DonHelbig

We’re nearing mid-July, and let’s be honest—this has been really rough season at Kings Island and for the company. From staffing shakeups to cutbacks, to things like no ice, no cups, and restaurants closed—it’s all added up. Guests have noticed. I’ve noticed. But here’s the part we don’t say enough: there are still a lot of hard-working associates out there showing up every day, doing their best with what they’ve got. And they deserve credit—a lot of it. The message about what’s wrong? It’s been heard. Loud and clear. The park knows. It’s on them to fix it. As we head down the homestretch for daily operation, let’s shift the focus and talk more about the good things happening during our visits.

Fans of Dolly Parton and Dollywood will be able to enjoy the sounds of the Smoky Mountains anytime, anywhere, with the launch of “Dollywood Radio.” https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-iheartmedia-launch-new-dollywood-radio-station/

Are Snickers bars on the dining plan?

Kings Dominion didn’t have a choice today. The water main break forced them to close.

The Kings Island Theater will be dark after July 6 for the rest of the summer. A live Tower Topics show would fill the theater. But it would never happen.

Siren’s Curse opens June 28 at Cedar Point. https://sanduskyregister.com/news/599026/why-sirens-curse-will-be-a-cant-miss-ride/

Here’s a piece I published on TPBD comparing Thunderbird at Holiday World to Rapterra at Kings Dominion. https://themeparksbydon.com/why-thunderbird-soars-over-rapterra/

It’s a great opportunity for Mark.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari has once again raised the bar on summertime family entertainment with the return of Holidays in the Sky. https://themeparksbydon.com/holidays-in-the-sky-at-holiday-world-delivers-unforgettable-family-fun/

He’s ridden over 4,000 times in a week. That’s impressive!

Appreciate your honest opinion on RiverRacers.

At most 430.

There is a better chance of the Eiffel Tower getting an RMC conversion than there is of this guy having 43,000 rides on The Beast. If he was a true story, the PR folks the park had in place from April 14, 1979 when the ride opened to October 15, 2017 would have known about him and he’d have been international news. It wasn’t until 2019 that he showed up wearing the t-shirts. Nice guy? Yes. Over 43,000 rides on The Beast? No.

There aren’t people anymore at either park that want to do these events. They now only do them because they feel they have to. As long as the camaraderie is there with the attendees, they’ll still be a good time.

Love the advance notice they give guests.

Cedar who?

If I had a dime for every time someone said they weren’t renewing their season pass if Kings Island did this or did that, I’d be living on a yacht in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

You’re not going to cancel your season pass.

A queue for a new Haunt maze is going in the Xtreme Skyflyer spot.

I’m going with 2028 for The Vortex spot.

What they accomplish most by peppering those with a pass with pass messaging is opt-outs for the text alerts and uninstalling the park mobile app. After extending the 20% off on a Silver Pass to June 2, they’ve now extended the offer to June 8. Multiple extensions across the company are not normal.

Historically, they have not done as many extensions as they’ve done this year. That tells a story.

If they’d gone longer with a true water coaster, where you didn’t have to carry your raft up a flight of stairs, the capacity would be higher. Go to Holiday World and ride each of its three water coasters to compare.,

The Mother’s Day brunch sold out with very few moms with their kids in the room.

They have the technology to do that.