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If there was one thing that I was thinking the entire day at Kings Island it was this: It doesn't feel like opening day. It feels like closing day. The thing is, due to there being a thick cloud cover, and temperatures in the low to mid 50's, it just really made it feel like it was closing day, but it eventually felt like opening day. I went with my parents and got to the park around 1:00. We stayed until about 6:00. Here are some pics from the day. There you are good old Eiffel Tower! I missed you! Diamondback and WindSeeker are visible from many areas in Mason. Welcome home, CoasterGeek101! Diamondback always towers over this area of the parking lot. The Eiffel Tower is looking good today! Even though it is cloudy. The Eiffel Tower is a landmark at Kings Island. The new colors on Invertigo really makes it stand out in the skyline. It makes the ride look a lot more stylish. Is the special effects working for you? Even though I said this I am saying it again: I LOVE the new colors on Invertigo! Drop Tower was running. I noticed that a LOT more rides were running this year compared to last year's Opening Day. Invertigo was also running as well. I still love the sound of the train going up the lift hill. It is a nice welcome into the park. Invertigo through the trees. I would post "It's been so long since I have been here!" but if you check my site for construction updates, then you know that I was here on April 9. Also, do you notice something difference in this picture? I think Invertigo gives the entrance a "newer" feel and look to it. This would be the change. I think Kings Island is making a serious mistake here. I am sure that some people will be happy because they don't have to go through the hassle of metal detectors, but an amusement park can often be a place of violence (in my opinion). Most days last year I just walked through right away, no lines, and no hassle. Here is one of the new food locations. I think that this used to be a place to get seafood and now it is a burrito place. (correct me if I am wrong Kings Island fans) Mexican food in America? After checking out the new food location, I hoped on my first ride of the 2012 season. For a big coaster geek like myself, the first ride of the year is a BIG moment. While I didn't intend on having Racer be my first ride of the 2012 season, it had the shortest line at the moment so I said why not. I immediately noticed some changes on Racer for the 2012 season. First, there was a new Fast Lane entrance (I don't have a picture at the moment but will soon) that curved to the que line right before the stairs. Second, there are people at the bottom of the ramp telling you when to go t the station which I think is great because it keeps the line moving at a good pace. Third, the two stations are no longer split. There is not a fence dividing the two stations anymore. Fourth, there are new decals on the train. I wish I would have gotten pictures of all this to show you guys, but I didn't. Next time I will make sure I do. Back to more photos! This used to be a place where you could cool off, but now they are trying to sell you something. Shocker there! I am sure everything is decently priced......... The new Invertigo really gives Action Zone a new "feel." I wonder if the new colors changed the ride......... Hahahah Yay! Invertigo train! I was really surprised to see that they built a whole new entrance like this just for Fast Lane! I mean this looks good, but it must have cost a lot of money for them to build. Oh, no! They won't make as much of a profit! After The Racer I got in line for the best roller coaster I have ever ridden, Diamondback. I have ridden it over 100 times to date and I just think it is an incredible coaster. Not one time have I gotten off of it without a smile on my face. Even though it was only in the mid 50's it still gave an incredible ride. Then I decided to take a flight on Flight Deck! It was a great ride! It was even better because I grew like 5 inches over winter and now it doesn't bang my head around! Yay! After Flight Deck, I decided to check out the new British Invasion show. (review and full video coming soon) It was a good show with one major problem (Review coming soon) Then it was time to go home! I will end this trip report with a photo of Invertigo from the parking lot. Some videos from Opening Day are coming soon!

Oh, the irony. FTW, not intentionally making these grammar-critiquing posts lately...

I just got back home after a 3+ hour long drive from Kings Island. Five of my friends and I decided to head up for opening day and we had an awesome time despite the far-less-than-awesome weather. With the exception of WindSeeker, which didn't run at all (or look like it would be ready to open next weekend---but what do I know), just like it hasn't run the past three visits I've had since last June, everything was running extremely well. HOWEVER, the shocker of the day was definitely The Beast. I hesitate to use the term "butter" because I feel like it might cause me to lose credibility, but I'm going to use it anyway. On April 28th, The Beast, throughout the entire ride, tracked "butter smooth-ly." It felt like a completely different coaster than what I rode last year, or any year before, and every one of my non-enthusiast friends agreed. There was new track everywhere, most notably the turn after the second drop/before the brake shed, the approach to the second tunnel, and the scattered throughout the section leading to the second lift. We were able to get one daylight and two nighttime rides in--the second because I lied to a ride-op that another had previously told me we could have a reride, which I sincerely apologize for--and while the latter rides were obviously beyond mind-blowing, the former was incredible as well. We were all extremely impressed and I just hope that the coaster continues to run in this condition. However, I'm not extremely confident this will be the case, so please, I beg you, get out to Kings Island and experience the early-2012 Beast SOON! I hope I'm not overhyping it, but I'm not sure that's possible at the moment. You will not be disappointed! Thank you Kings Island for an amazing visit. We had a great experience on our first Opening Day and you can count on seeing us again soon! (But please get the big swing ride working. )

My theory is that this was "probably" just a commercial and was hinting at nothing, or more other hints would have probably already showed up. The real thing is that usually enthusiasts wait for something like this to come along or search to find this so that something can keep them busy. BUT.... Me and Son of Beast is a whole other story........

