Kings Island General Discussion 2026

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

The backlash would be MONUMENTAL if they cut fireworks especially since KI has kept 10 pm closings throughout the summer. Cutting fireworks would be their ticket to closing at 9 pm instead of 10. It's been a tradition since 1972 to have nightly fireworks. Even Paramount did fireworks. The only year I remember them not doing nightly fireworks is the covid year 2020. Also the park on the special events page has a picture of a firework show so they're still sorta advertising they do fireworks so I don't see any reason why there won't be at least some sort of firework show. 

[beastfan11]

More than just tradition, too. Hate to be so corporate minded about this long standing tradition, but it keeps people in the park until close.

More people in the park = more money to spend. 

I feel like John Reilly’s recent comments about the lack of revenue as a result of canceled seasonal events would apply here, too. But who knows. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

3 hours ago, beastfan11 said:

I feel like John Reilly’s recent comments about the lack of revenue as a result of canceled seasonal events would apply here, too. But who knows. 

I feel decisions like this come from above him. Ik he talked about throughput/capacity being important to him, but multiple Six Flags parks that have opened recently have been only running either one or two trains as well as restaurants and stuff being closed. Ik that could be maintineance delays, but it very well could be six flags being six flags. 

John Reilly I fear will have his hands tied by the board and a lot of his visions/ideas for improvement won't make it past the board as they are basically penny pinchers. Then he'll get blamed for everything and be pushed out in a few years then rinse and repeat! 

[beastfan11]

45 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I feel decisions like this come from above him. Ik he talked about throughput/capacity being important to him, but multiple Six Flags parks that have opened recently have been only running either one or two trains as well as restaurants and stuff being closed. Ik that could be maintineance delays, but it very well could be six flags being six flags. 

John Reilly I fear will have his hands tied by the board and a lot of his visions/ideas for improvement won't make it past the board as they are basically penny pinchers. Then he'll get blamed for everything and be pushed out in a few years then rinse and repeat! 

Spot on. 
 

The exception, at least in my hopeful opinion, would be for the parks that “work,” I.e. Cedar Point, Kings Island, etc. If they can generate revenue then I would hope the board can see stuff like this as valuable and embrace it. Definitely not applicable to every park in the chain, though. 

[BeeastFarmer]

^ The legacy six flags parks will not change overnight. Plus, you have to remember that Kings Island is one of, if not the only, CF park that ran all trains consistently.  

Besides that, he has only been on board a short while and has a lot of stuff to do.  With the dire straights the company faces currently, revision of SOPs may not be top of mind. 

If things get even more shaken up with Jana flexing their activism, the board might completely change, and probably not for the better. 

[SmartCat7162]

1 hour ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I feel decisions like this come from above him. Ik he talked about throughput/capacity being important to him, but multiple Six Flags parks that have opened recently have been only running either one or two trains as well as restaurants and stuff being closed. Ik that could be maintineance delays, but it very well could be six flags being six flags. 

You also have to think when maintenance has been deferred they are going to be back logged, so even if it is one of his goals and he is actively working on it, we won't see results for a while. I imagine a lot of the legacy parks are super deferred on there maintenance and were barely hanging on pre-merger. It is better than Busch Gardens Tampa though lol.

[TheCrypt]

Some exciting updates from the webcams: in the last couple days, Adventure Express and Queen City both have gotten their trains on the tracks! I'm assuming they'll start cycling soon if they haven't already. Orion looks prepped for the same. There are also people and a crane working around Monster today.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

The special event lineup has been posted! Outside of a few extra nights for Star Spangled Nights, it's basically what we expected. Food and Wine and Carnivale are back.

https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events

A few thoughts:

While I'm glad Food and Wine is back, I will continue to die on the hill and preach it should be a late April through Memorial Day event not a late May through June event

Carnivale has run its course imo. A little bit disappointed it's back but we all knew it was coming since Tony supposedly said it at No Coaster Con. Imo if they aren't going to return it to 2019 levels than they should retire it

A big missed opportunity with Pass Preview by not doing what Carowinds did with some sort of charity donation event. There are plenty of charities around here and would be a perfect opportunity to do it. Also a pass member Q&A/presentation session would've been perfect. 

I don't like complaining, but I'm getting kinda bored of the same old same old at KI year after year when it comes to events. Food and Wine was a good start imo, but there hasn't been any new event added since. I personally think there should be some sort of new event added every other year or so. Moving Food and Wine to April/May would open up the door for some sort of June event in between that and a peak summer event (Carnivale). My request is some sort of Kids event like Peanuts Celebration or Kidzfest. Another event I want is some sort of BBQ/Brew event which I think I just heard CP is getting this year. 

Overall, I'll be happy with what we have and will enjoy the events, but I'm starting to get frustrated with leadership rn. 

[Orion-XL200]

For some reason, it feels as if the events list is smaller than years past....maybe not. 

None of these events give me a reason to visit the park. Grand Carnivale is stale, Star Spangled Nights seems like a pretty standard celebration (I'll be at CP likely anyway) and Food/Wine Fest isn't worth the $ for me especially if there isn't a tasting card.

[disco2000]

24 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

The special event lineup has been posted! Outside of a few extra nights for Star Spangled Nights, it's basically what we expected. Food and Wine and Carnivale are back.

https://www.sixflags.com/kingsisland/events

A few thoughts:

While I'm glad Food and Wine is back, I will continue to die on the hill and preach it should be a late April through Memorial Day event not a late May through June event

Carnivale has run its course imo. A little bit disappointed it's back but we all knew it was coming since Tony supposedly said it at No Coaster Con. Imo if they aren't going to return it to 2019 levels than they should retire it

A big missed opportunity with Pass Preview by not doing what Carowinds did with some sort of charity donation event. There are plenty of charities around here and would be a perfect opportunity to do it. Also a pass member Q&A/presentation session would've been perfect. 

I don't like complaining, but I'm getting kinda bored of the same old same old at KI year after year when it comes to events. Food and Wine was a good start imo, but there hasn't been any new event added since. I personally think there should be some sort of new event added every other year or so. Moving Food and Wine to April/May would open up the door for some sort of June event in between that and a peak summer event (Carnivale). My request is some sort of Kids event like Peanuts Celebration or Kidzfest. Another event I want is some sort of BBQ/Brew event which I think I just heard CP is getting this year. 

Overall, I'll be happy with what we have and will enjoy the events, but I'm starting to get frustrated with leadership rn. 

Aren't Dollywood's festivals the same old, same old, every year?  Heck some of Dollywood's shows ran for years.  What about Disney and Busch?

[OwenFromTheRacer]

28 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Carnivale has run its course imo.

I’m glad someone finally said it. It’s old news at this point, I think they should retire it and come up with a new event.

[DonHelbig]

1 hour ago, disco2000 said:

Aren't Dollywood's festivals the same old, same old, every year?  Heck some of Dollywood's shows ran for years.  What about Disney and Busch?

Dollywood changes up the menu items and entertainment for its festivals so there are new things to experience. The name of the events are the same, but it’s not the same old every year.

EPCOT has new menu offerings, entertainment and topiaries every year during its Flower & Garden Festival, so it too doesn’t feel it’s a rinse and repeat event.

Busch Gardens VA makes changes to its menu and other offerings for its annual Food & Wine Festival. It gets more immersive every year.

I thought Kings Island made an effort to improve Food & Wine last year. It was still very small scale in comparison to Busch Gardens  but a step in the right direction.

Grand Carnivale the past couple years just feels like it’s rolled out to fill dates on the events calendar. It’s still a nice event but not what it could and should be. 

 

 

 

[disco2000]

7 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

Dollywood changes up the menu items and entertainment for its festivals so there are new things to experience. The name of the events are the same, but it’s not the same old every year.

EPCOT has new menu offerings, entertainment and topiaries every year during its Flower & Garden Festival, so it too doesn’t feel it’s a rinse and repeat event.

Busch Gardens VA makes changes to its menu and other offerings for its annual Food & Wine Festival. It gets more immersive every year.

I thought Kings Island made an effort to improve Food & Wine last year. It was still very small scale in comparison to Busch Gardens  but a step in the right direction.

Grand Carnivale the past couple years just feels like it’s rolled out to fill dates on the events calendar. It’s still a nice event but not what it could and should be. 

Right, but they need to keep the name to build a following.  Switching it up every two years won't gather the following.  Who knows if KI changed the food offerings since they didn't have tasting cards lol.  Or maybe that is why they didn't so the food could stay the same...

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

3 hours ago, disco2000 said:

Aren't Dollywood's festivals the same old, same old, every year?  Heck some of Dollywood's shows ran for years.  What about Disney and Busch?

Dollywood has made an effort to improve those events year after year while KI has been doing the exact opposite. If they would've improved upon Carnivale from 2019 and made it bigger and better instead of watering it down, we'd be having a much different conversation. 

I like the events KI puts on, but my frustration is more along the lines of them not "improving" the events instead they either keep it the same or water it down. Hopefully with Food and Wine being better last year and new leadership at top we see more of an emphasis on improving these events as well as adding new events.

Again, if they would move Food and Wine to late April through May (which is imo the best time to do an event like that) they could do another event in June. Either a Kidzfest event in Snoopy or a Brew/BBQ event or why not both? 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

2 hours ago, disco2000 said:

Aren't Dollywood's festivals the same old, same old, every year?  Heck some of Dollywood's shows ran for years.  What about Disney and Busch?

I was thinking this as well. A lot of seasonal events at those parks have been going for 10+ years with some barely seeing big changes since 2020. While those events change up their menu items and entertainment offerings, I don't think Cedar Fair/Six Flags have seen much reason to change up event offerings like that — especially under their "the status-quo is fine" era. This will be Grand Carnivale's 6th year (skipping 2020 and 2022), the Food & Wine Festival's 3rd year, and Star Spangled Nights is being made into a week-long celebration. Carnivale definitely needs something to revitalize it, but if this is indeed the event's last year then I hope we'll get something new and improved in 2027 that isn't just a cookie cutter event already found at other parks. 

The fact that Halloween Haunt, Tricks and Treats, and Winterfest are not yet shown on the events list does worry me. Carowinds and Cedar Point both posted their entire 2026 festival calendar while some other parks are in similar situations to Kings Island. I don't think this is a sign that those events are cancelled, it just upsetting that the park hasn't released the information in (what I'd consider to be) a timely manner. 

2 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:

For some reason, it feels as if the events list is smaller than years past....maybe not. 

Comparing the 2026 events list to the 2016 list, then yes it is indeed smaller. On this day in 2016 Kings Island had the following events posted to their website:

(* exclusive to Gold or Platinum Passholders; ** exclusive to enthusiast club members)

• Opening Day (4/16)
• Banshee Brew Festival (5/06, 5/07, 5/13, 5/14)
• Exclusive Night Rides for Banshee, The Bat, and the Blackout maze* (5/13)
• Coasterstock** (5/20-5/22)
• Soak City Gold Pass Preview* (5/21, 5/22)
• Memorial Day Weekend Free Military Admission (5/27-5/30)
• Food Truck Festival (6/03-6/05)
• Dive-In Movies (6/03, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24)
• JDRF One Walk (6/04)
• Exclusive Night Rides for Diamondback, Woodstock Gliders, and Woodstock Express* (6/16)
• SpiritSong (6/23-6/25)
• Fourth of July Holiday Free Military Admission (7/02-7/04)
• Sundaes & Slides* (7/03, 7/10, 7/17, 7/24, 7/31)
• Exclusive Night Rides for Racer, Monster, Scrambler, and the Grand Carousel* (8/11)
• National Roller Coaster Day (8/16)
• Fire and Safety Days Free Admission for Active Fire and Police (8/26-8/28)
• Glow Run 5k (10/21)
• Run & Ride (10/21, 10/23)

Compared to the current 2026 Events calendar:

• Perks & Play Season Passholder Preview* (4/17)
• Opening Day (4/18)
• Soak City Opening Weekend (5/23)
• Food & Wine Festival (Fri-Sun 5/29-6/21)
• Star-Spangled Night (7/4)
• Grand Carnivale (7/18-8/02)

Something I just noticed while typing this up is that the week-long Star-Spangled Nights event has been quietly updated to only be one night long on July 4th. I thought that kind of thing would've been important to get right before publishing to the website, but apparently not.

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

To be fair in 2016, KI really only put on select day/weekend pop up events or events put on by outside companies (SpiritSong and JDRF) in 2016. Interestingly, JDRF isn't doing their walk at KI this year and is instead doing it in a different location. I wonder what the deal is on why they moved it? Also ACE had a planned event this spring that was cancelled bc of rising costs to do it at KI. I wonder if that is also the reason for JDRF moving. 

