SonofBaconator

@Delirium13, also static figures go a long way. There were figures that didn’t even move (the portraits for example) and most of the figures that moved only really moved a few body parts (head, mouth, arms, eyes, etc.) If they can incorporate more static figures into the ride, they could save some $$$ in maintenance and upkeep. If you look at the Haunted Mansion at the Disney parks, few figures move very much- some move very slightly or they’re on a mechanism that makes them move.

I’m not saying KI competes with Disney, but I think they should seriously look into some lower budget dark rides/indoor attractions that could potentially allow for a longer season during the winter weekends. With how Cedar Fair wants to incorporate stories into their attractions, they could come up with some concepts that people would enjoy; similar to how people have a cult following behind Phantom Theater. In fact, most dark rides have strong followings and fandoms that the chain could utilize in the form of merchandise.

KI used to boast 4 indoor attractions and now they’re down to 2. Do people miss the 4D theater as an attraction?- I never got to experience it..

I understand what you’re getting at, I just wish some buildings were used more- it doesn’t have to necessarily be every one. I’d still like to see a museum and maybe a ADA complaint fun house of sorts

I think some of the haunt buildings can be used for more than just seasonal attractions. Quite honestly, if they gut some of the buildings and design them like they were non haunt attractions, they could make minor tweaks to them to reincorporate them into Haunt. Take Blackout for example, they could use that building to tie into the story of Banshee and have it be an old abandoned house that adds to the theme that they could enhance during haunt- same with the SOB building, Killmart, etc. With how KI and CF are trying to push stories, having a building that ties stories into nearby attractions would be neat. In addition, it was fascinating seeing all of the temporary 50s nostalgia hit the park, it would be cool to see old KI historical “artifacts “ preserved in an on-site museum for older generations to go inside and reminisce on past memories.

I thought I’d create a large thread solely focused on the discussion of all animation that’s basically “non screen”. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with animatronics, practical affects, and optical illusions seen at parks like Disney, on old KI attractions like Phantom Theater, Enchanted Voyage, the old and new train figures, and non park attractions like what you see at those family shooting galleries with Daniel’s Woodland or even Chuck E Cheese. Happy discussing!

I don’t believe GWL was listed as a “preferred” hotel when Cedar Fair operated Camp Cedar for obvious reasons. Now that Cedar Fair doesn’t operate Camp Cedar, I don’t think it makes sense for them to list the property as a “preferred hotel.” We might see GWL return as a “preferred hotel”, now that Camp Cedar is no longer affiliated with the chain but who knows.

I also don’t see us getting a relocated coaster that’s that old. Would it be cool?-sure, but I’d rather have the chain spend more money on a more modern coaster than a relocation.

I’m a little surprised they didn’t change the name

I think that would be nice, and maybe rope off certain areas until it becomes night time. Has KI ever done live Reindeer? I think that would be a cool thing for guests to see and a lot of holiday events incorporate them in.

It would be cool if it was tied into Philadelphia a little bit. Would painting it dark green and calling it “Eagle” violate any trademarks by the Philadelphia Eagles?

I wonder if they’re going for a 200fter like Griffon: 1-2 inversions or something under 200ft that features more inversions like Emperor.

I always felt like the Plus system devalued some of KI’s rides. Of course newer rides are more popular out the gate so it makes sense that they’re on the plus system, but I always felt like coasters that aren’t on the plus (like Banshee and Diamondback) were deemed “not worthy” and therefore indirectly devalued them.

I think we’ll see Phantom Theater return in 2024 and see construction that year for 2025 but that’s just me

From KD’s Facebook page

If you get a building the size of Festhaus (maybe even smaller) you could pull off a dark ride of a similar quality to the Winnie the Pooh ride I showed earlier. That stage/barnyard could fit a building of a similar square footage. Whether that would generate a good ROI or not, I’m not sure.

Double Post. If you look at some Disney dark rides, you’ll notice that most of the figures are static or have very few moving parts- allowing imagineers to use music and lighting to tell the story. Granted this is established IP, I argue a concept like this would be easy to replicate..and I’m not just talking about Phantom Theater but dark rides in general.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy going to Winterfest but it has indeed been getting stale. For example, while the train is super popular during Winterfest, I think the half “Twelve Days of Christmas” half “Christmas carols” seems to have run its course and the whole ride could do with a new overlay. I’m sure the new flat rides in AP will help add something to the event, but I feel like after 5 years, some things need to be retired, some things need to be refreshed, and some things need to be introduced.

@CoastersRZ I think starting Winterfest before Thanksgiving would be helpful. It could combat any potential weather related incidents like the park had last season with early winter freezes. I want more attractions open but at the same time, I want the holidays incorporated more into them.Seeing the Boo Blasters done up for Winterfest was a great touch. Adding an overlay to Mystic Timbers would be easy enough to do, in my opinion, I just don’t understand why it hasn’t been done yet. Just adding holiday lights in the shed and maybe plays 80s Christmas hits (not sure if they’d need to get the rights to use them) would be enough for me. Also, with the work being done on Racer, it would be nice to see it run during Winterfest as well. I love going to Winterfest every season but for some reason, something was off about this year. I’m not sure if I had personally expected more or what but I didn’t get the same feelings that I did in years past and I know I’m not alone on that.

When wooden roller coaster track gets replaced over the years, that reminds me of the ”Ship of Theseus” thought experiment

Does anyone know photoshop? It would be cool to see what it will look like!

From what I gather, Cedar Fair isn’t super interested in operating resorts in the southwestern Ohio region. KI benefits from the hotels in the area because they get the potential revenue from hotel guests who chose to go to the park. In addition, KI/CF doesn’t have to invest any money into the neighboring hotels since they are all owned by different companies: no spending on construction, utilities, staff, etc. I’m assuming the chain would rather spend their money elsewhere and continue to indirectly make money on neighboring hotels as opposed to putting money into a property that might or might not have turned them a profit. If anything the park benefits from not having anything to do with the campground in my opinion- they minimize the risk and still reap the reward from travelers who travel to the area.

If you go to “Places to stay”, Camp Cedar is gone. Additionally, Kings Island is gone from Camp Cedar’s website when you go to “area attractions”. Was there a break up that we missed?

Not to say we don’t necessarily need scare actors but… scares don’t always need to come from people. I’ve been places where a well timed valve going off or the sudden loud noise while no monsters are present can be just as terrifying because it lets the imagination run wild. Jump scares are fine, but they’re quick and don’t seem to last as long.

Weather is a touchy subject. There are people who are disappointed when the park closes at unscheduled times- which could affect their plans. On the other hand, there’s people who are upset if the park stays open because they feel for the employees who have to work the event. Kings Island has to do what they think is best for their guests and employees. Cold weather is different from rain. Storms can be here and gone in a few hours…the same can’t be said for freezing weather. If the park had the mindset of “these people paid, so we should stay open.” they could face potential lawsuits if they can’t ensure safe conditions for their guests and associates. I’m sure they’d rather refund for freezing weather and have their associates stay home over risking their guest’s/employees’ safety. Even though people are spending the money, the park has the final say in how they chose to operate. Foresight needs to be put into play at times as well: if the temperature is in, or around, the single digits, it’s probably not a wise decision to make plans to go to an outdoor event in the first place.