Kings Island's 5@5 Q&A Thread

[CedarPointer]

I doubt you will see any KI polos. I own a Worlds of Fun dress shirt... which I got in the under $10 store, because apparently they didn't sell well. I can't imagine a polo would sell better... (I do wish they had them, though!)

[KIfan1980]

Polo shirts sure look like they'd be popular - however, I'm willing to bet they'd be priced into non-sellers (see the $85 reference to Reds polo's).

[CoastersRZ]

I wouldn`t even care if it was a dress shirt. Just a nice collar shirt with the KI logo would be nice. It can`t be that much more expensive than a typical t-shirt that they sell. If they did mark it up to $85, it unsuredly would not sell many items. It all goes back to economics 101 and supply and demand. Price something at the right price point, and there will be demand for a product that is mutually beneficial for both parties involved. The seller would generate maximum profit, and the right number of customers would be willing to buy said product at that price.

[TOPGUN1993]

http://www.cfmarketplaces.com/acb/stores/2/Adult-Apparel-C92.aspx

[chaddie]

If you got the logo as an EPS file, you could just go to a local embroidery shop (www.embroidme.com) to have it done. Probably much cheaper and you could pick the shirt you want out and order it, or, bring your own in.

[CedarPointer]

http://www.cfmarketplaces.com/acb/stores/2/Adult-Apparel-C92.aspx

I think the WoF one I had was in the $70s originally. And closeouts and clearence? I doubt CF would allow KI to produce them to sell, considering their success at other parks.

[coaster_junky]

you never know, Cedar Fair might even look at the situation like this;

Kings Island has a higher attendance than at worlds of fun, that means that there is a bigger chance of someone buying a polo shirt with the logo.

[CedarPointer]

you never know, Cedar Fair might even look at the situation like this;

Kings Island has a higher attendance than at worlds of fun, that means that there is a bigger chance of someone buying a polo shirt with the logo.

If it's failed at other parks, I doubt they will try it again.

[IndyGuy4KI]

Great question Brad, on my last trip I wanted to shop for a nice KI polo style shirt too. I think this years t-shirt styles and selection is much better than years past but I rarely will ever wear a t-shirt unless I am doing yard work. If KI does get KI polo shirts in and they are not priced sky high then I look forward to purchasing one.

It looks like from the comments above that us enthusiasts would buy them anyway. I have 2 KI Polos with The Beast's 25 year anniversary logo on them. I love those shirts, but I have wore them out and need a shirt that does not have Paramount on it!

[Sergeant Pepper]

R.d. Reynolds - Does KI keep old sound tracks from extinct rides? For instance, is there a copy of the old train sound track with the old guy telling us, "There'll be no eatin', drinkin', or smokin' on this here train. We're goin' through some mighty nice country and wouldn't want to mess it up!" And if it does exist, any chance on releasing those to the public, either for free, or via, say, iTunes

There are a couple of people in our office that are madly in love with that train and I've heard them recite the soundtrack you're talking about way too many times! We do have a lot of the soundtracks and sound effects – somewhere. None of us like to throw anything away. I'll ask around tomorrow to see if we can dig up that train "track".

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Austin Benton - Who is in charge of the Haunt...like who is the person that makes the transformation happen and makes sure all the props are there?

Haunt is a huge undertaking and a true team effort but the real Overlord at KI is Kevin Brunck, Manager of Live Entertainment. The same guy that brings you Way Too Much TV, Down Home Country, and Don't Stop the Music also has a much more twisted side and has developed most of what you see (and feel) weekends in October. Kevin's team has done a great job with this and they work on it year round.

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Derrike Marksberry - what all is taken into consideration when the park closes on a scheduled day, like last year when the park closed a couple of nights haunt was scheduled to be open

We much prefer to be open with lots of people in the park. There are some days though where mother nature does not cooperate. Closing the park is always the last resort. Many things go into consideration: Are there people in the park already? If not, can we communicate the closing enough? Etc. We are very stubborn about keeping the park open. There were many days last summer that the waterpark stayed open that it could have easily closed. Last Sunday was another one that could have closed early and not many would object but we stayed 'til the end. The Haunt days were an exception. We had enough knowledge that it was going to be terrible weather. These were also new dates that were being tested. Again, these were the exception rather than the rule.

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Bret Shroats - What is wrong with Drop Tower? I noticed it did not open today and looked as if there was some damage to it..

Probably don't need to tell you it was very windy today. These winds limit our ability to operate rides like Drop Tower. As soon as the winds let up we get them going.

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Daniel Bruington - Will any more areas of the park be given the "paver treatment" in the near future (where sections bland blacktop/concrete are replaced with nice-looking brick pavers)? The midways in Rivertown and Planet Snoopy that have received this treatment look great, and I would love to see this trend continue throughout other parts of Kings Island!

