Animatronics On White Water Canyon?

[kingsislandfan1972]

Would you ever like to see Kings Island add animatronics on White Water Canyon maybe some animatronic cowboys or horses to fit the theming Rivertown or something along those terms? I think it would be a great idea if they went more of a western theme for White Water Canyon but that's just my opinion, but what do all of you think? 

[OverlandTaxis30]

I think people would be too busy getting wet or trying to avoid getting wet to take much notice.

Personally, I think the K.I. and M.V. Railroad could utilize more scenes and figures along the stretch from Rivertown to the water park.

[Orion-XL200]

Don't think it's worth the investment. Riders are looking out for the possibility to get soaked....not looking to be entertained by animatronics on the ride. 

[Shaggy]

3 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:

Don't think it's worth the investment. Riders are looking out for the possibility to get soaked....not looking to be entertained by animatronics on the ride. 

I completely disagree.  I'd be all-for a refurb/update of WWC including some animatronics.

Knotts very successfully updated their rapids roughly five or six years ago - and its breathed a brand new life into it.  It has various animal animatronics peppered throughout the course with some are visible to those waiting in line.  Its quite fun to be on the lookout for them.  When I was last there, it had one of the longest waits in the park due to renewed popularity.  I typically avoid rapids rides (I dont like having squishy shoes.) But I anxiously hopped in line for Calico River Rapids at Knotts because I wanted to see all the theming... not because I wanted to get soaked.

I'm a fan of "plussing up" existing and aged rides in order to keep them fresh and interesting.  The issue with animatronics is, they wear out fairly easily (especially in the elements.)  And historically, KI hasn't been the best at maintaining them.  But the ones used at Knotts (built by Garner Holt Productions) seem to be a bit more weather-resistant and built pretty sturdy.  The redesign was overseen by Ken Parks and his team at Cedar Fair's XDS... and they did an incredible job at developing the story for Calico.  It made it a well-rounded attraction - with a fun and cohesive storyline - instead of just "a rapids ride."

WWC at KI is now 40 years old and it's ridership has visibly declined.  I vividly recall the immense popularity of it those early years.  A lot of that had to do with the fact it was a star attraction - and people were curious about what it did, where it went and what it was like back in those woods.   The first season it opened, the line to ride stretched all the way through Rivertown virtually all season long.  I'd love to see them show some love to the attraction rather than let it die as other parks have... cough... Carowinds... Cough...   Over the years many of WWC's original "tricks" have disappeared.... the water snakes (I loved those - they were crazy water hoses along the side of the trough that would wiggle and whip around squirting the boats) the waterfall/mist tunnel, the hidden "boom cannon" etc.  It could use some love and frankly a rehab could make it immensely popular and marketable again. 

In the hands of XDS and Ken Parks, there's no telling how cool and fun it could be.

Photos are a small sampling of Calico Rapids from Knott's Website:

[BeeastFarmer]

I would rather see investment in KI&MVRR.  They could get bang for the buck and tie theming into both attractions, but I wouldn't bank on it.

[Orion-XL200]

Thanks for your perspective @Shaggy. I can definitely understand where you're point of view comes from. 

Additionally, I'm fearful that the new Six Flags Entertainment Company, isn't going to do much investing in older rides where they'd rather just remove them. Who knows, maybe they'll surprise us one day.

[Diamondback_Is_King]

Although I do agree that most guests don't pay much attention to the surroundings and just focus on where they might get wet, I think that some good theming and animatronics would enhance the ride, and maybe even add a storyline that you could learn in the currently boring queue. Maybe even add a tunnel and some characters, and the ride becomes better. Will they get more people riding it? Probably not. Will the investment be worth it? Probably not. Will they actually do this? Probably not. That's just my thoughts though 

[brenthodge]

I’d settle for fixing the darn flag in the snoopy “side to side spin” anamatronic that broke a week or so after opening last year. 

[Timchat2]

The former Snake River Expedition at Cedar Point has a full set of animated figures and props that aren't being used which could easily be installed along the WWC ride path like Calico River Rapids.

[kingsislandfan1972]

10 hours ago, Shaggy said:

I completely disagree.  I'd be all-for a refurb/update of WWC including some animatronics.

Knotts very successfully updated their rapids roughly five or six years ago - and its breathed a brand new life into it.  It has various animal animatronics peppered throughout the course with some are visible to those waiting in line.  Its quite fun to be on the lookout for them.  When I was last there, it had one of the longest waits in the park due to renewed popularity.  I typically avoid rapids rides (I dont like having squishy shoes.) But I anxiously hopped in line for Calico River Rapids at Knotts because I wanted to see all the theming... not because I wanted to get soaked.

I'm a fan of "plussing up" existing and aged rides in order to keep them fresh and interesting.  The issue with animatronics is, they wear out fairly easily (especially in the elements.)  And historically, KI hasn't been the best at maintaining them.  But the ones used at Knotts (built by Garner Holt Productions) seem to be a bit more weather-resistant and built pretty sturdy.  The redesign was overseen by Ken Parks and his team at Cedar Fair's XDS... and they did an incredible job at developing the story for Calico.  It made it a well-rounded attraction - with a fun and cohesive storyline - instead of just "a rapids ride."

WWC at KI is now 40 years old and it's ridership has visibly declined.  I vividly recall the immense popularity of it those early years.  A lot of that had to do with the fact it was a star attraction - and people were curious about what it did, where it went and what it was like back in those woods.   The first season it opened, the line to ride stretched all the way through Rivertown virtually all season long.  I'd love to see them show some love to the attraction rather than let it die as other parks have... cough... Carowinds... Cough...   Over the years many of WWC's original "tricks" have disappeared.... the water snakes (I loved those - they were crazy water hoses along the side of the trough that would wiggle and whip around squirting the boats) the waterfall/mist tunnel, the hidden "boom cannon" etc.  It could use some love and frankly a rehab could make it immensely popular and marketable again. 

In the hands of XDS and Ken Parks, there's no telling how cool and fun it could be.

Photos are a small sampling of Calico Rapids from Knott's Website:

I think something like this for WWC would is just what the ride needs! It'll breathe new life into the ride and would tell more of a story!

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

It'd be nice to see some little theming elements integrated into WWC. I think having something near the railroad bridges would be awesome. I remember there being one or two more buildings on the hill right there that were visible from the train, and now there is only the small operator booth. The only real investment for things like that is just the cost of materials, labor, and installation with no upkeep needed for years on end. 

Has anyone ridden the KI&MV RR and been able to see the turtle by the beavers this year? It got moved every week last season and now it looks like the beavers have been moved closer together and the turtle wasn't there at all. It'd be nice if the lone animatronic was also working more often. I assume he's always plugged in, so the issue might be a part. 

14 hours ago, kingsislandfan1972 said:

I think it would be a great idea if they went more of a western theme for White Water Canyon but that's just my opinion, but what do all of you think? 

I would personally not like to see much western theming done in Rivertown. The area was originally themed to a town of the early 19th century — specifically early Cincinnati. It's evolved to be more of a small river town stuck in various points in time. My main point here is that the theme is supposed to be more rustic than it is western. Cedar Point can be the park with a western area (Frontiertown and Frontier Trail): I think Kings Island should keep with the rustic area that Rivertown is supposed to be.