[Sonder Blue Ice Cream Ale Returns for 2024]

Awesome news! It has become one of my favorite beers ever! I know it's not for everyone, but I think it's one of the tastiest summer brews out there.  Making a stop after work next week to pick some up!

[Coney Island/Sunlite Pool Demolition]

Although it is sad to see the park's demise, the ownership did themselves no favors removing the rides.

The rides were just enough to get my family to buy season passes each year. Not an overly big selection, but quite a few fun rides (bumper cars were great there!). We actually did not go to the pool much at all. We saved that for KI.
It was super close and a really nice way to spend an afternoon walking around under the trees, getting a bite to eat and riding. Once the rides were removed, we ceased to buy passes. It hurt because we have had such amazing, memory filled days there. If we wanted a water park, then off to KI we go for a much more robust selection of slides. 

So, I blame management for not understanding just how much the park meant to locals and beyond. Not keeping the rides and not thinking ahead and adding more rides to the mix was what killed Coney for us.

[Coney Mall Subway Becomes Coney Mall Cocktails]

That spot behind the Brewhouse is a treasure of relaxation. That is my go to when I need a way overpriced beer and a comfy chair to take in the sounds and sights of the park and maybe get to know other people enjoying the park that day. I sure hope that would never become VIP spot.

[best Flat Ride at the Island]

Absolutely love Drop Tower...even though as a big guy it is not the most comfortable to fit into those restraints. Sounds kind of silly, but I love riding bumper cars. Maybe because I have a long commute to work 3 days a week! Have to get that frustration out! Ha!

Plus, like my long-lost Eagles, every ride is different no matter how many times you ride. Just wish our version of bumper cars didn't take three years to load and get going and don't go as fast as others out there at other parks.

As I get older, it gets harder for me to ride Delirium. Shake Rattle and Roll is still good though. Love that ride! My equilibrium was never good with anything that spins even as a kid. Learned that on a cold night in Texas on a carnival Tilt -A-Whirl when I was about ten. It was not a pretty site. I was so embarrassed. 

[Restaurants OR Food You Want To Bring Back To Kings Island?]

After visiting both Disneyworld's and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Festhaus in the recent past and how much fun they both were with the German fare as well as great entertainment, my wish is to have something similar at KI.

Both places at those two other parks have a variety of food for those not wanting German food. But, the focus is on the German and/or overall world heritage, food and fun side of that.

Right now, for me, our version is just a nice shortcut that has some air conditioning to another part of the park. I like some Panda Express at times, and maybe a way overpriced beer at times but all the building is now is a glorified food court. Such an iconic building in the park could be something so much more.

 

[The New Kings Island Central Website is Here!]

As a Graphic Designer and site designer too, I know the hard work and decisions that went into all this. Great job and I'm so happy to be part of this group that enjoys this site on a daily basis and loves King's Island like a second home.

[Does age change the amount of times you ride a ride in a row?]

Officially mid-way into my 50's now and my love for KI, coasters and amusement parks in general has not faded one bit since I was a young kid. But my tolerance level sure has! 

Multiple rides on The Beast, Mystic, Diamondback, and Orion don't really bother me too much...but I pace myself now and try to hit the bumper cars or some other kind to the head and stomach rides in between. Even though I am in good shape for my age, coasters with inversions such as Banshee, I am one and done for awhile depending how long I plan staying at a park any one day. My equilibrium just isn't what it used to be unfortunately. Loops didn't used to bother me, but in the last few years, even with trying anti-nausea pills,  I just cannot ride coasters with loops near as much as I want. But, saying that, I love to ride RMC's and the inversions in them don't affect me as bad. Strange! 

Of course, when I was a kid, the Rotor about killed me as far as that goes. I was so sick after riding that! I was so embarrassed! I never could really handle any ride that spins. Even as a kid. Build a 500ft rollercoaster though, and I'd be first in line.

