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I once saw two squirrels fighting over the same funnel cake, near viking fury. In the year 2004

Couldn't resist...

Tomb Raider: The Ride. I visited often as a child (born in 1991) and have very fond memories surrounding the ride up through my early teen years. I sort of allowed amusement parks to fall off my radar for a number of years and decided to pick up visiting once more in 2008. I still feel that those few years were very difficult for a number of reasons. The shifting powers at the park left a dissatisfied taste in my mouth (especially since Paramount's Kings Island had been my childhood, and thus would always gleam with perfection in my hindsight vision). I do distinctly remember, though, visiting for the first time in years in 2008, riding The Crypt, and feeling very empty afterwards. Only when Tomb Raider was gone did I recognize how nonsensical it had been for such an incredible ride to be in a seasonal amusement park in Ohio. I actually remember browsing through the rest of the park afterwards and feeling very nostalgic - maybe even sad - at what had happened. Sort of welling up with tears a little, even if that sounds really stupid. For me, Tomb Raider was more than a fun ride that I liked. It represented much of my childhood; the origin of my interest in parks and, ultimately, the industry. I wouldn't be on this site (which some might prefer) if I'd never ridden Tomb Raider. Back then I was purely an observer, not interested or aware of ownership, operating policies, or investment strategies. I just loved that ride.

There were these people back in 1984, near the Oktoberfest pond, who started shouting at each other about a disagreement over what the best attribute of a certain beverage is. It spilled over onto a nearby ride, where it got loud and more boisterous. Afterward, for no apparent reason, the combatants suddenly returned to civility, only to have a completely new crowd start arguing over the same thing! Amazing! Actually, back in '04, I once saw some bullies try to get a kid to fight at Boomerang Bay (they were walking behind the kid, calling him slurs, throwing coins at him, but the kid just ignored them, and the bullies moved on and left him alone).

^Welcome to KIC!^ This calls for a photo! by KIC-Original, on Flickr Original, squeezing in more of her photos any chance she gets. And yes, this photo was not just "taken" I used effects!

A few loose bolts on any structure/ machine sounds dramatic, but is not that unusual due to the constant vibration. SoB had SEVERE vibration that not only caused loose bolts, but numerous issues, including contributing to the support failure that resulted in guest injuries.It should be understood- loose bolts will not cause a structure to sway. They are engineered to sway. If there was no "give" in a structure, it would fall down like a house of cards. Even the Empire State building "gives" about 1.5 inches. The antenna on top of the CN Tower will sway 3.5'. I was referring to the fact that the over-swaying of the structure was the cause of the loose bolts. I realized coaster structures need to sway, but no coaster should sway enough to cause the ride to literally come apart. There has to be SOME sort of standard which SOB obviously didn't follow. One thing I was told on The Beast tour from Don was the reason structures like Texas Giant, Mean Streak and SOB become rough. Those curves taken at altitudes topping 100 ft are things a wooden structure isn't made to really withstand long term. There's tremendous forces from a multi-ton train going at 60+ mph on curves that high. Its something John Allen believed in his design techniques. Notice on his rides, high curves are taken at slower speeds. Also, the 2nd tallest hills on his ride have small curves that bleed momentum leading up to them, also to reduce stress on the higher structures (like the humps you see on Racer). Look at how Voyage has needed all that re-tracking these past few years, and its less than 10 years old (not that its a bad ride, just that the structures might be flawed a tad with high altitude curves taken at high speeds). Simply put, wood coasters aren't made to do things steel coasters can do when it comes to curved drops or ascensions. GCI's seem to get away from it as most are only 100 ft tall or so, or have structures that don't go beyond those heights. I would even guess the Intamin pre-fab woodies like El Toro with the high curves it has might suffer eventually, though we have yet to see that since most still ride very well currently (I haven't heard anyone having a bad ride on one lately). Add in the fact that RCCA' structures seem like they were randomly piling wood and the corner cutting Paramount did, and you get the disaster that was Son of Beast.

