[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

Does anyone know if the Airbrush stand is actually going to be a part of Adventure Port? Right now, the map lists it as being in Adventure Port, but the colored concrete does not even extend all the way to it, and its color scheme does not fit the theme of area at all.

[Fence Ring around flag pole]

To be fair, the one set of temporary mental fences around the right side of the entrance has been there for at least a year. Kings Island could at least have installed a nicer more permanent fence. Even nicer temporary fencing like the fencing surrounding the temporary VIP Louge would be a huge improvement.

[Fence Ring around flag pole]

All of these temporary metal fences everywhere is a bad look and makes a poor first impression for guests. If Kings Island thinks that the main entrance is really that flawed from a security standpoint, then I think Kings Island should look to a more permanent solution and renovate the whole front entrance plaza. The temporary metal fences have really overstayed their welcome in my opinion.

[2023 Live Entertainment Discussions]

Does anyone know if the Firework and Drone Show is coming back this year. Carowinds recently announced theirs along with Worlds of Fun’s announcement last year. When does Kings Island usually announce their Firework show?

[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

There looks to be a lot of new speakers in the queues for the new rides as well in front of Enrique’s. I assume there are additional speakers in Adventure Express’ queue line and around the whole area. Obviously rides usually have speakers in their queue lines for communication with guests and for FunTV’s, but there are A LOT of new speakers for just a few FunTV’s (which usually have a sound bar for the sound anyways). The sound system setup in the queues honestly reminds me of Mystic Timbers’ queue, which plays an IMAscore soundtrack throughout the entire queue. Seeing these updates makes me really hopeful for a custom Adventure Port soundtrack! Atmospheric music really enhances the feel of any area by helping set the theme.

Edit: I just realized @KIghostguy already mentioned this. I guess I am just really excited.

[Pipeline Paradise Permanently Closed]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I got the news while working today and let me say I'm not shocked. I've always thought it was on the chopping block for years now and I believe it's very rarely open. Now for replacement, I've had this feeling that 2024 is a Soak City year fir awhile now. Honestly if they don't want to reroute the employee access road, they could put in something like Canada's Wonderland did in 2021 with Mountain Bay Cliffs where it's like a cliff jumping experience with multiple levels. 

Also an upside to this addition, it doesn't have to be the only addition. They could put in a new family or thrilling flat ride in the dry park. We'll have to wait and see though.

I could see a new water park addition along with a new Planet Snoopy addition. It is of note that the theater in the back of Planet Snoopy is not hosting any shows this year. Maybe Kings Island could demolish the theater and build a brand new food hall or add new rides. Kings Island was conducting guests surveys about Planet Snoopy in 2021 after all, and they even asked people about a new dining hall.

[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

There are two Fenton Rigging cranes in the parking lot today. Fenton Rigging has done many rigging projects with Kings Island before. I wonder if vertical construction on the new flat rides is going to start soon. Yesterday, I saw a truck carrying one of those massive shipping containers in the parking lot, which could have honestly been part of the shipment for the new flat rides. The shipment also could have been a number of other things, though. People used to go to Panjiva to look up recent shipments to Kings Island (and other parks), but I don’t know how to see Kings Island (or any parks) on the website anymore without purchasing a subscription.

[Pipeline Paradise Permanently Closed]

The removal of Pipeline Paradise actually opens a lot of room for expansion. If the employee roadway can be adjusted like it was when Tidal Wave Bat was built, Kings Island could expand Soak City a lot. Maybe Cedar Fair can give it a more local name like Miami River Shores or something.

[2023 Map. Oktoberfest lives on]

7 hours ago, zac2211 said:

Wait, does Diamondback still have its old color scheme?

The mapmakers probably just did not update it.

[Kings Island Prestige Pass]

I have seen on the Kings Island Season Passholders page on Facebook that select Prestige+ Passholders got an invite to media day for the Boardwalk at Cedar Point as an enhanced Pass Perk. That is a pretty cool perk in my opinion. Maybe other Prestige and Prestige+ Passholders will get invited to Adventure Port’s Media Day.

