robintodd

This will be one of the longest posts I have put on the site. What follows is my review of the show. Please bear with me.... spoilers ahead. I know a bit about theatre. Took Tap and Jazz for 15 years, did Blue Jacket the outdoor drama for 2 and started the Huber Heights Community Theatre 2 years after graduating from high school. My favorite show of all time at KI is and always will be Celebration (82-82). You can find the Carowinds iteration on youtube (83-84), I wish I could find a good copy of it from KI as the show was simply fantastic. It was a broadway style short production that made true use of the Theatre with lights, sets, fog, spotlights, etc. and one of my favorite parts was "the line" a tap number in the middle of the production. The production was so popular that they released a vinyl LP of the show of which I have one, signed by the cast (shout out to Sarah, Julie, Jane and Harry :)). After that they did Gotta Dance (83-84) and Fascinating Rhythm both of which had Alton Fitzgerald White (one of this years KI HOF inductees) in a lead role. It was nice to meet him on April 29th. All three of these shows were top-notch productions. The all had a very broadway feel to them and showed of some of the best performers ever to have graced any stage at the park. They all had immense followings and lines would form 45 minutes before performances. There were a lot of groupies who would see the show several times in a day. Those years were really something special to those who got to experience them when Taft controlled the productions. (Some of the performers would perform in the off-season on cruise ships). Where as the shows after and before these 3 were good I felt they never really had that "big show" feel to them and I have been waiting to see a show that could match the excitement, excellence, variety, execution and polish of those 3 legends of the past. My wait is now over. My suggestion to not miss this show. It has something for all ages and is well worth your time. (spoilers to follow) Phantom Theatre Encore is a return to those times of the past and is simply magnificent. I left with happy tears in my eyes seeing a well-thought out, well-executed production. The story is well thought out and very clever. Those who remember the phantom theatre are in for a real treat seeing our favorite characters come to life in a way I never thought I would see. The costumes and make up are very well done. The Usher is performed very well and the interaction with the audience before the show will make you want to be there as soon as the doors open 15 minutes before the performance. All of the performers really put an effort into their characters and it shows. Seeing the phantom come to life is just incredible. Whomever wrote this production studied the ride and took great care to put in a lot of nods to those of us fortunate enough to ride it (both visually and in the dialogue). The two acrobats re-creating the handyman hanging upside down on the rope from the ride was a great touch. There are props from the ride in the show that brought back so many memories and add to making me want to re-watch the show over and over to catch new visual and verbal nods to the ride. The music and songs are some of the best I've heard and are well performed. With the return of vinyl in recent years I would love to see them do a vinyl release of the show. The music and performances are worthy of it and think it would be well received and a fantastic souvenir (of course, they should include a digital download considering how scarce record players are nowadays). My favorite part without a doubt is the tap number. Yes, after over 30 years tap has returned! When I saw them come out I teared up knowing I was in for a treat and I was not disappointed. The black light effect was simply fantastic surprise and you audibly heard a response in the audience when it happened. (The one thing I wonder is if they could mic the floor. Just turn them on for this section to bring out the tap sounds a bit clearer.) Live tap dancing is a really unique thing to see and hear especially in this day and age. Kudos to bringing this art back from past and to the performers who executed it so well! I do agree with what other have said and would love to hear a "you'll be baaaaccckkkk" at the black out after the main show before the encore. Maybe they can add that, it would be a great thowback. Once the show was over I joined most of the audience in a standing ovation. Last show of the first full day of shows, standing ovation! The polish that was already on the production shows the hours of rehearsals and love and commitment the performers have put in to the show. I personally gave a standing ovation to them but also to the production team of the show and to KI for allowing this show during the most magical season I have ever had at KI (and it has only begun)!

Bring back Der Spinnen Keggers. Loved that one.

Actually Skillet isn't the church draw you may think it is. We would get tickets to spirt song just for Skillet. We usually have people who leave before they come on stage and offer us their tickets up front. Seems as though having a song called "back from the dead" with zombies in the video turns off some christians. Also one time at a festival Cooper said something to the effect of "Thanks for coming out whether your christian, jewish, atheist, whatever. Thanks for supporting our music." I believe that was at the Alive festival.

Except for the 4 in kiddie land as I mentioned before.

Love the new tower gardens. The towers for the coasters is a great idea. Also the 15 blank slates will hopefully allow them to continue the story for years to come. The only coasters that don't have towers are the ones in kiddy land (4 total). Maybe for next year they could hold a contest and have children enter designs for shorter "towers" and have them in place for next season.

That would make sense. Either way they are spectacular and I can imagine them using them in future years or when they go back to a general nightly show. I imagine they are pretty cost effective and the effects are incredible.

Saw the show tonight and it was AMAZING. I did notice that the last two sections did not incorporate the drones. Was that by design or have they not finished the drone programing? Just wondering. The rollercoaster effect with them was incredible and when they imitated fireworks was amazing as well. Definitely a crowd pleaser! Can't wait to see it again. One thing about Club KI. They had a "dance off" with 3 contestants of which looked to be between 7 and 12. The "prize" was a Fast Lane pass? Kind of hooks mom or dad into buying one for themselves doesn't it? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a very generous gift but for the ages they will have participating, it seems like a tshirt and button would have been plenty. Unless of course I'm proven wrong and we see some 20 - 30 year olds up there tomorrow night

I think I remember seeing you, but I was 3.

Subscribed on You Tube and looking forward to it!

Welcome back and glad you got a good trip in! Actually the cashless cards ARE good outside the park (walmart, mcdonalds, etc.). Another reason for cashless is that it makes it harder for someone to "pocket" money as well as removes the ability for people to be held up. Not saying either happens regularly, just another (albeit small) upside.

Rode The Beast twice yesterday. First in the tried and true "seat 17" and the second time in seat 2 (first time I had ridden in the front half of the train in 5 years, I am 52 after all :)). The ride is definitely smoother without being "too smooth". It still feels like a wood coaster and feels faster. I think the best way to describe it is it doesn't loose speed like it used to. I think that the back and forth "roughness" in the past made the trains loose speed. In the past the train would climb up the second lift hill and stop around the first staircase on the right. Both rides it went to halfway between the first and second staircase. Definitely maintaining more speed in the second half. As for the second hill. Perfection! My next attempt is to ride on a non-middle car seat to see how it is. Thanks to KI for putting in the love the ride needed. It was definitely worth the wait.

Seems as though towe gatdens will be a history walk after all! Gates were still closed. I took the picture through them.

Beast testing with 3 trains again today. Overheard the 18th is the planned opening date. Take that for what you will.

They did the "Music in the Parks" event that utilized Timberwolf. The gear may have been for that.

I would think most large companies have attorneys on the payroll so as to not get gouged by the hour. Also in a class action suit it seems like 80 - 90 percent of the award goes to attorney fees with very little going to the people in the class action (been involved in a couple, none of which I needed to opt into). As as far as the public's opinion, just look at the crowds the first two weekends and you'll see they have nothing to worry about as far as season pass sales falling off. Cedar Fair, just like Disney, will be fine. In the United States Big Business always is. (yea capitalism)

I would actually contact the park and ask. It wouldn't hurt. Especially if your husband has not yet been into the park this year. You may have mistaken his pass for your 4 year olds when attaching it to the plan.

