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Painting has continued on Diamondback this week.

As someone who has also ducked through the turnstiles I will at least make sure I am not cutting in front of anyone when I've done it in the past. I hate to sound like one of those people who thinks more rules are the answer, but I really think its time to lay down the bottom line to get things in some kind of order/compliance. If people want to line cut, let it be known they will be escorted from the park. Period. Zero tolerance. Might sound harsh but since it has gotten so out of hand, showing folks that the park takes it seriously might make folks think twice about cutting in line. That, along with a chaperone policy I think would help weed out a lot of the issues the park has been dealing with. It all might sound very locked down, but truthfully at this rate I feel it might be for the best. None of us pay the kind of money we do each season to put up with ridiculous behavior from others. The park should be a fun, safe and enjoyable space for all and those who can't follow the rules will reap what they sow. Also, I noticed on Saturday that they were incredibly verbal and far more strict about phones. I heard them mention multiple times during the pre-spiel before dispatching trains about not having phones out on the rides. And Sunday, a woman sitting in the bench seat on the carousel took out her phone to take a picture of her child sitting sitting atop one of the horses and the ride ops stopped the ride before it could even really get going. They spoke to her about not having her phone out while the ride was in motion, allowed her to snap a picture while the ride was stopped and then restarted the ride.

A chaperone policy has been needed for the past 2 years. For the past few opening days/preview nights I’ve had a ton of issues with kids line jumping or just acting rowdy in line. Mind you I used to be a kid who went to KI religiously I never had an issue but things have definitely changed. At this point we had a major fight last year, and now this? Where does the park draw the line?

So how does the park enforce line jumping policies in this day and age? Hire 10 security guards for the big coasters? 5 for the small ones and two for each flat? What if they have that staffing level and a storm clears the park weekly and they get sent home...they aren't going to get their hours. I think, until the park starts enforcing rules with a zero tolerance policy and making it public, the problem with line jumping and cell phones with continue to escalate. People have line jumped for years but in today's world, others are hesitant to hurt their feelings by holding them accountable. I'd love to see that change from the parks end.

The funniest thing I ever heard someone say at Kings Island was when I was standing outside the line for Mystic Timbers and some lady was on the phone with someone and she said, "You won't believe it! They replaced The Beast with this new ride called Mystic Timbers! Isn't that crazy?" I started laughing like crazy, and it made my day!

As much as I didn’t want to say it, I think a chaperone policy is coming, or should, this needs to happen before something worse happens.

I love Kings Island so much its my favorite place ever! I went on Beast and Delirium. I love it!

I had an instance this season of 2 teens tying to line jump during pass holder preview night on Orion. There was quite a few turnstiles open and they were ducking in between the rails to catch up to where the line actually started. My friend and I who were in front of them was just following the queue path. What they didn’t realize was that this “old man” being me, at the dusty age of 30 could duck between the rails too. As soon as I saw what they were doing, I began to duck between the rails just so they wouldn’t get ahead of me. Once we caught up to where the line actually started. I made sure to take a second to look down at them as if they were clowns and they mean mugged me.

Or, conversely, you can walk through the line shouting, "Larry!", like Joe used to do on Impractical Jokers.

Tix went on sale this morning at 10:00am & are still available as of right now. https://www.cedarpoint.com/events/coastermania

I noticed this a few weeks ago as well. KI is the more expensive park now. I think we're still behind Knotts by a good margin though

So far this years schedule looks much more thought out than last years. Instead of a Lunch the attendees are getting Dinner. The cruise timing only overlaps events which are designed for you to just drop by in a large enough window you can do all of them without concern. You have dinner at the Pavilion then have the Q&A immediately afterwards at the Pavilion. That last hour of the night with only Maverick and Steel Vengeance feels like unless they really limited attendance you’re looking at likely 2 rides total based on previous events. But that’s really my only big complaint. Overall massive improvement.

I agree. I live 2.5 hours from ki and at work, I heard people talking about the incident today.

some of the best guests are those who look at the positive day they had and not dwell on the one negative issue that happened. it maybe some food not warm enough, or some teens being rowdy, line jumping but they focus on the moment of being in the park and still enjoying themselves. it is always easier to complain about your day then give positive day outcome. don't let a bad issue influence your whole day.

