medford

I doubt she would have gone back on FoF that day, and I'm pretty sure she skipped Vortex when a bunch of people hopped on, but she went on Diamondback several times that day, both before and after FoF, and still talks to me. Since her older sister and step sister of roughly the same age would ride just about anything, I think she began to realize her experience on FoF wasn't that bad, especially since she had survived. We'll see what she's willing to do this year. Her mother gets discounted tickets thru work good any day in the park, so I'm sure they'll be doing a full day in the park again this year.

It had been a long, long time since I had been on Flight of Fear prior to last season (maybe a decade or longer) Last year we got season passes and took our 3 year old a bunch at nights, one day, my brother in laws and their families joined us for a full day trip late in the year. While my wife and my brother in law's wives took the small kids to kiddie land to start the day, we took some of the older kids on the bigger rides. Started out on The Beast, then headed over to Firehawk before it filled up. It was shut down, of course, so we decided to jump on Flight of Fear. My brother-in-law's youngest step daughter (12 at the time I believe) was a little apprehensive, but my fuzzy memory told her it was nothing to be scared of, if she could ride The Beast, she'd make that one no problem. whe was most scared about going upside down, I didn't remember the ride going upside down, and told her there were no loops. Whoops, felt bad when i saw the troubled look on her face as when we left.

height descrepencies aside, I like Diamonback's route better, made only better when passing thru the woods rather than over concrete. However, those appear to be some incredible drops and speed that I would think would have to be felt in person to make a fair comparisson to what you can get thru video.

Aside from the movies, Transformers has a lasting memory as a toy. I loved transformers as a kid, my 3 year old likes transformers, my teenaged nephews like(d) transformers when they were younger. Despite the movies, when I read "Transformers" I'm automatically taken to happy thoughts. I doubt universal is going to regret that investment, at the end of the day Transformers has been a long, well proven success as a toy as much as anything. Anyhoo, I agree w/ goodyellowcorn, in my doubts of Avatar. It was great fun to watch it on the big screen, in 3d, a work of great beauty. As a story however, it was cliched and predictable, rather unmemorable. that is going to be hard to recapture in their sequels, its even harder to translate to your TV at home. There's not a strong toy history to fall back on (though I assume the toys sold well following the release)

great pics, thanks for sharing. Kind of makes me wonder what the long term plan was/is for the area behind Son of Beast. Despite a decent amount of elevation change around the SoB gate area, it looks relatively flat when you get back the double bowl area. There appears to be a ton of room for several large rides, the difficulty would be getting to that area, thru the natural terrain. SoB appears to have completely cut off that area (though the mentioned terrain just to get there would be difficult for many people), I wonder if there's a path that could be forged taking you thru the X-Base area? Would love to be on the inside of any 10-20-30-50 longterm "think type" planning sessions, both past and present just to hear all the dreams of the future and how they could be implemented. I don't even know if those exist like they do for many colleges, but you would assume there are some long term development ideas sitting around. thanks again for the pics, despite your disclaimer about being from inside the plane, amatuer photographer, etc... they are really nicely done.

Depending on what the salvage value is for all of that treated lumber (I have no idea what, if anything, its worth) as well as the steel and concrete footers, they may make money tearing down the structure. Of course, if that is true, then its doubtful the salvage value is dropping so they're not lossing money leaving it up either.

Speaking of the parking lot, has it ever been repaved? Random question but just wanted to know. It doesn't appear so as I drive by, but that's going 70 on the highway, so take my word at 100%. They've definently done something though, they've torn up a small part of the pavement, looks like perhaps they're going to put in some grass/curb dividers b/w regular parking and gold parking, if I had to guess, but its hard to tell for sure from I-71.

Yes....

