Take this with a heavy grain of salt, but ElToroRyan on YouTube stated that he's heard recent rumors of Kings Island being the park that bought ArieForce One. I do consider him a credible source, as he previously was the first to report about Top Thrill Dragster being redone by Zamperla and Kingda Ka being retired after 2024. This is unconfirmed, so it's entirely possible that this could be false or there could be a change of plans, so please don't take this as fact until we hear otherwise.

I watched the video and he put 2 different potential locations. One in Area 72 replacing some of the maintineance buildings and the parade float tent which I don't see happening for obvious reasons. The other is back behind Banshee and he mentioned he heard a pre merger rumor of the park potentially expanding the park's footprint to connect A72 and Action Zone which I don't see happening as KI can't even staff the park consistently as is. What makes you think they'd be able to staff a major expansion like that?

4 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I watched the video and he put 2 different potential locations. One in Area 72 replacing some of the maintineance buildings and the parade float tent which I don't see happening for obvious reasons. The other is back behind Banshee and he mentioned he heard a pre merger rumor of the park potentially expanding the park's footprint to connect A72 and Action Zone which I don't see happening as KI can't even staff the park consistently as is. What makes you think they'd be able to staff a major expansion like that?

Those locations were his speculation only, and I definitely don't see that second location happening for the same reason you just described. The first is a little more feasible, though I imagine it would add significant costs to build new maintenance buildings farther out from the park as well as the parade float tent. If AF1 comes to Kings Island, I think it would probably go somewhere else instead of the two locations he brought up.

18 minutes ago, WoodVengeance said:

Those locations were his speculation only, and I definitely don't see that second location happening for the same reason you just described. The first is a little more feasible, though I imagine it would add significant costs to build new maintenance buildings farther out from the park as well as the parade float tent. If AF1 comes to Kings Island, I think it would probably go somewhere else instead of the two locations he brought up.

I was actually just thinking about this. I feel like if they did the 2nd one, they would make it another Bat or WWC and just build a long pathway out to it. Like what they probably would do is demolish the SOB station and have the path start where SOB's old queue is currently and have it wrap under Banshee's turn there where part of the service road goes and then have it wrap up the hill into a new plaza. Think what Holiday World did with Thunderbird. If the park did that I would hope they would add a restroom and a restaurant/drink stand out there and maybe relocate/add a used flat ride or 2 there, but knowing how the park can't keep things open or fully stocked, I don't think would do this or do it properly.

8 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

I was actually just thinking about this. I feel like if they did the 2nd one, they would make it another Bat or WWC and just build a long pathway out to it. Like what they probably would do is demolish the SOB station and have the path start where SOB's old queue is currently and have it wrap under Banshee's turn there where part of the service road goes and then have it wrap up the hill into a new plaza. Think what Holiday World did with Thunderbird. If the park did that I would hope they would add a restroom and a restaurant/drink stand out there and maybe relocate/add a used flat ride or 2 there, but knowing how the park can't keep things open or fully stocked, I don't think would do this or do it properly.

Might be why they put up the SOB station to be demolished. Add a sit-down restraunt and spuce up the area a bit in 2027 and then add the coaster in 2028. Eltoro is always very careful about rumors more than most. Might explain why we haven't heard anything till the sale was final.

Of course the same reasoning could be why Magic Mountain delayed thier announement by a week...........

Another thing I would like to add in relation to staffing and capacity is that if Kings Island gets AF1, they will probably incorporate in-queue lockers and metal detectors like Steel Vengeance and Twisted Timbers.

Would probably be more like my pic below:

Key:

Yellow = restroom

light blue = restaurant (big restaurant more like the size of Coney BBQ or Brewhouse)

brown = exit gift shop

Basically in my concept, the station is flip flopped from how it was at Atlanta. The exit is on the load side and the load side in on the exit side. Also in ETR's video, the rumors he's hearing is Six Flags may be eyeing a 3rd train and doing an unload station like Wildcat's Revenge. Sadly, this may mean the finale may be altered. Remember, take everything with grain of salt as he may be wrong or plans could change.

11 minutes ago, robintodd said:

Might be why they put up the SOB station to be demolished. Add a sit-down restraunt and spuce up the area a bit in 2027 and then add the coaster in 2028.

I feel they would do everything at once. If they were to make a new area out behind Banshee they would want an anchor to get people back there.

I remember overlaying it a while ago but I don’t have a copy anymore. If you remove Timberwolf, and Congo Falls. Put the station where the Timberwolf stage is located. The one end would be next to the entrance plaza, probably behind Invertigo, and the other would be somewhere around the Son of Beast station or maybe a little farther.

I have no idea how they could expect to be able to need 3 trains. The ride is not that long, and RMC trains are slow to load. Personally I doubt it will end up at Kings Island.

I’d much rather have Kings Island build its own RMC from the ground up.

11 hours ago, Tr0y said:

I’d much rather have Kings Island build its own RMC from the ground up.

Same. I want another mountain of a landmark for the park skyline similar to what Son of Beast provided.

13 hours ago, Tr0y said:

I’d much rather have Kings Island build its own RMC from the ground up.

I’d much rather have ice for my drinks when I use the drink plan I paid for.

1 hour ago, DonHelbig said:

I’d much rather have ice for my drinks when I use the drink plan I paid for.