There is certainly a pattern here. New rides resulting in refreshment of the surrounding area. We love the pavers and plan to keep going with them. At this pace we should have more pavers than not very soon.

[KI Kevin]

Bret Shroats - What is wrong with Drop Tower? I noticed it did not open today and looked as if there was some damage to it..

Probably don't need to tell you it was very windy today. These winds limit our ability to operate rides like Drop Tower. As soon as the winds let up we get them going.

I noticed this.

I really picked a horrible day to go to KI today. Probably more crowded than I've seen it in a long time and really cold and windy.

[Coney Islander]

I'll ask around tomorrow to see if we can dig up that train "track".

Gotta love that pun!

[KIMonster14]

Bret Shroats - What is wrong with Drop Tower? I noticed it did not open today and looked as if there was some damage to it..

Probably don't need to tell you it was very windy today. These winds limit our ability to operate rides like Drop Tower. As soon as the winds let up we get them going.

I noticed this.

I really picked a horrible day to go to KI today. Probably more crowded than I've seen it in a long time and really cold and windy.

I Know Right, not only was it crowed but Freezing!!!!

p.s. Chickfilla= 30 minute wait

[catzdrummer09]

I was there yesterday and didn't see any crowds at all. My longest wait was Firehawk, obviously for capacity, and that was only about 30 to 45 minutes. Most everything else was a walk-on or 15 minute max wait including Diamondback and beast.

By the way...anyone catch the response to that last question?

Daniel Bruington - Will any more areas of the park be given the "paver treatment" in the near future (where sections bland blacktop/concrete are replaced with nice-looking brick pavers)? The midways in Rivertown and Planet Snoopy that have received this treatment look great, and I would love to see this trend continue throughout other parts of Kings Island!

There is certainly a pattern here. New rides resulting in refreshment of the surrounding area. We love the pavers and plan to keep going with them. At this pace we should have more pavers than not very soon.

New rides resulting in refreshment of the area...hopefully more pavers that not very soon?

Could a new ride be in the works?

[Diamondback96]

Maybe there IS something going on in Action Zone...

[RingMaster]

Something goes on in the land of Action? Enlighten me, you must!

[CoastersRZ]

Well, that could be interpreted several ways. Remember, parks have a multi-year plan of improvements to implement. However, things can and do change with five year plans. Especially when capital expenditure amounts change and/or ownerships change. And it should really be no surprise that when a new attraction is added in an area, that the surrounding area receives a sprucing up. Case in point, look at the additions to the Action Zone way back in 1999. The entire area was spruced up. And to a lesser extent, the area was spruced up again in 2003 with Delirium.

Hopefully, a new attraction or two will find its way into Coney Mall proper in the coming years, as that area hasn`t really seen anything new outside of Firehawk, and there are some areas of the Coney midway that are showing signs of needing some updating/refreshing.

[bkroz]

Exactly. It would be a stretch to think that a new ride would be added to Coney Mall and the physical area left in its current state - peeling paint, broken lightbulbs, and sizzling hot pavement. Today, the area is very reminiscent of a broken down, slightly-creepy carnival come nightfall. If a new ride were added to that area, it's almost guaranteed that that would turn around.

[KI Kevin]

Bret Shroats - What is wrong with Drop Tower? I noticed it did not open today and looked as if there was some damage to it..

Probably don't need to tell you it was very windy today. These winds limit our ability to operate rides like Drop Tower. As soon as the winds let up we get them going.

I noticed this.

I really picked a horrible day to go to KI today. Probably more crowded than I've seen it in a long time and really cold and windy.

I Know Right, not only was it crowed but Freezing!!!!

p.s. Chickfilla= 30 minute wait

We were there from 3:30 to 6:30 and got a funnel cake (about 15 minute wait), rode Diamondback (20ish SRL), Vortex (30), and Spongebob (5). That's it. Though it was productive because my friend got his pass so we can go to CP next weekend! Yay!

EDIT: What's wrong with the quotes?

[RD Reynolds]

R.d. Reynolds - Does KI keep old sound tracks from extinct rides? For instance, is there a copy of the old train sound track with the old guy telling us, "There'll be no eatin', drinkin', or smokin' on this here train. We're goin' through some mighty nice country and wouldn't want to mess it up!" And if it does exist, any chance on releasing those to the public, either for free, or via, say, iTunes

There are a couple of people in our office that are madly in love with that train and I've heard them recite the soundtrack you're talking about way too many times! We do have a lot of the soundtracks and sound effects – somewhere. None of us like to throw anything away. I'll ask around tomorrow to see if we can dig up that train "track".

