Ape Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Our experience was pretty bad. A big portion is my fault and I don't really blame the park for anything except some annoying fees (more on that later. My wife had gall bladder surgery on Thursday, she was feeling good and thought it sounded fun to people watch and walk around a bit at the park while I took my son (2 1/2) on some rides. We checked with friends and the webcams at 11:30 and lines weren't horrendous like I though they would be. Turns out everyone decided to show up when we did. It wasn't really planned so we weren't fully prepared. We were there during the part of the day my son normally naps and he had only ate a little bit for lunch. He threw a tantrum the entire time we were there, and I only managed to get us a ride on one thing ( long lines and tantrums oo well). We decided I get some food with the meal plan we had just added to the passes when we got to the park. At about 2 the lines at every food place were ungodly long. We had gone to the festhaus since it's the biggest and has the most room. My wife moved two feet in line in ten minutes while I fought with my son, during said fight I lost my pass and didn't realize it until we got to the car. I decided enough was enough and we left. I refuse to wait more than a half hour in a line for food hopefully this is just an opening day thing which I think it will be but yay for after $400+ in passes in meal plans and having to pay $15 for a lost pass replacement. Tldr: today sucked, I planned bad, got no food. I hope everyone else that went had a great time. I have learned from my mistakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 John Peck™ Presents: "What's New at Kings Island®" ©2016 We got to the park today at about 9am and left around 6:30. Ride lines were long, but manageable... and a little slower, understandably. As mentioned above. Food service was very bad. Many glitches with the systems and some employees in training. For example, at the Festhaus, it took me 30 minutes to get my pizza... one girl would pull the pizza, cut it, plate it and serve it.. the other girl, next to her, who was managing the fries and chicken tenders... would just stand and watch whilst she had little to no customers. Does she not know teamwork... or is it a requirement that she stay in her exact station? I just found it odd. I was able to talk to some "higher ups" walking around the park and many of these opening day glitches are being addressed. Eiffel Tower was closed due to maintenance, so no pics from up above and no pics of tropical falls except in one of the parking lot photos. Now onto the photos. the new entrance a closer look the parking toll after the toll it takes you past the tall KI sign near the road, then you loop around. you can see Tropical falls here This may look much different next year This game was converted into an oasis Will this be here next year? End of the line for you, Charlie.... B&M Giga! Centurion! The infamous fence The only photo that you'll see of this on the internet The bridge is gone New concrete exit path for the traib... wider, too the new Rapids ride path, that will open memorial day weekend more for the future path behind the fence... i see markings dirt and markings another look where the basketball game was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Part two..... new concrete and funnel cakes! Rapids ride path entrance there will be a train crossing when done new soccer game new basketball game (this puts all the games together in the area) a wider look of the new games Scramblers new look and led lights looks nice. Goodbye! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Few things from looking at those photos, 1) I am still trying to convince my games manager and director of retail at dorney to get a soccer game. Hoping its in the works in the next few years. 2) Love the games location for the long range and soccer game. 3) I feel like that will be a pain with the new path crossing over the rail road. 4) where is the fence with the sign located in the park? 5) Last, what direct is the new entrance and toll? (im weird when it comes to those things at parks.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) Few things from looking at those photos, 4) where is the fence with the sign located in the park? 5) Last, what direct is the new entrance and toll? (im weird when it comes to those things at parks.) 4: The fence and sign is between the Flume ride and the train station. If the Flume ride goes, that opens up a huge entrance plaza for a massive coaster 5: If you are familiar with the park, the new parking entrance has you turn where the North exit used to be (near Great Wolf). If you're coming from the south, there is no other south entrance, that has been removed, so you have to drive past the park slightly. Once you do turn in, you follow the old exit road (which has been widened, and you pass the cemetery and then you reach the toll plaza. Edited April 17, 2016 by John Peck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanTPM Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Thanks for the photos. Parks don't usually start teasing this early if it's for something other than a coaster or large addition, i'd definitely put my bets on a coaster! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Few things from looking at those photos, 4) where is the fence with the sign located in the park? 5) Last, what direct is the new entrance and toll? (im weird when it comes to those things at parks.) 4: The fence and sign is between the Flume ride and the train station. If the Flume ride goes, that opens up a huge entrance plaza for a massive coaster 5: If you are familiar with the park, the new parking entrance has you turn where the North exit used to be (near Great Wolf). If you're coming from the south, there is no other south entrance, that has been removed, so you have to drive past the park slightly. Once you do turn in, you follow the old exit road (which has been widened, and you pass the cemetery and then you reach the toll plaza. Thanks! I went to the park last September but used the south entrance. And is the the land within range of the main entrance? I've heard that KI, KD of wonderland could be getting a gate coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 This park has an ungoldy amount of room for expansion. I seriously hope the flume stays where it is. For a park that gets as hot as Kings Island does it's really not too much to ask to have a water ride that gets