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Photo Recap: KIC Day - The Second Coming


Gordon Bombay
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The weather could not have been better for an August Saturday in Ohio. A little over a year ago I was unable to attend the first KIC day with the rest of the staff due to an already arranged family vacation. At that time I was playing golf in 100 degree heat and it seemed Ohio was having the same nasty weather. This year, the temperature was great, even a little cool as KICentral members rolled into the park in the early morning to register for KICentral.com's THE SECOND COMING, a sequel to their event held a year later. Unlike most similar events held at the park, KIC day is not just about how much free food and exclusive ride time you can score, but about trying new things and getting to see the many different features and attractions a wonderful park like Kings Island has to offer. So without further delay, I present to you:

KICentral's Second Coming - The Day in Photos.

At 9:00 A.M. sharp, after most of those who bought tickets were registered and received their schedules and Diamondback "VIP" lanyards, Ryan Suhr, media director of KIC, began with the opening ceremonies a.k.a. a short speech through a megaphone about just how awesome this day was going to be. The group gathered up and was escorted back to Action Zone.

As the faint sounds of the rides could be heard doing their morning test cycles and as ride operators and employees went about their morning routine, KIC members were escorted back to a special backstage tour of Club Blood:

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Did I mention that the lights were on? Allowing participants to see all the hidden secrets of the attraction, and how things work?

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Some walked, some ran, some were even too afraid to brave the haunted house with the lights on, regardless, I think its safe to say everyone got a little more excited for October!

At 9:30 it was time for some exclusive ride time on Invertigo. Now on the forums some had complained that half an hour on a low capacity ride would not be that great. . .

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However, I think its safe to say everyone came out happy. In just a half an hour many of us were able to score at least 5 rides on Invertigo, what a great way to start off the morning.

10:00 rolled around and the park was open for business. Some members ran to beat the lines on their favorite attractions as the general public rolled in. Eventually everyone had to make their way over to the carousel. You see, later on there was going to be a Son of Beast backstage tour, but if you wanted to the ticket to get in you had to ride the carousel. . .

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I don't think I've ever seen so many awkward grown men on a Carousel. :D

After riding, members of KI's staff rewarded participants with tickets to the SOB tour:

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At last years event, the SOB tour had to be cancelled, so this was going to be very exciting for nearly everyone involved. Participants gathered anxiously at the Timberwolf South Entrance. . .

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. . .and made their way towards that MASSIVE wooden structure in the background. . .

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. . . it could only be the one, the only. . .

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. . . Son of Beast!

This exclusive backstage tour afforded KIC members some wonderful views and photographic opportunities not available to the average guest or coaster club member.

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After this, members were given some free time to do as they please, many took advantage of their drink wristbands.

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What's this? Invertigo had a full queue house and the line was protruding out of the station by noon, looks like that ERT worked out very well after all!

The next big event of the day that many were looking forward to was a construction tour of Diamondback, but there was a catch, if you wanted your Diamondback tour tickets you had to ride the Dodgems:

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Inspired by the classic coney rides, many members took the time to check out some other Coney Classics such as the Zephyr:

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Next up was what many attendees were looking forward to; the Diamondback CONSTRUCTION TOUR. Just over a week ago we found out what was up with all the construction that was going on in Kings Island. The great folks at the park were kind enough to give our members an in depth construction tour:

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We were permitted to walk down into the actual construction area and back around, this tour, I feel, really gave folks a sense of just how massive an investment Kings Island is making!

Following the Diamondback tour was a tour of The Beast, I led this tour and did not take photographs on it so I will borrow some from my good friend Robbie a.k.a. CoastersRZ:

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Following our up close and personal look at The Beast, KIC members met outside the International Showplace where we were permitted in early for some exclusive seating to Kings Island's new show FLASHBACK: TOTALLY 80's. The front row, center seats provided our members with some great views of a great show, one of six shows in Kings Islands new emphasis on entertainment.

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Aside from the great seats, the entertainment department at KI was nice enough to provide our members with one more perk. . .

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. . .an EXCLUSIVE question and answer session. After coming out and introducing themselves, the cast of Flashback gave us an in depth, personal Q&A session.

