Kings Island 2018 -Dining, DBack Upgrades and GIGA?

Well, its getting around to that time of the year where rumors start, and announcements also start to come around, and a new rumor for my home park, and if its true, looks like an old ride may be reurning!

(7/28/17) Screamscape has heard an interesting rumor for what Kings Island has in store for 2018. In an unexpected move, but one that may delight long-time Kings Island patrons, I'm hearing that we can expect to see the return of an "Antique Cars" attraction to the park in 2018, this time said to be located somewhere between the Coney Mall and International Street area. Just a guess, but I'm thinking it may not be far from the park's Grand Carousel.
According to our source, construction is expected to begin within the next couple weeks, so keep an eye out if you visit the park.

Well look what was seen today on screamscape, KICentral and Facebook:

(7/29/17) According to one source, there was a plan floating around Kings Island many years ago that talked about bringing back the Antique Cars at that time which had narrowed the possible sites down to two: the basic area where Mystic Timbers ended up going and the other recommended site at the time was to put it in the 'Tower Gardens' area, which I believe is usually put into use for Halloween Haunt each fall. Since only the Tower Gardens site is left, and this matches up with my previous rumor, it should be interesting to see if they retire or move the haunt that was located there, which I believe was the Backwoods Bayou.
Of course there is also a good deal of open space left next to the Backlot Stunt Coaster that could be put to use as well, though it has less attractive landscaping. The more lush green area of the Tower Gardens could be left mostly intact and provide for a more scenic drive experience.
Either way, time to keep an eye out for survey markings on the ground and trees.

http://screamscape.com/html/kings_island.htm

[Paradox]

I wouldn't get my hopes up for anything larger than a flat or planet snoopy thing.

I was just there, I did see some footers in the grass near benches.

Footers are more than likely for the world's largest Christmas tree featured in Winterfest.

Also I read somewhere that every CF park will be making their announcement on 8/16 (yes even parks not getting a coaster will supposedly be announcing on National Roller Coaster Day..............stay tuned)

^ Like there'll be a "good or bad" surprise? Oh my...

KI's Dinosaurs Alive will be removed at the end of Haunt.

Photo from Ohio Valley Coasters

Let the speculation begin...

Finally. I'm ready for these things to start disappearing.

^^ Ready to be fossils, instead of a new thing to come - life can be short...

Interestingly as a friend pointed out, the east and west sections of coney mall are under construction, with dinos trees alrady being cleared from what ive been told from people that get in line for Field of screams and Attitudes/potato works on the east end near Racer are being demolished/gutted out. Rumors going around for Attitudes/Potato Works to becoe a GIANT smokehouse (starting to believe it). I have a feeling the next couple of years are being spent bringing some attention to Coney as a few minor updates next year and then the giga in 2019...........

[Coasterkidmwm]

They are an enormous waste of space, even as an upcharge attraction.

Looks like a new restaurant/dining improvements are coming to KI, as well as improvements to Carowinds, CGA, Dorney and Michigans Adventure.

The company said its 2018 capital expenditures budget also includes funds to upgrade restaurants or add new ones plus catering at California???s Great America, Carowinds, Kings Island, Dorney Park in eastern Pennsylvania, and Michigan???s Adventure near Grand Rapids. The additions will let the company focus on regional specialty foods, group business, and more food-themed special events.

http://www.toledoblade.com/Retail/2017/10/31/Cedar-Fair-reveals-remaining-plans-for-18.html

2018 SEASON ADDITIONS UPDATES!
I can confirm the things listed below (Park has not announced anything though)

-Diamondback is getting new seats! The old ones with the stains where so bad, that two companies techniques didn't even make a dent in cleaning them........

