medford

I know exactly how you felt, though I never moved away (or at least away enough to not be w/n an hours ride of KI tops) Went a bunch as a kid, even had a season pass for a few years, went regularly in HS, then once in college, only went sporadically, maybe a few times. After college a went a few times with my then girlfriend, now wife and her family, but only 1x a year, then didn't go for a few seasons, then our son turned 2, we bought season passes, and its a whole new experience. Each season, as more of the park opens up to him, the better it gets, its like being a kid again and knowing that you have a season or two seasons of growth to experience the thrill. I get it, I totally get it.

If you see it as a buying opportunity, its great. If you see it as a foreshadowing of things to come, not so great (unless you short on FUN)

Holy thread bump Batman. I opened this up and saw where the OP stated he rode the backwards Racer twice and nearly crapped myself seeing if I could get a 2nd job with GE next season. They wouldn't even half to pay me, just let me relive my youth a bit. But alas, I see the date, no such luck.

correct, Peanuts Off Road Rally is next to Snoopy Junction, tucked behind Surf Dog. Its a part of the park that is a bit hidden from the rest of the park; I don't believe any of the 3 rides back there have height restrictions and have been a staple for our 2 year old daughter this past offseason (hoping for that extra scooch by the fall so she can get on the 36" stuff)

As we've been told..watch what they do, not what they say. Many are watching, and wondering.

saw this last night and was going to post it, excellent article. Thanks.

Like many, I am not expecting much next season (though I do expect a set of Flying Scooters based upon recent upgrades at CF parks), so what I am hoping for and so far this still plays out as a possibility is something similar to Kings Dominion's 12 days of Christmas (or whatever it was called exactly) of last offseason. For those that did not follow along, basically each day they announced another new addition to the park, often they brought back old fan favorites like the Singing Mushrooms or their Clown Band; nothing extravagant, but things that people who have attended the park for years loved. So for KI, I'm thinking something along the lines of: The Vine Tunnel, I'd personally be most excited for the return of this, could even be in a different spot of the park, but that was always fun to walk thru as a kid. Flying Eagles, even if its a brand new set that is not as snapable as those that were stolen moved by Carowinds A new lighting package in Coney Mall to help spruce up the area. The Talking Tree in Planet Snoopy Improved Parking lot (with trams) Some TLC for Tower Gardens etc.... Basically find 12 things, some that really get people excited (like the Eagles), some that bring back a strong sense of nostalgia, and some that may otherwise go unnoticed except for the careful eyes of people that post here (for instance the back patio area of the Festhaus that was added last season, was rarely mentioned but looks awesome) A bunch of small steps this offseason could go a long way. In addition to Banshee, they've taken a lot of "small" steps the past few off seasons that I think have really improved the look and feel of the park. Keep 'em coming.

On Monday, while riding the Blue Racer, there was a (presumed) teenager a couple of cars up that had a stuffed Snoopy and proceeded to hold up in the air from somewhere around the top of the lift hill (I was watching Firehawk on the ascent, so I'm not sure if they put it up while on the lift hill or not) until the end of the ride. While I doubt a small stuffed animal would have done anyone great harm if he had lost control and it came flying back and hit somebody, I can't say that with 100% confidence and am glad I didn't find out. None the less, I was really hoping there was some form of security there to escort this kid out of the park when we got back in the station. There was no such thing and the kid was off the ride and down the ramp fairly quickly.

Callahan Auto Parts?

Either last season or 2 seasons ago I saw Don helping put together the baggies for the trick or treators for the Trick or Treating with Dinos.

Park was pretty packed yesterday, lines for the $1 pizza were crazy long, thank goodness for the all season dining plan, made the dining option that much easier (or quicker). Dogging rain drops isn't fun, and we had to find shelter for a little bit, but well worth it for that ride on The Beast with the track still kicking up water off the track. I don't know if it runs faster after a good rain, but it always "feels" faster. When we were leaving, there was somebody starring up at Drop Tower (about 4:00 pm). I figured they were just waiting to watch it, but they stood there for what felt like a longer period than you'd expect so as we approached them, I turned to see what they were looking at when they told me the ride was "stuck" at the top. I didn't quite believe him, but sure enough after standing there well over a minute the ride was still at the top with people aboard. Probably several more minutes before we got to our car, when the ride finally dropped; I figure those riders had to be up there for at least 5 min. maybe longer (which I'm sure some loved, and I'm sure for some it will be their last ride on that. Don't know what the problem was, for all I know it could have been held up there for something completely unrelated to the ride. Since we were leaving, I have no idea if they had it back and running right away, before the night was done or if it was done for the day. Overall a muggy, wet, packed day, but always worth the time.

