FUN&ONLY! Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 With Kings Island’s 50th anniversary coming up in just over a year and the park still having its original front gate and entrance plaza, what would you like to see in an updated front gate and entrance plaza? The park could build a completely new entrance like Cedar Point, Carowinds, Worlds of Fun, or use a completely new design. Kings Island could also keep the same front gate and the International Restaurant but upgrade and theme the facade and build new ticket booths and a new season pass processing center. Share your ideas below! https://www.the-lake-effect.com/Cedar_Point_Kings_Island.html http://matthunterross.com/kings-island https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.laughingplace.com/w/articles/2020/07/31/reopened-cedar-point-park-sandusky-ohio/amp/ http://blogs.uww.edu/thrillseeker/2018/04/05/carowinds-3-25-2018-trip-report/ https://www.worldsoffun.com/tickets-passes/daily-tickets 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedar Fair Fanboy Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 They can't tear it down cause of the restaurant, but they can over hall it. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimParker85 Posted January 3, 2021 Share Posted January 3, 2021 Because of how beautiful International Street is, I don't hate the obstruction of it's view until I officially enter the park. It's always felt like a grand reveal of sorts, same with Wonderland and Dominion. I do wish the brown wall would be renovated and the building repainted/refurbished to look less dated and drab. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FUN&ONLY! Posted January 3, 2021 Author Share Posted January 3, 2021 21 minutes ago, JimParker85 said: Because of how beautiful International Street is, I don't hate the obstruction of it's view until I officially enter the park. It's always felt like a grand reveal of sorts, same with Wonderland and Dominion. I do wish the brown wall would be renovated and the building repainted/refurbished to look less dated and drab. I agree that they shouldn’t demolish the entrance building but rather update and refurbish it. Something like this concept I found online would be nice because it keeps the same building and the International Restaurant, but it makes the entrance more grand and appealing and ties it into the international theme of the park. http://matthunterross.com/kings-island 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westcoaster Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Rehab would be great. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterJack Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I agree as well, the current entrance has plenty of infrastructure already built in, and it would be quite a large loss to tear it down. I mainly just see a facelift being needed in the next few years, especially on the west side facing the parking lot. Either updating it to a look more like the WinterFest entrance permanently with a more flush look like pictured above, or just simply modernizing the billboards and maybe new shingles and some roofing work would be all that's needed. KI truly doesn't need a completely new entrance plaza, especially compared to some other parks. Just needs a little modernization and/or revamping. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndyGuy4KI Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I would like to see them do something with the roof shingles and replace it with something more aesthetically pleasing. Right now those give it a run down look. I think that would be a good start. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Keep the structure as is. Get rid of the banners, replace the shingles, add accent pieces and international flags (i think they were there originally). Renovate the ticket building to emulate the architecture of International Street. Return the classic logo to the bank on the south side. Add some trees. Bring back decorative lamp posts. But don't demolish it and pull a Carowinds. 7 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ellis Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 Yes, I would really like to see everything new like Cedar Point, Carowinds and Worlds of Fun that have already updated theirs.....but not ONLY Kings Island needs redesigning but Kings Dominion, Canada's Wonderland do need updates on the front gate entrances....I would NOT be surprised if I am able to see everything new....the sooner the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThrillKingsFitzy Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 What I would like to see it something like CP's entrance but instead of a wing coaster its a ground up RMC with a Zadra like zero g stall over the entrance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastersRZ Posted January 5, 2021 Share Posted January 5, 2021 I agree with Indyguy4KI. Update the roof, and maybe get rid of the banners to some digital displays. Also, as others have said, it would be nice if the incorporated the facade structure that they typically build for Haunt and Winterfest into part of the permanant facade of the building. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted September 19, 2021 Share Posted September 19, 2021 Here is an idea I came up with. This is a very large scale concept that would be a large investment and likely unrealistic for a park like KI and the market KI is in. This is basically if the entrance plazas at Cedar Point/Carowinds and ChocolateTown at HersheyPark had a baby. The specifics are numbered so here is what they mean: 1) new ticket/season pass building 2) guest services/offices 3) two story restaurant (similar to ChocolateTown) 4) gift shop 5) candy shop 6) ice cream parlor (would definitely serve blue ice cream) 7) new front gate (think CP/Carowinds/WOF) 8) grassy area for special events 9) Upgraded Timberwolf (KI Music Center lol @Dj325) I understand this is unlikely and probably unrealistic, but a boy can dream lol. Enjoy! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawaiian Coasters 325 Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 Made another concept. This time it is more realistic like what Carowinds and Cedar Point did. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeeastFarmer Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 I think an entry plaza update will happen eventually, but I hope it stays unique to KI. Keep the turnstyle building as-is structurally, replace the banners and roof. Add the flags back. Put the classic logo back on the berm. Since passes can now be processed at the turnstyle, replace it with something smaller. Just don't mirror CP like Carowinds did. Our entry plaza needs to stay in KI style. While i like your first rendering, I think it's too much for the space as you alluded to. Maybe relocate the parking behind the berm and move the berm back? Your second rendering is much more doable....good work! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted October 20, 2021 Share Posted October 20, 2021 I think part of the way the entrance works in opening up to the Eiffel Tower is the low ceiling in the entry. I think the contrast from having that lower ceiling and then having it open up with the Eiffel Tower standing in all its glory is what sells that feel of walking in the park. I think whatever form a new entry would take should keep that going. I think there should be some form of arched facade in front to kind of supplement the Eiffel Tower when walking up to it and give it more of a royal/international feel. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdubbs727 Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 20 hours ago, silver2005 said: I think part of the way the entrance works in opening up to the Eiffel Tower is the low ceiling in the entry. I think the contrast from having that lower ceiling and then having it open up with the Eiffel Tower standing in all its glory is what sells that feel of walking in the park. I think whatever form a new entry would take should keep that going. I think there should be some form of arched facade in front to kind of supplement the Eiffel Tower when walking up to it and give it more of a royal/international feel. I agree about how the low ceiling really helps sell the entry onto International Street and the grandeur of the Eiffel Tower. The front gates work well as they are, and the building is also home to offices, shops, restrooms and a restaurant, so they'd have a lot to replace if they tore it down. But a remodel to make it a little more festive-looking wouldn't hurt. Honestly, I'd just be happy if they went back to the nicely manicured shrubbery out front themed to whatever is new that year (starting with a 50th anniversary logo would be a good start). And I've beat this drum before, but I'd love to see them do more with the International Restaurant, especially during the season. It used to be such a great spot to go get a nice meal during the day. Maybe overhaul it a bit or make it a lounge/bar would be a good concept. Or just return it to a nice indoor dining experience. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silver2005 Posted October 21, 2021 Share Posted October 21, 2021 ^For the arched facade I had in mind, I'd be keeping the current building. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ellis Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Yes....good thinking. Would love to see a redesign of what Kings Island will look like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amapan Posted February 7, 2022 Share Posted February 7, 2022 @silver2005 As someone who nerds out on architecture and reads LeCorbusier translations for enjoyment, I absolute am ON BOARD FOR ARCHES!!! maybe some green details to make the reference cohesive could be applied. As for the roof… A glass tiled solar roof would be STUNNING, show guests that the park is modernizing, and be eligible for HUGE tax credits for at least a few more years. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeltaFlyer Posted February 9, 2022 Share Posted February 9, 2022 On 2/6/2022 at 7:33 PM, amapan said: @silver2005 As someone who nerds out on architecture and reads LeCorbusier translations for enjoyment, I absolute am ON BOARD FOR ARCHES!!! As long as we stay far, far away from Antoni Gaudi, I’m fine…… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amapan Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 13 hours ago, DeltaFlyer said: As long as we stay far, far away from Antoni Gaudi, I’m fine…… Lol. Definitely don’t put Casa Batlló at the front of the park .But not to get too in the weeds here, what people are talking about wanting to see with the entrance plaza in this thread is very much in line with Gaudi’s ideals. “Gaudí's work is normally classed as modernista, and it belongs to this movement because of its eagerness to renovate without breaking with tradition, its quest for modernity, the ornamental sense applied to works, and the multidisciplinary character of its undertakings, where craftsmanship plays a central role. To this, Gaudí adds a dose of the baroque, adopts technical advances and continues to use traditional architectural language.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antoni_Gaudí Speaking of Casa Batlló, I’m off to the Sesame Place forum to expand my idea for a majestic Fraggle Rock themed dark ride and play structure lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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