drummermattk

^agreed. One can only wonder what's in the grey building for the queue. I would think maybe a pre-show?

New content from Kings Island!!!! Drone footage of Orion (it is legal) of Orion's layout here : [youtu_be] [/youtu_be]Official Park Blog Post In other new's if some dont recall, Vortex's trains (and Firehawk's) trains where sent to sister park Carowinds. Firehawk last year and Vortex this year. Firehawk's became part donors to Nighthawk and well................................... Vortex's have replaced the Carolina Cyclone's trains (or some car's) Source If you go here, WCCB, A news station out of Charlotte with the series Wilson's World stopped by the park. Around the 7:50 mark of the video they show Cyclone's trains...................which in turn are Vortex trains.

I believe they are opening this year as they havent found a buyer for the land yet and it could be the park's last season. I remember hearing something about it a couple months ago but dont quote me on it

I visited the park for the first time in 2017 ( with a trip report for you people that love them) and my first experience at the park wasn't the best in in my opinion. yeah i got on all the coasters and got all the credits but the park didn't really seem to "amuse" me with everything built on top of one another. When I went back in 2018 i had a better time and really enjoyed my visit. I'm sad to see the park go and hopefully the steel coasters can be relocated somewhere close (cough ed hart el loco cough) but it'll be interesting to see what happens with some of the rides. 2017 Trip Report

https://twitter.com/KingsIslandPR/status/1225919054285885442 Trains are all on the track. Wit the webcam being took down, one can only imagine that the ride might be operational soon.

well with a train already on the track one could assume it will be moving soon.............

Just a heads up, it was posted on another sites forum but the orion webcam will be coming down until the end of march.

Last i checked a couple days ago, the diamondback cam was took down, wonder why

For those who dont know, King Louie's Winter Walkthrough will be on 2/15/2020....... just wanted to give a heads up

Winterfest begins next Friday, which means in person views of ORION!!! Anyone else going? Ill be there hopefully Friday and Saturday night and ill try to post a Photo TR from the opening weekend.

Probably going to do the same with what they did with Firehawk. Once the ride closes for good no work might happen until after Winterfest closes. None the less they could end up stripping the mechanical and electrical hardware before and during Winterfest and everything but I dont know how they do it all.

just woke up to the news and im still like WTF. I honestly dont think its that bad of a ride but i understand why its being removed. I remember working the ride in '16 and checking restraints gave me some good blisters on my hands haha. Im sure gonna miss it. Crazy to think in 3 years the skyline has changed with two coasters gone and one replacement. Wonder if with the removal we will see a new coaster in 2021 or 2022.

Love the update!!!!! Was gonna say hi when I saw you when i ran into one of the FYE Coaster guys but didnt wanna intrude haha looking forward to more of your reports!

Just wanted to give an update on the site. For those who didnt get to watch the stream or had difficulty watching the park's live stream (yes i know it was bad, I had people commenting on mine that my stream was better) check it out here: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Onto the pictures! Crane is on site. Actually the larger part rolled right in as I was over taking pictures(: Transfer area and exit out of the Main brake is done. A look over at the location of the final turn into the path of the main brake as well as a close spot of the drop. The lone footer trying to hide. Work continues on the concrete pouring down near Racer SkyHigh Coasters will be in charge of I believe erecting the steel. Don't quote me on that though. Firehawk trains just sitting around Heavy machinery and or track looks to be moved soon as they have concrete barriers down near Banshee. The barriers where up two weeks ago but it looks like they where moved from the road for now. Finally the crane is assembled and just waiting for the tires to be installed then onto the site it will go! Just my opinion, yes I have seen the stats of the ride, I have seen all the comments about the ride on Facebook and everywhere and honestly? I say who cares what the comments say! As a regular that goes to Kings Island almost weekly, I am personally excited to see this project evolve throughout its construction and cannot wait till Spring of 2020!

The park is implementing a new policy on cell phones now. The big 3 coasters now have signs like this in front of their stations (Mystic, Diamondback and Banshee). The new policy is exactly how it was stated above about what happens if someone does not put their phone away. New signs

About that Wing Coaster idea................... I don't find it as a good fit at KI like a Giga would. To be fair, within what a 6 hour radius from KI, there are 4 other wing coasters. Yeah you could put the tallest, fastest, longest, maybe fastest launched Wing Coaster at the park, but since theirs a HUGE variety of size, speed and height already around that radius I mentioned, I dont think we will see a wing coaster. If its a dive ill literally eat my S**t. Whatever is going on though, its exciting to see it all happen

They where actual smoked wings, however I dont know how smoked they where.............. i didnt taste any smoke like when I had the ones from Harmony Hall.

