rlentless

I wondered how much season pass sales were hurt at these parks. I know I would have really been upset if KI did not have Winterfest.

As time goes on, I don't see KI getting new coasters in both AZ and the "Vortex Spot". We keep talking about wanting a coaster up front to replace either Invertigo, Top Gun and Congo Falls (or all 3). Who knows, maybe they can last another 10 years after installing a coaster in The Vortex Spot. Trust me, I would love to see new coasters in both areas. I suggest something else . . in The Vortex Spot the return of Swan Lake with shops and a flat. Maybe add a sit down restaurant with the The Beast hill as a back drop. It doesn't have to be those things . . go-carts, zip lines, ghost town, etc.. Because mostly, I am tired of seeing a fence back there instead of some sort of an attraction. Then redo AZ with a new coaster and theme for the whole area. Correct me if I'm wrong, I don't see KI getting 2 new major coasters in the front and back within 3-5 years of each other. Either we get a new coaster in The Vortex Spot and watch aging coasters in AZ continue to decline. Or we get a new coaster in AZ and look at an empty lot over the fence for the next 10 more years.

I was going to do a wait and see and renew my Gold Passes in April in case of any bait-n-switch. But for me, it was a no-brainer when we got all parks and my renewal was only $99. Just too good to pass up. I guess they would get us if they remove or restrict Halloween Haunt (more), Winterfest, or even Soak City. But even if I only had park admission and free parking, $99 is a good value. Just don't anymore up-charges or removals KI.

What was your favorite new ride media campaign? For me it was the Banshee campaign . . loved the video of it growing out of the ground taking over KI. I also loved Mystic Timbers campaign. I'm guessing some people probably would say The Diamondback rollout, but I really didn't pay close attention during that year. But I was excited about the new coaster once I realized it was being built. In days of old before social media I liked The Bat, Vortex and The Beast commercials. Son of Beast is an honorable mention but kind of lost some excitement when it fell over during construction. haha Almost forgot how much I liked the King Cobra announcements, and listerning to Q102 (I think) on radio during it's opening day. I don't really remember the commercial for Outer Limits: Flight of Fear but I was excited about getting to park and riding it. There's others that come to mind like White Water Canyon, The Screamin' Demon, etc..

It is a great ride. I just think it fell into the trap that we were expecting the next best GIGA as far as height, length, etc.. Just seemed like each GIGA, at the time, was bigger than the previous install. So we kind of thought it would be 330' or 335' to beat the last record. I can remember in the message board here on KIC and someone got the leaked blue prints and the disappointment based on the numbers that the lift hill was probably around 280' and the track length was so short. Seemed the air was let out with all the previous hoopla. Starting the the word GIGA written in the snow. So it was often referred to GIGA-light or "Is it even a real GIGA". But at the end of the day, it is a world class ride in one of the best Amusement parks in America.

I would have liked if they put more low to the ground speed elements in the DA path area. Just one more path with all that energy/speed we feel is still there at the break run. Just feels like it ends too soon. Other than that, to me it's a great ride. Maybe they can still add the extra track back there and rebrand it as a new roller coaster.

The one by Invertigo was actually very quiet this year . . almost forget you're at KI. Also like the one by The Bat. Outside of AZ I like the Brewhouse.

Here is more information from the family's lawyer. The lawyer is pointing to the bar in the front seat is what caused the injuries by the rider hitting his head. The metal bar did not come loose, just the rider not having control to stop himself. Also, earlier reports were wrong about his number of rides on SR . . this was apparently his first ride according to the lawyer. Where Universal might be at fault is if the ride associates helped the rider from his wheelchair to the ride. All safety rules say a rider must get into the seat unassisted to ride. I remember when I rode it the ride associates took it very seriously. We had to empty everything from our pockets, I even had someone ask me about a tissue I had in my front pocket.

First I just want to say I want to be respectful of the victim and his family. What happened was terrible tragedy. I am not an expert but just speculation. I saw his picture and appears to be a paraplegic that required a belt around his waste so to not topple over from his wheelchair of being so top heavy. A paraplegic would have weakened muscle and bone mass. These type of restraints put a lot of pressure on our thigh bones to wedge us in our seats. This ride has incredible amount of airtime with the whipping action ejecting us out of our seats feeling. Thus, putting a lot of pressure on our thigh bones keeping us in those seats. The victim had already ridden 5 or 6 times that day, so his muscles and bones were already fatigued. They said he was on some kind of medicine that could have caused black out. Maybe his blood pressure dropped . . idk. So I think with his legs being already fatigued, him possible being greyed or blacked out, that his thigh bones snapped. A witness suggested they saw broken bones. So he was basically just flopping back and forth whipping over each hill causing the blunt force impacts that led to the outcome. Again, not trying to be an expert . . I am not. But I think this will lead to more restrictions across the board of people being paraplegic and/or of larger size on rides with this amount of force. Or maybe required the vest restraints in special seats. I believe they installed seats to accommodate riders of larger size back in July. What do you think? If any if this seemed disrespectful to anyone, then I apologize.

I posted this link back in March so thought I'd do it again since he came up. I do not know Mike but thought this was a nice article. https://www.journal-news.com/lifestyles/the-story-of-one-of-kings-islands-busiest-performers/6HCSAM3U65GG3PUT5A24R2MEZE/

Here's a discussion about IS shops from 2007 with some insight.

Well, this is that sad time of the year when looking at the park's calendar you start seeing the 'Closed' dates. Makes me wonder if we will see more 'Closed' dates next year or more 10am-8pm dates throughout May/June/July. Maybe even no dates for April. Hope not, but we will see.

Does anyone feel like White Water Canyon is on the chopping block? I don't want to see it go, but I admit I have not ridden on it for years. I do not like having wet clothes walking around the park. I believe it is a high maintenance cost ride and it is 40 years old now. Have the lines been low the past couple of years??

So how is everyone feeling about renewing their passes for 2026? Because of all the cuts we are seeing. I am even starting to see random TikTok's of people complaining about drink locations being closed, no ice, etc.. For the first time in 20-25+ years I am considering to not immediately renewing my Gold Pass . . I pretty much always renewed as soon as they become available. But this year I will probably just do a wait and see what is offered. Maybe wait until next March/April 2026 to make sure there are no "bait-n-switch". What "bait-n-switch" am I looking for?? I am concerned they might start making "Haunt" or "Winterfest" an add-on. Or weekday hours closing at 8pm. IDK what I am looking for but basically not seeing what I have bought for many years to start losing value.

I still can hear "Enchanted Voyage" theme song in my head sometimes.