RailRider

The problem with EPCOT is that it died 15-20 years ago as technology moved too fast for them to update the park. At this point EPCOT is so far outdated from its original concept that the cost to bring it up to speed makes very little sense. Personally I think rides placed in the World Showcase like Frozen make a great deal of sense, especially with rumors of Ratatoui coming to France. Nobody ever complains about the Grand Fiesta boat ride in the Mexico pavilion staring the 3 Cableroes. Nor does anyone complain about Nemo being added to the Seas pavilion so these additions make sense. Something like Guardians of the Galaxy makes sense as an attraction for Disney World, at EPCOT I am not sure, but then again they have lots of unused spaces, buildings and outdated attractions. I could have seen this ride fitting in Tomorrowland better, but rumor has it a Tron light cycle coaster will be added there. So adding it to a park with a Spaceship based attraction could make sense, or the Future World of the park becomes more of combination of Future/Fantasy World.

WCPO Story http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/local-a-e/kings-island-to-bring-back-holiday-themed-winterfest

Official WinterFest Page https://www.visitkingsisland.com/what-s-new/winterfest After a 12-year absence, the long awaited return of WinterFest will provide Gold season passholders and Tristate residents with four seasons of fun at the 364-acre amusement and water park. The focal point of WinterFest will be the world’s largest Christmas tree display with the park’s iconic 314-foot tall Eiffel Tower decorated with thousands of lights which will be seen for miles. Below the Eiffel Tower, International Street will be transformed into a colorful and quaint winter village, featuring the fun of holidays past – outdoor ice skating on the park’s Royal Fountain, Christmas carolers, and homemade crafts. Tasty foods, colorful gifts, live stage shows, fun rides, and of course, Santa’s workshop will all be part of WinterFest’s warmth and excitement. Rides will include the Grand Carousel and a journey through the park’s Rivertown area on an authentic steam train. Operating dates, hours and ticket prices for WinterFest will be announced at a later date. The event will be included free for 2017 Gold and Platinum season passholders.

Discussion with listed WinterFest Attractions here http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/32341-official-winterfest-2017/#entry748074

Discussion of WinterFest 2017 here http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/32341-official-winterfest-2017/#entry748074

Official Today, WinterFest is coming 2017 Gold and Platinum Pass holder get in Free Ice Skating on the Fountains Great Light Displays Tower Tree Local Crafters Corner SnowFlake Lake Reindeer Petting Area Train and Carousel Rides ​Entertainment Offerings are the big emphasis. Roaming Characters

2017

WinterFest is back

More decking and lounge chairs in the water park and shade structures

New Smokehouse in the Water Park.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/boy-3-who-fell-off-idlewild-coaster-was-reportedly-riding-with-7-year-old-brother/421399760 Boy that fell was 3 years old and he was ridding with his 7 year old brother. Fell an estimated 10 feet.

Disney also made it a point to feed the bloggers and such information about signs, fencing and rocks going up. Disney never used their official social media platforms to make these announcements but fed it to the Disney bloggers for them to post. Good PR is controlling the message and news flow as best as possible.

Accident happened on mid point on Rollo Coaster. Young Boy was conscious, talking and alert. He was treated at scene, before being air lifted to area hospital. Police department and detectives are handling investigation. Park is working with the local authorities and will release further details once they become available.

Live stream at 3:00 to update the situation. http://www.wpxi.com/watch-live/live-events

Yes that is correct. Cooperation with the authorities, the investigation and support of the family in this time of tragedy. Also they need to continually refrain from placing blame and discuss what actions are being taken to resolve and prevent future issues. See the Disney Alligator incident and this discussion of it via the Wall Street Journal http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2016/06/28/crisis-of-the-week-disney-responds-to-alligator-killing-boy/ Was the response perfect? By no means, but handled much better than this.

Why should they? The just had a 10 year old boy DIE in their park, on their ride! To top it off it was a legislator's son that passed away. You better believe they won't say a word until the investigation is done. There have been many stories, especially in the beginning that had lots of inaccurate information about the ride and its operations. The correct PR move is to combat the wrong information with correct information and to also promote how they are helping the family and fully cooperating with the investigation. Instead their silence leads to rampant speculation and accusation. The longer they stay silent the guiltier they look. Right or Wrong. Companies that burry their heads in the sand struggle through these events much more than companies that appear to be transparent.

And the park continues to say nothing...

The state does not conduct annual inspections of rides and this park holds an annual day honoring state lawmakers. Rides are inspected annually by private individuals paid by the parks. Conclusions will be drawn, right or wrong, but conclusions will be drawn.

Which takes me back to the original discussion on this site that I linked to earlier in this forum. Water rides with restraints are just a bad idea. I am still amazed at the tragedy that was avoided with Shoot the Rapids.

Restraints do not do much good if a rider can remove them during the ride.

Tragic news for sure. I haven't found the forum here at KIC yet, but there was lengthy discussion on this ride and the dangers of having a water ride with a harness. Found the old forum here http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/29768-verruckt-the-worlds-tallest-water-slide-schlitterbahn-kansas-is-delayed-again/?hl=schlitterbahn Well worth the read regarding the concerns of many here.

That is a long time to have an issue like this. You must question what were they doing water maintenance wise prior to these new steps they are taking. Do they not boost chlorine levels weekly or biweekly like residential pools and shocking? Waterparks can be some of the filthiest places.

Are you saying Adam House used to post on these very forums? If so that is trully amazing and cool. Yes he was known around these parts as PKI Punk during the PKIC days and eventually became less active on the site as he began interning for GCI and now look at him today.

Typically a new ride means improvements and additions in that area. Hmm if this holds true I would expect some attention being placed on the Giant Box in Rivertown. Would be a nice time to knock it down.

Mystic Timbers fills a perfect need for Kings Island. Family Woody built by GCI, who build awesome rides. I am glad this is not another gigantic steel multi looper. KI has enough of those, instead this will fill another hole in the lineup and will give my family one more coaster to ride. We love ThunderHead and honestly this coaster has more of a feel to something that DollyWood would get and not KI, so for that I am even more excited. Also how Great was it to see KIC's very own PKI Punk last night talking about Mystic Timbers? Now he will play a huge role in designing and building a coaster for his home park. That is just awesome! Some of you fanboys would be wise to cut back on the verbal diarrhea and listen to some of the wisdom that is on this site daily. You don't know, never knew, and very few care what you think because you never shut up. Once again the old moniker of those who know don't talk and those that don't won't shut up. Thank you for illustrating that point once again. Well done KI and GCI