BeeastFarmer

i wonder if the park will add in more retro elements this year, for the 45th anniversary? Last year I saw some retro logos (on the clock and somewhere else, I can't remember.) I'd like to see the chain diversify and let the parks develop some identities of their own while taking advantage of synergies of scale. But this is coming from someone who has only been to KI, Cwinds, KD and CP--and CP felt the least corporate to me! As for retro things I'd LOVE to see make a return: make International Street more international again with music, paint and food. Bring back hints of themed areas (music in Rivertown and Coney Mall.) Use more of the 1973 logo in the park. Paint claws/fists etc in the pavement to direct people to major attractions. More complex things: Make Octoberfest again. Bring back Les Taxis, retheme the train and redesign the entry plaza to reflect the original layout. Not wanting much, am I?

Maybe that is the goal of Eye of the Storm? I'd agree more flats in the SC "midway" would balance out that section of the park. And if it's true that the fair board was going to offer the land that has the auto body repair shops and salvage yards currently, that would open up a whole swath that would connect SC to the amphitheater and the other 20-30 acres. But I think the park could be ready for another coaster in '19. Coasters drive attendance and flats and other attractions sustain in non coaster addition years. On a different note, I think the park needs to strengthen it's entertainment offerings. The sea lion show is great, and the high school talent shows are nice, but more is needed. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

I was wondering if a logo change was coming when the latest official Gatekeeper POV was released last week. It has both new and old logos on it.

Between the waterpark and hotels, there is a large plot of land (20-30 acres IIRC) that the Fair Board has made available to the park, as well as the industrial areas near Storm Chaser for smaller expansion later on. (Supposedly, the Fair Board is not renewing leases as they expire.) The large area has a height limit of 200' IIRC. As to the contractual agreements, those are minimum required amounts. I think the surge that Storm Chaser brought in might encourage spending on future attractions. I'm excited about the future of this park.

I am SO happy for you VortexBFForever! Congratulations!

Mr. Hart did say at the Storm the Kingdom event last year that he likes to stay loyal to his suppliers and to expect something "European" in the future. I'm hoping for a B&M since he used them to build Chang before he sold to SIX.

There has been some mention of KK announcing the '18 and '19 plans this spring on some enthusiast social channels I follow. Evidently the park mentioned this at an ACE's No Coaster Con. Anybody have any thoughts on what could be coming?

I'm looking at you, BLSC, Diamondback, Crypt, and loud pop music on I-Street!

One of my earliest memories was when we went to KI, it must have been 1974. I was four years old. I remember waiting in line for hours for the smaller log flume and when it came time to board, I chickened out. My mom's mentor from her work was on that trip and she took me and sat me down under the wisteria tunnel because I was so shook up. Went many times on the annual trek with the family, then in high school and college, visited with friends. Went once or twice when I moved out west and came back to KY for vacation. Gold pass '08,09,10, 11 and 12, but only went 2 or 3 times per season. Then 2014 hit and I was infected and haven't looked back.

Can you help me find the forums I have posted in? In the previous version, there was a link under my user name. I don't see that option now

If you don't mind being about 15 minutes from Kings Island, check out the Shaker Inn in Lebanon. Clean, cheap, charming and quiet.

Looking at the webcam, I have to hand it to the workers. Putting up or adjusting the chain on the lift hill, they walk around as if they were on the ground. Meanwhile, trees sway in the high winds.

I regret not having ridden SOB, but it was never open when I went before I was an enthusiast. I also regret having not enjoyed IS much more when I was a child. Age gives some good perspective. NOW GET OFF MY LAWN!

I feel much better about Racer and the paint after seeing Georgia Cyclone. Now THAT is a coaster that needs paint, along with many other coasters at SFOG.

It is my goal to ride coasters every month in 2017. I'm going to SFOG this week, Knotts/SFMM/Disneyland/Castles and Coasters next month. March is iffy right now, and then all months for the rest of the year will be covered, but TBD. If I get my vacation request, June will be PA/NJ time. I'd like to make it back to KD and Cwinds, but that may not be effcient. But KD is such a great park...sooooo....

The laws of diminishing returns apply. If the input is greater than the output then the upkeep will be the downfall. To keep your mind off of opening day, delve into your studies. Improving academics will serve anyone in the short and long term. In your spare time, read about parks, start a blog, and watch Youtube videos. Enjoy your family and friends. Define what your interests are and delve into them.

Great report! I was there on Wednesday last week and had a great day. I rode the train for the first time and I agree with you. I even liked the cinders in my (very sparse) hair!

For me, KD was the perfect park. The company seems to have relegated it to the lower percentile of parks, but I hope that is reversed in the future. They do so many things right there.

Heresy!

Observations: 1. EOTS will go where the Dragsters used to be, according to KK's Facebook page. 2. On PTC's Facebook page, there is a recent picture of the chassis for the new TR train.

I saw that earlier today. My coworker say me looking at the webcam and asked if it had to do with the shed. Then we watched the workers crawling through the life hill bents in awe--if the wind was anything up there like it was here, it was pretty stout. And looked to be raining something fierce, too.

I'd love a Friday opening with a preview night on Thursday. That's not going to happen, but I would love it!

I doubt the bottles would go away completely. Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom still them and people buy them.

In my visits to HW and KK (free drinks/free drinks if SP renewed by deadline-then $1.00 drinks), I did not notice an inordinate amount of trash from cups. With the the amount of trash cans CF puts in the parks, I don't see it being much of a problem. I filled out the survey and think it's a great idea. Maybe the powers that be listen to patrons! Now if they could link your Funpix to your season pass so it would be one less thing to carry around...that being said, I did not have Funpix, but my understanding is it is a seperate card with a lanyard.

From the ACE Facebook page: American Coaster Enthusiasts 10 hrs · On the heels of a very successful 2016 season, Kentucky Kingdom is upgrading its classic wooden coaster, Thunder Run, which will receive a new train from our friends at Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters, Inc. and track modifications at a cost of more than half a million dollars. Bill Hargrave, the park’s Vice President of Construction, remarked, “This new train replaces the original Thunder Run train first put into service in 1990. With its advanced technology, the new train, together with the track improvements, will give coaster enthusiasts a smoother and faster ride.” In addition, the park will be adding a new ride, “Eye of the Storm,” described as a 24-passenger, high-speed thrill ride with a roller coaster train that circles a seven-story loop, featuring continuous rotations, inversions, and both forward and backward motions, which is clearly a Fire Ball/Super Loop from our friends at Larson International. Two additional children’s rides will also be introduced in 2017. Source: facebook.com, ACE page.