SonofBaconator

Let’s begin with a huge What if… I’ve had: What if Kings Dominion got their tax incentives instead of Carowinds?

Not to go all conspiracy theorist but its possible that we might get another attraction in 2024 that could divert some attention away from Adventure Port, thus evening out capacity a bit.

Yes I don’t think what we have is a huge competition between parks but what @BeeastFarmer said does have some logic to it. I’m surprised we haven’t seen something like a S&S 4D Freespin or a Premier Skyrocket II come from KK considering how both are marketable to the general public and could certainly take two models out of KI’s potential ride selections (not that two parks in overlapping markets haven’t had similar rides in the past.) With Herschend at the wheel, assuming they work well with the fairgrounds, only time will tell with how aggressive they are with new attractions.

The comparisons are definitely astute. KK is a competitor to KI when it comes to the Kentucky market (with exception to NKY of course and individuals looking to get more out of their amusement park experience.) I always hoped KK would’ve went with a hyper that I believe was a very loose rumor years ago, but with T3 apparently biting the dust, we might see a higher quality thrill ride that might force a response from KI.

Call me blind but I see 48 seats in the concept art

Do you think we’ll see AP merch?

Do you think having two parks in overlapping markets affect potential finances? They’re about an hour apart and I’ve never been to either so I’m not sure how they do from an attendance standpoint.

Using KIC’s and KI’s photos to compare: I’ve stated before that concept art is to be taken lightly as it’s just to show what can be… not necessarily what will be. With that being said, I think that primarily red roofs create a thematic consistency for Adventure Port. If you leave the brown roof there, you’re leaving a part of the old restaurant and not really embracing the brand that you’re trying to sell to your guests. I’m sure people don’t read much into it but it just doesn’t seem complete to me and represents more than just an unpainted roof. Like you said, maybe things will happen.

Is it safe to assume that the brown portion of roof on Mercado/Enrique’s is to not to be changed?

That’s unfortunate. Like you, I think people missed out on it because of height restrictions. Then there comes down to the matter of comfort. I think it was removed before people could grow to dislike it. King Cobra lived to be 17 where as sister stand ups Shockwave and SkyRider both lived to be 29. I’m sure there were people who rode KC in its 17 year stint that found the ride uncomfortable, but the ride itself didn’t live long enough to get the same hate that SW and SR received. Much like Phantom Theater, King Cobra is in that marketing sweet spot where it had existed long enough for people to have fondly remembered it but, more importantly, it’s been gone long enough for people to have started wanting it back as they start to get feelings of nostalgia. With a new style of train proving popular with riders, I think the Surf Coaster is an opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up; especially for Kings Island and it’s recent desire to appeal to nostalgia by bringing back former attractions. Yes it would be another B&M which some people grown about but from a marketing standpoint, it makes perfect sense, and unfortunately no other manufacturers have really delved into the stand up model that I know of. And yes, there’s a gaping plot of land behind Backlot that can’t go overlooked also, but shifting priorities and prolonging the empty field could benefit the park as it would continue to generate buzz over the coming years and create a demand for a new attraction; assuming they don’t have something in the works already.

I think the biggest problem was one that one they couldn’t really fix: it was in a lower trafficked corner of the park built at an awkward time…. I’m sure they thought that the addition of WindSeeker the same season would’ve been enough to deliver a 1 2 punch of new attractionsto the area (1 2 3) if you include the new 4D experience. WindSeeker’s delayed opening, however, might have indirectly hurt DA. WindSeeker’s 301ft tall and is impossible to miss on the skyline. When it wasn’t operating, I don’t think people really flocked back to that corner of the park. Sure people still rode Vortex but you got to remember that DA debuted when Diamondback was still new as a 2 year old ride, and Firehawk hadn’t even been at the park for 5 years yet and was another popular ride… Then you also have to look at what proceeded DA. Soak City debuted on the opposite side of the property which would redirect crowds away from the DA area. Then the following year in 2013 it was announced that Banshee would replace Son of Beast, again on another part of the property that would redirect more foot traffic away from that area. By the time DA became free to Gold and Platinum Pass members, it was too little too late as there were simply more entertaining attractions, I don’t even think an operating WindSeeker was enough to keep people interested. Not soon after DA left, so did Vortex and that back area of the park has since became somewhat of a haphazard area with 3 attractions operating: the new Antique Autos, Shake Rattle n Roll, and WindSeeker (4 if you rope Backlot into that area). I think this area is ripe for an Adventure Port style rebrand but I’m getting off topic. I simply think Dinosaurs Alive was simply built in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe if they made it a traveling attraction where they scattered the Dinosaurs around the park for one or two seasons, the overall concept would’ve gained more exposure and could have possibly warranted a more permanent set up like what initially debuted in 2011.