OK, I'll take KI out of the equation and use a real life example that will likely happen to me and I imagine is pretty common for many long distant vistor's to KI. My sister lives in atlanta, some day, when the kids are old enough to ride most of the big rides, I imagine we'll head down there over spring break or in the summer to visit my sister and take a day at Six Flags over Georgia. I'll have no need to worry about lodging in the area, or where to eat around the park, all I truely care about is how much it costs and when it is open. I'll probably spend some time on their web site to check some height requirements and get a feel for the park. Its an amusement park, I'm not going to overthink and plan each ride out minute by minute. So, what if I get there, and I see this huge 200+ Foot tall wooden structure. I agree that people's eyes often see what they want to see, and they'll overlook a park rule, but its pretty darn hard to miss a structure that big. Naturally it looks like it could be fun, but I don't see it listed on the park map, it was never mentioned on the park's website, I have no idea what it is. I'm going to ask a ride operator, another vistor, what that ride is, and what its story is, is it open, do they plan to open it. its that simple, as long as Son of Beast is standing and not operating, its going to generate many questions by infrequent visitor's to the park. Sure people could go to their phone and google "big wooden structure at King's Island not running?" and probably figure it out, but often its much easier to turn to the person next to you in line and ask, what's the story with that ride, how come there are no cars operating. You say that since they never knew about before coming to the park, they can't be dissapointed, but you're wrong. You see something that looks like fun, but told its not working or off limits, and some are bound to be dissapointed with that aspect. Doesn't mean they can't or won't enjoy the rest of the park, I think just about everyone will enjoy the park regardless, otherwise the park is in trouble. KI has likely taken the best route to remove mention of the ride on their site and on the park map, however to not expect questions about the ride is ignorant.

Kings Island is not Disney, people don't spend extenstive hours researching the park. You don't plan for a week long visit, finding the best deals and places wn a series of parks. Its a 1, maybe 2 day event if you're coming from that far away, perhaps in conjuction with visiting family/friends in the area or as part of trip elsewhere. Kings Island likes to pretend both on their website and the park map that Son of Beast doesn't exist. However when you get out of your car, its impossible not to notice, its one of, if not the most noticable attraction. You could spend half a day in the park and never realize that The Beast existed. As long as your eyes work, you know that structure is there. Its only natural that you're going to ask what is up with that ride, will it open today, ever.

interesting pic on the blue racer, guy in the front seat in a tank top, 2 rows back you've got a guy in a jacket, in the operator station, you've got an employee in a sweat shirt. Based upon the last 2, I'm thinking the dude in the tank top was mocked several times that day as he walked thru the park. The antique cars did only run 1 side towards the end of their operation. IIRC the lines were generally very short as well. I know there is a lot of fond memories, but I think the experience had worn off towards it later days. Throw in the likely high cost of maintance and operation and its not surprising it was replaced. I wish they'd replace the miny train ride in kiddie land with a similar attraction where young kids can "drive" a car. My 3 year old loves the one they have, which you don't drive, just ride and turn a fake steering wheel, but I see a bunch of "older" kids (thinking 8-10) that really are too big for that attraction and would probably get a kick out of something like the old cars. The minny train seems to have very low ridership, I would think something allowing a 6 year old to "drive" would be a successful attraction in kiddie land.

Would be nice if KI invited them up for a "free" day.

Bill Reinhart, 700 wlw. There is also this: http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20120309/BIZ/303090101

The Beach won't be opening next year. Who knows when/if it will re-open again.

FWIW, WindSeeker was sitting at the top of the tower this morning as I drove past. Must be starting up the maitenance checks and what not, getting ready for the end of april.

Its not just the "fan boys" that would enjoy this, if done correctly. There are a lot of parents & grandparents that don't partake in all of the rides, and are sitting around waiting for others in their party to get done with the latest attraction. The Tower Gardens was once such a nice area and has a ton of potential as a meeting/waiting area. Put some kind of history in there, heck even add a "classic KI gear" store in there where you can by "The Bat" "I learned to drive on the Ohio turnpike " (or whatever the classic car ride was called) and "King Cobra" t-shirts, replicas of old park maps, classic photos, etc... and you've got a nicely themed area of the park that would be worth visiting. What percentage of the park visits the park every season, but only once or twice a year? It would be worth stopping by at least once. Change up the stuff in there every season, and now its a place worth checking out at least once a year. Its not something that will solely get someone coming to the park the way a new roller coaster would, but if done right it could greatly enhance the experience of the average visitor, allowing them to connect with their past. Sell a few tshirts and old maps and you might actually make money off the thing. Get a grandparent that has spent the day taking their 5 year old from columbus or lexington on boo blasters and The Beastie to spend a few minures reliving the past with their grandchild explaining all the rides they used to conquer as a child, and maybe you get that 5 year old to start bugging their parents for a season pass and regular visits down the road. The park has 40 years of memories, most wonderful, with strong ties to people of all ages. People rarely complain about a trip down memory lane, capture it and sell it. At the least, do something with the tower gardens, its such an eye sore, and as a smoking designated area, my regular wednesday evening trips last year rarely found many smokers hanging out around the leaf filled, dryed up water feature.

there has been some work done on the parking lot. It looks pretty minor, perhaps some sort of fencing or posts seperating the gold parking from other parking. Its hard to tell for sure as I wiz by on 71, so it may be unnoticable come April, but they've definently done "something" with the parking lot this offseason.

the unloved "tower gardens" would be perfect for this. Get the water back and working, there's ample room to put up displays, signage, pieces of old rides, perhaps miniture mock ups of past rides or park layouts, etc.... How great would it be to see a model of the park when it first opened, another after The Beast went up, another when King Cobra was developed or Diamonback, water works, etc.. A mock up every decade seems about right, or perhaps timed around key attractions. Get some pieces up on The Bat and any old rides that have been removed for various reasons.

There's a slide in that pic? I can't get past the bottom right.

I never worked at KI, nor interviewed there, but some things I think would be helpful. Have you ever worked anywhere before, doing anything? babysitting, lawn mowing, dummy end of a tape measure for a neighbor building a deck? They won't expect you to have any experience at that age, but if you've done any sort of work on a regular basis, but together a short resume and a list of references to hand over at interview time. I doubt they'd check your references, but make sure they're real just in case. I would think handing over 1 sheet w/ some work experience and a list of people to contact (be sure to ask these people prior to putting their name down for permission) would give you a leg up. Clubs at school or outside of school that might show commitment? Add those as well. Call KI and see if there is someone you can talk to about a summer job and a couple of questions (many on your list now are good ones, but add a few more so you give the person you're talking to a reason to remember you) Add follow up questions to their answers. Ask them if they'll be at the job fair and if you can meet with them personally for a moment or two. If you're looking at a stack of applications, there is likely little that would make your application stand out from the thousands of other application (don't take it personally, few 15 year olds have a developed resume) but getting face time and ear time with someone that they'll remember you personally will go a long way towards moving you to the top. See if there is anyone on this site who has mentioned working at Ki last year and attempt to contact them. They might have a name or two they can put you in touch with that can put you thru to the right people. At 15, they're not going to give you any big responsibilities. They mostly want to feel comfortable that you'll show up on time, every time and are competant enough that you can handle the responsibilities of your job with ease.

thanks for the video. King Cobra was about 10 seconds longer than I remembered it (about 45 seconds from top of the lift hill to stop) Vortex appears to be about 15 seconds shorter than I would have guessed (I think I counted about 1:15 from top of lift hill to the final stop)

Thats actually Viking Fury, King Cobra is seen on the far right edge. thanks, I thought the thing to the far right was Top Gun when I first looked at it.

Is that the King Cobra off in the distance, just to the right of the tower? Neat shot

I would be. Why let it take up valuable space? Because removing the ride structure itself will be a costly and time-consuming endeavor that probably needs to be worked into a year's budget (not that it couldn't have been worked into 2012's). In other words, until it needs to be removed, it might not be. Look at Son of Beast... So many people say "Yeah, it's over, just tear it down." Do these people think that the magical toothpick fairies will fly down to Mason and reclaim the wooden splinters they used to build the thing? It's expensive, and there's no real reason to do it until it needs to be done, or until it can be done... I don't know. That's how I see it. Keep in mind that it's not a portable carnival ride either. It has concrete footings drilled deep into the Earth, most likely one with the concrete slab of the building itself. It wasn't built to be removed, and it will definitely put up a fight. I would wager that there will be jackhammers if the park wishes to remove the ride's legs. I don't know. It may be a net win for the park, depending on what they do w/ the parts. Can they be recycled, or reused in other cedarfair parks to offset the cost of demolition? How much of SoB could be recycled? I don't know the answers to those, but I thought it was standard practice that demolition crews pay to actually bring downa building. In doing so, they take ownership of all the materials left over and sell them off to turn their profit. There are a lot of seats from ol' Riverfront stadium sitting around the Cincy area. The place that did the demo had a couple of Riverfront stadium "specials" at their warehouse by Lunkin field were fans could go in and purchase salvaged pieces of the stadium.

someone asked earlier how they'd take it out, piece by piece. Assuming the architects who designed the building weren't stupid, they made sure to have a doorway out of the building that was big enough to remove the largest piece of equipment for the ride and bring back in a similarly sized replacement part. If there was something excessively large that couldn't be dismantled that they knew would mean a long term shut down, they'll cut a hole into the side of the building to get it out, then "patch" up the whole for future use. Is the building big enough to pull off some sort of family themed water ride, like the former enchanted voyage? how about something similar to Epcot's "Soar" or is it "soaring"?