johnjniehaus

Not sure what to say on this one other than Disney consistently misses opportunities to make money....why didn't they package up some splash mountain water and have Iger sign the certificate and sell it for souvenirs? I mean Cedar Fair sold off Vortex super quick and I'm pretty sure wicked Twister didn't last too awful long either. We still have Kings Island offering cool collectables like racer and beast wood, Eiffel Tower paint chips, And Railroad Spikes or something like that. Don't forget about the vintage Coney island books too! The reason Disney missed out on this golden opportunity to make a bunch of cash off of the remaining splash mountain fans (which according to fan petitions are up around 100k) is the same reason they refuse to release the theatrical versions of Star Wars (unless there's a secret deal with George that prohibits it). I'm just saying that Disney consistently misses opportunities to make some money and instead does stupid stuff like axing magical express, and fast pass, and raising prices.... Guess this is why I'm not in the financial industry or marketing industry because the whole pay more for less motto numerous companies have adopted doesn't make sense to me. I will say it right here right now Thank You Cedar Fair for the Free Year of Gold Passes (2021) and thank you for not raising prices drastically, and thank you for still delivering great new attractions and for maintaining some of the older ones too! So lucky to have KI as my home park!

Yes I absolutely loved the Houdini themed Mad House at Six Flags Great Adventure and as far as I know there's only 3 or 4 in the USA so it would be a welcome ride to Kings Island that could have a great story mode to it. I'd like to see the building get a facelift with perhaps a mine/oil rig design but if that's too difficult or expensive at least paint it brown or something other than the "I'm screaming that I don't belong here white" color that it currently is. However, I think the madhouse is a great idea, great ride, and would also be something families can ride (lower height requirements) and is also an indoor ride that can operate in inclement weather and during winterfest! I'm all for it!

Yes I meant the KI Theater...for some reason whenever I type Tinkers Toy Factory the Festhaus automatically feels natural to type next. (I've already had to correct another forum so thanks for catching me again) My favorite winterfest is probably 2017 or 2018 but Tinker's Toy Factory being in THE Kings Island THEATER (did I finally get it right? :p) was a highlight of the 2022 Winterfest.

Busch Gardens Tampa was a very nice park with lots of shade which is very welcome in FL heat. The ques were also either shaded or indoors...the downside was the park was so busy that I only got one ride on everything I rode during the day. (Sheikra and Iron Gwazi were both closed for maintenance which was rather annoying seeing as I live 14hrs from the park and probably won't be back in the near future) Here's my thoughts on the rides I was able to experience Cheetah Hunt: Definitely the best coaster at this park. Comparable to Maverick at Cedar Point so it's definitely a top tier ride. Montu: Possibly my new favorite invert. I have always personally enjoyed Raptor at CP more than Banshee at KI but Montu was a very good layout and was also very smooth. It also has the old restraints (no tight vests like Banshee) Cobra's Curse: Best Spinning Coaster I've very ridden. Parts of ride are taken forward then backwards and then finally the finale is an out of control feeling of spinning but not to the degree of making anyone dizzy or nauseous. Kumba: Very impressive B&M looper however, I think it's showing some age with it's rattle and mild head banging. It rides very similar to Rougarou at CP which isn't the most pleasant ride experience but it's still full of terrific elements and speedy transitions within it's terrain focused layout. Scorpion: The weakest Schwarzkopf looper I've ridden but still very enjoyable. It's a rather short layout with only 1 vertical loop and and double helix figure 8 section. Surprisingly smooth for it's age and does pull some decent G-Force for a coaster it's size. Sand Serpent: The run of the mill Wild Mouse. Not much more to add. Was enjoyable but nothing to write home about. Stanley Falls Flume: Was a neat log ride that actually traveled the chute rather rapidly (much like Kings Mills Log Flume picks up a lot of speed). Good final hill and water splash too. Serengeti Express: Busch's super long train ride takes you from station to station around and through some wild animal habitats. Tigris: Not a personal fan of Skyrocket II models so opted not to ride this one.

