BeeastFarmer

Well, it is the Courier Journal, so... Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I got some golf shorts with bilateral zippered pockets at Sam's Club and they are great! They also had Columbia ****s with a zippered pocket. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I was going to suggest the name "Kings Quarters" before I saw your suggested name! KQ was the name of a buffet we used to go to when I was a child. The idea of a steakhouse doesn't appeal so much to me, because I am pretty picky about meat. But I could get behind it if they had a selection of signature chicken and burgers. It would be nice to have a traditional sit down service food option. I really would like to see KI get a retail section similar to that of KBF and what is upcoming at CGA.

I have not been to Dollywood since 2016. My sister’s family are all pass holders, and she had a free ticket, so her, my 11 year old niece (who is a budding coaster enthusiast) and myself went. Wow, Dollywood is a different place in the warm season than it is during the cold season! Our day started on the tram after parking in Cotton Candy. The tram director was terse and actually mean. Her tone was one of indifference and she really sounded angry and not wanting to be there. The driver—when we got to section A, he actually slammed on the brake abruptly to yell at someone who was not parked in a space. Stopping the tram for a full five minutes of yelling at this family over the microphone, the person finally came over and told them they had a flat tire and were waiting on AAA. We went to Lightning Rod first. My niece has ridden it several times, me never. She wanted to go towards the back of the train. We sat in row 11. The ride was incredible, but the back of the train was very rough in the first half of the ride. The quad down was not rough. I enjoyed the ride, but it did not live up to the hype. While we were in the line for LR, several folks got an emergency alert. It was a blue alert (which I had never had before) that listed a man’s name and said “Armed, dangerous and at large.” My sister was very panicked, I can’t lie, I was nervous, but what can you do? If there was an active shooter at Dollywood, all you can do is try to run and hide. So, I googled the alert and the individual was not even in Sevier County, but in Dickson County, which is west of Nashville. Glad the situation is far away. We then went to eat at Front Porch Café, to get inside because it was hot and humid. My niece got BBQ nachos, my sister got a BBQ platter with chicken, pulled pork, baked beans and cole slaw. I got meatloaf. It was on a piece of bread and served in between mashed potatoes. There was so much food—none of us were able to finish even half of our meals. Service was excellent and very friendly. After lunch, we were all stuffed, so we walked around and watched a couple of the outdoor shows. I was not ready to ride coasters, so we did the water flume which was fun. Someone threw a backpack to the side as they loaded. The ride operator yelled, saying “Can’t you read? Take it with you!” And then he picked it up and tossed it back to the rider as the flume was almost out of the station. My niece wanted to ride Tennessee Tornado. My sister does not ride coasters and I was not ready to ride after the lunch. So she rode by herself. I suggested she ride the coasters at the top of the hill; but she wanted to do the rapids ride so back down the hill we went. My sister and niece rode it, I did not want wet shoes. While they rode, I got some ice water and sat in the shade which was a nice break. We then rode the train. Always a lot of fun. The only negative was that with sunscreen on, the coal cinders were quite annoying. The land clearing continues and it looks bigger than the 5-10 acres I have been told it is. I really like how the train conductor encouraged the riders to interact with the crowds as we passed. I always love the "HOWDY" call! We saw a showed called “Mountain Faith Music” at the Showplace theatre, which was excellent. After this show, it was 545 and the park closed at 7pm. So my niece and I climbed back up the hill. We had walk-ons on Thunderhead, Drop Tower, Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. All were fun! The Drop Tower ride was a blast. No issue fitting it or having to be a contortionist like at KI! And no seat belt! Wow! We decided to end our day on Lightning Rod. We got down to the station, and even though the wait time was 25 minutes, we had a station wait, with one train ahead of us, on 2nd row. They dispatched the train, and before it got back to the station (they were back to one train operation), they announced the ride was down for technical difficulty. The train arrived back in the station and the riders dispatched. They waited ten minutes for a maintenance person to show up. The drive operator kept repeating, “Lightning Rod is down for maintenance. You have ** minutes left to enjoy Dollywood. You can wait here or you can go somewhere else.” Being the somewhat seasoned coaster enthusiast (LR was #129 for me), I understand technical delays. But I can’t understand the tone of the driver. I’ll end this trip report with this: Food and shows were outstanding as usual. Park was beautiful. We were sorely disappointed with the attitudes of the employees in operations. I can understand that working in the heat and humidity can be challenging. But it was almost to the point of being ridiculous. My niece was very upset about not getting to ride LR, but I tried to make it a teaching moment and tell her that she has gotten to ride is 6 times and many people have not got to ride it yet. I guess it is just a matter of perspective. I am hoping yesterday was a fluke with the attitudes of operations. It is such a night and day difference to my previous experiences during cooler months.

