bjcolglazier

Not sure Kings Island is quite the place for those entirely dedicated to preserving themselves. For those throwing caution to the wind, however, it's quite inspiring.

It's complicated. We have friends who have a son that can't have red dye---which is usually made from insects...aka "natural", whatever that even means.

I think what King Ding Dong and I would like to see is the park really utilizing their "Executive Chef's" more. I'll pay more for better dining experiences...give me some options. I'm in the park either way, family in tow.

No disrespect to Chef Nate here. Just in case there was a question about that. No idea, but I have a feeling these Chef's have all kinds of fabulous ideas that the park won't even entertain. I'm excited about the Coney BBQ, for sure though. Great dining experiences are an area the park could certainly capitalize upon, and its nice to see them publicizing some food service changes. Tells me they are listening.

I'm listening, go on...innovative ideas...

Where/How does an "Executive Chef" earn their pay at a place like Kings Island? Skyline? Subway? Chicken Shack? Potato Works? LaRosa's? Panda? Hanks? Festhaus? Snoopy Grill? Chick Fil A? Cinnabon? Fair to say I don't get it...please enlighten me, someone.

I'm torn. If you consider Beast completely safe then you've drank the Kool-Aid. It is not safe from fools, and one day a fool is going to spoil the fun for all of us. Or they'll change the ride entirely beforehand. One or the other is going to happen at Kings Island. Just wait. Park safety is also in the hands of the guests...like it or not. There is a reason the audio plays over and over, "keep hands and feet inside the ride"...because your limbs might be a goner on the helix. But isn't that part of the thrill?

Who voted "No"? LOL. I mean, as long as nothing is going away Kings Island can build to their hearts content as far as I'm concerned. Of course sometimes things do go away, but that wasn't a part of the question.

My recollection of riding King Cobra---which I really enjoyed---was feeling very exposed. Especially up front but elsewhere, too. It was a whole-body experience. It didn't have to be 300 foot tall---a little under 100 feet was enough to make it completely different from any other ride I've ever been on. I miss it. Acknowledging this was about 30 years ago, and it didn't have a quick-cycle, but Cobra always had the longest wait in the park when I reminisce about it. Beast was there, and so was Vortex. Lots and lots of people stood in line what seemed like forever to ride King Cobra though. Even after it had been around awhile. It provided something very unique, and I think that alone means we will see stand-up coasters again in the future. People will come.

So is their park surveillance system---and their police! We had two phones, a wallet, and other random items stolen one visit. ALL OF IT returned, thieves nabbed! We were amazed.

People watching. Especially when it's hotter than Hades on a busy weekend.

I don't think it's gonna happen, but I agree. There's so much concrete where it's at now, the whole "Congo" theme is completely lost. Ridiculously so, compared to how it used to be. It'd get more action in the trees at the back of the park, I think.

I mean, that's one way to increase food sales. But the lines...they're slow enough already...can you imagine???

Definitely some Transformers or Iron Man ride(s)! What kind of rides is anybody's guess, but I'm sure they would have been massively advertised/hyped. I'm very happy with Cedar Fair, but I do sometimes miss the way Paramount themed rides really well.

I enjoyed the stunt show last year. But I like motorcycles, and you just don't see those old-school things like the bikes in the cage very much anymore. And the fountain setting makes everything better, right? I was thrilled to let my kids see it as much as anything. I'm sure the Globetrotters will be great! Also used to play to packed houses when I was a kid. Can't wait to see what they do at the park!

Magenta, thank you for sharing that story! That's crazy, but glad you were okay. Most of the ride the railings off to the left and right are easily reachable for me, and the helix absolutely could do some damage. It is a small miracle there aren't more injuries. Apparently people are paying attention to the multiple warnings on the lift hill to the helix ("DO NOT STAND UP - keep hands inside car") that are for genuine safety, and not some scary theme effect.

When I'm in the left seat---which seems to be most often---I am ducking my head and leaning to the right in the double-helix. Pretty sure I would die otherwise...lol. Anyone over 5'9" does this...I think. ;-)

Beast is pretty smooth these days, but any good wood coaster feels a little bit out of control IMO. It's called "Beast". If you want to sip a cup of tea along the way, apparently you missed about 50 signs in the queue line.

Inner Terpy? Just stay home and troll everything on this site letting folks know you know everything going on at Kings Island, but can't say anything. :-)

Walking through the park tonight with the snow pouring down was amazing. Not sure if/when I'll ever see the park as it was tonight. Beautiful.

That sounds like great advice. And thanks---that's great the rides are still open! We'll bundle up!

I think we're going to brave the snow---and the long drive---and try to go tomorrow. Are any of the rides closing due to the cold other than Mystic Timbers? Do they have Dodgem, Zephyr, and pretty much everything else announced up and running this week ride-wise? More than anything we just want to walk the park, see the lights, maybe see some snow-flurries and ice-skaters, and ride the train. We might try some rides if they're going, and we're not frozen. This will be our first Winterfest visit, so not entirely sure what to expect honestly, especially this week with how cold it is.

So basically all lives lost were the result of poor park management, and a bad ride design. Lovely. NOT. Ghost-story all you want...none of these folks should have died at the park. It was just a different era, and lessons were learned...thank heavens.

Every time my wife says, "my gun doesn't work!" I give her mine, and take hers...and then light up the scoreboard! I can't remember the last time I had a gun that "didn't work". Granted...it could happen. I guess...lol.

Wow. Granted, I live far away so can't go to the park but 5-10 days a year, and avoid busy days like the plague, but I haven't seen the Flight of Fear queues opened like that in almost 20 years---shortly after that ride opened. I figured they just never even bothered to open them up anymore.