cdubbs727

Didn't they just do a ton of work on Timberwolf last season? Seems odd that last year they'd pump some new life into it and then demolish it two years later. But then again, are there any concerts other than Spirit Song there this year? Maybe they weren't able to get traction. But hadn't heard anything about them demolishing it, unless I missed a rumor.

Or we can keep the chains and be a glorified mall food court.

I'd love to see a quality dark ride in there if they could also theme the outside of the building so it doesn't look like a giant box. Although, honestly, the worst thing is just walking past the sealed-up TR/Crypt entrance, which is just a constant reminder of the vacant real estate. And I think a previous poster is right -- I don't know that the building can host much more than what it had before without major renovations. I say just tear it down. Put up a nice little log flume/water ride there to harken back to the days of KCKC and reinvigorate the Rivertown feels. Also agree that something needs to be done with FX Theater. Just tear that one out. I know they're keeping a lot of these places for Haunts. Maybe it's just my perspective as a non-Haunts person, but it always looks a bit trashy just to keep a building standing so they can use it for one month in the fall.

This is exciting news. We live in Detroit, so Skyline has always kind of been a KI-specific food for us. But truthfully, my wife can't stand it (she calls it dog food), my daughter won't touch it and my old man stomach has begun telling me "maybe don't" in recent years (my son still digs it). And it's still there for people who want it -- and truthfully, the Coney location is a better fit for it anyway. A nice, healthy(ish) Mediterranean location sounds great. I'm with everyone who says get the franchises off IS, although my hunch is that Graters and Cinnabon are there to stay -- they're good locations for people who want a snack during the fireworks. And Starbucks isn't going anywhere -- it's too popular and, honestly, a good way to get that morning coffee if I rush out the door to the park without getting it. But LaRosa's already is available at two other park locations; you could easily put in a nice, brick/wood-oven pizza place original to KI. I like that they're focusing on some nice dining options in recent years. I'd still love to see a revamp of the options in Festhaus and for them to finally do something with the International Restaurant. Also, any work what's replacing CFA?

It always fascinates me what now-defunct rides from KI stick in my memory and which I have no recollection of. We started going to the park every year in 1982, when I was 3. So, theoretically, I would have gone for several years when Screamin' Demon and The Bat were there. I know we walked around the park, because King Cobra fascinated me as a kid. But I have no memory of seeing either coaster in action. I didn't know what The Bat was until years after Vortex opened; I think I learned about it when I was in the lobby of International Restaurant, where they had several news clippings from throughout the years on the wall. I'm curious about what would have happened if The Bat would've been successful -- I agree with others that the novelty would have been intriguing for a bit, but I don't see it having much longevity (no one went to Cedar Point for Iron Dragon for long). How much of the park's late-80s, early-90s success can be attributed to Vortex? That ride certainly wouldn't have been in its picturesque location, and it might not have been built at all (IIRC, it was built for basically free as a favor by Arrow after The Bat was closed). They would likely have gotten some sort of Arrow looper, but I don't know it would have been as special. Without that, do you still have a thrill-seeking audience coming in?

My kids enjoy Backlot, but they'll eventually outgrow it. I think it's...fine, but unless we're there on a day with a low wait time, we tend to steer clear of this one. I wouldn't be sad if they just cut it. While I don't mind the ride, I think it's an aesthetic disaster. A nice expanse of green space and fountains -- maybe a nice restaurant or something -- would look great behind the Eiffel Tower. Instead, one of the most picturesque locations in the park has shipping containers, helicopters and fire ruining the landscape. I know the space is too valuable to not put some large-style attraction there, but ugh, it's almost as much of an eyesore as the Crypt box.

I've often thought the Sunday thing could have been a major issue -- you're taking away one of the more popular and busier food options on a busy day. Personally, I won't miss it. It was a novelty for us coming from Detroit because until a few years years ago, we didn't have any CFAs in Michigan. Now, we have several, including two within five miles of us. For the same reason I don't get Subway or Panda Express at a theme park -- because I can get it elsewhere -- it doesn't really sound appealing to go to CFA during a visit. Plus, it was never a great experience. The line was always long and the menu was more expensive than an average CFA (a common theme park issue) and the menu was limited. Plus, I've always thought a big appeal to the CFA experience was the clean restaurant and ultra-friendly employees...both things I never really experienced at KI's. Would love to see them put something fun and original in there, but my guess is that with its location, you'll get another burgers/hot dogs/chicken nuggets-type place to satisfy the kids.