-As seen from Decemeber 30th, Shear walls where up on the old attitudes location and it will be a smokehouse (great move Kings Island.)

https://www.facebook.com/rollercoasterexpedition/photos/a.703482163016367.1073741828.703468963017687/1785152578182648/?type=3&theater

-Lastly, the dinosaurs are completely gone. The company that the dinos where rented from came and shipped them back to China as early as the first eek of November. Whatever the park has planned for that area, they arent wasting time. Meanwhile, on December 30th,the word "GIGA" was written in the snow in an area that park guests where not allowed. Interestingly enough, it is still written in the snow as of right now (January 9th, 2018, 12:35 PM). Screamscape also weighed in on the writing.

Someone at Kings Island is desperately trying to get our attention it seems. Daily since the afternoon of December 30th the park???s Mystic Timbers Webcam has featured a look at a pathway closed off to guests where someone has been diligently shoveling the word ???GIGA??? in the snow daily every since. Please note that the evening of Dec. 30th was the park???s last day of WinterFest, so this has been ongoing despite the park being closed for the season. (Go on, take a look for yourself??? I???ll wait)
Meanwhile I???ve been been blasted with emails daily from various readers, pointing it out to me??? though I???m starting to suspect some of these emails may have been coming from some insiders. Why? Because my first reaction was simply to blow it off as a funny joke??? after all, this Cedar Fair we???re talking about, the company who has often planted funny little false clues within their parks, sometimes just before a coaster enthusiast group is set to arrive, all as part of a prank and way to mislead the nosy from uncovering what they are really up to.
But this??? ok I give up. After almost a week straight of this going on, accompanied by several emails sent in daily, I???m letting the world know about it. Now the question is??? what exactly does this mean? My first assumption was that this was a prank of sorts by someone at the park hoping to simply get the local fansboys and girls all a twitter on social media??? but what if there is more to it?
After all, between the 2008 and 2016 seasons, Cedar Fair did buy 8 new B&M coasters, spread out to place 2 each at Cedar Point, Carowinds, Canada???s Wonderland and yes??? Kings Island who received the ultra-popular Diamondback and Banshee coasters as part of those dealings. While the two coasters that went to Cedar Point were alternative design ideas, both Carowinds and Canada???s Wonderland each got a Hypercoaster and a Gigacoaster, while Kings Island added a Hyper and a giant Inverted coaster instead. While people love Banshee, the Kings Island fans have been waiting for their turn to add a Giga (300+ ft) coaster to the park. After all, not only did Carowinds and Canada???s Wonderland get the latest pair, but Cedar Fair also bought their first pair from Intamin for Cedar Point (Millennium Force) and later at Kings Dominion (Intimidator 305).
So is Kings Island making early plans to add their own Giga Coaster to the fleet? Could be, but the earliest we would see anything open would be 2019??? though with the project that large, construction would have to start about a year in advance, so maybe it is time for the first clues to start dropping. Stay tuned!

http://screamscape.com/html/kings_island.htm

It oooks to not be a big year for 2018, but whenever theirs a small year.................their's a big year to follow.

Kings Island 2019 - Giga coaster

Cdear Point 2020 - RMC 500 ft+

[Coasterkidmwm]

It wouldn't surprise me if the place ended up with a giga eventually, but I don't think that now would be the time it happens. KI has almost unlimited land, so squeezing one in somewhere wouldn't be hard at all. KI is lacking an "entrance" coaster though that Ouimlet seems to like....

Coasterkidmwm wrote:

It wouldn't surprise me if the place ended up with a giga eventually, but I don't think that now would be the time it happens. KI has almost unlimited land, so squeezing one in somewhere wouldn't be hard at all. KI is lacking an "entrance" coaster though that Ouimlet seems to like....

As much as i would love to see a front entrance coaster, i remember reading somewhere that Ouimet said he didnt want to change KI and KD's entrances as they are a signature part of the park, and i honestly agree with him. It would look really weird to see something there other than the entrance and the Eiffel tower in the background. Now if they remove Invertigo (don't really think they will) then maybe something will be happening to the front entrance.