Timchat2

The new lagoon show has a lot of potential as well. Marathon of Mayhem and Ghoulish were great at HHN so it feels like Universal is getting a stronger sense of what makes a good nighttime show. If they can tie in all the beloved classic Universal Parks IP like Ghostbusters and Back to the Future we could have something pretty special.

Outside the Kings Island Theater:

Racing (Racer) Mini Eclairs at Sweet Spot:

The space under the stained glass window at the Festhaus has been painted dark brown. It is apparently becoming the Festhaus Bar. The existing Oktoberfest Bar is still outside by Viking Fury.

Some of the beef, which has a chopped brisket texture, was a bit fatty but otherwise had nice flavor. The portion was very carefully measured and ended up seeming like a better amount of protein than the shrimp and pork skewers. The potatoes are the same as the potatoes bravas but without the sauce/coating. The pierogis don't seem to be an option this year.

Honey Soy Glazed Beef and Garlic Potatoes from Grain & Grill:

Is "Axe Axe Baby" an axe-throwing game? It appears to be replacing the soccer game under Diamondback. Also, has the Coca-Cola Refresh at the train always been called "Libation Station"?

Valleyfair seemed to do a nice job on Grand Carnivale working within their means but it did seem like a large event for a smaller park. Between the reduced 2023 version and now only three parks still offering the event in 2024, will this be the last year for Grand Carnivale overall?

Valleyfair has announced their 2024 events and Grand Carnivale is not listed, so it appears that Kings Island, Kings Dominion and California's Great America will be the only three parks with Grand Carnivale this year.

Would those hot cross buns count as a snack credit?

With the right kind of warm summer night the Bandstand can have a pleasant vibe. The nighttime atmosphere around the Royal Rhythms with a full band at Grand Carnivale remains one of my favorite experiences at Kings Island. Admittedly even that show was a bit uncomfortable for the early evening performances in the late-day sun.

Without Grand Carnivale there likely won't be RetroSpect, so that is one large cast not returning. The Peanuts show The Music Goes 'Round & 'Round will be in Harmony Hall again, which has a fairly small cast. The major production at the Carowinds Theater will be the return of Brad Ross: International Star Illusionist. And at least from what is listed right now there are possibly down a couple of the street shows like the 325s band and the Swell Tones. Considering there had been large cast shows like Beach Blanket Beagle and other larger shows at Harmony Hall along with the various street shows in recent years, it appears that Carowinds has reduced its overall entertainment staffing for this season.

Center Stage Live was probably one of the strongest Bandstand shows in recent years. Everything really came together well there. Club K.I. in 2022 seemed to get the short end of the stick with so much going on production-wise across the park. It's one of the few shows I can recall receiving some cuts and reblocking after debuting, so it appeared the park was aware it wasn't everything it could have been.

Makes sense. Presumably Kings Dominion will also have RetroSpect this summer to go along with its Grand Carnivale.

Trailblazers X-treme! sounds similar to the All Wheel Sports production Elevation Extreme which ran for a couple seasons at California's Great America.

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/events The events calendar has been updated for 2024. Passholder Preview Day will be on April 19 from 4:00-9:00PM. Haunt, Tricks and Treats Fall Fest and WinterFest do not have specific dates listed yet.

I wonder if they'll book another outside performer at Kings Island Theater for the back half of summer.

No mention of a Bandstand show. There was rumor of no live music so it is nice to see a live band mentioned with Country Crossroads at least.

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/entertainment The 2024 summer show lineup has been posted. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/summerbration Grand Carnivale will be July 20-August 4.

The seasonal Universal parades (Mardi Gras and Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's) capture the feeling of a real big-city celebration, particularly if you watch them in the New York streets with the police motorcycles leading the Mardi Gras parade. The smile factor throughout the crowd at Mardi Gras is something special. People really click with the whole vibe.

Interesting that it wouldn't even run as "just" a boat ride. The original version of Snake River Expedition was ambitious but it never quite found an audience.

As much as I love Grand Carnivale (or at least the pre-2023 versions) it would be nice to have summertime event that covers more of the summer season.

Two previous Grand Carnivale parks are now listing new summer events for 2024 with Dorney Park Summer Nights and KC Nights at Worlds of Fun. If these are replacements for Grand Carnivale (along with any new unannounced summer events at Carowinds) this is leaves just Valleyfair and Kings Island as the only Grand Carnivale parks that haven't specified their summer event plans yet.

A weekends-only longer run might be possible if they aren't moving floats between parks. Presumably there are savings in only have three parks do the event without having to move everything to another three parks.

If there is still supposed to be shows at Festhaus, the Bandstand and International Showplace this might be how the park is saving on performers while still have most venues active. Gazillion Bubbles might not be an amazing piece of theater but it can be a major crowd-pleaser for guests who aren't always into singing and dancing.