brenthodge

especially since its one of the few lifts hills you could actually HEAR it on- that thing purrs!

I don't think we are the stepchild at all - we are just becoming a park with a different expansion, marketing and demographic strategy. YES when there were two competing operators, they tried to outdo each other at their own game, and now that they are under ONE operator it makes much more sense to diversify the regional portfolio of product. YOU might not like the development strategy of the park, but that doesn't mean its not working - or taking large amounts of capitol to execute. I have had an actual conversation with Mike Koontz who basically said "the old method of only marketing based on stats alone isn't sustainable in the long run, and we are taking a different strategy to growth", and we are certainly seeing that. Just hearing conversations yesterday from a couple of middle age grandmothers with their younger granddaughter (as well as other family members 'off riding the coasters') about how frustrating they found CP food offerings, kids rides, family-friendly rides and things to do TOGETHER, and how much nicer their day at KI had been even with a 3 hour drive (instead of the 1 hr to CP) says a lot. CF is still aiming at keeping KI a destination - just maybe due to reasons you yourself don't find compelling.

This almost looks like a styled shot. I swear I just set it down and took the picture

The anemic “marko (cargo) polo (loco) aint really working to jazz up the crowd. Wish there were 3-4 upbeat songs timed to the ride cycle that played to create energy. Also a pre-recorded “welcome to Cargo Logo, on behalf of the arrow shipping company, we ask that you choose your shipping container quickly so the goods can soon be on their way to the destination. Our route is loco, so please keep you hands, feet etc in your s shipping barrel to ensure the goods arrive safely. Thank you for choosing Arrow shipping for all your cargo needs!” Actually all 3 rides in AP need pre-recorded spiels played loud enough to hear to keep the theme. Can you tell I’m at the park doing steam of conscious posts lol)

Three side. Look! Only 1 portion cup… for a side that makes SENSE in a portion cup!

Not really a “ride review” (maybe this thread should be renamed just Adventure Port Reviews) but can I just say HOW WONDERFUL it is to sit and eat a (finally) great meal from Gill and Grain on the patio at Enrique’s while INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC THAT MATHES TGE AREA plays just loud enough to hear over the Banshee screams. OMG I feel like I’ve finally gotten the park I’ve dreamed KI could be. Next???! update. It might cut into the “premium vip experience “ right across the way, but really wish there were a few rocking chairs or Adairondacks on the Mercado patio by the water for sipping yer drink. Picnic tables aint meshing with the vibe of the cocktail!

What??? No newspaper waxed paper!?? Let’s see it in real life now.

OMG did we really just successfully plate a 3 side dinner with only one portion cup for the item that actually makes sense to use that for??!!! See we really CAN do it. Decent portion as well. Taters crispy outside and soft inside. Brussels best to date. CousCous really good. If this is the standard we can hit each time-I’ll be a convert!

That’s an interesting prospect. I certainly think it will especially when families with kids are definitely a more desirable spending demographic than teens. You don’t hear about a lot of fights breaking out at Dollywood. (Disney, yes but I venture that’s a lot due to the stress mess they’ve created down there with the way the parks run and cost these days.)

What’s up with the sauce up charges. One of any sauce at any location should be free EVEN IF ITS ALREADY ON THE MEAT (looking at you grail and grill if you get 2-3 beyond that… sure charge 1.50 but this “one cup of sauce” upcharge looks tacky.

Yeah-I think all the “hacks” of “I’ve got the dining plan and always split a chicken dinner with three kids and ask for 4 ‘water cups’ of pop are screwing it up for the others. If you do something like that -great! But don’t find your personal hero status by sharing with the world on Twitter!

Exactly-you can’t do something-never promote it, then complain and pull it because “no one came” plus those stages were in pretty dumb locations plopped in the middle on the midway instead of in food and beverage locations. You put them where your own policies say you don’t want “large crowds to gather”

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!