I would love to see events like dive in movies and Island Nights return to Soak City as well as passholder night ERT events. The cost to do these pop up events can't be that much and would drive attendance. So I don't understand why the park just wants to do the bare minimum. They need to be thinking outside the box and they used to have people that do that.  

[disco2000]

It all comes down to money, or lack thereof.  

And while we may not agree, they see KI as a full-filled, growth limited market and don't believe the gains would exceed the costs.  And Orion-XL200 has pointed out many times KI isn't hurting for attendance.

That is why Texas is currently seeing the spend - they are deemed a market with a lot of growth potential.

 

[DonHelbig]

5 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

It all comes down to money, or lack thereof.  

And while we may not agree, they see KI as a full-filled, growth limited market and don't believe the gains would exceed the costs.  And Orion-XL200 has pointed out many times KI isn't hurting for attendance.

That is why Texas is currently seeing the spend - they are deemed a market with a lot of growth potential.

 

Not a wise move to tamper with longstanding relationships with ACE and JDRF. 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

KI being in a mature market is a poor excuse to not do dive in movies or passholder ERT events or pop up events that would appeal more to the locals than those out of town. Agree with Don that is not a wise move to tamper with ACE and JDRF but KI may have not had a choice bc the economy isn't the best right now and costs continue to increase everywhere. ACE may need to consider increasing their membership fees to accomodate rising costs of doing events like this. 

I personally think the park needs to start looking at making changes higher up in event planning. While I hate calling for jobs, I'm starting to get really frustrated with those high up in that area. While they may have their hands tied by corporate, There are other parks in the chain that are thinking outside the box when it comes to events and live entertainment (see Jeff Siebert's parks) while KI is just "ok let's just do food and wine at the beginning of summer and then a bigger fireworks show for 4th of July and then a watered down Carnivale and then Haunt and Winterfest." While I know there are other parks out there who would love to have an event lineup like that, it is a bit lackluster for a park like Kings Island with a huge fan and pass base where not that long ago used to have stacked event lineups and partnerships with outside vendors and would do all these pop up events and even charity stuff. Remember Kicks Cancer or the color runs? 

Changing subject, but I noticed Pass Preview has been changed to "Perks and Play Pass Preview" like Carowinds. There's still time for them to throw some sort of charity donation event into there for that as well as a Q&A/Presentation session. 

[disco2000]

13 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

KI being in a mature market is a poor excuse to not do dive in movies or passholder ERT events or pop up events that would appeal more to the locals than those out of town. Agree with Don that is not a wise move to tamper with ACE and JDRF but KI may have not had a choice bc the economy isn't the best right now and costs continue to increase everywhere. ACE may need to consider increasing their membership fees to accomodate rising costs of doing events like this. 

I personally think the park needs to start looking at making changes higher up in event planning. While I hate calling for jobs, I'm starting to get really frustrated with those high up in that area. While they may have their hands tied by corporate, There are other parks in the chain that are thinking outside the box when it comes to events and live entertainment (see Jeff Siebert's parks) while KI is just "ok let's just do food and wine at the beginning of summer and then a bigger fireworks show for 4th of July and then a watered down Carnivale and then Haunt and Winterfest." While I know there are other parks out there who would love to have an event lineup like that, it is a bit lackluster for a park like Kings Island with a huge fan and pass base where not that long ago used to have stacked event lineups and partnerships with outside vendors and would do all these pop up events and even charity stuff. Remember Kicks Cancer or the color runs? 

Changing subject, but I noticed Pass Preview has been changed to "Perks and Play Pass Preview" like Carowinds. There's still time for them to throw some sort of charity donation event into there for that as well as a Q&A/Presentation session. 

 

And like I said, the Texas parks (AKA Jeff Siebert's parks) are getting the money as that is where the chain sees growth.

Doesn't make it right, but the powers that be are complacent with a park like KI and as I have stated many times, as long as people keep buying passes, what is their incentive to improve the product?  At the end of the day, complaints and all, people still return every year.  Passes are bought every year.  Passes are bought and never used year after year.

So a park like KI suffers as a result.  But people will still buy their pass.

I am sure we will see you in the park this year....

 

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

5 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

I am sure we will see you in the park this year....

