jbeast

The haunted houses and mazes don't do much for me anymore it seems. I'd rather ride than wait for them. I'm a big horror movie fan and love Halloween and scary stuff though. On a semi related note to scary stuff. When I lived in Texas as a kid, my dad and I visited one of the new caves at Carlsbad Caverns at the time. It was pretty wide open till the end. We had to crawl through a pretty narrow tunnel at the end of the trail to get to a back room big enough for about 30 people called the dark room. The test was how long we could keep our flashlights off the longest back there in unreal pitch black. I am 6' 4" and crawling through that tunnel to get in and back out was one of the scariest things I have ever done. And the weight of total darkness in that back room was unreal. It feels heavy and you lose all sense of where you are. It did not take long for people to turn their flashlights back on. That's the stuff that scares me.

That ride looks incredible! Can't wait to visit again!

I can remember being a kid way too small to ride The Racer (It took all my courage to ride The Scooby Doo then my love for coasters was born) and absolutely loved riding Enchanted Voyage. I had been to Disneyland the year before and I was amazed that my home park had something that rivaled the dark rides there. Once Phantom Theater was created, I finally felt like they had put something in that building that was worthy. So, I cannot wait for The Phantom's return!

My oldest son grew up with Nick, so I was a fan of that for him at the time the kids area was themed to that. Watched many a Nick cartoon with him. Rugrats was the worst though. Kids screaming all the time when I already had that at home...ha! Loved Angry Beavers and Hey Arnold though.

I am happy about this decision. I grew up watching Looney Tunes cartoons on Saturday mornings, so I have a special place in my heart for all those characters. But, I also grew up watching Peanuts too. And my favorite of all time is Snoopy. I have Snoopy stuff integrated in all my coaster souvenirs. Now that they have secured it for a some time. Let's put a lot more trees and upgrades to Camp Snoopy and make it more of a camp like feel and amazing.

I have a really nice collection of paper maps over the years and do miss having one to either use at a park or take home as a souvenir. And I still use my physical card pass every time I go to the park. Same one I have had for years works just fine (for now anyway). I do not like not using my phone for literally everything and it's much easier just to take my card out and get my meal or drink. Of course, at Cedar Point, I had my pass in my zipper pocket and as I sat down to ride Top Thrill 2, they made me take it out and hand it to an op until we got back. I did not get that...we had our phones, keys, etc in the lockers, but can't have pass in your pocket I guess too.

I am old enough to remember, as a very young kid, Enchanted Voyage and was bummed when it was gone. I was never a big Smurf fan, so I enjoyed being inside in a/c on a hot day with that version. I grew up with Scooby but always wanted Phantom back. I absolutely loved Phantom Theater. I think it speaks volumes to all who cherished rides on Phantom Theater that the park decided to bring a new version back. Cannot thank them enough for recognizing the love for the original. Now just bring back my Flying Eagles...ha! I wish! It was totally unique to KI and I am so happy that that will continue again.

At last it's announced! Cautiously optimistic since I am a big fan of the original!

I hate to see any ride retired and leave KI. I have seen too many in my life and losing the original Eagles still hurts. After just visiting Cedar Point again after a few years last week, I'd love a Maverick style coaster anywhere in the park. But, especially in the old Vortex spot. (or a ground up RMC, one can wish). I saw tons of kids and parents riding Maverick as intense and fun as it is. Not the biggest coaster in the world, but sure packs a fun punch. Took my youngest son for his first CP visit and Maverick was his first ride and favorite as well as Top Thrill 2. With Millie a close 3rd. Lightning Run In KK surprised me too the first time I ever rode it as a coaster that is family friendly. But wow, what ride! When I was a young kid, KI often pushed the boundaries a bit with the coasters they installed...The Beast, original Bat, King Cobra as examples. I think there is plenty of want for a more intense coaster experience watching young kids riding all the intense coasters at CP.

Don, Thanks for putting that out there. Going to Cedar Point next week so, I guess I'll wait to renew after we get back!

Very True Disco2000. They will show up regardless. Charging for mazes will probably make the ride lines crazy long. But they are now anyway during the event when the weather cooperates.

I am torn on this one. If they do charge extra for mazes this year, it's obvious there is a need for cash any way they can get it. Only reason I can think of facing the throngs of gold passholders angry or confused why their gold pass does not include that this fall. I don't envy anyone working in guest services if so. It doesn't bother me too much. The mazes are fun, but no need to stand in a 2+ hour line usually, when I can ride my favorite rides in cooler weather. I'm at a point in my life where just walking through the park in the fall/Halloween time and riding rides is enough. If the mazes were truly scary or had better theming, etc., maybe it would matter more. Saying that, I remember when Fear Fest began and it was a separate gate charge the first few years I think. First of all, I was much younger, so mazes mattered more, the event was better than it is now, and the crowd size was much more manageable. Rides had relatively short lines while the lines for the mazes were not quite as long as they get now with all gold pass members getting access. Weather always plays a role too.

