Gabe

A small update- while Duffy is going away after Oct. 3, his merchandise will still be available while supplies last.

For those looking for a soon-to-be collectible, Disney has quietly announced that after Oct 3, Duffy the Disney Bear is being discontinued. His meet and greet will be quickly changed over to accommodate Daisy Duck and the bear will be pulled from all shelves resort-wide.

If you are going with kids, skip DQ and play the mini golf courses located in front of DTD. Much more fun and no drab, dreary and boring building to go through.

Construction continues as we speak. The last timetable Disney announced had it fully complete by Q2 next year. It has been opening in stages as phases have been completed. An official opening date has yet to be announced, but, if Disney holds true to form, it will be in soft open mode for a month or 2 to work out the kinks before bringing the C-suite folks over from Burbank.

I don't recall seeing mention of it during Greg's presentation of Tropical Plunge, nor in the renderings posted. I have to think that with the new toll plaza, they'd budget some money for a resurfacing. I would expect to see that done prob in March just before the park opens, so as not to expose the new asphalt to the upcoming harsh winter conditions.

How about a simple resurface of the parking lot before it turns entirely to gravel in a year or so at the rate it's deteriorating. Seems silly to construct a nice new open tolling-like parking entrance this winter, only to drive onto the surface of the moon once through. Ouimet has already said he loves the way the front of the park looks as you enter through the gates; now make the true entrance to the grounds driveable.

On my last ride earlier this summer, the theme from Star Trek: The Next Generation also was featured every so often.

No timelines have been announced as of yet. Speculation has it that both lands will begin next year and take probably the better part of 2 years to complete,

Aren't most estimates usually gratis?

Disney hasn't announced when construction will commence at yonder Studios. Once it does, it will be at the back of the park, which isn't very well traveled. Most of the big attractions will be unaffected. TSMM will have its 3rd line in by then and the Hub area of the MK should be completely done. This construction isn't like some giant fiberglass hat that was meant to be there for only a few months, yet endured for a decade!

The cheetah in question had only been at the zoo for a week, so was likely testing its surroundings, which consisted of a natural stone wall and some wire fencing above that. The zoo correctly noted that cheetahs are, by nature, more apt to flee than fight when confronted with people.

After reading, I'm a bit confused, in that it took him 9 years to get the attention of someone at the park who had authority to act, then, once he was able to see the organ, all he had to do to fix it was blow the little bits of paper off? If so, that should be more than a bit embarrassing for the park.

And to think Soarin' was birthed as a result of an Imagineer playing with his old Erector set on a trip back home during Thanksgiving.

Whatever they do, I hope they don't follow the lead of their brethern to the south. Not unless you are comfortable leaving your marketing to high schoolers.

^^^ This needs to happen chain-wide... Speaking of funnel cake, I have two (2) BOGO funnel cake coupons I won from the front of the line wheel in front of DB from earlier this year. Since I likely only have time for 1-2 more visits this season and don't plan on attending with a large group, if anyone wants them, I'm more than happy to stick a stamp on an envelope and mail them out. PM me if interested.

Also note that the payment plan option is only available online. If you renew at the park, it must be paid in full up front.(though you'd save the processing fee, FWIW)

A little nugget for all Soarin' fans-Disney yesterday released what is basically a quick teaser trailer for the new Soarin' over the World attraction coming next year. The trailer shows a camera mounted on a cable suspended below a stunt helicopter flying around what looks like the African Savannah, The Grand Canyon area and the Great Wall of China (with an amazing fly-through of one of the towers). Can't wait! http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-disney-epcot-soarin-update-details-story.html

There was a similar concept at the Dungeon attraction in San Francisco I went through last year. Large groups of about 20 were let into the room at a time, in complete darkness (though we were surrounded by mirrors, which made things even more disorienting). Each group floundered around for what was about 5-6 minutes before being led through to the next room. This haunt will likely work the same way.

Meanwhile, the Cincy zoo announced today that their lone remaining Sumatran rhino will soon be sent back to Sumatra, in order to more comfortably live out its life and to breed.

ORRRR.....how about this idea....why not have a sit down restaurant in the park and call it Decades with items from every era....fads, clothing, toys and Kings Island memorabilia on display from 72 to present? You could even have servers dressed in each era's clothing and sell popular food items from each era! I see your restaurant and raise you this idea: how about a whole hotel resort based on the decades? You could have different buildings for each decade and put giant icons out in front of each one: giant foosball outside the 70's, giant Rubik's Cubes outside the 80's and so on. And we could even go back and start with the the 50's and put a bowling alley themed pool in front of that building, and a few other pools to match some other decades. Wait... I've just been told that another park down south has already done this. Never mind... -Gator, a fan of WDW's Pop Century Resort, where we will hopefully be staying for a few days next summer, unless we decide to try Art of Animation. AOA is highly recommended. The extra room (and full bath!) is nice, the cafeteria is monstrous and the theming is first-rate. If you can obtain a suite there for not much more than a standard room at Pop, I'd jump on it. The Nemo suites are closest to the main building.

When was that video shot? From the looks of things, a fresh coat or 2 of green paint would prevent the rusting seen in that video.

If last Friday is an indication (when I last went), lines were less than a 2-3 cycle wait from park open through about early-mid afternoon (Racer had only one side open, so it took about 15 mins). Get there for early rides, knock out a bunch of rides then head over to Soak City as the rest of the late afternoon-evening crowds congregate.

The Indystar deal is now touting $19.95 KK admission during the fair, with an extra $10.00 for fair admission. Which just so happens to equal $29.95, or the cost of a simple 2 day pass for KK if you live in Indiana. Given that the Indiana State Fair just opened several days ago and runs until Aug 23, I'm guessing most Indy folks will be skipping the KY fair if they choose to venture down to Louisville. Or, you can (if you can read through all of the fine print) still buy a $29.95 2 day pass, valid through yesterday and as of today, only weekends through Sept (except park buyout days in September and also weather permitting. Oh and no guarantee on the waterpark being open. ) What a confusing morass.

In my visits, the food consistency and quality is all over the map. I am a gold pass holder and didn't buy the meal plan. On one visit, my girlfriend had a salad at the La Rosas in Rivertown that was nothing but brown lettuce. Upon complaining to the manager, she was given a 'fresh' salad that, while it looked ok, was sorely lacking in taste. On a recent visit, my daughter and I ate at Subway in the (i guess former?) Coney Mall. It tasted like any other subway-which is to say it was fine. On that same visit, I was watching Fun TV when they featured a behind-the scenes interview with KI's executive chef, who (for the cameras anyway) was making a fresh mango salsa for some tacos which he said would be served in the park. Never in any of my visits did I ever see anything close (in terms of look and taste) to what he was making.

The coupon ad in the Indystar has turned into a complete joke. Its been revised to say that it is now valid through the end of September, but includes so many caveats about admission prices during various times (including the fair), it's a wonder people don't show up asking for Hart to explain the pricing.