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It hurts having to tell anyone this, but I think it deserves some attention on this board. On Wednesday, December 26th, Kings Island lost one of their own. Jessica Galley, a former rides associate at The Racer, lost her life in an car accident. She was only 18 years old, a freshman at the University of Cincinnati, and a graduate of Mason High School. I was lucky enough to work with Jessica Galley the past two years of her life, and become a close friend to her. She was a terrific young women who had an incredible heart. She always wanted to make people smile, and make sure nobody was left out. Every time I saw her she always had the biggest smile on her face, that seemed to light up a room, one that can't be matched. I'll always remember the fun quirky moments at work, the Cedar Point trips, the concerts, and everything that made us friends. When you work at Kings Island, you don't just "meet" people. You meet people that will change you forever, people you will never forget. Jessica was one of these friends that have impacted my life greatly and I know she left the same impact on everyone she has spoken to. Please pray for the Galley family, I simply can't imagine what they must be going though. Pray for Jessica's friends and hope they stay strong through this. Below I have included a news article on the accident, which includes a video of a reunion her friends had to remember her. Rest in peace Jessica, you will be greatly missed by everyone you have touched. Best regards, Cody Johnson http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/news/local_news/nb-i-71-at-standstill-after-fatal-crash

I, too, worked with Jess over the Summer, it is a very shocking thing to hear of this. Any time someone's life is taken from them without warning, especially at a young age, we all seem to understand the value of life that much better. This notion, unfortunately, is alive once again.

There seems to be so many deaths this year. And during the holiday season makes it even tougher too. So sorry.

If you went to KI right now, you wouldn't find me, as I'm not there. (Sorry, had to be a jerk about it. Serious answer now.) Before 2012, you would have almost certainly found me in Rivertown. It's just where I ended up a lot of the time, particularly in 2008 (when I first started buying my own pass and rode The Beast a bajillion times) and 2011 (because The Crypt with the Inception score really grew on me.) Since then, it's really hard to say. I ride Adventure Express and Racer a lot more than before, but I also find myself looking in the stores on International Street a lot more than I ever used to. I still love KI as much as ever, but for different reasons, as the changing reasons change where I usually go when I'm there. Heck, I even made it to the waterpark for the first time in about eight years this season.

Rest In Peace, dear Jessica

I am so sorry for your loss. I too experienced losing a friend at a young age, and many questions pop into your brain with sadly no real answers. I am so sorry for her friends and family. My heart is heavy for everyone. Too many tragedies lately. Please take a moment and make plans with your friends and family. A tragedy like this shows that when our time is up, it is up and sometimes it comes at a time we may not understand. Please use this experience to cherish every moment.

Very sad. I did not know her personally, but know many people who did from UC and they all have nothing but good things to say about her. Rest in Peace, prayers are with her family and friends.

always sad to hear about someone passing away.

I've always been so impressed with the kids that work the rides at Kings Island, and seeing the pic of her in The Racer queue really hits home. My prayers are with her family and friends.

Part of RWB was still up in July. I haven't looked since then to see if it is still up:

One of my most memorable trips (I can't decide which one's best) was on the evening of Friday, July 23, 2010. This KI trip actually happened "accidentally." You see, my mom and I were going down to see a performance of "Pilgrim's Progress" in Cincy, so we were dressed up in semi-formal clothing. I was wearing brown gaucho pants, a yellow and white shirt, and brown dress sandals. We got there only to find out that the performance was on the next Friday, on July 30. On the way up Interstate 71, I eventually persuaded my mom to stop at Kings Island, since she had her wallet which contained our Gold Passes. It felt a little weird going to an amusement park in gauchos, a pretty shirt and dress sandals, but I still really enjoyed being there. My mom used her cellphone (since she didn't have her camera with her) to take a picture of me standing in front of the Kings Island sign in front of the Royal Fountains. By then it was getting dark as it was about 9 pm, and the park closed at 10. I rode Diamondback a couple of times. Each time my DB train climbed the lift hill, I looked longingly at Vortex while mental debates were raging inside my mind about whether or not I should try it, since I had NEVER been on a looping coaster. At about 9:40, I still hadn't decided if I wanted to ride Vortex, so I decided to ride Shake Rattle & Roll in case I wanted to try Vortex. After I got off SR&R it was about 9:50. Vortex's entrance was right there, so I decided to go for it. As I started to climb that first flight of stairs upon entering the queue, "The March" from the movie March of the Penguins popped into my head as I stepped into Vortex's loading station for the first time to find a really short line, pretty much a walk on. I waited for the front seat, and got all the more anxious when I was next and the train that was going to whisk me through my first six inversions was rolling into the station. The train stopped, the gates opened, and I stepped into the open train. I immediately saw how spacious it was, especially in the front of the lead car. I slowly pulled the shoulder harness down and buckled the seatbelt. The "bell" rang, the harnesses were checked, and...."All clear!" I knew there was no turning back now, as the op was saying, "That all clear means you are rolling outta here! Enjoy your ride on Vortex, at night....." I said to myself, "I hope so..." as the train engaged the lift hill and the soon-to-be-familiar Arrow anti-rollback noise hit my ears. For the first time in a long time, I could smell the already-familiar chain grease smell (I had first smelled it on Woodstock Express and The Beast). The ride's chasing lights and The Beast's two lift hills were to the left of the ascending train, and the rest of the park, lit up in the dark of the night, sat to the right. I looked at the chasing lights and said, "At least those lights are going faster than me." The higher the train climbed, the more nervous I got. I looked at the track ahead as the hilltop got closer and closer, as the train would soon be swooping through the inversions waiting below. The train crested, and I thought, "Here goes nothing..." as the first turn and drop took it away. I didn't scream since I had rode the taller and faster Diamondback beforehand. My method of relaxing and being open-minded during the ride had become a habit long before; I knew the ride was a little bumpy, before the ride I was thinking, "This ride is 23 years old; it's SUPPOSED to be bumpy!" I actually liked the bumps. Finally the first loop was upon the train and I. I sat back and held on tight. The first two loops jerked me forward a little (I had yet to learn about loop forces at the time) but still, it was cool! As the train was slowed at the MCBR, I said, "Going upside down isn't too bad at all! Okay, corkscrews and batwing, I think I'm ready for you!!" Meanwhile, I had been holding on to the harness so tightly that my left hand had "fallen asleep". But when I let go, my hand would "wake up" again, and if I started holding on again then my hand would fall back asleep. So I slid my hands under the handles and held on that way as the train entered the first corkscrew. The hang time caught me by surprise, and I instantly began to love the feeling of hanging against the harness. The train slowly exited the second corkscrew and then maneuvered onward to the batwing, which contained Inversions #5 and #6. It had the forces similar to those of the loops, and a fraction of corkscrew hangtime. The flash from the ride-photo camera was a bit disorienting; almost blinding, as the last inversion was executed, which I thought was also cool. The train wound up the helix and finally arrived at the final brake runs; and later, the station. As the train in front of it was loading the few waiting passengers, I thought, "This is a neat ride! Maybe I can try Firehawk sometime...it won't be that bad." (the only thing that kept me from riding Firehawk was the inversions) When I disembarked, I said to my mom, "Oh my goodness; I can't believe I just went upside down SIX TIMES! I feel GREAT!" At the time it was about 9:55, so I had enough time for another cycle on Vortex before the park closed. So I went and rode Vortex again. From that first ride forward, I loved it. Vortex is truly the ride that began my thrill-seeking and inversion conquering. It totally changed my point of view about "those big, scary-looking rides." Not only did I heroically take my first ride on a looper, it was also my first KI trip that I got to see a fireworks show. What a great (and memorable) night it turned out to be! (I know, it's pretty long, but I LOVE mentioning the little things too )

