jandyb79

Since the "Peppers Ghost" effect was mentioned, here is a short documentary that tells the story of Disney's Haunted Mansion (and exposes its old parlor tricks). I love this doc and thought it was appropriate to share. The Haunted Mansion is among my favorite dark rides. [\youtube] [\youtube]

Wow! I rode it when I was six and it was in the exact location in the '60s.....alas poor Scooters.....I knew them..... edit: Great picture! Do you have more of Coney Island? (Especially the Haunted House and Lost River...those are my unreachable goals of research...) I have several professional photos of Coney, and I am mostly interested in those from the later years when the Haunted House was part of the ride line up. Unfortunately, I don't have any good up close shots of that ride. There are a few in Charles Jacques "Cincinnati's Coney Island: America's Finest Amusement Park". And if you get to them before me, post them!!!

Here is a photo of my fathers side of the family at Coney Island summer of 1955, with the Flying Eagles (or then Flying Scooters) in the background. My dad, at the tender age of 7, is on the far right. It really is something to think that my father rode some of these rides as a youngster that eventually ended up at Kings Island. So, I would also like to see the Eagles return! Maybe a 3rd generation of my family can enjoy the ride, after all!

My hope for the circle is a fountain...or at the very least, a bricked in sit rail with landscaping like those found throughout the Coney Mall. My fear is another pay to ride (or roll) attraction. The latter makes sense as it would draw from guest waiting in line for the new attraction :/

I worked at the park the park the summer that exhibit was running, but I never had time to check it out. I recall it being air conditioned, and my friends liked it for that reason alone.

Here is an interesting piece form my collection. This is a KI "Apple Award" as I have been told. Kings Island employees had great incentive to do a great job and for every good recommendation they received on their name, awards were given as recognition for their service. Believe it or not, a car was the top prize for the employee with the most positive marks on their name. This award is comprised of a marble/resin plaque with an engraved mural of the park and the 1981 feature attractions. Enjoy

I would also like a link from this ride. However, more than anything else, I would love to locate the original commercial advertisement for AE. I remember it showcasing the ride as a terrifying new attraction

A former sculptor for Kings Island sent me these images of some of the work he did for both Kings Island and Kings Dominion. Enjoy

I'm hoping for less concrete/pavers in the revamp of Action Zone and maybe some green, trees and bricked in areas - or even a circular fountain. That area completely lost its beauty over the last decade and I'm expecting the landscaping will blow everyone away when the park reopens. I'm still rooting for a Liberty Square Disney architecture style for that side of the park!

I hate to see this thread die, so I came across a few interesting galleries online. Someone has done a fantastic job of cataloging nearly every Kings Island map from the opening season until present. Check this out: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitchenslayer/sets/72157630405860364 Booklet photos: http://quasi-interestingparaphernaliainc.blogspot.com/2012/06/kings-island-souvenir-booklet-1979.html 1984 ACE Conference video footage:

Here is a little contribution of mine. The wonderfully made .gif file was created for the thread "Standing within 3 ft of 1974" seen here: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/24760-standing-within-3-feet-of-1974/page-7 1980 (notice The Bat in the early stages of development)

KCKC was among my favorites in KI's ride lineup. I miss that ride probably more than any other defunct ride. I always considered it a thrill ride in many ways. And I find it difficult to describe how cool it was, but when I do I use a lot of hand gestures and sound effects "It would skid across the pond below, just like a jet ski SWISH!…it was so cool…you had to be there!"

Magnificent photo! Thank you for sharing! Can anyone share any specs on the two coasters pictured?

The Nestea Plunge was quite the thrill slide for its day! I'll never forget the first time I rode that slide. My friends and I stood some 70 ft or so in the air while all of our girlfriends waited for us to come down - no going back!

I keep coming back to look at that Coney Mall shot with The Bat in the background, original Dodgem building and a the few remaining finely trimmed ginko trees. That's a fantastic shot and I really dig the angle! Definitely one I've never seen before

I always wondered where that was located, so thank you guys for providing a landmark reference!

Kings Island made an attempt to bring back the clown band for the 2009 season. I auditioned and was set to play percussion, but they had trouble filling spots in the ensemble. Entertainment management actually asked me to inform students, where I taught private lessons at the time, to come in and audition. But it's quite a challenge to revamp something like this on short notice. Another attempt was made for Halloween Haunt in 2011. I pitched the concept of a creepy haunted clown band and they had already began working on a concept for a Louisiana cajun style funeral band. That too was a no go I do hope they one day bring back the clown band as I felt it was a staple for the park!

To date, I only know of 3 other pieces from this ride that are in collectors hands. However, I would say that there are far more items out there than one might suspect. Here are a few that I have turned up over the last year or so.

28" tall x 16" wide (at his feet)

It's just unpainted fiberglass.

This is a piece I've been hoping to add to my collection for nearly 15 years and I am more than pleased to have finally located one! And I couldn't be more happy that it is my favorite Smurf - Grumpy! The character was used in the Smurfs Enchanted Voyage and at one point had animatronic movement. The arm has a swivel mechanism that allows it to swing up and down. The anchor rings are still attached at the feet and the fiberglass body shows very little cosmetic damage. The original owner explained that this was his fraternitys mascot and that it was well loved even after it vacated it's original home at Kings Island. Enjoy these images

I second that notion, but I get just as much enjoyment out of watching the station, landscaping and new theme take effect. Watching Rivertown get a long overdue makeover was my favorite part of the Diamondback construction process. I do miss the trees, however :/ It really will be a treat to watch the transformation of this newly themed area, as it happens very rarely.

Wow! That is gorgeous!

Skylab was ok, but in my older age the direction in which I'm spinning has greater effects than in my youth! As for the original topic, I would love to see what a Peanuts Enchanted Voyage would look like today! And I'm biding time until Backlot Stunt Coaster is removed and something of greater beauty is returned to that area...one can only hope!