At one time there was talk of searching the world for classic rides. There is plenty of space beyond the tracks for several classic rides... Some day. Maybe a Big Wheel.

What?! No! That's the only place in the park that I know of that sold elephant ears! Tell me the elephant ears didn't get the axe, too!

Weren't they also sold at the funnel cake stand on IS?

I'll echo that. I thinks it's time for a Ferris Wheel. I mean, come on.

As I read through this thread, I can't help but (hilariously) envision a group of reporters shoving microphones in to Don Helbig's face:

 

"Can you tell us more about the demolition of the funnel cake stand in Rivertown!?"

 

"What is the nature of this project??"

 

"What does this mean for the future of White Water Canyon!?"

 

"The public is just wanting answers!!!!"

Maybe they are building a new "build your own Funnel Cake" style stand similar to the one on International Street last year? Perhaps the layout and design of the original building wouldn't be conducive to this type of "assembly line" style?

What?! No! That's the only place in the park that I know of that sold elephant ears! Tell me the elephant ears didn't get the axe, too!

Weren't they also sold at the funnel cake stand on IS?

Nope.

Terp, helping.

Idk. Definitely not a referb. It looks as if they took out all of the infrastructure and even some of the concrete. I'm betting on a possible new structure and a new pathway to WWC.

Im wondering if they will put the new soccer challenge game there

Oh heavens no. 

 

 

I guess I'll chime in here as really I never was a part of the target audience. I really don't like Funnel Cakes, in fact, I would be just as happy to get a small Roll-O-Plane or some sort of small flat to be placed in the spot. But, that would take out prime real estate to possibly open up the back area into River Town's White Water Canyon. I don't think the train is in jeopardy as this is the Funnel Cake Shop area, not the station as there is a few steps from there to the train so I have no fear for the train itself. Besides, it's a key part of Kings Island history and it's on the COASTERSTOCK itinerary so I don't think it will leave in 2016. 

Ugh. Yeah, pretty sure it will be the new soccer game. In addition to the bouncing basketballs, let's add rolling soccer balls to the crowds. What could possibly go wrong?

https://twitter.com/kingsislandpr/status/689108609410662401

Oh boy. They must have some serious balls to put this in.

Not looking forward to the crowds of people standing around watching the game if that's where they're putting it. That area is already congested enough as it is.

This seems like the worst possible idea for that area.  Rivertown has so much traffic as is and they're putting in this huge game which will likely spawn spectators?  

 

There has to be a better place for this if they're so intent on this, like, oh, I don't know...all that space by Backlot?

What's that saying that's been thrown around on here a million times?  "People gotta play soccer".

And the teasers begin; it looks like Kings Island could be getting more than a new game. From Greg Scheid via Twitter:

 

Always good news when Rob visits with blueprints! #greatnewsforthefuture

Photo: Greg Scheid / Kings Island via Twitter: https://twitter.com/KIGMGREG/status/689104785421787137

Surprised I haven't seen this tweet mentioned anywhere (I may have missed it):

Very excited about the out of the box committee we have to make HAUNT bigger and better. This park is filled with creative folks!

— Greg Scheid (@KIGMGREG) January 7, 2016

Thanks Terp. I have WDW on my mind. I meant International Street in the shadow of the ET

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You are correct sir, at least from my memories of m last park visit.  Walk along the left side of I Street, and turn left at the Tower, and (last I remember) there was/is a funnel cake/elephant ear/pretzel/drink/etc stand first building on the left.

If you squint real hard, it kind of looks like the layout for The Beast, at least in my mind, not that that really means anything.

As I read through this thread, I can't help but (hilariously) envision a group of reporters shoving microphones in to Don Helbig's face:

 

"Can you tell us more about the demolition of the funnel cake stand in Rivertown!?"

 

"What is the nature of this project??"

 

"What does this mean for the future of White Water Canyon!?"

 

"The public is just wanting answers!!!!"

And his answer... "Park Management was unhappy with the ride experience of the Elephant Ear stand"

And for the sixteenth time, that stand on International Street did NOT sell elephant ears in 2015.

Does anyone recognize Rob from that post? He looks familiar to me but I'm not up on the "players" enough to have a name.

Edit: never mind. Looked it up and I guess that is Rob Decker from Cedar Fair

Rob Decker is the Senior Vice President of Planning and Design for Cedar Fair.  He is essentially the chief designer for Cedar Fair.  So he likely has a role to some degree in most projects that get built at all the Cedar Fair parks.  From restrooms to food stands, to games booths to ride buildings.

Yep, it is Rob Decker...and he is the man.  Note that if they are looking at blueprints, it seems unlikely that it would deal with the 2016 season unless it is for Haunt.  The planning process really never stops from one project to the next.  

But, can you say diversion?

I can say inversion.

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A soccer game, really? They take all this out for... a soccer game? There's gotta more to this. 

 

One guess I just thought of is shuffling around Tombstone Territory's entrance/exit as the soccer game will now be taking up what used to be the queue. This may open up the area by Madame Fatale's (where the start of the line was this year); hmmm... 

Also, another question is how big is the soccer game and how much room will it take up? So many questions....

 

And also,  I don't think another Haunt could fit in this space, unless they do away with Tombstone or rework/revamp it somehow... this next Haunt season should be very interesting... 

 

-MDMC, rambling with speculation

2017 KI's 45th That is all.

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I do find the phrase "out of the box" and HAUNT mentioned in Greg Scheid's tweet intriguing. Probably just a turn of phrase, but I know a lot of people are dying for the big box to be either removed or at least better utilized through the summer.

Dang Mr.  Rob Decker himself!  It's gotta be something good,  I think! 

I do find the phrase "out of the box" and HAUNT mentioned in Greg Scheid's tweet intriguing. Probably just a turn of phrase, but I know a lot of people are dying for the big box to be either removed or at least better utilized through the summer.

Maybe they are putting in a Jack in the Box stand selling burgers and fries--LOL