Magenta Lizard

I can't tell for certain, but looking at the webcam, I think they may have already taken down the wall. If so, they should finally be starting work in the new station/old funnel cake location. I also forgot to mention, but NoChickens noticed yesterday the little theming "ticketing office" shed that stood across from the train station was no longer there. I don't know how long it was missing. The last picture I actually have of it was July 25th, but I don't think it had been gone more than a few weeks at the most. Edit: actually it was a "telegraph and post office" and the best picture I took of it all season (one of only two, oddly enough) is a warped shot from when it accidentally was included on the end of a panorama.

Missouri Jane just wants a friend. Great Halloween post! I don't care (or want to know) if you created it or experienced it. Either way it's awesome.

Less than 12 hours into it and I'm already in withdrawal. And there's an area of Mystic Timbers I wanted to reference, but I don't have recent good pics, and I can't go take any now! *crying*

As they have done more construction, I've gotten better at being able to "see" where things are going to go. I am fairly certain the station and queues are going to be in the area where they took out the funnel cake stand. It makes way more sense to have it on that side of the train tracks, but beyond that, it is the right spot when you look at the layout and the current construction. Gannersdaddy and I were talking about it yesterday at the park and agreed that this little dip that they have had constructed for awhile, away from the main construction over by DB... (this is from the train, looking from just after the reservoir) ... must be the bottom of the lift hill, where the track will ultimately pass over as part of the big hill after the first drop (which is why they had to build it early) And, it leads right up next to the train tracks So, it is clearly going to go over them and to the other side It would be easier if the layout showed where the train track crossing will be, and the actual construction layout of that area, but it doesn't. Because there isn't room in that area for the train to get through, according to the drawing, but it clearly will need to, according to how they are building on site. Pardon my phone drawing skills, but I think this is approximately the path of the train tracks, with the black "rectangle" representing approximately where the KI&MVRR Losantiville station lines up.

The rain cleared people out decently well at least.

From what I understand of where the shed will be, they haven't started on the footings there yet. This is along the beginning of the train route looking back toward the turntable. I noticed you can actually see clear through at this point. That's the building beside the turntable you can see in the middle of the shot. This view is a little before that temporary gravel road they made across WWC's trough. They've done even more clearing of the hill that runs alongside the KI&MVRR train shed Including what I believe is the rough path where Mr. T will switch back More new concrete has been poured in the main work area, linking up with the ones I showed last week leading up to the reservoir Unless that is around where the shed will be, now I think of it? So, yes, individuals rather than a slab, it looks like.

More once I ride the train

I just want to know who will be the new KI GM now that Greg Scheid is Regional VP per his LinkedIn profile.

Banshee has excellent capacity so lines are typically very short. Even spending a couple hours an operating day, it seems a very achievable goal.

If you could see them on the webcam my bet is deer. Especially at dusk. I've seen roaming deer several times at KI, dogs never.

Even though I printed something that said it was a voucher for Fast Lane, it didn't have a code for scanning. When I used my Fast Lane, all I did was present my season pass, they scanned that, and handed me my wristband. I didn't even get out my printed "voucher." Worked the same way at the ticket window to get my free bring-a-friend ticket.

In Sorority House, you can choose to eat or drink. I believe there is only about a 50/50 chance that you do one of those, too, because there is a third possibility of what can happen... I ate, and I really couldn't tell you what it actually was, even though I ate it (blindfolded), and saw some of the others afterward. It wasn't disgusting but it was unidentifiable to me, both in flavor and visually. The "drink" looked a lot like the sweet and sour sauce from Panda Express but since I didn't try it, I don't know what it tastes like. Nobody would probably throw a fit (or even notice) if you don't consume your "treat". But if you want to play along, pick "eat" because it would be very easy to dump it somewhere other than your mouth. None of the other Skeleton Key rooms involve actually eating anything.

WWC has very stretchy elastic belts that go across two people, and as far as I remember, link together with standard old-style seatbelt latches.

The weather has been particularly lovely this year the last several Sundays, and I think that has had some effect as well.

Kids are allowed, teens and adults not so much. The park doesn't want the liability issues that might come from having what appears to other guests as a hired scareactor employee not be under the actual responsibility of the park or beholden to their rules (not scaring people wearing No Boos, touching guests). Mild costumes seem to be ok (I've seen a banana and some onesie-type costumes), I believe face paint is not. From the visitkingsisland.com faq page: Can I wear a costume or face paint into the park? Children can wear costumes and or face paint when visiting Kings Island during our Halloween event. Adults are not permitted to wear costumes, face paint, or masks at any time. https://www.visitkingsisland.com/faq

I did not notice, which is not to absolutely say they haven't done anything there. I didn't think to specifically look. I know they hadn't as of last weekend. I think they're waiting until end of season (one more week, booooo!) so they can take that wall back down and have very free access to the area.

Oh, the cylindrical round part of the footings above ground (there's also /much/ more concrete poured footings underground, in crosshatch lines, these cylinders are the tips of the icebergs). When they started pouring them someone said they looked like cakes. It stuck in my head. From earlier in the construction (believe these are now approximately under the lowest point of the first drop) You can see the "cakes", along with some of the underground structure before it was covered, on the right side of the pic.

Rushed. I was worried about the time factor when I was told it was only 5 minutes, it turned out to be worse than that. The set-up and concept were interesting, and I wanted to be able to explore it. Instead I ended up feeling rushed through and out, don't let the door hit you in the butt. Considering how relatively few Skeleton Keys are sold, how few rooms there are throughout the park, and how quickly one gets through all the other mazes with Fright Lane, I think most people would be willing to wait a little longer, if necessary, for a more complete experience in the "escape room." If one interacts in any real way with the excellent scareactors (especially Sam!) in one of the other Skeleton Key rooms, one will have spent more time than we were allowed for playing the actual game in The Viewing. More time was taken explaining the game and setting the stage than we were given to actually play it, by a factor of at least 2:1. It's a great, fun idea. If we had been given a few minutes to work, with a prize if under ninety seconds, it would have been a very fun little game. Kicking everyone out with the story mostly unfinished felt more like an insult.

Yes, the tower is open during Haunt. It is an interesting place to watch the Blood Drums show, as well. I actually went up there to see how crowded the parking lot was so I knew whether I was going to have trouble leaving at the end of the night. Turns out the cooling weather caused the mass exodus to happen before midnight (and traffic was consequently backed up as I watched), so the lot was nearly empty when I finally got out there after the third-to-last Beast train of the night. Another shot from the tower:

Because I was so disappointed by the show last year, I had avoided watching Hot Blooded this season. Last night I finally caught a show and I'm sorry I hadn't watched more of them. There are some great performers in this year's show. A certain someone shows he has fantastic moves to go along with his voice. The things I found so lackluster last year finally came together, everyone put a lot of feeling and emotions into the show. There are some very talented vocal performances this year. I highly recommend watching. And not directly related but a view from the Tower

When I was at the park yesterday morning, I had my first real opportunity to see the track construction. I'm most amazed by the sound of it, so many nails! They put down one board, and the man with the nail gun slowly walks up the hill, quickly shooting a dozen times in a small area, one small step forward and another dozen shots. Cloud of sawdust as a worker cuts a board to size I don't know exactly what he was doing up there but he was doing it alone whatever it was. As far as other construction, they've done a lot of clearing of the area that runs between the turntable and that hill by the train shed. They've presumably been using that temporary gravel road they made that blocks WWC for access. They've also poured the birthday cakes leading all the way up to the reservoir

Beautiful even unlit at night. I'm dying to ride this coaster.

I asked an employee out front of The Viewing how long it takes (because escape rooms are typically not real quick) so I could plan for this Friday*. She said about 5 minutes, so my expectations are a little dashed. But I can give a full run down after I get to do it. * I won a pair of Fright Lane/Skeleton Key passes through the Catch a Ghost contest the park has been doing on Snapchat. I've been watching obsessively for the games to happen, and managed to catch one last Friday while I was sitting at Fright Feast! I'm very very excited, it will be the first time my husband has done most of the mazes at all and the first time for me on most of the Skeleton Key rooms.

Which would make sense, right, because the ones on that side of the crest will ultimately accomodate the lift chain? Assuming they have topped out so far already. Although the way they've been building so far: several made before putting any up, and working their way down the stack; it would be possible to have some from the lift side made and on the bottom of the stack before others from the drop side would be finished last and erected first.

^no guarantees coaster club members will be invited, tho. Considering how negative some "enthusiasts" tend to loudly be about the special things parks do for us, I couldn't blame the park if they keep it actual media only. Of course I hope otherwise.