What rides NEED more themeing?

Great video, and the ride is a portable to boot! It is still toured in Europe, the video was shot at last years (2013) Oktoberfest in Munich. Proof that old spectaculars can still bring it in.

Very impressed with that Calypso, too. It really makes the ride look more attractive and fun to ride.

I had done some reading about Kings Island history and Coney Island Cincinnati. Coney Island was fastidious about the condition and appearance of their rides, buildings, and landscaping and that extended to Kings Island when it was built. I also read that when Disney was checking out parks for his Disneyland, he was very impressed by Coney Island, calling it the nicest park in the nation.

CP was somewhat shabbier than KI and kind of a hodgepodge but was always my favorite as a kid but it's because it had a lot more variety and themed rides like Earthquake, Pirate Ride, Western Cruise, the Funhouse.

But there's something to be said about keeping what one has in tip-top shape and looks. I think CP did a fantastic job on Gemini Midway and just feels so much better than it did, it's really an amazing walk at night. I hope they spruce up Calypso like they did Monster. Blue Streak's corner just seems neglected and forgotten so hopefully it's on their list.

I'd also like to add that I think the type of music played makes a difference. I saw people complaining on KI Central about CF's choice of music and missing the movie themes or lilting European arrangements. Like hearing Taylor Swift's "Trouble" blaring on International Street. I hear some banjo playing on Frontier Trail which is fitting but how about some old-timey Frontier era songs? It was quite comical hearing hearing the strains of REM's Losing My Religion on FT, so not quite there yet. Gemini could play some "groovy" 70's or bubblegum music. The main midway could play 50's music. Blue Streak area could be fun 60's music. Music can be quite transportive. When I'm at an amusement park I like to feel I am somewhere out of the ordinary, the top 40 and harshness of songs brings it back to reality. I think they can really improve the TV program in the queues, too, some of the music videos seem depressive when one is trying to get excited for a ride.

I want the decals back on Corkscrew or something to replace the front of the trains..just saying..Train looks so boring & bare now

I miss ride-specific queue music... Maverick (and even Frontier Town) used to have some good western-themed country music. Now, it's either more modern country music (some of which I like, it just isn't really fitting) or FUN TV™. Sigh.

I'd love to see the LED's at the end of Maverick's tunnel functioning again. That was awesome. We'll likely never see them again, though.

Fun TV isn't all that fun when you've seen the same game three times in same line. Bottom line is nothing should be done half-___. If they're going to do it, and we have to put up with it, really do it up right.

I don't know, mixed in with all that modern pop pap, is that ancient Toto video, takes me right back to 7th grade while standing in line!!

The park should add the old ride promos to Fun TV (i.e. play the Raptor promo from 1993 in it's queue).

3snoH un=l said:
Bottom line is nothing should be done half-___. If they're going to do it, and we have to put up with it, really do it up right.

Wasn't this the first year for Fun TV? I would expect that it will improve over time. Patience.

topthrilldragster4lyf said:I'd love to see the LED's at the end of Maverick's tunnel functioning again. That was awesome. We'll likely never see them again, though.

I don't get the gloom and doom attitude with this one. LED lighting packages are one of the most cost-effective things to add excitement to just about anything. I think it's entirely possible something might happen. It's just a matter of someone thinking it's worthwhile and driving it to completion.

As for fun TV, like any media provider, I think they just need more content. My biggest complaint is seeing the same things over and over. Hell, just toss in a bunch of Snoopy cartoons and you'll please the majority of the crowd.

^ That's not what I'm getting at. All of the hardware is still there (assuming none of it has been damaged due to weather, age, or power spikes). My understanding is they just need someone to repair the programming and maybe a few little things. It definitely is cost-effective and it's there. Because they've been out for years, that's why you see what you've called a "doom and gloom attitude". There's no doom, there's no gloom, it's just that if they were going to fix it, it likely would've been done by now.

While the responsible departments may now have management's support to fix this stuff, they don't necessarily have the resources to do everything all at once.

Again, I said that it was not likely to happen, meaning I am not going to get my hopes up. However, I do see very good things happening in terms of improving the more aesthetic aspects of the park experience. It's not impossible for them to fix. Will they? We'll see. :)

We just got the TVs and this is something entirely new for the chain. For a first year they spent alot of money on to give guests something else to do in the queues. It was fun and neat and usually had ok music on it. Can't complain there..

Plus, these aren't your normal TV's..These things cost 5k+, not sure on the model they got & size, but that setup+wiring+electricity+labor+speakers+network/server end is expensive. This wasn't thrown together, it's a very large investment in the chain. Give it time I'm sure it'll be just as fantastic as the new music setup the park has had for a few years now.

If I got the model right, it's 47" for $6000 and 32" for $3000. Those are list prices, and I'm sure Reflect/Cedar Fair paid a good bit less, but yes, very pricey hardware. GateKeeper's queue, for instance, has 7 TV's so that's a list price of $42k, not including the power, network wiring, backend hardware, and the HDMI over Cat6 box at each TV.

It's definitely a massive investment to debut this at all parks in one year. Throughout the season, we've indeed seen them branch out into new content streams. I'm sure that with more time, they will get to know each park's market better and truly customize the system to fit each park.

All I can say is, FUN TV, Ain't It Fun? ;)

Jesus..I didn't even add prices after 1 TV...42k just for one ride..wow, that's staggering.

But I think by this years end there was alot more content than the beginning of the year. I remember seeing KI opening weekend, and then just a few weeks ago, massive differences. It's still a bit weird here & there and has room to improve. But I'll say a great example of it's capability was during Haunt @ KI. Had scary movies going with other stuff on the screen & all. Really sweet setup.

My only gripe I've ever had with the TVs is brightness. During the night it's sometimes too bright. If they dimmed like say your phone or car's cluster does at night when you flick the lights on, that'd be my one much needed improvement. If it doesn't happen no big deal, but sometimes, man it's like having a spotlight over your phone for a few seconds. Few times I couldn't even see my phone's screen as a result.

Hey, they don't call them SunBriteTV®s for nothing. ;)

Agreed, though. It would be nice if the had them on auto-brightness. Sadly, I'm not so sure that's built into the TV's. They might be able to have brightness changed remotely, though, so if the distribution hardware could theoretically be programmed with a set time to dim them. Wouldn't be perfect but still something. Maybe have one brightness sensor at each park, but that really complicates matters.

Who knows, like I said, only one gripe, but if it doesn't get fixed not that big of a deal, I just can't text for a few seconds on a white screen. It's not like everywhere I walk Gandalf the White is in front of me or something.

Back on topic: Rides that need more themeing:
Calypso (back to its former heart studded backdrop and
middle fountain lights),
Witches Wheel, yes some LED lights on it would be great to tie into the newly revamped Gemini midway.
Lastly, CC Mine Ride. Alot of similar rides (ala Big Thunder Mountain at WDW) look much nicer. Just my 2c.

None of the rides need more theming because it is pretty clear that CP does little to no theming and I am ok with that.

Little to no theming??

Frontier Town doesn't have a theme?

Frontier Trail isn't themed?

It may not be extravagant theme park style stuff, but Cedar Point isn't a theme park. Besides, it's theming is alot better than the CF park down south. Tell me what part of Oktoberfest is themed? Rivertown? The not so International Street?