BB1

Walt Disney World: I've been going to WDW with my pass every other month on average bar some changes since May of last year, primarily as Dinoland has been in transition to removal. That being said I came back down after Dinoland has been removed, being there on it's final few days of operations. Suffice to say it's a shame that WDW couldn't revitalize the unique theme and expand upon it as the removal just looks sad. No matter which quote about progress you put up, it's not the same. I will say for those who saw that the Alioramus is back fully functioning, and the effects are still in gear. In regard to the rest of the park we checked out Expedition Everest, quoted at 25 min, actually waited more like 10. We took one lap around DAK before taking the bus over to Yacht Club to walk over to EPCOT. Being it was Valentine's Day weekend, I was anticipating a decently sized crowd. That being said, Living with The Land was quoted at 45 and we waited just about 30 min. This will become a reoccurring theme as it feels as if the park purposefully hyper-inflates wait times around the parks. The Festival of the Arts was my main draw, we went over to the Japan pavilion to start out with a sake shot that came in a wooden decorated box with your name in Kanji, the wagyu bao bun and the sushi donut. Overall, I had no problems with any dishes, they were all full of flavor and felt like the quality you would want out of a food event like this. We also got the beef wellington and the fried mozzarella, all were excellent dishes with no lapses in quality. We topped off our visit with Journey W/ Figment and hopped over to Disney Springs for lunch proper at the Boathouse. If you're looking for the classic 90's-00's red, black and white mickey merch, it's finally back at Disney Springs. They also have a new sorcerer mickey line which the hat is reminiscent of what MGM used to have years ago. We decided after that to head back to USO as crowds were building at Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. I will say however WDW/Orlando in general no longer has a down season. As a child I would be in Orlando in February and have minimal lines, those days are definitely gone with the sports and cheerleading events happening. I would implore you if you're planning on a weekend getaway, be prepared for the crowds, they are still there they're not going anywhere. I'll be back in a few weeks with another Orlando update, pendant on whether or not I decide to come down in March or just wait for April to do passholder previews for Epic! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

There’s just way too much going on that single weekend. To be frank with you I will be coming off a whole week in Epic Universe, I had no plans on doing HWN or Coasterstock as it’s just way too much happening all at once. I’m not shocked, in the slightest, that this event did not sell out because HWN took precedent as it went on sale first.

To think we're two months into the year and I've already had two weekend trips to Orlando, I think it's the perfect time to start my 2025 Trip Report thread! For context, YTD I've done the following parks: Universal Studios Orlando: 4 visits (2 per weekend) Islands of Adventure: 4 Visits (2 per weekend) Disney's Animal Kingdom: 2 visits (1 per weekend) EPCOT: 2 visits (1 per weekend) Hollywood Studios: 2 visits (1 per weekend) Magic Kingdom: 1 visit (1 weekend) I'll take the first post to look at Universal's offerings for Mardi Gras as it's honestly something I look forward to every year. Mardi Gras, arguably one of the shorter events in the park, it still has a lot of opportunities to bring new food and guest experiences to the park. The Cursed Coconut Club was excellent this year, I loved the theming and decor, but the drink selection was actually not terrible. For those who know the Universal saga on bitters, that's no longer an issue at least with the Aura Glow. Albeit expensive, it was a nice sipper for what it's worth. The theme this year played into the idea you were in the midsts of floats and a Mardi Gras carnival so to speak. With great music to the fortune teller, it is an experience you definitely don't want to miss out on. For the food selection I would definitely implore you to try the Pinchos De Lechon, effectively pork skewers with a piece of bread to top it off. It is honestly my favorite food from the event, the apple strudel was great, the beignets were wonderful. The Category 5 Punch honestly packed a punch, fruity and actually enjoyable, very reminiscent of the goblin juice for HHN. The tribute store is arguably one of my favorite ones to date for Mardi Gras. Effectively you are walking through a cryptid museum talking about the lore of the bayou and the cryptids therein. There were plenty of nods to the failures of Animal Kingdom, from a section with colorful dinosaur toys like Dinoland, to the dinosaur relics in the display case, to the coup de gras: Disco Yeti. Yes, you heard me right, disco yeti is in the tribute store. My main gripe is that there wasn't the chance to be in the Tribute Store as like years past, as I would have definitely jumped in on this one after the success of the summer Tribute Store. Another issue is that the merch collection is fairly limited, there were alot of repeats and I feel as if, if they did merchandise in light of the tribute store theme it would go over well with the passholders. Speaking of the passholder offerings, I didn't get a UOAP magnet as I have in years past as the new magnet is one you have to pay for and the design didn't really speak to me. Which was honestly somewhat upsetting as I was looking forward to getting some new bumper magnets for March. I think my main take away for 2025 is that even though I have been to the park plenty of times, there is still more to see and do. Outside of the festivities the park operations are still spectacular, even with the major school groups coming in there is plenty to do around the parks that don't involve waiting in lines. I will say the renovations on the MIB attraction are definitely noticeable, I feel like we got some updated blaster recognition and is arguably my favorite shooting dark ride I've ridden to date. Tomorrow I'll drop some thoughts on Disney's removal of Dinoland, a review on the EPCOT Festival of the Arts and more!

It costs way more to maintain a large structure and keep staffing when you could be losing money vs having a plot of land ready to go for a new expansion opportunity. I'll say this now, I know there will be something being removed at KI without a doubt; as it's happening chainwide. Xtreme Skyflier's removal doesn't hurt any integral attractions, nor does it really affect the overall guest experience like an Invertigo removal or Congo Falls. I've been around the block enough to know people on the inside but also know how the park works. I don't see Koontz wanting to have a ride like Monster or Shake Rattle & Roll removed, this is a safe and effective move to cut costs and give the opportunity to have a sizeable expansion pad.

At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if KI gets an attraction axed this year. I’ve always heard rumblings about Xtreme Skyflyer being removed for years now, which I think would be in line with the corporate reduction in force. It’s the last pay to ride attraction and it takes up way too much space that could be used for a new addition. I think, and would be willing to assume at this point that if anything gets removed from Kings Island’s line up it would be that. It’s a major cost saver and it doesn’t hurt the overall park lineup in any way shape or form.

Chipotl…..erm I mean Enrique’s or the Coney BBQ. It’s mainly due to the value you get for the meal but also they both have excellent patios.

So just as a brief update here’s a few photos from the Mardi Gras Tribute Store! I loved the theme, and it honestly felt like an honest jab at Disney with the Animal Kingdom decisions as of late. With a heavy focus on dinosaurs, retro tacky dinosaur toys it felt like another jab at the many for them removing Dinoland. The Disco Yeti of course speaks for itself but it feels like this was a clever way of saying that universal isn’t as tone deaf as what Disney has been. Honestly I feel like this tribute store played heavily on a solid theme but I WISH we got some merchandise that references this tribute store. After the summer tribute store event with the shirt and the socks I thought we would get something but unfortunately it doesn’t look like they are doing that program nor the photo program where you can be in the tribute store.

IIRC this was a promotional event with the Share a Coke With program. Basically you’d have a stand where you could get samples and if memory serves me right it would also have a share a Coke station to make your own label. I think this would have been circa 2014-2015. It wasn’t a terribly long stint and I believe it was traveling across the chain at that point for their Coke promos.

The Dinoland proper is set for closure tomorrow. Dinosaur from what has been stated by the park is here for the rest of 2025. Walking through today there were a lot of people reminiscing and taking plenty of photos. I come down once every few months usually speaking, but I’ve been down practically once a month since august because I wanted some more time with Dinoland/Dinosaur.

Down in Orlando to get some rides in a Universal and the last weekend for Dinoland in DAK. The new signs look really good on the walkway! In contrast to what we had, these are LED billboards so I’m looking forward to what they will show for HHN! (there’s some new merch I’ll post later, the Christmas Tribute store looks like it may be closed for the season)

Same weekend as HWN and the same weekend of Epic's Opening (which I'll be in attendance). Ironically enough I was considering going to Coasterstock if it came back this year, unfortunately it's on the one weekend, a full week and some, that i cannot come out. Good on KI for bringing the event back, hopeful that it sticks around for a 2026 run!

