robintodd

1986 Woodchoppers Ball Review. My favorite show in the Festhaus. Cast would come out during sections and get people to join them onstage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcvy71zVCp8

Thought that was last year between KillMart and the Antique cars

And I appreciate yours as well. In the end there are die-hards (like me) that will continue to find the season pass a great value and will renew every year regardless of new additions. I've been going to KI all my life and have always had a season pass ever since they offered them (way back when they took your picture, cut it out and laminated it to the pass ). Any new additions like rides are simply icing on the cake at this point for me and my family. With as close as we live to the park it's a great value and with the park the size it is now there is so much that could be done. Water park improvements, Planet Snoopy improvements, repaints, etc. The problem with a park getting bigger is there is more to upkeep. It was much easier back in the 80's when the park was small to add a large attraction. Plus when you "spruce up" an area you don't require more employees the next year. Getting a new roller coaster would require 5-10 more employees I would imagine (same could be said for a restaurant). But replacing the fencing from Planet Snoopy to the waterpark doesn't. There are so many things that go into the decision on what to add/improve every year I could only imagine. (Hey, maybe that would be a good idea for the Attractions Group Podcast to discuss!).

From what I've overheard no foam heads in the theatre this year. Maybe some "tinker" toys :).

"Sorry sir, we're closed. The Snoopy out front should have told you."

I also seem to remember the uproar over not offering refunds during COVID and yet the number of season pass sales is significant enough to raise the prices. It's simple supply and demand. I believe the last financial report revealed that even with lower attendance they brought in more profit. Also your statement makes it seem like others aren't renewing their pass just because you are. Which I is a pretty flimsy reason not to renew. They should not renew for their own reasons....unless your their leader or something (don't get offended, just having a little fun). But seriously, check your wording again and you'll see what I mean. 50% of the GP that goes to Cedar Fair parks do not buy season passes. (I would guess the KI rate is around 45%). I've met a lot of people who live close to the park that get the pass mostly for the meal plan which is their driving factor to get it. Trust that the park is in a very good financial situation and they are adjusting pricing according to the capitalistic system of supply and demand. Also they bring in alot in businesses and picnics. They have them every weekend it seems. I'm not getting my 2 grandchildren platinum this year because of the price increase. They only go up to CP once and usually spend only 1 day in the park and the rest of the time on the beach. Since I can get them bring a friend passes with my platinum it's cheaper to go that route even to get them in twice during the trip. My wife and I however go up 3 times a year and usually never hang out at the beach (my beach bod left me decades ago :)). Even with the price increases I still find it an outstanding deal. I have been to the park 35 times so far and used the meal plan 30 times. My guess is that they recognize they have to pay their employees more and things just cost more because of the economy so they are raising the prices because of those factors. In the end supply and demand drive costs in our current system.

I guess you would call it the 145 foot club

I DO !

Saw the show 15 times and would see it another 15. The thing about this show is the cast did add little touches to change up the performances and those of us who saw the show often would notice but not many others would. There was also the time Maestro completely blanked on his line and it was nice to see his "recovery". It wasn't just a throwback to a classic ride but a nod to the productions that used to be in that building. It is rare to see a theme park with a theatre that has a double fly system. That is, you can raise a back drop/set completely up and out of view from the audience (like the bags in caught in the ropes). Most shows in recent years never used that. For me, I've had the songs from the show going through my head since Sunday. Off the Rails is fantastic as well (I only saw it 5 times). I think it comes down to personal preference and with my background in theatre I find live performances like Phantom to be extremely enjoyable. I hope we do get one more year with it just so others can enjoy it that didn't make it to the park this year. The show is so unique and specific to our park and if we do get a ride like Phantom back you'll have this show to thank since it showed the enthusiasm that exists for the original ride. Finally, I'll say it again. I have never seen an audience so engaged and full of energy as I did that last performance. The performers fed of off it. It's an experience at the park I'll never forget. But then again I may be the exception as I'm still singing and doing the routines in my head from the Celebration show 40 years ago I think the one thing we can agree on is they live entertainment department definitely stepped it up this year and hopefully they will keep it up for years to come!

