Oldiesmann

One thing that people are forgetting with KD is that another major amusement park an hour away also has a big holiday event - one that's better than Winterfest from what I've heard (I've never been due to my work schedule that time of year and the fact that it's 9 hours away). I'm not sure how much the two parks compete for visitors, but I'm sure that was part of the reason for their decision. KI doesn't have that.

Cyclos seemed pretty popular, as did the rapids ride, but I don't think Eye of the Storm ever saw much of a crowd and it was also in a really weird spot. It'll be interesting to see what they do with the vacant land (not that Eye of the Storm occupied much space to begin with, but it was in the middle of a large piece of otherwise vacant land so it opens up some more space now)

Glad to see it returning, though it won't be quite the same without Don. Hopefully I'll still be able to snag a ticket though.

CoasterStock will be back, May 30th and 31st. More info to come... https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2025/january/coasterstock-2025-dates-announced-copy-2

The other two rides are from Zamperla, so maybe one of these? https://www.zamperla.com/product/train-rio-grande

It's good to see Herschend jumping in and working hard to revitalize the park. First the Christmas event, now this. It sounds like the fair board finally found the right people to run the park

Here's more information about the plans for the display. If everything comes to plan, the new place should be open either late next year or early 2026. Sounds like it'll be a lot of fun. https://www.trains.com/mrr/news-reviews/news/firecrown-acquires-entertrainment-junction-plans-new-family-interactive-transportation-museum-in-chattanooga-tn/

I saw that. Going to be interesting to see what they do with that.

According to the admin of the Carowinds News and Updates group on Facebook, Nighthawk is now officially retired. Obviously just a rumor at this point since the park has yet to confirm anything, but it looks like another Vekoma flying coaster could be on the chopping block. This one was originally installed at California's Great America in 2000 and moved to Carowinds in 2004. One of Firehawk's trains was sent to Carowinds for use on this ride, or at least for parts, after it closed in 2018. https://www.facebook.com/groups/531478427908046/posts/1245994156456466/

Bonus points if it includes a bridge over the roadway from one side of the park to the other

Same here, but I've never been in the expo center either. The only time I'm down there is for Kentucky Kingdom.

I'm glad I decided to take that side trip to Great Adventure back in July (I had already planned to revisit Hershey, Dorney and Knoebels, and decided I might as well do Great Adventure while I was in the area since it's 9½ hours from Cincy). I got two rides on Kingda Ka and at least two on Green Lantern as well.

This happened a week ago but the cause is still unknown as far as I know. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/hotel-at-fort-rapids-waterpark-suffers-massive-fire-days-after-sale/

I'm hoping to make it down there for this event. Possibly on January 4th, but it will depend on my work schedule.

Speaking of coaster nerd stuff, I drove by Baynum Solutions when I was in Newport recently. They've painted their building since I was last by there.

I don't blame the owner for wanting to retire at all. I'm just disappointed in the outcome. I thought surely someone else would step up to take over at some point. It's going to be sorely missed.

Paging our resident Coney expert @CoastersRZ

My problem is I've been on a major park-hopping spree over the past eight years. I've now hit all but about 6 parks within 7 hours of Cincinnati, plus some that are further away. I'm running out of places within driving distance to visit As much as I'd love to see the Christmas event at SDC (or any other non-local park for that matter), that's really not an option for me because of working in a warehouse (we can't take time off during peak season and usually work six days a week as well)

I seriously need to get out there at some point. Maybe I'll make that planned MIssouri coaster trip in 2026...

Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 8am central time (9am our time)... https://www.facebook.com/sdcattractions/posts/pfbid0HDQp5qfcD55yvckfeyCSgYUZ6SQzXGUcDgeSZsEaw4FBevbDpRV4pVM3Bheewbthl

Interesting cryptic post from Kings Dominion on Facebook earlier. Looks like we might finally get to see what they're doing with the coaster formerly known as I-305. https://www.facebook.com/kingsdominionva/posts/pfbid034hAEKUgWVJXEL3qDgrwwTswvXnpuAgmcYXcoRUijyrcUB54zrxBWE8eXG5RVDuoal

It wasn't there when I visited in July. I'm not entirely sure where it was though as it was only my second visit to that park (and my first in 6 years).

I grabbed two rides on Kingda Ka when I was there in July. Didn't get Zumanjaro because it was closed (supposedly for routine maintenance and to allow them to get it re-certified by the state). I doubt I'll make it back up there next year as I already have plans to head out to Virginia instead.

Back in June, Oaks Park's "AtmosFEAR" ride, got stuck upside down on the first day of the park's season: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/15/oaks-amusement-park-portland-ride-stuck-upside-down/74076733007/ The ride reopened about a week and a half later but they never determined the cause of the malfunction: https://www.koin.com/news/portland/atmosfear-open-again-oaks-amusement-park-ride-malfunction/ Now the park is suing Zamperla over the incident. https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2024/09/oaks-park-blames-italian-roller-coaster-maker-for-ride-malfunction.html Interesting that this comes 3 months after the incident. I wonder if they found something with the ride or they're just trying to pass the blame to cover the costs of a lawsuit by one of the guests involved in the incident.

I personally like GeisterWolf myself