So Jan 2-3 I've been in FL to visit Sea World and Busch Gardens for the first time. Just finished Sea World today and I'll share my experience below. I'll be posting my thoughts on Busch Gardens (going tomorrow) later on. Sea World was definitely a good park with great animals and shows. Saw Orca, Dolphin, and Sea Lion shows. Good amount of shade at the park and beautiful landscaping. I didn't think it was very strong on themed areas (most of the park had the same landscape vibe) but the theming on the rides was definitely very prevalent. Going in I got to See the nearly completed Surf Coaster and it was actually smaller than I had thought it would be. (Shorter in height and length). I love Standup Coasters so hopefully this one will be awesome.... just not sure if I'll be back in FL at all in 2023 and if I am will I be at sea World? Ice Breaker also managed to have it's fair share of issues. First, it was experiencing a late opening due to technical difficulties and then once it opened it had a 2hr wait and then closed in the afternoon because of more technical delays and was announced around 5 that it wouldn't reopen at all. So I did not get to experience Ice Breaker either... On to the rides I did experience. First was the B&M flyer Manta which was absolutely beautiful. Definitely my second fav flyer after Tatsu at SFMM. Second, was the weird water coaster/splash boat ride Journey to Atlantis. Very good, never rode anything quite like it, and it had a short wait earlier in the morning. Was unable to get a second ride due to 90+ min lines rest of day. Third, was the B&M floorless Kraken. I've never got why people like Floorless Coasters and I still curse the day Cedar Point announced the Mantis Conversion to floorless. I personally think that floorless are less unique and often are rough rides (moderate head banging and B&M rattling). However, Kraken was flawless, smooth, forceful, had airtime, great elements, great pacing it was a GREAT ride and if every floorless was like Kraken I would be riding them a lot more than I do. Fourth, was the B&M hyper Mako. So with Mako I hear people saying it's better than Dback and frankly no it's not. Mako is a relaxing floater airtime machine that delivers a smooth ride with perfect airtime that lasts nearly 6 seconds over each camelback. However, after the midcourse breaks, Mako was really lackluster and boring in my opinion....lots of turns with no forces and no airtime. Diamondback is a better hyper from start to finish. Lastly I rode Infinity Falls which might be the best white water rafting ride I've ridden. The huge drop was amazing the actual flume channel was filled with surprises too! If I'm ranking the coasters I rode at Sea World Orlando here's my list - 1. Kraken (blew me away because I expected it to suck and it was phenomenal!) 2. Mako (great airtime but is a little over-hyped) 3. Manta (solid flyer second to only Tatsu, familiar but fun too) 4. Journey to Atlantis (if this counts, it was definitely interesting and fun but can't compete with other "real" coasters)

I'm sorry I meant that Tinker needs to stay in the KI Theater. I can see why that was confusing. I meant to say KI Theater and somehow Festhaus got mixed up in there. I agree that it would be nice to see a show in International Showplace... I'm kinda surprised they don't find a way to use it. The Cincinnati Zoo has a sloped amphitheater they use for the puppet show thing. I also agree that the Festhaus is an odd showplace and that Tinker was always hard to hear in there because of all the talking and clamor of it also being a restaurant. However, Swinging Into Christmas was not very good. Sure it was loud enough but I didn't recognize any of the songs I heard (given I left after 3 songs) and frankly I just thought it was a boring/bizarre show with strange songs. I honestly was more interested in reading my Goodbye Coney Island book I bought tonight for $6.75 than whatever was going on with Swinging Into Christmas. On a different topic they need to keep those premium funnel cakes (creme brulee and peppermint) on the Winterfest menu....they were the best funnel cakes I've ever had.

I still love the 2017 winterfest because it was all brand new and something I'd never seen at the park. (And their sweatshirt quality is impeccable! I've worn that shirt for 5 years and it still looks very new) however, I have enjoyed Tinker Toy Factory in the Festhaus immensely (saw it 3x in one night and many times thereafter) so that's a pro for 2022....

