The Bat Removal Rumor

[coastergoblin]

50 minutes ago, TombRaiderFTW said:

It's annoying that KIC seems on the side of the moneymakers, too. It hasn't gone unnoticed that that Bat 2025 removal thread disappeared without a statement from the KIC admins or the park, either of which I think is warranted given the current era of leadership. Heaven forbid any kind of stink gets raised about a ride being quietly removed so people don't notice until passes are bought and it's a dirt pile.

Yup, and I think this seriously warrants a community driven overhaul to the terms of service of this site. Users should not be forced to add a source for “rumors” (which it is not) as if traced back it directly affects someone’s livelihood. When the paper trail for a rumor is so small, you have to be careful about it, and in the coming months when you see markers, and construction equipment arrive, it will be a lot harder to keep these “rumors” at bay.
 

Forcing users to add a source only strengthens the parks control on what information is released to the public, and allows them to trace back the source to that person.
 

Many other sites successfully leak attractions without sources in an effort to protect those sources, VS KIC is concerned about protecting the pockets of the park.

The closing of The Bat should be SHOUTED from the rooftops, because after next season an iconic piece of KI history will be erased from the timeline. 
 

Back to the topic, anyone who is suprised by this just needs to see the writing on the wall. You have out of industry people running this company, who don’t have an understanding of the value of an extra hour of two at the end of the night to ride some rides or get a snack with less waits. All they see is the spreadsheet with the overhead cost of keeping labor another hour or two, delaying third shift maintenance, etc.

These people do not care about you or the experience you have at the park, is this true at a park level? Absolutely not, but down in Charlotte those C-Suites don’t care what this means to you or your family, and each year it’s going to get increasingly noticeable that they are cutting anywhere they can.

You can only chop at a tree so much before it falls.

[TombRaiderFTW]

^ I agree so much with your post, but I do want to talk about one thing:

5 minutes ago, coastergoblin said:

You have out of industry people running this company, who don’t have an understanding of the value of an extra hour of two at the end of the night to ride some rides or get a snack with less waits. All they see is the spreadsheet with the overhead cost of keeping labor another hour or two, delaying third shift maintenance, etc.

These people do not care about you or the experience you have at the park, is this true at a park level? Absolutely not, but down in Charlotte those C-Suites don’t care what this means to you or your family, and each year it’s going to get increasingly noticeable that they are cutting anywhere they can.

Where is the idea that outsiders are making these calls coming from? I was under the impression that the leadership team of the new Six Flags was entirely made up of legacy Six Flags and (especially) legacy Cedar Fair execs.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

1 hour ago, TombRaiderFTW said:

It's annoying that KIC seems on the side of the moneymakers, too. It hasn't gone unnoticed that that Bat 2025 removal thread disappeared without a statement from the KIC admins or the park, either of which I think is warranted given the current era of leadership. Heaven forbid any kind of stink gets raised about a ride being quietly removed so people don't notice until passes are bought and it's a dirt pile.

Hold up? Is is confirmed Bat is leaving in 2025 or is it just speculation by another thoosie?

[TombRaiderFTW]

5 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Hold up? Is is confirmed Bat is leaving in 2025 or is it just speculation by another thoosie?

Neither. A post was made here claiming to have insight that, much like how Kingda Ka's, Green Lantern's, and Nighthawk's removals were handled for SFGAdv and Carowinds this year, The Bat will be quietly removed in the 2025-2026 off-season. It could easily be someone making something up, but it does track for how things are currently being handled by SF corporate, which is why I think it's reasonable to expect a statement from either KIC leadership (e.g. "we have asked the park for confirmation and will share responses"), KI's PR, or both.

Instead, the thread was quietly deleted. I've been around here long enough to know what pressure from KI PR often smells like.

[Coastercrush]

What bones does SIX throw KIC or ever?  

[Tr0y]

14 minutes ago, TombRaiderFTW said:

Neither. A post was made here claiming to have insight that, much like how Kingda Ka's, Green Lantern's, and Nighthawk's removals were handled for SFGAdv and Carowinds this year, The Bat will be quietly removed in the 2025-2026 off-season. It could easily be someone making something up, but it does track for how things are currently being handled by SF corporate, which is why I think it's reasonable to expect a statement from either KIC leadership (e.g. "we have asked the park for confirmation and will share responses"), KI's PR, or both.

Instead, the thread was quietly deleted. I've been around here long enough to know what pressure from KI PR often smells like.

There is a whistleblower thread still here claiming about things KI PR did / didn't do during the Banshee incident. So, I wouldn't say KI PR was a factor as far as putting pressure on KIC to having The Bat thread removed.

The issue with The Bat removal thread is that it is presented in the context of its removal being fact. Yet, there isn't any indication of removal. No markers, no heavy machinery present, literally no activity that would indicate something going on other than routine end of season maintenance. At least the Congo Falls speculation thread has photos of activity with some of signage missing:

 

[TombRaiderFTW]

1 hour ago, Tr0y said:

There is a whistleblower thread still here claiming about things KI PR did / didn't do during the Banshee incident. So, I wouldn't say KI PR was a factor as far as putting pressure on KIC to having The Bat thread removed.

