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Don on Twitter at @KingsIslandPR just tweeted this out: Construction of the bar area in the new Reds Hall of Fame Grille at Kings Island.

Maybe we should look into the rides we buy better. Buying a new ride? Just say - Show me the ridefax

I cant rember the exact year (maybe 2003 or 2004 but i was still in High School), it was extremely cold for opening day (maybe low 40s or upper 30s) that it started to snow. The park made the announcement shortly after opening that they would be closing at noon. My friend and I sprinted to The Beast where we road it in the front seat which was a big mistake. Our faces were so red when we got off of the ride. There were only 2 other people on the ride and they were sitting in the back. They spent the majority of the ride ducking down in their seats to dodge all of the snowflakes.

Only if you didn't have maintenace, in which case it would be catastrophic either way. The inconsistency is what makes it fun. A good rain ride sounds wonderful right about now.

so far from what ive seen, i am really pleased to see the improvements.

I think it shold do rather well.

I hadn't thought about a Red's theme, but other than that, this is exactly what I've thought Kings Island has needed for years.

Have you tried closing your eyes? Touche --- you make a valid point. I guess if I want it completely dark I could just close my eyes.

Just saw a live report on FOX 19, still pretty bare, and there going to fill over 100 positions. EDIT: Patio located under Diamondbacks lift hill, looks pretty sweet.

Have you tried closing your eyes?

I would have to agree with ViolaKat- Kat that 2009 was the most memorable Opening Day! I met some amazing people that i still hang out with as friends. Kat, Angie, Steph, Gary, Jesse, etc. There all still very close to me and i love my KICentral family! I had the opportunity to work opening day 2012 in the admissions department and then later enjoying the rainy cold day with many close friends. As last year, i will be at Opening Day; but in the admissions department selling passes and tickets.

Man its been a while since Ive been on here! As some of you know me I played Steve in Urgent scare in the hallway and in the last 2 weeks in the morgue and most likely returning again to haunt the halls of the hospital. I would really love Urgent scare to be revamped for this year with new layout, rooms, scenes, and actors. Would be nice if we had all of Acton Theater to ourselves that would make for one incredible hospital. Guess Steve can only be wishing until its time for fresh meat to roam looking for a non existent cure to whatever it happening to them. Couldnt see why anyone would want to fix whats happening to them? Just look at Steve I loved what happened!

i cant wait to return.

I've never been to the park for opening day and usually go the 2nd or 3rd public operating day for my first visit of the year. Thats my Favorite seat on The Beast, the next to last row is always the best to me!

Love the shirt idea. We were way overdue for a new shirt design. having the username on the back would be preferred! Again, thanks for all your efforts on this LMHConcepts. Since you are close by, let me know if there is anything I can do to help!

Ok. I guess I need to wear something underneth. I don't like wearing new shirts without being washed. Not good on the skin.

Since you work at Dollywood and are very knowledgable about the park, I have a few questions. I haven't been in a few years, but I decided to buy season passes this year. Can you tell me about the Season Pass Preview Day on March 22nd? What are the hours? How crowded is it compared to the Public Opening on the 23rd? I have a friend on the bigger side (he's about 6'5" and a little heavy), will he have any trouble fitting on the Dizzy Disk or the Mountain Slidewinder? I've heard that the seats might be uncomfortable for some and wondered. Thanks for your help and useful tips! Pretty sure preview day hours are 10-7 but they aren't really posted anywhere. I can confirm on Monday. Preview day will be less crowded than opening day. It's hard to guess what the crowds will be like, as it largely depends on weather. 2011's preview day was very moderate with few lines, but opening day was very busy because the weather was beautiful. 2012 was very busy both days because we were opening a brand new B&M wing rider and the weather was fairly nice. In 2010, both days were deserted because it was rainy and cold. As far as your friend fitting, Slidewinder doesn't even have restraints. They are a custom built boat that's more like a mat. He should have no problem. Dizzy Disk, in my opnion, is uncomfortable for everyone regardless of size because the restraints are rather awkward. The two rides I would say he should be concerned about are Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. They are a similar size to Drop Tower's restraints. Also, Wild Eagle has a maximum height of 6'6" and most people who are close to that height have a difficult time getting in because of their shoulders. But you'll have no trouble at all with either of my rides - TN Tornado and Blazing Fury I love the Blazing Fury. I know it's cheesy and not as fast or scary as others, but it's just a great classic. Thanks for the answers you guys, they're really helpful . Can't wait to visit!

