Banshee Watch- 1/3

Banshee Watch- 1/3/14

News today from Kings Island and Banshee.

  This image was posted up just moments ago on Kings Islands Facebook Page. Show a complete Batwing element of the new, record breaking coaster. 

 You can see the finished element and where it will head out into the second big loop. Even in the bitter cold and the snow, Kings Island keeps moving. 

 Honestly, I'm so excited for this new coaster I could just scream! 

 

Dark Horse Comics looses Star Wars as Disney moves it to Marvel.

Image from I09

 Dark Horse Comics looses Star Wars as Disney moves it to Marvel.


Reports are flying left and right this morning- Dark Horse Comics has announced that they are loosing the "Star Wars" comic book series today. 

In a not-really-surprising-at-all move, Disney has yanked their two newest cash-cows together.  They are moving "Star Wars" comic books to Marvel, double the profit on both ends. It shows an end of an era in comic books as Dark Horse has been publishing the SW comics for more than twenty years. The license ends in 2015 when the move will be official, giving Dark Horse just a year to wrap up their current storylines with the various artists and writers. 


 In a big ol' press release, Marvel states how happy they are about getting "Star Wars".  However, I think I09 summed it up much better in their piece.
 

Rumor Alert- Could Maelstorm become 'Frozen' themed ride at Epcot?!

Rumor Alert- Could Maelstorm become Frozen Themed at Epcot's World Showcase?!

 Alright, this rumor came out of left field today and really is rather a bit of a surprise. Although I'm surprised it took this long for a "Frozen coming to the theme parks" rumor to surface!

 According to a rumor posted on Screamscape today, WDI is pondering if they can turn the iconic ride "Maelstorm" located at the Norway Pavilion into a "Frozen" theme.

 Now I've got some issues with this as most of the pavilions at World Showcase are partly funded and operated by the country they represent, so Disney would likely require permission from Norway to change over the fan-favorite attraction.

Image from Disney

 While it's also very true that the current versions of Maelstorm is in dire of need of a face-lift due to attraction aging and lack of up-keep, I'd hate to see it disappear. Although no one is currently sure if much needed attention will be paid to the ride anytime soon or if they're simply going to wait for it to fall apart, replacing it only at the end with something new.  Rumor has it the ride is scheduled for a massive refurbishment in 2017 but this is also unconfirmed.

 However, this is still an unconfirmed rumor. As of right now, I rate this as PURE SPECULATION.  If true, all it shows is that Disney has given WDI the go-ahead to dream up various ideas of how an attraction would look and operate, on various budgets. This is often called "Blue Sky Dreaming" by Fans and Insiders.

 As of right now, it's just a concept and a rumor.

Even though Wiki is trying to report this as confirmed, it is NOT!

Kentucky Kingdom- One Step Closer with Job Fair

 Kentucky Kingdom takes One Step Closer with Job Fair.

 In just 140 days Kentucky Kingdom plans to re-open an amusement park which has been shuttered since 2009, when Six Flags abandoned them.

 This weekend the park is moving one step closer to their big re-opening, a Job Fair. On Saturday, January 4th the park is holding a massive job fair to staff hundreds of positions around the park from Food Services to Management. Things are looking up for the park and hundreds of potential employees.

 Kentucky Kingdom is asking anyone who may be interested to read the information sheet (I've posted a copy here) and fill out an application online. You can read the full descriptions of positions and information for what you'll need here- Employment at Kentucky Kingdom.

 The park is also working with the "Mayors Summer Works" program to help teens 16-21 get and hold summer jobs. They have a separate application at the bottom of the website.

 In a time when jobs are getting scarce, it's always great to see anyone having these large job fairs. It's also exciting to see the park getting on their feet and fighting the odds against closed parks never re-opening!

First Banshee Watch of 2014- 1/1

 First Banshee Watch of 2014- 1/1

 A new interview of Don Helbig, the Public Relations Manager for Kings Island has given up a few new bits of information about the new coaster, Banshee.

Including a conformation that the building schedule is on track for completion in mid-January, Conformation that a gift-shop and photo area will be included under the raised station for Banshee, On-Ride Photos will be included with Banshee and that the park expects the coasters trains to arrive in February!

