DonHelbig

Fox 19 did a fantastic story on Gary Wachs, who was recently inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. https://www.fox19.com/2025/12/03/how-kings-island-was-born-founder-receives-hall-fame-honor/

I’d like to see a Big Bear Mountain type coaster in the spot once occupied by The Vortex. While some wouldn’t be excited about it, the majority of Kings Island visitors would be since it would have broader appeal.

Holiday Lights at Kennywood has better lights than Kings Island or Carowinds. Synchronized to the music throughout the park. If you enjoy lights and holiday music, you’d love Kennywood’s event.

I’m cautiously optimistic with John Reilly coming in as the new CEO, but there are a lot of challenges ahead he and the company are going to face before anyone can break out the party streamers.

Mark your calendars: HoliWood Nights returns to Holiday World on May 29-30, 2026. This is an event you don’t want to miss. https://holidayworld.com/2025/11/24/holiwood-nights-2026/

The operations have always been among the best in the industry since Kings Island opened its gates in 1972, but it’s not as good as the Taft days.

John Reilly brings the kind of experience and mindset Six Flags desperately needs. But as every park veteran knows, intent only matters if execution follows. https://themeparksbydon.com/what-im-watching-john-reilly-six-flags-ceo/

Some things I expect to see happen with John Reilly as CEO are ticket and season pass prices being raised, a stronger focus on customer service, and less regionalization with departments. It will eventually get back to the way it was and should be with more boots on the ground at the park level.

I don’t know John Reilly, so before sharing my thoughts and opinions on Tower Topics I’ll need to talk to some people who do. I will have a piece published tomorrow on TPBD on what I’m looking for on the new CEO.

John Reilly has been named the new CEO for Six Flags. https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-names-john-reilly-ceo/

You can get a 1-day Walt Disney World ticket for less than $130.

It would make more sense to run these polls while events are happening.

I can see a seat on the board.

Land of Illusion Adventure Park in Middletown, Ohio, is lighting up the holiday season once again with its Christmas Glow celebration. https://themeparksbydon.com/land-of-illusion-christmas-glow-midwest-holiday/

What could have been and maybe what should have been. https://themeparksbydon.com/cedar-fair-seaworld-merger-story/

The Holiday Meatloaf Burger is back for WinterFest. It’s moving from Miami River Brewhouse to Juke Box Diner.

Here’s a piece I wrote for the Sandusky Register. It won’t win a Pulitzer but I think it captures the spirit of the thing. https://sanduskyregister.com/news/667144/cedar-point-parent-co-considering-park-sales/

Here’s a piece I published on TPBD on how Kings Island transforms the Royal Fountain into Snow Flake Lake at WinterFest. https://themeparksbydon.com/kings-island-snow-flake-lake-ice-rink-winterfest/

With the right marketing, promotion and relationships, they could win it.

They were just using it for the most part to park sales and promotional content the past couple years instead of using it for its intent to tell stories. If they’re not going to use it for storytelling, it doesn’t serve a purpose.

The Silver Pass will return. Come spring you’ll see “Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare now open. Buy a Silver Pass” posts on the parks social media channels.

The Kings Island website has been updated with a fresh new look. It’s easier to navigate and find exactly what you’re looking for. https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland

I saw the billboard this morning on my way to Paycor Stadium for the Bengals game. It’s an engaging ad.

From thrills to heartfelt service, Dollywood does it right. Forbes names them a 2026 top company for customer service. https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-forbes-best-customer-service-2026/

Dollywood had released its 2026 operating calendar. Highlights include the $50 million NightFlight Expedition, the inaugural Run Dollywood weekend, and the separately ticketed Harvey’s Boo Bash. https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-2026-nightflight-expedition-run-dollywood-harveys-boo-bash/