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Keep an eye on these folks, as one day you may be seeing their talented faces all over the place. Getting to hear from them really gives you a new appreciation for how hard they work in these shows. Stay tuned, you'll be seeing a lot of them this October for Halloween Haunt!

Following the wonderful Q&A session it was time for a dinner of Montgomery Inn Pulled Pork, burgers, mac n cheese, and other goodies (ICE CREAM!). But, before you could eat, Kings Island had some surprises in store for us. . .

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. . .each member was required to enter the raffle, but what kinds of things could you win? Kings Island was kind enough to raffle off many awesome prizes such as Diamondback construction hats, Diamondback teaser posters, signed Robbie Knievel posters, Rick Wallenda t shirts, and autographed Reds baseballs and photographs!

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-KICentral.com member Derek9312 receives his raffle prize, a Diamondback teaser poster that was once feature in the park.

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-Other KICentral members with their prizes!

After the raffle and dinner was our next event. An exclusive Q&A session with two Kings Island full timers. Members were able to hear from Tony Carovillano, the park manager of Operations (which includes Rides among many other departments) on how Diamondback will operate, the Cedar Fair Ride Admission Policy and much more. Followed by Jeff Gramke, KI's head of construction and engineering, most famous for his involvement in designing The Beast!

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Both speakers got up close and personal with the KIC audience, fielding questions and providing insight into what they do at the park, things to come, and the history of Kings Island. Definitely a unique opportunity to hear from these fine individuals.

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Next on the itinerary for 8:30 it just said "Girls Night Out in Festhaus (have your camera's ready!)" We all knew KI was having an emphasis on entertainment and that Girls Night Out was one of the new shows this year, but why exactly did we need to have our cameras ready?

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So we watched the show, and it began like normal. . .

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. . .until the girls pulled on their special guest. . .

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. . .KICentral's own media director: RYAN SUHR!

After the show KICentral members spent the last few hours of operation taking in a few rides, getting their last chances to use their drink wristbands, or just enjoying the atmosphere at the park at night, all in anticipation of the nights final event:

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A half hour ERT on The Racer! The Racer received A LOT of off season track work this year and has been running great, not to mention both sides are going forward this year, just as they did originally.

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The Racer crew and their area supervisors were even kind enough to let our members go 15 minutes longer on our ERT to 11 o clock!

Following The Racer ERT the event was over. We all took turns shaking hands and saying our goodbyes, many tired from a long day of fun. KICentral day was a terrific success and I think that was due in part to this wonderful community on the site. Unlike other events I have attended, it wasn't all about riding coasters and eating food, KICentral day was about spending time with friends, making new friends, getting to hear insight from those like Tony and Jeff who make this work, and trying things you normally might look over at the park. I know for me it was definitely one of the best days I've had. I think looking back on it, it was a great day!

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KICentral - The Second Coming - 8/16/08

There are many people to thank for such a wonderful event. First off, it wouldn't have been successful had Ryan Suhr of KICentral and Don Helbig of Kings Island not worked so hard to provide a great event for all of us:

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And of course we can't forget to thank: The rest of the KICentral.com staff, the crew of Invertigo, KI's entertainment department. Tim, Bryan, Anna, Liz, Ashley, Nick, Katie, Megan, and Mark of the Rides department's Area Supervisors. The cast of Flashback: Totally 80's, The cast of Girl's Night Out, Tony Carovillano, Jeff Gramke, Nick Licastro, KI's Group Sales department, The Beast Crew, The Racer Crew, and everyone else who was involved in making this event such a one of a kind experience! Your hard work did not go unnoticed!

-Ronny "Gordon Bombay" Salerno.

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Yeah, it may sound minor but a lot of people get injured by people bringing loose articles onto rides... even cups. Food and drinks is very specifically prohibited. I'm sure that guy was just someone's kid or something, but his parents should have taught him to listen and obey park rules and procedures. I hope the Kings Island higher ups don't know him because I've heard of them suspending people from KI for things like that.

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And I`d like to add that technically bringing that cup onto the ride was against posted park rules, which also means that it was technically against Ohio state law.

Unfortunately that group photo only reflects roughly fifty to sixty percent of the people that attended KIC day at the park.

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And I`d like to add that technically bringing that cup onto the ride was against posted park rules, which also means that it was technically against Ohio state law.