You for sure will see me in the park this year. First time since 2019 I have a season pass. Obviously I wouldn't be posting my constructive criticism if I still was employed by the company. The event lineup is a very minor issue to me. I'll still go when I get the chance. I just think the park can do better when it comes to special events and live entertainment. Obviously we still don't know the stage shows for this year but I'm sure Hot Rhythmn Nights is returning. Not sure about Showplace, Festhaus, or the KI Theater though as last year was the 2nd year for the shows in those venues. Even if the park just did a bands in residence program on select stages throughout the park like the carousel stage, LaRosas patio in Rivertown, Enriques patio, and Action Zone along with the existing entertainment lineup I'd be happy! 

[disco2000]

15 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

You for sure will see me in the park this year. First time since 2019 I have a season pass. Obviously I wouldn't be posting my constructive criticism if I still was employed by the company. The event lineup is a very minor issue to me. I'll still go when I get the chance. I just think the park can do better when it comes to special events and live entertainment. Obviously we still don't know the stage shows for this year but I'm sure Hot Rhythmn Nights is returning. Not sure about Showplace, Festhaus, or the KI Theater though as last year was the 2nd year for the shows in those venues. Even if the park just did a bands in residence program on select stages throughout the park like the carousel stage, LaRosas patio in Rivertown, Enriques patio, and Action Zone along with the existing entertainment lineup I'd be happy! 

I hear you, but again, until people quit buying the product in the quantity it is being bought at, at some level they think they don't have to do anything.

In my experience, very few walk away due to the product and not return.  Most end up renewing anyway, and if they sit out a season, come August they buy for the next year because the deal is too good.

Once there is a dip that they cannot write-off due to weather, then we may see some additional spend.  Until then, they are in maintenance mode of keeping their existing base and accounting for some loss, along with some new and will continue to invest less and less until that dip value is found.

[DonHelbig]

32 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

I hear you, but again, until people quit buying the product in the quantity it is being bought at, at some level they think they don't have to do anything.

In my experience, very few walk away due to the product and not return.  Most end up renewing anyway, and if they sit out a season, come August they buy for the next year because the deal is too good.

Once there is a dip that they cannot write-off due to weather, then we may see some additional spend.  Until then, they are in maintenance mode of keeping their existing base and accounting for some loss, along with some new and will continue to invest less and less until that dip value is found.

I know a number of people that did not renew this year and instead are now passholders to other parks in the region they experienced for the first time the past couple of years. There are other options that provide better value, they’re finding. And there will be more this year. 

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

28 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I personally think the park needs to start looking at making changes higher up in event planning. While I hate calling for jobs, I'm starting to get really frustrated with those high up in that area. While they may have their hands tied by corporate, There are other parks in the chain that are thinking outside the box when it comes to events and live entertainment (see Jeff Siebert's parks) while KI is just "ok let's just do food and wine at the beginning of summer and then a bigger fireworks show for 4th of July and then a watered down Carnivale and then Haunt and Winterfest." While I know there are other parks out there who would love to have an event lineup like that, it is a bit lackluster for a park like Kings Island with a huge fan and pass base where not that long ago used to have stacked event lineups and partnerships with outside vendors and would do all these pop up events and even charity stuff. Remember Kicks Cancer or the color runs? 

I agree that Kings Island's hands might be tied by Six Flags corporate when it comes to seasonal events and such. They see the status quo at KI as fine enough and what other parks should be living up to, so investment will be put into the parks that "need it". (Kings Island definitely needs to continue to be invested in, but it's unfortunately not near the top of the list IMO.)

I think the lack of event and ride upkeep is some of what JANA Partners was talking about in their letter when they said that Six Flags (and honestly Cedar Fair to an extent as well) have been mismanaged for years. The company likes the status quo too much and are too scared to change or fix things the "right" way, which manifests itself in the ways we've posted about. It's also what has led to the chain having less investment money compared to its competitors, also leading to what we've seen.

Around the same time today that Kings Island quietly changed Star-Spangled Nights to a one night celebration, Cedar Point added their own version of the Food & Wine Festival in the new Barrels and Bites. This could be another addition to offset the fact that they're not receiving a new ride, but it still stings.

To me the likelihood that a sizeable number of guests stop purchasing season passes is low. There would need to be a more-than-major dive in quality for guests to abandon the regional park their family has grown up at, at which point I don't know if the park would be able to easily recover.