^ I can only imagine all the Demons Screamin' from the walk up those stairs. Many already complain about the long walk back to FD......

I realize I'm gonna be way off topic, but I first read this thread while at work and therefore couldn't get to my pictures on my laptop at home, lol. All the talk of the Timberwolf Amphitheater reminded me I had a couple old photos my dad took back in 1982, when the Beach Boys were there in concert. The most memorable part of that particular trip (besides being able to hear the Beach Boys from International Street)? The group of 3 or 4 guys in line ahead of us for The Beast with about 3 buckets each attached to their belts. These buckets were from the Bucket o' Beer you could purchase once upon a time in Kings Island. You got a metal bucket filled with beer. I would guess they were between 16 and 24 ounces maybe, I was 10 at the time so my ability to guess liquid volume was not well developed and memories tend to be distorted. Anyway, these guys were definitely showing signs of drinking 3 Buckets o' Beer each and singing Barbara Ann at the tops of their lungs while in line for The Beast. Quite entertaining, we were all having a good laugh. So I mentioned pictures, didn't I? Below is a picture, taken from the Eiffel Tower, of Timberwolf, full to bursting with Beach Boys fans. Note the Festhaus, under construction at the time, and the top of the Viking Fury, brand new that year (oh, the chants of "Less filling!" versus "Tastes Great!" lol). You can also see the (Screamin') Demon and the monorail. Below it is a picture taken opening day this year, so you can see how much that area changed in 30 years. (In my opinion way too much cement there now.) Enjoy! 1982 2012

Just want to put this on everyone's radar: WDTN (Channel 2 in Dayton) just announced they will feature a segment on Halloween Haunt on Monday night's news. It's a Jim Bucher segment, which means we should hopefully get some mildly interesting shots and information (with plenty of talking in the background, too. ) Wonder if they'll give any sort of preview of Madame Fatale's Cavern of Terror.

The Giant Slide, The Enchanted Voyage, The Rotor, Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal, The King Cobra, The Bayern Curve, The Wheel of Fortune, The Ohio Overland Auto Livery, Les Taxis, Winsome Witch's Cauldron, Der Spinnen Keggers, The Bavarian Beetle, The Shawnee Landing and The Sky Ride. Mike B.

I'm too old to reply to this topic! I was long past being a kid chronologically whenst Kings Island first opened its gates.

I would vote, but I might be a little biased. Aw, what the heck... I'll vote anyway!

Slaughterhouse, Mysteria, The Beast. Slaughterhouse is just amazing. It's one of the longest mazes there and it's gross, gory, scary, and noisy. All the best qualities for a Halloween maze. Mysteria was disturbing. Men in spandex hitting cowbells with fog covering the whole maze? Wow, real scary. The Beast is just...The Beast. I don't like the ride itself too much, but in the night during Haunt, it's amazing.

2010's Wolf Pack was a great concept that was bogged down by throwing Twilight references into what was supposed to be a scary environment; shirtless dalmatians a haunted house does NOT make. Last year saw the rise of scarier, more aggressive werewolves, which, coupled with the brilliant scenic design, rocketed Wolf Pack up to my most favorite house of Haunt. Tombstone is just one attraction I do not understand why they bother keeping around. It's essentially reminiscent of the classic Trail of Terror what with being in the woods, but not once does Tombstone manage to convey the sense of fear and uneasiness the former attraction had in spades. Zig-zagging around crates and boxes the entire trek doesn't aid the particularly barren theme the attraction is trying to tell. The extremely lengthy wait times for the train only further cements Tombstone as my least favorite Haunt house. I've always loved riding Adventure Express at night with all the scenic lights turned on, and riding during Haunt makes it that much more enjoyable. Occasionally, fog seeps into the area, giving the setting an even creepier vibe.