With KI being my second home, I still visit Kentucky Kingdom, Cedar Point and Holiday World every summer. And try to get to further away parks as much as possible...especially for Fury! KI has such an outstanding line up now. I am beyond happy it's my home park. Lightning Run at KK is one of my all-time favorite rides. It was a pleasant surprise the first time there. Love Storm Chaser (or whatever it is named now) too. RMC's are just so much fun. Voyage at Holiday World is probably my favorite coaster EVER next to The Beast at night. Rode Voyage 30 times one day last summer. Just love that coaster! And Maverick alone is worth going to Cedar Point each year. Love Steel Vengeance and looking forward to Siren's Curse and Top Thrill 2 in August also! So, each has something to offer and there have been times when I had Holiday World season passes, KK passes as well as KI passes just for those reasons. Just the KI all park passes now with weekday vacation visits to the others. Also, not likely ever, but I'd love to see KI get a ground up RMC so I could experience that locally instead of having to travel a few hours to enjoy that type of coaster. One can wish!

Thanks for the review! I figured as much. I'll just go to Holiday World if I want to ride a water coaster. Luckily, HW is not too far away. Living in Texas for awhile, Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels was amazing also. It baffles me that knowing what is only 2.5 hours away as far as amazing water coasters are considered, that KI could not get something that wowed us and was on par with what HW has.

As angry and sad I was about my beloved original Flying Eagles leaving the park, I never once thought about not getting a pass. KI is my second home and always will be. Rides come and go...there is always still a ton to do and enjoy at KI.

Thanks for sharing all those photos. It's nice to see they are planning on saving some of the iconic spots. I know progress happens, but it is so sad to see a place where I spent so many happy summer days like this. I spent my summers so many years escaping from boring West Texas and having my amazing grandma cart me around to Coney, LeSourdsville (Americana), and Kings Island because she knew how much each of those places meant to me. It breaks my heart that The Screechin Eagle had such an unceremonious ending. Absolutely loved that coaster...rode it well over 100 times in one day (back when I could do that...ha!). I miss that park so much! My family spent so many memorable summer days at Coney just in the rides section alone. Living on the east side of Cincy, it was a quick alternative to heading up to KI alot of times. Bumper cars off the hook, mini golf, The Python and so much more...such good times.

As a kid and teenager, hands down Rivertown. With The Beast, Kenton's Keelboats and The original Bat and as well so much more tree cover, it was my favorite area. Grown up me, enjoys enjoying a blue raspberry Icee along International Street and relaxing between rides. The spot behind Brewhouse is my other favorite to relax too.

I'll be there in August. I so hope it is up and running and reliable cause I cannot wait to ride it!

I have not gone to Passholder Preview days in a long, long time. The price point of a pass is set so everyone and their dog can get one now. And the amount of people in the park anymore on that day is insane. Especially when the weather is nice. My first trip to the park this year of many is going to be in early May.

I agree with the landscaping being a more important part of the park. When I was a young kid, KI was full of trees, I know progress happens, and I love the big coasters in my backyard. Just seems like there is not as much shade left on a hot summer day due to so many open spaces. It seems like a small thing in the big picture, but things like the vine tunnel back when I was younger make memories. Not only was it always cooler under that canopy, it was nice transition from one part of the park to the next. Always loved walking through there.

I'll be there in August, so hopefully it is working and proves reliable! Fingers crossed! The original Top Thrill was one of my favorite ride experiences. So, hopefully this will be just as fun. Looking forward to Siren's Curse too since I have never ridden a tilt coaster before. Then there is Maverick, which is my favorite ride in the park! It's been 2+ years since I made it up there so can't wait!

I'll ride a 500 ft. coaster that goes 200mph any day, but Ferris wheels, skyrides and WindSeeker just make me weary for some reason. Weird! I'm ok with heights as long as I feel like it's more of a controlled atmosphere. Being on a coaster for some reason doesn't bother me at all. I love being 300 plus on a coaster. But put me up 300 feet in a little chair with a long thin arm holding me up there...no thanks! Not sure if I will ever ride it. I know it's safe, but my inner self still says no way! Skyrides and Ferris wheels are the same, but I can ride them apprehensively. I don't exactly relish the experience though.

I'm sure RiverRacers are going to be fun, but compared to my most recent visit to Holiday World last summer, it will not come close to any of their water coasters. The other thing about their water coasters is that you don't need to climb a long flight of stairs to get to the launch point. Later in the day, it was nice to take a break from climbing a few flights of stairs and get a ride on a great water coaster. Absolutely love Wildebeest! The walkway up to Cheetah Chase was enough after being in the Splashin Safari all day. Of course, my son had no problem going up that many stairs...ahh, to be young again! Ha!

My vote for that spot is a Screaming Swing. Every trip I take to Cedar Point, Skyhawk is a must ride.

This will be the first year I miss the event since it's inception unfortunately. I'm going to enjoy going to the park as I always have throughout the season, but going Holiday World, Carowinds and Cedar Point instead this year. Going to get a little use out the all-park passport. I hope the tickets I won't get will go to someone who has not experienced the event yet.