Skyrider

Could you please tell me how much is the processing fee if renewing online? I usually renew at the park and pay in full which I assume is the cheaper option. Making payments is attractive but if it cost a lot more it is probably not worth it since only renewing one pass. Thought I would ask though just in case.

I like what is new for 2016! I hope with the new parking entrance we also get the parking lot resurfaced. They need to do more than patching the parking lot in my opinion.

Now that we have an expanded Starbucks maybe we are getting an expanded Chic-fi-a in 2016 in the area where the platform is. They could even tear down the Tropical Smoothie stand close by and use that area too since I NEVER see it open. At the very least I hope Chic-fi-a makes a separate pick up window instead of having to squeeze in where people are trying to order. A new ride or two would be awesome too!

I think they should add a haunt somewhere in Soak City. It could be based on possessed surfers and/or beach dwellers. Attacking seagulls would be a nice touch to this haunt attraction. If the attraction couldn't be in Soak City maybe the walkway to Soak City would work. They could end it near the train depot in Soak City so people can ride the train back. It would be empty already from the other haunt attraction that uses the White Water Canyon exit.

I really enjoy going to The Beach as the crowds are so much smaller than Kings Islands Soak City. I live close by so I have a season pass for both places. I especially enjoy going to The Beach on the weekends when Kings Island is more crowded and especially when I want to go to a waterpark and not have to wait so long to get onto attractions. I truly hope The Beach is a success this time around and they would be smart to offer a discount to any Kings Island season pass holder for their daily ticket and/or season pass. That way there attendance might get a bigger boost and be more successful this time around.

I agree that Disney needs to announce something soon as to what they are doing with Disney Hollywood Studios. Many things have or are closing and no confirmed announcement on what is coming is becoming very frustrating. I am so glad that I went there last summer as I would have a hard time justifying visiting this park this summer with so many attractions now closed. They need to start building something in the areas already closed like the Studio Backlot Tour, just adding another track to Toy Story is not enough in my book. I wonder when attendance at DHS will be affected as Frozen is a draw for some but then next year there will be the ride opening at Epcot. They Disney execs probably have a plan but they need to hopefully share it soon with the general public! Update: Here is an interesting article that confirms attendance is being affected by all the attraction closings happening at Disney's Hollywood Studios. http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/06/30/disney-worlds-worst-park-is-shrinking.aspx

I love the all season dining plan both last year and even more so this year with the increase in choices. I use it quite often since I live so close to the park and it really saves me a lot money on my food budget. I have not tried The Red Grill in Rivertown yet and wondered what they serve there for the all season dining plan and if it is any good.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the love one that lost their life in this accident. This experience was scheduled to close in the near future and I wonder if this accident will make it close immediately instead.

Thanks for sharing the highlights of your trip to Disney and it looks like you had a great time. I wish I could go back to Disney World tomorrow. It is a magical place and such a fun place to spend time with the family.

I read in this article http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/12/05/developers-planning-35m-apartment-project-at.html?page=all luxury apartments called Towne of Deerfield so I guess that how I thought high end. I am sure they will not be cheap since it sits on prime real estate across from Kings Island.

I thought I heard that they were putting in some kind of high end apartment complex but needed to get the zoning changed. Did it not get approval or is it still in the process of getting approval? Does anyone have an update on this? Unrelated but somewhat related BD Mongolian Grill closed on Mason-Montgomery this past week. I know some on this site liked to eat there on there trips to the Kings Island area so I thought I would share.

I agree 2016 will most likely be some type of ride(s) for Soak City. They need to add another toilet ride (sorry that is what my family calls it--don't know the real name) since it is so popular and has an incredible long line all the time. A well themed dark ride like DarkCastle at Bush Gardens Williamsburg would be nice or like the Spiderman ride at Universal Florida.

I remember when Weird Al use to perform at Kings Island's Timberwolf back when I was a kid back in the 80s. If my memory serves me right concerts were like $6 a seat if you were a season pass holder. You had to stand in line at Kings Island at the season pass windows outside the park to get tickets (no Ticketmaster)---the lines use to go out into the parking lot but it was worth it. Besides Werid Al that came to TimberwoIf on more than one occasion I also saw Men at Work, Huey Lewis and the News, Thompson Twins, etc. all at Timberwolf. Ahh the memories and the awesome concert ticket prices much different from the prices of today and Ticketmaster service fees. A Weird Al Haunt special event concert would be cool and very nostalgic for some of us born in the 70s.

The reason for the post is not to make very broad or obvious points but to stress that there are many successful winter events in this area that make a profit even in the cold and unpredictable Cincinnati weather. The Haunt does contend with weather related issues too as some nights it was extremely cold this past Sept/October. My original post was to get ideas on "Ways to Bring it Back-- Winterfest" meaning ideas on how it COULD BE SUCCESSFUL (make a profit). Instead their were some that posted instead "Ways or Reasons Why It Can't Come Back" instead of offering ideas on how it could work to bring it back. I have offered my ideas on ways to sucessfully bring it back with many unique entertainment and food options for the event and wanted others to give their ideas too for the Winterfest reboot.

I thought my above poll question it was more or less a poll asking if Kings Island should research interest of bringing back Winterfest and my Winterfest Wishes and Ideas post more of a place for people to post how and what would make a successful and profitable reboot for Winterfest. Those were my thoughts on having two different posts because in my mind I saw them as two different things.

