BeeastFarmer

^^ Add in vines on the buildings and rides. Then the Mystic Timbers legend will have been complete!

Have the really done a Winterfest name to Merry Timbers?

@brenthodge awesome ideas! It will be interesting to see if any of these are implemented. I do think there would be pushback from the vendor villiage folks. They want the area with the highest traffic flow, so I doubt they will move it anytime soon.

^ I disagree. When you are removing structure down to the footings, it is anything but routine. This greatly excites me because it demonstrates the long term commitment that KI/CF has to The Beast. Perhaps they are going to do some noise abatement too, to satisfy those neigbors.

There were pink ribbons and paint dots on The Beast walkback during Coastertock. I was hoping that it would not be shared here because of the conversation that would ensue.

^It was on one of the podcasts I listen to. Maybe it was In The Loop or Coaster Radio, but they interviewed the guy who is in charge of park decor.

Supposedly he still maintains a minority share of ownership of the contract. I did see him at a distance on one of my visits. If this against TOS (I have no source from the park directly, just trusted friends who know people), I apologize and mods, please edit: Some of the younger members of the Hart management team did not like the old timers and kind of turned HFE against them. That's why they are no longer there. Also, most of the full time staff was let go after the 2020 season because the pandemic decimated the park/pocketbook of the partners. So that makes a less that stellar change in 2021 more palatable to me. Having the freedom of no chain behind it is often a good thing until is comes to finances! If they are truly going to rework the park, they have a massive chore ahead of them and I hope it all turns out well.

I preferred the 2017/18 versions of the lighting ceremony and Tinker anyway, so that is good news for my future visits!

So....long time, no news on this thread. I went to KK a few time this summer. Beside cinnamon bread, not much at all changed on the public front. Evidently, some long term employees who had been through the current KK, the SFKK and the previous KK were let go under presure from some of millenial management and are quite bitter about it. (This is a rumor, it is a fact they are no longer there, but the source I got it from just relayed what he heard from some industry people who are not known). The FB season passholder group was very quiet but now is crickets. As is the park. It is my understanding that, after running the park for a season and testing the water, 2022 will begin a transformation of the park into a more HFE brand. I do wish the park would be more transparent rather than waiting for some kind of grand reveal. I am curious what the season pass program will look like.

I was at KD in '17 before they rebuilt Racer 75's lift Hill. The 2014 repaint , as I remember it, was the entire coaster. I think the handrails in blue and red went to the bottom of the first drop, and the rest were white. I'd argue that KD has put more effort into their woodies--WE, Grizzly and R75 were all exceptionally smooth and well maintained. I am glad our Racer is getting repainted because it badly needs it. I just hope that if it needs a major section rebuilt like R75 did, it is painted. Maybe there is something about the wood that KD used in rebuilding the lift hill that is not conductive to painting. For wood plank fences, they do recommend waiting 3-4 years before painting them. CF is actually treating KD fairly well with day to day operations. They have a longer Winterfest season, they have 2 million more lights this year than KI and they are investing in the experience of the park. They have almost 45 years of data and know the market--they are not walking away from the park. I admit that I look at KD via rose colored glasses, but I think the park has a bright future. They made a mistake with I305 and they are undoing years of damage from bad decisions from the previous owner.

^Vomit machine.

I never looked at DT and thought that it needs a paint job. But it does look nice! Glad to see all the upgrades to Kings Island.

^Interesting. So if the ice rink is inspected by the DoA, it is probably certified in November which is why there is no rush to clear the rink before midnight on 12-31. I'd conjecture that the rides are inspected in March/early April which means, unless other reasons are in play, that the rides could run after midnight on 12-31.

For Carowinds, I think they ae testing the waters. The theory is that they are going to attempt to go to a 12 month calendar, and this is an attempt to go that route. KD usually opens in March, so their extended Winterfest might be a testing for something like BGW did last year with winter weekends. I'd love to see KI extend a version of Winterfest into Febuary weekends, but focused of just the International Street area with ice skating, shopping and eating. Not sure if the ODA certifies the ice skating rink, but it seems like it would be simple task to schedule a recertification during the week days after New Years Day. I think most parks will see added days to their schedules in the years to come. As we know, CF is relatively conservative with growth plans, and this usually pays off for them.

The current show in the Enchanted Theater, every time I have been, has been "sold out." This theater does not have the capability for the production value of the Peanuts show. I'm so sorry that Kings Island has again, disappointed you.

