FoF96"

There is a new sign in front of the former 5D cinema area “Something new is coming, you can bet on it”

I hope that’s not the direction they go. The water park is already large for what the park is. Really all they are missing is a water coaster since Deluge left. Something I just now thought about as possible (speaking in fantasy of course), is the removal of Mt. Slide Hai. It’s very old and removing that wouldn’t create any new gaps that haven’t already been filled by Plummet Summit and Wikiwiki Wai slide complexes. Doing this (along with castaway creek) would also allow them to make a large continuous block from discovery meadow all the way back to where T3/Rapids were. I really don’t know what else they could add to all that land for the waterpark that it doesn’t already have, and they definitely aren’t going to out “water coaster” Holiday World, so not sure what the payoff would be. I guess it depends if they want to push this into a Dollywood style park or just remain a local family attraction. Time will tell! Exciting times!

I was just thinking this. If 2027 truly is the indoor wild moose as is rumored, I would think the next best move would actually be updating the flat ride package with some more modern things like a screamin swing, disco, some sort of frisbee that’s less carnival like than cyclos was, wave swinger, stuff along those lines for 2028. Then for 2029/30 do the waterpark enhancement. At that point they may run into some of the older flat rides like Himalaya, Breakdance, Flying Dutchman finally aging out. They could decide to immediately replace those or take the big jump and make a major investment in the now completely open and vacant land near Deluge, T3, Raging Rapids, Eye of the storm. That area could very easily become the flagship land of the entire park. Even if it were something like big bear mountain as the coaster attraction. If that happens even somewhat similar to that, I’d think Kings Island would be forced to take it more seriously. It’s really not that many moves away from going from small family park to a regional draw.

Also, looked closely at the announcement video. At the part they say “this is just the beginning” notice what all is actually on the screen. I see a Zamperla Barnyard, a Disc-o, some unknown ride close to the front right. And more notably, a water park expansion.

The video also said it was the first piece of a large expansion including multiple phases. Perhaps they will eventually connect both sides.

You have very bad luck. I have not been the past few years but based off of my experience, it seemed to be up more than it was down. I can only remember 2-3 times I’ve gone and it’s been closed for the entire day. I do remember some late openings but it seems like it was fairly reliable.

I just hope it’s not one of those power splash shuttle rides. I am sure they are fun, but not sure I’d tease more than 1 season away

Giant wheel getting built back up. In an unannounced move but confirmed by the park map, Breakdance has also been relocated to discovery meadow and is now know as “seed spinner”. I think this all but confirms the next phase will be on the front of the park since every ride from that area has been relocated.

Well, I guess looking at it that way makes it seem unlikely. But on the other hand, what better way to replace a fully immersive, one of a kind, dark ride experience that was once at the top of KIs investment costs with another one?

Not sure of the costs, but an Intamin dynamic motion stage in the crypt building would probably be neat and qualify as family thrill.

I am wondering if Cyclos/eye of the storm will be apart of whatever the 2026 expansion is. I flew over the park today departing for work and both cyclos and eye of the storm are still standing. Perhaps they will be SBNO for this year and then re themed/re located for next season?

KY Kingdom just announced via Facebook live, they will be investing $25 Million in new rides & attractions over the next two years. It seems like they are going to start what we have all been waiting for.

Vekoma madhouse is outdated at this point. Give us one of those intamin dynamic motion stages. It looks like the one that just opened is very neat and it would be a standout attraction while also being family thrill.

It has been confirmed TT2 will not reopen this season

I haven’t ever operated a monster or spider so don’t know how strict the manufacturer is with balance, but usually for circular rides, it’s pretty important. Most complex I’ve done is Giant Wheel at KK. It allows a tolerance of +\- 2 gondolas on each side. So at any given time other than when stationary for load/unload you must always be within 2 gondolas loaded on side. First thing in morning for first riders we were able to load 2 gondolas (12 people max) then move wheel to exact opposite side. At this point, we could now load 4 gondolas (24 max) for a maximum first ride capability of 36 people (assuming every group had 6 people). You had to watch the line to make sure you had enough people to replenish whatever you loaded so that it never got out of tolerance or the ride would fault and motors unlock until heaviest weight settles at bottom. Had to be very careful if loading multiple “sets” (more than 10 gondolas per cycle) as it would be very easy to go out of balance if line didn’t support it.