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Photo #40

OK, since there's some confusion over this, I'll talk since I (and a few others around here know as well, so I'm confirming for them): The "Bulls-Eye" on the Eiffel Tower, visible in the panorama, was for Nick Wallenda's World Record tightrope walk as a "promo". Here's a video of the amazing feat: And, for the record, this was not the first time the Eiffel Tower was used as a "prop". In 1998, to generate "buzz" for their new-for-1999 ride Drop Zone: Stunt Tower, Paramount put a sign at 264' (the height you drop from on what is now Drop Tower) on the Eiffel Tower that said "Drop This Far in '99!". Say what you will about everything else they did, when Paramount advertised a new ride, they did it with style! UPDATE: Original post had wrong video of RICK Wallenda's 2008 tight rope walk...sorry!

How bout the canoes? They'd only need to knock-out The Beast to put them back in In all seriousness, Phantom Theater's days are long gone. It's been nearly a decade since its removal and the attraction's components have found new life elsewhere - the characters as Haunt prop, the ride system as the current Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. Besides, to my knowledge, the cost to maintain the characters was extreme, the ridership was low, and the overall theme of the ride - an abandoned, haunted theater - wasn't suitable for the children's section of the park. Heck, I remember being terrified of the ride myself when I was seven years old.

I do indeed sigh this!

Photo #39 Uploaded with ImageShack.us

any of those trees still there?

agreed, best one yet. I'll take 2011 every day. The only aspect I would trade from the 1974 pic is the pain job on the Monster, Rattle and Racer. The Flying Eagles were in a different part of the park during my youth, while the bumper cars were always a joy; I wish the Flying Eagles were back by The Vortex still, rather than a basketball game, but I'd still take the bumper cars over the Flying Eagles. the trees have grown up nicely, FoF and Firehawk have been great additions to the park. From a landscping point of view, there are more of the original islands in place than I would have guessed. however, the removal/alterations of some of the islands makes this part of the park much more functional. For several reasons this is a high gathering spot in Kings Island. 1st, its kind of central to both the River town/Vortex, the Flight of Fear/Firehawk area, and the Action Zone areas. It makes for a nice meeting spot b/w the 3 main areas of the amusement park. Additionally, Coney Island is a great blend of family entertainment. However, such a blend leads to certain activities that some in the family will love, and others can't tolerate. I can't/won't ride the Monster, Scrambler or anything that spins that much. Just the thought of riding a Tea Cups type ride makes me sick. My wife and 3 year old child love them. I love The Racers, not everyone likes the height or the ups & downs it takes you on. Some love the games and video arcade, I haven't touched them since I was a kid, when my 3 year old grows up, he'll likely spend some time there. Additionally, there are several lunch/dinner type dinning places, skyline, subway the french fry place, etc... If they left the islands of 1974 intact today, this area wouldn't even be feasable for the amount of traffic it sees. There are almost always people taking comfort in the shade of the trees, eating lunch around the islands, or wating for other members of their party to meet up with them from various activities around the coney mall. The 1974 islands are prettier, and the trees would have grown up regardless, but the 2011 layout is much more functional. Its obvious to me why the changes were made, but that paint job on the floor of the monster sure would be nice to get back.

Some of those trees have really grown up. For me its hart to imagine that The Racer used to be the edge of the park. Thanks again standbyme.