https://kic.datric.io/forums/rss/1-kicentral-forums.xml/Latest PostsenHi fellow KI fans - I hope this is allowed here... I am posting this to give serious KI collectors the chance to own a piece of Kings Island History. I have had the pleasure of owning "Tag" the dog from KI's original dark ride "The Enchanted Voyage." This piece is in original working order and operated in the ride from 1972-1983. Since his time with me, he's been in storage, because I simply do not have room in my home to display him. I'd rather him go to a fellow KI enthusiast that can enjoy him so I have listed him on FB Marketplace. I'll link below. The amount I am asking is due to my desire of ensuring that whomever buys him will respect his provenance. I live in Louisville, so any interested parties would need to travel here to acquire him. Its a fun, piece! https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1497403075519022/Thu, 16 Jul 2026 00:53:09 +0000Kumba is preparing for its final roar at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, with its last day of operation set for August 2 after an unforgettable 33-year run. When it debuted in 1993, the legendary coaster was Florida’s tallest, fastest and longest, while its towering vertical loop and signature roar helped make it one of the most celebrated roller coasters of its era. While fans will say goodbye to a true icon, the story isn’t ending. Busch Gardens has announced Kumba’s Revenge as part of a $100 million investment in the park, ensuring the spirit of Kumba lives on while ushering in a new generation of thrills.Tue, 14 Jul 2026 19:45:17 +0000Three summer Saturdays just got even better. Holiday World is extending park hours, giving visitors extra time for award-winning roller coasters, live entertainment, great food and spectacular nighttime experiences. FULL STORY: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-extends-summer-hours-night-rides-2026/Tue, 14 Jul 2026 18:34:54 +0000Maybe I’m tardy to the party but while riding WindSeeker today, I saw some structural work being done to a part of the backstage area outside of Area 72 near Orion.Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:22:20 +0000Has Six Flags trained guests to ask, “Where can I use my meal plan?” instead of, “Where should we eat?” The company already has the building blocks—from smokehouses to food festivals—but there’s an opportunity to rebalance its food and beverage strategy by combining value, signature dining and premium experiences into something guests will remember. FULL STORY: https://themeparksbydon.com/six-flags-food-and-beverage-strategy/Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:59:10 +0000I'm going to use @The man's research as a jumping-off point for this, so thank you to Mr. The Man! The "Project 13" maze cost fascinates me since it has such a high price. It's lower than the $900,000 price listed on the permit report for Phantom Theater (PT:ON probably cost a lot more than that), but it still feels really high. What could we see for that price? A total gutting of the building (or one side of it) to allow for a larger maze? A redo of the queue line so it makes better sense? If anyone can find the price Carowinds paid to gut their Action Theater that would be helpful to know for comparison. I'd love to see this ready for 2026, though I'd understand if it's for 2027. As much as I enjoy Hotel St. Michelle, it's within one of the largest maze buildings in the park and only uses a relatively small portion of its footprint. I do hope the park has something new coming this Fall if they want to justify the continued upcharge for mazes. Some guests will see no reason to pay for what they experienced last year without something new, especially after parks like Kings Dominion removed the upcharge halfway through the event.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 19:58:23 +0000I regularly check the permit reports for Mason and I’m skipping past the 600,000 dollar haunted house investment, but I had to post about the Son of Beast station being condemned. Happy reading! LINK: https://www.imaginemason.org/download/PDFs/monthly_permit_reports/2026/MONTHLY-ISSUED-PERMIT-REPORT-JUNE-2026.pdfThu, 09 Jul 2026 03:15:37 +0000TIME has named Dollywood one of America’s Best Private Companies for 2026, ranking it No. 49 overall—and it’s the only theme park to make the prestigious list. Find out what helped Dollywood earn the distinction and why it continues to set the standard in the theme park industry. FULL STORY: https://themeparksbydon.com/dollywood-time-best-private-companies-2026/Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:29:11 +0000Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:11:02 +0000Cannonball! will be the tallest and fastest water roller coaster in the U.S., but the biggest story is why it perfectly matches Holiday World’s family-first philosophy. Full story: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-cannonball-perfect-fit/Fri, 03 Jul 2026 17:29:50 +0000Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:29:36 +0000https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/kings-islands-next-big-roller-coaster-may-be-hiding-in-atlanta A key statement: The coaster is definitely moveable," wrote Darren Torr, president of Rocky Mountain Construction. "Based on ranking by coaster enthusiasts, it's a top 10 coaster in the world. It has angle iron structure, which means it will require new hardware. It has some topography changes, so a new site will need to be modified or the structure will be need to be reworked to match the site elevation. Ballpark, the cost to move is probably ~$10M less than building new. I have no idea what the future holds for AF1, hopefully, it continues to deliver smiles for guests." This tells me that relocation is in fact feasible for AFO. But while many want it to come to KI (and this could be in The Vortex plot), I wouldn't consider it a certainty that it will happen. There's other parks for consideration, including within Six Flags and from other chains including Herschend, United Parks, and Enchanted Parks. I'm not going to look into detail at all of these, but any park that has the capacity for it (and doesn't already have an RMC like it) could be in the running.Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:12:39 +0000Going Friday and wondered if they have been doing the Beach Blast Extreme show in this heat. We would go for the 2 PM show.Thu, 02 Jul 2026 09:35:32 +0000BeachBlast X-Treme is this years International Showplace show. Catch all the high-flying acrobatics and serious air from this year's Beach Blast X-Treme at Kings Island. See photos and more here: https://kicentral.com/current-shows/beach-blast-x-treme/ What do you think of this year's show? Let us know below! 👇Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:00:02 +0000Holiday World is making a big splash in 2027 with Cannonball!, the Midwest’s first water roller coaster. Combining the thrills of a roller coaster with the excitement of a flume ride, the 1,700-foot attraction will climb a 90-foot lift hill before plunging 75 feet—the tallest drop on any water roller coaster in the United States—and reaching speeds of up to 45 mph, making it the nation’s fastest water roller coaster. The family-friendly adventure ends with a dramatic splashdown in the Boulder Canyon Community Pool and will be open to guests at least 42 inches tall when accompanied by an adult. Will Cannonball! be on your must-ride list in 2027?Wed, 01 Jul 2026 14:39:39 +0000Wed, 01 Jul 2026 06:20:05 +0000Disney Jollywood Nights returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights from November 7 through January 5, marking the first time the popular holiday event will extend into January. This separately ticketed celebration transforms the park with elegant seasonal décor, stylish live entertainment, specialty food and beverages, exclusive experiences, and shorter waits for many favorite attractions. With a more intimate atmosphere and festive glamour around every corner, Jollywood Nights offers a unique way to celebrate the holidays at Walt Disney World. Would you add Disney Jollywood Nights to your holiday travel plans this year?Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:41:17 +0000Visited Branson, MO and there is a new attraction going in between Powderkeg and Wildfire at SDC. Lots of land clearing and already vertical with the structure in the center. I thought it was an old structure for it is intentionally weathered to look old, not the footers are new. Not sure what this is as far as coaster type, but there is also already a transfer shed for what looks like 3 trains. Thoughts?Sun, 28 Jun 2026 01:28:43 +0000The Boulder Canyon Cannonball Competition splashes back on July 1, with fan favorite Mr. Craig looking to capture the championship for an incredible seventh consecutive year. But the competition is only part of the excitement. Beginning at 8:45 a.m. CT, WATR’s Cole Slawinsky and Barbie Q. Turner will provide live coverage leading up to the official reveal of what’s coming to Holiday World in 2027. With the countdown nearly over, all eyes will be on Santa Claus, Indiana, as Holiday World unveils the largest single-attraction investment in the park’s history. Will you be watching?Sat, 27 Jun 2026 18:41:30 +0000For 80 years, Hersheypark’s Comet has thrilled riders with classic wooden coaster airtime, glowing night rides, and timeless nostalgia. Here’s why the legendary ride still matters today. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/hersheypark-comet-80th-anniversary/Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:24:12 +0000This press release was just released by Fun Spot. If you haven't been on Arieforce One yet, I would recommend trying to go down there if possible. This park is located about 30 minutes from Six Flags Over Georgia.Thu, 25 Jun 2026 20:24:59 +0000As the United States marks a quarter millennium of history, Cedar Point is blending thrills, tradition and patriotism into a holiday week that promises unforgettable memories for families visiting America’s Roller Coast. Details: https://sanduskyregister.com/news/1114083/cedar-point-celebrates-americas-250th-birthday/Thu, 25 Jun 2026 18:08:56 +0000Holiday World’s Holidays in the Sky drone and fireworks spectacular returns through August 3 with 500 drones, pyrotechnics, patriotic animations, and special Fourth of July events. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/holiday-world-holidays-in-the-sky-2026/Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:43:33 +0000Kings Island is looking to elevate its food and beverage program with the search for an Executive Chef. The role will oversee all culinary operations throughout the park, including quick-service locations, full-service restaurants, catering, and special events. The successful candidate will serve as the park’s senior culinary leader, helping shape dining experiences for millions of guests each season while driving innovation, quality, and operational excellence across the resort. Hungry for a career in the amusement and theme park industry? This could be the ultimate recipe for success. Apply online: https://jobs.sixflags.com/job/mason/executive-chef/42509/96527403440Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:28:39 +0000We rode the attractions, watched the shows, and made unforgettable memories—but some of the best moments of our Walt Disney World vacation happened around the dinner table. Here are five Disney dining experiences my family loved as much as the rides. Full Story: https://themeparksbydon.com/walt-disney-world-cant-miss-dining-experiences-family-vacation/Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:34:02 +0000