Since I started the thread on Camp Snoopy construction last year, I decided to start one again for the new attractions coming to Soak City in 2025! 

As a reminder to make sure all posts follow the terms of service linked here: 

 

 

The park recently shared on X (formerly Twitter) that ground has broken on where RiverRacers is going! This is very exciting and here's to another season of construction updates! 

 

In case you hadn't noticed, the New in 2025 page is up on the main site. I will add this thread on the page soon.  There is a construction gallery as well. If anyone would like to contribute a picture(s) go here:

https://kicentral.com/kic-photo-submission/

Update today 

 

Video of Construction progress.

 

 

I'm excited to see the ride identification sign for river racers. I think they have the chance to do something really cool based off The Racers ride logo or do something completely unique.

A permit was recently filed for the renovation of the Soak City subway! Really excited to see what they do with it, I could see them turning it into an actual skyline or possibly a bar as well. A bar I feel is less likely since they built the coconut cove bar which seems to be a major investment in alcohol over there but never say never. I really hope that it is an original restaurant though.

I am looking forward to seeing Soak City in person next season. I really hope that these renovations really improve the water park experience, especially now that it is the only large scale outdoor facility in the area. I always enjoy my Soak City visits now that I have made a point of going a couple of times a year since moving out this way. Like many of you, I have always thought that there was a need to add some improvements along the way. I realize with it being much more seasonal than the dry side it doesn't get near the attention, but now with CI gone, I feel this is a step in the right direction towards more investments. Would love to see more shade added and of course any new slide or fun experience to be added is a good thing. Helps disperse the crowds more since Soak City gets verrryyyy congested on peak summer days. 

After visiting Holiday World for two days recently again, I get reminded how much our KI waterpark needs some love.

Surfin' Safari is just awesome on every level. Wildebeast and Mammoth alone are worth the trip. Although, I realized I am not as young as I used to be climbing those stairs to some of the slides. And going absolutely airborne on Jungle Racers. That was a bit painful. On the other side, Voyage is still my all-time favorite coaster, next to Fury and The Beast.

It's nice to see the new additions for next year at KI. I agree more trees are needed too...it gets so hot and crowded out there. It'd be nice if you could wear your water shoes on the rides at KI too like HW does.

Permits for a renovation to the bathroom were filed. It will hopefully be nice those bathrooms really need some tcl they are so rough.

Also looking at the blueprints on the Mason permitting site it appears that the Soak City subway will be turned into a blue ice cream stand.

I hope this bathroom renovation marks the beginning of many more around the park, other parks across the chain have really nice ones. The food stand will be nice to have as well!

6 hours ago, SmartCat7162 said:

Permits for a renovation to the bathroom were filed. It will hopefully be nice those bathrooms really need some tcl they are so rough.

Also looking at the blueprints on the Mason permitting site it appears that the Soak City subway will be turned into a blue ice cream stand.

To which bathroom?

Unsure, all I could see was that it's $650,000 worth of renovations, so they're at least investing some decent capital. Similar to the new Mondo Monsoon pump room being installed that ran a cool $1,250,000

On 9/25/2024 at 1:41 PM, jbeast said:

After visiting Holiday World for two days recently again, I get reminded how much our KI waterpark needs some love.

Surfin' Safari is just awesome on every level. Wildebeast and Mammoth alone are worth the trip. Although, I realized I am not as young as I used to be climbing those stairs to some of the slides. And going absolutely airborne on Jungle Racers. That was a bit painful. On the other side, Voyage is still my all-time favorite coaster, next to Fury and The Beast.

It's nice to see the new additions for next year at KI. I agree more trees are needed too...it gets so hot and crowded out there. It'd be nice if you could wear your water shoes on the rides at KI too like HW does.

Holiday World's water park is arguably the best in the amusement and theme park industry. Each of the three water coasters are fantastic! The restaurants in Splashin' Safari are also excellent. Some of the best pulled pork and brisket sandwiches that I've ever had can be found there. Kings Island's water park is average at best by comparison. 

On 10/7/2024 at 9:32 PM, Orion-XL200 said:

To which bathroom?

If they publish the blueprints I will let you know which bathroom it is. I am not a big waterpark guy, something about them just gives me the ick. But I can share a screenshot of the blueprints and you can tell me which bathroom it is. I have not been to the waterpark actually since I was a wee little lad. But I know the one bathroom right next to coconut cove, but I do not know where the other one is.