To be fair the right half of the fence walking back from Planet Snoopy has been replaced. Expecting the left side next year.

Still waiting for a water coaster. (I think we have the slide thing covered :))

I have noticed that all the theming outside was removed. In years past the outside stuff stayed even though they didn't use it. I wouldn't be surprised if they opened it up for haunt this year with a different theme considering there is activity back there.

Actually you would be surprised at the number of people who don't go for the rides alone. If that were true then the lines would be longer than they are currently and the park wouldn't invest in food, parades, shows, etc. My guess is over 25% go for the meal plan. I've run into several people who go just to eat, walk around catch a show and then leave the park (especially if the ride lines are long) and do it on the daily. There is also the water park to think of. Now that I think of it probably 25% of the times I've gone I haven't ridden a ride, but just go to eat, watch a show and people watch (my mother and I did that all the time, it was one of her favorite things to do).

Saw the 4:00 and the 5:00 show on the last day of the show. The public's reaction to this show is simply the biggest show of support and love I have ever seen for a show at KI and I have been to several last performances. The 4 o'clock show went into the overflow and every seat except the last 2 center rows were filled. The 5 o'clock show had about 30 less people than the 4 o'clock. The line for the 4 o'clock show stretched down to Delerium 25 minutes before the show and (because the went the other way) down to the women's restroom for the 5 o'clock show 25 minutes before the start of the show. Both crowds were definitely into the performances but the 5 crowd was definitely the most enthused. My hands actually were sore from clapping so much. Clapping along to Welcome to the Theatre, Happy Feet and the entire finale & curtain call. The cast was definitely on point and had so many special moments in both shows. For example Boris hugging instead of threatening Houdilini before Caught in the Ropes, Maestro hitting the high note along with Hilda when she breaks his 2nd glass of wine. For both shows the cast definitely fed off of the audience and vice-versa. Again, it was simply a one of a kind show and outpouring of love to the cast and from the cast back to the fans. The adlibs didn't detract from the show but were a nice nod the the regulars who watch the show. Maestro said, and I'm paraphrasing, "We won't be back until at least next Summer". I was clapping and didn't catch Larry's line but I believe he did confirm the return next season of the show! Can anyone else confirm what Larry said? I also overheard that they have a 3 year contract. Seems to me the would do the same show next year and then change it for the 24 season to fall in line with the return of the Phantom Theatre ride! Just speculation but that would make alot of sense and keep the interest and excitement up for the rides return. Once again to the cast and everyone involved with the show you have simply created, in my opinion and the opinion of many others, the best show ever to be at Kings Island. From the conception, to the writing, choreography, direction and the execution the show is simply perfection. Thanks for giving us a memorable experience many of us, along with all of you, will never forget. Here's to your hopeful return next year. But even you it doesn't come back, know that you have cemented yourselfs in the lore of Kings Island Live Entertainment group. Well done and Bravo!!!!!!!!!!

Der Spinning Keggers 2.0!!!!!!!

I don't necessarily find it inconsistent when you consider supply and demand (that darn capitalism thing again) and you look closer. For example, Wonderland Gold does NOT include parking which is a $60 CND($47 USD) add on for general parking for the full year ($25 CND ($20 USD) on a daily basis). My guess is Cedar Point sells half to two thirds the number of gold passes as the other parks. They are not land-locked and therefore half the perspective customer base that lives within a 50 mile radius of the park. This is also the 2nd year they are offering Gold so I think they are giving it some time to catch on. Also it doesn't include early entry nor winterfest. It seems as though the strategy is to not just automatically sell passess for $99 just to get them in the door but to have the passes better match what the user is getting for their money.

