brenthodge
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Everything posted by brenthodge
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The whole pad where Franklins Flyers and Space Buggies are should've BOTH been incorporated into CAMP. Space buggies could've easily been rethemed to PigPen's MudBuggies with a waterfall and sign right at the entrance area - Make KiteEatingTree also part of CAMP maybe slightly rework the queue to incorporate the sign/waterfall. Then the concession stand right there get a light retheme into CampCanteen. Suddenly the whole CAMP area has a really strong and clear entrance and you dont have two rides - one of which is actually nature themed - in, but NOT in the CAMP area.
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Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare Construction Progress
brenthodge replied to Hawaiian Coasters 325's topic in Kings Island
Is that one someone someone we know well? -
Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare Construction Progress
brenthodge replied to Hawaiian Coasters 325's topic in Kings Island
Agree - its WAY too much going on and introduces a conflict into the narrative based on what we've seen so far. The interior looks "new" - just spooky but not abandoned and rediscovered. I seemed like the story was more "this is a phantom theatre that brings the spirit world's best entertainment to the living - enjoy the newest production" not "we have discovered a long-abandoned theatre and have 'disturbed the spirits' with our need to 'see the theatre" Now it's a comically distressed looking exterior that doesn't really look authentically distressed and a new looking interior - maybe the show scene will tie it all togther, but as of now REALLY not liking the exterior. Should've not done the crumbling plater and boarded up windows. WAY too literal and not in a good way -
Monster Mansion Love
brenthodge replied to brenthodge's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GdSh6btvQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr The bathtub scene is the totally new add I was saying by itself won’t sell a shirt, and isn’t really even marketable, yet somehow this plussing got approved??!! -
Monster Mansion Love
brenthodge replied to brenthodge's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
Another feature of the staff and all the love they are putting into this one of a kind attraction https://www.facebook.com/share/v/169oWJBX2s/?mibextid=wwXIfr -
Monster Mansion Love
brenthodge replied to brenthodge's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
Story about bringing back original characters! https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1KKonG5Aex/?mibextid=wwXIfr -
In case you’ve not seen the updates to this dark ride at 6FoGa, you should check it out. Not only have they, over the last few years, continued the major maintenance AND restoration of this ride, they are actually adding new elements that add to the narrative. From adding back in original characters and updating all the show controls, to creating new characters, someone clearly has a lot of love for this attraction. What I love is that really, none of these expenditures have a direct ROI. It does seem they are featuring more MM merchandise, but I doubt a claw foot tub itself sells t-shirts. Kudos to the team in GA pushing for this plussing!
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"The Largest Amusement and Waterpark in the Midwest"
brenthodge replied to Losantiville Mining Co.'s topic in Kings Island
That sounds like a cool slogan! Someone should do something with that LOL -
I agree to all that BUT as Dollywood looks to expand and extend their market reach and does so with a 50 million dollar dark ride hybrid, the disparity between the two becomes even more apparent. AND as their reach goes beyond the generational customers that have been coming to the park for decades and looks to connect with a whole new to Dollywood customer, I think they have to either close the quality gap by doing what they did with the original version of this attraction at SilverDollarCity, or provide more historical context for the ride. I was hoping when they did the renovation, they would’ve added some of that in so a “new to the experience “ customer would grasp the reason it is as hokey as it is. I’ve taken quite a few friends on it that have been very “what the hell did I just ride” when they get off, and not in a great way.
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Silver Dollar City to retire Thunderation
brenthodge replied to Oldiesmann's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
All the references to "cave, mine, beneath the surface" makes me wonder if there is another rocking boat on the Herschend horizon. Wonder if we could see a Fire in the Hole type situation with Flooded Mine going away at the end of 27, then reopening new in 28. -
Kings Island General Discussion 2026
brenthodge replied to Losantiville Mining Co.'s topic in Kings Island
I'd LOVE all of that - so much of what really brought that area "together" in the concept art was cut. Would it move the needle as fr as attendance goes, no - so theres no way they will do it. But I really wish they did some of this - especially incorporating KET and Buggies and a light re-theme of the drink/snack location right there as CampSnoopy Canteen - that would at least make the whole entrance to Camp so much cleaner, even if they didn't add the stuff behind surf dog. -
OK thats not FIXING it
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KI Essentials Is Receiving A Complete Aesthetic Refresh.
brenthodge replied to kingsislandfan1972's topic in Kings Island
I think it needs to be ESSENTIALS that are park themed. Theres nothing "essential" about a snoopy plush. There should be a dedicated shop for Peanuts there as well as in PSnoopy. I'd like to see Build A Bear go away and a full Peanuts/Loony Tunes shop take its place with a strong store design. They could even keep the "stuff it yourself" idea, just scale it back a bit to allow for other stuff. That might work better in the "Trading Post" spot since they could do some fun IP merchandising on the "porch" EMPORIUM could be current KI ride themed stuff as well as general gift and "topical" stuff like a haunt shop, new ride shop etc. Move the KIGallery to the old Build A Bear location with park history displays and vintage ride themed, park history themed things in a more "gallery" style setting. There just needs to be a reason to go in different shops - as it is now there is the same exact stuff from one end of the street to the other. -
All that. They already have the resources, they just don’t use them. Enclosing the lower part of the lift and certainly the final brake with lighting/projection would be another fairly inexpensive add
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there is a crane-style cable lift built into the ceiling of the building. I dont believe you would be able to get a crane inside
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There is a custom soundtrack in the bowl, they just need OBA or way better speakers throughout the entire run to hear it better. Its actually a specific track that starts at launch and runs all the way to the final station.
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Kings Island General Discussion 2026
brenthodge replied to Losantiville Mining Co.'s topic in Kings Island
I think they could (and should) do both increase pass prices a bit AND make the water park a second gate that could be a nominal charge add-on for season passholders across all tiers. -
Kings Island General Discussion 2026
brenthodge replied to Losantiville Mining Co.'s topic in Kings Island
There was probably some truth to that during the "make it all new and DAZZLING" Paramount days when the goal was to actively get rid of the past so the park seemed hip and new (like removing Antiques and Flying Eagles to put a new ride in that spot that arguably wouldve been way better in a different part of the park) but with the new focus on being a well-rounded, family-friendly, multi-generational park, I think the train would be safe as just a round trip ride. -
Kings Island General Discussion 2026
brenthodge replied to Losantiville Mining Co.'s topic in Kings Island
It could quite easily be reconfigured with the train station and path to have it wrap around to the front gate area, or have separate check in station for those with existing tickets to scan before entering the water park. Simplest solution would be to just eliminate the water park stop for the train and walking path all together and have all admissions off the parking lot entry. Maybe add some set pieces to hide the walking path (now only for employee use) a bit and add landscaping to disguise the station area, but keep it funtional in case ever needed again. I could see having it be included for GOLD passes but being a separate gate charge for day tickets and maybe an add-on for SILVER SUMMER passes. I think its time to do that honestly. -
I wonder with the new AP if the SixFlags GA Pass that I bought and was told I had to activate there will be active since its now showing as scannable in the ap and valid through 12/31/2026. Will try this weekend when back at park
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I think that's correct. A few years ago (first year for Swinging, I was sitting next to a lady who was telling her friend "thats the costume I sewed. I loved the way the bow looked etc" leading me to believe yes, they are made on-site
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That’s a good idea actually. Dollywood makes the swap out in a matter of days by having some easy swaps like this