On 10/7/2024 at 9:32 PM, Orion-XL200 said:

To which bathroom?

The bathroom in question is basically on the far side of the original wave pool, just opposite of Mondo. Basically that restroom is traditionally dead which makes it an easy spot to change in and out of which looks as if it may become way more busier this upcoming season. I'll gladly welcome the upgrades though, if we could get some larger stalls and automatic faucets that would seriously elevate the guest experience especially, for those like myself, who don't want to hike in wet clothes all the way to the front changing rooms/middle changing rooms. 

On 10/23/2024 at 8:36 AM, BB1 said:

The bathroom in question is basically on the far side of the original wave pool, just opposite of Mondo. Basically that restroom is traditionally dead which makes it an easy spot to change in and out of which looks as if it may become way more busier this upcoming season. I'll gladly welcome the upgrades though, if we could get some larger stalls and automatic faucets that would seriously elevate the guest experience especially, for those like myself, who don't want to hike in wet clothes all the way to the front changing rooms/middle changing rooms. 

From the filings it appears that they are doing work on all of the restrooms that I know about in Soak City. The coconut cove restroom, the entry restroom, wave pool, and the bath house. Which will be nice.

They’re really moving quickly with the project! Excited to try out this new record breaker in a few months!

 

Besides the pieces that have been in the parking lot, what else have they done?  Difficult to tell from your video. 

2 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Besides the pieces that have been in the parking lot, what else have they done?  Difficult to tell from your video. 

They arranged footings and poured them. As soon as they’re cured, vertical construction will begin.

8 minutes ago, gforce1994 said:

They arranged footings and poured them. As soon as they’re cured, vertical construction will begin.

As an engineer, what is your opinion of the work so far?  Given that it is apples to oranges, so not an ideal comparison, but compared to Orion and Soapbox Racers, would you say it's behind, ahead or about the same? (Remembering that since the waterpark opens a out 5 weeks after the dry park, the "opening day" deadline is in a different timeframe).

1 hour ago, BeeastFarmer said:

As an engineer, what is your opinion of the work so far?  Given that it is apples to oranges, so not an ideal comparison, but compared to Orion and Soapbox Racers, would you say it's behind, ahead or about the same? (Remembering that since the waterpark opens an out 5 weeks after the dry park, the "opening day" deadline is in a different timeframe).

They’re on schedule from what it appears. The fortunate thing about the new RiverRacers is that it’s compact, and thus rides and slides like that tend to go up quickly.  As soon as Snoopy’s SoapBox Racers footings were set, the ride was built quickly.

7 minutes ago, gforce1994 said:

They’re on schedule from what it appears. The fortunate thing about the new RiverRacers is that it’s compact, and thus rides and slides like that tend to go up quickly.  As soon as Snoopy’s SoapBox Racers footings were set, the ride was built quickly.

Thanks!  I'm not a water park person, but I think it will be a decent addition for the water park crowd.  Keeps them out of The Beast line

 

The latest construction blog from the park:

https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2025/january/soak-city-expansion-construction-updates

Nice construction blog from the park! Hopefully we can see the Island Smokehouse get some new paint soon.

Great to see some photos from the park.

Get more details about each picture on KI's website (& source of photos) here: https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2025/january/soak-city-expansion-construction-updates

 

 

 

From Kings Island's Instagram story. Construction has gone vertical!

https://www.instagram.com/stories/kingsislandpr/3552854966305872985?utm_source=ig_story_item_share&igsh=MTB4c3NxNzh5N2Jidw==

 

Random thought: I wonder what the fence will look like once they're done building everything. Will they be painted or "bare" wood? Leaving them bare would be cheaper, but wouldn't look as nice. Putting plants in front would also look nicer than being left bare, but would be more work to take care of.

Since no one has shared it yet, here's a video update from today. They have really been moving rapidly on vertical construction. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they I believe started vertical construction a day or 2 ago.

 

1 hour ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Since no one has shared it yet, here's a video update from today. They have really been moving rapidly on vertical construction. Correct me if I'm wrong, but they I believe started vertical construction a day or 2 ago.

 

 

I am sure the creator of that video would post here more if they were not muted and requiring their posts to be approved by a mod before showing up 

Got shown an ad from KI on YouTube. River Racers looks a lot different from what I remember being unveiled: