Ups and Downs

The article says they needed the space where the Eagles were for the Italian Job but turns out they just needed the area to put up a sign with Fonzie's mug and to grow some grass.

It's one of the best shows I've seen in years at the park.

The Bat was the best of the suspended coasters. The park knew when they did the first test runs in November of 1980 they were going to have problems. The Bat had several stretches where it was running in 1981 and it was running the first few weekends in 1982. It sat idle all of 1983, and made one final trip around the track midway through the 1984 season so stress engineers could take a look. That cycle took place about 15 minutes before the park opened one morning. You could hear The Bat going up the lift hill in the parking lot. It was loud!

Dick Van Dyke was used in the commercials to promote the ride. I enjoyed riding it. Wasn't real big fan of those steps though.

The big smelly guy should try Old Spice Red Zone so he doesn't stink this summer.

Buy your tickets for Winterfest in advance. Winterfest may sell out and a specific day ticket guarantees your admission!

So Italian Chef you're the one that watched Graveyard Shift. Gotta Dance '84 was one of the top shows the park has ever had, and Deep in the Heart of Country in 1986 was outstanding. It's Magic in 1990 featured Carmen Electra - then known as Tara Patrick - as a dancer.

I got one question wrong because of an inaccuracy in what was said to be the correct answer to a question. It was the one that said the Dodgem's opened in 1986 with Zepher and Skylab. That's wrong. The Dodgems were there with the park in 1972. They were relocated from where they had previously been in 1986, but the Dodgems have been a staple since the park opened. Overall a good quiz, fun to take.

You can't compare the 1970's and 1980's at Kings Island to today. It's was a different era, much like sports was back then. Today's athletes are bigger and stronger than they were 15-20 years ago, and they're arguably better. But you still miss the players you saw back then. It's the same with amusement park rides. While Italian Job is awesome, I still miss Bavarian Beetle, Bayern Curve, the Tumblebug and even the Skyride.

The Bavarian Beetle was a fun ride when the park first opened. Anyone remember Gulliver's Rub a Dub?

Saw the "School of Rock" show on Saturday. I thought it was pretty good. Anyone else check it out?

It was right where SlingShot is located. When you left Coney Mall by the Racer it used to be the Tumble Bug, Wooden Shoes, Bayern Curve and then by Bayern Curve was the house for the Sky Ride.

Thanks for the heads up! Sounds like it will be one of the best show's they've had in recent years.