Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

I think there are actually quite a lot more "enthusiasts" out there than people think.

 

No. There aren't. Even then, the financial relevance is the overwhelming percentage of the general public to enthusiasts. Enthusiasts aren't the bread and butter.

 

Also, Pro tip: Visit a park before having such a strong opinion about their brand new extremely expensive roller coaster. Diamondback vs. Orion: You're comparing one coaster you've never ridden to another coaster that hasn't been constructed.

 

Thanks for the PRO tip!

He's a pro, it's true!

Comparing two coasters you haven't ridden in a park you've never been to is accepted in YouTube comments, though. Widely accepted.

I am in the camp that thinks that adding 13 more feet would have been advantageous for the park. Oh well, i'm sure it will be a hit for the park no matter what.

 

But would it have been advantageous for the chain? Remember that Cedar Fair isn't trying to make KI a destination park; it's doing just fine by drawing in locals. Remember, there's a 310 foot tall coaster 4 hours north...

Who says KI isn't a destination park? I mean it's not CP but I would still consider it a destination park compared to a lot of others in the CF chain.

There are a lot of enthusiasts in the sense they'll travel a bit to ride a gigacoaster in a good park. Not so many that will make a trip specifically because the new coaster beats a sort-of record by 1 foot or so.

I don't think non-enthusiasts/GP/whatever you want to call those people who don't care enough to spend their time arguing on an online forum about a ride that hasn't been built yet plan massive trips for one new coaster. Moreso I think nonenthusiasts would add a theme park to an already-planned trip if it looks interesting enough to spend the time and money doing that than doing something else in the area. KI is big enough and Cincy is boring enough that people will visit it regardless of 13 extra feet of coaster. They'll pass a billboard on the freeway and be like, "Hey, we should go there." And there are locals who will still get a pass and visit no matter what.

I think the "problem" isn't that it's a rule-bending Giga or whatever but that people think the park is basically just putting in another version of Diamondback. I've already had several conversations with my nonenthusiast but coaster-liking friend who doesn't understand why KI is putting in a new coaster that looks just like Diamondback to her.

I think there are actually quite a lot more "enthusiasts" out there than people think.

 

No. There aren't. Even then, the financial relevance is the overwhelming percentage of the general public to enthusiasts. Enthusiasts aren't the bread and butter.

 

Also, Pro tip: Visit a park before having such a strong opinion about their brand new extremely expensive roller coaster. Diamondback vs. Orion: You're comparing one coaster you've never ridden to another coaster that hasn't been constructed.

 

Thanks for the PRO tip!

 

He's a pro, it's true!

 

Comparing two coasters you haven't ridden in a park you've never been to is accepted in YouTube comments, though. Widely accepted.

Thanks!

I am in the camp that thinks that adding 13 more feet would have been advantageous for the park. Oh well, i'm sure it will be a hit for the park no matter what.

 

But would it have been advantageous for the chain? Remember that Cedar Fair isn't trying to make KI a destination park; it's doing just fine by drawing in locals. Remember, there's a 310 foot tall coaster 4 hours north...

Who says KI isn't a destination park? I mean it's not CP but I would still consider it a destination park compared to a lot of others in the CF chain.

That's fair, I'm sure it's a destination for some. My point was that Cedar Fair is probably trying to keep Kings Island in a tier below Cedar Point. It makes sense to someone from Columbus like myself. Almost all of my friends from Columbus prefer CP to KI, although that might change with Orion being built. But I do admit I have a weird bias as my hometown is almost exactly in the middle of the two.

Cassy and Travis Halloween Haunt Trip Report!

Yesterday we went to the opening night of haunt for their media event, here’s some pictures from our visit:

Still love how they really transform the entrance of the park! Really gets me excited for spooks!

Lanyard for the event

A list of the mazes, no new mazes this year but there are a ton of new walkthrough experiences which I feel really adds to the experience. However there was a “lights out” version of Madame Fatale’s Cavern of Terror which we really enjoyed! They give you a glow stick when you enter and it really made that maze feel completely different in the dark

There are so many monsters to see, and they are all running around the crowd of people

They all gather on the stage and announce that the monsters will be unleashed

They had an “opening ceremony” which was new to us and I thought was a cool concept, they march to the stage in front of the Eiffel Tower and there scare actors all holding flags of the mazes/walkthroughs that they represent

Love these giant skeletons that are on each side of the fountain

Made our way to the tower to see the view from above!

You can see some of the walkthrough areas starting to get very foggy!

Such a cool view from the top!

Another funeral scene set up this year...are they getting rid of something else?

This is from earlier in the night, the lines got a bit longer as it got darker.

Footprints to the beast look so good!

The entertainment was really cool, there was a fire breather and they had people twirling fire and we noticed that they were in the new drums of the dead show

One of the food displays for one of the new walkthrough areas

Went to the media area for some food, love this area! It is such a nice spot for the party

Does this count as raiding Area 51?