[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

I think the building is for Sol Spin’s machinery, but it also looks like it will also house one of Sol Spin’s operator booths. I hope Kings Island gets creative with the building and paints it to fit in with the theme of the ride and area.

[What is going on with The Bat?]

52 minutes ago, SonofBaconator said:

IMO, get rid of The Bat and let trees grow back there. Get rid of Congo Falls and Invertigo and replace is with a modern coaster:

 

Trees can take over just like all of the trees that have grown in behind Banshee where Son of Beast used to be. Just look at the picture. The reality is, if a ride goes and does not get replaced, its former plot is just going to be an empty field.

[What is going on with The Bat?]

48 minutes ago, ldhudsonjr said:

Has anyone heard any specific rumors on this? I've heard that they found a lot of cracks in the track and that it hasn't tested since march? Hopefully this doesn't get deleted because of the park not having given any information lol, that's why I'm posting it in rumors.

I have heard the same rumor. I also recall driving by the park a month or two ago and seeing a train on The Bat’s lift hill, and with that testing schedule, Kings Island seemed to have thought the ride would open with the park. Whatever the issues are, they seem to be unexpected. A lot of people are also claiming that The Bat, Drop Tower, and Delirium are being closed intentionally for staffing issues, but those rumors are doubtful as there are already crews assigned to these rides. There also does not appear to be any significant staffing issues, and if there were, I doubt these three rides (all decently popular) would be the ones to close.

[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

But I'm really hoping those weird tangled looking string lights are just temporary and we get the multi color hanging flags eventually like in the renderings. Also hoping we see the boats and stuff added to the Mercado along the dock like in the renderings

I hope the current lights are only temporary too. They do not look good. I was thinking that Kings Island may be waiting to put up the new banners around the area until the new rides are installed because there are probably going to be big cranes moving throughout the area that would interfere with the banners that hang over the midways.

Edit: This Amusement Today article from November (page 24 and 26) mentions that there will be theming hung over walkways, so I would expect the banners to happen at some point. Also, the article confirms that Sol Spin will be the larger 48 passenger version of the Zamperla Endeavor.

https://95a87e.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/issues/2022/202211ii/assets/downloads/AT-NOV-II-2022i.pdf

[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

1 hour ago, Snowball said:

I think with the aging and detailing that they've been doing to the paint on Coke marketplace and Enrique's, the roof on Enrique's won't look as "out of place" as it did before. Really can't wait to see this area finished!

I really do like the attention to detail on the buildings, but the roof of Enrique’s/The Mercado really does not fit the style of Adventure Port. Even with aging applied to the buildings, I still feel like the roof will feel out of place. I am still holding out hope that the roof will get addressed, but I am pretty doubtful at this point. Roof aside, I think Adventure Port is shaping up to be a really nice area.

[Red Racer Retrack Reviews]

42 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

I rode it 2 more times today, and it has moved up so far on my favorite rides list. 

Would you say that it has broken in more compared to last week?

 

21 minutes ago, PKIVortex said:

Keep in mind Blue Racer only currently has one train. So you will see red run solo from time to time.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 

That makes sense. Red Racer was running many solo runs today. Hopefully, Kings Island gets Blue Racer’s other train up and running soon.

[Red Racer Retrack Reviews]

1 hour ago, KingsMills79 said:

Every time I look at the webcam, it seems Red Racer is the only side running. Are staff shortages causing a "no race" Racer or is it because it's too early in the season?

Just curious.

It is racing now. Usually it does not start racing until right before 12:00 PM when a new shift is scheduled to arrive.

[NEW CHAPERONE POLICY KI 2023]

Just now, super7 said:

The point is that if minors are walking around alone, security can stop them and question them.    I guess they would have to contact the chaperone by phone and that chaperoned would have to come to the location to prove that they are

It’s just a very sloppy policy that would be enforceable if they did it at the gate all day long. But it’s not enforceable since it starts at 4.     
 

I see this policy is doing absolutely nothing. The same people can still get in the park before 4 PM and remain in the park until they might be questioned. In the meantime, a 17 year old can still sneak a gun in through the parking lot.

