2026 Kings Con

[BeeastFarmer]

ACE Eastern Great Lakes had planned on an event called KingsCon at KI in late May.

This is now canceled due to high cost.  

I know enthusiasts are a small part of the population of park goers, but for this region of ACE to be this blunt does not bode well:

With registration opening on Day of the Dragon and Bonus Round, we unfortunately have to announce the cancellation of KingsCon, our 2026 event at Kings Island.

As we've stated before, costs and pricing are rising everywhere, but the cost for ERT quoted by Kings Island was significantly higher than ACE can afford as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. While we hope that we can continue working with the park and maintain a relationship that dates back 47 years, an annual event is not possible with the prices and minimums the park has in place.

We're sorry for those of you who were excited for another Kings Island event like we were, but we hope to still see you at one of our many regional events this summer.

Kings Island:  don't bite the hand that feeds you.  You may save nickles on the front end, but you will loose dollars on the flippity flip.  

BTW:  It is now the end of March and nothing has been said of Coasterstock '26 that i know of.

[BoddaH1994]

Before someone hops in to blame ACE: notice how they’re not having this problem at other parks; this includes other Six Flags parks. 

[Tr0y]

33 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

ACE Eastern Great Lakes had planned on an event called KingsCon at KI in late May.

This is now canceled due to high cost.  

I know enthusiasts are a small part of the population of park goers, but for this region of ACE to be this blunt does not bode well:

With registration opening on Day of the Dragon and Bonus Round, we unfortunately have to announce the cancellation of KingsCon, our 2026 event at Kings Island.

As we've stated before, costs and pricing are rising everywhere, but the cost for ERT quoted by Kings Island was significantly higher than ACE can afford as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. While we hope that we can continue working with the park and maintain a relationship that dates back 47 years, an annual event is not possible with the prices and minimums the park has in place.

We're sorry for those of you who were excited for another Kings Island event like we were, but we hope to still see you at one of our many regional events this summer.

Kings Island:  don't bite the hand that feeds you.  You may save nickles on the front end, but you will loose dollars on the flippity flip.  

BTW:  It is now the end of March and nothing has been said of Coasterstock '26 that i know of.

I don’t believe there has been an announcement for Coastermania ‘26 at CP either.

[disco2000]

Sounds like they are still employing the adorable as it is predictable concept....

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

#timetocleanhouse #firewhoeverisinchargeofevents 

Meanwhile Great Adventure just added another summer event with their new Boardwalk area and continues to have a great relationship between the park and fansites. 

Yet KI can't accomodate an ACE event bc of "cost" and likely pushed JDRF and Spirit Song away along with other charity/outside organization events the park used to do before covid and during Don's tenture.

[johnjniehaus]

To be fair I know California Great America and SFDK raised their rates on ACE Northern California resulting in that region failing to meet the new minimums and being priced out of events at those parks. Yes some of the regions seem to have negotiated better deals and considering that ACE East Great Lakes has an event at Stricker's Grove (which is probably not cheap) I'd imagine Kings Island was at fault and didn't try to work with them at all. Here in ACE Northwest Region we unfortunately have the same issue with Silverwood not being very flexible or wanting to work with us. 

[BeeastFarmer]

Sometimes you have to have a loss leader.

But then again, Six Flags is happy, evidently, with KI's numbers. 

It's weighted heavily towards pass holders, so they don't have to worry too much about making big and bold, just keep the pass holders happy.

They'll continue this way until pass sales fall significantly.

So in the eyes of KI leadership and or Six Flags leadership, there is no need to Kings Con.  ACE was very transparent with their words, at least ACE leadership in that region seems to be not pleased. 

[IndyGuy4KI]

I have tried a few times to have a KIC event at the park. When the price comes back, I just couldn't justify charging KIC members the amount it would take just to break even for the event. Plus, getting the minimum people to pay for the event I did not think was achievable with the cost.  That was just just  for 1 ride with ERT and 1 meal for the day and no guarantee the guest speak would be there. It's  just not practical any more. I understand ACEs frustration.

[DonHelbig]

When it comes to relationships with groups like American Coaster Enthusiasts, they don’t see the picture at all. You can’t build long-term value while treating the very community and people who helped build your legacy like disposable assets.

