Outdoor Man

I'll be at the Press Conference at the Expo next week. Some of what I've read about what will happen at the Press Conference; that's not how these things work. Largely at these, they have a "Ride Vehicle" covered until the event announcement; unveil it and then reps from SDR and Six will make comments, and "MAYBE" show a video; but in this case it's unlikely... and that'll basically be it. I think this is being done at the SDR booth- not at "IAAPA Central". Their booth is unlike to have a large screen to view it on. I don't think it will go 15 minutes even. They may have a ride vehicle or maybe an animatronic. These Press Conferences aren't for park guests and fans. They're to promote their business and "pound their chest" on what they are doing. I may be wrong, but I've been the EXPO year since 2015, except 2020 (which was canceled)- and this is generally what happens. These are business announcements, not for the park goer.

I have high hopes for this; I believe the Sally Dark Rides has a great team on it and believe it as one of their "Press Announcements" at the IAAPA Expo next week. though I have to agree, much of what I've seen is very cartoonish. I applaud Six management for listening to the "crowd" that has missed this attraction, and SDR grabbing onto it. Though I hope that it doesn't stray so far away from the original concept that it falls flat with the crowd that has clamored for it. Sort of reminds me of the Muppet Theater (RIP) storyline at Disney with all of the details going off the rails. So, with PTON being a "sequel" I hope that SDR is up to the challenge so some lyrics from a Muppets song don't present a self-fulfilling prophecy... We're doing a sequel, We're back a popular demand. C'mon on everybody, strike up the band. We're doing a sequel, That's what we do in Hollywood. And everybody knows, The sequel's never quite as good.

They could make a dent in the debt load if they were able to offload 3-4 "non-core" parks in a package. It may take inclusion of a marquee "core" park to sweeten the deal and bump the price though.

If, by Opening Day, you mean opening day of the park in Spring... I'm going with zero (0). Seems the recent axiom of new attraction opening dates is to be weeks (sometimes months) after the park opens.

So, $40M in 2018- when Orion was ordered- is worth $51M today. What I infer from this is that for the cost of Orion (which is a cut-and-paste "taller/faster" coaster that grows on trees in the CF/Six chain)- KI could have installed a perennial line generator that sells passes and tickets on it's own merit?

For what it's worth, adjusting the hours at Carowinds may not be as off-base as you may think. First, the daytime temperature averages 52-56'ish during the day in December. Not as many NC/SC residents like going out in 30-something temps at night like in Cincinnati. Secondly, it isn't daylight at at 9pm in December like it is in the summer. Sunset in December is similar to Cincinnati: 5:15pm. so, if they close at 7.... that's almost 2 hours of nighttime lights. and more daytime "heat" for ride riders...

Has the park actually come out and said that Tinker has taken a final bow?

I look forward to picking up a copy of one Six Flags' new books coming out later this summer: How to Step on EVERY "Spikes-Up" Rake in the Guest Experience Yard. How to Effectively Burn Bridges: Loyal Guests & Annual Pass Holder Edition. How to lose decades of goodwill in a half Summer

KI only got Orion because of a zoning issue in CA, if not mistaken. Though it does check "giga" off the list, it's essentially an upgraded Diamondback layout. Adventure Port is a nice visual upgrade to the area, but one has to wonder why they didn't proceed with taking Festhaus and Viking ship along with it. Those are the only vestiges of Oktoberfest left- and even so- the German themed Festhaus has no German Food and has a US Country Music review as entertainment. So, instead of bringing together two concepts into one, they created another section of the park. Camp Snoopy looks great, but why do we need Camp Snoopy and Planet Snoopy? Pick a lane; finish what you started. I'm rather ambivalent about the waterpark. On one hand, a smaller, family owned park in southern Indiana has three outstanding water coasters... and there could be a legitimate debate as to whether KI's advertised "new" water coaster qualifies as one. This isn't to demean KI.... it really isn't. BUT, they can do MUCH better than they have. Honestly, though, I'd settle for a few more season employees to keep grounds clean right now.

