Magenta Lizard

Not to mention that Don doesn't need these boards to tell him enthusiasts want a Giga. I think many of them tell him every time they see him! Don Helbig, Kings Island, Cedar Fair, all are very well aware that it is something widely desired. They will put one in, or not, depending on whether their analyses determine it is the right choice. Fan interest is one factor, but there are many others. I think it is entirely possible that the pros outweigh the cons on this one, which is very exciting.

CarnEvil is also a really fun maze, kind of a classic funhouse with scary clowns thrown in. It's a real trip if you wear the "3D" glasses.

I dearly hope so. I took the train over on Sunday hoping the smokehouse would be open, only to discover the Great Pumpkin Fest doesn't start until next weekend!

^Yeah, but are they going to close off half of it for the last hour before closing, with brooms and trash cans?

The furnace is still in Slaughterhouse

I saw pics of some sort of metal plates that looked half-melted on some fanboy site at some point, but have no idea of what they were from for certain. If the posters at Pointbuzz are skeptical, frankly so am I. People always want to break news first, which often makes it illegitimate because of the lack of vetting.

If the buffet is an up-charge, it's one I would be eager to pay, assuming that is the same smoked turkey from the Soak City smokehouse! I've got my fingers crossed for it to be located in the International Restaurant, although I have heard there are no plans for it to be used. I can dream!

Welcome to KIC! I have been told that the tower indeed will be fully circled by the strands of light that make up the "tree" rather than just one side.

I just noticed that the bottom of that picture also says "what could go wrong" and appears to have more text on the bottom right, blocked by the board of the shelf. I'm going to need to look at that again quickly next time I ride.

Does anyone know who this guy is? His pic is part of the new display at the back of the station. Under "It's all good in the woods" it says "Yard Boss Campbell, Wood Shed 2"

I didn't hear anything new compared to previous years. When I got in the lot last night and heard the Haunt music, it occurred to me that having something other than Pop during this part of the year is one of the things that makes it extra special. Just like having instrumentals on International Street.

As awesome as a resort hotel would be, I'm fairly certain they would never use the Dinos Alive area for such a thing. It's just way too far from easy vehicular traffic access (I know there are access paths for maintenance vehicles, etc, but nothing to support the kind of traffic a hotel would bring). I still maintain that is where a giga "belongs" at KI. I don't expect to see teasing for such a thing until 2019, though, opening in 2020. If we get one. Which would make next year pretty interesting for speculation.

Having gone to Haunt last night, I must say that fears the event would get less attention (because of Winterfest) were unfounded. There is an awesome new giant animatronic next to The Racer, there is a cool new (very large!) prop in Wolf Pack, and Dance of the Macabre was even more amazing than I expected. For years I've noticed how well "photo ops" (like the old boardwalk paintings with cutouts to put your head through, or the stocks up at Cedar Point) draw the public, and I have hoped to see more of them at Kings Island. Dance of the Macabre features four tableaux (one under each leg of the Eiffel Tower) that are begging for guests to interact for pictures. That's in addition to the beautifully costumed scareactors I was expecting. Together, I feel like it is a real hit. Edit: and yes, Haunt has its own soundtrack featuring music from things like Friday the 13th: the series, Nightmare on Elm Street and other horror movies, etc.

I think the new Zones look pretty exciting and interesting, even if there aren't new Mazes. I'm particularly interested in Dance of the Macabre. I prefer Zones anyway because I really hate standing in lines. But, if Haunt is taking a bit of a backseat this year in favor of the first Winterfest, it's a trade I'm personally willing to make. And I say that as a person who likes Halloween more than Christmas.

I don't think you understand. The whole "we changed it back in preparation for Haunt" was what /one/ person was told at Guest Services in an effort to get her to leave happy, by an employee who had no real options to actually give or control over what goes on with the music. It differs wildly from what /other/ people were told, when they visited GS. It is not something that actually makes any sense as a reason, nor is there any reason to believe the orchestral music will /actually/ return next summer. Winterfest most likely will have its own themed park-wide soundtrack. If you liked the music, write the park! Even if you believe what I think is BS, that it was "changed a month early for Haunt." If no one officially, in writing, lets the park know how much they liked the orchestral music, they could still very easily decide to scrap it for next year!

As much as I personally liked Fright Feast, I'm not really surprised they discontinued it. There hardly ever was anyone back there taking advantage of it. Granted, I was there relatively early on Fridays. I assumed maybe they got more people Saturday nights, but apparently not enough to make it economically viable.

I know, it's another reason why it is so perfect! Fingers crossed!

^I believe they use the mouse in the Board to Death Haunt maze. (Edit: sorry, I missed a page worth of posts apparently, see it's already been said) Here's the furnace from Phantom Theater, now in Slaughterhouse (pic from the lights on tour at Coasterstock this year)

Well, if they choose me and my husband (we haven't actually gotten legally married or had a wedding), probably a good long time, because we've already been together 19 years this fall and considered ourselves married almost ten. This is so perfect for us, I have been completely on edge since I discovered it a couple days ago . I probably won't get picked so I'm trying to slow my roll, but it's difficult because I want this SO BAD. I love Kings Island. I love Halloween. Even Friday the 13th has special meaning in my family (my grandfather was born on one so we always considered them lucky). If they let Jim shoot off fireworks afterward is probably about the only way it could be more perfect. We've always wanted to have a fun wedding rather than a serious one. So wish us luck! If we win, you're all invited

As far as roller coasters, Adventure Express, four years later.

I don't know why he didn't include the article (since I got this from him), but this is what he is referencing: An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer from 5/31/86 specifically these bits: I find that last paragraph interesting as well. Apparently even 30 years ago there was sentiment among some that manufacturers and designers had already "done it all" with coasters. Then, as today, I'm sure the designers, manufacturers, and fans don't even begin to believe it!

One thing that may help your fear: as soon as you're situated and have buckled the belt, focus on planting your head against the headrest and holding on to the bar in front of you. That way, no matter how and when they do the launch, you will be "in control" and prepared. It sounds like a lot of what made you fearful was that feeling of a lack of control over your situation, rather than the actual ride itself. For the record, I think it really stinks to make anyone feel like they /have/ to ride anything, no matter what. If a group needs to stay together, fine, stand in line together, but when it comes to actual ride time, individuals should have the personal freedom to bow out and wait at the exit. Autonomy is important, especially when it comes to something that is supposed to be fun! I'm proud of you for not allowing someone else's stupid rule to wreck your enjoyment in the future though, and for facing the thing that scared you. But, if you decide it's still not for you, that's fine also. Different people like different things. Saturdays in October will likely be packed, weather dependent. However, once Haunt starts up in the evening, the lines for rides tend to get shorter. So, bonus for you! And welcome to KIC!!

The last time a food stand in the park was unceremoniously razed, it reappeared the next season in a much improved form in the same general area. Cheers to CPW 2.0! (I hope)

^ not just the nick cartoons had an expiration date. If it wasn't for the Smurfs being part of Hanna-Barbera IP, and them joining the pantheon at KI, most of the characters being used at KI would have already been nearly irrelevant to me as a child in the early 1980s. I didn't really know Winnie Witch, Quickdraw McGraw, etc. outside of the park, but I loved them for their association with Kings Island. I guess I still watched Scooby Doo and Flintstones, but I understood them as having been from an earlier time, and I almost never saw any of the other H-B cartoons on my TV. Only Smurfs felt new and fresh. I really think that Peanuts is a good choice for the park simply for its staying power. They've been known for a long time, so grandparents and parents have positive feelings, and I think kids will feel positive about anything associated with the park, whether they're seeing it outside or not. That was my experience as a child.

As I mentioned in the Theming Rundown thread, there's a bit more interest in the brake run now. They have a little alien diorama set up with a light directed on him (sometimes), a few feet away from the operator station. It's pretty cool.