[The future of SOB: My opinion]

I remember well the announcement and hype that SOB got. I took a ton of photos with me and my family in front of that huge crate when it was announced. Once I saw the layout, I was hoping it would be a great ride. And, other than the long loud lift hill, an epic first drop and the fun of the loop, it was an extremely rough, jackhammering and somewhat boring coaster to my disappointment.

I was really wanting to love the ride watching rise above the KI skyline. It was truly a massive structure. But after my first few rides, I only rode it again if a friend from out of town came in and really wanted to ride it, or when my oldest got big enough to ride it. Other than that, I'd skip it, ride The Beast and my body thanked me for it.

[Hanna-Barbera Memories]

I remember riding the original Enchanted Voyage as a very young kid and being in awe of all the lights, scenes and above all, a nice cool indoor boat ride in the heat of the summer. As a kid, it was one of my favorite rides next to my first coaster ever, The Scooby Doo! I was a huge Scooby Doo fan as a kid. I remember being so excited to ride both every time with my family. As the coaster fanatic I am, I can't believe I was actually scared to ride The Racer back then! My dad tried so many unsuccessful times to coax me to ride it. Ended up riding The Revolution at Magic Mountain as my first 'big. coaster. I realized then what I was missing!

I was actually disappointed when the Smurfs came along, but I got used to it. Of course, once Phantom Theater came along, I absolutely loved that ride and am still sad it's not there anymore as is so many others. So many past rides that I loved growing up with the park.

[You might be a KI addict if you...]

Ha! that brings back some great memories as a kid. My grandparents lived in Woodlawn when I was growing up and there are some great road hills there. I'd be like faster, faster from the back seat and my grandma would gun it a bit over the hills for that classic dropping stomach feel! 

[Favorite Off Season Activities?]

Went to Entertrainment Junction for the first time. And loved it. The Coney Island recreation is just amazing!

And I spend entirely too much time playing Planet Coaster on my ps4 in the mancave during the cold winter days.

[Discussing Land and Space in and around Vortex]

I agree. II always thought a Screamin' Swing where Flight Commander was would be amazing. (Since my beloved Flying Eagles didn't make it there). That is one flat ride that I look forward to every trip to Cedar Point.

[You might be a KI addict if you...]

Checking the webcams almost everyday and just stare at them wishing I was there!

[Lost Articles on Rides - Epic Stories]

Seems forever ago, but my wife and I decided to ride White Water Canyon. And me wearing shorts with no zippers at the time, did not realize my wallet was gone until we decided to grab a bite of some Coney Fries. Luckily, we just got off the ride, so went back up in the hopes someone found it. I asked the ride op if anyone had seen it, and nope. Then I looked at the boat right in front of us and my very soaked wallet was wedged in the seat still. Got really lucky on that one! Ever since then, it is zippered pockets everytime while at the park. 

[Days of thunder]

I remember the Days of Thunder. It did have both theaters going at the time if I remember correctly. It was a nice way to get out of the summer sun for awhile too.

The ride itself was really fun! A bit jerky at times going back and forth, but still a good time. Not sure how I would handle now though. I rode Star Tours at Disney a few years back and almost got sick from it. Maybe it was due to it being in a smaller room, but wow I had to take it easy awhile after. Equilibrium isn't what it used to be I guess. Ha!

[On this date in 2012…]

Every time I rode Son of Beast, I always was impressed by the structure itself and the loop, by far the smoothest part of the ride. It was a jarring and somewhat boring layout for such an impressive structure. I always wanted to like it more than I did. I rode it with the loop and without, so in my opinion it was much better with the loop. It was one intense coaster with the jackhammering though those giant helixes. It was headache inducing and you had to ride it defensively. Some people love that, and I get it, but it just wasn't all that for me. As much as I anticipated it from the announcement and that giant SOB box shaking and rattling on the site before it was built, I just could not love that ride. As much as I wanted to.

As far as comparing to the original Bat, which I was lucky enough to ride several times...yeah, getting old , I know...ha! But, The Bat, for all its flaws it was an exciting ride at the time and very groundbreaking. ( SOB was too). And it provided for alot smoother ride than Son of Beast from my memory. I absolutely loved every ride on the original Bat...cannot say that for Son of Beast unfortunately.

[Tower Topics: The Legacy of Firehawk]

I always enjoy listening to these. Of course, the talk about The Flying Eagles is my favorite so far. For anyone that did not get to ride them at KI, saying they were the best non-coaster ride in the park is not an overstatement! Some days I would go up to the park just to ride them all day and night long. Still hurts that they were removed in such a callous way.

 

[What's your favorite Kings Island memory?]

I grew up with the park almost from the beginning, so there are way too many good memories to post. KI was my second home throughout my life and my refuge for the summer. While staying with my grandparents who lived here like did as a kid until we moved to barren West Texas when I got into the third grade. I was devastated that KI was literally over a thousand miles away and would wait all school year for the summer and the chance to visit my true home and enjoy KI almost every day during the summer.

Luckily my grandma was kind enough to see my passion for coasters and was more than willing to trek me up to the park and let me be at my favorite place in the world. I have seen so many changes, good and not so good. As a young kid in the 80's, the park had a bit more aura it seems ( Maybe just cause I was a kid and in awe of the park...Beast, original Bat, ect.), but it still keeps its hold on me as I get a bit older just like it did when I was much younger. I still feel like a young kid when I walk into the park and see International Street and the Tower come into view. That view never ceases to bring me back to my childhood!

The last night riding the Flying Eagles before they were stole from the park is one of my best memories!

So maybe it's all those trips up to the park with my grandma and the conversations we had that is one of the best parts of the experience.

 

[How many times have you ridden Orion?]

I did not keep a count, but I have ridden it a ton. Absolutely love the first drop and speed it has.  I don't mind that it is not that long of a ride. As I get a bit older, that's just enough for me...ha! 

[Remembering the Flying Eagles]

Yep, I went a couple years ago to Carowinds and spent the entire day between them and Fury!

[Remembering the Flying Eagles]

Biggest mistake by the park ever! Miss snapping those Eagles more so today than ever. My favorite flat ride ever!

[Coney Island Permanently Closing]

What a sad day. Living on the east side of Cincy for a long time, Coney was a nice change of pace if we wanted a closer option to KI for a day. My family so enjoyed the assortment of rides and enjoyed a much shorter ride home afterward too. it is a slap in the face to all the people like my family that they got rid of the rides. Now it's the ultimate 'we could care less about the history and especially the east side of Cincy" with another music venue right next to the two others. Grrrr!

[The Flat Ride Speculation Thread]

Shaggy, thanks for the info! That does not surprise me. Mr. Koontz seems like he understands how memorable certain previous rides were to so many. It'll probably never happen, but I still dream of a day when they return to KI. 

[The Flat Ride Speculation Thread]

I still remember the last day and evening Flying the Eagles at KI. By the end of that night, it was a very somber and heartfelt feeling for so many people there.  I, as well as many, many others absolutely loved that ride. It had a following to say the least. It was by far my favorite flat ride ever. I just could not believe KI was losing that ride at the time. The wild, out of control feeling you could get on the original Eagles was a pure joy! And, along with the bumper cars, every single ride was different in some way. Which made it even more of a cherished ride.  One of my most hopeful wishes is that they would bring them back from Carowinds. 

I appreciate KI installing another version, but it pales in comparison to the original. Even after all these years passed, I still despise that basketball game in the place of such an incredible ride.

 

[Winterfest 2023 Discussion]

I remember the original Winterfest vaguely and it was a really fun night in the cold winter of Ohio. Then it was gone. And now it's back and I get to ride some of my favorite rides and enjoy the lights and atmosphere of the park at this time of year again. I just enjoy the experience for the opportunity and knowledge that this event can go away just like that again. I won't get into the back and forth of what shows are there this year or not. I will find plenty to do at the park when I visit as always. Through it all, we are more than lucky to have such an amazing park to call our own.