FUN&ONLY!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Are paper maps still available this season?

The interesting thing is that the map does indicate that the airbrush building is part of Adventure Port, but since the new concrete does not extend to the airbrush building, it seems as if it is not part of the new area. I don’t really mind if the new airbrush building is a part of Adventure Port or not as it really does not add or take away from the new area significantly, but I hope Kings Island does not try to make it seem like it is part of the new area without pouring new concrete to make it fit in. The new concrete is what really draws the boundaries for adventure Port in my opinion. I think Kings Island is done pouring concrete for the midway, though, so I don’t see it being extended to in front of the airbrush building.

Once the temporary VIP Area closes, it would be cool to see that odd dead area in front of the Festhaus converted into a new Biergarten or another food stand. Right now, it looks kind of run down, and it being made into something new could really boost what is left of Oktoberfest.

It seems like the Mercado and Enrique’s still have a lot of work that needs to be done. There is not really signage for either aside from the temporary cover over the old Hank’s Mexican Grill sign (the Coca-Cola Marketplace is also missing a sign on the top of the building). Also, it seems as if the roof may get painted red. From the Eiffel Tower (KIC picture attached for reference), it appears that the park is at least in the process of pressure washing the roof with some sections having much more grime than others. I hope the pressure washing is prep for painting as the roof looks really out of place as of now. Also, I am kind of worried the banners hanging throughout the area (as pictured in the concept art below) are not going to happen since the old lights were out back up in front of Enrique’s. Also, no new posts appear to have been constructed. Finally, I wonder if the shade structures (as pictured in the concept art below) will be built or not on the Mercado patio as there is currently very little shade on the patio. I know umbrellas will probably be added soon, but the structures would be a really nice touch.

Kings Island had the biggest problems at the start of the 2021 season. Since then, there has been a noticeable increase in park security. I also don’t think that the protocols Cedar Fair are implementing are just “security theater.” If that were the case, the suspected gunman would have probably made his way into the park and not have been stopped. Even though I am very much against chaperone policies, the policy at Worlds of Fun at least gives park security the authority to remove minors who they are suspicious of without having to wait for them to act up.

Kings Island does count the number of people entering and leaving the park with counters that are above each “turnstile” and exit. Ride crews also record the number of riders each cycle and the number of guests who use Fast Lane each hour at the ride. These measurements are not always exact, but they are typically fairly accurate.

I personally did not take any pictures, but I found this video on Twitter: That’s a bummer, but I guess it’s one more thing to look forward to to for Winterfest if it does return.

I wish Mystic Timbers’ lighting package from Winterfest would come back. I thought it was really cool and was bummed not to see it this season.

It is good to see that the security protocols were working as intended as the armed suspect was never able to enter the park.

That one hill is a why I think Blue Racer has the better first half. That hill was retracked on Blue Racer for the 2021 season but oddly not on Red Racer.

Not only is the saying “scan” not required this season, but it technically not allowed anymore. Now, the scan is just started once everyone is done checking and ready to scan without anyone actually saying “scan.” Last season and for years, saying “scan” was required before each dispatch.

The landscaping is VERY lacking compared to past years. The many trees cut down does not look good as well as the lack of mulching.

I hope Mystic Timbers’ lighting package from Winterfest returns for the regular season. I also hope that The Racer’s lighting package is fixed as half the lights on the lift hill are out and the lights on the third hill has been out for years (but I doubt that will ever be fixed at this point).

I think everyone always assumes that Action Zone is not going to be touched until a new coaster is added. I would love a complete retheme of the area with new flat rides in the style of Aeronautica Landing at Carowinds even if a new coaster is not added. Down the line, a new coaster could be added as a “part 2” of the new area.

After seeing pictures from Carowinds’ Aeronautica Landing Media Day, I am really impressed. The whole area honestly looks way better than the concept art. Adventure Port at Kings Island is a much smaller area, and I hope it at least lives up to the concept art. I fear that it’s theming is going to be minimal like Area 72, but I really want to be wrong.

Crews were laying something down in the bottom left corner of the webcam today. It looked too smooth to be pavers but too dark to be plain concrete. It was like a brownish color. There were like 8 guys on the ground at one point working on whatever it was. To me, it seemed like they were smoothing out concrete. Maybe it was colored or textured concrete? Maybe it was just prep for concrete or pavers?

A batwing hugging the midway in Vortex’s successor would be awesome!

I came across the post on Reddit. A lot of this stuff we already knew, but this confirms that Grain and Grill is replacing Skyline on International Street and a new ICEE stand is replacing Tom and Chee. That is, if the post is true. Nothing was mentioned about the Subway locations, which is interesting. A lot of people are claiming the Subways are not leaving and that the one in Coney Mall is just getting a new roof, so maybe Subway is staying after all. One user in here even claimed it was on Kings Island’s 2023 park map. It being removed from Kings Island’s website makes doubtful, though.

One thing that I find crazy is how Kings Island is not making as big of a deal about the new track on The Racer, the supposed new signature restaurant replacing Skyline on International Street, or even Diamondback’s repaint. I know Adventure Port is opening this year, but these park improvements could probably generate at least some buzz. I remember when Kings Island retracked Blue Racer’s TURNAROUND and the local news was buzzing with stories of a smoother ride experience even though it was a relatively small improvement. It also seems like there more more blog posts about retracting updates in the past. When Kings Dominion announced Grain and Grill was replacing Panda Express, they released concept art. I feel like if the park could generate a lot more buzz about improvements like these if it wanted to. Even though a repainted Diamondback might not make someone jump in their car and immediately head to Kings Island, it will at least put Kings Island in their head, and maybe they will think about visiting. I guess news stories about Kings Island “parting ways with a 27 million dollar attraction” make people think of Kings Island, too.

I am starting to question if Diamondback will be ready for Opening Day. I drive past Kings Island every once in a while, and it appears that no progress has been made on Diamondback’s repaint in a few weeks. The lift hill supports are still yellow at the top, and the drop is still two shades of red (half of it being the older color). No other hills appear to have been touched at all. It looked the exact same the first week of March. I know that crews could be focused on painting sections of the ride lower to the ground, but there are only so many elements that cannot be seen above the tree line. Right now, it seems like 90% of the ride still needs fresh paint, which seems like it poses a threat to Diamondback opening in less than 30 days.

The roof is not looking good. I hope Kings Island does something about it before Adventure Port’s Grand Opening. You don’t want the centerpiece of a new themed area to look out of place.