Prostate exams for all (well half of us anyways), courtesy of CF? Seriously, I do wonder if all of the thumbs up in the tweet (first one) means anything or if the "high noon" part of the announcement means anything. I can't imagine that its "too major" seeing that it comes on a day when the park is closed. If it was a major new coaster of sorts, I would think they'd set the announcement a week or so back to help push season ticket sales for 2015 thru labor day weekend. Guess we'll find out either way in a few days.

I'll give the marketing department an A+ for finding a enough unique ways to describe all of those super loopers that a person paying half attention may not notice that its the same ride in however many parks with different "theming". Having never been on a ride of this nature I won't dismiss it, but based upon looks alone, I'll take my Viking Fury every day of the week. How exactly is the Batman ride different from Green Lantern? I mean that seriously, I've never bee on Green Lantern, but it looks similar, though a different manufacturer. Looks like it could be fun, but looks like a capacity nightmare. The RMC conversions look awesome, as have all of the other wins 6 Flags has done recently. Its a shame they're losing a perfectly good woodie for them, but they both look entirely enjoyable. If the ride cycle (ie coaster interaction) on Twisted Colossus runs just like it does on the POV, that would be awesome, I just wonder if a handful of idiots is going to make them cycle the rides so the two coaster never really see each as the pass around the track. I wonder how much savings there is b/w the conversation of this ride compared to building it from scratch? I'd love to see something like that at KI, but not at the expense of The Beast or Racer.

Is there really no MCBR? Does Leviathan have one? Am I missing it in the POV?

Now that sounds like an incentive to renew. I kind of hope it stays that way, exclusive to those that renew prior to Nov 2 (I would be doing so either way).

I didn't even think about this, but that is a Fast Lane Plus for the whole day I assume, not a Front of the line pass for 1 ride, which is how I first read it) That does change things up significantly, I wonder if those are good for the Haunt. anyhoo, another fear or perhaps thought, what is the motivation for trying to push attendance higher with lower admittance costs? What is the drive for adding incentives to increase season pass sales in the fall (vs buying them at Christmas time or in the spring)? Are they trying to grease attendance numbers to shine things up for a sale? Seems like they should be getting around to announcing KI's season ticket promotion soon. Perhaps next week after the Carowinds announcement?

hmm.. I wonder when I renew my KI pass this fall if I'll pick up a "free" Fast Lane+ pass. edited for Terp

Your little one can be held on the Carousels, Boo Blasters may be too scary, but it never bothered our son at 2ish or our daughter last year when she was about 15 months. Monster may be too early, out Daughter rode it once last season and just buried her head into Mom the whole ride (then proceeded to cheer with excitement when it was done) so we waited for a second turn this season and she really enjoys it. She rode it 3 times one day. He's probably too young to ride the whip it alone, if he had someone sitting on the outside seat that he could lean into when it turned the corner, he'd be ok, but as an individual its probably the right call to hold back. Our Daughter has been on it by herself a couple of times this season (kind of made me nervous w/o her brother right next to her, but she supported herself well), so maybe next season for you. Sally's Sea Plane and the Whirlybirds, well lets just say you're probably better off not letting him know that either of those are an option. Sea Plane is always a short line, so not too bad, but the line for Whirlybirds is often long, moves slowly and those things get awfully stuffy on the inside. I'm forever thankful that the 6 year old never really requested that ride much, and wouldn't complain if the line was long and we said no on a handful of occasions. Enjoy the next few seasons, dont know if your son will grow into much next season, but by age 3, they should have most of the 36" stuff open to them, then every 4" is a KI milestone. You have no idea how fun a night ride on The Beast can be until your 5 year old looks over at you on the 2nd lift hill smiling and talking about how he couldn't even see his hand in front of his face, let alone his dad sitting next to him. Same can be said about all the rides. Enjoy!

