MDMC01

I went to the park exactly 30 times; two of which were just for concerts (Crowder at Spritsong and HiFi Honey at the waterpark). During these two trips, I didn't ride any rides.

I forgot to mention that! I love this show as well; it reminds me of listening to concerts at the Towne Square when I was a kid. Also, there are usually some good songs in the lineup.

That bobblehead is cool! And yes, this could definitely be an offseason meetup idea.

What a good read! Over the years, I've morphed from just a rides guy to a rides, shows, Haunt mazes (and occasionally) games guy. My favorite shows are/were as follows: The Boyz are Back (2014) Having grown up enjoying groups like Nsync, Backstreet Boys and Hanson, I loved this show and saw it countless times! I loved the second act as it was all Nsync and Backstreet Boys songs. After the last show, I had the guys sign a shirt I made celebrating the show. Cirque (includes Imagine, Origins and Gravity) (2014-2019, for now) Coming out around the same time were the Cirque shows, produced by Les Productions Haut-Vol. While all were cool in their own way, my personal favorite show/season was the second season of Origins (2017). That year, I saw the show at least 40+ times and even cried on the last day. I thought that year had the best cast as the elves were great (though I did miss Yannick when he left midway through the first season of Origins), Nico was an amazing slack rope guy and I loved the contrasting characters of Nael and Abresh (Nael being shy and graceful and Abresh being wild and dangerous). BTW, I still do not know the song for Abresh's original routine- if that could be found, that would be fantastic! Also, we can't leave out Paco and Jocko... "I'm not sorry!" Back to the 90's (2017) If you know me, you know I love my 90s and early 2000's! This show was a tribute to all the great music and culture from that time period! They even included "Larger than Life" from "The Boyz are Back". Though the cast kept changing, the show was always awesome! Blood Drums/Drums of the Dead When you think Haunt, you usually think Blood Drums! I've being seeing this show since I started going to Haunt regularly (2013) and I've thoroughly enjoyed the many interations of it. I really enjoyed the 2018 show as I felt it was a "best of" from all their years at KI, along with the some new stuff. In hindsight, that last season was a great send-off as we now have Drums of the Dead. Though I haven't seen it in person (I was looking for a friend of mine out in a cornfield ), I did see it on YouTube over the Winterfest season and really enjoyed it. Winterfest Speaking of Winterfest (the 2016 revival, that is...), it brought us a ton of shows. Of the three years of Winterfest, here are/were my favorites: Tinker's Toy Factory (the first one; the second one is good, but the 2016/17 version is a classic), The Plight Before Christmas, 4 Drummers Drumming (all 3 seasons) and What the Dickens. I've also enjoyed the first two seasons of Jingle Jazz as well as the Mistletones since they moved over to Coney. Misc. Shows There were some Festhaus shows that I saw while working in Food that I'd like to mention. Way Too Much TV was great and whoever sang the lead on the "Fame" theme song did an EPIC job! I remember being amazed by her voice every time. Also, the country shows every few years weren't too bad. Girls Night Out was... interesting. And speaking of country shows, though I was not a fan of 2018's tribute to new (pop)-country music, I really liked 2019's Flashback Country show. And finally, I think last year was the best year for the 80's show as there was some great singing talent! EDIT: Also, I guess I should include Carnivale, which included the nightly parade and the mini-shows. Though a lot of people loved the China show (at one point, the show moved from its normal location near Showplace to the bandstand as it was that popular), I really enjoyed the India pavilion with the drumming (which included breakdancing for a short time) and the Bollywood dance lessons.

I learned a lot from that article! Though I haven't met him personally, I wish him the best in his future endeavors.