I would even venture to say that Orion was a short term solution for a long term problem that "ticked a box" but didn't do much for the park. I'm arguably one of the few true blooded waterpark enthusiasts out there and I'm content with what we are getting. It's smaller, however it's designed for families which gives a lot of utility and cuts down lines throughout the waterpark which we have been lagging for decades now. I'm 100% on board that Orion was the most ironic fanboy dream realized, but I wouldn't call River Racers a shortcoming (besides maybe the lack of a conveyor, but at this point with the park's track record with conveyor belts in the waterpark it is understandable).

Okay so as someone who was extremely passionate about the removal and, in my opinion still, a downgrade in quality at the park, I get where you are coming from. However, at the same time I even as a child never really gravitated to lookout. As an adult, as someone who worked that spot, I know there were challenges to continuing that space. It's extremely reminiscent of what we got from the 90's, but the park simply did not keep up with the structure. It honestly stuck out like a sore thumb, even in the Boomerang Bay era which it was never touched up so that whole structure has been sun bleached. Better yet, staffing and the scanning for that area led to more issues than anything else. Try moving your neck in a figure eight location for hours on end, it's definitely not pleasant. That being said, being an adult, I have not even touched those slides since a child which I did some research and after a quick refresher, you can't even ride these slides solo above 52" without a child accompanying you so I'm just going to leave that as is. In the long term I think this is a net positive if the park does some decent theming, which we may actually get. I've been begging for more TLC for the waterpark and I'm hoping that we get some shade added in.

So of course I had to swing by KI tonight as it’s been a pretty mild week for crowds. Just as an update for those who are shopping for their coaster enthusiasts: 1. There are a good portion of the summer spirit jerseys back in stock! Blue Ice cream has been a “must have” on a few lists I’ve seen and of course the day after I ordered it to be express mailed to my house it is in stock in the park. (Ironically enough the first day I wore my WDW Christmas spirit jersey to the park as well). 2. 2025 Snoopy merch is out and it actually looks a lot more vibrant/stunning this year than in years past. (Please pardon the glare I literally had to snap the picture to crop so that the worker who was standing next to it wouldn’t be in frame) 3. The Knott’s collection is still in stock, unfortunately this year they decided not to bring back the pancake mix and biscuit mix. However there is still a good hearty mix to bring a little bit of Buena Park to Cincinnati.

Some of the decorations/theming at Cabana Bay this year. I’ll be heading out to the parks in a bit and will be getting *hopefully speaking* the USOAP for the Christmas season today at the lounge.

I honestly anticipated some of this reallocation of assets within the first few years. The fact that, from what I have been hearing/seeing, it's a majority legacy SIX assets is a somewhat interesting surprise up to this point. Better yet, I'm curious to see if the "special arrangement" water parks and parks that the SIX chain owns will remain in the future; as I honestly don't believe parks like Darien, or Frontier City remaining as active parks in the foreseeable future.

I’ll be in town the same weekend however I’m going to be way too focused on USO & WDW for Christmas to even think about going. The fact that tickets are that expensive doesn’t help either.

So it’s safe to assume “Haunt” as a name isn’t going anywhere as all of the Haunt merch is still full priced. Which is unfortunate as I was somewhat hoping it would be discounted on the last day of operations.

If you're coming from a park centric view then it's easy to assume that. I've been going to the waterpark for well over 20 years (I only recently learned that I did go to Water Works as a child which I remembered vaguely), I've worked both sides of the waterpark besides the new slide installation with the Tropical Plunge addition. I have been wanting a water coaster for years now, so I can't honestly complain much besides having to lug a tube up which honestly I already do that with several other slides in the park to begin with. The lack of a water coaster in a park is tantamount to lacking a Hyper in the line up. Sure you don't need it but it stands out when you get it. For water park enthusiasts like myself this is a welcomed move, just not where I believed it would venture to. Although, from a logistical standpoint it makes sense as the "shallow" side of the waterpark (think of everything left of Smokehouse) it is non stop slides, meanwhile "deep" (which is everything right of the Smokehouse) has a lot of scanning positions so having a slide complex like this gives lifeguards a breath instead of going from scanning position to scanning position. This is definitely a solid move in the right direction, the name stands out like a sore thumb in the tropical "city" theme they have but I think to say that this is a filler project is complete nonsense from a waterpark standpoint. Virtually major waterpark around Kings Island has at least a water coaster for years now, we're seriously behind on that front.

