touchdown62

You were in third grade in 1991? Now I feel old... Gator, who graduated high school that year! I know the park does have at least one picture of the tower under construction. One was on display last year at the KI Alumni Reunion. It was very interesting to see that. OK, I'm in the middle there somewhere. I started high school in 1991. In 5th grade, I loved Tank v. UFO on the Commodore 64. I remember being on the Apple II GS when they first came out. Those bunnies on Oregon Trail were so fast they were almost impossible to shoot.

I have to work that day. *insert crying icon here* I'll be there with a group on the 25th.

I check in a couple times a day. I usually only see the most recent forum posts, linked on the right side of the home page. If there's something of interest there, I'll take a look. I don't post as much as I should, but many times, I just don't think I need to add anything or I don't feel like saying anything.

Oh yeah... GOOD TIMES!!

More great pics from the event. I'm still so disappointed my Jeep failed me, and just a half-hour away no less. I did visit my Jeep tonight when I dropped the keys to my rental car off at the rental place. It's still making a grinding noise in the rear end, so I left it there. I'm working on plans to get it back to East Central Indiana, but still sad I couldn't go on the tour with you all. I do look forward to seeing everyone during the season, especially during Ride Warriors Weekend and (hopefully, please please please) KICentral.com: The Event, Part Très!

So how long were you all back there? Where all did you go? I couldn't make it. My Jeep started making funny noises south of Dayton, so I aborted mission and abandoned ship. Very disappointing.

I, as well, exercised my right as an American citizen and voted. It is everyone's civic duty to vote (for anything Kings Island) on the survey!

Pure guess, but I'd say on the order of 5000 spots. There are lights and wiring that are used to light up the tower at night. Not sure they'd like the public walking around that. I think they said the character breakfasts will be up there again this year. Didn't hear of any plans to have additional events for the public. Don't think so. It's a good ride and seems to be solid. I like the ride. I'd be sad if it ever went out. You mean to the public? I never heard of it. Definitely not an expert, just an avid fan. Just passing on what I've heard. EDIT: GRRR iChase just beat me to it! You're too quick!

Awesome pics! I love the shot you have of St. Louis Cathedral. Such a beautiful church. It is nice to see the French Quarter with people, vendors, and performers. The pic of the bird was a good one as well. Nice pic of the Crescent City Connector. When I see those bridges, I know I'm in New Orleans. I'm looking forward to more pics.

Did you read the story of the Bright Field incident while at the Riverwalk? Fascinating story and quite a hero story. In a nut shell, the Bright Field was a ship that lost power coming down the Mississippi, and the cross currents were taking the ship right to the Riverwalk and the 2 casino boats that were there. The captain somehow maneuvered his disabled ship in between the 2 casino boats and crashed into the outside patio of the Riverwalk. Considering what could have happened, the accident was pretty minor. I'd love to know which place you went for breakfast. I personally love the Camelia Grill in the Garden District. I certainly hope you all went to Cafe du Monde. Nothing like a plate of beignets and cafe au lait, sitting there watching the pigeons swarm on any crumbs and listening to the sidewalk jazz musicians. I'm looking forward to seeing your pics and hearing what else you did. I sure do miss that place.

The Beast is a MUST to ride. It is the longest wooden coaster in the world and the third longest coaster of any kind in the world (Daidarasaurus in Japan is listed as SBNO by www.rcdb.com). I also love The Racer. It's a classic wooden racing down-and-back coaster. I also make it a point to hit Firehawk, Vortex, and Invertigo. Three great rides with 3 distinct ride experiences. While you're back at Firehawk, ride Flight of Fear. Thrilling indoor ride with very little light. Even better when it's hot outside. Most of the line is indoors. If the lines aren't too bad, Flight Deck and Back Lot Stunt Coaster are fun little rides. Only problem with Flight Deck is it's a long walk for a short ride. If the line is short, stay back there and ride it a few times. Adventure Express is another fun little mine ride. To me, BLSC isn't worth a wait any longer than 15 minutes. Diamondback is the new coaster going in this year. Kings Island's first B&M hyper coaster. Hit that if you can. I know I will. As far as the rides I've been on but not too crazy about, Drop Tower and Son of Beast. If you like plummeting over 250 feet to the earth, then you'll love Drop Tower. Son of Beast is the tallest and fastest wooden coaster in the world, but it beats the cr#p out of you. If you like your lunch shaken, not stirred, then you'll like this ride. You MUST spend a bit of time on top of the Eiffel Tower. The view is tremendous up there. Take a camera. Other flat rides I like are the Dodge'Em bumper cars, the antique Carousel, and Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle. The last one is nice because it's indoors and air conditioned. Just beware all the rug rats. Another way to cool off and slow down is to ride the KI&MVRR train. If it's hot, be sure to hit Congo Falls and stand on the bridge after you get off. Bring a towel. White Water Canyon will get you wet, but the walk back there feels like you're closer to your house than the rest of the park.

