9 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

Paramount? In my Kings Island? It's more likely than you think.

Jokes aside, I wonder what color everything will be when they're done. The roofing is that nice patina, but the wood trim looks like it will stay the same unless they paint it before Opening Day. 

I'm also curious as to what the new KI Trading Company facade looks like. The plans looked nice and only make me more excited for the next four weeks to go by quickly!

My guess is that it's just the roof that will be changing colors. This is based on the image posted by the park where there seem to be no signs of painting near the supports and the cherubs.

Based on this photo of Kings Dominion's Grand Carousel shelter, grabbed from Midwest Info Guide, the finished product may look something like this:

Interestingly while Kings Island, Kings Dominion and Canada's Wonderland use the same design for their carousel structures, Kings Island's was the only one of the three with a seam roof. KD and CW have a solid smooth surface.

Noticed Surf dog cycling on the web cams and scrambler cars being put into place.  It's getting closer.....

Adventure Express has trains on the track!

KI has filed for permits to add a shade structure for Food and Wine Festival in the open area near Grand Carousel. 

The structure will sit on 5,025 sq feet and roughly cost $340,000.

1 minute ago, Orion-XL200 said:

KI has filed for permits to add a shade structure for Food and Wine Festival in the open area near Grand Carousel. 

The structure will sit on 5,025 sq feet and roughly cost $340,000.

 

So moving out of Tower Gardens or in addition to Tower Gardens?

2 minutes ago, disco2000 said:

 

So moving out of Tower Gardens or in addition to Tower Gardens?

Seems to be an addition....it will have an occupancy of 1,005. Wondering if it'll be a seating area or vending area.

Hopefully they're moving the event away from the Festhaus area. I feel like it would be better to keep Food and Wine around the Tower/Carousel area 

My main question is will they be leveling that grass area that it's going in and pouring concrete and/or adding turf for this or will they just be setting it in the grass? I also wonder if this is where the live music stage will be. Also if it is well received I wonder if they'll keep it for Carnivale too. 

This seems like a similar structure to the one in Action Zone (although with a different canopy setup). I'd hope they will keep it up all season and use it as a general seating space. 

My biggest complaint for it will be if they remove all of the trees from that space. Those paths are already so barren in spots so I'd hate to see more be taken out. 

Will this require the relocation or removal of the Living Liberty Bell? That has been in that location since Day 1 (I believe it was introduced for the 1976 Bicentennial). Another big concern is that it may block the views of the Grand Carousel from that midway.

Oh good, more tree removals in a park that already feels barren in lots of places.

On the plus side, it will probably take the pressure off people people saying Backlot was in a bad location as this will be talked about lol.

This has the potential of ruining the carousel setting....

6 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:

KI has filed for permits to add a shade structure for Food and Wine Festival in the open area near Grand Carousel. 

The structure will sit on 5,025 sq feet and roughly cost $340,000.

Makes you wonder if they’ll do something with the current Skyline shelter

According to Google Maps, the stated size of the structure would fit into this space. I did not draw a good circle but this shows the amount of space it could take up.

Maybe this will turn into something semi-permanent...have another festooned structure across the way in the dead space between the pavement and the International Showplace.  

Maybe the 2026 family thrill attraction is going into the Salt Water Circus lawn? This could be a new themed area surrounding the Grand Carousel. Perhaps that's why it wasn't placed there?

I've always thought Kings Island could use a Derby Racer there like Cedar Point has (even though I don't think anyone makes those anymore).

9 hours ago, Orion-XL200 said:

Seems to be an addition....it will have an occupancy of 1,005. Wondering if it'll be a seating area or vending area.

Did anywhere CLOSE to that number attend this festival last year? 

15 minutes ago, brenthodge said:

Did anywhere CLOSE to that number attend this festival last year? 

plus or minus 1,000 

8 hours ago, brenthodge said:

Did anywhere CLOSE to that number attend this festival last year? 

I know I didn't make it and I love wine.

11 hours ago, BeeastFarmer said:

Maybe this will turn into something semi-permanent...have another festooned structure across the way in the dead space between the pavement and the International Showplace.  

Reading the notes on the blueprint in the upper right, the fabric roof cannot withstand a heavy wet snow weight, so would expect the fabric roof to be removed for Winterfest (which then the question becomes will this area be utilized for Winterfest at all?) The other 115 mph wind note is highly unlikely and even with climate change and more frequent thunderstorms with straight line winds, still likely a very slight risk for the structure  (remember the Kings Island sign out front getting hit by a severe thunderstorm years back and having to be rebuilt?)

15 hours ago, disco2000 said:

This has the potential of ruining the carousel setting....

Nothing the parking garage coaster across the way hasn’t done already. 

Stunt coaster trains are on the track!

Also, is it me or did the front of the arcade buildings get painted?  Not sure if I remember that color from years past.

51 minutes ago, robintodd said:

Stunt coaster trains are on the track!

Also, is it me or did the front of the arcade buildings get painted?  Not sure if I remember that color from years past.

The arcade was  repainted in 2020.

I got bored and did a cost breakdown comparing 1 day at Epic Universe to 1 day at Kings Island to a Kings Island Gold Pass and thought I'd share it here.

I looked it up and here's the math for a Saturday 6/14 visit for anyone who's curious:

• 1 Single Day Epic Universe Ticket 
  • $179.00
• 1 Single Day Epic Universe Express Pass
  • $239.00
• Tax (calculated at checkout)
  • $27.24

TOTAL COST: $446.23

That's nearly $500 for one person, not including travel, hotel, parking, food & beverage, or any other expenses. Everything was about $50-100 higher than the listed "Starting from" price. Not gonna lie, I expected it to be expensive, but it makes me happier about that being the same price for a Kings Island All Park Gold Pass with some of the bells and whistles on it. That cost breakdown for the same day at Kings Island is currently:

• 1 2025 Single Day Admission to Kings Island
  • $55.00 (online price)
• 1 all day Fast Lane wristband
  • $135.00
• 1 2025 Premium All Day Dining
  • $45.99
• 1 2025 Single Day Parking
  • $30.00
• Processing Fee
  • $8.99
• Tax (calculated at checkout)
  • $3.10

TOTAL COST: $278.08

And lastly for those wondering what you can get for $14 more than the price of admission to Epic Universe with an Express Pass, a new Gold Pass with the All Park Passport, Gold All Season Dining—All Park, and Drink Plan Plus Paper Cup is only $460.63 at checkout! That's for access to all Six Flags parks with food and beverage included for a good number of them. 

I'm not going to say they are even close to comparable experiences, but this just reinforced for me how good of a deal this is.

7:30 am and red racer is on the track with the station lights on.  Looks like Racer may start testing today!  Getting closer still.....:) 

Permit (BLD25-0259) filed for reconfiguration of the front gate queuing, security, and exit areas.  Looks to smooth things up a great deal.

They gotta boogey to get it done by April 19th ....

 

So how is this any different than what they had at the end of last year?

20 minutes ago, Old_Bearcat said:

Permit (BLD25-0259) filed for reconfiguration of the front gate queuing, security, and exit areas.  Looks to smooth things up a great deal.

They gotta boogey to get it done by April 19th ....

 

It's moved forward, and additional screening lanes have been added. Area closest to Guest Services (at bottom of image) which is unused now, has been added. 

Hopefully with the new configuration it will be less of an eyesore.