Since you work at Dollywood and are very knowledgable about the park, I have a few questions. I haven't been in a few years, but I decided to buy season passes this year. Can you tell me about the Season Pass Preview Day on March 22nd? What are the hours? How crowded is it compared to the Public Opening on the 23rd? I have a friend on the bigger side (he's about 6'5" and a little heavy), will he have any trouble fitting on the Dizzy Disk or the Mountain Slidewinder? I've heard that the seats might be uncomfortable for some and wondered. Thanks for your help and useful tips! Pretty sure preview day hours are 10-7 but they aren't really posted anywhere. I can confirm on Monday. Preview day will be less crowded than opening day. It's hard to guess what the crowds will be like, as it largely depends on weather. 2011's preview day was very moderate with few lines, but opening day was very busy because the weather was beautiful. 2012 was very busy both days because we were opening a brand new B&M wing rider and the weather was fairly nice. In 2010, both days were deserted because it was rainy and cold. As far as your friend fitting, Slidewinder doesn't even have restraints. They are a custom built boat that's more like a mat. He should have no problem. Dizzy Disk, in my opnion, is uncomfortable for everyone regardless of size because the restraints are rather awkward. The two rides I would say he should be concerned about are Mystery Mine and Wild Eagle. They are a similar size to Drop Tower's restraints. Also, Wild Eagle has a maximum height of 6'6" and most people who are close to that height have a difficult time getting in because of their shoulders. But you'll have no trouble at all with either of my rides - TN Tornado and Blazing Fury

Cady Heron, is that you?

I'm assuming you're asking if it'll be open on opening day. It is supposed to be open on opening day. Whether or not that happens, we'll wait and see. What was closed up until summer? Rivertown Junction. Photo from Opening Day 2012:

I would go one step further and and add little blue creatures that live in mushroom houses. It might also be fun to use boats instead of the current propulsion system.

I'd like a shirt as well. I think the new KIC logo looks cool! And yes, if the whole "username-on-the-back" thing works out, then I'm all for it!

Yay sit down restaurant.

And just think. Most of the time, Tip Top is not even that easy to spin fast. Gator - Apparently I went over your capacity and incapacitated you temporarily.

How very, very true, Gator! Kat says, "Flight of Fear, really?"

I'd be interested in a shirt if the price is reasonable (no more than around $15, maybe $20 for a standard t-shirt).

How many people want shirts? Also, if given the choice between getting a t-shirt, or getting an iron on decal to place on a shirt YOU choose, which would you want?

Call it Riverfront . . . that's nostalgic.

In case some of you don't follow Don aka @KingsIslandPR on Twitter he tweeted this picture today of the construction of the Reds Hall of Fame Grille

Sorry, been a little busy with this website, and other things. Here's a bit about me. My real name is Lee. Although I live in Indianapolis, I consider Kings Island my home park. I've been going to it for over twenty years. I'm a graphic artist by trade, and have been in charge of designing 95% of the banner, logo, and t-shirt design (well, the one that originally won before Dane released the second version, per request) you have all seen on KICentral for close to a decade... God I'm old, lol. I have been a long term theme park/amusement park enthusiast. I've done the Walt Disney College Program, gone to IAAPA multiple times, and am trying hard to get back into the industry via Disney or Silver Dollar City. Guess that's really all I have. That's my life in a nut shell. If anyone ever needs any graphics/vinyl/etc, contact me. I do vehicle graphics, signage, logo/branding creation. Etc.

The new logo looks nice on the home page. Thanks!

I just want it to hurry up and be April. I`ve had enough winter. ....and lil` man has an inch to go before he can ride most of the big boy rides! While I loved being able to ride The Beastie again, I'm ready to take him on The Beast!

Been there and done that, many years ago at Lakemont Park, as instructed and assisted by the ride ops.

Get out and push if you're not happy with the speed of your ride.

I like it... the sight of me in a speedo would be sure to send 'em running in fear! We could get a whole bunch of us from Slaughter House for an even better worse reaction! Sorry to put that image in everyone's head...

Then there were those of us... okay, it was just me... who went to ERT on opening day and then the wedding!

Here's the full article: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130304/SUB1/303049984&template=printart

Opening Day 2009 was the most memorable for me. Not just because of Diamondback but because that was the first time I'd ever gotten to really hang out with a lot of KICers. I won the drawing that Rex and The Beast (.com) held for a seat with Rex during the first rider auction which was a HUGE surprise to me. I seriously never win anything and when I got that email I went running through my house yelling "I GET TO RIDE Diamondback!!" My mom thought I was crazy. (Rex and I in the back seat. In the front seat is Jackson, aka Beast1979) I ended up staying the night before in the Super 8 across the highway with Angie (gigacoaster2k) who had become a really good friend over the winter. We're still incredibly close. She was the first good friend I made as a member of this site. Opening day, I also met my now-best friend Stephanie (kittenpooh), my now-husband Nick (dare-to-fly) and many, many, many others who have become really good friends. I can't remember all the usernames of the people in this photo, but they include KICers Makayla (ogrmac), Angie, (gigacoaster2k), Dustin (kiruler102), Derrick (PhantomTheater), Danielle, Jesse and Shawn Opening day 2011 was another memorable one if only because everything went wrong. I missed The Racer evac because Nick and I went to lunch at exactly the wrong time, but I got about a million texts about it. At one point, I finally gave up on trying to ride anything because like Chris (chugh43) said, everything went down when we tried to ride it! I took Stephanie's kids and spent several hours in Nick U with them while everyone else tried to ride Diamondback and Beast. The best part of opening day 2011 though was when we took Stephanie's daughter Mindy on her very first "grown up" ride - she'd hit the magical 48" mark over the winter and started her entrance into the enthusiast world with a night ride on The Beast!! Pretty much everyone in this pic met because of KIC. Mindy is on the far right after her "new favorite ride!" Opening day 2012 was memorable because .... oh yeah, I didn't go to opening day 2012 because some KICer decided to get married that day.

I like this topic mainly because i work it ..

I did it and it looked like poo... so i just took leviathan's track layout, edited it and stuck it there. Oh and gave it the name Mammoth (it was all i could come up with) heres what it looks like I love how this was used for the rumor on the Save Son of Beast's facebook profile. While I would love to see a new coaster in this spot, I highly doubt the park would name it Mammoth after a park, that is not in the Cedar Fair chain, within 4 hours has a ride named Mammoth.

What caught my attention is "live band." Hopefully this carries over to most of the other live shows in the park.

Another musical revue.... Once upon a time shows at Kings Island had story lines and not just song, song, song (more accurately song snippet, song snippet, song snippet).

Ah. No. We have so much expansion space, why are we so hell bent on ripping out foilige and squeezing in attractions? Let's put in a Ferris Wheel. And some Flyers.

Sadly, I don't have any pics from the majority of my opening days at the park. However, I did go prepared in 2009 to document the opening of Diamondback. I thought I'd post some pics and a video of that opening day! Here is a picture of my girlfriend holding the shirt we got for being first time riders of Diamondback that day: Here is a video I made using pics and videos of Diamondback's opening day. I posted it in another topic a while back, but I'll repost it since it's relevant to this topic as well!

O. M. G!!! As if Hank's Burrito Shack didn't cause me to spend more money at the park last year, now they're bringing back German food?!?!? I'll have some tough choices this year. Hank's or Bier Garten? I think I'll just have to make it easy on myself and alternate each time. I loved my days of working Bier Garten in '92 & '93 (or actually Oktoberfest Gardens as it was known then, but I always liked the name Bier Garten better), and I am so glad they're bringing it back, even if it is just the back bar.

This was posted as Kings Island's photo of the day with the caption: This is probably the most exciting news regarding 2013 to me. http://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog-article/online-fun/Kings-Island-Photo-of-the-Day-2-21-13-30

To Knott's is never too early, they spend most of the year getting ready for Haunt...well the summer

I think more than anything else at an amusement park, Halloween events are truly a case where "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Everybody has different expectations, as well as different preferences for intensity, gore, and the like. In 2011, my group of five were discussing favorites at the end of the night; everybody had a different favorite, and some people's favorite mazes were another person's worst maze. Even the exact night you go can greatly color your view as crowd sizes can vary wildly depending on weather and are far heavier on Saturdays then Fridays. In 2012, we had off and on rain all night on a Friday, and the park was dead to the point that most mazes were walk-ons, leaving us happy that could do them all with plenty of extra time. Somehow, I doubt the people that visited eight days later on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend had the same experience.

Definitely my favorite one so far.