For some reason, my 'puter fouled up. See my post below.

Ooo ooo ooo I want to play! You might be a KI addict if you... Drive over 2 hours to the park in the dead of winter, trudge across a frozen wasteland, ummm I mean parking lot, drool over the park you can't get into because of ice and snow with dozens of other people, and snap pictures from behind glass like you were a tourist on speed, and enjoying every minute of it... but I don't know who would do anything like that.

You must not have been in the same room I was in. The room I was in, you couldn't see the FoF building. What I saw was the right-hand turn and first drop of FD. Unless they switched the ride locations and put FH between GWL and SoB, FD was the dull gray thing in the foreground of SoB. I agree, that coaster WAAAAYYYY in the background is FH, but the ride in front and to the right of SoB is FD. I don't have a pic because I didn't take any in GWL, but I know what I was looking at. Now, I'm not saying I don't ride FD. Quite the contrary. I rode it 14 times in one day, but that day it turned into a water ride and there was no line. Most of the time it wasn't just a walk-on, but a stay-on. I just find it to be a boring ride, and way too short for the long hike back there.

I believe I said the Dumbo ride was faster and more exciting than Flight Deck (or something to that effect), and unless they repainted Firehawk since Halloween Haunt, the gray thing I saw looking out the window of the room in GWL was Flight Deck. I think it's too short, but despite the quick ride, I can still almost take a nap while riding it.

^Agreed. I've already had to mop some drool off my face, shirt, and desk. Awesome shot, Mr. Helbig! Did you climb up there and take it yourself? If so, you have the best job in the world!

Possible way to find out. Hold a coin in the palm of your hand, parallel to the ground. Don't close your hand around the coin. Leave it like this for the whole ride. If the coin doesn't fall out of your hand, then there's a real good chance you wouldn't fall out without the restraints. I don't see this working through the corkscrew. The train goes too slow for C-force to be greater than gravity and keep you in the seat.

I volunteer to be the first to film a POV video for the site or to be used in advertising.

Will tickets be sent in the mail or will our names just be on a list at the front gate?

I got my tickets with PayPal like the first or second day, at least I think I did. I just hope my information got through. Captain Nemo Boddah1994 gigacoaster2k Gordon Bombay Mr. 3000 beastfan26 flightoffear4thtrain Raptor66 CoastersRZ violakat03 cincyboy79 Brian5475E +3 Mabye skaterboy22101 Longlivethesmurfride Cory Butcher coasterguy15 iChase Beast man Beast1979 IBEW_Sparky KIFan73 pkiboy windshawne keiko_coaster PhantomTheater Rollercoast19 Dropthegloves97 touchdown62 and 1 friend

Definitely will be a belt-loosening day!

Bah, lightweight. My left leg weighs 120#. Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving all, and enjoy your turkey (or whatever you may have for dinner). For us, it'll be turkey, polish sausage, cornbread stuffing, smushed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, broccoli casserole, cranberry sauce (none for me, thanks), crescent rolls, and pumpkin pie... and that's just off the top of my head.

Those pics are so sexy. Looking at how steep that first 215' drop is took my breath away, and I don't even have a hi-def monitor. My excitement level just went up a few more notches.

Nice TR, but now I'm seriously jealous. I saw Ryan and Dane in the Festhaus for lunch, and if I had the knutsens to say hi (knowing full well they wouldn't know I was a KIC member), I could possibly have been fortunate enough to go with on the tour. Oh well. Nice pics of the back area of Diamondback. Makes me that much more excited for 2009. Forget 2009. I want to ride it NOW! I can stand a little frostbite.

I am Superman Ultimate Flight