure torn up as well. Gravity Group reprofiled The Racer last offseason by reshaping some of the airtime hills, and I suspect they will be reshaping the some of The Beast’s turns and drops. I also wouldn’t worry too much about The Beast becoming less intense because Gravity Group only made the airtime on The Racer more intense.

I saw the pink ribbons on The Racer as well. I hope Gravity Group is working on The Racer’s second half this offseason. This would kind of explain why The Racer has not begun its repaint yet.

It was at the Planet Snoopy Grill, but now that is Ghost of Restaurant Past.

According to the Winterfest map, it doesn’t look like Tom and Chee will be returning to Kings Island for the event. The usual stand by Diamondback seems to be the new home of Reindeer Roundup this year instead of the hot chocolate stand, and the hot chocolate stand seems to be combined with the Planet Snoopy Grill this year (now it is called the Ghost of Restuarant Past). However, if you look under Other Dining Locations for Winterfest on the website, it shows an option for Tom and Chee, but the restaurant has no designated location on the map. https://cdn-cloudfront.cfauthx.com/binaries/content/assets/ki-en-us/general-information/explore/directions/ki22-026-winterfest-digital-park-map-and-guide.pdf

I was referring to the actual operation of the event which does mostly rely on seasonal labor. When it comes to preparing for Winterfest, if Kings Island contracts out a bunch of the work, I feel like they would be able to get the park flipped on whatever time table they decide. Anyways, I don’t understand why Kings Island cannot stay open after December 31st like other parks because they will already have everything set up and ready.

I doubt it was staffing. Kings Island was better off for staffing this year compared to many other parks as they never had to cut operating days. Also, how many times have you seen Kings Island advertise for Winterfest positions? I have really only see advertisements for live entertainment, so I would imagine the staffing situation is pretty good.

I thought this was cool! Flight of Fear is now actually renamed Flight of Cheer on Kings Island’s website. It would be cool if this name change is present on the Winterfest map and on the ride’s signage as well. I also am eager to see how Area 72 is decorated for Winterfest this year.

It looks like the Eiffel Tower repaint is complete!

I honestly thought the top looked yellow when I drove by Kings Island this morning, but in the evening it looked white. I assume that it looked yellow with the way the sun was shining. If the top was yellow, I assume it is new paint based on previous updates with white primer, and I think the green is definitely old paint. I think Kings Island is going to put primer on the whole tower before giving it whatever color scheme they are planning.

We have to remember that paint also serves to protect the rollercoasters agains the environment. Adventure Express may need a just new coat of paint for protection. However, it would be nice if Adventure Express’s queue and station were repainted because they need it. Also, The Beast’s station could use some paint and stain.

I doubt Kings Island would repaint Drop Tower themselves, though. Maybe a different painting firm is also working at Kings Island? It would be weird to hire two companies though.

In Amusement Today’s latest publication, Baynum Painting provided a list of the rides they are repainting this year. For Kings Island, they are repainting the Eiffel Tower, Adventure Express, and The Racer. This does not include Flying Ace Aerial Chase or Drop Tower which we now know are also getting repainted. It is surprising that those two rides are not also on this list.

The Cedar Fair park apps aren’t too accurate though.

Cedar Fair has some new policies this year such as employees not being able to work more than 7 days in a row and employees being capped at a certain number of hours worked a day unless they volunteer to work more. These policies have definitely not helped staffing situations, but I think they were implemented to improve the work experience. A lot of employees do not enjoy working all day during Halloween Haunt, for example, which is technically no longer possible unless you volunteer to do it. I don’t know if Six Flags has similar work rules in place.

Diamondback needs a repaint very badly. It would honestly spruce up Rivertown so much as it dominates that section of Kings Island.

If the buildings get repainted, I wonder if other parts of Planet Snoopy will be renovated. Some of the color schemes and colored concrete could stand to be removed. Planet Snoopy really does need some love.

I think the top of the tower is all they have completely finished so far. Kings Island probably wanted to get the top done in time for Halloween Haunt. The ready of the tower seems like it is being prepped for a final coat of green paint.

Jokes aside, I hope he continues to fulfill his corporate position out of Kings Island. I really hope he doesn’t get relocated to Cedar Fair’s corporate offices in Sandusky or Charlotte.