The issue with The Bat removal thread is that it is presented in the context of its removal being fact. Yet, there isn't any indication of removal. No markers, no heavy machinery present, literally no activity that would indicate something going on other than routine end of season maintenance. At least the Congo Falls speculation thread has photos of activity with some of signage missing:

 

I'm not trying to be difficult here--there's every possibility that you're 100% correct--but you do have to admit that there have been many posts over the years that claimed to factually have insider knowledge of what's coming and going that are still active posts on this site. Not to mention that if the person claiming The Bat is on its way out is correct, there wouldn't be equipment on site in December 2024 if it's being removed in late 2025 or early 2026.

You've got me as far as the whistleblower thread goes. I'm not enough of a conspiracy theorist to be sure of myself here, but there's a part of me that wonders if, since the ride removals are allegedly being done without warning in order to minimize loss of season passholders, the park would have a vested interest in not letting that story gain a lot of visibility. It IS odd that one thread stayed while the other disappeared.

[johnjniehaus]

Unfortunately I don't think with the current leadership and ride removal trends that The Bat will last too much longer but I hope they can get a 5 year plan in the works to retire AND replace the older attractions they want to get rid of. For example we all know that boo blaster, Invertigo, and Congo have to be on the short list of soon to be removed rides and The Bat can't be too far behind them. If they could remove all 4 by the end of 2030 and have built a new dark ride, a new coaster in The Vortex plot, AND a coaster in the  Invertigo/Congo plot, I'd say that would be acceptable. However, making no investment and only removing rides is not what anyone wants to see happen to the park. 

While I hope we never see the day that The Bat gives it's final rides, all I'm asking for Kings Island, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, or whoever is in charge of these decisions is PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give the fans a 3-4 weeks notice like has historically been customary to do and don't just tear down a ride that has been a classic at the park for over 30 years without any word during the off season. I understand that rides get old and are removed but please Kings Island have the respect for the guest and the fans of the ride to at least give them a chance to get final rides if that decision ever has to be made 

[IndyGuy4KI]

The KIC admin are going to moderate and do their best to follow the TOS along with making a decision based on other known and possibly not known factors. We are not always going to make a decision that makes everyone happy.

On the subject of The Bat. I removed a thread that was posted by a member claiming to have insider information from Charlotte without revealing a source. The park nor KIC admin owe or need to make a statement because a thread gets posted about an insider information rumor.

I have spoken to the park and there is no plan to remove The Bat. As of right now, The Bat being removed at the end of the 2025 season is just a rumor.

I realize everyone is a little on edge with the changes the new Six Flags company is making. We are all passionate about our park and want to see it be its best. We also can't get so upset about the things we don't like that we forget to enjoy the park.

[coastergoblin]

Appreciate your willingness to keep the thread up.

Let’s all not forget in early November of 2023 when GADV was claiming that there were no plans to remove Kingda Ka.

As adorable is it is predictable.

[johnjniehaus]

31 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

I have spoken to the park and there is no plan to remove The Bat. As of right now, The Bat being removed at the end of the 2025 season is just a rumor.

I contacted Six Flags Over Texas the week before the La Vibora closure was confirmed and they denied it was being removed. Let's just say, while I don't see current evidence of The Bat closing or being demolished, the merged SF/CF chain has been dishonest and has broken trust with the guest resulting in me not really believing anything they say. 

[Orion-XL200]

I understand the distrust in Six Flags for now....but what I don't get is a newish user comes in and says something to the tune of  "The Bat is leaving because someone from Charlotte told me."  Not long after the fact that Six Flags says 'xyz' isn't going anywhere....so are we supposed to trust them or not?

I always try to ride The Bat as often as I can....so not much will change for me to prepare if this is true. I'll be really sad if it does end up happening.

[Tr0y]

23 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

I understand the distrust in Six Flags for now....but what I don't get is a newish user comes in and says something to the tune of  "The Bat is leaving because someone from Charlotte told me."  Not long after the fact that Six Flags says 'xyz' isn't going anywhere....so are we supposed to trust them or not?

I personally like how the "newish" user comes in and writes a thesis on how they think the TOS suck.  As if they were a long time member here, or are they? 
 

Schell if I know. 

[Orion-XL200]

Just now, Tr0y said:

Schell if I know. 

I see what ya did there. I asked SF corporate if they would share inside info with seasonal employees. They said they Schell.

[BeeastFarmer]

5 minutes ago, Orion-XL200 said:

I see what ya did there. I asked SF corporate if they would share inside info with seasonal employees. They said they Schell.

They didn't proclaim, "Schell no!" ???