With a retheme of Action Zone, I could really get into this theme. No so much the name Centurion, but the castle. After all, it is Kings Island. We need a castle, LOL.

That is something that has impressed me about Kentucky Kingdom. Most times I have been (much less than KI), they have employees posted at the entrances/exits of the water park/dry park that enforce the dress code.

I interpreted your wording as if you had a source. If I recall correctly, Mr. Schied still works in an office at KI, so being on site would not be a surprise. And my first response could not be edited on mobile but the intent was to say something to the effect of "unless Mr Schied prefers to be called by just his last name." In the same vane of when someone calls the President by just their last name instead of President **** vs ****. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Source? Who "reported" it? And, unless Mr. Schied prefers to be called Mr. Schied or Greg Schied? Your post sounds slightly disrespectful. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Did Vortex get two new footers this year? As I was exiting The Beast the other day I saw what looks like new concrete with some excavation.

From Friday to Sunday last week my expectations were exceeded and I was very glad for the meal plan. Skyline to Reds, quality and service was great. Still have to utilize Festhaus and the Juke Box Diner.

I think they would more likely put it as "GiGa" if they put spoilers in the shed. LOL

I think KI gets plenty of love from corporate: Two major coasters in three years and an extended Winterfest season. I'm pretty happy with that kind of love.

Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica. There is your show.

Sidebar question: Why are towns in Ohio called townships? I've lived in several states and this seems to be unique to Ohio.

I have KI/CF platinum and Kentucky Kingdom. Last year, add SIX on to that, but since they make it really difficult to renew your pass (you have to visit a park to process it, even with a renewal), I chose not to since I did not know when I could make that trip. Before that, I had a Dollywood pass.

From my farm, it is 147.2 miles to the toll plaza, entering the plaza from Western Row Road. (side note, I still say Western Row Road in a Scooby Doo voice.) Its 4 lane highway all the way except from the farm to U.S. 127. It always seems longer to drive there than it does to drive home.

I remember this too well. I was 2 weeks from graduation and it rocked our world.

17 is my go to spot. But don't spread that around, I don't want people taking my spot, haha. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I'd be very sad! I just started riding Vortex again three years ago. I'd be up for an RMC overhaul of Vortex, though...think about it...increase the lift hill, use Ibox track, throw in some barrel rolls by the midway, get rid of the rough transition before the MCBR...replace the helix of vomit with something awesome...[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Oh you fortunate, fortunate people. [emoji23] Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Interesting viewpoint! I would have guessed that the closer to KI you get, the higher the percentage of gold passes you would have, but out of these folks, you would have a lower amount of per visit spending because it's just right there...vs a gold pass holder from Lexington who comes two or three times per season but spends money on souvenirs, blue ice cream, the dollar refills etc. I never looked at it in the context you do. Maybe KK is on to something here. Big season pass sales, but instead of meal plans, make decent park food at decent prices, have reasonably priced merch etc so that even daily visitors spend money each visit. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

But you are comparing a MSA to a city. (Mason Ohio to a large section of Kentucky. Etown is a fur piece from KK.). Also, a huge market for KK is Nashville which has a very high median income. Finally, KI draws daily tickets and season passes way beyond Mason and even Cincinnati. I have a platinum pass to the CF parks and a season pass to KK and I live much closer to KK, but I visit KI much more. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

According to city-data.com, the average median incomes for Louisville and Cincinnati are: Louisville: $38,005.00 Cincinnati: $38509.00 I am not enough of a data cruncher to know if these are based on ZIP codes in the cities proper of the complete MSA's of the cities. Cincinnati has a much larger MSA than Louisville however. I don't think KK can ever compete with KI on sheer scale, but I do think they can chip away at market share. KI and CF would be prudent resource managers to pay attention and adjust accordingly.

But wouldn't this include the many YouTuber vloggers who monetize?

Deja vu... Scroll back many pages and you might see these points: CF would be foolish to not pay attention to KK. A very realistic 1000 Gold passes lost out of the market means $100,000.00 of lost revenue for CF/KI, based on a Gold pass price. Add in Fuxpix, Meal plans, season drink passes, Blue Ice Cream cones, Preferred Parking, Christmas tree ornaments, funnel cakes, Slingshot rides, t-shirt sales etc. A small amount of Kings Island's yearly revenue, but that revenue counts. CF/KI execs either laugh at a threat or don't even know KK or HW exist. KK reopens with Flying Scooters and a frog jumping ride and a major water park expansion. KI installs Flying Scooters and Snoopys Space buggies one year and another year has a waterpark expansion. KK opens a RMC coaster one year, the next year KI opens a CGI. Happenstance or move-checkmate? Myself, personally--I love having KK re-opened. I do think CF/KI pays close attention to all competition because they are smart. Competition is good in the industry. Both parks seem to be making smart investments. I think the future is bright for both.