CedarPointer

I believe I saw a sign on the refill place in Rivertown (the one that it took them 6 months to add Icee machines to, not the one that opens once every 2-3 years) for NYE that said the usual midnight close with rides closing at 11 instead of 10.* (*Subject to change, caveat emptor)

That area was definitely the highlight for me. I know this is a hot take, but this would have been a great chance to let the giant "elf" go back to just being a Halloween display. The new tree lighting doesn't seem too different from the old one, but it also kind of feels like an advert for the $30 upcharge toys. I also didn't really see any lights out, which is an improvement from the last couple years (especially with lights being out/the wrong color on the Eiffel Tower).

Strange that it only seems to be KI wasting money on adding so many, then. The other parks maybe had a couple new ones, not one around every corner. Almost like that's where all the money went that was supposed to be for Icee machines.

Except his beloved bars! God knows there will probably be 20 more by the time KI gets an addition that actually gets the turnstiles turning.

I stand firm that the last good addition KI got was Mystic Timbers (which was also likely the last project Mr. Koontz wasn't involved in the planning for...).

Gotta be quick when you're hoping to beat down criticism for ripping out popular attractions to save money.

That's an addition that sure sounds friendly to the park's wallet!

At least one of the B&Ms should really be open. I'd even be willing to settle for Orion, can't imagine it wouldn't make it through the layout when it hits the brakes at highway speeds.

Looks like only one new show (which sounds an awful lot like the show it's replacing) and What the Dickens was budget cut.

Business can't be that good if they run the place like it's going bankrupt. There are plenty of other entertainment options in Cincinnati where people can spend their money and actually feel like a valued customer.

I think that's what changed the last couple years. The "we already have your money" attitude from the park used to not be quite so overt. Kind of gives away the game when the Pass "Perks" programs incentives only going 1 or 2 times per month and not 3 or more times. So does not adding a single new Icee location to honor all the prepaid entitlements they sold, but spending tons on the new booze money grabs.

Love that they gave out Pass "Perks" for free hot chocolate when they can't even manage to provide it for their guests who prepaid for it for the season. Don't worry, plenty of booze and zero lines at the bars, though.

Pretty sure someone saw Encanto and hit the Xerox button.

Other parks added plenty of Icee stands, so that pretty much confirms it's an issue with park leadership and not corporate. These days, it feels like, once they have your money for the pass, they actively don't want you to visit, especially with how Pass "Perks" always seems to have the best "perks" reserved for those with only 1 or 2 visits. It kind of reminds me of the "Declining By Degrees" series Kevin Yee used to write about Disney's death by a million cuts. Back on the subject of Haunt, it does feel pretty off-putting that the main "new" thing this year is locked behind a paywall. Allowing them in the mazes also kind of ruins the experience for everyone else, so it kind of feels like how the no boo necklaces have degraded the experience outside the mazes.

What new Icee stands? It took them nearly the whole season to manage to add two (2) machines in Rivertown. But somehow they had no trouble sourcing the booze slushie machines for Mike's many new bars.

That's fair, but it makes you wonder what else is wrong with the ride. Especially since guests who were on the ride are reporting injuries, which I have to assume is true, given the park's failure to communicate differently.

And why exactly was it open today after having an ACCIDENT yesterday? Doesn't make me feel very safe as a guest.

The unnamed Icee stand next to French Corner Bar has a hot chocolate machine set up, but no cups, so I'm guessing it's not up and running yet.

In other news, they've now budget cut the topping bar from Jukebox Diner. Cedar Point's guests get sliced steak and lobster bisque, but Mike's guests don't even get lettuce and pickles with their $18 cheeseburger. But at least they finally managed to get two (2) Icee machines installed in Rivertown... after the peak summer season ended, of course.

I just don't understand doing specials when they fail to even get the basics right. This the same park that found a simple chicken sandwich to be an insurmountable obstacle.

I mean, it's pretty unethical that they refuse to open drink refill locations and add additional Icee locations to meet the demand of the drink plans they already sold and instead spend their whole food budget on pushing booze at every turn.

Well, it just so happens that "family friendly attractions" are cheaper than good ones, so...

Congratulations to whoever had the idea to name the passes the same thing when the benefits don't work at the "other company's" parks and aren't really a 1:1 match either. Imagine being in Guest Services having to explain these things to upset guests with a straight face.

Plenty of non-enthusiasts were underwhelmed by the announcement, judging from social media. Anyone who is aware of Holiday World and their water coasters isn't going to be impressed by Mike's BudgetBlasters.

What do you think they are, made of money?