Magenta Lizard

People complain that Kings Island doesn't do enough theming to be considered a theme park. Kings Island does a little bit of theming and people fall over each other trying to be first to break the news (although this is the first time I've noticed the actual news get in on the act, usually it's just the fan sites). Prior to the little farm vignette added as theming in Tower Gardens, the plants and flowers have been changed several times this season, to keep it fresh, interesting, and beautiful. That's what the groundskeeping staff does. That's what the greenhouses are for. Granted the general theming centered around plants and setting a mood used to be more of a "thing" for the park in its early years, but I've appreciated this return to their roots, and enjoy seeing the changes as the seasons progress. I don't think it "means" anything other than adding visual interest around the park.

Sorry for the double posting but it's been a day so I hope it's ok. Noticed this new addition to the front of the train station on my last visit. Unfortunately it was not a sign that the Coke Freestyle Station was open... Maybe it's been there longer and I just didn't notice because of the Mystic Timbers portable shop that had been nearby. Now I'm not certain. But to squash any rumors that this might be an "expertly concealed" footing for a new Giga that will summit the Eiffel Tower, the concrete base is not permanent, and has a loop on top so it can be lifted and moved.

To some degree, I believe ride ops are allowed to add to the theming, yes. For at least two of the places where the name of a ride is written in rocks near the queue (Adventure Express and Vortex) ride ops here on the boards have said their teams were involved in the creation and execution. I also have heard that the flyers of the young man in a hard hat in various places at Mystic Timbers were created and posted by ride ops last year. As long as additions are reasonably themed and respectful, it seems to be policy to let them stand. However, and this is a very important point: Ride Ops do not have insider information. They often hear and spread the same rumors as other enthusiasts and GP, but it coming from their lips adds absolutely zero credence. As the fondly missed Terpy would say "those who know don't speak." So where does that leave us on speculation? As I have written elsewhere recently, when Kings Island begins teasing their next project, there will be no room for discussion of "is this official or just random theming?" There will be signs. Big ones. Obvious ones. Most likely large, literal signs, on the side of a fence, with clearing and construction happening behind it.* It will not be theming signs up at Cedar Point. It will not be references to past rides included in the theming of current ones. It will not, for heaven's sake, be elements of a past logo included in an exclusive ride op button that was produced at the beginning of the season (that rumor hadn't made it to these boards yet that I've seen but was a discussion elsewhere online). It won't be part of Haunt or Winterfest theming. It won't be random theming in Tower Gardens. Maybe some of those things might have more meaning AFTER an initial teasing is made by the park. But when that official tease happens, it will be obvious. It will be unquestionable. No one will argue it isn't a sign or might not be a sign. *edited to add: signs like this one:

There is going to be a free behind-the-scenes opportunity on Racer for National Roller Coaster Day (August 16). You must sign up to participate. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2018/august/sign-up-for-the-national-roller-coaster-day-kings-island-blog-meet-up The Racer tour at this year's Coasterstock was one of the highlights, so if this one takes us into the same areas, I would say it is a definite don't-miss opportunity.

I wonder if recently someone (somewhere) had a degloving incident with a finger from a wedding ring, and they are just exercising an abundance of caution currently. I was aware of the no metal on clothing rule but it wouldn't have occurred to me a wedding ring would be included.

Just so he loses Everest's voice during Haunt.... Anyone who hasn't visited the pages for the new Haunts and Scare Zones, I highly recommend it. Each has a creative long-ish backstory. It's definitely getting me excited!

Except that one on the barrel has been there for ages (at least 2014 when I started going to the park again), and the symbol has been in Mystic Timbers since it opened (elsewhere, in the pre-shed, and that box was added a little later last season)... Hardly "popping up".

August 19 or possibly 12th (the website had said the 19th, but was changed to the 12th, but everyone including the performers and production company say they are booked until the 19th).

I'm sorry you missed out. It was pretty darn cool while it lasted.