Without reading the article, I'd like the say that this (last) decade was the decade I really started going to the park more (especially 2012 onward) as I could (finally!) drive myself there and back. Also, the 2010's was the decade I joined KIC and met all of you fine people! KIC has been a great outlet to share my love for coasters and theme parks as well as place to make great friends (like @Magenta Lizard, @XGatorHead 8904, @malem, Brad, and a bunch of other people I may have never met if it wasn't for KIC). EDIT: Upon reading the article... Great Timeline; so much good stuff in there like Mystic, Banshee and Tropical Plunge! I totally forgot Coasterstock started in 2015; I feel like I need to go to that at some point. Also, I feel like a lot has changed in the last decade and not in just at KI: smartphones are basically a staple in people's lives (not mine, though!) and streaming on services like Netflix and Spotify are the norm as well. Pokémon HeartGold was released in 2010, and now we have Sword and Shield on the Switch (ok, the impact is debatable lol, but we did get Black and White/2 as well as the advent of 3D games like X and Y and Sun and Moon). Also, social media has really taken off in the form of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (remember Vine?)- and livestreaming services like Facebook Live, Periscope and Meerkat. Finally, let's not forget the rise of big companies like Google. Amazon and even Disney (with theme parks, Disney+, and the acquisition of Marvel and Star Wars). Personally, the 2010's is the decade I graduated from college (6 years in the making lol), got my driver's license and had a lot of full time jobs- the most recent of which is within my college major.

It was a slow burn season for me, but it ended beautifully! Let me explain... On Kings Island's Opening Day, the three Arrows (now 2) were unable to operate due to the cold. IIRC, I rode Diamondback and FOF a lot. Throughout the main season, I went to KI, but didn't go as much as I had planned. I really enjoyed Carnivale and it was great to take my step-dad to see Crowder at Spiritsong as Kings Island is my happy place and it was cool to share it with someone, especially someone who doesn't normally visit theme parks like I do (also, getting to watch Skillet perform from the Effiel tower on that Saturday Night was super cool as well). Also, the two fireworks shows (Greatest Showman/Footprints) were pretty cool as well. And we can't forget Orion's announcement as well as Gravity, season two (that sensory-friendly show was epic!)! So, next comes Haunt. I had wanted to be Scareactor for years, but finally pulled the trigger this year and I loved it! You all already know about some of my amazing experiences (And I know least one KICer guest saw me in action), but you may not know that my first big scare routine that worked was inspired by Cedar Point's Forbidden Frontier. That Cedar Point trip took place on Labor Day weekend and though it was extremely crowded, I had a blast! My main reason for going was for experiencing Forbidden Frontier (it was awesome!) but I was also able to get two decent rides on Magnum as well as go back to some old favorites like Rougarou, Valravn and Wicked Twister (RIP?). Switching gears a bit, Vortex Closing Day was probably one of the single best days at the park. I did all the things: Ate breakfast with friends, went to church, rode some rides, got to see one of the my best friends and rode more rides, said goodbye to Vortex, and partied with my Haunt Fam afterward! After that great end to the main season, Winterfest rolled around. Though I went as a guest, I had a blast seeing Haunt people and seeing the shows. The two standout shows this year (IMO) were What the Dickens and Four Drummers Drumming. I saw Dickens six times and I love how it is so funny. Four Drummers Drumming is always awesome, no matter who is in the band! And I can't forget about NYE and the party on I-Street; what a great way to end the season! EDIT: In addition to Haunt, HalloTween was a thing this year! I overcame my fears in Blackout and really enjoyed walking through CHAOS once again. Shipwrecked looked and sounded awesome, and turning Madame's into a whodunit experience was a cool concept.