My sister's stayed at Camp Cedar a few times, and her experiences were largely positive. Said it's clean and the cabins are nice, although didn't care for the food that much. But isn't this place kind of notorious for trouble? I seem to recall hearing about a lot of fights (stabbings?) in the two years it's been opened, and there was a whole thing last year where someone drove a car into the pool. Wonder if CF just decided it's not worth having their names linked with a place in the news for so much trouble (when, after all, KI is already in the news in the spring sometimes for its own altercations).

As a Detroiter, I always thought it was cool when I went to CP or KI and they had CFA because we didn't have any in Michigan. In recent years, that's started to change and we have them all over (by year's end, I'll have two within five miles of me). So, it feels less special when I see it and I'm less likely to eat at the Kings Island CFA (also, the fact that the lines are always super long is another deterrent). When I go to the parks, I enjoy the local fare, but I'll pass on something I can get so close to my home. I do wonder if the reason we're seeing (right now) a park-to-park discontinuation of CFAs has anything to do with losing revenue by having a food venue closed on Sundays. I'm not sure of the food offerings at other Cedar Fair parks -- if they don't have as interesting a food lineup as Kings Island or Cedar Point (which is opening a huge restaurant next year), can they afford to have one of their major venues closed during a weekend day? Or, it could have to do with when each park's location opened; maybe Kings Island's CFA is operating under a contract that lasts a bit longer. I'm sure there are people on this forum who are much more knowledgeable about this than I am.

That whole side of the park has always felt a bit haphazard to me because the theme areas on that side really don't have the distinct boundaries or feels of, say, Rivertown and Planet Snoopy (or even IS). Action Zone just kind of tumbles into Oktoberfest, which sort of feels part of Coney unless you're sitting right outside Festhaus. Adventure Port should help with that, giving it a clearer distinction; hopefully they can focus on theming for Action Zone down the line, too. As for Coney, I agree; I feel like what I think of as Coney Mall is just that stretch alongside Racer back to WindSeeker. The path along Backlot to The Beast always feels like it's own separate, almost backstage area (when The Vortex was there, I think it felt more like a part of the park. But with the fencing and empty field behind it, it just feels like an annex area).

Never thought about this before, but I wonder if it technically was considered part of International Street when it was the ITALLIAN Job (yes, yes, I'm sure maps place it in Coney; but I agree, it doesn't feel like a fit).

Honestly, the more I think about this, the happier it makes me. It builds off two commitments I think KI has been really good about in recent years: creating new experiences for families, not just thrill-seekers, and respecting its history. My kids are on the cusp of late-preteen/early middle school age, and we hop on AE a lot. This gives them two new flat rides to get their feet wet one and means we don't have to treat AE as an out-of-the-way trip, because now there's also a good place to stop, rest and eat, as well as several rides around there. And I love that the two new flat rides are throwbacks to things like Skylab and Der Spinning Keggers. I think this area is going to really give KI a personality boost. I'd love to see them forgo adding a new giant roller coaster in The Vortex area and do another themed land there, but my hunch is that now that there's Adventure Port, they will focus on putting a coaster there (which is fine, too, so long as they commit to making it as photogenic as Vortex).

It doesn't say for sure, but my guess is Oktoberfest and Festhaus are both still there. Festhaus is too big of a people collector. I think it's that the beer gardens/Hank's are going to be rethemed to the Mercado/Enrique's. I love this addition. It clears up that transition area between Coney Mall and Action Zone nicely AND it creates an area where Adventure Express is the anchor attraction, which should dispel any of those rumors of it disappearing any time soon (as someone with young kids, AE is a ride we hit several times each visit).

Agree. If all Timberwolf was going to be used for was a three-day Christian concert that was on its way out, I was find to get rid of it. But this year seems to show there's still life left there, and if they can use it as a regular venue throughout the season, I think that's great. I could take or leave Congo Falls. Kids like to ride it and get wet. In my opinion, I have more fun with White Water Canyon and Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown, and I'd rather see CF go before those. It's just, to me, a bit of an eyesore. But if it still serves a purpose, awesome. Same with Invertigo. I honestly forget it's there most the time. And I'd rather see the park focus on bringing non-coaster improvements instead of trying to cram in the latest thrill rides. Atmosphere matters so much more.