It was removed when they were building the Coke Freestyle building there. It was assumed at the time it would return when construction completed. I have two suspicions: either it was damaged or it was "appropriated" (stolen), and they didn't feel it was important enough to remake. As far as Haunt, I'm pretty sure there will be killer clowns again, but I'm wondering if they'll be in Freak Street or Coney Maul. I also wonder if the actual "freaks" will come back to Freak Street, like the conjoined twins, etc. Last year it was a bit of a wasteland, with none of the figures (except Jack in the Box), and few or no scareactors most of the time.

I'm imagining clowns scaring people into dropping their food right and left

I think maybe the test creator was a little biased

Yeah, it's been noted

I am showing my age here, but I'm surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet. "Number Five is alive!" is the catch phrase from the 1986 movie Short Circuit. It is repeatedly said by the character Johnny #5, who is a robot who has become sentient. The robots in Disaster Transport's queue always reminded me of Johnny #5, and I don't think that was accidental, as the movie was still very popular by the time Avalanche Run was enclosed and themed. I agree the phrase is being used in this case as a reference to Outpost 5 as well, but I thought it might be important to people speculating that it is also a direct reference to the movie.

So, they've gotten a little serious about keeping people out: (all that fencing, and a gate to keep out traffic from Columbia Rd. Is new)

Somebody seems to be confused about Peters Cartridge, Dog Street Cemetery, and what facts are Or maybe that explosion blew the factory a couple miles away, and he's the only one who has heard about that detail.

They have smoked turkey over there again? Well I know where I'm going next visit!

I had a fun unique experience last week where the trains were so evenly matched in release time and speed/weight that we were still lined up on the last hill before the tracks split into the turnaround. I never realized quite how close the tracks run there until I was gazing across at my counterpart in the same row of the other train. Only thing that could have made it better was if I were racing someone I knew that time If there was a way to make this a more common occurrence (it's literally the only time it has ever happened to me in all the times I have rode) I'd be all for it!

Both times @whengodsaysgo and I rode Mystic Timbers today it was on the back row of the orange train. Definitely didn't notice any unusual roughness.

Welcome to KIC @flagrocker! Sorry you had to go through that.

Let's not get all nostalgic for a past that never existed. People didn't used to be less rude or follow the rules more, AND there were fewer rules. Some people then, as now, regularly broke rules whenever they thought they could get away with it. There also was a lot more disrespect of other people's safety or comfort than there is today. When I was a kid visiting Kings Island in the 80s, it wasn't against the rules to smoke in queues, but it was obviously rude to do so when people are going to be stuck next to you for an hour or two (with fewer big rides, lines were regularly MUCH longer than now). Still, there was typically someone smoking on each of the rows next to you in the queue, if not someone right next to you. People would light up on the coasters even though that was obviously against the rules, not quite as frequently as phones come out but arguably more dangerous each time. There's a reason for those signs about not standing on Beast or Racer, because when the buzz bars made it possible, people /would/ even though it would seem to be obviously dangerous. Teenagers were WAY worse than the current crop. Say what you want about them having their noses in the phones, at least they're entertaining themselves without disturbing others. It used to be that many if not most teenage boys were a bit like a pack of goats, running around and ramming into each other and anyone else who happened to be near, climbing all over everything, being loud and rude to other people. The only reason why there were fewer major injuries back then due to negligence of other riders was that the speeds were slower, and everyone didn't carry a pocket-sized device to take video or have the ability to easily share that video with the world if they did.

I feel a little bad, I looked at the sign outside the theater and apparently when they changed it this year, they omitted the strollers warning. I still think it should be a little obvious you aren't going to have room to stash a stroller inside a theater, but it wasn't quite as obvious without the sign.

I don't know for sure that this is related, but there are a few construction vehicles showing up in the overflow parking for Kings High School, behind Great Wolf. I suspect it is related if they want to open within a year.

I'm pretty sure the tunnel that used to run from the queue up to the center of the pad has since been filled in with concrete, so whether it would work or not it is now unfeasible.

I had a lot of fun at the Coney event last year! I wish this was happening a different weekend, because I would jump at the chance!