I think the biggest problem was one that one they couldn’t really fix: it was in a lower trafficked corner of the park built at an awkward time…. I’m sure they thought that the addition of WindSeeker the same season would’ve been enough to deliver a 1 2 punch of new attractionsto the area (1 2 3) if you include the new 4D experience. WindSeeker’s delayed opening, however, might have indirectly hurt DA. WindSeeker’s 301ft tall and is impossible to miss on the skyline. When it wasn’t operating, I don’t think people really flocked back to that corner of the park. Sure people still rode Vortex but you got to remember that DA debuted when Diamondback was still new as a 2 year old ride, and Firehawk hadn’t even been at the park for 5 years yet and was another popular ride… Then you also have to look at what proceeded DA. Soak City debuted on the opposite side of the property which would redirect crowds away from the DA area. Then the following year in 2013 it was announced that Banshee would replace Son of Beast, again on another part of the property that would redirect more foot traffic away from that area. By the time DA became free to Gold and Platinum Pass members, it was too little too late as there were simply more entertaining attractions, I don’t even think an operating WindSeeker was enough to keep people interested. Not soon after DA left, so did Vortex and that back area of the park has since became somewhat of a haphazard area with 3 attractions operating: the new Antique Autos, Shake Rattle n Roll, and WindSeeker (4 if you rope Backlot into that area). I think this area is ripe for an Adventure Port style rebrand but I’m getting off topic. I simply think Dinosaurs Alive was simply built in the wrong place at the wrong time. Maybe if they made it a traveling attraction where they scattered the Dinosaurs around the park for one or two seasons, the overall concept would’ve gained more exposure.

A surf would be easy enough our park market, especially considering that our park got rid of its standup far earlier than other parks across the chain. I don’t think many KD, CWL, or CP fans miss their stand ups the way KI fans miss theirs.

How would you compare this level of theming to other chains in the industry? Or are we creating our own level of theming?

Once it’s gone though, it’s gone…as would the potential for future events.

I brought this up on another thread but I thought I’d share it here: Haunt Thursdays? Haunt extended into select October Sundays last season and I thought it was a great idea. Could Thursdays be on the table with limited rides or would it be more trouble than it’s worth?

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. Would people be just as comfortable riding a surf coaster if it had a standard lift? For example let’s say that our park orders one with a chain lift- would there be a noticed difference in comfort or would it be the same?

Vortex’s replacement will bring with it a new theme to the back area of the park (the area encompassing WindSeeker, SRR, and BLSC) Phantom Theater Returns Soak City gets some major changes within the next 10 years as some slides begin to show their age More passholder specific perks Something is done with the former Wolfpack building (recycled for another haunted house, demolished, something else, idk just something) Experimental Haunt Thursdays We see another coaster leave by 2030 Planet Snoopy gets overhauled within the next 10 years.

My question is- is the launch crucial to a good experience? Not to say that some people don’t already prefer launches to lift hills but would a surf coaster with a chain lift be a bad experience?

Tickets can be dynamically priced which is why they’re day-specific. If I recall correctly from previous seasons, you simply exchange the ticket. You might, however, have to pay an upcharge if you go on another day. For example if the tickets you bought were $49.99 online and you go on a day when they’re $54.99 online, they’ll have you pay that difference. If you go on a day when the prices are the same, it’s a simple even exchange. Finally if you spend $54.99 and go on a day when they’re $49.99 you still get in but you’re not getting reimbursed the difference. Once the tickets are scanned though, they’re irredeemable.

If you look at the one in New Jersey and MOA, they’re entirely themed to Nickelodeon so it makes it a lot easier to market to families. I’d imagine if you’re building a small indoor park you’d want to try to get ahold of a popular IP

For me personally, it’s the restraints. Much like riding Vortex, the OTSRs on Invertigo can be overbearing with the head banging (at least from what I experience when riding.) If it somehow had vest restraints I would ride it more.

https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/warren-county/mason/western-southern-open-owner-proposes-moving-tennis-tournament-from-mason-to-charlotte?fbclid=IwAR0nDjiQqhTDjAonUDkrlVsWmB3yZBSU-s1hCz0zfw-CjYEWwj5OT537Ovs&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

I shared this on another thread but I think Invertigo and Congo Falls will be replaced after Vortex.

There’s also the argument of year round operations. I’ve never been to the Pacific Northwest but I’d imagine the winters aren’t super pleasant.