MDMC01

Just picked up pizza at Rivertown LaRosa's! And as I'm walking, it looks like we are getting the 80's show again starting next month...

It would be 20 years old this season! Thankfully, Banshee is a much more reliable ride.

Beast is a walk-on today!

From launch coaster to launch coaster... Unfortunately, it appears it's down right now...

Pretty cool and unique... so where would this be going in the park?

Despite all the increased traffic in Area 72, FOF's wait is not too bad today; hopefully it'll be a great ride experience!

@Nutterie Sharing videos/pics from KI to make it feel like we are at Opening Day even though we physically can't be there b/c COVID-19 So, I just went down to the valley... yeah, I'm gonna be here a while... getting plenty of re-rides!

Today would have been Opening Day! Though I may not have gone because Easter plans (my family celebrates the day before and the day of), I certainly would have been to breakfast at Frisch's. And to add to the above post, in addition to just getting into the park again, I'm really looking forward to riding The Bat, Adventure Express, Beast, Invertigo and of course, Orion. When I get to go again, I think I may stick to my plan of not doing Orion first (because I wanted to see how short the lines are elsewhere), but now I kinda think that reason is irrelevant as all lines may be short due to social distancing and/or the effects (the "fear factor", as someone put it) of COVID-19. Still, I think I will either do The Bat, Adventure Express (because remember 20 years ago, we got a hyper hybrid in Son of Beast and AE is a hybrid coaster) or Invertigo first before moving over to Area 72.

I, too, cannot wait to get back to scaring again! As for what I'd like to see from a guest POV, I think it would be interesting if Blackout turned into a cold maze. Some cold wind and frostbite theming combined with the darkness would really freak me out. That being said, I might try it at least once (if that were possible), just to face my fears (I don't like the dark mazes or the idea of freezing to death).

Here is an interesting article I found yesterday about how Microsoft thinks the world will change because of this pandemic: https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/9/21214314/microsoft-teams-usage-coronavirus-pandemic-work-habit-change Spoiler alert:

I am also in favor of Coasterstock being rescheduled- this would be my first year going!

From 1:32 until that disgustingly twisted part (1:54), if taken at proper speeds (like 45-55 mph), that part of the purple "crap coaster" actually has a pretty interesting layout. May want to knock off those last two inversions at the end, though, but to me, it looks solid! As for the "2020 as a (dumpster fire) coaster" jokes, personally for me 2020 was going fantastic and it's still going pretty well, even though I can't freely go places like I used to (though I do love the option of working from home). But at the same time, I have spent that time that I would have spent going out doing other meaningful things like watching movies with my family and bonding with my Pokemon team in Pokemon White. Not only are three of my teammates some of my faves from the Unova region (and Unova is turning out to be a fantastic region, might I add!), but this game/team is significant as I bought it online during this historic pandemic (that counts for something, right?). And also, don't forget, 2020 is still a special year because we are 20 years from the year 2000... coronavirus doesn't change that milestone! -MDMC, trying to stay positive

I just read about the delay and I'm still very much looking forward to it! I just hope to get all the other books I plan to read done before it's out lol. But even if I don't, I'm still planning to buy it whenever it comes out!

I, for one, can deal with this. I'm sure (I hope ) the thermometers used are sanitized with each use, though. Other than that, I will be happy riding The Bat, Orion, Adventure Express, The Beast and everything else that manages to open. Though it would put a damper on the new Area 72 if FOF didn't open with the park... Also, would Festhaus be open... many questions here...

But wouldn't this mean these parks will (eventually) come back strong because they have these new, amazing coasters?

I haven't ridden Slingshot since 2015. Also, I didn't ride Congo Falls, Dodgem, the Carousel, and RFYLCB once in 2019.

I just watched my church service online yesterday and it was great; it actually brought a sense of normal-ness to it all as it was great to see the worship team and preacher that I would normally interact with most every Sunday And speaking of churches... https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/solid-rock-pastor-targets-reaction-church-services-during-sunday-sermon/15QyOacdLeAXnh7AyQ2KwK/ Just want to say that ultimately, I believe the Church is about the body of believers, not just the building (so what Solid Rock is doing is dangerous in this day and age). That being said, I understand some people will want to get back to normal, which includes being in-person at church, but we'll just have to wait it out. For now, online services will just have to do!

