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I just wanted to pop in real quick and say thank you. Ryan, I know I thanked you the other night when we all got together, but I really appreciate you taking the time to write this. I'm glad you got to come out with us on Thursdays and got to know Doug. I wanted to thank the KIC community who knew Doug and those who didn't, I know his family really appreciates the thoughts, prayers and condolences. I appreciate everyone whose taken the time to keep Doug and his family in their thoughts. Doug would often stay late and come in early, both as an associate and as a supervisor, to help out with special events at his rides. Whether it was BeastBuzz, the last ride of the year on The Beast, ERT times or Planet Snoopy early openings - Doug always worked hard and never complained. He was the kind of guy when the rest of us would be all tired out from working all day, Doug stayed and helped then wanted to go out and have a beer. Then he'd be back the next morning refreshed and ready to do it all over again. That's a lot when you only have one kidney, dialysis three times a week and a lot of other stuff going on. He never complained about it once. Whether you knew him personally or not, I'm sure you encountered him at some point in the park. He was a Beast associate, Beast supervisor, supervisor of the log flume and supervisor of the Backlot: Stunt Coaster. He was trained all across the park and would help out wherever he could. He not only treated his co-workers with respect, but always looked out for the guests as well. Doug was great with the little kids that would come ride the log flume. He loved working at Kings Island and it's through that summer job that I and countless others got to know him. While this past weekend has been tragic and hard, I can't tell you how happy I've felt. The outpouring of support from HUNDREDS of former and current employees Doug worked with has been great. The support from the KIC and enthusiast community has been wonderful as well. For me, it really shows what a special place Kings Island is. Not just for the employees, but for those who frequent the park and have made friends through the park. It has made me so happy to see how many people centered around the park are good hearted and will do anything for their friends and community - whether they know them well or not. Thank you to everybody here. Doug trained countless supervisors and employees in the park and was responsible for establishing some top notch crews. I'm sure his memory will live on in many facets, but especially through the good job these young people will continue to do at the park. If you ever ride The Beast - just as the train exits the station and begins to turn around before heading up the lift - there is an American flag mounted on a pole in the center. In 2008, Doug, Steve and I had the privilege of being Beast supervisors together. We created a "Real American" crew, a play off of Doug and I's love for Hulk Hogan. Many people here may remember that entire crew wearing American flag pins on their uniforms that year and continue to do so. The flag pole in the middle was built by the park maintenance staff. The three of us had jokingly asked them about putting one up and low and behold - they showed up with a flag pole for us one day. The flag still stands and is illuminated every night. When you ride The Beast and go past it - remember Doug. Sincerely, Ronny Salerno

I cannot imagine how different my teenage years would've been without having worked at KI. If you have a chance to work at the park DO IT!

It worked so well for Gary Story's Six Flags. Too big an example? Bev and John Roberts whose overexpansion did in Funspot in Indiana and nearly took Camden Park down with it. Kentucky Kingdom would almost certainly be a major distraction for the Kochs and endanger Holiday World. Bigger is not always better.

For whatever reason, we are again being hit by a multitude of spam posts. Some hints: 1. Never, ever click on any link in a spam post. It just may download a free gift...a virus. And yes, you may have anti-virus programming, but someone has to be the first victim. Don't let it be you. 2. Don't reply. It just makes the spam newer and subjects it to more users. And often, the user is a robot. Even if it isn't, the user couldn't care less about you or your opinions. 3. Report the post to the mods, using the report button in the nonmobile version. Terp, not a spammer!

It is my unfortunate responsibility to inform you that Doug Apple, head supervisor at the Italian Job Stunt Track in 2011, has passed away following a long history of medical battles. I had known Doug for a long time but didn’t really get to know him as a close friend until this past year. Doug was always up for a good laugh, and rarely let his medical condition stop him from getting together with ‘the guys’ on Thursday nights, as we traditionally did. He was always one to put his friends before himself and would go to great lengths to accommodate for everyone else. Ronny Salerno and I were fortunate enough to see Doug on his last night before slipping into a coma. We met with him at the Golden Corral near Kings Island. He had just gotten out of emergency surgery a few weeks beforehand, and could barely support himself while sitting at the table. This didn’t stop him from laughing and joking with us for several hours at the restaurant. I will remember Doug as someone who was always thrilled to see you. He was the kind of guy that was always there for you and could always brighten your day. He was very open about his medical problems, but always played them down if you asked about them because he didn’t want to dampen the mood. Rest in peace, Doug. There is no more suffering where you are now… With best regards Ryan Suhr

Yes. When Paramount Parks was upset with the performance of their selected contractor for Son of Beast, it took over as general contractor. What was your point again?

