John Peck

The 2015 map is showing the garden area with paths like before (not just a big green space). This space I think will remain a neutral space, which is good for the park.

There is something going on at Kings Island. The Tower Gardens area is being cleared. Not promoting the page, but here is a link: www.facebook.com/pages/Kings-Island-Past-Present-and-Future/247739365237806

I wonder if Shake, Rattle and Roll is going to be painted like Kings Dominions.

Saw this today: According to the News Plus Notes Blog, Hang Time is being taken out. http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2015/02/dorney-park-removing-thrill-ride-before.html

Very, very well said. With as much stuff as the park has, a good portion of it was at the end of its life or just not quite living up to its full potential. Mantis was the best example, as it had just an awesome presence, design, and layout but gave a somewhat painful, ride-it-once ride. Maverick never caused me any trouble, and I haven't experienced I305 yet, but if there was a concern by other guests, I'm glad they are paying attention to them, even though they won't get any ROI from it. Hopefully the other major problem in the park (Mean Streak) will either see some changes made to it or be replaced. The small details have really made the park more enjoyable for me and where the GP might not notice it, I feel that it will pay off in the long-run. Little things like the added restrooms and retheming/fixing up shops or eateries, the win a skip-the-line pass from Gatekeeper Pinko, the gate-less turnstyles at the front and of course, the quality of food goes such a long way and is a relatively simple fix. I enjoyed the Turnpike, and took a couple of extra trips on it last year, and yes, its a low capacity, and hard-to-get-into attraction that uses a lot of man labor to run it. I am a bit concerned that they are taking out 3 relatively significant family/kids attractions for whatever comes in 2016, (the Theater being the biggest one), so I hope a new exciting show will replace it soon.

^ I think it was just a quiet announcement, Larry. The Quasar was new last year (named Music Express) and this year it's off the website and I saw a photo post on their Facebook page that the new ride is going in it's place. (as it shows an empty lot). The Quasar wasn't a very good addition last season (IMO), as it did a similar ride cycle to the Chance Casino. Plus, both of these back-to-back A.R.M. rides seem to be Trailer-racked, which also makes me think that they may be temporary. (though that doesn't necessarily mean that)

^ I don't think it is as they have teased other locations in the park (including kiddieland) with the #kingdomseven hashtag.

I'm surprised that their Music Express (A.R.M. Quasar) only lasted one season. I wonder if this will be a temporary ride as well, since it's also an A.R.M.

Calypso is MIA, too, according to photo updates.

Breaking..... Dodgems are GONE. The rumor is a relocation close to Kiddy Kingdom and they are still on thew website.

On the subject of Banshee, it was a "perfect storm" of sorts. First, opening day was a Friday... and not just a "Friday" it was "Good Friday" (named after Jesus being crucified and dying on the cross, in case any of you are unaware of the term) so all sorts of people being off school and on Easter and spring break decided to go to Kings Island that day. The weather was very nice, and after such a cold winter in 13/14, a day at the park was welcomed. Plus, the park opened at noon, so everyone got there at the same time. Add to a major crash-course in training, and you got 4 to 7 hour lines. I wasn't there. I had to work, but I did go the day after (Saturday) and the lines never went past 2 hours—if that. Okay back to Carowinds....

I'd be okay if they were kiddie rides, even though they added some last year, they can always use more to balance out the "announced ones" for this year.

I can see the next KI coaster project being a Giga Coaster in 2017/2018. I would also expect it to be a B&M. The annual attendance (3.3 million) would justify the cost. Increasing competition is becoming more evident so they will want something to help pull people back to Ohio.

Sorry for the double post, I was trying to post a pic of the Skyway in 2003 and it wouldn't work. (after trying several different things)

I wonder if it's more of a wheelchair accessible expense over everything else. The ride might not have the numbers to justify two elevators (if they don't have them already. I haven't been to the park since 2003 and couldn't remember many details.

Come to think of it, the Dodgem sign on the roof appears to be missing, but I don't know if that's normal off-season tear-down.

Putting LED"s on a Ferris Wheel like KK's will cost around $1 Million, I think that's what Cedar Point spent on theirs, and that was a few years ago and their wheel is smaller, though it was the largest in the states when it was built. But I'm sure that LED's have dropped in price since then.

*If* the dorms are razed and the coaster goes into part of that spot, i would hope that the tight curve in the road is straightened out and moved over and rides like the Turnpike and Cadillac cars are saved, but I think Turnpike will be one of our losses. I also think the newspaper article is legit, for the main fact that the park had a response to it, which they don't do when it comes to rumors and speculation, based on history.

Ironically, Cypress Gardens had a Disk-o Ride in their "last years"

To be fair, I see all kinds of families riding Millennium, Dragster and Gatekeeper. Just because the kids grow into teens doesn't mean the family goes away. And also, didn't the park market Pipe Scream as a family coaster this year?

Yes, my trip to Wonderland back in october found me very much disliking the wood coasters this time (I loved them back in 2001 and 2004, and not so much in 2006). Both rides had significant problems, that could be simple fixes.

And that's sort of what I was thinking, the potential removal of The Ranger and a new ride with a similar action to replace it. But why not install a Double-Sweep Hawk for better capacity. Anyway, good to see the park is continuing to add new attractions.

As much as i like new rides, The Loop is going to basically do the same thing as the Ranger. Seems like an odd addition to me in such a small park when there are so many other different ride choices out there in the same price range.

^These 70' Larson Loops for the parks don't simply fold up into a trailer like the mobile versions. These have foundations and are put together like the structure of a steel coaster, in several pieces and an entirely different support structure.

I wonder if they would be pay-per-rides like a Skyscraper or Slingshot. Seems a little weird that they would go though so many efforts to advertise 5 new rides and change it up after the season pass sale has ended.