Losantiville Mining Co.

It'd never fly today with the (good and justified) safety standards, but I'd have loved to see the painted ground return. Were the red fences in the background replaced for a reason or were they just a casualty of time? I've seen them in so many early KI pictures and think they look a whole lot better than the black bar fences currently found around the park.

I'd be happy if they put a pause on adding more mini-lands in favor of focusing on improving the original areas of the park. Area 72, Adventure Port, and Camp Snoopy are nice but I hope we see an Old Coney, an Oktoberfest, and a Rivertown expansion/refurbishment before the park carves them up even more. Some of my previous iterations for this area included a new flat ride in the Saltwater Circus plot, but I've been really set on a 2-level indoor restaurant or a small pond surrounded by a lot of nature (to make up for the lost Swan Lake). After some measuring, I've found that a 1 story building around 8,000+ square feet could fit there and could be larger depending on the footprint. It'd be half the size of the Grand Pavilion at Cedar Point (16,000+ square feet on the ground floor), but you'll be hard pressed to find a space for something of that size at Kings Island that could also fit into its surroundings. A flat ride might do well though.

I had a dream last night that they painted three of the arms and their cars one color and the other three arms another... I don't recall what those colors were, but could it be a premonition or just a dream?? (probably just the musings of a dream )

Did the website go down yesterday? I wasn't able to reach it, but that might be due to some of the quirks of my Wi-Fi system and I'd like to make sure which issue it might've been.

As much as I think Cedar Point could add more attractions on the peninsula, I don't think they should replace any of the parking spaces until a satellite lot and shuttle service are built on the mainland. If Cedar Point wants to increase their attendance even more they should find ways to make the day-to-day experience better. Maybe continuing to improve the dining offerings and making it so the rides have less overall downtime would help while they wait for their next big addition. When it does come time for a new major addition, I think Cedar Point should look at the feasibility of creating a mini-land on Millennium Island with a wide and level path crossing from Frontier Trail over to Camp Snoopy. One of the big reasons (in my mind) of why Dinosaurs Alive! and Forbidden Frontier "failed" was because they were too out of the way and were each a closed-loop experience. Something like I have below would be an amazing way to cut through the center of the peninsula while opening up another 4-ish acres of space for new rides and a new midway. Paving a wide path across the island would also save those parking spaces that would help contribute to more attendance each year. This space is big enough for at least four new flat rides and a small coaster (depending on how feasible it is to get it around Millennium Force.

I believe the newer models do that, but from what I've seen this particular model/manufacturer (the Monster from the Eyerly Aircraft Company) never did. The other EAC model (I believe it was called the Octopus) might have, but I haven't looked hard enough to find video of one. There is one model on Zamperla's website called the Octopus that is the same ride with a slightly different configuration and a decorative figure on top. This particular model also appears to have five arms compared to our Monster's six arms. While I suspect that Kings Island could purchase and install a newer model, the fact that our Monster came to the park in the move from Coney Island makes it special. Photo: Zamperla | https://www.zamperla.com/product/octopus

The weather update spells it correctly (yet also didn't show Saturday's closure), but it would be nice if they could find someone who knows how to spell the park name correctly on the banner. There were a lot of people online complaining about how "back in my day, the park wouldn't have closed for this" and "they closed the park for Winter weather during Winter fest". I for one am very grateful that the park closed on a day when the roads got really bad really quickly. I nearly lost traction about three times driving the three blocks home from work, so I'd hate to imagine what the highways would've looked like in that weather.

The issue for today and tomorrow are more that the road conditions will be bad rather than the park not having indoor activities.

Calling out to all of the Monster lovers... WE HAVE PROGRESS!!! I spotted a notable change behind the fence this evening: the rotor (spinny middle thingy whatchamacallit) has been reinstalled in some manner! We didn't get to go over that way to peer over the fence, but this is an amazing change after nearly 8 months of nothing except a new fence and paint on the ride pad. I'd love to see it in the daylight if anyone can get a good photo in the park (without breaking rules or trespassing) or even on the webcam! I'm so excited to see this small bit of progress <3

I suspect they did that because Huron, Ohio is where the Sawmill Creek Resort (where this group met with Jason McClure) is located. At least they're doing something there since that resort's holiday festivities were cancelled for this year. I don't know how much giving away the gate (at least through the MVP sale) bumped the attendance numbers, but either way I think increased attendance is good either way. If there's nothing "big" coming next year — which it seems there isn't — I hope they can use some of their funds to add shade to the Cedar Point Shores and plant more trees throughout the rest of the park. Maybe they could even do some work to improve the parking lot! Best of luck to Cedar Point as they ride the wave of their newest coasters! I'm hopeful that they can keep up the attendance and maybe even set a new record soon enough.