The chaperone policy at least gives Kings Island a way to kick people out that seem up to no good without them actually having to start a fight or something. There’s also no policy that can prevent people from trying to sneak into the park with a gun. Hopefully, Kings Island increases security around the perimeter of the park.

[NEW CHAPERONE POLICY KI 2023]

15 minutes ago, SonofBaconator said:

This is kinda gross:

 

Hold the “hired chaperones” responsible for any misbehavior by their “clients.” If a kid acts up, and you are their chaperone because you signed up for this service, then you should both kicked out along with all the other kids who will be “chaperoneless” because their chaperone got kicked out.

[NEW CHAPERONE POLICY KI 2023]

I wonder if the chaperone policy will become a seasonal thing like Kenwood Towne Center’s chaperone policy, which is only in effect around Christmas. By the way, their policy is a joke as underage children can just enter through stores like Macy’s and Dillards instead of a main entrance. Back to Kings Island. I could see the policy being in effect in in April and May and then again once Halloween Haunt starts as those are the times of year when the crowd can be a little more “rough.” Some Saturdays also can be a little crazy in the summer, so I could see the policy being turned into Saturdays only or weekends only at some point. I highly doubt the policy will also be in effect for Winterfest as the crowd around that time of year is completely different.

[NEW CHAPERONE POLICY KI 2023]

I wonder if the policy will apply to weekdays once weekday operations begin. I could definitely see it applying on Fridays, but I personally don’t think it it will apply to days Monday-Thursday as those days really don’t have many problems.

[NEW CHAPERONE POLICY KI 2023]

I honestly did not think we would see a chaperone policy implemented even after the events of last weekend, but it seems like more of a new chain-wide policy. I like that it is lenient and that it seems like more of an excuse to kick people that “seem up to no good” out, but it is still sad to see.

[2023 General Kings Island Discussion]

19 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

Painting has continued on Diamondback this week.

This is good to hear! I was trying to check the webcams to see if I could see any activity around Diamondback, but I did not catch any. I was worried that Kings Island would just wait until next offseason to finish it or not finish it at all, but I am glad Kings Island and Baynum Solutions are still working on it.

 

14 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

Yet they eliminated bottled drinks in Prestige due to a few abusers.

Unfortunately every law or policy is the result of a bad few that ruin it for everyone else.

On the contrary, if a chaperone policy were in place, perhaps that juvenile wouldn't have been at the park at all.  They haven't said but I suspect he was one of the many either dropped off or bussed in and I suspect no parent was on the premises when the event happened...

Losing access to free bottled drinks is one thing. Losing access to the park altogether is another. Those are not very comparable. Also, if a juvenile wanted to bypass security and hop a fence to get into the park with a gun, I’m not sure a security guard checking ID’s at the front entrance (like with a chaperone policy) would prevent that. If the juvenile wanted to bring a gun into the park, he would have been there No matter what policies were in place.

[2023 General Kings Island Discussion]

I agree that a zero tolerance policy needs to be implemented and strictly followed for any type of inappropriate behavior. However, I believe that a chaperone policy takes it too far. I don’t believe that rule-abiding guests should be punished because of the actions of others. I know there are a lot of patronage teenage Kings Island fans that would be very disappointed if they could no longer visit the park as often. Anyways, a chaperone policy would have done NOTHING to prevent the incident on Saturday.

[Adventure Port Construction Updates]

One thing I am really excited for after seeing construction photos this weekend is the new entry plaza for Adventure Express. From the pictures posted to KIC, it looks like foundations have been poured for signage and props, and a lot of rock work is currently being done. Right now, it looks like it will be very similar to what is seen in the concept art. The only difference that I have noticed so far is that is is situated father back behind the Coca-Cola Marketplace instead of up along the midway as shown in the concept art. I prefer the actual location of the new plaza compared to the location in the concept art because it would have probably been very crammed alongside the midway.

Also, some sort of large foundation or rock work is going up in front of Sol Spin, which I am thinking will be a cool ride ID sign.

Last but not least, a foundation has been poured right around the entrance to Adventure Port from Oktoberfest (or Action Zone), which I am hoping is for an Adventure Port entrance sign. It would also be nice to see entrance signs near the entrances to Adventure Port from International Street and Coney Mall.