BeeastFarmer

Haunt and WinterFest are important to KI, so I am pleased that fog and snow will be included.

I think the park has never looked better in all the adult years I have been going as it does now. I love the miniature sunflowers they have put in. The new trees planted on the train route. The 50th flower logo by the carousel. The big potted plants. The grassy area in front of Adventure Express (as much as I hate the loss of the trees, it does look so much better now than before). I went on passholder preview day and was not fond of the "elevator music" on IS, but now it has grown on me. I saw people of varying ages moving to the music, subconsciously. Kudos to a job well done, KI!

Now, if they would cover the wires up with mulch consistently.

The Ark Park is having a music festival of their own--40 days of music or something of that sort. 40 Days And Nights Of Gospel Music (40daysofgospelmusic.com)

For me, I was too busy participating in Coasterstock to post updates. This is my 7th Coasterstock and is something that I look forward to every year. As enthusiasts, we have a heightened awareness of all things KI. Being able to participate in Coasterstock, I think, gives a small feeling of "ownership" or being a "stakeholder" because you really are given royal treatment. I can't describe the feeling of being able to be in the engineer car on the KI & MV RR--to stand in front of the train for a photo. To be within feet of the gear/cog and chain of the second lift hill of The Beast. To be in the helix and watch the wires bounce as a train barrels around. To hear the horns when coasters are testing in the early AM hours, or see wet pavers from the washing crew. I really hope a Winter Coasterstock can be a thing! And for those who were unable to get a ticket--I am sorry! Don shared at lunch Saturday that the demand was there for 10k tickets.

If the ride is still serviceable, I'd be in favor of relocating to an expanded Area 72, with a new theme and lighting package. The area is too narrow for many things, but cleaned up, it would offer great sight lines for Banshee and a revamped Bier Garten patio. In my opinion, a climate controlled indoor restaurant would be better located at the end of Coney Mall. The Slingshot plot is much too small and has Festhaus within spitting distance (figuratively). Long term, this would be a better investment, especially since WinterFest is so successful. If the ride is permanently removed and not relocated, I would not be disappointed. I have no urge to ride it. But if this is the case, my sympathies to those who enjoy it and are attached to it. Losing a ride you enjoy is never pleasant.

Son of Vortex .

It's not quite the same, at least when I tried it last year. Very good, but the sales volume hasn't been built up like DW over the years. It was slightly dry. The bourbon glaze, however, is out of this world!

When I think of frontier Cincy, I don't really have a mental image of Western cowboys and Indians. More of settlers and pellet traders, then steamboats. Soaps and candles from P&G and pigs when the area was known for meat packing (Slaughterhouse does fit the theme!). There is a big difference between pioneers/settlers and cowboys.

The pawprints from Island Paradise to the pavers at The Beast plaza were covered with blacktop sealer last May.

When I saw Teddy had a hole in his head, I was shocked. But then I remembered that the blog post said we are getting a new bear and a beaver pond. I think the beaver pond will be near Teddy II.

There are two neighbors who complained that were highlighted in the news. They live near Diamondback, and I remember reading in one of the stories how the grandfather of one of them sold part of his land to Taft and their house was built in 1960ish. I also remember hearing Adam House talking about the tunnel for Mystic Timbers being put in not so much as an element, but to satisfy the neighbors.

Eurythmics are the best!

Usually the media posts about things like this, ignoring standard safety protocols. (Riders stuck for 30 minutes after roller coaster breaks down and they had to be plucked out of their seats-when it was a normal safety sensor tripping). This was not a normal safety response. Nonetheless, it seems like this is something that only the coaster enthusiast community is discussing--and often blowing out of proportion. (A KD fan was saying that Orion trains "slammed" into each other). I'm just glad it was minor and no one was hurt. No piece of the ride came flying off to seriously injure someone.

I'm just curious...why do you continue to patronize a company and/or industry that seemingly do nothing to make you happy and does everything that makes your miserable?

Ohhhh.... @disco2000....my friend....and nemesis....this was....sooooooooo....entertaining....laugh-invoking....hilarious.....spot on.....

I almost passed out. At first, I counted SIX flags. Then I realized there are 7!

To the public, the park is just waking up. When I get up, I don't look my best and move a little slower. KI looks better than me by a mile.

They have pansies planted, which are very cold tolerant. After Mother's Day/Derby Day, they will replace them with the summer seasonal color.

That's what s/he said.

I was dismayed that they removed the trees in the AE plaza but understand why. The grass looks nice and the redbud trees will fill in nicely, but that was always a nice cool area to walk through.

Looks just like it did before.

Man, you just LOVE everything about Kings Island and Cedar Fair, don't you?

My guess is that they will do stucco repair, paint and put the 50th logo up for the season.

I don't know the financials of WF, but from casual observance and experience from myself, money leaves the bank much easier at this time of year. I have bought more merchandise and food in my visits, and since it's only 5 hours, I don't usually get 2 meals. Before WF, I remember a conversation here about extended seasons, open earlier for Spring Break like other parks do. WF was laughed off as something that would NEVER return. I was asked pointedly "What else do you expect them to do?" by a long time member here. I just see empty parks for months out of the year and think of money that could be made, which I think the company evaluates as you said. Have you seen Snowflake Lake? That is definately not low capacity! If there are 1k skaters in a night, that is 15k top line revenue in one night, with minimal expense. Have you seen how crowded SnowDay Buffet is? How the IR is usually busy? How many refillable hot beverage mugs, adult beverages and "treats" are sold?