windshawne

I just can't believe it. Way, way too young

Heard a rumour that Robin Innes has been let go. Can anyone confirm this?

With all due respect, I think the Koch's taking over KK is a mistake. We don't need another corporation in this country.

I would rather camp, even sleeping in my escape, than to get a room for 100 or more a night. Plus, I'm with KI-orig-emp, the smell of grills is heavenly and there is more socializing than being behind a locked door in a hotel.

Gross. No thank you.

The Son trains look to be in surprisingly good shape for being in the elements this long

Thank you for this thread. One of my biggest regrets over the years is that, growing up, we never took any pictures of the park. This was a walk I really enjoyed.

'74 plain and simple. Removing the sky ride was a major mistake. The trams and the skyride removed a ton of unnecessary walking.

No it wasn't. The last time I went to the park with my dad was in 2007. The only thing he could ride was the dodge ems, and they have been so watered down they're not even worth it. (Coming from a man involved in racing). Anyway, he was too proud to get a chair and we took several rest breaks throughout the park. Like I've said before there's nothing for people like him to do there. The only other thing we got on was the train and it ended up being kind of a sad thing since there was nothing for him to do. As we were leaving I offered to bring the car up so he wouldn't have to walk so far, but he refused-and he slept the whole way home. There has to be an answer for this. KI needs more flats and something for the elders to do. I have always thought that the wheelchair place could at least send a rep to the parking lot with a chair to pick up those guests who cannot get to the entrance. I know it would probably cut back on the number of medical events if they had that simple solution. Besides that, I think that simple gesture would make a big impression on an out of town guest as well as the locals.

When you put it like this I agree, I love nature. ("I love the outdoors, whenever i'm not indoors that's where you'll find me." - Frank Burns) The problem I have nowadays is no matter how much I like seeing exotic animals, I can't get it out of the back of my head how much happier most of them would be out in the wild. But that would make you old...too! Today’s photo set is a slightly different...because it’s not quite in the park. 1974 I have some fond memories of the trams...it seemed so magical to wait and board them and be taken to the park. (Although now that I am older I can’t imagine wasting my time waiting for one when I could just walk and be at the entrance faster. ) The two things that caught my attention in this photo are: A. The boy in his tube socks...oh what a time period...the boys of today don’t know what they missed having those “cool” fashion accessories. (The only downside of having the striped socks is that you had to find a matching pair...nowadays I just grab any two white socks in my drawer.) B. The lady on the back of the tram looking up...it’s like she’s just thinking “I wonder if it’s gonna rain today”. 2011 Where would I rather be today...1974 or 2011? Well if I base it solely on these two photos I would say that I would go for 2011 because I think the trams are a waste of gas...BUT I would choose 1974 if I could reach into the picture and grab me one of those old Scooby Doo parking signs! Thanks for all of the comments! It is sad to see some of the animals in captivity, but I have been lucky enough to be close to an eagle, that could no longer fly and would never survive in the wild. And it seemed happy with its handler, and even stepped over to me and tried to climb on my shoulder. I think I miss the trams myself. I see so many elders coming into the park exhausted from the walk.

JD, this is the best thread I have ever seen on this site, and I thank you. I miss the animal safari with a passion; it was a place you could go and unwind and reconnect with nature for a bit. Those places are becoming harder to find everywhere, not just at the park. I know at KI's younger years the park had a relaxing feel to it with the landscaping and now it just feels crowded and stressed. I know things change but I didn't realize how much I missed some of the defunct areas.

Great pics and report! Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous, and so glad the weather cooperated for you guys.

Wow. You just never know. Will be thinking of her family during this time.

Any get together is fine-doesn't have to be at the park. I am extremely busy myself and just not able to come on here much anymore. Also getting my health in order, but will be quite a while-harder to lose weight at 46 than it was in my 20's.

Taking KCKC out was an absolute crime-same as the antique cars. I'm with you-I would rather be standing in '74 as well.

Thanks for the memories-these are beautiful. Sadly, I do not have any pics of the park and it is great to see it once again.

Somebody must have had an axe to grind that wrote some of that stuff. It is not anywhere that bad. We have stayed there about 5-6 nights a year every year since the campground closed. I have seen a continual decline...but nothing nearly as drastic as that. The "little" thing I notice are mostly how they repair things...kind of sloppy...like over caulking around the tub or toilet. The only problems that we have had that pop into mind over the last few years: TV wouldn't work...they brought us a working one. Refridgerator wasn't that cold...they brought us a working one. No towels...they sent them right over after we called. As for dirty, I wouldn't stay somewhere I thought was dirty. The ONLY "really? moment" was on our last visit...the carpet had a stain where it appears a kid spilled their juice. I was surprised they didn't clean it before they let anyone check in. As for the employees...no problem there. I have never had a rude employee....PLUS the bus drivers bend over backwards to get you there and back tothe park when you want. The oddest time was when I rode the bus over...but walked back to the hotel mid evening. It wasn't really busy that day...so I guess the driver was keeping track of how many people he was taking over & back. Near the end of the evening my family was riding back on the bus....my sister asked the driver how late he had to work...he said "Well, you are almost my last people to bring back...I just have one more guy over there, then i'm done". My sister described me and he said "Yep, thats the guy i'm missing". I think THAT'S customer service! I easily recommend the hotel as long as someone is not expecting a luxury hotel...and speaking of that, I once stayed in a hotel in Chicago that was about $200.00 a night...and something kept scratching me while I was in bed...I reached down to find a big old clipped toenail....i'm guessing they hadn't changed the linen. (So higher prices do not always mean better quality.) Oh, gross. I think I'd rather sleep in my escape than deal with that.

80 square feet of black top is usually 1000$, and it is not in deplorible condition so i dont think it is necessary. Try riding a bike on it. There are areas that swallow them whole without warning.

Better food and repaving the parking lot.

There is a way to politely educate someone without making them feel like an idiot or pointing it out to them on a forum. That's what I have issue with-and that is why I rarely post. Before responding to someone on here who may not know the facts, think about how you would take it if someone said it to you. It's simple courtesy. Some responses on here are abrasive, and there's no excuse for it. I would love to learn from someone in that position, but there is no way in hell I would ask them about it.

Ugh-I was surprised I had to print my application at home-and everyone can attest that thing is a small book.

Implode it-and I am more than happy to push the button. End of a massive failure. Better yet, take the trains that have been sitting in the elements since the closure, put them on for one last hoorah and see what happens.

Interesting-when were these taken?

I'm planning on it at the moment, of course the weather will be a major factor.

Very sorry for your loss. I know going through the things left behind is heart wrenching, as I just did it with my grandmother's things. Thank you so much for sharing them on here. More beautiful memories for me personally.