Well I visited for the final time this year as I'll be heading south to FL at the end of the week. My dad got to play Scrooge in what the Dickens tonight which was fun. Got to sit with a guy who works in the entertainment at the park during the Tinkers Toy Factory Show and he was giving us the scoop on all the performers in the show this year. I think that show is the biggest success of the 2022 Winterfest. As always, Poindexter and Santa are awesome and of course my family has a favorite Tinker actor (I believe I was told his name was David, short guy in the blue hat). I finally saw the new Swinging Into Christmas and frankly I didn't stay past the 3rd song...Not sure what the show was trying to accomplish other than drown out the Festhaus noise. Didn't recognize any of the songs and while others may enjoy the show because it's different, I'm a traditionalist and want to hear the songs we all know and love. Give me some Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, Sinatra, Eartha Kitt, Frankie Valli, etc and I'll be happy. Also saw the Cool Yule Christmas which seemed to have a lot more "modern" songs as well. Anyway, one of the best things about winterfest is I guess there's something for everyone but if I had a wish for next year, it would be for a new indoor show with more traditional Christmas songs or even a show based off the movie White Christmas which includes many great dance numbers and songs. Just a thought. Regardless Tinker MUST stay in Festhaus (*edit: KI Theater) and hopefully most of the cast from this year returns for 2023 because I've enjoyed all of their performances. (I do want to see the original version return in 2023 instead of "Christmas Fever Edition")

So according to one guest Flight of Fear was formerly Tomb Raider and his wife corrected him that Tomb Raider was actually at Universal....

I thought gold would have been pretty cool for the 50th and obviously down the road repaint it back to green whenever the gold got worn out. However, the repaint of green was fine too. Just glad to see them giving some of the older rides some attention with new paint. The Racer was definitely my favorite one they repainted for the anniversary.

Shoot! my eyes are so bad I thought the new color was this "brown" color on the track. This coaster really needs a paint job ... I'm thinking now all that is was the faded red that's been there the whole time? Can't say as I can see the support color change but again we've already established I need to get my vision checked!

I do see that on the splashdown section heading into the brake run. Will definitely be interesting...I was thinking they would keep it red and change the support structure colors but guess we're getting brown track. I guess I have mixed feelings on the change. First, brown seems to fit Rivertown better but isn't that because literally everything else in Rivertown with exception of the railroad is brown already? (Mystic, Beast, even WWC has brown rafts) I'm interested to see how it looks when completed. Will it fit better overall or with it be too much brown in one area of the park?

Very good explanation of why steel coasters have a limited life. There are a few Arrows that have been made ACE Coaster landmarks such as Magnum XL 200 at Cedar Point, Corkscrew at Silverwood, Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags Over TX, Lochness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, and Matterhorn at Disneyland. Surely X2 is going to be nominated at some point in the future. I really hope they will nominate an Arrow Suspended Coaster at some point (not sure if they are historically significant enough seeing as all the historical ones are already gone). I personally think that S&S should bring back the model just because they are genuinely fun, unique coasters that are going the way of the dinosaur. There's always room to hope seeing as the Schwarzkopf WildCat is apparently coming back in 2024!

As for Action Zone, I think it's the next "area revamp" that needs to happen. I personally would prefer to see Phantom Theater replace the god awful boo blaster in 2024 and see a new coaster on The Vortex plot in 2025. After those two projects, I think it's time to focus on breathing new life into Action Zone. Since our current Octoberfest section is getting redone into Adventure Port, I'd like to see an Octoberfest theme that also incorporates the dark forest theme of Banshee and Bat (yes bat needs to get all the love and money dumped into it that the park can muster). Busch Gardens Williamsburg German/Octoberfest is a perfect example of what I want to see Action Zone become. They have a dark theme with Verboten and Darkoaster but also a festival theme with their carousel, Drop Tower, wave swinger, and dogem. Kings Island new Octoberfest would include Banshee and Bat as dark theme and would have Delirium, Drop Tower, Xtreme Skyflyer, new fats and possibly a new coaster as the festival section. Here's my personal opinion, I think that Invertigo, Congo Falls, and Timberwolf are all disposable. If I'm choosing one to keep I'm taking Invertigo just because it is the last Vekoma "face off" boomerang in the USA as far as I know. It could get a new theme to fit the area. However, I personally don't love the ride experience so I'm not crying if it's gone. I would hope they relocate it to another park where it would be more popular instead of scraping it (just to preserve the coasters model if you know what I mean). However, to really do the new Octoberfest/Dark Forest thing right, I think it will be a multi year project

I totally agree. The Arrow Suspended Coasters were never as common as the loopers and mine rides and their numbers are dwindling. They are an endangered coaster type that needs to see a group like ACE make a motion to start preserving at least one or two. I was so excited to hear The Bat trains are getting repainted this year and of course that Adventure Express is getting enhancements. That's code for AE is going to be around many more years and The Bat has a few more seasons left as well. I personally love to see the directions the park is going with maintaining the older coasters - Racer re-track greatly improved the ride, Beast re-tracking was amazing, Adventure Express enhancement is exciting....I think it's always a debate of do we fix an old coaster or just build a new one and unfortunately 95% of the time they build a new one. Kings Island has some very important coasters that need to be preserved for future generations and one of those is The Bat.

