Orion-XL200

I saw that and assumed the trim (I'm guessing that's what it's called) that was red was turning blue...but maybe not. It'll be interesting to see what it looks like when it's done! --Added-- The HR building is getting an exterior lighting upgrade....$400 estimated cost of work. The permit shows lighting units that apparently are going to be purchased from Amazon. I don't know why, but that made me laugh.

100% Live music is a lot better than something off of a playlist that you can hear when you swing back through the area 3-4 hours later. It's truly something that adds value.

By that thought, you might as well ax all entertainment. No need to do fireworks because you can see them at various points of the season within the region, we didn't need to have any of the Cirque shows because there were likely similar ones in the region as well. Might as well close Kings Island because there is a lot to do in the area during the summer months - including Striker's Grove and Scene 75 I get what you're saying though, however, there are people who go to the park(s) for shows. They go for entertainment. When my folks last visited KI (2004) all they did was eat, sit by the Royal Fountain and watch shows. They could have easily went to a couple of restaurants outside of the park, seen a show at the Aronoff and enjoyed a fountain in a backyard. Yet, they chose to visit Kings Island. The same could be said for people who visit Cedar Point. Toledo and Cleveland are not that far away for entertainment...yet people choose to visit Cedar Point for things other than shows. In 2022, I think I spent more time watching a show than I did on rides, or about equal amount of time. The Bands In Residence program isn't anywhere near the amount of production value as the Gazillion Bubble show or Phantom Theater Encore. The production of the program is quite simple, little to no cost goes into the actual performances from the park. They band is provided a stage, basic lighting, microphones and speakers. The program isn't really there to replace big stage shows, but to be added value entertainment. Walking down the midway by Back Beat Que last year, I hear "Into The Mystic" being played live. I stop and listen for 2-3 minutes and move on. Having a meal at Farmhouse and hearing the band playing "Sweet Caroline," adds a bit of entertainment to my meal time.

Exactly. To you.

I can understand that @disco2000. I also think they could take the page of planning from Cedar Point who continues to expand the offering. Cedar Point has added stages (not necessarily fully permanent but also not completely temporary) near food venues such as Farm House and Back Beat Que. They’ve also added a stage that gets used in Frontier Town across from Miss Keat’s that has themed seating added. Even though it’s in the kids area, I could see a food venue stage near Pig Pen’s Mess Hall. Festhaus obviously would work. A stage could be added near Coney BBQ, replacing the Skyline patio (maybe a rework). And there could maybe a seating area with a stage added near The Beast entrance where the soccer game/ax throwing game is. It could be done, creatively if the park wanted to put an effort into it. Will they? Probably not, lol, but it would be nice. This is a description from 2024 of Cedar Point looking for bands:

Just because you think it's a good idea doesn't mean it's so.

Nah dude. We had one....it didn't last.

Fixed now.

I grabbed these screenshots from the app earlier this week: These shows are no longer listed on the app. Not sure if it was a glitch or not. However, I wondered if Kings Island could replicate the Bands In Residence program that Cedar Point has. If you look at their line up for the year, it's a pretty hefty one, on top of already having shows planned throughout the park (they haven't listed them on the site yet, but they were shared during Winter Chill Out). I know we have HiFi Honey often, but why not add additional bands to entertain the guests? Here's the CP Bands In Residence listing: https://www.cedarpoint.com/entertainment/bands-in-residence

Imagine paying for it after already paying to get into the park, when you could pay to play laser tag at another venue without an overhead admission cost.

I enjoy WindSeeker....it's a better experience than some of the standard flats.

Sign me up!

Agreed. Wildebeest and Mammoth are phenomenal. Cheetah Chase is good, but hate the queue.

The only thing I'm worried about is the loss of operational things that give parks like Kennywood their flavor (no airgates, rerides, etc.)

At least for this season.