Update from June 16: dangling lights still dangling and tables still gross. Granted people are gross and need to learn to clean up after themselves... that said - this smeared material had dried long ago... Six has very intelligent/talented people in the C-Suite and they'll figure this out, but at what cost to the guest experience and loyalty... Attention to detail is not there.

I know there is a "Fun TV" screen in the queue already; that's largely what I was referring to because the bright, cheer'y screen and content clash 1000% with the theme of, not only the ride, but the line queue. Very rarely does the end product look like the concept. When PT was installed, it was the 1991/1992 recession period = belt tightening for new attractions. My concern is that if budgets continue to be tight, not because of economy- but because of the merger (and this isn't going to resolve by 2026 construction schedules) that they'll push forward because they "have to have a new ride" and half-a## it. I say don't install it, use a fraction of the funds to spruce up the surroundings, hire some MUCH NEEDED staff, and do it right in a year or two.

A Sally Dark Ride/Vekoma collaboration can be found with "Uncharted, The Enigma of Penitence" at PortAventura World in Spain. It's an interesting and immersive concept. My guess is that said attraction could/would replace the aging Boo Blasters ride. That space spent: 12 seasons as the "Enchanted Voyage" 7 seasons as the "Smurf's Enchanted Voyage" 11 seasons as "Phantom theater" 8 seasons as "Scooby Doo"- and if it goes here 16 seasons as it's worst iteration as "Boo Blasters." I have high hopes, but the full on conversion of Kings Island to being just a "corporate park" in the chain doesn't give me much hope for such a concept on that scale. If so, they'd have to re-inhabit the entire building to fit it all. And even if they did, they'd mess with the theming and mystique by placing one of those stupid "FUN-TV" screens in the line queue, or whatever it's called these days. Budget contraints would cut off important elements of a "great" attraction and it would just come off as "good". If KI is to be hamstrung with thinning budgets, I'd settle for existing park enhancements/refurbishments and sufficient staffing to present a complete park with clean thoroughfares, well managed trash cans, restrooms that you don't feel like bathing in Chlorox after using, food tables that get wiped off more than once a day, etc. to guests who would pay a $90 gate price. OR, maybe an actual water-coaster (see Holiday World for three examples).

I'm putting my weight behind a refresh of an existing attraction that will be a "new" experience in the broader "Snoopy" area. If done well it could be refreshingly creative/innovative. Or... crushingly disappointing. Maybe, just maybe the entire kids area will get a refresh and all come under the Camp Snoopy umbrella as opposed to two areas.

couple of things. Don't waste your time on the water at the park. I had COVID in 2021 and since cannot stomach the taste of soft drinks (something that i HATE)- but I have a keen sense, now, of the taste of water. Water around Mason is TERRIBLE. KI may not be completely on the Mason water system, but KI's water tastes horrible as well. That said, I do bring my own tumbler of water with me when I come... really anywhere I go. COVID, four years ago, made it that I can only handle certain water/water variations (iced tea, lemon aid, etc.). So if you can't get the water... not 100% the park's fault- but you're not missing much. Secondly, I think it's safe to say KI is well on it's way to becoming an authentic Six Flags park. The cleanliness is through the cellar horrible this year. Mostly borderline putrid to gross. The picture below was tonight (June 15). CF/SF needs to get a handle on this sooner than later because the guest experience this summer (moreso than any Paramount's Kings Island season) is atrocious. I love that they are including the drink plan with new pass purchases.... GREAT, the drink dispensers all seemed empty before this. Can't wait to see how difficult it will be for my family to find a drink station with a Coke now, let alone ice. The lights on iStreet have a ton of burnt out bulbs, and a line of them on the south side are now unhooked and drooping. I'm willing to bet significant money that it will still be drooping in August. They need to figure this out. It's the small things.

maybe they'll paint the pool floor.