I think I've been on all the adult rides the park currently offers (excluding Planet Snoopy and Orion ). There were some seasons where I just didn't ridden certain rides at all, but I think I've ridden every adult ride currently in operation at least once in my lifetime. As for defunct rides, I never got to ride King Cobra as I got a walk-of-shame for being too short. And I probably did not get to all of the Action Theater Rides (I know Smash Factory and the short-lived Funtastic World of Hanna Barbara as Side B was almost never open), but I know I did Spongebob and 7th Portal when they were around. Finally, I don't think I ever got to experience The Edge (that giant climbing wall near where the Oktoberfest Coke Freestyle is today)- though I do (barely) remember seeing it in person - and the Eurobobbles (I think?). The latter were on Flight Commander's pad, which has since been removed for Autos. Speaking of the Autos, I don't know if I ever did the Rivertown side of the original Antique Cars. EDIT: Also never rode Phantom Theater as it seemed scary as a kid.

Yes, I remember one Opening Day in particular (2018, I think, because Firehawk was still around) where all three of the Arrows didn't run as it was too cold. EDIT: Speaking of Firehawk, look how red the newly painted track was its opening year: https://rcdb.com/3793.htm#p=19045

I volunteer as tribute!!! I'm now curious to see how wearing gloves and a mask would work on The Bat! Seriously, it kinda hit me today about facing the realities of different scenarios affecting Kings Island's future operations. I really hope the park opens this year or even for next year, but if something does happen that causes this to be longer than expected, at least NYE 2020 was one heck of a send-off!!!

I think those icons are for Funpix stations, and since Funpix works with on-ride photos, than maybe FoF is getting its picture back! Also, Timberwolf is labeled on the map! I don't remember if it had been in recent years. And Mystic Timbers looks very fleshed out in this version. Finally, I didn't even notice Vortex was off the map until someone said something... I think it might hit me more when I see it (gone) in person. EDIT: And Orion looks great on that map!!!

Not related to theme parks, but I just found this out via Youtube... country singer Joe Diffie died due to "complications from [COVID-19]. One article I found discussing his death: https://abc7ny.com/health/country-singer-joe-diffie-dies-after-covid-19-diagnosis/6060991/

WOW! Coaster thru the Clouds looks like a Roller Coaster Tycoon-esque coaster loosely based on the idea of Millennium Force. Also, can we talk about those multiple headchoppers, though! Also, more relevant to the question, if Intamin did work with Cedar Fair again, I'd love to see a Intamin Impulse at KI. But if speaking more realistically, one of those 10 Inversion coasters and/or an Intamin Blitz would be fantastic!!! Or even something custom/unique would be cool. EDIT: An Aquatrax would be cool too! Also, Fun Fact: according to RCDB, there is apparently a max height restriction on Coaster Through the Clouds (much like Banshee, DT or Delirium at KI); definitely makes sense with those multiple headchoppers!

Nice! Great theming! Also, I was going through this thread and I just now realized why there is a seemingly "random" blacktop path near the Rivertown restrooms* (where Backlot's switchbacks are visible)... based on the picture of the original Antique Cars, I think that's a remnant from back in the day as it looks like the Rivertown station is in that general area. *for those who don't know what I'm talking about, if walking towards Rivertown LaRosas and Diamondback's splashdown is on your left, it is a tiny blacktop path that goes upwards and to the left (in the direction of Backlot Stunt Coaster). If someone who knows what I'm talking about can post a picture, that would be fantastic (or we can see it whenever KI opens back up).

When/if Kings Island opens for the season, I have an idea for how to do weekday operations: Each day, a section of the park (or select rides) could be open for that specific day. For example, on Mondays, they could only open Action Zone and the shops on I-Street, on Tuesday you could open Oktoberfest and half of Coney, Saturdays could be Planet Snoopy, Diamondback and Mystic Timbers, etc. Some rides, like Orion, Beast and Mystic, could be open every day or almost every day (especially Orion as that is what a lot of people have been anticipating riding and Beast/Mystic seem to be pretty popular). As conditions start to improve, more and more of the park would open on certain days, and eventually, once conditions and staffing improves, everything can open! EDIT: During this phased opening time, ticket prices could be scaled based on the day. It's basically ERT, but the park is open to everyone (or like those limited operation days they used to have back in the 2000's- that's how I got my first ride on Flight of Fear; it was one of the only coasters open that day!). Though I've worked at the park for numerous seasons (and hope to go back to scare again), I really don't know how the process of getting the park open for the season works from a business perspective (especially in times like these!); this is just my $.02 on this matter.