I just want to say that I had a fantastic time last night! In addition to attending TWO NYE parties in the park, I saw the 6 PM Drummers, rode Mystic and went into Peanuts Playhouse to see what that was all about (it was pretty cool; Charlie Brown and Lucy were playing Connect 4 and there were kid-friendly versions of "Boy With Love" (BTS) and "High Hopes" (Panic! at the Disco) playing). Both of the NYE parties (the elf party in the Festhaus and the dance party in front of the tower*) were fantastic in their own ways. It was so great to see all my friends one last time before the off season officially begins. *The Elf Party in Festhaus followed a showing of Tinker's Toy Factory and had kids up on stage to participate in a snowball fight and Hot Potato (but with a snowball), all with a dance party as well. That was really fun and I ran into some of my Haunt Fam as well as people I used to work in Park Services with. While that was super awesome, the I-Street party followed right afterwards. It was basically a dance party with the characters (such as Mr. Tannenbaum, some of the elves (the group of four that come out before most showing of Tinker's Toy Factory), Jack Frost, the ghost of Christmas Present and a few more) and it was fantastic. They let some people on stage to dance up until about some time before Midnight, and it was fantastic. Of course I breakdanced a few times and ended up taking myself to First Aid not once, but twice. The first injury was from bleeding after playing Guitar Hero in Rivertown (I think my hands were just getting dry because of the cold) and the second one was breakdancing without wearing gloves ("Safety First!" As I told Mr. T once I put my gloves on). The party kept going right into 2020 with the elves dancing with the people in the crowd, which was cool to see. BTW, the fireworks were really cool and also two were very close to the stage (and bringing back "The Greatest Showman" one last time was great!). Before leaving, I made sure to say goodbye to some of the indoor elves that were still around (including someone I didn't know was an elf!) Like I said, it was a fantastic evening and I enjoyed ringing in 2020 at the park! To all my friends/Haunt Fam, it was great to see you all and I wish you all a great (and restful) offseason. 2020 is gonna be FUN!!! Also, as for the aforementioned question about the dining plan/alcohol; I don't know. What I do know is my drink plan did work after midnight, so there's that (then again, my pass was already renewed for next season). EDIT: Also, crowd-wise, it wasn't the normal crowdedness I've come to know about Winterfest, but there were a decent amount of people there, especially in front of the tower. When I got there, I was shocked to see so few people (and no characters at first), but I think it may have gotten busier as the night went on - or everyone was just ice skating when I got there!).

Good stuff! It's pretty cool that they dressed their Boo Blasters building up for Winterfest! Also, were you able to catch that parade? And it's really cool you got to ride Afterburn in December. I rode it in 2001 (as Top Gun: The Jet Coaster) and I remember it being really fun!

Oh yeah, it was! Guess I forgot! Maybe @BoddaH1994 was thinking I thought the show ended Saturday night (which it did not, that was just my last viewing of the show)? In any case, I'm ready to party tonight; just gotta go to work and stuff!

To my knowledge, Dickens is ending tonight as the Peanuts Playhouse is where one of the NYE events is being held. I say this as I was told by Guest Services that the Peanuts Playhouse is where a NYE character meet and greet will be (I went there after riding Mystic Saturday as I was wondering what other Winterfest shows would still be playing Tuesday while the park is still in "Winterfest mode", as the Winterfest Players told me the last show of "What the Dickens" would be Monday evening). If the show's last night was Sunday night, that's news to me. My last viewing was Saturday night for the 9:30 show.

Since I've ridden it most recently (and it currently surpassed both Diamondback, Firehawk and both Racers in the number of times I've ridden it), I will rank Mystic Timbers. Experience: 4.5 Mystic Timbers is a very solid coaster that has a lot of cool elements. When ridden at night, it seems to haul through the course and reminds me of those rides I took on Voyage at Holiwood Nights. While at first the shed disappointed me, I've grown used to it. If the shed wasn't there, I think the ride could still stand out it's own (and maybe be a tiny bit longer and have a different ending), but the shed adds a little something extra. Layout: 4 Mystic has an interesting layout. It is amazing how much speed that first drop gives and the low to the ground moments (especially the dips and s-curves) are really cool. If I can be nitpicky, the few parts that are meh are the hill/turn after the first drop (maybe that could have been lower or slightly curved upward to reduce the amount of speed lost from the drop) and the turnaround. Otherwise, it's got a cool layout. Capacity: 3 I think it has pretty good capacity. Theming: 4 It has a lot of theming, from the queue to the station to the shed. Restraints: 2 Restraints are simple, workable and do the job. Final Score: 17.5/20

1. more. day! I am so excited about this!!! Also, keep in mind that this New Year's, it will be the 20th anniversary of the year 2000 (aka the new millennium)! I do have a question, though: for the Winterfest portion of the night, will most of the WF shows (specifically, I'm wondering about 4 Drummers Drumming) be on their regular schedule? I know Tinkers has its special thing and What the Dickens ends tonight, but I was wondering about the others; thanks! EDIT: Also, I wonder if there will be any exclusive "2020" NYE merch available at the park?