Cool, they answered my question. Really funny other people recite that thing from the train - we rode it on Saturday to utter silence, and all I could think was, "Geez, they need audio - ANY AUDIO! - on this thing!" Hopefully they can find the track, I'd love to hear it again.

Can anyone think of any other old soundtracks they'd want to hear?

RD

[CincyMan98]

Bret Shroats - What is wrong with Drop Tower? I noticed it did not open today and looked as if there was some damage to it..

Probably don't need to tell you it was very windy today. These winds limit our ability to operate rides like Drop Tower. As soon as the winds let up we get them going.

I went yesterday at about 3:00, and it was closed. But then at 8:30 they reopened it. I rode it, which was my first ride on it. =)

[buckeyemaniac]

R.d. Reynolds - Does KI keep old sound tracks from extinct rides? For instance, is there a copy of the old train sound track with the old guy telling us, "There'll be no eatin', drinkin', or smokin' on this here train. We're goin' through some mighty nice country and wouldn't want to mess it up!" And if it does exist, any chance on releasing those to the public, either for free, or via, say, iTunes

There are a couple of people in our office that are madly in love with that train and I've heard them recite the soundtrack you're talking about way too many times! We do have a lot of the soundtracks and sound effects – somewhere. None of us like to throw anything away. I'll ask around tomorrow to see if we can dig up that train "track".

Cool, they answered my question. Really funny other people recite that thing from the train - we rode it on Saturday to utter silence, and all I could think was, "Geez, they need audio - ANY AUDIO! - on this thing!" Hopefully they can find the track, I'd love to hear it again.

Can anyone think of any other old soundtracks they'd want to hear?

RD

Unfortunately, the reason there is no sound on train so far this year is because they are not running a full train yet and they do not place an operator on the front of the train. The controls for the sound on train are at the front.

[Oldiesmann]

The biggest reason for the crowds yesterday is that it was the final day for Music In The Parks, so there were a lot of school groups there (middle school, junior high and high school). I was surprised at how many people were there considering the weather, but still had a great time, even though I ended up leaving at 5 (I picked up an extra shift at work last night). The best part of the day: 10 rides on DB during ERT, despite it opening 13 minutes late and only running two trains (technical problems with the red train).

[CoastersRZ]

The rides at Coney certainly weren`t busy yesterday or today for the Appalachain Festival. Granted, the event was not free for pass holders. And the rides were an extra charge above and beyond festival admission. (We didn`t even run a fully loaded Ferris Wheel once today in the six hours we were open).

[Oldiesmann]

Things got posted fairly late again, so here are the questions...

Below are the questions selected for Sunday’s 5@5 mailbag:

Luke Sharrock – Do you have any new haunts planned for this year? And on the last day of the season Halloween why not go out with a bang and do Halloween Haunt that day it would be really fun.

Luke, we’ll share all the gory details about what’s in store for Halloween Haunt 2010 once we get towards the end of daily operations in August. Right now our focus is on our core season, which includes the opening of Boomerang Bay May 22 and all the special events we have planned such as the A Kid Again 5k Walk/Run, Snoopy Starlight Spectacular, ASA Action Sports World Tour, Rock Band Live, Joyfest, Spirit Song, Boy Scouts Camp-O-Ree, Run Kings Island, Sean Hannity Freedom Alliance Concert, Reds Day, UC Bearcats Football Day and the Kings Island Employee Reunion. There’s a lot of season in front of us before we’ll be talking about Halloween Haunt.

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Vince Scott – A few weeks back on 5@5 you had mentioned had just gotten a new POV camera. Has filming started and when can we expect these videos on the website?

We’re working on it, Vince. We haven’t had the best weather the past couple weeks.

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Austin Bention – What is up with the webcams…the only one that is working is Diamondback?

We’re looking into the issue with the webcam by The Racer. I just checked our website and the webcam on International Street is working. It was working when I checked it earlier today, too. It’s a great view.

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R.D. Reynolds – Has there ever been thought of putting together a history of KI DVD or book? I’m sure a lot of us old timers would snatch it up…

It’s something we’ve talked in recent years. It would be quite the project and would take about as long to put together as it took to build Diamondback. There would be a lot involved in putting together a history of Kings Island DVD or book.

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Brian Krosnick – How do you protect against deer and other manner of woodland creature getting in the way of The Beast track?

The roar of The Beast is a deterrent and keeps them away from the ride. And, if you’ve done a behind the scenes tour of The Beast, you can see how difficult it would be for deer to get on the track.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=391623666948

[RingMaster]

Do you have any new haunts planned for this year? And on the last day of the season Halloween why not go out with a bang and do Halloween Haunt that day it would be really fun.