We must go on different days. We're typically a middle of the week, 5:30 to 9:00 or 10:00 goes, so I'll readily admit its not prime time for certain areas, and maybe that is included. I agree with you on all fronts bout Peanuts Offroad, it may not be thrilling but our 2 year old enjoys it. Heck, our 6 year old still kind of enjoys it when we are back int that area, too bad he'll be too tall to get on it next season. At any rate, its a lesser version of the Peanuts 500 car ride (though perhaps better capacity, don't know). If they had to relocate it, to make my idea work, fine, but I wouldn't just get ride of it. Its small and could work in a lot of different areas if need be. I don't recall what, if any the height restrictions were on the 'tiques, but I envision that any child capable of sitting up on their own (ie able to ride Snoopy Junction) would be able to ride a new car version. Obviously they couldn't drive the car, but they could ride along, would probably be just as thrilling for them as Snoopy Junction would be. Snoopy Junction requires a responsible adult to ride with any kid below 40", so in either case a young rider would need somebody else with them on the ride (unlike Peantus 500, whip-it, etc...) You are also forgetting a handful of the other under 36" rides, Sally Sea Planes, the helicopter ride, carousels, and The Monster. That is 9 rides that I can think of, and if you trust the website, it doesn't list a height requirement for Joe Cool's Dodge 'Em School, just a maximum height. I'm not sure if I believe that, but I've always forgotten to check, either way I'm not ready to test my 2 year old daughter on it yet, maybe next season if there truly is no minimum height. however, if there was another area in the park that worked, I'm all for it, just seems like as they've rotated around the park, Planet Snoopy is due for some upgrades sometime in the next 2-3 seasons.

Son of Shake Rattle & Roll. Would that be "Flip, Flop & Fly"?

electronic cars may not be the same to you, but they'd be every bit as enjoyable to the 6-12 year olds of today that would be chauffeuring their parents around the coarse. As far as location, my vote would be to get rid of Snoopy Junction (even on busy evenings I often see empty trains leaving) and extend the track back towards picnic groove. It would win thru the trees, you could create some interaction with the walking path back there, perhaps even use it an an excuse to spruce up picnic groove (I've never personally been back there, so I don't know if it needs any sprucing or not). The 3 rides behind Surf Dog are seemingly ignored by many in Planet Snoopy. They're kind of hidden back there, and while Snoopy Junction and Peanuts Offroad Adventure are largely forgettable, Linus' Beetlebugs are a joy to watch. It would be nice to have something to attract parents back to that area (all 3 are rideable by children under 36" which appeals to our 2 year old) they could probably even re-use Snoopy Junction's station, though finding room for a que could prove difficult.

Sure seems like a lot of "Whoops!" going on down there, especially on things that are not all that complicated.

The craps table can be quite a roller coaster. Up a couple hundred one minute, down a couple hundred a few minutes later.

But a big problem with kids who "look older" than said age. How many parents take their 3 year old thru the que, passing them off as a 2 year old (no charge)? Now imagine if there was a cut off at 5 or 6 or 7 or 8? My 6 year old has the body of an 8 or 9 year old, but often the maturity of a 4 year old. People guess his age wrong all the time, ask what level of baseball he plays and were shocked when I told them he was only 5 (at the time) and playing tee ball. A policy like that is going to have to either be very lax to the point where you take the parents word for it almost to a fault, or risk creating a lot of bad PR. There is a reason why Disney went to the full charge for everyone 3 & up.

I don't believe there is a "junior" Gold Pass. I believe a Gold Pass is the same for everyone no matter the age. We typically buy ours in the fall of the season prior, at the lowest prices available. Bottom line, KI has a bit of a confusing policy on this matter, and a little flexibility could have gone a long way in making this customer happy. On the other side, the mother is expecting something for nothing and failing to take accountability for reading the fine print when she bought the season pass. Both sides are to blame, there really are no winners.