Magenta Lizard

^ no, that was pretty true. It was extremely busy. In past years it had only been for people who renewed by a certain date but last year was all passholders, and there was a new coaster.

The expense needed just to make access (roads, sewers, etc) to that part of the land would be prohibitive. If they really wanted a campground it would be much cheaper to try to negotiate repurchasing the land across KI drive where the resort used to be. It already has all the access in place. I don't think it is likely they will, but I would have to say it is much more likely than trying anything that would involve allowing guests to drive to the backside of the park.

I can't believe he wasn't fired before the mauling. I can only hope it was that the incidents other than his leaving the vehicle were either not reported to his supervisors or were downplayed by those who witnessed them. Seriously, straddling a lion? Pulling their tails as a regular thing? What was wrong with him?!

^ what can I say, it was cold!

^you may be correct, and it does make one wonder... If they do collect on the insurance, I really doubt they would bother rebuilding at this point.

Welcome to KIC! A lot of us really like Don Helbig. I will miss him being the primary "face of Kings Island" and it has been nice to have a popular Coaster Enthusiast in that position. He is also a valued KIC forum member on those occasions when he chooses to poke his nose in here. Also, that video you so graciously shared was created by one of our forum moderators, so most of us have already seen it.

I want it to be called Stealth. As in B-2 bomber. Alternatively, references to the Wrights or even Patterson would not go unappreciated. I feel like Cedar Fair's naming lately has been a little sub-par. I love Mystic Timbers' ride experience immensely but its name less-so. I hope that some real thought goes into the naming of what I hope to be a KI giga. But I'd settle for Centurion

I've heard it said that when it comes to things like coaster additions, Cedar Fair doesn't worry a lot about anniversaries. I think a new coaster is coming to KI in '19 or '20 (actually leaning toward the former). I hope it will be a giga.

I would love for there to be some sort of climbing/play structure for kids at KI. As it is, they tend to use everything as one, whether it is made to be or not. The number of times I've been sure I was going to see some kid knock his head open while his parents let him crawl all over queue bars... I remember fondly the play structures they used to have at KI and CP when I was a kid. I know we live in a more litigious society now than it was then, but I have to think kids are less likely to hurt themselves on a designed structure, and parents would sue more readily if their darling fell from a queue rail to concrete than from a climbing structure to padded ground.

No, antique cars. I'm still curious if they will even announce anything, or if the new (presumed) restaurant will just be there when spring gets here.

I've been coming to the park again since 2014, after around a fifteen year hiatus. For me, 2017 included a lot of smaller improvements that show they are paying attention to what park visitors want or need. I feel like food service got up to speed and quality a lot quicker in the season than in the previous two years that I had dining. The all-season disposable cup plans have been a useful perk. Winterfest was clearly fantastic, and included at least a temporary reopening of the International Restaurant. Soaring instrumentals returned to International Street. The new smokehouse had fantastic food that made me walk all the way over to the waterpark and back just for lunch because it was worth it. And of course, there was Mystic Timbers. I can't say enough good things. It fits in so beautifully to the area, and already feels like it belongs there. It fills out the important niche of coasters in between kiddy and high-thrill for the park. And it is just so much fun!

No pics, but the scaffolding was covered in thick translucent plastic sheeting when we looked last night. For warmth for workers? To keep any upcoming snow off? Not sure.

^yes, I've been known to gripe about that. It actually bothers me a bit when they reference her by name at all. It is one thing to tell ghost stories, but Missouri Jane was a real person who died far too young. To me, it feels disrespectful to attribute things to her specifically. Fortunately they often refer to an unnamed "girl in a blue dress" instead.

There was a full rack of the sweatshirts. I didn't take stock of what sizes they were tho.

OK I checked so it is on sale for about $44

I believe that is the North Pole Mercantile. I will do my best to find the sweatshirt and inquire for you. It will give me something to do while temporarily warming up, because I think tomorrow is supposed to be quite cold again.

Was it one of the ones with the lettering that looks like it has snow on top? If so, I am betting it is included in the sale. I think they don't want to warehouse all the wintery stuff until next November. I could ask tomorrow evening when I'm at the park, if you like.

This week is a good week for Winterfest souvenir shopping if you've been putting it off. I got the Winterfest enamel pin, which I had managed to miss sitting up near the registers on my previous visits. It's very nice.

They've gone vertical... with scaffolding, anyway. Floors seem to be done.

I had been planning to go tonight and at least another weeknight and closing day, but it's supposed to be sooo cold now, I'm not sure.

^I think it's the synced lights/music on the family care building across from Chick-fil-A

I didn't make it over until after dark so I didn't bother to take pictures, but from what I could peek through the fence it appears they have started pouring floors.

I went to the buffet last night. One of the surprises for me is that the little cubbie booths on the very top level have been removed and that is where the buffet was laid out. It's not an awful choice for the layout, but those semi-private booths were always so cozy. It was still magical being able to sit and eat and watch the park (especially the Eiffel Tower cycling and the fountain skaters) Ok, so here's everything that was on the buffet. I'm putting it as a spoiler so that people who don't want to load this many images don't have to: I at least tried nearly everything, and it almost all ranged from good to excellent. My one disappointment was the pasta primavera- I'm not vegetarian but I have always enjoyed veggies, and I found this to be surprisingly flavorless. Maybe roasting the vegetables could have helped? The surprise hit for me was the pumpkin soup. I keep thinking about it, and wish I could have some more today. All in all, this was an experience that was definitely worth the price!

I'm hoping for a giga on that side of the park. I don't know about specifically using the Dinos area, though. I wouldn't mind seeing it used somehow as just a walking trail.

And if you buy multiple dinners at the same time, it's still just $1 fee. I bought for my husband and I and it was a $1 fee for the whole order. After multiple complaints (I was a fairly noisy one about it), they fixed it so Accesso doesn't charge $6 even on small orders anymore.