BeeastFarmer

Railrider, yes and no. When I lived in Chandler, it was, on average, about 5 degrees warmer than Casa Grande, due to the heat island effect. I urged people to visit in the winter, but summer visitors raved about the dry heat--"This feels so much better than (KY, TN, etc). As a resident, I wouldn't touch the park in August, but would revel in it in the winter months. I think if it were marketed correctly, and had a mixture of atrractions and amenities for residents and tourists alike, it could work. I'm just concerned about the HUGE water requirements.

It also said the CP program is good at all CF parks. I was tempted to get the all season cup at Knotts when I was there earlier this month; but I decided to just drink water. At Magic Mountain, I didn't even take my bottle in the park (SF meal plans come with a "free" bottle for all season/all park refills). If KI doesn't offer and the CP version can be used at all parks, I will pick up one up there when I go before Coaster Stock.

More details were released tonight. I haven't had a chance to digest it, but the storyboard looks interesting. On page 14, there is an upscale lodge that looks like GWL with totem poles instead of wolves. I'd have to question the wisdom of locating a water intensive park of this scale in this location, even if grey water is used where appropriate. But then again, California uses an incredible amount of water and most of the state is in a desert climate. http://www.azfamily.com/story/34578951/developer-proposes-disney-like-theme-park-for-casa-grande?autostart=true

Being that I just came back from a trip "out west" to AZ and CA, I thought this was a timely article. If it happens, it would give me another reason to visit friends in the Valley of the Sun! http://www.pinalcentral.com/casa_grande_dispatch/area_news/developers-looking-to-build-the-next-disney-world-in-casa/article_13c3cfce-31d9-5a0c-92f6-2706a5326fb5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share

I never saw Snoopy's Starlight Spectacular, but if it's anything like like the "night show" at Kings Dominion, please no. The lights were cool, but the music was too loud and I felt like I was at some kind of crazy dance club. Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Great video! I personally prefer The Beast, but love the Voyage. Since you have a nice talent with creating videos, could you look into doing a video/videos that involves comparing the animation POV and a real POV? I always thought a split screen of that would be great, but I have no talent for such things.

In my limited experience with park food, KI is the worst of all. I had no issues at CP, KD, Cwinds, SFOG, DW or SFOG. I had a slight issue at KK in that the place I wanted to try near Storm Chaser was only open once, and when it was open, it was "drinks only" so I had to waste 10 minutes. In my experience, KI's food service is severely lacking, be it early season, mid season of Haunt season. At the Blue Ice cream stand, on a dead August weekday, you shouldn't have to wait 30 minutes for a cone, to find there is one register open with the cashier handling money and food without proper hand hygiene. And the supervisor was indignant about me wanting a clean ice cream cone. Oh and the lack of trays at Skyline....lol However, I did see glances that may point to better times. At Skyline on IS, the drink person actually helped the chili maker a few times which sped up the line greatly.

On a screen, crisp and clean looks great. However, white looks generic. I've noticed that Kroger has gone "retro" on its' remodeling of stores. It's gotten so bad that stores that were converted to MarketPlace stores last summer are being reconverted--from furniture and jewelry to clothing, with 70's design principles. However, I'd LOVE for KI to go retro with its' logo similiar to what KD has done.

If the information at the ACE event comes true, a lot of land can come open to the park.

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.