SonofBaconator

I agree, I think we need to focus on improving what we have as opposed to adding on.

I’m fine with just a generic holiday overlay, just please stop playing The 12 Days of Christmas on loop and put in more lights.

Just please do more to the train- it’s the most underwhelming part of all of winterfest when it comes to light displays.

I would agree and honestly, it’s all about what you get out of it. I were a parent living either in Louisville or Lexington, I wouldn’t want to drive two hours and risk having to endure those issues. Though these incidents have been somewhat taken care of, it still might be enough to have some families reconsider where they go. Herschend has always been about family entertainment, heck it’s in their name, so it doesn’t surprise me that they’ve made safety a top priority.

It’s interesting how often Kentucky Kingdom is overlooked when discussing regional theme park influence. When you look at a map, Louisville and Lexington are only about an hour apart, making Kentucky Kingdom the most accessible park for a huge chunk of Kentucky’s population. Compare that to Kings Island, which is closer to a two-hour drive from Lexington - not exactly ideal for a casual day trip with kids. There’s no denying Kings Island has the edge in ride variety and overall scale, but for the average family of four, Kentucky Kingdom might be the better value. Season passes are usually more affordable, parking is simpler, and you can go multiple times without it becoming a major logistical effort. For many Kentuckians, Kings Island becomes more of a “special occasion” or once-a-summer visit, while Kentucky Kingdom is the go-to for more frequent outings. It may not grab headlines the same way, but Kentucky Kingdom probably holds a larger share of the Kentucky market than people realize — especially in that Louisville-Lexington corridor.

From the looks of it, the ride doesn’t look too complicated but then again I’m not a roller coaster engineer. I do hope that these delayed openings don’t become a trend. I remember when rides like Diamondback, Banshee, and Mystic Timbers all opened on time, (Orion was a victim of the pandemic), and it showed the chain’s commitment to working with manufacturers who could guarantee that their rides would be up and running opening weekend. I understand that some delays are unavoidable- I remember when Banshee went down for about an hour or so on opening day 2014. If I am a business and I am investing millions of dollars into an asset, I want that asset to be ready to go so I can get people through the gate.. I really hope that these delayed openings are just fallout from the old Six Flags as well as the merger itself. I’m hoping that the new merged chain will set a standard for what they expect out of their vendors and drop those who underperform.

Was this transaction pre merger?

I’m fine with the “baby trains” if they are running two trains which we have seen in the past. You’re essentially operating with a three train staff crew with the locomotive crew in the cab and one conductor (2x) so you still have a train at each station picking up people. for the longest time, I thought the Kings Dominion’s railroad was removed due to low ridership given that it wasn’t a transport ride like ours, but I was later told that it was some type of railroad regulation, which I still don’t fully understand because Busch Gardens Williamsburg, which was a little over an hour away in the exact same state, was still able to operate theirs and even add a third locomotive two years after Kings Dominion got rid of both of theirs.

Kings Dominion’s Railroad used to have a level crossing for Grizzly. Actually, if you look their old railroad versus ours, Grizzly’s placement would be almost similar to how Mystic Timber’s is except the station was inside the track so riders would have to wait at the crossing before proceeding to the ride. Heck you still have to wait for the crossing at Soak City but at least you have the option to utilize the overhead skywalk if you do not wish to wait though the ramp itself, though is not ADA compliant like white water canyons old entrance was. I argue that the implementation of the gate not only kills wait times but also wastes an associate- as there always has to be someone there to supervise crossing. There have been complaints online about the park running three car operations per train. A typical six car train consists of two conductors – one on each end. The front conductor supervises the first three cars, runs the spiel, as well as communicating with the engine crew whereas the back conductor supervises the last three cars and communicates with the front conductor via hand waves and radio during certain points of the ride along straight track along the bridge and near the engine shed. The reason why one conductor cannot supervise a whole six car train is because the various curves along the track obscure a conductor’s view of the whole train. This is why when staffing is short you can only run a three car train. If you break down the staffing for a full train you need an engineer and a fireman, and two conductors on either end of the train: 4 total. If you’re running two full trains then that number doubles to 8- that’s not to mention the brakes at the engineers have to take so probably more, but I’m not sure the engineers schedules. Back to the matter at hand – when they removed the overpass to Whitewater Canyon to make room for Mystic Timbers, and did not choose to rebuild it- instead opting a level crossing and thus sacrificing an associate. If they had just rebuilt the ramp else where, then they could’ve kept six car operations on a more consistent basis. I guess another way around this is if you have somewhat of an HUD display at the back or front of the train that has cameras for the conductor to be able to view the whole train but that just seems too cumbersome and inefficient should a camera prove to be faulty during a trip. If any of you go to other amusement parks and noticed that their railroads feature one conductor and they have a tray longer than three cars it’s typically because their track layout is straighter and doesn’t have as tight of curves or obstructions like Kings Island does. If you take Disney, for example there are not a whole lot of obstructions that would prevent the back conductor from viewing the whole train, the same for Cedar Point, Busch Gardens, etc. I understand that there are budget cuts, employee shortages, and so on, but I argue that transport rides of any kind need to be operating on a consistent basis, even if that does mean one train with a full set of six cars. It does become a real inconvenience for parents who use the train as a transport ride to go to and from the waterpark when they’re running at bare minimum.

I’m honestly surprised KK, or even HW, hasn’t gotten a 4D freespin yet to make either standout further. It would be a hit with either park and not as expensive since it’s cloned.

What happens when a regional giant starts to slow down? For years, Kings Island has been a dominant amusement park in the Midwest, drawing millions from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Columbus, Louisville, and beyond. But since the debut of Orion and the pandemic in 2020, the park’s strategy has noticeably shifted. Instead of major thrill investments, we’ve seen smaller additions like Adventure Port, Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers, and RiverRacers. At the same time, prime areas like The Vortex plot and Crypt building remain unused. Could the park’s focus on family offerings—and the merger signal a pause in high-thrill investment? And if so, what does that mean for the rest of the region? Could Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom step in to fill that gap? Both parks are strategically located and serve overlapping markets with Kings Island—especially in Southern Indiana and Kentucky. If either park were to invest more aggressively in their lineups, would it be enough to shift public attention? Could increased competition begin pulling guests from markets that have historically defaulted to Kings Island? If Kings Island continues to slow-roll major thrill ride development, guests may start to ask themselves: why wait for something big when another park is already stepping up? So the real question becomes: who will seize this moment? Kings Island isn’t going away, but if it goes eight years without a major thrill ride, its grip on the region could loosen. Will Holiday World or Kentucky Kingdom use this time to reposition themselves as more than just local alternatives? Could one bold investment change the way thrill-seekers see the region? In a market driven by momentum and excitement, now might be the perfect time for smaller parks to step into the spotlight. Is this the time to strike? Absolutely. The only question left is: who will do it first?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Kings Island’s recent trajectory, and honestly, it feels like the park is starting to slip from its top-tier status. It’s not falling apart, but there’s a clear shift toward quantity over quality in recent additions. Mystic Timbers was probably the last enthusiast-level addition with strong theming and a layout that made sense. Orion was marketed as a major milestone, but it ended up feeling more like a tall hyper than a true giga, especially when compared to Fury 325. It was good - but not the game-changer many expected. Since then, additions have been modest. Adventure Port (2023) was more of a themed refresh than a major land. Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers (2024) wasn’t a bad ride, but didn’t add much beyond extending an already strong Planet Snoopy area. RiverRacers (2025), the new water ride, is more family-focused and doesn’t move the needle much - especially considering Coney Island’s waterpark closed. You’d think Kings Island would seize that opportunity to expand Soak City in a more impactful way. What really stands out is how little progress has been made during the off years. Yes, the pandemic set the industry back, but unlike the 2010s - when we saw clear pacing and direction - the current era feels aimless. Between Diamondback (2009) and Banshee (2014), we still saw steady investments: Planet Snoopy (2010) WindSeeker and Dinosaurs Alive (2011) Soak City rebrand (2012) 2013 was clearly a setup year for Banshee Post-Orion, the momentum just isn’t there: 2022 offered some nostalgia, but little forward movement Adventure Port felt last-minute Soap Box Racers felt more like a Peanuts brand tie-in than a park evolution RiverRacers is fine, but not bold Meanwhile, key areas sit untouched - Vortex’s land is still dormant, and the old Crypt building remains underused and unsightly. These are major, visible parts of the park that could anchor serious attractions. And that’s why the next major addition will be incredibly telling. I know a “family thrill attraction” is slated for 2026, but that could mean anything. If it’s something substantial - like a new log flume or dark ride in Rivertown - that at least signals awareness and intent. But if we don’t see a major coaster or thrill ride before 2030, it’ll be hard to believe Kings Island is still viewed as a flagship park. I don’t usually like to gauge corporate commitment solely by coaster installs, but look at what Cedar Fair did at Carowinds in 2015 with Fury 325. That wasn’t just a ride - it was a statement. Kings Island hasn’t had a moment like that in nearly a decade. Serving six major metro areas - Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Lexington - Kings Island can’t afford to drift into mediocrity. Competitors like Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom are already more aggressive. A major investment at either could start pulling attendance from Indiana and Kentucky. And now, with the Cedar Fair - Six Flags merger, investment may shift to smaller parks needing improvement. That might help the chain overall - but it risks leaving Kings Island stagnant just when it needs to make a move. Bottom line: if 2028 isn’t a bold, defining year, it’s hard to see Kings Island maintaining its place among the elite. A new coaster, major Rivertown expansion, or unique anchor attraction is needed to reassert its status. Otherwise, the park risks being just another “mid-tier” in a very competitive region.