 Don also goes into lots of details about the 2014 Season at Kings Island, including some possible re-names and even more information about The Bat.

 You can read the full interview over on "Don Speaks Live- KI Fansite"

Image from Kings Island's Facebook Page

 Kings Island has also been posting up some construction photos of the new ride.  In this image we can see the batwing section of the ride rising into the air.

 With the hint that Banshee will likely receive it's trains in February, I'd guess we can expect testing of the ride to begin shortly afterwards. 

 Things are getting exciting over at Kings Island!

Rumor Alert- Universal Hollywood Building Largest Resort Hotel in US?!

 Rumor Alert- Universal Hollywood Building Largest Resort Hotel in the US?!

 Yup, you did read that correctly.

 The newest rumor coming from Universal Hollywood was reported on Screamscape and nearly slipped past my notice.

 Apparently CEO of Comcast, Steve Burke, made an interesting comment to the staff of Universal Hollywood with his holiday message. The mention was made of "The largest hotel project in U.S. is coming to Universal Studios Hollywood".

 Rumor has it that the newest version of "Universals Evolution" project (the long term plans for the park including rides and improvements) has included the ability to build up to three on-site hotels for the Hollywood property.

 Details are currently unknown and this is classed only as "rumor" until some form of confirmation or visible proof is found. Until then, speculation abounds!

Kings Dominion- More 40th Anniversary Goodies

 Well, it's a pretty well know fact that Kings Dominion is pulling out all kinds of great vintage park items for their big 40th anniversary in 2014. However, I'm sure people are wondering what else is going on with the park? Is anything else happening? What about normal type stuff? Any new perks?

Well, Thanks to Kings Dominion's Facebook Page, We've got these answers!

 In a series of reveals, Kings Dominion has been giving fans "12 Days of Christmas Surprises" over on their facebook page. Each day revealing new things which will show up in the park for the big #KD40 celebration.  So we've got them, all 12 presents for guests and pass holdings for the big 2014 season at Kings Dominion.


1. Return of the Floral Clock (Confirmed)
2. A "40th Anniversary" Pin Trading Program
3. Unlimited 'Dinosaurs Alive' visits for Platinum and Gold Pass Members.
4. The Second Year of Carousel Restoration (Ruby, the carousel house is being refurbished)
5. A Newly Renovated "Border Cafe".
6.  The famous strolling 'Clown Band' returns (Confirmed)
7.  The Walk of Memories (From the 70's till 2000's, Memories and History of Kings Dominion)
8. A 40th Celebration Merchandise Store (Confirmed)
9. The Return of the Coca-Cola Pizza Parlor
10. Improvements to Volcano: The Blast Coaster (More Below)
11. Fresh Paint for Anaconda
12. Blue Ice Cream sold in Candy Apple Grove


Overall, it looks like Kings Dominion is really trying hard to revive themselves and their history during this big event. Not only are they giving big park improves but they are also giving some new treats to regular visitors and pass-holders alike.

 Especially Nice is that the Coasters are getting some love.

 Anaconda will get a nice new coat of paint to celebrate the anniversary.

Kings Dominion reports that the ride supports will be green, the track a red color and the rides rails will be a shade of yellow. 

The lake is currently being drained but will return, clean and fresh for the new season. Don't worry, the park assured people this is only for the equipment to be moved around the ride to allow ease of panting the coaster.

 Not to be left out, Volcano-The Blast Coaster is also getting some heavy-duty love from the park.

 Improvements are being made to the rides long and twisting queue line, which the park states will help improve the rides "riders per hour" number. It looks like the outside area of the line is getting a complete re-design to accommodate this. While very cool, the ride suffers from log jams and flow issues with the current line- this will hopefully be a great improvement!

 Also on the list for Volcano- A multi-year project in which Kings Dominion will fully refurbish the 'Volcano Mountain" including new paint, new concrete and overall improvements to the structure.

 It looks like 2014 and Kings Dominion's 40th Anniversary is really going to be something special at this rate. Not only are guests getting limited time treats for the anniversary but also big, multiple year projects to improve the park.

(All Images are from Kings Dominion's Facebook Page)