brenthodge

Stopped on the way home from a meeting in Columbus last night for a quick bite and 1-2 rides. Thought I’d try SolSpin since there were like 6 people in the park LOL. Even with no crowd they still managed to make load last over 20 minutes for one cycle before me that started right as I got in line?! They need to just fill from one set point all the way around the circle instead of opening the gates and letting people wander around (makes no difference since no one is sitting next to anyone)Even if there was a “load from this point around the circle” marking on the floor. They they could easily count to 24 and cut off the line. Last night the guy kept closing the gate, waiting till people got seated, scanning and counting the empty seats, opening the gate for a few more, scanning again… etc. It only seats what it seats-individually. There’s no “maybe those two will sit together” like on other flats. Even if there were 24 marked spots in the final stretch of the queue to stand on and people could “fill in the singles” on their own. Then the whole “bin for your belongings” needs to go. It slows it down even further or moved to the entrance plaza area. They know it’s terrible capacity (Koontz even acknowledged that) so they really need to improve line management and load process better.

Everything looks so much better without the flappy paper liner thing and all the dumb little “portion control” cups. Someone needs to get a grip on KI food ops.

Well-now we are out of newspaper and have downgraded to red/white checked paper at Grill and Grain. Give. Up. On. The. Wax. Paper. Please!!!!!!

I want it in the old Action Theatre space - It's an old "Midway Vaudeville Theatre" that has been long abandoned and recently reopened for development by the park, but as they began renovations, the theatre came to life and they realized that the spirits from the long departed ORIGINAL Phantom Theatre had taken up residence in this forgotten about corner of the park. The spirits "won" and development plans were halted, now... "sweaty tourists" can once again enter the theatre "if they dare" as the talented ghosts return to their rightful place as the premier entertainers at Kings Island. They could keep the weedy overgrown look "hidden" yet create a new "Marque" and rework - clean up that whole odd end of Coney by Wind-seeker. THEN rework BooBlasters into a Carnivale themed shooter style ride where you collect points as you travel through CARNIVALE celebrations of the world with Mardi P Gras and all of the other characters created for the scavenger hunt they do at CARNIVALE

I feel like there’s definitely something in the works. Interesting that PT was the only “rides on the past” called out in AdventureAwaits. Too many “coincidental hints at this point to not be “something”

That looks SO much better without the Fish and Chips newspaper they keep putting on the plates. Just use the plates and fill the up a little more and BOOM - better impression already. Keep a bunch of microgreens or a big bunch or two or parsley or other cheap herb to toss on a sprig or two and its "almost Klassy"

I don't understand for the life of me why they DON'T add that in on Friday and Sat nights (even a few other weeknights when it is high season). Local acts could audition for an entertainment person and they could build a "roster" of acts appropriate for 3-4 themed areas. Create small themed stages, promote the heck out of the local acts and give them free exposure for probably minimal actual pay to the act. That was one of the things I actually LIKED about the COVID season - the "mini shows" like BrewBeats and the CarGuys (whatever their name was) really added to the dynamics of the areas. I was actually bummed when bigger live shows returned and the budgets were cut for those little "pocket shows". Simple live music acts would fill that void, and fill the evenings since it seems like all shows are done by 6 this year (except RetroSPect)

I'd also venture that in the grand scheme of Theme Park history and especially Cedar Fair history, those two parks have a pretty significant place (more than others) anyway with CP being 150 and KI building on the legacy of Coney, which was widely viewed to be one of the country's finest parks - in addition to being CPs "rival" in Ohio for a long time before being part of the same family. They really deserved the all out that they received.

I feel like KI is tremendously lucky to have Mike leading the team. Would be interesting to know what last few “bucket list” items he has before retiring in a few years. I really feel like the park has “returned” to the park it could always be because a lot of his “personal pet projects” reflect a deep respect for the history of the place.

Agree-we even have more going on than Carrowinds-and it’s their time to celebrate 50. I definitely think they are pursuing a different strategy with KI these days as to “overall experience” even the nightly closing show is a lot for just a regional “AnnualPass locals only” park. I feel like we are very well rounded spot now, and could even be seen as “destination” again one of these days soon.

Enough with the newspaper. And why is that even needed on a plate? It’s not like it adds any “sanitary” aspect. It’s just annoying when if get soaked with stuff and you get bits of paper in your Mac and cheese. It really only works for certain items.

Yeah. They need to fix grill and grain. I doesn’t seem to be working. Why if at coney BBQ they can put the sides in the main food bowl, why are they all in little dumb dishes at grill and grain. And why the “fish and chips” newspaper? Just use a slightly decent wood grain square paper plate and at least TRY to make it differ and “upscale”…oh, and consistent. What’s the “sauce op of the week” this week? Side? On? Cup? Extra or included?