…give it different coat of paint under the track. This was just a concept that @DustinTheNow made a while back that illustrates what I mean: I really like how Fury had the lime green and Valravn had that silver- it felt like a true next step in how coasters were supposed to be painted, but we unfortunately didn’t get that with Orion. Maybe when it’s due for a repaint in 10+ years

During the 2010s, Cedar Fair had a noticeable rhythm when it came to new attractions. Every few years, one of the big four parks - Cedar Point, Carowinds, Kings Island, or Canada’s Wonderland - would get a major new ride. And often, those rides followed a pattern. A concept would debut at one park, then reappear in some form at another a few years later. Leviathan opened at Canada’s Wonderland in 2012. Three years later, Carowinds got Fury 325. Then came Orion at Kings Island in 2020 - each a variation on the giga coaster model. Mystic Timbers in 2017 brought back the modern wooden coaster, while Copperhead Strike in 2019 introduced a compact, multi-launch design that seemed to set a new trend. Even mid-tier parks, like Dorney Park or Worlds of Fun, would occasionally get solid additions. It wasn’t always headline-making, but it felt like part of a bigger plan. That strategy didn’t just add rides - it added value. It kept fans engaged and excited. The pattern sparked speculation: “What if we got a Mack multi-launch like Carowinds?” “Could we get a dive coaster like the ones at Cedar Point or Canada’s Wonderland?” “Maybe Carowinds will get a GCI like Mystic Timbers?” The formula gave people something to dream about. Since the Cedar Fair and Six Flags merger, that sense of structure seems to have faded. Some parks are getting new rides, others are quiet, and there’s less clarity around what the long-term vision is. It’s understandable - especially after the pandemic, which hit the industry hard. But in some ways, going back to that earlier approach might not be the worst idea. The old formula wasn’t flashy, but it worked. It gave each park a role to play and made the entire chain feel connected. In a post-pandemic, post-merger landscape, maybe there’s still something to be said for doing things the Cedar Fair way.

Which I totally respect the park for doing considering they didn’t have to do it at all. They were smart to keep “stunt coaster“ in the name to establish that it’s still a stunt coaster, but it’s themed to Cincinnati instead of Los Angeles. That being said, I do think they could spruce up the show scene before you enter the tunnel a little bit. I’m assuming the rebrand was also an excuse to turn off the helicopter as well as the fire affects. If they removed the helicopter from the ride in the off-season, I don’t think as many people would be upset about it. Heck, they could rehome it in area 72 somewhere if they really wanted to.

It’s also possible to remove the logos for the sports teams and just go heavy on the colors. I don’t think a tiger stripped car is infringing on anything.

This was a really creative idea. I wonder if this was a project that they wanted to do for a while or if this was something that came to mind last minute.

Makes you wonder if they’ll do something with the current Skyline shelter

I think it’s because they’re so easy to market and the average non enthusiast park-goer isn’t going to care if there is another version somewhere else. You could apply that logic to boomerangs, freespins, and so on.

I think they’ll do B&M for parks that need that larger investment and higher capacity, Vekoma for parks that need something different, and potentially S&S clones for the majority of former CF parks that would be used as filler.

I have a polarizing theory: 4D freespin Cloneable, easy to market, thrilling, and would be the only one within a 5 hour radius with the closest one being at SFGAM.

I’m referring to 4d freespins, larson loops, etc

I see parks in this merged chain as territories- if one wants to see which parks are gone, they should look at what territories they can afford to lose to a competitor like Sea World, Herschend, Merlin, etc. You also have to look at saturation- for example the east coast is saturated with Six Flags parks now so it might not be a complete loss to sell off one in a market they’re already dominating. After reading the article, here are my picks off the top of my head: SFA- neighboring KD, GA, and DP this park sits in a saturated region and doesn’t have a lot of modern attractions to keep people coming in like the neighboring parks do. Valleyfair!- it’s not in a really competitive market for Six Flags to really want to hold onto. Plus considering that it’s no longer Cedar Fair, I don’t feel like there’s much of a need to keep a former namesake park. La Ronde- On one hand it would be losing a Canadian park but on the other hand I feel like priorities would be shifted to Canada’s Wonderland. Plus from what I heard, the park isn’t of much quality to keep investing in if money could be allocated into more profitable properties. I’m sure there are others on there but those 3 came to mind first

If the ride were to come back, I’d like to see some things altered to give a sense of progression where the phantoms appear more physically towards the middle and end of the ride… For example I felt like they could’ve gotten away with simple changing portraits like at Haunted Mansion where a light would flash fast and riders would see the altered form as opposed to placing physical phantoms behind the scrims. That’s just a nitpick but it might’ve saved them some money if they did 2d imagery as opposed to putting a figure behind each painting- it also builds anticipation for when you actually see the phantoms later on in the ride.