Great question! In my humble opinion, though it's not a pleasant subject, It does add a measure of depth and perspective to the vast variety of subjects discussed on here. It helps in the weaving of the fabric of understanding this beloved park of ours. There might be readers who aspire to work in law enforcement, or behavioral sciences, who want to examine this darker aspect of human nature in the context of a place they're familiar with; to see when and how a fight might erupt in a place designed for amusement, and most importantly how the situation got dealt with. I think such discussion is healthy in that it breeds innovative ideas on how to prevent such things from happening. My two cents.

This could go in a few topics, but seems appropriate here:

^ We will be able to seperate the men from the boys with that one.

I've heard of a picture being worth a thousand words, not to mention two; but this is purely epic on many levels! Thank you, OhioChris!

Wow. German flags, a carefully constructed glockenspiel, a ferris wheel, beautiful landscaping. Gone. All gone. What a shame, too.

I didn't even know they carried cash, debit or credit!

Out of all the mazes, I got REALLY scared on Holiday Horror!!! I know, I know... it doesn't seem that scary but the actors kept jumping out of places and the costumes were so creepy and the music really adds to the mood!!!! Plus, theres a giant pysco easter bunny which is scary times 1000000!!! But my all time favorite is Slaughter House. Most people think its scary but I just love it. The actors are really good and the props are really cool. Really, you can't go wrong with any of the mazes!!! Enjoy and HAVE FUN!!!!

I have one like that! Pictures2 599 by KIC-Original, on Flickr

I could literally ride the Giant Slide in Coney Mall for most of a day way back when. I also loved Tumblebug! Giant Slide: There was a long ascent up stairs on the left (Racer-ward) side of the slide. At the top, you were handed a burlap sack (?) into which you slid your feet. The associate would help you into your slot, then down you'd go! There were a series of drops and straightaways, which slowed you down just enough to feel the belly-thrill of each subsequent drop. It really was a brilliant "ride." Tumble Bug: You know that sensation when you're not looking forward while riding in the back of a car, and there's a sudden hill? Tumblebug was the ride that captured that perfectly, frequently, and consistently!

flying eagles and the tiques

There were not "some" but "many" standards that were not followed. I'm not sure if you know this: SoB's accident was not caused from swaying or loose bolts.

I miss the theming and landscaping as well. That area was beautiful. And whether you like Paramount or not, I didn't like them cementing over that entire area. We lost some beautiful land with that. As for the trees, all of the trees in this year's picture were there in 1982, just 30 years younger. If all the trees from 1982 were still there, it would be even more full of green. And I'm glad you're all enjoying the pic, I was so excited when I found it, because of the stark contrast between then and now. [Edit] Okay, the trees beside Festhaus, replacing the Ferris Wheel, are not in the 1982 picture, lol. But were likely planted upon the removal of the Ferris Wheel at the end of the 1990 season. Wow, I had no idea the Ferris Wheel was there so long...

I would not be surprised to see some sort of flat ride put in Thunder Alleys spot for next year, in order to start drawing some of the crowd toward Action Zone. It could also be a queue line/station area for the 2014 coaster.

You know what would be AWESOME? They need a tall skinny guy or two to dress up as slender. It couldn't be that hard of a costume, and some people after playing that game too much would be terrified of it.

As was said after my family's first ride, "It wasn't like flying. It was like riding the bottom of a bad roller coaster."

Ferris wheele! I wish they had one in coney mall.

Well, this time the state can say, "We tried everything". That will help ease the sting when their failure is being torn down.

I took these while flying over the park last summer with a friend. The rest:

I personaly think that kentucky kingdom has already met its doom. Unless they pull a toy story 3 where the aliens pull the toys out of the furnace it will not reopen.

I'd prefer it to wait until after Haunt, to insure no citizens could be hurt by a weird, freakish piece of flying debris.

I saw two enthusiasts fighting over who was getting the gravy first, not at KI though......

