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I think you’re being a little extreme here. We all miss Don Helbig, and it is sad that he is gone. However, why would the Kings Island employees setting up the gravestones intentionally do something like this? And why are you creating the narrative that Kings Island hates its fans? It’s not “them” against us. You kind of sound like Alex Jones saying that.

@BoddaH1994, I do not know you personally, but coming from someone who is a casual fan of Kings Island and rollercoasters, all of your posts as of late seem to have one purpose: to go at the park and constantly say negative things about their PR or operations. ON this site, we often voice our frustrations to certain users who always come to the parks aide (even when times they shouldnt), I see no difference with what you are doing here. I see your posts as forcing a narrative on the people on this website to try to prove a point. That being said, you have every right to voice your own opinions, but at some point, it does come off as beating a dead horse. I do not know what your end goals are here. It seems that you are much more upset about this than anyone else (including Don). I mean no ill will towards you at all, I just wanted to voice how your posts over the past few months have brought quite the negative outlook on the park.

Because complaining, and creating that narrative with Kings Island on KIC has no repercussions for him. This kinda crap isn’t said on any Attractions Group or Tower Topics channels because he has skin in the game there. This thread is supposed to be positive, and bring up good memories of Don’s time at the park. I think out of respect for him it’s best we keep it that way.

I didn’t know where else to put this: go to 54:00 and watch for about a minute and you’ll see where the owner talks about parts of Phantom Theater being in the Dent Schoolhouse (also at the beginning I think an old spinning cauldron from KI though he says Coney Island).

Having more drink stations open for quicker access and variety, especially for fans of specific beverages like Cherry Coke, would indeed enhance the overall park experience. It's unfortunate when budget constraints impact these conveniences.

I actually like this a lot! If I get the free time I might do up some renderings

Are we sure this was done intentionally by the park? To me, it just seems like it could be a random act of vandalism by an unruly guest. I don't see any legitimate reason the park would have to do that.

Another TT2 Pit Stop! This time, our host is Michael Manley, CP VP Maintenance & Construction. Say hi to the really big crane.

If and when you do, put me down for the “first copy.” Wink wink.

It is his opinion, which he is entitled too just like you. As for where I stand , I have no horse in this race…I have never really known Don…but it does strike me as being a huge coincidence that his tombstone is damaged. Why wouldn’t it have been repaired before it was put out? (vinyl letters aren’t that expensive.) In my opinion…and we know what that’s worth…if it was already damaged and was still put out like this, it shows little respect for a man who did so much for the park. I am curious, are there any other tombstones that are this damaged?

Correct. Private event until 7, and then the park opens to the public for Haunt at 7. I would definitely 100% postpone.

Im 100% on board with this as well, even as I am (continually unsuccessfully) trying to eliminate drinking pop, the TD Cherry Coke is a certain go-to when the stand is open. Also, even though I Love the Freestyle machines, either they need at least 2 more locations with them (I know, too cost prohibitive) or they need to police the one by SolSpin better because of humans' lack of ability to master the rudimentary task of operating said machines, and then there was the time I was there Sunday before Labor Day when I had to have the "That is a move that you really dont want to make again" conversation with a family that looked like the O'Doyles (O' Doyles rule!) who decided it would be a good idea to jump the line for the machines.

Had no idea. Super cool! Thanks for sharing!

Totally agree. Went to water park 1x this year. So wish it would be reconfigured as a stand alone gate so it would be its own revenue segment and they could use the gate fees to really improve it, give discounted price to dry park passholders, and not have to spread the live as much like now where it is just an “area” of the park.

The coast up over hill was a bummer when I rode it. Still stand by my thoughts that the chain lift could be an upgrade.

Originally the launch went up to the top of lift hill right? Then it got changed to about 3/4 of lift hill was launch with a coast over the crest. If the high speed chain lift is actually high speed then this change could be an upgrade.

I really do not see this having much of a negative impact on the ride experience. The launch was far from the best part of the ride.

I also went on August 29! I enjoyed the light crowds (who doesn't) and had fun even with some interesting things I noticed. Most coasters started the day with two trains, but several of them had gone to one by mid-afternoon. Maverick was down the whole time I was there, and I got a morning Magnum ride before it too went down in the afternoon. Gemini started with two sides but ran only Red later on. My friends and I were among the last to use Steel Vengeance's free lockers before they went down, so at least they were working for part of the day! I tried Cheese-on-a-Stick for the first time, and we got evacuated off Millie's brake run WindSeeker ran consistently all day due to the minimal breeze, and Rougarou continues to grow on me as it gave me fun rides in the front and back rows. Of course I had to ride all the Arrow coasters, and I still love Corkscrew. No complaints as I got to ride most of what I wanted! Definitely an interesting, fun day to say the least.

That’s Paramount for you. They probably wanted it in the most central location in the park for the most exposure in order to promote their branding. Though that is just speculation, mind you.

Maybe like @WoodVengeance said Xcelerator at Knotts but after that I don’t see anymore coasters that Zamperla would work on. However, If Top Thrill 2 goes well I do see Zamperla building ground up multi launch coasters for the Cedar Fair chain.

I wouldn't be surprised if Xcelerator at Knotts gets the Zamperla treatment at some point considering it's about as much of a maintenance nightmare as TTD was. For Flight of Fear, however, it's harder to say. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears the Zamperla lightning trains were designed specifically for older Intamins, not premier rides launch coasters like FoF. Plus, the fact that FoF is an indoor coaster could make it more difficult to do any major modifications to the track and/or launch system.

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

I can’t tell you how many times, even running this site, I was told to reply to various posters calling them liars if they had any kind of critique. This was countless times by countless associates. I was told that those who made mention of the fact that SIX and SEAS had nice, indoor VIP lounges were “entitled” and should appreciate the lean-to that they built. A former employee (not Don) told me an anecdote in which, when they were being trained to host the Gold Pass holder breakfast was told that it was their obligation because that’s what the “entitled” season passholders demand. This was a while ago, but it was an advertised perk, so it’s not like the season pass people demanded it out of nowhere. The whole fiasco with the bait-and-switch with Prestige, without Mr Selfie or Koontz ever addressing it. That’s in addition to putting the VIP between the restroom and the very active dumpster. These are just some small examples that I saw myself. It is quite evident that their culture is that, the more loyal a guest is, the more they dislike them. Defacing Don’s grave doesn’t not prove that they hate you, it’s just a symptom of it.

It’s only been put out as of today. It was fine last year. Even if it isn’t intentional (I believe it is), why are they putting out defaced props and then expecting you to vote for them as the US’s best theme park Halloween event? If they can’t put care into the details then how can they earn your vote? I was at Halloween Horror Nights last week. This is better than that? My theory is that they were told to rip Don’s name off the grave. It was stuck on enough that they just ripped off enough so it was unreadable. I don’t know that for sure, but that’s what it looks like to me.

Mods Please Delete

Don Helbig spearheaded enthusiast events, including three KIC-exclusive events, at Kings Island. He was also the person most responsible for the fan-favorite Coasterstock. The biggest advocate for KIC, ACE, the Facebook groups, and KI guests in general. Two months after his departure, this was done to his prop grave. Several other former employees are still marked on their graves. This was clearly intentional. They hate him because they hate you. Remember this when they’re begging you for USA Today and Golden Ticket votes.