I do think you’re correct about a majority of this. The quality of the parks atmosphere and events has been slowly going downhill within the last 5-7 years. Yes KI is getting ride investments and restaurant/bar improvements, so I definitely recognize that. I care more about the feel of the park, so taking away landscaping, turning off water features, and not replanting trees, has made the park feel less cozy.
With Sol Spin, the reason they got the single seat versus the dual is because the park was given the “investment money” kinda last minute and very late in the season. So when they reached out to the manufacturer they were told they could get a single seat model but not a dual seat model to be ready by park opening. That’s the only reason they went with the single seat option. It was so late in the season and the park had to go with rides that could be ready by opening day, or shortly thereafter.