If KI were to put in a Luminosity show, I would hate to have a 6th stage of entertainment. I have thought this over and over, should they use the International Showcase which fits well with the layout of the current model at CP. A few upgrades to an existing facility, and boom a new show. A few ideas for that concept - Take out ALL the bleachers.. I have never seen it full in years. Make the bowl tiered with picnic tables for seating. They could get rid of the sea of tables just outside of the showcase at Chic-fil-a, Ice Cream, and Planet Snoopy Grill. People will tend to stay and eat while a show is going on = Revenue. Then the stage can be used for day shows and the nighttime extravaganza. If they could make the sun shade retract then people could see the fireworks from the same place. Add an awesome LED package to the outside and stage area - then expand that lighting to The Racer, Delirium, Invertigo, Coney Mall. 2nd option - Put Luminosity in the current fountain bandstand. Keeping in mind visual appeal with the tower behind it from front gate. Upgrade the stage to a full production stage with more room for dancers/singers. Upgrade the fountain to a WET designs style fountain that integrates with the show, but also performs throughout the day. International Street can be upgraded with new LED style lighting including the trees. Make it a true kiss goodnight. I'm not saying going full World of Color here, but look what that 1 show did for California Adventure. Show control could all be built over Tower Drinks, moving it out of the grass by the tower. Timberwolf I think has seen its last years, 30 years old - open back bleachers for seating, NO real rigging for modern shows to speak of. That is a lot of real estate that can be used for rides and things. The facility is becoming more of a liability than a revenue maker.

Personally I think Kings Island lost a lot of beautiful ponds. I'd also like to see a ferris wheel return

A new Potter Area and a Transformers ride. Lots of money being dumped into the Universal parks, and with good reason.

^Same here! I loved watching them, but RIDING them was another story. I didn't ride a single coaster until I was 8. I started on Great Pumpkin Coaster and Woodstock Express in '07 and '08, then Flying ACE in '08 and early '09, and then on to Diamondback later in '09, and Vortex in 2010 (and BEYOND!!...). I did ride The Beast, Adventure Express, Drop Tower, Delirium, The Racer, and Flight Deck in 2008 (when I was 9), but it wasn't until 2010 after I started to ride Vortex that I returned to AE, Drop Tower, Delirium and FD and started regularly riding them as well, along with returning to The Beast in '09 when I started riding DB, and also (finally) returning to Racer in 2011 and this year, 2012, after I decided it was more than "just bumpy and mediocre." (In '08 I was still "scared silly" of riding all those bigger coasters--I was a bit "paranoid", I thought it wouldn't take much to get sick on even a small(er) coaster like AE. I eventually realized that I actually have a very strong stomach, and there is no need to worry about anything like that now.) ...Wow, I have a detailed history of my intro to roller coasters...

There were also new pavers added to Coney Mall that year. Depending on your personal preference, that could be considered an attraction.

Comparing the areas shown in the '82 pic to the present is truly sickening.

Slaughter House is my absolute FAVORITE attraction at Halloween Haunt!!! Your so lucky to be working at it!!!

Just by the description alone, it sounds as if they're going for an old-school tourist trap or boardwalk attraction of days past: A uniquely-themed facade overlooking the midway enticing passersby to enter. Same concept can be used for the Crypt's entrance. Blaspheme to touch the Potato Works! Looking at those Bill Tracy funhouses reminds me how much fun those tourist traps are!

Guests can take the train to and from Howl-O-Palooza. When exiting the the train in Rivertown, they're not that far from Dinosaurs Alive!

You are not the target market.

I'm not arguing with you, but please help me understand something. What's political about discussing, and being unhappy that a corporation was sneakily (Komen's name was nowhere during the event) allowed to fund raise thousands of dollars in our park?

Does anyone else miss the overflowing outhouse in ToT?

This is proably what Son of Beast was like

Trust me, sometimes it's better to go temporarily off-topic and let us rant versus starting 40 new topics a day. Also there aren't any SOB Demolition pics yet, so how can we get off-topic. To get us back on track, here's a pic of SOB in a bad Snowstorm: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I think shooting black and white really captured the moment, don't you?

I just thought of an intresting revelation: When someone now mentions "I can see missing supports on SoB from FD" we know they are not full of crap.