I had the drink plan for a couple years but stopped after I had too many drinks without either ice or syrup.

Your sentiment is correct.

News from Marcus Leshock on X. Six Flags to make an announcement on Tuesday ‘’that will turn heads across the amusement industry and reinforce Six Flags' position as the home of world-class thrills.” Could this be for ArieForce One?

19 minutes ago, Imperial79 said:

News from Marcus Leshock on X. Six Flags to make an announcement on Tuesday ‘’that will turn heads across the amusement industry and reinforce Six Flags' position as the home of world-class thrills.” Could this be for ArieForce One?

I’d be more inclined to renew my pass if they announced they were committed to keeping the drink refill stations stocked with ice and were upgrading the technology at the turnstiles to get guests in quicker like other parks have done.

51 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

I’d be more inclined to renew my pass if they announced they were committed to keeping the drink refill stations stocked with ice and were upgrading the technology at the turnstiles to get guests in quicker like other parks have done.

This morning, it was about 8 to 10 second delay between the scan and being able to accept the entry on the screen.

2 hours ago, DonHelbig said:

I’d be more inclined to renew my pass if they announced they were committed to keeping the drink refill stations stocked with ice and were upgrading the technology at the turnstiles to get guests in quicker like other parks have done.

I agree. They need to move to an RFID system. Way too many times I get stuck behind someone at the parking lot gate not knowing how to scan their phone…

2 hours ago, DonHelbig said:

I’d be more inclined to renew my pass if they announced they were committed to keeping the drink refill stations stocked with ice and were upgrading the technology at the turnstiles to get guests in quicker like other parks have done.

The drink improvements are not likely. It's been an ongoing issue for many years. My question for you is why do you still buy the drink plan? If more people hold them accountable maybe they'll wake up.

Regarding the turnstiles they'd rather force people to use an app when all you really need is a barcode or a chip card found at every hotel for the last 10 years

They don't care about us, they only care about cutting costs. They think people won't notice, but they're dead wrong. They are eroding the relationship with tomorrow's customer to save a buck today.

But then again why would they care about the long term health of the park when they primarily care about quarterly results and the stock price?

19 minutes ago, KI Guy said:

The drink improvements are not likely. It's been an ongoing issue for many years. My question for you is why do you still buy the drink plan? If more people hold them accountable maybe they'll wake up.

Regarding the turnstiles they'd rather force people to use an app when all you really need is a barcode or a chip card found at every hotel for the last 10 years

They don't care about us, they only care about cutting costs. They think people won't notice, but they're dead wrong. They are eroding the relationship with tomorrow's customer to save a buck today.

But then again why would they care about the long term health of the park when they primarily care about quarterly results and the stock price?

I haven’t renewed my season pass, dining plan or drink plan for 2027.

3 minutes ago, DonHelbig said:

I haven’t renewed my season pass, dining plan or drink plan for 2027.

Glad to hear it. I have not renewed my pass either. If they do add AF1, I'll be back.

35 minutes ago, KI Guy said:

The drink improvements are not likely. It's been an ongoing issue for many years. My question for you is why do you still buy the drink plan? If more people hold them accountable maybe they'll wake up.

Regarding the turnstiles they'd rather force people to use an app when all you really need is a barcode or a chip card found at every hotel for the last 10 years

They don't care about us, they only care about cutting costs. They think people won't notice, but they're dead wrong. They are eroding the relationship with tomorrow's customer to save a buck today.

But then again why would they care about the long term health of the park when they primarily care about quarterly results and the stock price?

Plenty of people still have their physical card with a barcode and still experience 10 seconds from scan to entry.

And ironically less people buying drink plans will improve the ice situation as the demand will drop and ice will be plentiful.

12 hours ago, Tr0y said:

I agree. They need to move to an RFID system. Way too many times I get stuck behind someone at the parking lot gate not knowing how to scan their phone…

I also agree, and it’s definitely possible on a large scale. At Perfect North Slopes with my season pass all I have to do is put my skis on, go to the first lift and the gates automatically scan and accept me on. Don’t even have to go through any “entrances”. It’s amazing!

Coke needs the same system they have at Herschend parks with the barcodes on the cups. It could work with passes for the paper cups as well. Scan your cup/pass and you have 20 seconds to fill up your drink. Then you have fewer staff at stands and they could be keeping the drinks and ice filled instead of scanning passes and asking if you want to convert to a souvenir cup instead of paper when you already have said plan.

Back on topic. I don't think KI is getting AF1. I would be totally surprised if it does. Nor do I think this announcement on Monday and Tuesday has anything to do with it either.

22 minutes ago, IndyGuy4KI said:

Coke needs the same system they have at Herschend parks with the barcodes on the cups. It could work with passes for the paper cups as well. Scan your cup/pass and you have 20 seconds to fill up your drink. Then you have fewer staff at stands and they could be keeping the drinks and ice filled instead of scanning passes and asking if you want to convert to a souvenir cup instead of paper when you already have said plan.

Back on topic. I don't think KI is getting AF1. I would be totally surprised if it does. Nor do I think this announcement on Monday and Tuesday has anything to do with it either.

The drink system works well at the Herschend parks. I’d love to see KI and other Six Flags parks do something similar.