[Gordon Bombay]

1 hour ago, DonHelbig said:

When it comes to relationships with groups like American Coaster Enthusiasts, they don’t see the picture at all. You can’t build long-term value while treating the very community and people who helped build your legacy like disposable assets.

Remember when you wouldn't let Bill come to Diamondback media day?

[teenageninja]

1 hour ago, Gordon Bombay said:

Remember when you wouldn't let Bill come to Diamondback media day?

Who da heck is Bill?!?!

[Gordon Bombay]

2 minutes ago, teenageninja said:

Who da heck is Bill?!?!

Shout out to @ZosoBeast - former KIC contributor and staff member who got treated “like a disposable asset.”  
 

See you at KIC day this year, @teenageninja? Or do those not happen anymore…

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

I was like 6 years old when Diamondback debuted so I have no idea about this whole thing. What happened? 

[DonHelbig]

20 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I was like 6 years old when Diamondback debuted so I have no idea about this whole thing. What happened? 

To preserve the integrity of the first riders auction, I only had 15 spots to work with for non-traditional media to attend Diamondback media day. To help localize the story for media outlets, I used most of these spots to invite enthusiasts from Indianapolis, Louisville, Lexington, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Toledo, and Detroit for TV news satellite hits. KIC had representation at the event out of the 15 spots, as did ACE and GOCC. 

[Gordon Bombay]

Lol, ok Don. 🙄

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

And because of those limited spots, someone didn't get to attend and was therefore very upset about it.

 

I'm not shocked that Kings Island/Six Flags have increased the price of private events and ERT experiences like that. It's not good for their relationships with coaster enthusiast groups and such, but if they still have all of the other private events then I don't think they will think much about lowering the price. 

[Gordon Bombay]

56 minutes ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

And because of those limited spots, someone didn't get to attend and was therefore very upset about it.

Not quite, but then again—no one was trying to steal a first ride or challenge the “integrity” of a first rider auction. My point is this: I understand ACE’s disappointment with the current situation, but you can’t rewrite history as some like to do. This type of park/enthusiast balance isn’t new. Especially at KI. 

[johnjniehaus]

Again not sure what happened 15+ years ago at the park that obviously some people still have negative feelings about but I can say that the park was noticably more likely to work with enthusiast clubs while @DonHelbig was with the park especially compared to their current leadership. I think ACE and GOCC and other groups have had issues with their connection with the parks disappearing as people like Don move on or get replaced. The relationships are no longer there and Enthusiasts are treated the same as a company like P&G or GE or Kroger trying to rent out space in the park. Traditionally enthusiasts were often given special privileges and pricing and the new leadership doesn't have good relationships with the club representatives therefore organizations like ACE get treated the same as any large cooperation - if you can't put up the money or the numbers to meet the minimums the park is not going to do anything for you anymore 

[Gordon Bombay]

Edit.

[Pagoda Gift Shop]

For what it's worth, ACE held an event (ERScream!) at KI last October.  It seemed well-attended, but the weather was poor.  At dinner in the picnic grove, park manager Tony Carovillano announced the park would be closing early.  This was a bummer and meant no haunt attractions, but was understandable due to the weather.  Overall it was a good event with a slightly disappointing ending.  

I was looking forward to KingsCon as a follow-up event, especially with the uncertainty about Coasterstock this year.  If they do have Coasterstock, I wonder what the price will be.  

 

[DonHelbig]

11 hours ago, Pagoda Gift Shop said:

For what it's worth, ACE held an event (ERScream!) at KI last October.  It seemed well-attended, but the weather was poor.  At dinner in the picnic grove, park manager Tony Carovillano announced the park would be closing early.  This was a bummer and meant no haunt attractions, but was understandable due to the weather.  Overall it was a good event with a slightly disappointing ending.  

I was looking forward to KingsCon as a follow-up event, especially with the uncertainty about Coasterstock this year.  If they do have Coasterstock, I wonder what the price will be.  

 

I attended ERScream. I thought ACE put together a nice event and made the best of the way things turned out with the weather.