Yeah, that wording is very telling that TTD will still be there in some iteration, and my guess is the change will likely not alter too much of the ride experience. Years back, CP announced Mantis was closing and then a few months later announced the changes coming and its new name Rougarou (god, I hate that name). They did something similar with Mean Streak; announced the ride closing and even had a funeral for it. A year later, they announced the Steel Vengeance remake. I think if there were major alterations that would make it a completely different ride, you'd see them announce that TTD was going away and then an announcement about the "new" ride shortly after. This seems to say that "TTD will be back," but it will be different, and I wouldn't hold my breath about it coming back in time for the 2023 season.

Due to some changes in my work situation, we had to re-schedule our previously planned trip from mid-August (the last week of weekday operations) to Labor Day weekend. We were coming from Detroit, so we planned accordingly. Bought gold passes so we could come in for the weekend, maybe come back at Halloween and WinterFest, and already have next year's tickets taken care of. Knowing it would likely be busy, we purchased Fast Lane a week out for Saturday. And...it was a mixed bag. Saturday was shaping up to be a disaster. As soon as we got to the park, we were stuck in torrential downpours all morning. We got in one ride on Woodstock Express and Boo Blasters and then booked it to Rivertown to hide out in Brewhouse for an hour or so. While we were there, a ceiling tile collapsed and water started leaking in. Amazingly, several of the coasters were still going; I can't imagine a ride on Diamondback was much fun in the downpour. When the rain started to slow, we decided to head over to Shake, Rattle and Roll for our kids while we waited for more coasters to come up. I waited off so I could hold our stuff while my wife and kids rode. While they were in line, the rains went from a steady sprinkle to an outright downpour, and my kids rode the ride with water flying out onto the midway. My wife was soaked and it was only 1:30 p.m. She'd had enough and decided to head back to the hotel with our youngest to change. Because we'd already paid for Fast Lane, my son and I stayed back just in case anything opened back up. As soon as she left the park...dry skies and even a bit of sun for three hours. Was able to use Fast Lane to do Racer (so smooth now!), Adventure Express (fun, but rough), The Bat (better than I remembered), Banshee (so good), Orion (front row), Mystic Timbers and Diamondback (all great). I tried three times to get on The Beast, but it kept breaking down. Met my wife at Festhaus at 5 p.m. I got there a bit early and enjoyed a blue ice cream beer (so sue me; it's pretty good). As soon as my wife returned, so did the rain. But it was more of an annoying rain, not the torrents of before. We did Race for Your Life Charlie Brown, my wife got on The Beast (I stayed off with the kids and then when I went to go on...it broke down again). We did another round of Boo Blasters then went to the front. Caught the firework show, which was great, but the drones weren't working (guessing because of the rain). Sunday, the weather had been calling for rain all day, but we only had a brief shower in the middle of the day. It was busier and hotter, and we didn't have Fast Lane (but we did have parent swap). My son got his first ride on The Beast, which he loved (and I love the work the retrack has done). But throughout the day, nearly every roller coaster went down at least once (Diamondback was down all day; ironic, since it was the only one that didn't seem to close before the previous day). I've actually never seen it like this -- at one time, Orion, Racer, Beast, Banshee, Diamondback and Flight of Fear were all down. And it didn't seem to be weather -- other large rides were going, and they kept doing test cycles. I'm not complaining; my guess is it's the end of the year and maintenance crews/parts/whatever are down. We still had a good day -- was just odd. Only complaint I had was that, given it's the end of the operating year, much of the staff seemed to be phoning it in. A clerk in the Snoopy Boutique clearly didn't want to be there and would just point us to the credit card machine. The clerks at the Starbucks were rough; one lady asked who a particular drink was for (wondering if it was her own) and the kid just shrugged and said "I don't know" and walked away. Probably end of the year malaise. But still, despite the hiccups, a good trip with some good rides. Might come back down one weekend for Haunt and give it a try. We did NYE at Winterfest last year and are considering doing it again.

Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter. The older I get (and I'm getting plenty old), the less I care about parks adding giant thrill rides and the more I want them to just keep enhancing the experience. I love a good roller coaster -- but as much as I loved Velocicoaster and Hagrid's at Universal this year, I loved the experience of exploring all the themed areas and eating good, unique food just as much. Obviously, KI can't compete with Universal. But CP is investing in a giant shoreline restaurant next year (which is, admittedly, easier when you have an actual shoreline at your park). For KI to take that Vortex plot and make it into a place to relax and eat with unique, beautiful scenery would add a lot to the park.