Luke, we’ll share all the gory details about what’s in store for Halloween Haunt 2010 once we get towards the end of daily operations in August. Right now our focus is on our core season, which includes the opening of Boomerang Bay May 22 and all the special events we have planned such as the A Kid Again 5k Walk/Run, Snoopy Starlight Spectacular, ASA Action Sports World Tour, Rock Band Live, Joyfest, Spirit Song, Boy Scouts Camp-O-Ree, Run Kings Island, Sean Hannity Freedom Alliance Concert, Reds Day, UC Bearcats Football Day and the Kings Island Employee Reunion. There’s a lot of season in front of us before we’ll be talking about Halloween Haunt.

I find it kinda weird considering Knott's Berry Farm announces at least one or two new attractions as early as April and KI usually waits until almost after Labor Day Weekend to announce what the new attraction(s) is/are. If they would maybe at least release the name and a quick synopsis of a new attraction after Memorial Day Weekend that would give people more to speculate about and get people pumped up about it in conjunction with the Hearse being parked out in the park. Perhaps having a monster promoting one of the new mazes for that year.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear the Action Sports World Tour will be coming back this year; I absolutely loved the competitions on the vert ramp and hope they'll amp it up this season.

[Colonel_SoB_fan]

Lisa Miller Maynard – We bought the bucket of cotton candy where you can get refilled for $1.99, is it like the cups you can bring on your next visit to the park and get refilled for the refill price? We were there Saturday, and my 3 year twins loved Planet Snoopy!

Lisa, your cotton candy bucket is good for refills for just $1.99 all season long. A popcorn bucket is also new this year. Great to hear your twins had a great time in Planet Snoopy. Did they meet Snoopy?

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Travis Nuss – Why are you closed for a week or two before Halloween Haunt?

The park is closed for a private event the two weekends before Halloween Haunt begins. Private events have been held at the park in September since the park opened in 1972.

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Zach Clapper – Will any Bengals players be visiting the park this year? The new draft picks would be cool to meet.

Several players will be visiting the park this year, but as of right now not as part of a "Bengals Day" event like we have with the Reds and UC sports programs. When most of the players are in town they're at rookie camp, mini-camp, or the regular training camp in Georgetown, Ky. Last year kicker Shayne Graham and safety Roy Williams were among the players that visited the park.

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Ray Osburn – I can think of three past rides that have a small visible piece of them left behind. I look at it as a neat historical aspect of the park. I have seen concrete footings still in tact from The Bat, King Cobra, and the old Sky Ride. So my question is: are there any other past rides/attractions that still have a presence in the park that can be seen with a careful eye?

Ray, there are a few more traces of past rides than the ones you have mentioned. I don't want to give it away where they all are but for starters you can find three of them in Coney Mall. Let us know if you found any of them after your next visit.

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Derrike Marksberry – so not really anything to do with Kings Island, but i was wondering if you got to catch snl with betty white hosting, if you did, did you enjoy it? what was your favorite skit? mine was the opening skit.

I normally don't watch SNL as it comes on the same time as SportsCenter on ESPN, but I did happen to see the show with Betty White hosting. It's hard to believe she's only 88. She seems older than that. I remember when she was on Match Game and played the role of Sue Ann Nivens on the Mary Tyler Moore Show. I did enjoy the show and also thought the first skit was the best. She'd be fun to ride Diamondback with.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=391974461948

[CoastersRZ]

Ray Osburn actually used the correct terminology: footings!

Hmm. I know of a few of the rides in Coney Mall, not sure if I can think of all 3. Remains of Flight Commander are obvious. And obviously, the remains of The Bat in and around The Vortex. I don`t know the third one. I do know that a keen eye can spot part of the ride pad for a ride that used to be in another area of the park besides Coney Mall. In fact, another ride uses part of the old ride`s ride pad for a small segment of its queue line.

[KIMonster14]

haha....would YOU ride Diamondback with Betty White??

[Shaggy]

Ray Osburn actually used the correct terminology: footings!

Hmm. I know of a few of the rides in Coney Mall, not sure if I can think of all 3. Remains of Flight Commander are obvious. And obviously, the remains of The Bat in and around The Vortex. I don`t know the third one. I do know that a keen eye can spot part of the ride pad for a ride that used to be in another area of the park besides Coney Mall. In fact, another ride uses part of the old ride`s ride pad for a small segment of its queue line.

Coney Mall still has "items" remaining from more that 3 defunct rides, actually.

The rides:

Tumble Bug/Skylab (Original Operator's booth and queue is still in tact)

Bat (Footings, station cut outs)

Flight Commander (Queue/loading pad)

Cuddle Up/Old Dodgems (Building)

and, I believe, the Flying Carpet (Footings behind Zephyr... but may be gone by now...)

Obviously, there's obvious land vacancies left from Flying Eagles and Cinema 180.

Close by the Coney Mall entrance, the original concrete pad for Flying Dutchman still remains.

Shaggy