I hope it never goes on sale - meaning of course they never take it out! The Vortex Track was pretty cool but I was poor and couldn't justify buying it...I probably would for The Bat just because I have a real love for that coaster model. If I was a coaster activist for the preservation of one particular model it would be the Arrow Suspended Coaster. They are so unique and deliver an experience not found elsewhere. Idk if there's a way to save them in the long run but it will be very sad if one day they just aren't around anymore. I don't know why S&S hasn't brought the model back. Seeing as there's only 5 (if counting Vampire in UK which doesn't have Arrow Trains) still in operation, you would think some other parks would be interested in them and it would possibly make replacement parts more affordable and available for the existing ones.... I can see the headlines - Revenge of the Big Bad Wolf new for 2024 at Busch Gardens!

I'm hoping to see Vortex plot in 2024or2025. I think there's potential to work with the terrain there that Vortex didn't always take advantage of. The boomerang was cool because it was so low to the ground and appeared to be in a trench so to speak from the walkway. However, most of the ride was strangely very high up off the ground....I hope the new coaster has some low to the ground sections that can utilize a bit of that hill/valley area of the plot. I think it's great when coasters match the terrain they are built on and around....one reason The Beast is still my #1 wooden coaster!

This poll is a list of a few ideas I've seen discussed over numerous forums this year and I'm just curious as to what the most popular ideas are and as to what time frame people would like to see them happen. Below I will explain each idea so you know what you are voting for. Please feel free to leave some comments about your responses as well! #1. Return of the Phantom Theater - This idea proposes that Boo Blasters On Boo Hill be closed for good and restored to the Phantom Theater closely following the design of the original. The new phantom Theater would focus on storytelling and on life like animatronics rather than arcade technology. The original phantom Theater never needed to be an arcade, it was simply a story ride. Vote #1 to Bring back a classic! #2. Vortex Replacement - This idea proposes that Vortex be replaced with a new groundbreaking coaster preferably with a 48" hight requirement. This option just solidifies how important it is that Vortex is replaced and doesn't suggest a particular type of coaster. I'll let you make suggestions in the comments. Vote for #2 to get a groundbreaking replacement for Vortex! #3. Unseal the Crypt - Ok I couldn't resist that title...it's been over 10 years since anyone has entered the forbidden burial chamber known as The Crypt. This idea proposes a new dark ride that pulls from the nostalgia of Tomb Raider and takes guests on a brand new terrifying adventure. I think a Top Spin is a classic way to go but you could do a Vekoma Mad House themed to an ancient curse for a more family style attraction. Vote for #3 to unseal The Crypt and open the door to a new adventure! #4. Camp Snoopy and Soak City Upgrades - Planet Snoopy has been voted as one of the best kids areas and this would be an improvement on the area with new overlay, signage, and a repaint of the classic Woodstock Express rollercoaster. Soak City would also see a new attraction this year as well as upgrades and repainting. Possibly a new theme as well! Vote for #4 if you want to see a upgrades to the Planet Snoopy and Soak City! #5. The Dark Forest - Action Zone has wanted for a facelift and retheme for years and with the addition of Adventure Port, it only makes sense to incorporate Viking Fury and the Festhaus into a new German themed area that has taken over Action Zone. First, there is a full refurbishment to The Bat rollercoaster including any re-tracking that needs to be done in order to extend this coasters lifespan by many years. The que is reworked and given some really good thematic elements (I'm thinking like Verboten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg). Second, the Chicken Shack is turned into a new German themed restaurant with new exterior to match the area. Thirdly, the remaining rides (Invertigo, Congo Falls, Drop Tower, EXtreme Skyflyer, Delirium) are either rethemed and incorporated into the Dark Forest or removed to make way for a future coaster and/or flat rides. (Share your opinions in the comments!) Vote for #5 if you want to see the concrete jungle become a mystical German forest with Banshee and a revitalized Bat as the anchor attractions with room for future expansion!