[disco2000]

1 hour ago, johnjniehaus said:

I contacted Six Flags Over Texas the week before the La Vibora closure was confirmed and they denied it was being removed. Let's just say, while I don't see current evidence of The Bat closing or being demolished, the merged SF/CF chain has been dishonest and has broken trust with the guest resulting in me not really believing anything they say. 

 

I am reminded of a quote that Jason McClure (former GM of CP and now Senior VP in SIX) has said and I have used it on the forum frequently as to why something may or may not be said from Corporate:  "It is important to remember that Cedar Fair is a publicly traded company and that affects the type and timing of our communication."  That simple statement says it all.  There are countless of real world, everyday examples demonstrating this same technique in other businesses and industries.

At the end of the day, they are not under any obligation to tell us the whole truth and thus they control the narrative and how it is presented (unless of course someone leaks it out earlier).  The fact of the matter is someone in the know will not officially come out and say something against the narrative the park is telling...unless they don't care about potentially losing their job LOL. 

[coastergoblin]

The news is getting out, look what’s at the top of Screamscape this morning:

Kings Island - An Interesting Future Ride Removal Rumor

The noise is only going to get louder, make sure to get your rides in next season.

[Diamondback_Is_King]

Oh boy, here it comes!

[Tr0y]

42 minutes ago, coastergoblin said:

The news is getting out, look what’s at the top of Screamscape this morning:

Kings Island - An Interesting Future Ride Removal Rumor

The noise is only going to get louder, make sure to get your rides in next season.

I wonder how the Schell they got that info? 

[jcoop22]

How much of this is just engagement bait? Or is there something to it?

https://x.com/TPRBrandon/status/1869057034970394890

[Diamondback_Is_King]

It's very concerning how this is following very similar steps to Kingda Ka. It starts out as just a random thought, but then makes its way to a rumor. Then, lots of people start paying attention (like Screamscape). Before you know it, you find documents that prove the rumor true. Everyone waits for the park to make an announcement, but in the meantime, everyone gets their rides in while it's still running. Before you know it, the ride closes forever and fans are furious. Kingda Ka was just the first of many rides to close. The Bat, Invertigo, Congo River Falls, Nighthawk, and hydraulic launch coasters could be following. We are entering a new era for theme parks. Remember to enjoy the park, and have fun. Regardless of what happens. Kings Island will always be a place to have fun and share memories with friends and families. Because of this new norm, you never know if your latest ride will be your last. Enjoy every moment of it.

[IndyGuy4KI]

I do want to reiterate.

KIC has spoken to the park and there is no plan to remove The Bat. As of right now, The Bat being removed at the end of the 2025 season is just a rumor.

Until we see evidence or get word from the park it is just that, a rumor!

[Tr0y]

18 minutes ago, Diamondback_Is_King said:

It's very concerning how this is following very similar steps to Kingda Ka. It starts out as just a random thought, but then makes its way to a rumor. Then, lots of people start paying attention (like Screamscape). Before you know it, you find documents that prove the rumor true. Everyone waits for the park to make an announcement, but in the meantime, everyone gets their rides in while it's still running. Before you know it, the ride closes forever and fans are furious. Kingda Ka was just the first of many rides to close. The Bat, Invertigo, Congo River Falls, Nighthawk, and hydraulic launch coasters could be following. We are entering a new era for theme parks. Remember to enjoy the park, and have fun. Regardless of what happens. Kings Island will always be a place to have fun and share memories with friends and families. Because of this new norm, you never know if your latest ride will be your last. Enjoy every moment of it.

Im very skeptical. However if The Bat happens to be removed, apologies Schell be in order. 

[jcoop22]

I'll liken possibly closing these rides with no warning to the guests/fans to how I found out the Milford Frisch's Big Boy was closing today, 12/17. It was a rumor on Facebook that it was a part of the next round of Frisch's closures. I told my wife Sunday morning that I'd like to go that night in case it was true. Went and enjoyed what may be my final Big Boy at the restaurant my now deceased parents went most nights in the 90s and 00s to have coffee and dessert with friends. Server confirmed the rumor; she had been trying to say good-bye to all her regulars over the last 22 years she's worked there. I guess it may make sense from a thousand miles away to close things with no warning to just get it over with, but it's probably not the ethical thing to do.

[BeeastFarmer]

1 hour ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

I do want to reiterate.

KIC has spoken to the park and there is no plan to remove The Bat. As of right now, The Bat being removed at the end of the 2025 season is just a rumor.

Until we see evidence or get word from the park it is just that, a rumor!

Keep in mind, that our member here reached out to Over Texas and they denied that their coaster was leaving. Didn't Great Adventure do the same with Kingda Ka?

Most of the steel coasters will leave Kings Island at some point in my lifetime. Diamondback, Banshee and Orion, I'm looking at you. Millie will die one day, as will SooperDooperLooper.  

There is a difference in an immediate closure and a planned obsoletion. Hopefully in the future, the chain will give cherished coasters a proper send off. I get that the two chains are figuring it out as they go, but if this is the new norm, it's not looking good.