If you’re planning on coming out tonight virtually every house is full staff. I’ve had really solid runs on slaughterhouse, st Michelle and killmart already. Tonight feels like a very strong improvement/great way to end out the 2024 season.

I'm not even mad, honestly, I'm disappointed in just how childish/backwards this whole situation is.

I mean listen at the end of the day I’m taking Kings Island literally by the horns in how much I get out of my pass. I’m effectively making money at this point based on my tables I’ve been using. *However* the park just keeps letting itself down. I hate saying this, honestly as someone who worked at the park I do, I wish that the park does see a dip in revenue from the constant upkeep of the new bars as I think they’re a honest waste of space. I’m sure they’re going to become tax write offs but I have yet to frequent a single bar at the park because I honestly don’t have the need for it. I just feel like there’s a difference between straight up lackadaisical and living up to this so called world class experience I keep hearing about. As the great Don himself (paraphrasing) said in a recent Tower Topics episode it just takes a few people to really spearhead for something to make serious changes in the park; which I feel is lacking anymore with what I’ve seen over the past few years.

Rarely if ever I come to the forums to just post an honest tilt thread but low and behold after last night I feel as if this needs to be addressed. If you get the upgraded drink plan with the hot chocolate/icee addition, you would assume that you would get free hot chocolate at every location where they serve it. Boy was I wrong, For context I tried to get hot chocolate 6 times last night, 4 times at the I street icee stand, french corner, the last visit being a success, 1 with Auntie Ann's and one at Sweet Spot. I went to Auntie Anns, saw the hot chocolate machine and thought hey maybe this is it. Nope, I waited probably 10 minutes to be denied, then proceeded to be told that I don't even have the hot chocolate add on. That prompted me to go to guest services; you know when the last time I went to guest services? I honestly don't know because I never have issues at the park. I was then told that Auntie Ann's was not on the list, which makes absolutely zero sense to me, and then was given a list of places where I could get hot chocolate. So It listed coney's drink station, the i street locations mentioned, the funnel cake stand and Graeters. It also listed "sweet treats" which I assumed was sweet spot as I've never heard of that name being used before. Went there, saw the glorious hot chocolate machine infront of me, only to be denied by the worker after literally holding it because they are merchandise not food and bev. That absolutely just made things worse, I finally wound up back at the french corner, got my hot chocolate but this experience left one of the worst experiences I have ever had in my life. Now look, I know this isn't a direct line to the park, but I know park officials watch this. Mike Koontz literally talks about being more family friendly with Orion, then puts out a million and one bars which were open. YET when I try to get hot chocolate when it actually gets colder out I get the run around from broken down machines, denial of service and yet I could get an alcoholic beverage just fine. They even made merch for the new bar when we don't have any decent merch for a few of our coasters. Like if you really want to be family friendly then give us access to the hot chocolate as we requested. Kings Island needs to be better than this, I had to try 6 times to get a hot chocolate last night and the fact that I've spent the money and was denied the service at several locations is absolutely ludicrous. It's one park, every location should satisfy this request if they can satisfy my icee and my regular drinks. Which I don't even think it's a tech issue, I honestly believe at this point the park is just that backwards right now because on one hand they're pumping out alcohol stands that never have a line while the main draws aren't getting the attention they deserve. I'm already communicating this to other friends of mine for the inevitable winterfest rush as believe me this will only become more of a problem. So for those who want hot chocolate on your visit, I implore you to go to guest services get a certified note on where you can use your pass perks and bring that with you; as at this point I just don't trust this system anymore which is really upsetting. Yes, I'm making a formal complaint today at the park as I'm honestly baffled as to why this is even an issue to begin with.

Good luck trying to get hot chocolate tonight, several machines have went down tonight, I tried 3 times and all 3 times no hot chocolate. It’s a travesty on so many levels that all of International street has no hot chocolate period.

^I woke up at 4:50 on Thursday and snagged the full 6 one day tix for the first six days of operation. It’s going to be busy but honestly I would regret not going opening day if I can go to opening day. The fact tickets sold out so quickly is not surprising.