Super excited about this one....I was thinking The Bat was looking a bit rough this year and was afraid maybe the parks didn't want to invest any more $ into an old ride with a presumed limited life span. However, if they are repainting it means The Bat should be good at least for a few more years. Not sure when it will "reach the end of it service life" but it will be a very sad day indeed. Such a rare coaster type these days and someone needs to bite the bullet and preserve one for future generations. We've already lost Big Bad Wolf, Eagles Fortress, XLR-8, and the traditional trains on Vampire....so we're down to 4 Arrow Suspended Coasters (Bat, Iron Dragon, Vortex,& Ninja) 3 of which are in the Cedar Fair chain. Also great news about the Diamondback repaint! It looks REALLY faded so it's about time they did a repaint. Sounds like there might be a new color scheme.... can't wait to see what that looks like!

Well I've always loved most of the shows I've seen at Winterfest. Over the years, Charlie Brown Christmas Spictactular (RIP) and Tinker's Toy Factory have consistently been my favorites. However, other people in my group last night said that What the Dickens was their favorite (which j enjoy alot as well). Tinker's Toy Factory is my favorite this year because it has such great performers and sets/props this year and the KI Theater is so much better than the Festhaus. Tinker is so good this year that I kinda forgave them for killing off Charlie Brown Christmas Spictactular.

I think it should remain an evening event but, one thing I prefer about the Winterfest of previous years is that the shows had later times. For example, Tinkers Toy Factory last show is at 7:30 on Sat/Sun and it's not a the only show that you must see before 8pm. I'm assuming they recycle the performers for the parade but I still don't like that you are hard pressed to get in all the shows before the parade begins. An improvement I would like to see next winterfest is bringing back the later showtimes (8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30).

Thanks alot they have all the times on the app! While I still wish they had it on the website, the app will work just fine. Thanks @MeredithGrey

Hey does anyone have a complete list of the shows and what times they start? All the previous years, showtimes were listed on the website and also in a small paper park guide at the front gate but this year both seem to be missing.... I'm going tonight and if anyone has any info it would be very helpful so my family doesn't have to run around the park 3x trying to figure out what time the shows start

I'm glad Chapek is out. I'm not sure what Iger plans to do but at this point I think everyone can agree about anyone is better than Chapek. Disney has been failing under his leadership especially since the pandemic. Disney + while we love it, is losing tons of $, the parks have lost their magic and have been reduced to just ordinary theme parks that cost triple what others cost, and the movies for the most part have been kinda lack luster too. I'm not going to voice my political views because that's not what KI Forums are about but I think it's a bad idea for any theme park to get political about things that don't even concern them. Like when was the last time Kings Island made a big political statement. I've never seen if they did. Amusement Parks are a place where people from many places, ideals, backgrounds, etc can come together and make memories and have a great time. I'm not sure if Iger can restore Disney as a company to it's former magical glory but surely something can be improved. Even if its just the return of magical express or fast pass or perhaps having great employees for a change. I was there in 2021 and we had a list going of bad employees. I was honestly disappointed because my sister and I FINALLY convinced my parents to go with us (we'd been in 2017&2018 without them) and my dad spent $7k on what to me was a lackluster Disney. I think he and my mom had a blast but agreed that financially they would not be able to afford it again however, I was disappointed knowing how much better it was the other times I had been. When my dad is in awe over a character float I'm thinking yeah whenever I went it was an entire parade or when my mom thinks it's so nice that they gave my aunt a lightning lane for being evacuated from splash mountain I'm thinking, yeah but in 2018 they would give you like 4 fast passes. (My uncle didn't fit on Avatar Flight of Passage in 2018 and they literally did give him and everyone in our group four fast passes a piece) So hopefully some of the "customer first" mentality comes back with Iger at the helm instead of our one and only focus is HOW DO WE MAKE AS MUCH $ AS POSSIBLE! I said that CEO Mickey got axed during the pandemic and they elected Scrooge McDuck to be CEO and his business motto was let's make money and bah humbug!

Valid points... I'm all for a helix or additional turns maybe like maverick does low to the ground. Still say that the Boomerang inversion is the highlight of this design though numerous other inversions look amazing as well. Regardless of what type of coaster replaces Vortex I think the design needs to include a boomerang with tunnel. Now I'll be very disappointed if it doesn't.