See the KIC Adventure Port and VIP Lounge Construction Update Video here.

This is me with Don, nothing unusual at all...

Diamondback is a steel roller coaster. You can't paint a steel coaster when it's below a certain temperature which it is the majority of the winter and early spring months.

I’m not a stickler for representations of rides (like on the park map) being particularly accurate, but I did enjoy this one: This looks like they inverted spare Banshee track and put the Great Pumpkin train on it. I thought it was fun! By the way, banners like this are all around the park this year and I really like them!

Just posted on Kings Island’s Twitter!

Controversial opinion (Apparently?), but I love the jazz on international street. I think it fits the vibe pretty well.

Been going to Coastermania for over 10 years and this year will be skipping their event. The last few years, and especially last year, very unorganized and chaotic. They don’t cut the regular lines off a hour or so before the night ERT begins, so you end up using all your ERT time in line, especially for Steel Vengeance (cutting back on number of tickets/people is not going to solve this problem). Cutbacks everywhere including no event drink wristbands (thank goodness for the season pass drink plan), no early morning donuts for national donut day, no coaster back lot tours, conflicting boat ride times so you miss lunch, the t-shirt lunch distribution debacle last year, and the new food changes for lunch were not popular, frankly disappointing. KI Coasterstock on the other hand is a much better and organized event (and got my ticket along with my friends for this year) which is why it sells out in just a matter of minutes. Last year a month later after tickets went on sale, Coastermania still had tickets available which says something about the overall satisfaction of their event. Hollywood Nights (also sold out in a matter of minutes in December) is also the same weekend as CoasterMania so likely some have selected that event instead of waiting so long in the calendar for any Coastermania announcements.

I have always wondered this. What would KI look like today if The Bat 1981 was a success? How would that change how the park looks today from coasters, flat rides, potentially not being bought by some chains, being potentially bought by some chains, and how that would change its sister parks. Does anyone have any alternate reality for this? I have no clue where this should go so rumors it goes.

I don't think that would fit at all there. Pony Express would be cool. Think a steeplechase/horse themed launch coaster like it could make a good segway between Rivertown with a horse/western theme and Coney Mall with a classic steeplechase look

Woman coming off of White Water Canyon: "Not cool, a******! You got my ******* brand-new Jordans wet and RUINED them!"

There have been a lot of rides at Kings Island that have been removed by the park but which attraction do you think was the biggest mistake to get rid of. This includes the time Taft, Paramount, and Cedar Fair all owned the park.

Going up to visit the park many multiple of times last year, I noticed line jumping increasing a ton. Just pushing through the line or trying to sneak through. I don't use Fast Lane very often so, I wait in line like everyone else most of the time (as long as it is not too long, of course). Watching people just blow through the line trying to line jump irritates me like few things do. What make them feel so special? In the past, being 6'4" and 230, I have called people out on it, especially if it's right in front of me. But lately, I do not feel comfortable at all doing that. People seem a bit on edge or crazier these days it seems. So, I call the KI hotline and let them know. It came in handy one day last season in Mystic Timbers line when a group of about 20 were trying to line jump...security caught them doing it. I think they were already in the area, so that worked! But, I have seen too many times last season where they just get away with it. Maybe it's just a sign of the times lately? Hopefully that trend subsides again one day. Also, as a kid going to KI in the past up till now, the fact someone tried to bring a gun into the park just saddens me to the core. Why do that in a place that brings so much happiness to so many? I just do not understand that thinking.

One thing I am really excited for after seeing construction photos this weekend is the new entry plaza for Adventure Express. From the pictures posted to KIC, it looks like foundations have been poured for signage and props, and a lot of rock work is currently being done. Right now, it looks like it will be very similar to what is seen in the concept art. The only difference that I have noticed so far is that is is situated father back behind the Coca-Cola Marketplace instead of up along the midway as shown in the concept art. I prefer the actual location of the new plaza compared to the location in the concept art because it would have probably been very crammed alongside the midway. Also, some sort of large foundation or rock work is going up in front of Sol Spin, which I am thinking will be a cool ride ID sign. Last but not least, a foundation has been poured right around the entrance to Adventure Port from Oktoberfest (or Action Zone), which I am hoping is for an Adventure Port entrance sign. It would also be nice to see entrance signs near the entrances to Adventure Port from International Street and Coney Mall.