So, I WILL be at Opening Day this season, but it's just a matter of what time. As of right now, I don't think I'll be making breakfast at Frisch's (unless some people can make it as early as 7:30 instead of 8/8:30). As for getting to the park, I estimate I'll get there around 11 (as I'll be coming from Men's Group at the church) and I'm planning on doing either The Bat or Orion as my first ride of the season (probably the latter, as it has the power to draw me towards it lol). Looking forward to it! An elf that walked around before Tinkers last night kept saying that we have 363 (now 362) days until Christmas; how many days until Opening Day (assuming it's April 11th)?

I had another fantastic night last night! My first ride of the day was Mystic Timbers and I got the tree (I ended up riding it two more times that evening, including the last train of the night with fellow enthusiasts). I also ended up doing two new things that I've never done before at Winterfest: the Snowglobe in Action (Ice) Zone and made cookies. The snowglobe was really cool and the way they had me get to the snowglobe part felt like containment chambers in space; it was really cool! I also made cookies with a family I knew from Cirque and that was fun. I was gonna write something on the cookie, but I got fed up with the icing, which created this masterpiece lol: Thankfully, someone else ate it (as I'm a picky eater; I did try the icing and it wasn't too good). Before getting the LROTNOMT, I saw what would be my last showing of "What the Dickens?" (as the show's last day is Monday). It was a great last show as always and I said goodbye to the cast afterward. Throughout the night, I ran into people I knew and even acted as a lifeline for one of my friends' Christmas present to his girlfriend (he made her a crossword puzzle containing facts about himself to assist her in figuring out her Christmas present). Finally, I tried to learn how to floss. I absolutely HATE that dance, but I also wanted to learn it as I was curious- it's harder than it looks! Also, as a note, it turns out the prices of carriage rides fluctuate based on demand, as last night it was $30 (instead of $10 like it was most of the rest of the season- at least it was $10 at the times I checked the price)!

Oh, I get it! Upon receiving one on that night, I was terribly confused and thought it was super random (I mean, I knew KI had a partnership with Coke because of the freestyles in the park, but that was like the only reason I could figure for that gift). In any case, my friend and I both received one.

Good stuff! I wonder if the first two shows of Tinkers will be the regular (Christmas) show? If not, I may have to catch at least one more showing of regular Tinkers Saturday...

(re: The Trabant pics) That stinks! I remember seeing that as a kid (I've only been to Coney a few times as a kid - though I did see the park from the line to get into Warped Tour last year) and it looked interesting. Also, on a semi-related note, I wonder whatever happened to that Himalaya type ride (people used to mistakenly identify it as a "roller coaster") at Sports Plus* in Sharonville; is that still there?

My last few night rides on Mystic Timbers have been fantastic and give me flashbacks to riding The Voyage at Holiwood Nights - just as The Beast's helix gives me (good) flashbacks to Son of Beast! Also, as of tonight, Santa has officially left the building and will be replaced by Santa Snoopy*! I just want to say I've really enjoyed visiting Santa and the elves in Rivertown this season and I wish them all the best! *Link: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/play/winterfest/attractions/rivertown-wonderland

Agreed! I was driving back home today after helping a friend move and from Kings Mills Rd, I realized just how steep that drop is; I'd never noticed it like that before!

Good stuff, Carolyn! Also, I concur with the above poster that sugar (and caffeine) is amazing! I got some Nerds at work a few days ago from my Secret Santa and it made me really hyper! I was also really hyper from adrenaline and caffeine on Vortex's Closing Day! And I always wondered why the I-Street Graeters was open this time of year (for the hot chocolate)!

Thank you for sharing! I thought this "exhibit" (if you want to call it that) is very unique and reminds me of a Haunt maze with all the curtains separating the areas.

BUMP (from the Dead)! So, I just watched Drums of the Dead on Youtube (I couldn't see it live as I was attending to my scarecrow duties in the Field) and I very much enjoyed it. I think it is a worthy successor to Blood Drums and I like how they incorporated both the fire and the drumming aspects of Blood Drums into this new show. The only thing is that I'm not a big fan of is And fun fact, all the drummers from this show are now in 4 Drummers Drumming! I know this as after a show, one of the drummers said I could watch DotD on Youtube to see what I missed. EDIT: Here's the show in case you missed out, or want to see it again: