DonHelbig

Wrote a piece on my new Theme Parks By Don blog (Story #50) about Coney Island closing. It won’t win a Pulitzer, but I think it captures the spirit of the thing. https://themeparksbydon.com/goodbye-coney-island-this-time-for-good/

Buc-ee's visit and sandwich if I had to choose.

Buc-ee's! I talked about Buc-ee's.

The train will lose part of its authenticity and charm going from a steam locomotive to an electronic locomotive.

I wrote a piece on Knott's Berry Farm's Camp Snoopy makover. It looks great! A Beagle Scout Adventure Unveiled at Knott's Berry Farm - Theme Parks By Don

I like the Millennium Force shirt. I’ll have to get one.

No. The people I worked with and reported to during my PR years enjoyed seeing earned media placements for Kings Island in Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Detroit, the Sandusky Register.

When I did PR at Kings Island from 2007-2017, I made a minimum of two media trips a year to Columbus (and other key outer market cities) to visit the TV stations, which included in-studio morning and noon news show interviews. I'd go before Memorial Day to talk about what was new each year along with Soak City opening and being included with park admission, and again in the fall to talk about Halloween Haunt before the event opened. Long before I started working at the park, the PR folks like Ruth Voss would book me for interviews on the TV and radio stations in these markets to talk about my ride exploits on The Racer, The Beast, what was new, and how having a season pass made it affordable for me to spend as much time as I did at the park. When i was doing PR it was never difficult to get booked to do in-studio interviews to talk about the park. It was as simple as pitching here's what's new and why it mattered to their audience.

Auditions don’t start for 10 days, so it’s probably too early to give those interested in auditioning notice and information on the website, mobile app, social media, and stories about the auditions placed in news media outlets throughout Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

Wrote a piece about the Tinker’s Toy Factory show. I think it captures the spirit of the thing. https://themeparksbydon.com/tinkers-toy-factory-cant-miss-show-at-kings-islands-winterfest/

Here’s an article I wrote for the Sandusky Register on the construction milestone being achieved. https://sanduskyregister.com/news/493492/construction-milestone-achieved-at-cedar-point/

These adrenaline-pumping toboggan hats are the perfect addition to your Christmas shopping list for any die-hard Kings Island enthusiast. https://themeparksbydon.com/kings-island-ride-toboggan-hats-for-the-ultimate-fan/

Dust off your dancing shoes and warm up your vocal cords! Kings Island will be holding auditions for its 2024 Summer Season this month. https://themeparksbydon.com/seize-the-spotlight-audition-for-kings-islands-2024-season/

Universal Destinations & Experiences has officially unveiled the Universal Kids Resort. https://themeparksbydon.com/universal-kids-resort-to-be-magical-haven-for-family-fun/

Dollywood has once again proven itself a beacon of exceptional customer service, earning a place in Forbes’ prestigious Best Customer Service list. https://themeparksbydon.com/forbes-recognizes-dollywood-in-top-1-for-customer-service/

The Hatbox Ghost has materialized on one of my all-time favorite rides, the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. https://themeparksbydon.com/hatbox-ghost-a-spine-chilling-addition-to-wdw-haunted-mansion/

Fifty years ago, on Nov. 23, 1973, The Brady Bunch episode filmed at Kings Island made its debut on ABC-TV. Episode No. 106, titled “The Cincinnati Kids,” was captured over five days in August 1973. https://themeparksbydon.com/50th-anniversary-the-brady-bunch-episode-at-kings-island/

Both really good events, but I would give Hersheypark's Christmas Candylane the edge.

I had the opportunity to experience Hersheypark’s annual Christmas Candylane event. It was nothing short of magical! https://themeparksbydon.com/hersheyparks-christmas-candylane-a-cant-miss-celebration/

If you’re going to be in the Bristol, CT area over the holidays, here’s a piece I did on Lake Compounce’s Holiday Lights event. https://themeparksbydon.com/lake-compounce-unveils-the-magic-of-holiday-lights/

You know, the only thing that matters is the ending. It's the most important part of the story, the ending. And this one... is very good. (Smiles, closes laptop.)

Mr. Helbig was my dad. I’m Don.

The Four Drummers Drumming show at WinterFest was a crowd-pleaser for guests of all ages. The social media buzz with photos and videos truly captured the essence of the experience. Those third-party impressions are priceless and will be missed!

Dollywood added 23 operating days for 2024. https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywoods-2024-a-year-of-extraordinary-adventures-and-experiences/

The National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives has received a fully restored Ottaway Steam Locomotive and passenger cars from Chance Rides in Wichita, Kansas. Although not a roller coaster, this rare addition significantly enriches the NRCMA’s collection, highlighting its commitment to preserving diverse facets of amusement park history. https://themeparksbydon.com/coaster-museum-receives-restored-ottaway-steam-locomotive/