I was told last year they discontinued paper maps, which makes me and my collection sad

See the full Adventure Port construction photos here: https://kicentral.com/photos/adventure-port-construction

The interesting thing is that the map does indicate that the airbrush building is part of Adventure Port, but since the new concrete does not extend to the airbrush building, it seems as if it is not part of the new area. I don’t really mind if the new airbrush building is a part of Adventure Port or not as it really does not add or take away from the new area significantly, but I hope Kings Island does not try to make it seem like it is part of the new area without pouring new concrete to make it fit in. The new concrete is what really draws the boundaries for adventure Port in my opinion. I think Kings Island is done pouring concrete for the midway, though, so I don’t see it being extended to in front of the airbrush building.

One interesting thing is that it seems like the size of the area had been reduced. I don’t think the airbrush building is being included in the area anymore as the concept art shows.

^^I don't think this is the final product theming wise. I think as the weeks go on especially as we get closer to summer and the eventual opening of the rides we'll see more theming and props added as well as signage. I also am hoping they do some themed signage around the restrooms like Jungle X at KD where they have the posters referencing past rides and maybe an Adventure Port art map like Jungle X.

It seems like the Mercado and Enrique’s still have a lot of work that needs to be done. There is not really signage for either aside from the temporary cover over the old Hank’s Mexican Grill sign (the Coca-Cola Marketplace is also missing a sign on the top of the building). Also, it seems as if the roof may get painted red. From the Eiffel Tower (KIC picture attached for reference), it appears that the park is at least in the process of pressure washing the roof with some sections having much more grime than others. I hope the pressure washing is prep for painting as the roof looks really out of place as of now. Also, I am kind of worried the banners hanging throughout the area (as pictured in the concept art below) are not going to happen since the old lights were out back up in front of Enrique’s. Also, no new posts appear to have been constructed. Finally, I wonder if the shade structures (as pictured in the concept art below) will be built or not on the Mercado patio as there is currently very little shade on the patio. I know umbrellas will probably be added soon, but the structures would be a really nice touch.

Cedar Fair operates on bait and switch. They advertise a schedule then close the park if the crowd is low. Anyone that has bought a season pass from Cedar Fair knows they will not get what is advertised. However, they sell their season passes so cheap people keep buying. I personally think they are on the dishonest side but I keep buying because it’s a good deal. they also operate with bait and switch when advertise their ticket prices. Don’t forget they add on processing fee that’s unadvertised Legal Yes Ethical No Ripping off the prestige pass, people is even worse since they paid more I personally do not spend any extra money at the parks and pass price since they operate with bait and switch manner.

True, but at the same time, Prestige holders paid quite a bit more for this experience. They haven't done many things right to convince people at this point to renew the Prestige pass. Many experienced buyers remorse within a week or two of purchasing as the items and amenities that were available when they purchased said pass disappeared. Many have called it a bait and switch.

I'm not into construction, but maybe why they're just started building the VIP Lounge is because, it's one of the easier things to do, they worked on the harder stuff first.

I was a little surprised that a lot of the winter projects weren't completed for opening weekend---but after thinking about it there are a few factors that could definitely cause some slowdowns in construction---Winterfest---pushed the availability of the areas back around two months from what is was a few years ago. Weather--- we had some ugly weather here and there. Construction issues---Supplies, equipment, workers (a lot of places are 10% or more short on workers. Like i tell my doctors and my mechanics---i want it Done Right---not right now. Later, Mark

I work for a school district and we have multiple construction projects going on. Hearing some of the construction meetings outside my office, the biggest issues has been building materials not showing up and getting permits.

Yes they were both open today, I however didn’t get anything from them.

Are the Mercado and Enrique's open yet?

To be fair, there wasn't much they could do during WinterFest without disrupting that area, too much, and especially in December there were some VERY COLD spells where things like ride foundations and other "behind the fence" work wouldn't have been feasible. They'll get it done, and I wouldn't rush to judgement about the quality of the theming based on where things are now. Once the rides are installed, focus can shift to landscaping, signage, etc.

It does seem like Kings Island is behind in building the new rethemed area of the park and disappointing that the new Grill is not open as well as the new Tom and Chee. Lines were very long at all food places especially since some are not open yet.

Phantom Theater.

Flying Eagles