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Cargo Loco is a fun little family ride. I enjoyed riding it along with getting some great photos of it with Banshee. Sol Spin has a lot of intensity for being a solo ride wheel. I feel like it pulled some Gs for sure! Overall, I love these two new rides.

New user here! With the recent removal of Timberline Twister at Knott’s Berry Farm and the rumors of a new kiddy coaster replacing it, what are the odds Kings Island adds a new kiddy coaster once The Great Pumpkin Coaster bites the dust? This is not confirmed, but I have recently heard rumors that The Great Pumpkin Coaster may be retired soon, which would make sense considering its age coupled with the fact that Knott’s is removing their old kiddy coaster. Considering there are also reported markers around Planet Snoopy with a rumored refresh for next year, maybe The Great Pumpkin Coaster will bite the dust sooner than we think. After all, it is the oldest steel coaster in the park. I would like to see a new kiddy coaster like the one Canada’s Wonderland added this year.

Someone on reddit has reported seeing the ride test today

It looks like he waited till they were open, and ready for business. An empty stand just screams don’t bother making a trip yet, we’re not open. Just my two cents. Kings Island was also mentioned in the WLWT article: https://www.wlwt.com/article/paytons-lemonade-stand-returns-with-record-70-stands/44670197#

Seeing myself in that thumbnail will always catch me off guard now matter how many times I see that picture.

I just don’t understand why you are so bitter towards Chad? I’m curious now if you have ever applied for that position but Chad ended up getting the job.

Welcome to KIC. Some are thinking/ hoping we will see a coaster like at CW next season with the possible PS updates. Stay tuned here let's speculate together.

Extremely lengthy article and this is the KI mention: ”With a record number of stands coming to life, including a kick-off stand at Kings Island on Friday, one stand in Texas and another in Florida, Obert shared this insight with her fellow stand hosts.” Again, this should have been a huge opportunity. The lack of effort and/or competence to get a story out is pathetic. And as far as the social post is concerned, why on Earth would he wait until it’s open? Wouldn’t you want to invite people to the park to contribute to this? Waiting until it’s open is too late. My GF doesn’t have a pony in this race (with KI comms), but she’s passionate about this charity. By the time word got to her, she made a special trip to KI, only to disappointingly find it already closed. I’m sure others had the same experience. I used to think that this level of competence was just kind of sad coming out of a PR/social-heavy place like KI; however, I’m starting to think that you, I, or any aspiring Tik Toker could do a better job. Pathetic.

Beggars can’t be choosers, but if I ran that organization I’d be so disappointed. With any level of competence this should have been breakthrough exposure. Instead, they’ll quietly raise a few bucks.

Exactly. Help 'em out, encourage people to come to the park and stop by for some lemonade! But, nope. Crickets...

YES! Great organization! Just wish that, in a year without a lot of feel-good stuff coming from the park, there would have at least been a social post…

And for those who don't know about this great organization: https://paytonslemonadestand.org/about-us/

Maybe I'm in the minority but I vastly prefer Sol Spin over a traditional Enterprise. I enjoy the solo style seating and the freedom it gives quite a bit. And being 12 rides in at this point it still stands as my favorite flat.

Don will be missed. There’s no to replace his legacy. He took this assignment and made it his own. Too bad KI did not recognize that.

Thanks to all who have expressed their feelings about Don no longer working at KI. Don has been an instrumental part of the history at Kings Island, not only as an employee but as a park enthusiast. He became an employee almost right after Cedar Fair bought the park. He has showcased his knowledge and his love for the park, guests, and enthusiasts alike. This is a very emotional subject for all KI enthusiasts brining about negative and positive feelings forward. As the park's biggest supporters (KIC members), we are also just as passionate about its success going forward. We all want to see that position filled with the same enthusiasm, passion, and love Don demonstrated every day. Even though we know that is going to be a tall order to fill, let's hope they can find that person. From here on out, this threads subject will be about Don and not get into other subjects or people. Thanks KIC Staff.

This really took me by surprise. I'm really sad to see Don leave. I was able to meet Don last August at KI with a buddy of mine and he was super nice and even follows both of us on Twitter now which is really cool. This is my first year working at Kings Island and I have seen Don around the park a lot this year. There have been times where I have wanted to go up to him and ask him some thing about the park and the Attractions Group Podcast, but I'm a very shy person and it's hard for me to walk up to someone I don't know or hardly know and talk to them. I really wish I would have now. I wish Don the best in the next chapter of his life and career. He has done a lot for Kings Island and I thank him for that.

Spoken like a true lecturer of public communications I see. You say he wasn’t at Sol Spin, he was. You say he wasn’t at CoasterStock, he was. Everyone taking photos of the same structures doesn’t mean he’s copying someone else’s tweets. Also, he was at ERT: What’s your definition of “sucks at communicating”. He has gotten the story across nearly every time there’s a press release and or news story.

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Out of respect for Don. How about we keep this thread on topic about remembering positive stories about him and not about Chad.

First off he’s able to conduct media events, provide tours of new areas or events to media, and etc. Just a few weeks ago during the opening of Sol Spin, he was providing tours to local radio hosts. Second he’s knowledgeable about the park, which is critical for success in a role. I have seen Chad frequently at the park. I think he does an exceptional job at his role .