Unfortunately that group photo only reflects roughly fifty to sixty percent of the people that attended KIC day at the park.

Yep -- and those who didn't come to see Jeff speak really missed out. He's LOADED with information. He knows the industry frontwards and backwards! We all had a lot to learn from him.

We were really thrilled to have the cast of Flashback: Totally 80s with us too. I know that some members of Twistin' to the 60s last year were jealous that KIC chose to do the Q&A with the ice show last year, so I'm glad that most of them could be involved this year!!!

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looks like i missed a great event. i was originally distraught over the day being scheduled the same day as my annual whitewater rafting trip

to the new river in west virginia. then the company sent me to slovakia, so i missed both. i would have loved the tour of sob. it is by far the best

ki has to offer at this time. i have seen it up close during the jdrf walks the last 2 years. during those walks, we go the entire length of the parking lot before entering

behind timberwolf. we then travel under sob and thru the woods. we come up the hill by Firehawk, travel behind racer, and around The Beast. we end up exiting the park

at bb. it's a great event for a great cause. our group is sponsored by ford. after the walk, ford gives park tickets to everyone in our group. i usually chaperone

a small group of 8-12 yr. old boys thru the park. that can be an experience as boys will be boys.

great job again, ronny.

fan of beast

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Ronny – your trip report is a homerun!

I think your report gives non participants a good idea on how the day went and as one who participated in it I enjoyed reminiscing through your descriptions and awesome photos. You definitely have a knack for getting the right shot for the story.

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Ronny, as always, wonderful photos. I'm crazy about your pictures. Great trip report, nice and concise with great use of photos to illustrate your story. Excellent man.

Glad I got to meet you too!

Oh, and I love the compilations of pictures.

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And I`d like to add that technically bringing that cup onto the ride was against posted park rules, which also means that it was technically against Ohio state law.

Unfortunately that group photo only reflects roughly fifty to sixty percent of the people that attended KIC day at the park.

Yep -- and those who didn't come to see Jeff speak really missed out. He's LOADED with information. He knows the industry frontwards and backwards! We all had a lot to learn from him.

We were really thrilled to have the cast of Flashback: Totally 80s with us too. I know that some members of Twistin' to the 60s last year were jealous that KIC chose to do the Q&A with the ice show last year, so I'm glad that most of them could be involved this year!!!

i know i RLLY like the flashback Q&A:)(i was the one who got a hug from JOSH :lol:)

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And I`d like to add that technically bringing that cup onto the ride was against posted park rules, which also means that it was technically against Ohio state law.

Unfortunately that group photo only reflects roughly fifty to sixty percent of the people that attended KIC day at the park.

Yep -- and those who didn't come to see Jeff speak really missed out. He's LOADED with information. He knows the industry frontwards and backwards! We all had a lot to learn from him.

We were really thrilled to have the cast of Flashback: Totally 80s with us too. I know that some members of Twistin' to the 60s last year were jealous that KIC chose to do the Q&A with the ice show last year, so I'm glad that most of them could be involved this year!!!

i know i RLLY like the flashback Q&A:)(i was the one who got a hug from JOSH :lol:)

I told you I'd make it happen. :rolleyes:

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Great TR Ronny, couldn't have been any better. As always excellent photos and it was nice to meet you. I had a great time at the event and im still trying to find the perfect spot to put my new teaser sign. Cant say it enough, thanks to everybody involved in making Saturday such a fun filled day, it was a great time and i hope we can do it again next year

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And I`d like to add that technically bringing that cup onto the ride was against posted park rules, which also means that it was technically against Ohio state law.

Unfortunately that group photo only reflects roughly fifty to sixty percent of the people that attended KIC day at the park.

Yep -- and those who didn't come to see Jeff speak really missed out. He's LOADED with information. He knows the industry frontwards and backwards! We all had a lot to learn from him.

We were really thrilled to have the cast of Flashback: Totally 80s with us too. I know that some members of Twistin' to the 60s last year were jealous that KIC chose to do the Q&A with the ice show last year, so I'm glad that most of them could be involved this year!!!

i know i RLLY like the flashback Q&A:)(i was the one who got a hug from JOSH :lol:)

I told you I'd make it happen. :rolleyes:

by the way..........................................thanks :lol:

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