I've been seeing a remarkable amount of old Kings Island entertainment content lately, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. I'll try to include what I can decipher in text form as well. Credit: VideofromGeorge on YouTube Hanna-Barbera Characters (9:30-6:00?) Kings of Komedy (I think this is the clown band) (12:30, 1:30, 2:45, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00) International Air Show (depending on flying conditions) (8:00) Kings Company (five show times) and three more shows that I can't make out the names of one with four show times the Salt Water Circus (?) with six show times) another with four show times Someone posted these photos in the Season Passholder group and I can't find their name to give credit, but here's two photos that I saved from the post. To save you the counting, that is 10 shows, 1 meet-and-greet, 1 set of "atmospheric performers", and about 2-5 show times between most of them that span the entire operating day. I believe this is either from 1990 or 1991. While I understand that live entertainment costs a lot of money, and also that Cedar Fair/Six Flags are more in the rides business, it's still a little sad to see just how much entertainment the park used to have. It would be very nice to see the company put more effort into live entertainment (or even a few pre-recorded shows like was in Action Theater) while they attempt to not buy a ton of coasters each year. I won't get into my thoughts about what could improve some shows tonight, maybe tomorrow though.

I had a pretty good night tonight despite the anticipated crowds (which I don't think ended up fully manifesting). There were some very enthusiastic elves trying to get us to go into St. Nick's Pics (we didn't but I enjoyed their enthusiasm nonetheless). Our visit to the Brewhouse was good and ended up tasting better than I'd originally thought. The downside of going to the Brewhouse was seeing a good number of tables that needed to be cleared off and only seeing one associate with the cart to clean them. I also realized something on this visit that I'd never noticed before: there are not a lot of 2-person tables. If KI built another indoor restaurant (come on Grand Pavilion dressed like the Moonlite Gardens!!) I'd love to see just a little more seating variety beyond 6-person booths and 4-person tables. We had the pleasure of being on the KI&MV RR train that had a rollback — an experience that I quite enjoyed. The lights are still out throughout the course and I noticed that only the boarding side of the cars are decorated with garland. It would be nice to see some changes to make this experience better next year if at all possible. Anything would be nice especially if they can move away from it just being a ride-through holiday light show. Next, we took a trip through the Rivertown Arcade to warm up and had a nice time watching Jingle Jazz. During this performance I was only reminded of how much I'd rather see them perform in a better venue. The LaRosa's porch is nice (although it doesn't sound so nice when I say it like that), but there's something about the crowd needing to negotiate with everyone walking by just to watch. I think they could even look better in a gazebo with benches in front than on that porch. It was odd to not see the Holly Jolly Trolley stationed in Coney Mall. I wish it could be used to take performers to their shows or be used in the parade if it isn't being used as a free guest experience. There's a hoodie with (an approximation of) the original Winterfest logo in Coney Confections that I'd like to get a good photo of. I made a stop into the Adventure Port restrooms and remembered just how tight the space between the urinal dividers is — I hope that can be resolved somehow to make them wider. To round out our night we stopped by Theme Park Art by Allen's booth where my group member purchased another round of prints. I stopped by Tom + Chee for a drink. Interestingly enough I found out that the parade music plays on the right side of the Eiffel Tower during its stop near Tower Gardens. We made it into Sweet Spot before the parade caught up. I wish they'd get a new shipment of Boysenberry Jam so I could just buy it in the park. Our last stop of the night was into KI Collections, and then we were out of the park before the parade got too close. Overall it was a good night at the park. My complaints remain the same of KI needs to do a little more to change up the event in addition to needing more indoor dining/entertainment venues in general. It really is an amazing event that deserves the high praise and good placement on the USA Today voting tallies. I hope we can keep it going for many years to come.

IIRC that might have been a model of one of the Sesame Street dark rides at IAAPA. It does bear a striking resemblance to the original Phantom Theater facade from this angle.

If this is the same scene board as in the SDR tour video, I posted my thoughts on each scene a little while back. I might try to go find that post and share it again since this is a better view than before.

They're looking good so far! I hope they can achieve a little more of a glossy red for the final product, but even the current finish looks like a nice change compared to the Boo Blasters "oozy" look. The fact that the roundels are still on there is a little strange since they went through the trouble of rendering the rest of the doom buggies without them for the teaser art. Image: Kings Island / Sally Dark Rides via KICentral.com Photos: Rick Davis via DAFE (https://www.dafe.org/articles/darkrides/scoobyDooHauntedCastle.html) These same ride vehicles in their original form. The ride vehicles in their Mystery Machine scheme, complete with front-mounted "tire". A view of the initial castle construction that shows how the new was built over the old.