Thanks!

This might sound like a stupid question, so forgive me if it is. But before we make a 4-hour drive, I just want to confirm. We're coming to KI Labor Day weekend, driving down from Detroit area. We're planning a two-day visit. As we considered the visit, plus thought of doing Winterfest, and know we'll go to KI again next year, it made sense to just purchase Gold Passes for our family (we also figured that by paying on the installment plan, we could use the money we'd originally budgeted for tickets this trip for Fast Lane Plus on one of the days, since the park will likely be busy). Again, this might be a stupid question. But even though we purchased a 2023 Gold Pass, we can still use it for the remainder of 2022, correct?

Would really love it if KI announced a Planet Snoopy makeover and did something with BB (I like the idea of retheming it to Phantom Theater). My kids have a few years left where they'll still able to have fun in PS, and it would be great to have something for them to be excited about next year. Also, my continued plea to change Woodstock Express back to The Beastie.

I was kind of leery about this. It seemed like it might be pandering, and bringing in some easy iconography to get people feeling nostalgic while papering over the fact that it was a slap-dash, silly show. But I've seen the photos and the video on YouTube, and it all seems really impressive, and done with a lot of love. I wouldn't be surprised if this was a passion project for someone who probably grew up at the park riding PT and was finally given an opportunity to indulge all that nostalgia. We'll be going to the park the last week it's there, and I'm really excited to see this. As a kid, the live entertainment was one of my favorite things about KI. I grew up in the days where they did all the Hanna Barbara shows (I remember "Scooby Doo and the Raiders of the Lost Bark" in International Showcase pretty vividly), and we wouldn't miss any of it. Even the Paramount era had some good shows -- the ice skating show in Festhaus -- the weird "Cheers" show and "Game On" after that. There was even a pretty good laser show in the first Paramount year. Whether it's just growing up or a true decline in quality, I haven't stopped to watch a full show in years, aside from the BMX show they did in Kings Island Theater a few years back (my son loved it). Really glad to see this was done with so much care, and I hope it's just a taste of things to come after the 50th anniversary.

100% agree. I think bringing PT back would only disappoint many. There's no way they would (or even could) just remake the same ride as was, with all the animatronics and visual effects. It would probably either be a just a re-skin of Boo Blasters or some sort of screen-based thing. I'd rather they update BB to something new; after all, the PT demand is based on nostalgia. I'd rather give today's kids something new that, in 20 years, they'll be telling their kids about. I'm not a big fan of shooting rides. But I will say, we visited Universal Orlando earlier this year and did the MiB Alien Encounter -- and that's how you do a ride like that (not that KI can redo the BB track or have the elaborate effects/spinning that MiB has).

Can't say I'm saddened by this. I was always too leery of these to ride anyway. And, honestly, these upcharge attractions just look cheap and ugly to me; if it's an attraction you could see while walking along the boardwalk in Vegas, I don't really love it as an addition to the park. Honestly, I kind of feel the same way about EXtreme Skyflyer; they feel like cheap, tourist attraction-type places, not well-thought out, themed enhancements to the park.

When I was younger, we'd travel from Detroit to do Spirit Song every year (I was in my twenties and could handle three days of amusement parks and concerts). It was great; we'd camp at the Kings Island campground for a few days, and alternate between roller coaster and concerts. It was the best of all both worlds. I listen to much less Christian music these days, and the idea of spending three sweltering days at an amusement park with church youth groups doesn't really sound all too appealing anymore (although my wife and I had discussed maybe taking our kids one day). Plus, as others have said, it's kind of a waste of a venue to have it standing for just one music festival each summer -- tear Timberwolf down if it's not going to get use. Michigan's Adventure makes good use of their wave pool for similar events in the fall, and I know Cedar Point has built a stage for concerts. KI could look into that. That said, it has a nostalgic pull for me, so I'd still be sad to hear it was canceled (even if I don't know 99% of the groups anymore).

I'm pretty sure the picture was a joke...I would hate to see them turn it into some monochromatic, gray monstrosity, no matter what the theming suggests. Amusement parks need color; would love a new post to be about how DB is receiving a fresh coat of paint (original colors).