One of my favorite walkthrough areas, I really enjoy all of the pumpkins and they had scare actors in the pathway as well

I really enjoy the theming of this maze and it really make you feel like you are going through different departments of a store

Shipwrecked was a new walkthrough area and we really liked it, they had pirate themed scare actors with barnacles on their faces and the whole area felt transformed

Haunted Homecoming is a newer show, it replaced Hot Blooded last year I believe

There were a lot of talented singers this year which was great!

Rivertown reaping was a new walkthrough as well, we really enjoyed the variety of new walkthrough areas, it really adds to the mazes and you’re still being scared as you walk to the next maze!

Drums of the Dead was a new show this year and included good music and lots of fire!

I took quite a few pictures of the tower, I really love the way it looks when it’s decorated all spooky

Some of the merchandise for haunt

I really like the new clown shirt

40th anniversary merchandise for the Beast

Still really like the night package for this ride!

night rides on the beast are a must!

At the end of the night the front was so foggy that you could barely see the tower

When a monster is behind you, just take a selfie!

We really had a great time at the park, haunt is our favorite time of year to be at the parks and we always love seeing the changes and the new things they add!

Nice post and pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing. Nice pictures.

Planning on going to Kings Island on October 25th and getting fast lane plus. I'm assuming that the park will be bonkers busy. Should everything still be manageable with fast lane plus? Not really interested in the haunts. Looking to enjoy a fall day at the park along with a lot of night rides.

That will probably be one of the more busy days. We've been to KI Haunt twice in the last three years. I can only comment on our experiences. The longest line we've waited in was last year for Diamondback and that was probably 15-20 minutes, if that. Beast and Banshee were 5-10 minutes. Everything else took us practically right into the station. Once the haunt starts the lines for the rides get shorter. Then, during the last few hours the haunted house lines die down. I suggest at least trying one or two.

Steel Vengeance was built for enthusiasts and every enthusiast in the whole world went to Cedar Point last year to ride it.

I didn't . . .

Planning on going to Kings Island on October 25th and getting fast lane plus. I'm assuming that the park will be bonkers busy. Should everything still be manageable with fast lane plus? Not really interested in the haunts. Looking to enjoy a fall day at the park along with a lot of night rides.

I think you will be fine if you get fast lane, and like prozach626 said the lines tend to get shorter for the rides once the mazes open, and I know you said you aren’t interested in the mazes but I would try a couple at least! We really enjoy blackout and madame fatales cavern of terrors was really cool with ‘lights out’ plus it’s in then old crypt building! The only ride that might get super long lines will be the beast I would think, but its definitely worth waiting for when it gets really dark

Steel Vengeance was built for enthusiasts and every enthusiast in the whole world went to Cedar Point last year to ride it.

Yeah. No.

There are TONS air coaster enthusiasts who didn’t flock out to Cedar Point for SV. (Myself being one of them.)

^

Yeah, I can second that. Also: Not all enthusiasts ale living in the US. There are some other countries on other continents.

The park has posted an updated ride lineup for this year’s Winterfest. Flight of Fear will be closed this year. No major rides have been added. Merry Christmas. Come to Great Adventure and ride Nitro if you want and I’ll buy you a sympathy beer.

Seing the webcam today, the many big footers in the back that were placed over the weekend and the position of the cranes, Kings Island may get another almost 45 degree erection soon.

Kings Island may get another almost 45 degree erection soon.

As will half the coaster enthusiast.

Kings Island may get another almost 45 degree erection soon.

 

As will half the coaster enthusiast.

Also, the lifthill is already started as of now.

Speaking of erections, it never fails to impress me how big B&M track is:

Source

And there you have it.

I've been waiting for this bullshit since before my initial disappointment of the announcement of Mystic Timbers. Which I love.

I went to KI Haunt on Friday. Check out my photo TR!

Also, I took a few pics of Orion footers from the Field of Screams queue. Not much to see, but here you go.

Ooo... dirt

Not too much to see here

For all your footer fetish needs

OOOOOooooo

This view will change dramatically by next year!

Footer fetish.

Steel Vengeance was built for enthusiasts and every enthusiast in the whole world went to Cedar Point last year to ride it.

I didn't . . .

I know a lot who didn't either...

Just throwing it out there as it happens with each and every B&M installation... Track work will be done by Jan/Feb like clockwork and yet everyone will comment on how quickly the park got it done, lol.

Don't forget the past year of land clearing and foundation work that is the big time consumer over the relatively quick assembly of the ride itself.

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!

I will admit... the only thing I dislike about this addition is how much they “clear cut” for it. . . I wish it would have been more Beast like.... where it runs through/over the trees.

Instead of the “remove any and all trees within 50ft of the blueprint” approach.

It’s like Time Traveler at SDC. Amazing ride, however... the clear cutting around the ride makes it stand out like a sore thumb when compared to the other attractions like Thunderation, Powder Keg, and Outlaw Run.