I won't have to cross my ankles anymore! Yippee!

Except the manufacturers set the limitations, not the parks... The parks may add their own (mostly dealing with height requirements. Perfect example, the manufacturers of Forbidden Journey recommended 48" and above, the ride opened with a 54" height requirement, then went to 48") but mostly, the parks will stick with what the manufacturers say for legal reasons. Also, being able to hold on may not have to deal with being on the ride itself. Like was previously brought up, what if there was an evac situation, and the girl in question could not perform a task necessary to evac safely? Therefor, the ride requirement cannot just "be changed," as you put it, but it would have to be brought up and new forms of evac would have to be researched, then tested, then put into the field. Regardless, I still blame the girl for A) not asking questions about what she would be/would not be able to ride, and trying to make the parks look like the bad guys in this because they were looking out for guest safety. Lawsuit or not, going to the press about this (or any agency that can make this type of incident public) just shows they are out for nothing but money because the parks are looking out for her safety. How dare you, parks of the world. How dare you.

I had been seeing Ronny's updates on Facebook lately about this, I did not know him, unless I saw him working at the park while I was there. But this is truly sad to hear. After loving Kings Island so much and being on here it feels as if the employees are a part of your family as much as the people you spend time at the park with. Truly a sad story to hear but your all's write ups of those close to him really make me feel as if I knew him. May you rest in peace Doug, my prayers and condolences go out to your friends, family, and all those affected. As someone on this website once said, "May a path always rise to meet you, and a coaster be on your horizon." As I finished posting that I saw a picture of Doug on Facebook and do remember seeing him a couple of times. It really made me break down in tears, when you think about it this way it is really un-real. During the summer you see hundreds and hundreds of people pass through the gates at Kings Island and see only an amusement park, a place where only fun exists. But this truly shows that Kings Island is more than that, Kings Island can make bonds with people that are inseparable. It can bring people together to experience memories with friends that will last a lifetime. I am sure a lot of memories about Doug that will be shared involve time spent at Kings Island, once again, even though I did not know him, may Doug rest in peace.

The more important thing besides the image is that I forgot that Vortex is indeed 25 years old this year. I wonder if we will see anything to commemorate that?

I always liked the "Do It All" commercial from 1987 the best.

If Mr. Ouimet wants to raise per caps, and he does, putting unique shops with alluring merchandise on I Street seems a no-brainer. Cedar Fair under Mr. Kinzel was far from a great merchandiser (or restauranteur or hotelier).

I personally would welcome this back. I'm all for a more open feel. While I love trees and the shade, I-Street just seems stuffy to me.

Photo - #33 Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Todays pic is from 1975. We see a couple of KI employees taking a break with one of the characters, who I believe is from the tv show The Banana Splits. In the background you can see a couple of the trams the park used.

Not to be confused with chili dawgs! Terp, who grew up where hot dawgs come with sauce, not chili; where soda was pop; and where Spam type stuff was Treet brand but no treat.

That's disheartening...does that mean that they really don't care about my partner's satisfaction?

I've seen the land most people don't see. Oh. Really? You've been on a Beast tour? Just like the rest of them? Sheesh. Come back when we all care. No need to be nasty. Do you want someone to be nasty to you for no reason?

Well, actually CBS planned to move/retheme BOTH Flights of Fear, though only KD's was actually shut. Cedar Fair immediately reversed those decisions.

Same with Flight of Fear! Not ours, but still...

And yet, at one time, the flume, a Coney Island original, was going to be removed. Announcement was made, last rides (rites?) were given, and the ride closed. Thank goodness that decision got changed....

My black lab is used to retrieve ducks that my dad kills. (We eat them...its not for sport reasons) Does that make my dog a slave? I think this is stupid.