Kirk Sheppard

I've been to WinterFest three nights now and am encouraged by all the improvements made this year to what was already a spectacular event. They've made better use of all the spaces, improving performance "venues" for "Four Drummers Drumming", "The Mistletones" and of course, "What the Dickens" and "A Peanuts Guide to Christmas." "Tinker's Toy Factory" feels even more polished and the trolley show seems to have better sound and a more cohesive cast this year. I'm a big fan of "The Sounds of the Nativity" as a bit of a hidden gem in that corner of the park with truly the best vocalists Entertainment has to offer. "Jingle Jazz" sounds great this year, too. The lights are gorgeous all over the park - especially in Coney - and I'm glad they turned the lake red/green instead of the odd purple it was last year (though that was pretty and different.) Food operations is still a bit frustrating, with the Chicken Shack having to pull security guards in one night to hand out food. I did have the roast beef at the Smokehouse and it was delicious and there was no wait. I had the buffet at the Reds Hall of Fame Grille (I-Street was closed that night) and was surprised by the quality of the food. We got there when it opened (which was about 5:45 for some reason... can we put up a sign and get consistent with our opening times, please?). The turkey was juicy. The ham was perfectly cooked, especially on the ends and the maple glaze was very tasty. The mashed potatoes were out of this world and I didn't mind the bag of cookies, though I did think it odd that they made the poor cashier hand those out on top of all the buttons he had to push (seriously, it was like he was entering launch codes for NASA just to ring me up.). Oh! And the hot chocolate - from the places that can get it "from the tap" (instead of a bucket) is pretty great... especially back on the path to Winterfest Way where she gave me marshmallows, whipped creams and chocolate sauce. I can't wait to see what's in store for next year's event now and I am hopeful that they are learning about how much people enjoy Entertainment offerings in the park and will increase that budget back to the days when we had 5 or 6 quality shows (at least).

The problem with Haunted Homecoming is that it was written for a different park in what I assume is a smaller venue; I think Cedar Fair pretty much foisted it on the folks at Kings Island and they did their best with it. The soundtrack is poor and I think it just spotlights how good KiE's original works have been over the years. I feel bad for the performers who are working really hard to make this material as good as possible.

Wanted to be sure to spread the word that "What the Dickens?" has moved to Coney Elf Village between a couple of games across from Dodge 'Em. This is one of my favorite shows this season and don't you shouldn't miss it. Show times are still 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, and 9:30.

Thanks, Ryan. I decided not to renew the domain for the site once I started writing for the park's official blog. Hopefully we'll have even more Entertainment features there this season. I've also been very busy covering the local theatre scene on my blog, The Sappy Critic. All I've been told so far is that HOLLYWOOD NIGHTS will be in the Festhaus (along with the returning LET IT ROCK!) and that it will feature songs from the movies. I'm looking forward to seeing it!

"Graveyard Shift" is indeed in the Festhaus during the day on Saturdays and Sundays and is not considered a "Halloween Haunt" show like "Hot Bloded" and "Half Pint Brawlers." Times for Graveyard Shift have yet to be announced to my knowledge.

If you were a fan of the cast of last year's "Way Too Much TV," I would make it a point to be at the last show tomorrow at 4 PM as there were be some former cast members making cameo appearances...

Don't forget that giant amphitheater that sits empty 90% of the year over there by the Action Zone.... :-)

FansofKiEntertainment.com has an exclusive announcement about next year's two brand new shows . . . "British Invasion" and "Yesterday Once More: The 70s!" Click here for more information!

I'm glad you were able to ride without any problems. I'm 6'4, 340, with 48" waist and 34" inseam. Drop Tower is out, as is Delirium and anything else with a "maximum height requirement." Yes, there are several rides with this rule. I couldn't ride Diamondback last year but it was very close. I haven't tried WindSeeker yet, but I'm hopeful it'll work. The Beast is a tight fit and I HATE how my knees bang the front of the car. Backlot Stunt Coaster is a tight fit but it works, as is Flight Deck. Viking Fury, Adventure Express, and Shake Rattle Roll have all been fine. Obviously the train works fine, too. Flight of Fear worked last year but it took them three employees to get me in. Thankfully, the great Ronny Salerno was one of them and he and his crew were very kind. I think that's everything I've tried to ride this year or last. The nice thing is that no matter what the employees have all been VERY sensitive to this issue and are super kind about helping and if I've had to make the Walk of Shame, they've been very sweet about it. Thanks to them!

SSD is improved this year due to new choreography and a more soulful cast. The song selections are the same and while you can argue that the song "Motown" isn't a "Motown song" it did feature the Temptations, which were a Motown artist. Besides, don't you remember the line in the show where we're told that Motown is "more than a label?" :-) Reports are that they played to crowds over 1,000 all day yesterday. So glad people are checking out the live entertainment more than ever before!

Enough of telling people how to handle this situation, OK? I don't need you to explain to me how it works. I've been in Guest Services at least 4 times this season . . . 3 of which were to give compliments and one was to let them know that the Dinos webcam had blown over. Weren't you the same guy saying that telling Guest Services was dumb because the park didn't actually manage this "service?" Or was that someone else? You seem to know a lot about this. Perhaps if you work for the park, you a) shouldn't be commenting at all as it probably violates your employee/employer agreement to speak on behalf of the park even accidentally and 2. you have NOT had the same experience I have had as a guest and therefore should stop trying to tell me what you think I really saw. Its quite frustrating.

Once again, let me be clear: this rarely happens to me. I'm alone most of my trips and they largely don't approach me. However, because I am waiting (ironically to take photos of whomever is singing the National Anthem that morning . . . with their permission, of course! ha) I sit on the bench as far left of the fountains as possible and watch people coming and going. I have seen multiple photographers do what I described earlier to multiple couples, families, and groups. It is ridiculous to watch and makes me uncomfortable . . . and I'm sitting away from all of that commotion. I have had an experience where 5 or 6 different photographers requested to take my photo when my mother and niece were visiting and by the last one, I'd had enough especially since the ropes had just dropped and that is NOT the time to try to get people to stop and pose for a photo after they've declined 5 other photographers. There's no need for this many picture takers on less crowded weekdays especially. Also, I don't see a whole lot of smiles from the photographers, just stressed out, aggressive, worried faces hoping to meet their quota so they can go get a sandwich.

Um, I don't recall anyone saying that it was?

The posture of the photographer, running to make sure to block the path of people obviously trying to avoid having to deal with the it, not taking no for an answer. Re-read the thread, its been covered in detail by more than just me!

There are plenty of restaurants that do this actually, like Planet Hollywood at Downtown Disney. I typically refuse to have my photo taken but sometimes they are so persistent that I give in. They then come to the table with the photo and I politely decline every time. They go away. While annoying, its not enough to make me not go back. Just like KI, the ridiculously aggressive nature of the photographers isn't something most people think about more than a few minutes, I'm sure, but regardless it should change. I love FlatFreak's idea of spreading the folks out through the park and doing it more like Disney PhotoPass. I'm telling you, I've NEVER had a Disney photographer ask me to take my picture even if they're standing around. They don't need to because they put out such a good product people are very willing to stand in line!

And 21 times I've sat and watched what goes on and seen them be much more aggressive than I remember in the past. The point is the way they are handling things THIS year. It doesn't matter if it only takes 30 seconds, a GUEST should not be treated this way at a place that specializes in hospitality. Would you eat a restaurant if the server constantly tried to berate you into buying an appetizer or dessert and wouldn't let you up out of your booth if you refused at first in an attempt to bully you into it?

How many times have you been there this season?

I was standing on the walkway of the Starlight Spectacular during the fireworks and a girl walked by one of the employees who was holding the controls for the opening/closing flower things. She said, "Are you controlling the fireworks?!?!" The employee said enthusiastically, "I WISH!"

I went on and on about this in my Trip Report and was taken to task by people on this board for my views. Thankfully you guys get it.

I thought the midgets are coming back? It says on there website: http://halfpintbrawl...com/?page_id=61 as they did use the festhaus last year unless they are going some where else? And my assumption is that like last year, Graveyard Shift will be performed during the day in the Festhaus on Saturday and Sunday as Ghouls Gone Wild was last year. So, I guess that makes it not a "Haunt" show as much as a "Howl-O-Fest" show.

Well, there's a way to do that job that is better than others. I understand you're doing what you're told but there's a way to do it with skill and a way to do it that will more often than not generate a rude response.

Why should I be ashamed of telling a photographer - or anyone else for that matter - who is invading my personal space, standing in my path, and being annoying to back off? You weren't there, it wasn't like I hit her or something! I wasn't polite when I told her to "For the 6th time today, no!" but I certainly didn't harm her nor do I have anything to be ASHAMED of. You act like I ran over her puppy or something.

How does me saying "it was not my finest moment" come across as bragging to you?

How many trips have you made to KI this season? And how many times have you sat and watched them for 30 minutes before the park officially opens? I am really baffled at how so many of you seem to know so much more about how they act this year than I do. Next time I write a trip report I'll just do it the way you all prefer, with "I did this and then I did this and I did this and it was all awesome!" as to avoid any conflict.

And we did let them take our picture the first day. The second day I politely declined. By the sixth time, though, that second day while in that very small area of the entrance plaza with their VERY persistent and demanding posture, it was more than I could take. I didn't say I was proud of it or that I was in the right. But they do need to cool their jets a little. Perhaps you've not experienced this year's more aggressive folks as often as I have. Unless one of the performers singles you out, stands in your way, and berates you until you sing into their microphone, I'm not sure how you can reasonably compare these two scenarios. I read the post and I do understand that the job sucks but my point remains that they are too aggressive. If that's a management mandate of how they are to act then management is in the wrong and I'm sure this feedback will get back to them. If management doesn't know that they have people standing in people's paths, blocking them from moving forward, and acting rudely towards guests then they need to know. I'm very glad that you are willing to martyr yourself and let them take your photo every time you go. I'm not so willing when they act the way they have been lately. That's all.