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Everything posted by DonHelbig
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Forty Five Years Ago, The Beast Got Its Name
DonHelbig replied to BoddaH1994's topic in Kings Island
Here's a piece I wrote to commemorate the 45th anniversary of The Beast being named for Theme Parks By Don. https://themeparksbydon.com/the-story-behind-the-iconic-beast-roller-coasters-name/- 1 reply
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Kings Island park services associate Katie Milbower, a dedicated K-5th Grade PE teacher at Mt. Healthy South Elementary, is among the Top 10 Finalists for the 5th annual Gold Star Teacher Award. Having witnessed her unwavering commitment the years I worked at Kings Island, I can attest – she's a powerhouse of positivity! Katie goes above and beyond, making school memorable with surprises, empowering activities, and community events. From snacks to Trunk or Treat, she's creating a vibrant, supportive environment. Your daily vote until Feb. 29 can make Katie the 2024 Gold Star Teacher, earning her $1000, plus $500 for her school, a dazzling gift basket, and more! Let's celebrate educators like Katie who light up classrooms. Click the link to cast your vote now! https://goldstarchili.com/goldstarteacher
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Cincinnati group requests $20 million of taxpayer money for Coney Island project. https://local12.com/news/local/local-group-request-20-million-taxpayer-money-project-coney-island-ohio-general-assembly-cincinnati-symphony-orchestra-music-venue-entertainment-campus-hamilton-county-prioritization-task-force-duke-energy-convention-center-xavier-osteopathic-medicial
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With or without a willingness by the park to work with Tower Topics, the show goes on and the podcast will continue to grow. We appreciate everyone who has taken time out of their day to listen. We’ll have more episodes talking about Camp Snoopy in the weeks and months ahead.
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With the removal of the trees, the flume ride will feel like it did in the Coney Island days.
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Here’s a piece I wrote on Dollywood’s special events lineup. All are worth making a trip to Pigeon Forge, TN to experience. For those that live in the Greater Cincinnati area, think of it this way: You’re only two Buc-ee’s locations away from Dollywood! https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywoods-festival-lineup-a-symphony-of-experiences/
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Used his words instead of someone else's.
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Back in the 1980's when I was riding The Racer almost daily, a guest on the train I was riding had their glass eye pop out. I also saw a guest on The Racer lose their toupee on the turnaround drop. My daughter caught someone's credit card on the second drop on Diamondback when it opened in 2009.
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Thank you! Appreciate everyone that listens to Tower Topics and The Attractions Group Podcast.
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Three Planet/Camp Snoopy rides to change names for 2024
DonHelbig replied to BoddaH1994's topic in Kings Island
I really like the new names; they all seem to fit in well with the new Camp Snoopy area and theme. -
DOJ seeks additional info from Six Flags, Cedar Fair on $8 bln merger
DonHelbig replied to BoddaH1994's topic in Kings Island
Here’s a piece I wrote on Theme Parks By Don. https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-and-cedar-fair-merger-faces-doj-hurdle/ -
Controlling stake doesn’t mean they’re going to be making all the calls on how the parks will run, all of the personnel decisions.
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It’s stock, not Stock.
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Holiday World - New for 2024
DonHelbig replied to Orion-XL200's topic in Other Amusement Parks & Industry News
Holiday World has done a terrific job in building awareness and excitement for Good Gravy! -
Six Flags has made waves in the theme park industry by launching the largest digital alliance of its kind. https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-launches-digital-alliance-with-tech-giants/
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Thanks for listening!
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I'm looking forward to experiencing the 2024 Kings Island season vicariously through this forum and the fantastic content KIC publishes on X.
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Which Kings Island Ride Have You Ridden The Most?
DonHelbig replied to kingsislandfan1972's topic in Kings Island
The Racer, followed by The Beast, -
Listen, the park can try and spin it any way they want as to why Coasterstock didn't return this year, but "timing" isn't why. The event had an acknowledged reputation as one of the finest park-hosted events in the amusement and theme park industry. It sold out in less than 10 minutes. A park doesn't cancel an event that is highly successful and means so much to the attendees because of timing. It took place the same weekend every year since its inception outside of 2021 when it took place later in the summer due to COVID-19 and not knowing what the restrictions might be going into the season. So no, it's not because of timing. What the real reasons were, that will be discussed on an upcoming episode of Tower Topics. Much like what the park put out there, you can choose to buy or sell the reasoning the podcast provides. While Coasterstock isn't returning year, Kings Island has replaced it with the equally exciting American Coaster Enthusiasts 2024 Spring Conference. The 2014 ACE Spring Conference was held at Kings Island, and it was nothing short of amazing! The members of ACE involved in planning the club's events excel far more than I did. All of the ACE events that I've participated in are a testament to their expertise and dedication. If you're not an ACE member, I highly recommend that you join so you can take part in the Spring Conference. It's going to be a terrific event! The park's announcement of Coasterstock returning in 2025 seems ambitious, especially considering the imminent merger between Cedar Fair and Six Flags. Mergers often bring changes, including personnel adjustments, and nobody knows exactly what that might entail.
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Again, 100 percent inaccurate what you posted.
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100 percent inaccurate!
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Camp Snoopy is new for 2024. What efforts has the park made to ignite interest, excitement, and anticipation since the August announcement? There's a lack of news stories, social media buzz, and blog features about the new ride, about Camp Snoopy, and all there will be for families to do. Why didn't the Kings Island communications team capture a momentous occasion -- the groundbreaking for Camp Snoopy -- by photographing General Manager Mike Koontz alongside Snoopy and Charlie Brown, all sporting hard hats and holding shovels, and subsequently share this captivating image with the Associated Press? By capturing that photo, and including a cutline such as, "Snoopy, Kings Island's EVP/GM Mike Koontz, and Charlie Brown make history at the groundbreaking ceremony for Camp Snoopy at Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio. The park's award-winning kids' area is set to unveil this exciting addition in spring 2024," they could have secured extensive earned media coverage across news outlets spanning Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and beyond. Nobody at the park or corporate team is going to notice missed opportunities like this because people outside of PR can't really judge how well a PR person is doing because they're so out of the scope. Camp Snoopy is geared for storytelling. Hoping to see some stories soon across all communication channels!
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Here’s a piece I wrote about Camp Snoopy. https://themeparksbydon.com/construction-on-kings-islands-camp-snoopy-takes-shape/