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The market and competitive landscape have changed a lot since the "good old days" of KBF. Six Flags and Universal also "give away passes," and Disney introduced the payment plan options to make their pass seem like a better deal. Plus options like Medieval Times, the Pirates show, and countless other means for people looking for a "value" when spending their extra cash.

This was not a federal thing. It was Cal/OSHA, which DOSH is a division off. This, however, has nothing to do with the rides inspection division of DOSH. This is strictly a workplace safety issue and Disney was not forced to shut the rides down. They are voluntarily shutting them down because they know they screwed up and need to fix these issues before it gets any worse.

Your other observations are completely valid, but even I'll defend the park on this particular one. It's an area walled off to guests that is likely to be torn up for a new ride---I don't really fault them for leaving it as is for now.

I've heard Matterhorn is back up and running. Space & Soarin are still down. Also heard that the closures were voluntary in response to the findings, so they could do a full audit and fix things before more violations came up.

^^That's one of the main reasons I have my doubts it will be successful. I'm not confident that this ownership group has the ability to pay for the rides it would take for the place to be truly competitive.

So I had given up on the game, mainly because I only use my iPod at the gym and there's no wifi there.. But now that you can connect to Origin on the android version...my already crappy battery life is sure to always be drained.

Read the document: the contractor was being smart, but the area he anchored his fall protection onto was found to be inadequate. That's on Disney (and why such laws exist in the first place). They have no one to blame but themselves for having all these rides down, considering this accident happened so long ago and they apparently didn't bother to check the resort for other possible issues...

^Exactly. Are we even sure trains that had to be tested for so long will be an improvement? I definitely credit Holiday World for taking so much time to ensure things are proper, but part of me worries about the fact it is taking so long to get things right...

^My point was that the current version of Kentucky Kingdom isn't exactly a thrill mecca. Especially when compared to the park that has 3 of the top 50 wooden coasters in the world. Could Ed Hart change that? Sure, but judging by the fact his partnership is spending more out of pocket because they couldn't get the financing they wanted (for whatever the reason may be), throwing a ton of money at new rides to win back business is probably not the best strategy (hence the comparison to the old Six Flags---didn't spend within their means).

^It's debatable that the remaining coasters are more thrilling. I'm sure guests will turn in their holiday world passes right away for the opportunity to ride T2 again. Ask Six Flags old management team how being in a "coaster arms race" worked out for them.

^Unami is probably the most over rated burger chain in so cal. It's good, but not $15 with fries good. Best burger value in so cal: Flemings steakhouse during happy hour. $6 for their amazing bacon cheeseburger.

Translation: we couldn't get the funding we wanted. Sounds like whatever banks he went to weren't confident in his overall plan either. These claims remind me of Hard Rock Park thinking they could do 4 million a year. The market has completely changed since he last owned the place, with much more competition. Not to mention the investment in major rides he had to make to get there (a luxury I don't think they'll have this time around---not enough $$$).

I'm not a passholder myself, but I know others who receive this information through an e-mail blast the park sends out.

The only thing that will save any of those styles of coasters is cost. It's not that they are bad concepts, it's just that for the price of a new B&M parks will always want the "new hotness" that's easier to market.

I didn't even realize all of their owners were investment firms. No question there's going to be an IPO, and soon after those firms will be throwing their shares on the market.

The whack a hipster in the back of the prius is pure brilliance!

^^I believe it's a gold passholder perk?

^A.J Ellis should have gotten in front of him right away. Grienke clearly said something to provoke him too. Love that he at least stood in there to back up whatever he said (and/or if the pitch really was intentional), just too bad he got seriously injured.

The beer tap table is a brilliant idea. More restaurants (especially brewpubs) should use that for big groups!

What about Orochi? Already been through two defunct ownership groups...

Same. Definitely steeper than I expected.

Knott's might as well be closed during the off season. There can't be more than a couple thousand people per day in the park on weekdays during the winter.

^And yet we had a lockout because of the "horrible" financial situation of many teams (when really all they do is hide the money by having separate corporations for things like the arena and merchandising)...

Good riddance I say. The park tried almost everything (short of rebuilding the entire thing) to keep it running to no avail. Might as well scrap it and start fresh with a new attraction. I'd be OK with a rocky mountain or Intamin Gwazi 2.0!

^I hope it's 100%!