Skyrider

Did anyone notice that went on Saturday if they added the meal plan logo on the menu screen for the mac and cheese bar at Hanks? When I went Friday night I also noticed it missing on the turkey or ham dinner in the Festhaus. I wasn't positive these items were on the meal plan so I got Panda Express which was good but I was in the mood to try something different that is on the all season dining plan. It was must be a task to add the logo to the menu boards or is something Kings Island food service has overlooked?

It sounds like you had a great trip. I think its so cool that you were able to ride so many coasters in November. Hoping going forward Kings Island will consider building coasters that can operate in the cooler weather. That is one advantage to Dollywood over Kings Island this time of year.

Are they teasing us and dropping a clue as to what's to come? Just like Christmas in July before announcing Winterfest is coming back.

I am so glad Winterfest is back! It is even better than the one that I remember from the 80s. Several years ago I posted on this site about bring back Winterfest and a large portion of people said they would never bring it back because it would be impossible to convert the park after Haunt and it would not be profitable. First kiddos to the entire Kings Island team that planned and transformed the park into Winterfest in a such a short time span after Haunt ended. All your hard work has paid off and the park looks amazing. Secondly based on the crowds last night alone Winterfest looks to be a real hit and I encountered lines everywhere where people were making purchases. It looks like Winterfest will be profitable for many years to come and a great tradition for so many families. Don't worry Kings Island you made the right decision in bringing back Winterfest and learned from mistake from the past when attempting to bring it back profitability. Letting season pass holders in for free is a big key to the success of Winterfest. You made the right decisions and Winterfest is here to stay this time around!

Thanks for the update. I went last night and it wasn't too bad of a crowd especially later in the evening. Was considering to come tonight since I live close by.

Is Kings Island crowded now? I wasn't sure if the expected rain kept some away and also I hear some high schools have Homecoming tonight.

I wish Kings Island would surprise us and tell us they are bringing a Winterfest Preview this winter by having only International Street open for ice skating on the fountain, lighted tree on the Eiffel Tower, light displays with shops and food offerings for the holiday season. A multi-media presentation in the Festhaus showing what's in store for Winterfest 2017! A mini-holiday show or even have some school choirs perform. It could be open only on the weekends and during the winter break when kids are off school. I think this would be a great marketing tool to keep the excitement up and a great opportunity to make some money and sell additional season passes. Admission should be free for season pass holders and would be an additional benefit to renew this fall. Charge a small admission price for non-pass holders but give them the opportunity to use what they paid to get in toward a season pass next year.

I agree it would be better if they added some scare actors when you are walking around the perimeter of the corn maze at the end. I think though it is a really great start on having a well themed maze and the scares are more unpredictable as other older mazes. Maybe that's because I have been through the older mazes so many times and its great to see something new and fresh for a change.

***Spoilers- ​I wanted to say that I was pleasantly surprised about how well I enjoyed the new maze Field of Screams last night. Kings Island did a great job of setting up the theming especially at the entrance of the maze with the creepy old house, the barn entrance into the maze, and the creepy farmer's wife that told a little story before going inside the maze. If you are thinking of a reboot of Cornstalkers I think you will be impressed that this maze is so much more than that. It has good scares throughout and it seems like a really long maze when inside it. I remember Kings Island saying KillMart was the longest maze when it first opened but I think this probably tops that. It gives me hope that next year Kings Island will replace several old themed mazes and give us even more fresher themed mazes with great theming. It was nice going back in the woods for a maze again and it brought back memories a little of the Trail of Terror. There is also a great view of The Racer and WindSeeker when leaving the maze. If you have been in Field of Screams what are your thoughts about this new maze?

Does anyone know if the All-Season Dining Plan will be accepted during Winterfest 2017?

I have to say that I am disappointed that more maze themes were not changed this year as some have been around for such a long time. I hope the new maze is not Cornstalkers reboot but something actually new and exciting. I would like to see a witch themed maze or creepy dollhouse theme in place of Sorority House. The TV commercials are more scary than most mazes at The Haunt.

