Outdoor Man

Guest Experience 101 has foundations at the gate as you: pass through the gate see the fountains see the Eiffel Tower Coasters in the background "International" buildings (with non-international fare within...) Sam Smith, Justin Bieber, etc... on the music roll. Which doesn't belong? Goes right up there with: Chinese (fast) food in the German Themed Festhaus Hank's Mexican in Oktoberfest I like Diamondback- but if it's in "Rivertown" how hard would it have been to have a name reflecting it? Again with Mystic Timbers... great coaster, great theming, if not a tone tone deaf for the "themed area" Soccer Game stand (because nothing screams a 18th/19th century Rivertown like Soccer.

And I'd guess the final ride lineup will be subject to staffing levels.

It's 13 years newer too...

Things they could improve on... Train employees in food service to actually take a bit of pride in their work. Everything said on here about Diamondback (seats are really gross)... reminds me of "Soul Glow"... Keep current on the theming for Boo Blasters or retire the attraction Cut the Snoopy's Starlight lights out of the trees already. and Mystic Timbers was really themed pretty well but ended up with the worst ending to a coaster since Adventure Express, should have put shed in mid-course. Actors voices are also real "cheesy"; should have had Marty Brennaman do it. Actually, from where I sit, the things they could do better is a MUCH smaller list than in years past.

"have and keep" is a bit different than building new. I don't care one way or another. I just think it is a low possibility.

If you look at the marketing image of the tower it looks as if the lights will wrap around the observation platform unlike previous WF installations where they only came off the front.

I like the Disney People Mover. Doubt that type of ride is headed to Ohio any time soon though. As for the Antique Cars coming to some of the locations mentioned here.... Flight Commander pad, Tower Gardens? Those may be good areas if it were going to be a virtual reality ride as it would never come close to fitting. That aside, I can't image one of those being built again. Maintenance and fuel for the cars would be cost prohibitive over time.

12-days of Christmas... co-themed with Haunt? I think this is where the train riders are attacked by about 25 birds as you go through the lyrics.

not true. tell them to buddy-up to the Dippin' Dots guy. They know all.

KCKC was a nice family ride in the "nature" of the park- and though it turned out to be a bust in the end... like Griffey to the Reds- you make that decision EVERY time. TR:TR was a rare instance in Kings Island history where the deliverable exceeded the hype. When it was introduced and working... no one longed for KCKC.

Oh my word, at park tonight. They're lucky they don't really have any competition for several hundred miles. Their customer service is terrible. In addition I'm not sure how their food service could have gotten worse than last year but they have.

I have another Winterfest question. In all other installments of Winterfest only an arc of the front of the tower had lights. If you look at the image online there are lights shadowed into the background. Almost as if the lights will be hung 360 degrees around the tower. Did I miss something or has this already been a thing?

Replying to my reply from a reply over 2 months ago. The educational climate has changed quite a bit, but I remember a number of years growing up in the magical decade of the 80's- classes would take "field trips" to WinterFest. 1985, 1989, & 1991 stick out in my head.

Overall I would give the park a solid "A" for the day. I don't know that they expected the crowds to be as huge as it was/ We've been at Gold Pass night before and never have I seen it this crowded. For the first time in a long while, the staff seemed equal to the task. For a park that has shown themselves to be a quart low on customer service in years past... bravo! Walking up in the parking lot after 90 minutes navigating the drive in (we only live 15 minutes away) I noted that it seemed to be the same crap pop music roll in the parking lot. Immediately upon entering; the music befitting of an International street was noticed by our entire family. EXCELLENT move! Food lines were long, but seemed to move pretty well. The Mystic Timbers area looked amazing! Very well done! Only critique really... Upon leaving and strolling back through I-Street. I noticed that not only were the lights on the buildings not on, they appeared to be completely gone. Not awful; they were usually half lit anyway. But, the fountain lights weren't on and the buildings don't illuminate much (this was at 9:30p not 1a). The exit to the park really seems like it needs a lot more light. But other than that; KI has upgraded themselves across the board it seems.

That too... the economy didn't resemble normalcy (whatever that is) until 1985'ish. It wasn't a "depression" but one heck of a sluggish affair for 12 years. People who say the last recession (2009-2010) was the "worst since the great depression" either didn't live during 1970s-1980s it or have short memories.

And no, I don't see it returning to that. Not so long as it is just one of 16 other siblings- or really ever.

Partial blame comes from the Recession of 1973-1975. That recession cut hard and canceled a number of projects (not just for Kings Island). It was termed at the time the worst recession since the Great Depression. Funny how every recession is somehow the worst since 1930.

you can't be serious. roller coasters in 20-30 degree weather.

and I stand corrected. Just viewed the "pov"... and TR:TR is still there. Sort of.

Acknowledged. But by the time the webcams come back on, theoretically people will have already roamed the park and witnessed/posted first hand. I'm not claiming to know something more than just a suspicion. I'm probably wrong. But...

Probably not; but the webcams are just a line of code/plugin on a site page. Don wouldn't likely mention anything they were doing anyway, unless it was to specifically cause a "buzz."

This has probably been discussed, but I've never been accused of reading all posts in a particular thread. The fact that the web-cams have been "off" for a while now... anyone suspect that they are concealing some change happening prior to opening day? I've suspected the demise of the Tomb Raider building was happening- but that's probably a long shot.

As someone with a deep appreciation for imagination creating a unique theme and experience... I'm blown away by the early visuals. They've sort of outdone themselves on this one. Rivertown has become the best themed areas in the park (going way back). Please, please, please don't ruin it with "pop" music; not unlike bright, cheerful videos in the Boo Hill line queue. Rivertown has: The Beast Diamondback (no all "Rivertown"... but close'ish) Train Whitewater Canyon If not mistaken, Run for your life Charlie Brown is in Rivertown too... would be good for a "lumber/logging" retheme because it certainly "fits" with its new neighbor. But since the entrance is decidedly Planet Snoopy possibly not. Mystic Timbers seems to pull it all together. It seems really well done.

with regards to websites. domain configurations have changed and have more flexibility. Some ad agency in Toronto, Canada has kingsisland.com... To have a more contemporary look and have all the parks in alignment they should do: www.kingsisland.online www.kingsdominion.online www.carowinds.online etc... they're available. just a thought.

As far as rides leaving... I could see Congo Falls. Kind of a simple/boring/pointless ride. Would have been good if Banshee could have taken some of that road 'frontage.' The Bat could be refreshed 'big league' for the cost of new -floorless- trains. Not sure what all is involved in that but it would provide an awesome new experience for a 24 year old coaster. And yet... I see an end in site for Boo Blasters. They tend to not like keeping the theming operable anyway.