Should be noted for those that didn't read the article the "key victory" was that the case is allowed to proceed. Cedar Point's dismissal was rejected. No plaintiff has won anything yet, the judge ruled that the dismissal request was rejected and the case was allowed to proceed. Getting a dismissal is much harder than winning a case and usually just serves as a ways for both sides lawyers to get more money for their time. I wonder, since a dismissal is usually not a "usual" and "possibly unforeseen" part of a court case if the lawyers for the plaintiff gave them a prorated bill for this portion of the case..... What exactly was won by the plaintiffs except for the right to continue in a lawsuit they will probably loose and/or be outspent on by the defense? I don't consider it to be a "key victory", just another example of they ways in which our over-worked judicial system is exploited to fill the pockets of lawyers and delay proceedings allowing both sides witnesses to submit a "I do not recall" statement on the stand. As far as the lawsuit itself, I believe there are risks inherent to any transaction. Anytime you buy something there are inherent risks. A season pass is no different. Where is all the outrage of the people who purchase the platinum dining plan now that Subway is no longer at Cedar Point? It was there last year and no one mentioned it being taken away before passes went on sale. In today's political climate I'm actually shocked that no one has sued the CDC over their ability not to get a refund for 2020 (I'm sure many have tried.) In my opinion a lot of lawsuits are just ways for people to try and win a "lottery", they just don't realize they probably have a better chance of winning money by using the lawyer fees to buy lottery tickets. It's just a thought, have a good day. (kudos to Beau)

The problem I could see with that is when people get out of line. Might thorw off the counting. I think an idea would be barcodes. Give someone a barcode. Have an employee at the ride entrance scan it and hand it to the rider. The rider can then get it scanned at the end of the queue. For a more elaborate and incentive driven way you could have a coupon on the back of each barcode for $2 off a funnel cake or something like that. Biggest challenge with that would be that you would have to be able to make the coupon 1 use only and the coupon would only be "active" if both the employee at the start of the line and the one at the end of the queue scanned it. One more alternative is they have a qrcode to scan at the beginning of each queue and one at the end and possibly build in an incentive on the app. Just some ideas to throw out there.

When I went on Friday I forgot my hat (usual I wear my old rag-tag Diamondback). So I was in the market for a 50th hat. The only one I saw that I liked and would have bought was the one worn by the employees. Hope they sell that hat in the future, it looks sharp. (Blue hat with 50th logo)

One big omission this year at Brewhouse is Shoutgun Wedding. It quickly became my favorite. Hope they bring it back this season as I was constantly buying it at the liquer store next to the park. In addition, I was told they have no stouts at the Brewhouse. Hope they bring some as I can't drink "light" or "hoppy" beer.

My thought as well. Where as they can't use the paramount branded side, they could use the blank side and etch facts, etc. on them. Would be a great cheap way to honor the 50th.

And just in time for anyone to brush up on the ride since Phantom Theater Encore will open at the Kings Island Theater June 4th! Looking forward to this original show about a beloved past ride.

I noticed the hole as well. Guess those new townsfolk must be pretty good shots with their muskets Also where some of the new trees are along the route, they removed the "temporary station" that they used during the Haunt when they had a walkback through the WWC queue.

Had the Big Dog at Brewhouse and the All American Burger at Juke Box. Both fantastic and consistent with the quality/taste from last season. I did notice that the Bacon Cheddar fries are now included on the meal plan (they were not last year)! I like the addition of the Sushi and the Empanadas for 50th anniversary tributes at the Brewhouse. Was kind of hoping they would have a couple "extra" dishes at other outlets as well but didn't notice anything. Once again to Chef Major and his Culinary team great start and looking forward to all you have planned for us this season!

Best to get there right at opening (or 30 minutes earlier). Start off to the right and make the loop as most people tend to go to the left. Not sure what shows will be available during the "preview" weekends. Shows usually don't start up until main season (Memorial day and after). As far as food, Can't go wrong with Brewhouse or Coney BBQ. I would suggest around 11 and then 4 for the afternoon. Finally remember, you're going on opening day/weekend. Nothing will have a chance to start running smoothly so expect hicups in rides and food. These are seasonal employees and it usually takes them through the weekend openings to get into their stride. Be patient and understand that they are doing the best they can. I've always had a great experience opening day. They really do a great job with the staff always being freindly and smiling. Make sure to give it right back to them, they deserve it!