http://i.imgur.com/F636xiP.gif

I feel like the topic of the front gate photographers comes up every few months

I got a set of those pins, at Coney Confections (home of $5 t-shirts and 70% off clearance of old stock). I'm a little surprised they're still available on the website, because all the ones they put into clearance sold out before the end of last season.

Fortunately KI has a lot of other cool pins that one can buy. At one point I went and took pics of everything that was available, and posted them IIRC for the person who was asking. I'll see if I can find the post.

Yep, found the thread: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/31107-ride-patches/

Thanks for sharing! My 9yo just got a new denim backpack and is collecting pins for it. She will love looking for them at KI!

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The old funnel cakes area is changing again. It looks like a partial concrete wall is built but the land seems to be sloping downwards.... A possible pond? Can't be sure.... Hmmmm.

You know, I've thought that whole area looks like it could be a water feature.  Do I really think that could happen, though?  No.  But I would probably be in the severe minority in that I would be more excited about a new pond than a new roller coaster.  

 

Speaking of, I was hoping that the "digging" viewable in the Banshee cam was a new pond as part of a possible new area.  

There used to be many more water features throughout KI.  There used to be one in front of the Oktoberfest Gardens and one in Coney Mall, by what is now a designated smoking area.  These were simply fountains that came out of the pavement a couple feet in the air, and the water drained through the pavers.  Cool feature, and added some liveliness to the midway.  Sad when these left.  I like the river that leads to Diamondback`s splash pond, but it is so far away from the midway, that few people probably realize it is even there.

Is there a passholder preview day this year? I know Carowinds had one and Cedar Point is having one but will Kings Island be having one? I can't find it anywhere on the website or on Google. I am driving down from Cleveland on the 15th so I was wondering if I could possibly riding coasters a day earlier than expected.

As Don has confirmed on here, there will be a pass holder preview for those who renewed their passes by the cutoff date of I believe November 7th.  They have not yet released when the pass holder preview will be.  

The old funnel cakes area is changing again. It looks like a partial concrete wall is built but the land seems to be sloping downwards.... A possible pond? Can't be sure.... Hmmmm.

There is also a digger by the bridge that most people don't realize is a bridge

Regarding the new funnel cake stand, it looks to have a lot cabin look to it, which sorta ties in with the frontier town 1800s era Cincinnati theme. Is it possible that the park is acknowledging the original theming a bit more?

That's what I have been noticing too! 
It's really nice to see
If only we could make the area with the saloons of LaRosa's and the Acades to feel more frontier with some static items so it doesn't feel.. one-sided? hehe

It certainly looks like it.  That building looks fantastic.  You know, we are all so spoiled by Kings Island's normal capital improvement budget.  This may seem like an "off" year to some people, but that building alone is a sizable investment/project...not to mention the new slide complex.  Kings Island's construction might is really staggering, when you think about it....

We also got a new waterslide complex! Finally, new slides!

Maybe Rivertown is getting its river back.

Maybe Rivertown is getting its river back.

 

It already has a river according to CoastersRZ......

 

 I like the river that leads to Diamondback`s splash pond, but it is so far away from the midway, that few people probably realize it is even there.

 

That's the Little-r Miami....

How cool would it be to have a powerful stream going down to Diamondback? With wider rocks, and noticeable splashes till it gets to the pool.

Drove past Kings Island today. Drop Tower was testing, and the new toll plaza is coming along real nicely. This will definitely be a FUN year at my home park!

Drop Tower Testing

https://www.facebook.com/KingsIslandExpo/videos/852748141520484/

I'd like to see a more extreme waterfall into the splashdown . Also it would be nice to be able to get a closer view of the splashdown. How about a nice little viewing area parallel to the pool.... Maybe a nice table seating area nearby.

...and smell that water?

Uh...no. Just no.

Of course they need to fix that first... Lol. Nothing a little pool paint and chlorine shock wouldn't fix.

Let's not forget that water features can also cool down the area surrounding it. So little splash pools can Help cool the surrounding air down. Which would be noce

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I like to think of WWC's course as the River of Rivertown.

Which should feel a little more included with it's more direct route

It's also interesting that it's called Rivertown... But there isn't much of a town yet. Maybe the new funnel cake and other stuff gathered together will make it a little more like a town. If the new "FC" area is a pond/ faux-river, maybe it will follow downstream to WWC in some way. Can't wait to see what's going on in the woods.... Hmmm I'm intrigued now.

I would love a water feature to be there.. but I suspect it's only going to be a green space for now..

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/article/online-fun/A-peek-inside-the-2016-season-at-Kings-Island

Can't wait to see what's going on in the woods.... Hmmm I'm intrigued now.

I just hope they don't mess up the woods too much. That's what makes riding The Beast so much fun! You're surrounded by nothing but the woods!

...and smell that water?

Uh...no. Just no.

Can't be no worse than the pond next to Maverick.

 

Bleh......

I have never noticed a bad smell there honestly.. the one by the water canons? Or the one with the horseshoe roll? Or the pond that the queue encompasses? Either way, I've never had a bad smell experience around the water there.. but maybe I have a low sensitivity nose..