Thank you! I’m so f’n tired of people saying anyone with valid, constructive critiques should basically shut up and be happy that’s the park is “giving us something new” like it’s a gift, not a capitol investment. Some of these critiques are “wish list items” true, but many are based on proven track record when it comes to lack of long-term maintenance of their own investments. I’m the first any time I see Mike Koontz in the park, or any other leadership-which is often, to praise their efforts and thank them for their sensitive and obviously passionate leadership, but I’ll also be the first to make observations here as to things I think are realistically achievable to continue to make KI the amazing place it is. So “at the end of the day” my 8 year old will continue to say-unprompted as we were leaving last night with fireworks going off, “to a lot of people KingsIsland isn’t much more than a than a theme park, but it IS more dad!” darn! That kid gets it!

Yes. It’s way better. Now flickering lanterns in the gem mine and LED lit sparkling jewels and we will be good.Maybe. Need to do one “dark ride” in a few minutes LOL UPDATE: Need Lighting on the monkeys -totally dark. Masks still missing from lift hill 1. They made this post about all the details going on them and they are still MIA. Need lighting on entrance to tunnel 1. Totally dark after nice lighting on track switch. It’s getting there, BUT my 9 year old rode it 3x tonight and wanted to do it a 4th and has spent the whole night telling mom about all the added details SO it is still a win!

WHY???? Plastic plants are are really cheap, tacky add. As we’ve seen with Mystic and International Street, they get the cheapest, non UV protected version that fade before the season is over and never replace them. The water tower really didn’t need plastic bushes shoved in it. Maybe actually buy VINE PLANTS and do it naturally. Adventure Express—please stop live spieling over the pre-recorded spiel it was done for a reason volume needs to be higher and STOP the “ how was your ride?” Adventure port polos with the logo would’ve been great with the khaki shorts

I never said it should’ve been open opening day. Point is it’s been down this long, what’s another few days to get audio correct, gems in a gem mine. Snakes in a snake mine. Area specific retail in a themed retail location. Area themed restrooms. Etc Sone of those were never going to happen, and sone things have probably just been budget or time cut- hence missed opportunities. Things like like rarely make it from “idea for phase 2” to actually ever implemented. That’s all.

I guess Saturday is the “really open” date? Should we assume if it ain’t done by Saturday it was just a missed opportunity at this point?

Shame. That’s what NEEDS to be there.

Is that actual area music, or just something for the video?

I think sometimes in our "quest for the best" we (I) can loose sight of just how GREAT KI is to its guests - especially compared to Carrowinds 50th. Last year we had an AMZING nightly fireworks show that downsized into a still great show NIGHTLY this year. Which is pretty much the schedule we have had for years. Carrowinds is hyping their 50th show will "be nightly" which is a change to their regular holidays only schedule. Our 50th street party ran DAILY - they are saying "select days" for this second go around reused version. Last year we got PT Encore... and The 70s show... AND Off the Rails... AND AND ClubKI with the Golden Coasters - they got... Retrospect (which other parks got as well) and an outsourced magic show. Cool history behind the magic show, but still shows their minimal commitment to LIVE shows at Carrowinds - especially for their milestone this year. AND Retrospect already started here - it doesn't even begin its run until June 10th there - when Off the Rails with its large cast returns. Yes, they got Aeronautica Landing (which is arguably better in its ride count) but we got Adventure Port, which is turning out to be a pretty solid add to a totally underused area, that hopefully sets the bar for what comes next. I for one am challenging myself to still hold the park accountable to great standards, but also be thankful for the great commitment leadership already has to the KI community.

I’ve tried Grill and Grain 2-3 times now and I’m about over it as well. I wanted this to be my awesome new “go to” but the sub par food, lame presentation and missed opportunity to do a nice patio seating similar to the VIP pergola (where the Photo Booth and Fast Lane stand are) have not sold me on this. I’m about done giving it chances. The problem is, if it fails they will blame it on “weird food people didn’t ‘get’ and lack of awareness of chain name”, not “we did a bad job of serving creativly presented, consistent portions of well seasoned food, with as much sauce (really…how much does SAUCE cost) as people want, and offered adult beverages that reflected the cuisines we served.”

Huh! Tunnel one was originally the snake tunnel. I wasn’t aware that the snakes had moved to tunnel 3. They really have a great framework, they just need to flesh things out more. I’ve not seen ANY gems and clearly there need to be lit more, or bigger snakes. Makes sense that would be the snake cave as it is more twisted than the other two.

Or do a 2 tier like Dollywood where you can get one with a set number of punches (more than ride options) that you can use 1x each at different rides, or all at one ride, but when they are done they are done unless you have the “unlimited” version, but it seems crazy there, because I think it’s only a 10-20.00 difference. I’d suggest making it like BASIC 69.00, UNLIMITED 209.00 ( random numbers, but you get the idea)

I think that each time I’m there… then I drive literally 20 minutes across town. LOL. My nephew was excited he went to CP with his dad on Tuesday and for them it’s an 1.5hr drive each way. Love that I get to play at such a great place “here in my own backyard “ to quote the great 50th song!

When you stand back and look at Cargo Loco as a whole, I think they are where they are to balance the ride as they are in the same spots on both side, but agree that a "shipping warehouse" roof over the entire ride would've been nice - both on sunny AND rainy days.