Tower Topics

Kings Island is celebrating Season Passholders and Members during Passholder Appreciation Weekend, September 4–7, 2026—but are the perks enough? We break down the $19.99 Bring-A-Friend ticket, $10 WinterFest loyalty reward, special offers, bonus ride time, and the big question every drink plan holder is asking: Will Kings Island finally have ICE? We also discuss guest experience, park cleanliness,...

Did Kings Island just get snubbed from the annual USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Theme Park Halloween Event? Despite adding two brand-new mazes—Metal Massacre and Jason: Blood Rain—and bringing back fan-favorite shows like Ghouls Gone Wild and Nightwalkers, Kings Island was completely left off this year's top 20 ballot. On this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr di...

What if Kings Island had saved Vortex instead of tearing it down? On this episode of Tower Topics, Ryan Suhr and Don Helbig look back at the legendary 1987 coaster, its six inversions, iconic presence in Coney Mall, and the legacy it left behind. With Hersheypark investing in SuperDooperLooper for its 50th anniversary, we ask whether Kings Island should have pursued a major Vortex refurbishment—an...

Six Flags is taking Halloween Haunt to the next level with 11 new IP-driven haunted mazes, including Friday the 13th, Final Destination, The Blair Witch Project, and Diablo. We break down the new attractions, returning mazes, and the ongoing debate over paid haunted attractions—including what it means for Kings Island Haunt. Plus, we discuss Haunt night rides, scare zones, and whether charging for...

Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition is unlike anything we’ve experienced before! Join us on Tower Topics as we break down this groundbreaking $60+ million attraction—a hybrid of a dark ride, roller coaster, and motion simulator featuring immersive storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and an unforgettable adventure. We discuss our first ride experience, the story of Cora and Jasper Oakley, the Sec...

Should you buy a 2027 Kings Island season pass now—or wait? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down whether Kings Island has earned your renewal after a frustrating 2026 season. From staffing and limited events to declining food quality, park investment, and season pass pressure, we discuss why waiting could be the smarter move for some guests. Find out why giving King...

Six Flags CEO John Riley says the company is leaning more heavily into special events and entertainment over major capital investments like new roller coasters. What could that mean for Kings Island and the next big coaster? In this episode of Tower Topics, we break down Six Flags’ latest comments, the future of events, coaster investment, WinterFest, and what Kings Island fans should expect next....

Six Flags is changing the game for season passholders with new language that could impact your home park, renewal eligibility, pricing, and benefits. In this episode of Tower Topics, we break down the latest Six Flags season pass terms, regional pass loopholes, home park rules, Prestige Pass pricing, and whether the company is trying to outsmart its guests—or simply protect its business. What does...

Celebrate National Roller Coaster Day with a look at how Kings Island could become a major destination for coaster enthusiasts!  On this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr discuss ideas for a special National Roller Coaster Day event at Kings Island, including behind-the-scenes tours of The Beast and The Racer, exclusive ride time, coaster history, special guests, and unique experie...

Could Kings Island create a premium, separately ticketed family Halloween event to complement Tricks and Treats and Halloween Haunt?  In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan debate whether an exclusive after-hours event with kid-friendly rides, trick-or-treat trails, characters, entertainment, special food, and limited capacity could fill a major gap for families at Kings Island. Coul...

Get the latest on Six Flags Halloween Haunt 2026 as we break down the official announcement of Jason Bloodline, the all-new Friday the 13th haunted maze replacing Hotel Saint Michelle. We discuss what this major addition means for Halloween Haunt, how licensed IP attractions could shape the future of Six Flags' Halloween events, and whether this is the start of a bigger investment in immersive hau...

Will Kings Island's 2026 Halloween Haunt attraction pass change the future of Haunt? In this episode of Tower Topics, Ryan and Don discuss what other Six Flags parks have revealed about Haunt passes, why the current upcharge model may improve the guest experience, and what Halloween Haunt could look like in 2027, 2028, and beyond. Join the conversation about Kings Island, Halloween Haunt, haunted...