I bet those parts of the calendar (like July 4) might be released with the events schedule. With the park already putting out the America 250 merch I could see them having a longer Independence Day celebration than normal as well.

You can add your pass to the other parks using that 20(?) digit number. The only thing I haven't been able to do yet is add any new passes to my Apple Wallet.

Dollywood has begun the process of switching their drink program over to microchip/QR code cups and bottles. According to Jonny Amusement on Facebook the new drink system will use QR codes with the all-season plastic cups already having them, the season refillable mugs getting them soon, and older tumblers and mugs being fine for the rest of the 2025 season. From what I've read there are QR codes available for people who have already picked up their season refill mugs as well. There have been some complaints online about how the system is being complicated while other comments praise Dollywood for taking a stand against soda stealers. This change has already been implemented at some Disney and Universal properties with the "smart" soda fountains reading either a microchip or QR code and then providing a timed window to get their drink and go. Good luck to the park as they embark on this new drink program. I would not want to be there getting drinks during the inevitable period where they have to straighten out all of the kinks in the program implementation. I already read enough comments about "soda stealing thugs" and "un-mannered children" who abuse water cups, I don't need to hear adults complaining about a "newly-complicated" drink system too. Do you think Six Flags should look into implementing this kind of system? Personally, I think it is not a good idea for a company that has long struggled to keep its soda fountains fully stocked and functional. A better solution — at least temporarily — would be to continue installing pressure plates at the exits to Refresh Stations and to install more water stations that provide cold, filtered water throughout each park. The pressure plates help to ensure nobody can come in through an exit while the associates manning each point of service are able to control who gets a cup. The water stations (with water cups next to them) would help keep guests who want to drink water from needing to go to a restroom just to get said water. These could come in the form of new bottle fillers placed at each dining location or a push-faucet that closer resembles the functionality of a soda fountain nozzle. Sure, something needs to be done to improve things at SF parks, but I don't think microchips would help much right now.

There is a button for it that pops up when you're in the park, but it currently just pulls up all of the dining locations. It looks like they may be using the Sand Bar in Soak City as a testing location if you look on the website.

That's certainly possible, but if it's anything like Mystic Timbers and that is not accounted for to begin with then I'd guess it won't happen.

John Reilly is now officially CEO of the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. I'm curious to see if any (relatively) immediate changes come through compared to what happened right after the merger around this time last year. The release of some parks' operating calendars yesterday is certainly different, even if was in the works under Richard Zimmerman's tenure.

There will be screens used throughout the ride. I find it highly unlikely that the Pepper's Ghost effect will come back — especially not on the scale it was in the original.

I've often wondered why the park didn't include the Kite Eating Tree or Snoopy's Space Buggies in Camp Snoopy. There's a case to be made for SSB not fitting into the camping theme, nor might the other four rides on that side of Planet Snoopy, but I feel like there's a way the park could've made them fit without changing much at all. That would've at least made two more equally-sized areas. Given that it felt like they ran out of money I think adding more might've been a little out of the question. As likely as it might be that no exterior work will happen until after Winterfest, I'd love to see the park or Sally Dark Rides put out a December teaser with either some material/set close-ups or another look at the inside of the building. They've been releasing a new piece each month and I hope that can continue. I wonder if there will be screens for the scores like on the Justice League dark rides or if the scores will only be shown in the ride vehicles like with SDatHC and BBoBH.

Several Six Flags parks have released portions of their 2026 operating calendars. Knott's Berry Farm (January 1 - March 15) Schlitterbahn Galveston (May 2 - September 7) Discovery Kingdom (January 1 - March 8) Great Adventure (March 28 - September 7) Magic Mountain (January 1 - March 12) Six Flags New England (April 11 - May 24) This one is likely not finalized yet. Six Flags Over Texas (May 16 - September 7) Six Flags St. Louis (April 25 - September 7) Worlds of Fun (April 25 - September 7) All of the calendars released so far look normal — aside from SFNE — and none appear to include random days off in the middle of the summer season. I suspect the parks with no operating dates past March will release their calendars with parks like Kings Island. The most surprising calendar for me to see is Six Flags Over Texas with its mid-May opening. That might be normal for them, but I would've assumed they'd at least open earlier in the month.

Have there been any official updates on this? I know it's only been a couple of days, but there's a lot of people acting like this is a done deal with different buyers listed depending on who you ask. I think the Warner Bros IP is safe at the Six Flags parks. If the licensing term somehow got cut short I think there would be a grace period like with the Paramount IPs. While this would be a nice way to fix the errant theming across all of the legacy Six Flags parks, it might be a little upsetting for guests to suddenly lose both DC and Looney Tunes so quickly.