you wet without trying to drown you (they have 2 which do the latter) especially when it's a ridiculously popular ride like the log flume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Password121 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 This park has an ungoldy amount of room for expansion. I seriously hope the flume stays where it is. For a park that gets as hot as Kings Island does it's really not too much to ask to have a water ride that gets you wet without trying to drown you (they have 2 which do the latter) especially when it's a ridiculously popular ride like the log flume. I'm with you on this. I'll be at Kings Island for a day and half in the peak of summer and I know that Great Adventure's flume is extremely popular that time of year. I imagine Kings Island's flume, even sorta being in the kiddie area, isn't much different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummermattk Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Hoping the flume stays (That's where i work ) but im wondering aabout the new WWC train crossing. Where will the exit go or are they using the same path for both? And like stated a few pages back, I hope this is not like a Busch Gardens let down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 ^^Just look at the picture from the last page... line up and over the bridge yesterday and it wasn't even that hot. I'm sure there were like 2 people riding the other water rides (assuming they were even open). People love Log Flumes. Some parks (BGW) are smart enough to realize that but way too often lately parks just see it as a way to cut cost. Want to cut costs? Remove Congo Falls and replace it with absolutely nothing. A grand total of 3 people might care. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Password121 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 ^Oh absolutely I waited about five times longer for Shenandoah Lumber Co. at Kings Dominion in March on opening day than I did for two rides on Intimidator. People love flumes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCI Wooden Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Want to cut costs? Remove Congo Falls and replace it with absolutely nothing. A grand total of 3 people might care. Never understood the purpose of these rides. The only one I would care about if they removed would be Knoebel's, and that's only because of the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KICoasterkev Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 If they wanted to tick a lot of people off, they would remove the flume ride. I hope they are smarter then that. The park should try to keep its history alive and not tear it down. Its one of the few remaining rides that the park still has when it opened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarienLaker Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 If they wanted to tick a lot of people off, they would remove the flume ride. I hope they are smarter then that. The park should try to keep its history alive and not tear it down. Its one of the few remaining rides that the park still has when it opened. What are some of the other rides that Kings Island still have from when the park first opened? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KICoasterkev Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 ^Dodgem, The Racer, Scrambler, Monster, Grand Carousel, Linus' Beetle Bugs, Woodstock Express, and the Eiffel Tower if you call it a ride. Probably a few more too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drummermattk Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 What are some of the other rides that Kings Island still have from when the park first opened? The train, racer, scrambler, monster, eiffel tower, dodgems, flume, grand carousel, Linus's Beetle Bugs, Peanut's Off Road Rally, and Woodstock Express. Most rides except the train, racer, and the eiffel tower where relocated from Coney Island, the oldest being the Carousel which is 96 years old i think?... and honestly if you look at the past additions to the park, they've covered a few big things. 2014 (Banshee) 2015 (Woodstock Gliders and Space Buggies additions) 2016 (Waterpark expansion and park/traffic modifications) So honestly i feel like 2017 will either be a) a new coaster or b) a flat ride, cause it may be to soon for a coaster and we haven't got a nice thrilling flat ride since............. (does windseeker count as "thrilling"?) lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Let's talk a little about log flumes, many of this is a matter of opinion and observation... In the 1960s and early 1970's.... - Many new parks were being built due to the success of disney and kings island and there were few options for high-capacity family rides - flumes were very unique rides, and not what you would find everywhere, and these were the "big" rides then - there were very few types of coasters... either wood or small steel (the mine train was being developed during the same time) so flumes filled the niche of a longer family ride that had the traquilness of a floating river and the excitement of a coaster drop - some parks had 2 of these built to help capacity (car rides as well) - Parks didn't have waterparks as we know them today... except maybe a pool and a slide or two, so there were very few "wet" rides Fast forward to the 80's.. - As parks built bigger coasters, the log flumes remained in the shadows, and operational costs would rise - Rapids rides came on the scene - Parks began building water parks, so there was more ways to keep guests cool - while still popular, the flumes rarely got noticeable upgrades Going towards 2000 and beyond - on top of operational costs, many flumes needed many large replacement parts... kings island replaced the trough on their flume in 2000 - the large spaces that these rides took were prime places for expansions of new park rides - with waterparks more popular, and new innovative rides and slides, the flume continued to take a back-seat - flumes operational costs vs capacity were making them harder to justify keeping, plus add to that a huge crew and labor costs rising In closing, I feel the real demise of the log flume has been the rise of the waterpark and lack of park space (to some... KI obviously has a lot of land, but its spread out way beyond the developed areas). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 You're right on many counts but there are a few key things you're forgetting... Log Flumes are one of the only ride types that have proven to maintain their overwhelming popularity over time. As far as I know there isn't a single log flume in existence that isn't a highly popular attraction. I know many people will bring up capacity but the fact is some flumes with turntables have very respectable capacity and I promise you that unless it's really cold out they'll have long lines. People love them and they vote with their feet. I think the problem is that nobody goes to the park for the log flume so parks don't think they justify their cost, but once people get to the park they seek them out. Look at Great Adventure, they have a huge safari ride, the world's tallest coaster, the world's best wood coaster, a B&M hyper, an amazing invert, the world's tallest drop ride and I could go on and on... but when that flume is open get ready to wait an hour despite them grouping logs with usually 5 per log and a turntable. The only ride type that can maintain it's popularity like a water ride is a transportation ride (Sky Ride, Train) because these 2 ride types are not only enjoyable and appeal to everyone from thrill seekers to families but they serve a purpose. The log flume is the most popular type of water ride because nobody wants to ride the other ones in the spring and fall because they soak you. If you go to a water park you'll get absolutely soaked. Just like with rapids rides (not always but you're taking on the risk) or splash boat rides (which generally aren't all that popular). Sometimes people don't want to get soaked but they want to cool off a little. The Log Flume is usually the only opportunity to do this and that's part of why they're so popular. How many times have you gone to a park in the Spring or Fall and seen lines for the Log Flume but no line for the rapids or splash boats? I've lost count... it's pretty much all the time. I understand why parks remove these rides (money) but I hate to see it. They're popular now and if given the chance they'll be popular forever because they're timeless rides. You're right about rising costs but many flumes easily pull 20, 30, 40, 50, 60+ minute waits. They're worth those rising costs and modifications can be made to help alleviate those costs. Here's a great read if you have some time. This is a park that "gets it". I'm sure someone will show up and bring up the giga rumor and ask if I'd rather have a giga or a log flume but that's not the issue and it's not the point. If they remove the flume it's not because it's in the way and unavoidable... this park has a ton of room. If they wanted to keep it and add a new coaster they could do that (and hopefully that IS what they're doing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOGdude25 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Another thing that was brought to light with the Legacy of Arrow doc was that Arrow was (at least from my observation) the prime provider for flumes in the U.S. so now that they no longer exist, the only other major manufacturer to make flumes that I know of is Mack, and they're based in Europe, so a flume from them MAY be more expensive since it would be an imported attraction. I really don't know how true that is, but that's my guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ape Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 ^^Just look at the picture from the last page... line up and over the bridge yesterday and it wasn't even that hot. I'm sure there were like 2 people riding the other water rides (assuming they were even open). People love Log Flumes. Some parks (BGW) are smart enough to realize that but way too often lately parks just see it as a way to cut cost. Want to cut costs? Remove Congo Falls and replace it with absolutely nothing. A grand total of 3 people might care. Congo falls had almost full boats. That log flume keeps a line because little kids can ride and it's right on the edge of Planet Snoopy. I still miss Keelboat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coasterbill Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 (edited) That log flume keeps a line because little kids can ride and it's right on the edge of Planet Snoopy. I still miss Keelboat Every log flume keeps a line, but you're right. It's a great family attraction which is really the point. It has mass appeal. Congo falls had almost full boats So they couldn't even fill the boats on a 78 degree day while the flume's line was spilling all the way over the bridge. Like I said... nobody would miss it. Might as well re-name it Felicia the ride and tell it goodbye if you want to cut costs. Edited April 17, 2016 by coasterbill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterGuy06 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Another thing that was brought to light with the Legacy of Arrow doc was that Arrow was (at least from my observation) the prime provider for flumes in the U.S. so now that they no longer exist, the only other major manufacturer to make flumes that I know of is Mack, and they're based in Europe, so a flume from them MAY be more expensive since it would be an imported attraction. I really don't know how true that is, but that's my guess. White Water West still makes log flumes through their division the have with their Hopkins Rides purchase. They built one in Canada in 2014 and their built a Super Flume (like Fiesta Texas and Dollywood have) in South Korea in 2015. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFOGdude25 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Another thing that was brought to light with the Legacy of Arrow doc was that Arrow was (at least from my observation) the prime provider for flumes in the U.S. so now that they no longer exist, the only other major manufacturer to make flumes that I know of is Mack, and they're based in Europe, so a flume from them MAY be more expensive since it would be an imported attraction. I really don't know how true that is, but that's my guess. White Water West still makes log flumes through their division the have with their Hopkins Rides purchase. They built one in Canada in 2014 and their built a Super Flume (like Fiesta Texas and Dollywood have) in South Korea in 2015. Oh ok cool! I forgot about Hopkins. Just looked on the website, and their products look great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestreak Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Anybody have an idea of who today's private event is for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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