I'll try to start giving a weekly update from the park since I'll be visiting a lot more (maybe daily if something changes during my visits ) On Friday, April 26th, the weather was much better than the previous weekend. In terms of land clearing, as you've seen the stretch of land has been extended back towards Beast's first brake shed. All 3 Arrow's where open as well and entertainment options where posted at locations around the park. Currently the following shows are set to be for this year: Gravity - Kings Island Theater Off The Charts - International Bandstand *NEW*Flashback 80's - International Showplace *NEW* Country Flashback - Festhaus *NEW* Space Beagle - Peanuts Showpalce Land clearing heading back towards Beast's first brake shed. Its interesting to note how close this is coming to Field of Screams, the parks Haunt maze that is only 3 years old. It will be interesting to see if the maze returns this season. Nothing new from the looks of it. The building that was mentioned above is what is pictured Vortex is finally open! Watching it come down from the Eiffel tower. Underrated Gem is back open as well The shrubs/plants around the exit for Bat have been chopped so you get a good shot like this of the Bat as well as a good shot of the helix on Banshee if you move to the left of where this photo was captured. Calling all pin collectors! a look at the pin options at Coasters Connection, between Drop Tower and Banshee Chicken Shack in Action Zone now has smoked chicken wings with the flavors of plain, barbecue and mild. This option is included with dining plans

NO......just no lol I'd rather have Rougarou

Saw the glockenspeil work on opening weekend. I believe its every 15 minutes (correct me if im wrong) or maybe its quarter till the hour. I cannot agree more with the posts above, that the park looks amazing and the renovations they did in the off season continues to improve the park and in my honest opinion hopefully return the park to a THEME park!

For anyone's eyes and ears, Glockenspiel has begun testing! https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv2lHOihTma/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=kbm5gs4m8psy&fbclid=IwAR09IDzhFnB3HlLUpDjKQRpF0282GHRnDA9l4YAzP0uknKM8xX_w8QGI0kk

For anyone that has KI as their home-park, or for those who visited from now back to the dawn of dinosaurs (just kidding haha) some may have seen the Festhaus at the park and these figures either sitting still or moving around to announce the time. well have no fear cause it is returning for this season after a refurbishment! Here's what the KI Blog said about the refurbishment on 3/29/2019: In 2019, antique cars also will return to the park, along with a completely renovated International Street, and celebration of the Beast’s 40th anniversary. For many adults, this season they will see Kings Island like they haven’t in decades. Festhaus Facts The glockenspiel over the main entrance of Festhaus was made by employees in the Central Shop of Taft Attractions, the creative arm of Taft Broadcasting Company, which owned Kings Island when Festhaus was built. There are five fiberglass figures, each over four feet tall. Each were in disrepair until recently. Inside Festhaus are the original tables handcrafted by David T. Smith (and his staff), who still operates a workshop in Morrow, Ohio today. The Verdin Company provided both the original Festhaus clock in 1982 as well as the new clock which will debut at the beginning of the 2019 season. Personally i have very little memories of this working in the park but i am excited to see it come back to life! Heres the link to the blog post as well: Blog Post

Shes cycling right now as of 1:06 PM EST

This past weekend I was able to visit the park all day Saturday (opening day) and half of the day on Sunday for the first time since my first visit in 2017. As much I would love to say that i enjoyed my visit I..........................................LOVED and enjoyed my visit. Despite the somewhat chilly temperatures all weekend (other than Sundays heatwave of almost 65 degrees) the park was still as beautiful as always and the rides where running amazing (minus Mystery Mine). Here are some of my thoughts on my visit: The new retrack on Thunderhead looks amazing! sadly i did not get to ride it this weekend but alas i still have the credit the former area of splash battle really opens up the area and gives some good shots of Wild Eagle, Firechaser Express and Mystery Mine Wildwood Grove continues to look amazing (despite the green grass and giant tree centerpiece) However there is something that I will show in my photos that has myself and some of the people i was hanging out with curious. This visit I did not miss out on Cinnamon Bread haha and it was the best $10 spent Please enjoy these couple videos i put together from the weekend as well as some pictures: [youtu_be] [/youtu_be][youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Entrance to Wildwood Grove taking shape Thunderhead gliding along its new retrack Lightning Rod was open all weekend with no problems, the trains are still missing their zero car though (which front row rides are insanely cool without the zero car installed) Now this........................this is what I was referring to above. This land is behind Wildwood Grove and can more than likely be for an expansion onto Wildwood Grove and HOPEFULLY maybe a new coaster! One can hope and dream and time will tell. another photo of some of the land clearing A construction worker filming the guests on the train as we rode by haha

A new dining option is coming to the park this year! KIBlog Post Showcasing the Announcement