Outdoor Man

ok... ANYTHING but Panda Express...

I'll probably regret this, but... what?

I'd personally like to see Panda Express moved elsewhere. I agree that it doesn't necessarily need to have German food... though it IS in the last visages of Oktoberfest and IS in a German themed building. the smell of Panda Express is nauseating and overwhelming when entering the main entrance. Keep LaRosas, but I'm not sure why a place that served: Bratwurst, currywurst, weisswurst, schnitzel, roasted meats, potato specialties, etc.... wouldn't go over well... AND be a MUCH more pleasant smell upon entering. Most of those things are relatively easy to cook.... less overhead. It would NEVER work, but I always thought that it would be interesting to see what could happen if Hofbrauhaus took it over for a season and had the lively atmosphere that they have along with German-themed entertainment instead of, what is usually, a "music review." I would thin year #1 would go over because it would be something new... and something most have never seen.

Couple thoughts: - in the image above- I like the Coney throwbacks in the park- but some of this seems misplaced since "Coney Mall" is somewhere else in the park. I thought they should dismantle one of the original Coney Island entrances from the old park (not sure what they'll be used as now) and reconstruct them at KI.... and build a replica of Moonlight Gardens as an indoor eating experience with a feel like the Grand Pavilion at CP. As for the themed area overhauls listed above... KI has too many "areas". International Street- one of the best environment entrances, but hardly "international" anymore Planet Snoopy- should be overhauled and incorporated into Camp Snoopy Camp Snoopy- great start (will it be expanded?) Action Zone- no cohesive story and has some aging rides in their last stages in prominent locations Octoberfest- basically a German-themed hall with American-Italian as well as Chinese fast food... and a swinging ship Adventure Port- two spanish themed rides... and arguably the best themed ride in the park Adventure Express Coney Mall- annoying pop music with a large scar in the back coming to it's 7th season Rivertown- Nice "rivertown'ish" feel with coasters that point in another direction Area 72- a good start but with a lot of concrete and nowhere to expand. Did I miss any?

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.