More info. https://www.cedarpoint.com/new-in-2023/wild-mouse 52 feet tall, 1,312 feet long with six mouse themed cars and 1 cheese themed. All cars are 4 passenger.. Neat idea. 48" or 42" with a companion. Oh and one more thing, Tony says in the announcement that it will be Cedar Points 18th roller coaster. They currently have 17 COUNTING DRAGSTER! So it would seem Top Thrill will be around next season. Now if and when it will be running is a different story........

Doesn't look like it. Psycho didn't spin I don't believe.

Excited to see the new area next year. This will actually open up an area where matterhorn and the scrambler are now. From the drawing wild mouse is indeed a new spinning coaster and not a relocated psycho mouse. Renaming Tiki Twirl back to Calypso is a nice touch also.

in addition they continually play KC and the Sunshine Band

ALL of the shows this year are a step above. Even the Peanuts show. Off the rails is weather permitting but very entertaining and depending on your love of theatre you may want to see Phantom twice.

Montgomery Inn was served where the Brewhouse was along with the saratoga chips and Montgomery Inn cole slaw. At the same time you could also get the ribs, chips and cole slaw at Cedar Point where Famous Daves is now.

Rick Bastrup part of R & R Creative Amusement Designs, Inc. They created Phantom Theatre.

Can't see Phantom Theatre for next year. However, considering a recent trip from California by a certain creator it would seem a decent chance that that trip was to make a presentation/sign a deal for Phantom to come in the 2024 season. Unless, of course, as I speculated in an earlier thread, they have already started on it in the Action Theatre.

Remember that a person of a different race didn't choose that race. They were born that way. Children (including teenagers) have the ability to learn and adapt for the most part. They are a product of the environment which they are brought up in and, for the most part, parents are responsible for that. If there is a high school party at a home with alcohol involved the parents of that home are held responsible. Teens can choose whether or not to follow rules. A person of color can't choose to be caucasian. At one time you could buy beer at 18 in Ohio. They changed the law to 21. To be sure not everyone who was under 21 was drinking irresponsibly. Most laws that are made are to protect the greater good but are usually made because of a minority of people. For the most part these laws are put into place because of data. For the whole part they are put in by our elected officials. That is democracy. Several things are not legal in the US that are ok in other countries. In France you can drink alcohol at 16 in public with your parents. Jaywalking is not legal in the US, but it is in Canada (In us motor vehicles have the right of way on roads but it's the other way around up north). And most famously Kinder Eggs (chocolate eggs with toys inside) have to be sold differently in the US as no foreign no food object can be contained inside a food. For the longest time they could not be sold in the US. Finally their design was modified to make a half egg/half toy holding hybrid. Now the object in the chocolate would only be a danger to small children or people who don't read yet everyone in the country (including teens and adults) were affected by this law. When I was growing up I never went to KI unattended. Mostly because my parents thought it to be dangerous (stranger danger, etc.) However with the advent of cell phones and corporations making sure to maximize profits to put one in every 7 year old's hands things have changed and I appreciate that (although my children never had a cell phone until they could drive). That being said, If this trend keeps going without something being done by the parks, you may reach a point where more people decide not to go to a park because of unchaperoned teens than teens not going to the park because they cannot be chaperoned so where to draw the line? Most recently talks have been going on about raising the driving age. It's 18 in 11 states and 17 in 18 states. So in 39 of the 50 states you have to be over 17 to have a full license. (https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/driving-age-by-state) More interestingly in NO state can you be under 20 and rent a car. Do you think a 16 year old should be able to rent a car? how about 18? 2 of my three children had accidents between the age of 16 and 18. I still can't understand how kids that are new drivers are sometimes encouraged to drive to school. Kind of like having all the new drivers in the town converge on the same destination. Kind of defies logic. And further more if a minor has a car accident that results in a death the parents can be held responsible. Seems more appropriate to raise the age to 21 for driving since then they are considered an adult, but that would affect car sales, gas sales, insurance companies (who charge higher for younger drivers) etc. Just my 2 cents.