BlondyRidesOn

The thing I'd like to see if Action Zone were to be annexed into Oktoberfest would be to removed the large concrete pathways and plant more trees and landscaping. The Festhaus idea, with the "international foods" is an interesting one. However, in my honest opinion, it should remain the Festhaus as that's the more iconic and recognizable name, especially with the glockenspiel being restored on the front recently. I like the idea of the Zamperla Gryphon on the old SlingShot site. It would be cool to see it have a maypole theme, decked out to look like ribbons. As someone who would love to see the arbor tunnel return to the park, it would be cool to see it next to Viking Fury. However, it would require moving both the entrance and exit of the ride to be moved near the International Street Funnel Cakes and Emporium and the removal of some nicely grown in trees. I still think the arbor tunnel should be placed near Rivertown, such as the pathway near the Island Paradise stand near the floral clock, cleaning up the transition into Rivertown. Although, the tunnel would provide the shade lost, but it'll take a while for the vines to grow in. Overall, this is a great concept. Oktoberfest is an area in need of restoration and work. Absolutely love this!

I'm holding out hope that Gene Staples brings it into the Indiana Beach family. Coney would definitely benefit. What concerns me is the issue it's always had, the one that lead to its initial closing and construction of Kings Island- seasonal flooding. That may be a factor that holds the park back from any potential future as an amusement park again.

I'd love to see more landscaping that add to and enhance the theme of each areas. I'm still in the boat of bringing back the old arbor tunnel to the midway. I know there is one at the White Water Canyon entrance, but there was something really cool about sitting underneath it on the main midway with birds overhead in the vines. It could be placed on the walkway from the floral clock to Rivertown, which would help make a portal between different the two areas.

The exit ramp for Ohio Overland Auto Livery (Rivertown Antique Cars) on the pathway next to Diamondbacks splashdown.

I agree with Hawaiian Coasters 325; no more chain restaurants. However, if we were to go through route of local restaurants, I'd like to see an Izzy's Reuben restaurant somewhere in the park. They sell Reuben sandwiches with Gliers Goetta, making it the perfect fit for an area like Oktoberfest.

I've been wondering if PTC could make a train that operates forwards but prebuilt with the seats facing backwards? That would probably be the safest way to bring recaR back.

Update the park posted yesterday. We can see some of the details going into the front facade of the organ. https://www.instagram.com/p/CblBUaNJUyV/?utm_medium=copy_link

I noticed these paintings of German buildings and scenery on the wall next to Panda Express last season. Were these there in previous seasons?

I believe they already have LED filament bulbs on the carousel. During Winterfest, I was talking to my brother, who has an eye for things like that, and we noticed that the bulbs didn't look like the traditional incandescent bulbs, but rather like what's pictured above. I remember about 10 or so years ago they had solid white LED bulbs. This. I've noticed several of those mirrors missing, along with one of the big ones. Even some ornamented wood pieces were missing from the mirrors and rounding boards. Hopefully those will be remedied too.

This is amazing! I believe the last time the carousel received any major TLC was in 1969. I believe I've shared this in the past. The top image shows Carol Lanter painting one of the murals in 1969. Below it, the same mural at Kings Island.

I've seen interviews with Alan Schilke from RMC where he mentioned their team having a bucket list of coasters they wanted to give the I-Box track to. Does The Gravity Group have a bucket list of wooden roller coasters that they want to refurbrish with their precut track?

With the ride being repainted, I kinda hope one of the announcements is that it's being rethemed and annexed back into Rivertown this year.

I remember seeing the lights on the log flume in this video from 1980. At around 1:30 in the video, you can see the lights down the trough with a log going over them:

I have fond memories of my childhood of eating the chicken tenders and curly fries (back when they still sold those) with my family under the old arbor tunnel. I remember listening to the clickety clack of what's now Great Pumpkin Coaster (Then known as Top Cat Taxi Jam). I was disappointed when the tunnel was removed. I was reminded of this tunnel after riding the train at Winterfest this season, queuing in the White Water Canyon entrance. While it's cool to see that arbor tunnel there, I still miss the one on the midway. Looking at old photos of the old tunnel, it looked like a portal that took guests from one section to another without the theming clashing. There has always been an awkward transition between Planet Snoopy and Rivertown, as well as the walkway into Rivertown from the floral clock past the upward spiral on Backlot. If the park ever brought that tunnel back, I'd love to see it be built in either of those two areas.

I like the new International Street and new Royal Fountain. I used to feel iffy about the aesthetics of the fountain changing, but seeing the reintroduction of the European theming of the buildings made up for it. At the end of the day, it's the architecture that makes International Street what it is, the fountain leading to the Eiffel Tower just ties it all together. I do think that it would have been cool to see street lamps returning to the street, but it is what it is. In terms of food, I will say that these past couple years I've noticed that Cedar Fair is starting to show that they're not afraid to delve into theming a bit more. French Corner opening up during Tricks & Treats Fall Fest in 2020 is a great example. I didn't expect the park to add French food to their dining line up, and I was pretty impressed when I ate there. I really like the croissant sandwiches with the pomme frites on the side. And the interior is decked out with pictures of French landmarks and maps of Paris. I recommend eating there; it's a nice food stand and it enhances International Street's theming I think we should give props to the park for returning some "international" foods outside of Grand Carnivale, because this could be a step towards returning International Street to what it used to be prior to Paramount's tenure.

It may be unlikely to happen, but with Premier Rides refurbishing the old Kangaroo, the Norman Bartlett Flying Coaster from Kennywood, it would be cool to see them get the rights to the patent and bring that style of ride back. I say that it's unlikely because Kennywood likes to say that Kangaroo is the last of its kind, and because Premier has only made coasters. Something to dream about.

My brother was at the park on Halloween, the final operating day of the fall season, and he told me the band organ was missing. I knew immediately when he said that that it was being restored. I'm extremely excited that the park has made it official! It's also exciting to see and hear the bells working again. One thing I noticed when listening to the video was the arrangement of "Jingle Bells." I'm not too familiar with Wurlitzer 165 rolls, which our beloved 157 plays, but usually it would sound like this on our band organ: Perhaps it's another arrangement?

Was Baynum involved with the paint on Rebel Yell/ Racer 75 in 2014? I'm inclined to believe that The Racer will be fully repainted for next season if it's being advertised as such.

I'm hoping so too! With all the nostalgic changes we've seen the last few seasons, it wouldn't surprise me if the patriotic color scheme returned.

According to Baynum's website, it looks like 1996. https://baynumpainting.com/projects/2021/9/6/the-racer I can't wait to see it looking fresh next season. It'll probably look like a brand new coaster when it's done.

June 4, 2021

I think it looks nice. As much as I think the Taft/KECO logo would've been cool to use, or even the 1971 concept logo, the official logo is pretty nice and reminds me of Cedar Point's 150th. Personally, I'm more excited about The Racer finally getting an overdue repaint. I'm hoping for a return of the red track and blue catwalk railings. Lately Cedar Fair and the park have been doing a stellar job with restoring a lot of what made pre-Paramount era Kings Island great. A lot of cool things to look forward to!

Last minute submission. Croissant sandwich from French Corner on International Street.

I love the new decals on the International Street trashcans. Only saw one so far.

Looking at this screenshot from the video provided in the blog post by the park, the frames around the elevator doors are painted very similar to the Parisian Patina color. But, as BoddaH mentioned above, it could be that that is the Tower's usual color but it has gotten sun faded over time. This makes me even more excited for the 2022 season and what else the park may have in store.