Get an early look at what Kings Island’s 2027 Season Passes could look like as Ryan and Don break down the newly announced Six Flags pass and membership program, including potential pricing, Prestige Pass perks, Gold Pass value, memberships vs. season passes, drink plan changes, parking updates, renewal incentives, and what these changes could mean for Kings Island guests. They also discuss why fa...

Big changes could be coming to the Kings Island Season Dining Plan! In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down the rumored 2026 meal plan changes, including limited meal tiers, new pricing, unlimited dining options, and what these updates could mean for season passholders. Will the new Six Flags dining strategy improve the guest experience, or make visiting Kings Island m...

In this episode of Tower Topics, hosts Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr discuss three big ideas to replace Kings Island's vacant Timberwolf Amphitheater. Watch as they pitch and debate whether the park should add an on-site hotel resort, a large indoor sit-down restaurant like Cedar Point’s Grand Pavilion, or a new B&M dive roller coaster to drive park attendance and elevate the guest experience. Leav...

What are the Top 5 thrill rides Ryan wants to see at Kings Island? In this episode of Tower Topics, Ryan counts down his dream additions to the park, from a record-breaking S&S Screamin' Swing and an adrenaline-pumping S&S Air Launch Coaster to other high-intensity attractions that could transform Kings Island's future lineup. Join Ryan and Don Helbig as they debate ride placement, thrill...

    From Disney World's wildly popular collectible popcorn buckets to movie theater exclusives and the untapped potential at Kings Island, we're diving into why themed popcorn buckets have become must-have souvenirs for theme park and coaster fans alike! In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr discuss Disney's collectible craze, their favorite specialty popcorn buckets, how Kings...

Celebrate National Carousel Day with Tower Topics as we honor the 100th anniversary of Kings Island's iconic Grand Carousel! In this episode, Don Helbig and Ryan Sir discuss the rich history of one of the park's most beloved attractions, why July 25 is such a special day for carousel enthusiasts, and how you can join the celebration with a chance to win two tickets to Kings Dominion. Learn how to...

What drives someone to ride Orion more than 11,000 times?  In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Sir sit down with Kings Island superfan Vince Overfield, the man behind one of the most incredible coaster riding achievements ever. Discover how a simple bet turned into an unbelievable obsession, what keeps Vince coming back to Orion year after year, how he tracks every ride, and the p...

With Grand Carnivale seemingly coming to an end at Kings Island after the 2026 season, what could take its place? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr explore the future of Kings Island's summer entertainment, discussing why Grand Carnivale may be ending, what led to its decline, and several exciting possibilities that could replace it. From food and beverage festivals inspire...

Could Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare at Kings Island actually win Best New Ride of 2026? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down the attraction's surprising chances against major new rides across the amusement park industry, discuss how delays and mixed openings at competing parks could impact the voting, and share why Kings Island's newest dark ride has become one...

Is Grand Carnival at Kings Island still a must-see event, or has it lost the magic that made it one of the park's biggest summer celebrations? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr take an honest look at the evolution of Grand Carnival, discussing how the event has changed over the years, why many longtime fans feel it has been scaled back, the disappearance of the popular tast...

Are Kings Island's season pass benefits quietly changing—and what does "terms are subject to change" really mean for passholders? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr break down the latest changes impacting Kings Island memberships, Prestige Pass perks, and the growing frustration surrounding shifting benefits and guest expectations. They also dive into how past decisions cont...

The closure of Fun Spot Atlanta has coaster fans asking one huge question: what happens to ArieForce One? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Sir separate fact from fiction as they break down the viral rumors, media speculation, and real possibilities surrounding one of the world's most acclaimed roller coasters. Could ArieForce One actually be relocated to Kings Island, or is the...

What really goes into creating a spectacular theme park drone show? In this episode of Tower Topics, Don Helbig and Ryan Suhr take you behind the scenes at Holiday World's Holidays in the Sky to reveal how hundreds of synchronized drones work together to create breathtaking nighttime entertainment. From the technology and safety measures to the planning, programming, and fascinating myths surround...