No, Pepsi and other sodas are included in Southern Indiana. When you charge people nearly ten dollars plus tax for an all you can drink wristband, you shouldn't be surprised if people who already feel abused by the park then abuse the privilege. Treat people with respect and integrity, you are then less likely to be conned by them.

I was there until about 12:30 today, got in right at 9 and headed for Invertigo (one ride- thats enough for me)...then back to Diamondback for three rides (one in the back, one in the front, one in the fourth row). Then I went over to Planet Snoopy and rode Flying Ace Aerial Race. After that I waited for the rest of the park to open. I went straight to The Beast and saw signs stating that Travel Channel was recording, apparently they wrapped up a minute before I got there and the ride was temporarily closed while they dismounted cameras. I waited about 10-15 minutes. 5 minute wait on Backlot Stunt Coaster. After I got off of that (about 10:30), they started testing Vortex. Passed and rode Flight of Fear (15 minute wait), The Racer (15 minute wait), Adventure Express (10 minute wait), and Delirium (25 minute wait). I was going to eat at the new burrito shack but I was running short on time, I'm hoping for another trip in the next week or so. Prior to this season, my intent on every visit was to stay from open to close (which I still don't really mind), but with a season pass and just over an hour drive, I think it will be more enjoyable with shorter trips, especially if my wife comes along (she loves the park, but she isn't into staying for 12 hours or running from ride to ride). Beautiful weather, all staff encountered were friendly and helpful. The park is beautiful, I love all the new pavers and International Street looks great.

They need to make up their minds and do SOMETHING! I, personally loved Sonny. But when riding Adventure Express, especially at night, looking over and seeing SoB standing dormant is pretty eerie and creepy, and just plain SAD.

Enjoy the ride, dislike it's placement.

^or headrest. I think any wedding that is a result of a relationship on KIC should have the admins in attendence, even Dane. I scared my invite away durring halloweekends 2010 by freaking out Rachel.

A. I don't know. You see, in the past they have not introduced the new thing for 2013. B. It's a different they. C. With a different marketing strategy. D. Past performance is no indicator of future performance. See especially B. and C. E. Rinse and repeat.

Everytime i check the weather its different im just gonna hope it rains a few times drives people away and everyride is almost walk on eighter way im gonna have fun tomorrow plus its my birthday and im not gonna be at work and me and the wife get a well deserved date day.

He might be on to something here...

That was the original title of this topic. You (or hopefully, someone else) changed it to appropriately read "theory."

Would love to see those - thanks! I should probably showcase this in a different thread, but here are two concept pieces that are part of a larger set that I've thought about scanning: Bat head detail concept Paint option detail concepts ~Josh

I liked the days where every area had their own special music: Rivertown had country;HB had cartoon music;Coney had rag time;International Street had French accordion music;Octotoberfest had German music.

This was a great tread. It was really interesting to see how much the park has changed since 1974. Thanks again!

Topic of 2011 goes too.... Thanks J.D. for all your time and effort. Glad were on the same page about KIHistory. I might need to take a "flashback" in 2012. And by the way, your photoshops always entertain me, I know how long they can take!

Thank you for doing this! I wasn't born until 1987 and have very few memories of KI before 2010, so it was very interesting to see what the park looked like back then. I have seen very few pictures of the park that old, and to see all these old photos and be able to compare them with what's there now has been a real treat. I know this must have taken a lot of work, and I appreciate it. I know I didn't post in here very often, mostly just hitting "like" on each post, but that's just because I tend to be a quiet person and a little shy. Yes, definitely. It was one thing to look at the 1974 shot, then scroll down and look at the 2011 shot, and scroll back and forth comparing them, but the fades really made it easy to compare the shots and figure out what had changed and what hasn't. Kudos to Hendrick for his work as well. And just think, a few years down the road, somebody else may dig this thread up, read through it, and be inspired to do a similar project. Heck, that project could be taking these same photos again in 2048 to compare them to your 2011 photos! Of course, I had to wait until this morning to upload an avatar, after it was too late to get it in the credits. And I'm not sure which is longer: Santa's "nice" list or the list of people who have butchered my name! (Seriously, don't feel bad about it; more people misspell my name than get it right. )