Besides taking a selfie with you, what has most impressed you about how PR has been operated over the past five years?

He literally sucks at communicating, which is bad for a communications director. So odd that until recently when he was called out for not being out in the park he all of the sudden is able to be seen in the park. Grain and Grill opening at 4 pm. He left the park at 130 pm. No coverage or even a post showing the excitement of a new restaurant opening. Cargo Loco opening, where was he? Sol Spin opening, showed up after the ride opened. It is interesting that you say running into him is fun. I'm assuming he knows who you are. I have seen several tweets, comments online that people don't know who he is or what he does at the park. That's an issue for the "face" of the park as their top communications person. Those who attended coaster stock, when was he seen? Anywhere that he could be thanked. Meals and behind the scenes tours. Outside of those two things, was never seen at ERT, out in the park, etc. . How can a communications director be good at their job if they aren't available or seen? Chad has been a downgrade from what the park had before in Don. As posted in another thread, it looks like the tweets are now written by a 12 year old and/or are copying someone else's homework. Don wrote blogs that did amazing storytelling. When is the last time Chad wrote a blog? My point is not I don't like Chad, it's the quality, professionalism and talent we are used to is gone. It is the fact that the park doesn't have a competent spokesperson anymore.

Just to prove that he ain’t dead yet (oh, and as a shameless plug) we recorded a show last night. For those who are concerned I’ll tell that that Don was in very good spirits and is looking forward to the next phase in his career.

Why do you dislike Chad so much? Chad’s a great guy, and awesome at KI! It’s always fun running into him and having discussions with him at the park.

Not to mention that, as far as I’m aware, Don’s a fan of trains and highlighted the train ride through his social media posts.

Don will certainly be missed at Kings Island. The richness of details and encyclopedic knowledge of everything KI he brought to his role was of course second to none. Wherever he lands next is going to be lucky. Too bad he didn't get the big send-off he deserved. Hopefully Coasterstock continues for many years to come, but there will be some pretty big shoes to fill. As most people here know, the connection Don built with the KI community was extraordinary; he made it a point to genuinely get to know as many fans as he could. The countless hours of preparation plus very early mornings and very late nights never went unnoticed, even when the end of the event consisted of 20 people sheltering from torrential rains under the main gate after midnight. There's a reason it has sold out faster every single year. His legacy at Kings Island will be a tough act to follow.

Will miss Don Helbig in his role....what a class act! Extremely talented in story telling, guest relations, and being a good human being. Can't say the same for Chad, who for some reason remains.

Best wishes Don! Your knowledge and passion were a great asset to KI and we appreciate all you've done to help make the park what it is today.

Best of luck Don. Thanks for all the conversations in the past and here's to more when I see you in the park in the future! Oh, and WHO DEY

The dude can tell you how many slices of pizza he’s eaten in the past five years. Trust me, he remembers.

I wish Don all the best. A huge loss for the park. I still look back fondly on a high school project I had where we had to interview a professional in a field we were interested in. Don, set aside the time to have me come to the park and talk with him. Our conversation on international street while the park was closed and being decorated for Halloween Haunt was an amazing experience. He may not remember, but it has stuck with me. Best of luck to him, a great ambassador for the park!

I still remember my first time meeting Don, I think. It would have been back in 2008. I was so interested in the Royal Fountains and I had so many questions about them. I remember my dad going into guest services to see if there was anyone who I could talk to. I’m pretty sure it was Don who came out and talked to me and answered all my questions. I think they may have even wrote out a fact sheet for me, which ended up getting lost, wish I still had it. After that, I would usually see him walking out and about in the park every time I visited. I started attending Coasterstock in 2017, and have attended every one since then. He always did a phenomenal job with planning and organizing such a great event! He’s truly an icon to Kings Island and the amusement park industry. I know he will be truly missed, and hope for the best for him in whatever he decides to do. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is truly disheartening to hear. I sincerely hope his legacy will continue to pave the way to a brighter future for the park, although I cannot help but be cynical.

I hear there's plenty of land opposite GWL, fronting I-71 (the former KIRCC site)... Property records show a portion was sold to Rivers Crossing Church but the majority remains with Warren County Holdings. Though, the mailing address on the other large parcel shows the church's address..? Maybe they'll build the church of Buc-ee's. https://www.wcauditor.org/property_search/summary.aspx?account_nbr=944115

Conveniently located in Mason Ohio

I don’t see him being negative per se. I meant his comments will be more genuine. I can see him opening the first Buc-ee’s in Ohio, that would be awesome!

I think that Don is professional enough that it's not like him to disclose any negativity or reason for the departure. I hope that maybe he'll start a new Hockey Franchise and I can be his Organist & DJ during the games. I'll sure miss him.

I really hope Kings Island does a potential Camp Snoopy overhaul right. It is going to take A LOT of money to revamp such a huge area the right way, but it needs it. All of the concrete and some of the buildings definitely should be removed. In their place, it would be nice to see new pavers, camp-like buildings, and landscaping with water features.

I 110% support enhanced theming on The Beast. Get it right up there with Mystic Timbers and Adventure Express.

They close things early that make them money, so why would they keep a charity stand open longer