^ My two cents: Snoopy is in the KI Theater because the costumed characters need protection from the elements. Rain would cause cancellations, an icy spot on the stage of the International Showplace could cause injury. I like the Snoopy show, but I think it would be better in Festhaus with Tinkers moved to the KI Theater. CF seems to be committed to Winterfest at KI, so I think/hope we may see a major reinvention of the International Showplace to be compatible with summer and winter weather. I hope more future infrastructure improvements like a climate controlled eatery in Coney Mall and climate controlled restrooms (ironically, there is heat, but no cold air in most of them. )

Unfortunately, she is not alone. Cuntless ATV/car/tractor and all other matter of mechanical accidents put people in far worse situations.

Per the conference call, daily ticket prices increased and discounts were discontinued. Average in park spending is up. No discounted Kroger tickets. Attendance up, spending up. Giving away the gate takes place with pass sales. I would gladly welcome a price increase for gold and platinum for a better experience, but their financial performance in the quarter shows they are on the right path.

I really like what they did for Kings Dominion's 40th... https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=LQYDQ1VG&id=4BE9E04CA3D9587DF31B562CF501BBCB29E68DB7&thid=OIP.LQYDQ1VGLPngj9PWglZV0wAAAA&mediaurl=https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.2d06034355462cf9e08fd3d6825655d3?rik=t43mKcu7AfUsVg&riu=http%3a%2f%2f2.bp.blogspot.com%2f-1uhFsO4rpG4%2fUqla88bk9OI%2fAAAAAAAASk8%2fCsmoX4SaI6U%2fs1600%2fimg_attractions_KD14_40_logo(2).png&ehk=F3yL2FsV6eg2C0OnM9tS7jch5SpE6SxZQry9Evhj2iI%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0&sres=1&sresct=1&srh=714&srw=1300&exph=200&expw=364&q=kings+dominion+40th+anniversary+logo&simid=608029492241191460&form=IRPRST&ck=A979FA38F66BCEC61FBAB1E33687F5BA&selectedindex=0&adlt=strict&shtp=GetUrl&shid=915af3c2-e593-42cc-a6d7-bdd9159af1aa&shtk=SW5TYW5pdHkgbHVya3MgSW5zaWRlOiBLaW5ncyBEb21pbmlvbi0gNDB0aCBBbm5pdmVyc2FyeSAuLi4%3D&shdk=Rm91bmQgb24gQmluZyBmcm9tIGluc2FuaXR5bHVya3NpbnNpZGUuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29t&shhk=K7jKd2YkENazkUhwfuwkfHWqbBQeZkI9gqpRIEpjMls%3D&shth=OIP.LQYDQ1VGLPngj9PWglZV0wAAAA

I'd like to see some of the original signage back--the backstory one that says something like "let the foolhardy beware!" I'd like the exit/Fast Lane rerouted to near what it was originally. Track work and make the seats more comfortable.

Why of course it does! I was born in the 70's and I remember two locations that were drilled into my head: The Tower to meet if lost and Lost Parents to meet if really lost! While I don't remember this mural specifically, I do remember the grand old days of HB. I saw a HB special on TV the other night, centered around Scoob. Brought memories flooding back. I'm glad the Peanuts gang is carrying on the tradition. We really enjoyed the character photo ops this summer at the petting zoo area. I wish the characters were more ingrained into the park--the Snoopy Fountain show would be great to start. And when I see pictures of the Nic era, and think it looks awful, I have to remind myself that the generation that grew up with those characters cherish them as much as I do the HB characters. Objectively, some of the HB characters were out there too!

^being a unit holder (not for money because I don't enough to make money), i think the parks see the value for making wise investments for making money. As for other corporations making money, my Roth IRAs, 403(b) and what not want all the companies to show great profits so my later years will be stress free as they can be without relying soley on Social Security.

^Something many of us have asked for and waited for years and this deserves a "whoops?"

^I hope we get a parade for Winterfest. I think they want to rest of the success of Halloween Haunt this year before they start beefing up the Winterfest campaign.

Was hoping the new owner was going to strike the right balance to keep this park alive and thriving, but the CLP as I knew it from 2017 appears to be gone. I wish Gene Staple had won the auction. The Blue Streak was one of the most terrifying but fun coasters I have ever been on. And the Devil's Den was great.