The key to having a successful winter event in Ohio and most every other place in the country that can get cold is a good mix of both indoor(for those that want to get out of the cold) and outdoor activities where people are willing to spend money if the event and its activities are priced right and pose a value to them personally. If you don't believe in the product and its not worth it to you than you won't go. The last time Winterfest came back it wasn't priced right and too much of the park was open making it a recipe for disaster to make a profit in my opinion. Those are the two biggest mistakes that I saw in it not making a profit the last go around. My original post was to offer ideas and suggestions on how it could be a success--believe it or not there are many successful winter events in Ohio--but if you need to research it go ahead. It is obvious that there are strong opinions on this topic and it will be interesting to see whether or not in the end Kings Island will give the green light on a Winterfest type event again. I know that there are many that would support it if the conditions were right (not talking weather) but price of admission and whether there is a good mix of activities both indoor and outdoor. I think weather comes into play but not as much of a factor unless there is extreme cold temps. and snow and ice EVERY WEEKEND of the event. Much like if The Haunt had cold rainy weather the entire run of The Haunt I bet profits would be down too. Attendance was noticeably down at The Haunt when it was rainy and cold but because it offered things indoor too that offered a value to your entertainment dollar people still came. Kings Island adjusted on those nights with staffing and other nights that were warm really made up for the cold rainy nights. I also am venturing that some of you that keep saying the reasons Winterfest cannot happen again would still come to a rebooted Winterfest event if it was priced right and you felt the event offered activities that offered value to you.

Since you state that lots and lots has already been said about Winterfest then the topic must be relevant enough to let people comment on each year since it is the season for winter events. Isn't that the point of KICentral? So people never comment about things discussed before? Isn't this the reason for this site for people to comment on topics related to Kings Island but at the same time be open and coridial to people that might not share your same opinion?

Wish there was a ride like Dollywood's Sidewinder in Rivertown except Kings Island does not seem to have many tall hills that aren't human-made for roller coasters. Behind the scenes is a different story as I was surprised to see how hilly some of the back parts of KI are. I saw this when volunteering this year for Run and Ride and there were some steep hills runners had to navigate through.

Does anyone else remember the day when line jumping is not a sport (said so on the signs to the rides) and was a reason to eject you from the park without a refund? Now you can line jump if you are willing to pay extra for it. I know it is industry standard now but I still feel funny about it and does not sit well with me. I would like to know who started this idea in the first place? Did it stem from Disney's Fast Pass? If so at least everyone USE TO get equal access for the price of admission but now it is a perk if staying on property or buying a Magic band. The good old days.....good memories....

Looks like the new Starbucks will have free WiFi am I correct on this?

How many think Kings Island's Marketing Department should conduct an interest research poll this next season to see about the support for a Winterfest Reboot in 2015-2016?

I agree with you that KI is missing an opportunity here based on the successful winter attractions like Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo which would be more comparable than The Beach which looks like sledding is the main attraction. I think the previous owners of KI made some big mistakes when the tried to bring back Winterfest the way they did by having almost the majority of the park open, big admission price, having to reserve to attend, etc. Many have said in other posts that Winterfest was brought back to make the park more attractive to sell which mostly likely was the case, so admittedly their heart was not right place for it to be successful in the first place. This is the main reason why Cear Fair should look more closely at the mistakes of the past and find ways to make a Winterfest reboot a successful event. Last time it was a horse and pony show to sell a park this time it could be to bring back a wonderful holiday event, that brings back tradition in the park while also making a lot of money. I will not repeat a lot of my original post but I really think focusing on a much smaller area like International Street, Festhaus, and possibly the train (but I am not sure that would be a must have) could still allow maintenance to happen throughout the park to get ready for the next season and open on time in April all while making lots of money for the park. I know that the Haunt makes a lot of money due in part to admission but it also has a lot of Haunt attendance that is due to repeat season pass holders. These season pass holders spend money on food, treats, and Haunt items like the Skelton Key. Winerfest reboot could add value to buying maybe say a Platinum season pass or there could be a Winterfest add-on to a Gold Pass, or a lower price for season pass holders thus getting more money to KI from season pass holders. I would suggest not offering the dining plan so that money would be made on food and treats and possible a Peanuts Christmas dinner show. Provide ice skating as a separate charge (look at ice skating at Fountain Square on the weekends--it is PACKED) as well as unique and cool items to sell in the shops and KI is bound to make large sums of money. I would even venture to say more money per square foot (retail terms) would be made than The Haunt based on the limited areas of the park being open. Again Starbucks would be a real shining STAR and add a lot of BUCKS to Kings Islands profit margins during the off season. Come on Cedar Fair at the very least come up with some market research studies (could ask park attendees thiscoming year) and see what the public would support not only in attendance but also monetarily spending for a Winterfest 2015-2016 reboot.

Something similar to the Curse of Darkastle at Bush Gardens Williamsburg would be cool and could be used during The Haunt too.

That would fit a lot better than Panda Express...although I love me some Panda Express no matter where it is located:)

When I was younger I lived in an apartment in Sharonville which is close to all the major highways-- 275 and 71 and seemed to have reasonably priced apartments. It is about a 15 minutes drive to Kings Island. Deerfield Township has many newer apartments and is very close to Kings Island but you will save 1% earning tax which Mason has. Mainville or Lebanon is also close to Kings Island and might have some options for you but I am not for sure.