Kings Island opening an animated dinosaur walk

Kind of wierd that this was leaked ya think? They have quotes from their PR guy and everything. Intentional?

Just seems to me this should have been something done, say, next year. With the installation of Windseeker this year, shouldn't that have been enough to attract guests? I guess not...

I for one am excited about this. I think it will be a great addition to my home park. Sure the fanboys will be disappointed that it isn't a new coaster. I never thought it would be one since this announcement is so close to opening.

I would not be at all surprised if KI did get a new coaster next year.

It's definitely a unique addition. I don't hate it as much now that we basically have confirmation of what it is.

How sad is it that the "build-up" actually managed to get me less interested as it went along?

I think the problem is that not every little addition (or every big one) needs some kind of guessing game attached with silly clues and odd videos and stuff like that.

How long are we going to have to endure these kinds of gamey announcements until people just get over it? Even worse, how many totally not-clever ones will we have to sit through?

Seems like this would've worked better as a simple announcement of what is a potentially a pretty neat addition to the park.

Still not sure this is enough to make me drive the 45 minutes down the road and visit this year.

I'm such a hater. ;)

This sounds like one of the exhibitions that has been touring zoos the last few years. I know that one was at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (excuse me, "The San Diego Zoo's Safari Park") at least twice in the last ten years. Which brings up the question, is it permenant, or there for just the season?

With the installation of Windseeker this year, shouldn't that have been enough to attract guests?

Except that the demographics of "scare the hell out of you" and "mom! look! dinosaurs!" are mostly disjoint.

Gonch, you're not a hater. You're a contrarian. :)

No I'm not. ;)

:)

Brian Noble said:

With the installation of Windseeker this year, shouldn't that have been enough to attract guests?

Except that the demographics of "scare the hell out of you" and "mom! look! dinosaurs!" are mostly disjoint.

That was a point that I wanted to make also. A lot of people, little kids included, like Dinosaurs. A lot of people, little kids included, will not like a 300 foot tall, open-air, flat ride.

I worked at IOA for a year many years ago, in Jurassic Park Island. Kids especially loved that part of the park.

Plus, I understand this dino attraction to be educational, which is unique for many theme parks, and really cool!

This just continues to give KI one of the most unique and interesting "attraction" line ups of any park, anywhere.

I still fail to see how having a bunch of animatronics of Cedar Fair upper management is an attraction that people want to see. Just seems like a poor investment.

I believe that the company who provides these animitronics also provide the servicing of the animatronics. It's kind of like how some businesses will get another business to provide. set up, and service their arcade machines, but on a much larger scale.

My guess is they wanted to highlight the area with Windseeker and then for those waiting or not wanting to ride, we have a dinosaur walk thru to keep you busy/entertained.

+1 to Juggalotus.

Well, let me add also, in reply to Juggalotus' post, that they probably really aren't investing a lot into this, especially if it is an upcharge attraction. I'm thinking it may be a rental or loan thing, especially if it is a temporary attraction.

We should know all about it in a few hours.

LostKause said:

I worked at IOA for a year many years ago, in Jurassic Park Island. Kids especially loved that part of the park.

LOL, my first thought was "they should get all the unused AA dinos that are just sitting idle at JP". This is actually a fabulous addition, and will provide a reason to go to KI for people that may not have gone otherwise - and a nice (relaxing) break for people who would have gone even without it!

LK - if it is, I'd be interested in knowing if it's the same one that comes through the Detroit Zoo every couple years.

And for the record, I think the actual installation sounds like a great investment. Then again, I've always like dinosaurs.

Did it look anything like this, Juggalotus? I didn't see Detroit listed on their "Recent Exhibitions" list, but it is more than possible.

And I also think it sounds like a lot of fun! :)

Edit: misspelled name...