Where will the announcement be taking place in the park? Near where they are building the ride?

I predict it is wooden since and will go over the water pond near White Water Canyon. Maybe it is some type of launching wooden coaster similar to what Dollywood just built but not as fast or long.

I too remember what Kings Island use to be in the 70s and 80s and could not agree more with you. Yes Kings Island is still fun but it use to have so much character and theming in each area of the park. Employees dressed in each themed area and the music was based on the area you were in and rides fit the area too. I even miss the animal safari monorail that cost a $1 extra which provided a air conditioned monorail similar to Disney World that took you to see different animals from different continents. Those were the days I miss and wish we had back. Kings Island was similar to Bush Gardens Williamsburg and I miss it just thinking about it.

I am going to wear my "Bring Back Winterfest!" t-shirt to the event. Anyone else going to?

They could have a Canadian Geese show at the Royal Fountains if only they could be trained. The last time I was there the geese wanted my LaRosa's pizza. Would that be considered sharing my all season meal plan?

I sometimes wonder if the new attraction will somehow utilize the Crypt building---maybe some type of interactive coaster that comes inside the building and shoots outside the building. Thinking of something similar to Verboten at Colonial Williamsburg Bush Gardens or Mystery Mine at Dollywood. If you have been on Verboten that coaster has a computer randomly change the scene inside the building and the cars start at the top in the building and the coaster cars has a freefall feeling as the lower track connects before shooting out of the building. I hope to have something as thrilling and themed as those two great coasters!

I saw them too and it bought back childhood memories of walking from Hannah Barbara and into Rivertown! It looks like their will be more than one arch going through the White Water Canyon line.

Today I went to the Memorial Weekend Cookout. Since I have the All-Season Dining Plan it only cost me $5 to get his all you can eat lunch of burgers, fried chicken, hot dogs, baked beans, chips, drinks, ice cream, etc. There was no wait unlike many of the stands across the park that had very long lines to wait in. It was worth the $5 to not to have to wait in those long lines but was also a great deal for the all you can eat aspect. If you are going tomorrow I would check it out between 11-2 in the picnic grove by Soak City. It is well worth if especially if you have a meal plan.

I agree and wonder if is just a staff issue or that they are trying to eliminate the "free food and drinks" on days like Education Day when they know a lot of hungry high school students are in the park. All the drink stands were closed which made me think it might be more strategic than just staffing. Chic-fil-a was also open but the line was extra long. If Tower Drinks is ever closed the yogurt shop is close by and never seems to have too long of a line to get a drink.

I thought the Haunt 2015 was alright this year and also agree that some haunts seemed understaffed this year. I also wish they would trade out some of the order haunt mazes that have not been rebooted recently like Urgent Scare and give it a new theme. I also miss the haunt maze that went through the woods and I wish there was a way to give the option of riding the train again---as it really added something to the maze. I agree new shows that are unlike the same show done in the summer would also be good. I did like the addition of Blackout. I live close by and still enjoy going a lot each season but would like to see some new mazes--not just one this next season but several ones done really well.

I drove by Kings Island on Sunday and it looks like they are adding a new rock work sign on the main road in front of the new driveway that leads into the parking lot at the the new toll booths they are adding. It also looks like some type of planter is apart of it or I wonder if there will be some type of water feature. Does anyone know anything more about this?

Do you think scary clowns are gone and rethemed as scary jack in the boxes instead?

Maybe they are putting in a Jack in the Box stand selling burgers and fries--LOL

I would like to see a sit down Chick-fil-A but still also have outdoor seating available. The Chick-fi-A they currently have is always so crowded and you have to make your way through the crowd to pick up your order. (at least need pick up windows on the side of the booth). Having a sit down location they could give you the plastic table marker and bring you your order when it is ready. Is there enough room to put it in the current location could they place it next to the outdoor theatre near Diamondback (where the Salt Water Circus was long ago) and tear down the Tropical Smoothie booth that is never open? It is very popular and deserves a larger location inside of Kings Island like they have at Cedar Pointe.