So horrible to hear! Praying for her family and friends. Sounds like she would have been a great person to hang out with!

So sad, these are the young people that sure goes to KI to work make a little money, but really are the heart and soul that lets all enthusiasts, their families, enjoy the rides and a great day at a grand old park. Thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

So much tragedy as of late. She had her entire life ahead of her. I wish her family, friends, and extended Kings Island family all the best.

Hank taking his first #2 at an amusement park and remembering it was in July of 1982 made my day.I had a rough day at work and that just made me laugh so hard. Thanks Hank!

As a long time employee of Kings Island, I feel the loss of one of our own. I have met lots of people while working at Kings Island and we get to be part of a big family. It was indeed very sad to hear it was one of our own that died in that awful accident. May she find the joy and ever lasting life in the presence of our Lord. Rest In Peace dear friend.

So sad. Rides associates both past and present will have heavy hearts. Once a rides associate, always a rides associate.

I am so very sorry. So much in life happens that we cannot understand. My heart goes out to her family, friends and her Kings Island family. Terp, with tears ih his eyes as he types.

Well said Cody. I first met Jess when we rode up to Cedar Point together, within the first hour we were already singing to Ke$ha in my car. Very outgoing and accepted everyone. She'll be missed. (On the way to Cedar Point a train stopped, thus stopping traffic, so we jumped out and posed for a picture)

Stuck on top of WindSeeker.

You'd be most likely to encounter me on a midway, since that's where you'd pass the most people. I'm guessing that I traverse the Coney Mall and Rivertown midways most, so I'll give those as my answer. Or perhaps you wanted to know where in the park I could be found at most often. For me, that would probably be in the queue for The Beast, Firehawk, or Flight of Fear. If you went to KI on a particular day, it would be unlikely that you would find me even if I also happened to be at the park. Such is the case when a majority of the day is spent in lines.

This is kind of a creepy question... I used to hang around The Crypt a lot. But now it's not the staple for me in Rivertown (for obvious reasons), so I rarely spend time in Rivertown, often times only to ride The Beast. I recently re-discovered the beauty of Adventure Express and the Coney Mall flats this past season, and you are most likely to see me in the general vicinity of those rides.

My prayers go out to her family and to those affected.

I would like to see them relocate the Big Dipper to KI. That would give us a woodie and provide tradition. Then, my feelings are leaning towards a massive steel coaster which, like The Beast, is terrain hugging, and would be VERY highly themed (tunnels, water, underground, etc.). Speed - either natural or launch-helped, should be incorporated, and I would prefer no inversions. The type of trains on the steel coaster doesn't matter to me, but I really like what was done at Kennywood with Phantom's Revenge's safety bars. I would like to see this coaster break records for length and speed and it would be nice to see if it could possibly be operated in various types of weather conditions - even allowing operation during Winterfest! The other Idea I have is a launched wooden coaster - first of its kind, at least for a month or two until someone else steals my idea..

so sorry to hear a life cut so short. RIP in Jessica.

I am so, so sorry for the loss. Especially at Coasting for Kids, it was obvious how great a friendship The Racer crew had with one another. Both Jessica's family and her KI "family" are in my prayers.

I remember her working though i never met her,i feel so bad for all of you who knew her,im so sorry.I know everytime i have to wait for that darn train,im going to remember that picture and have a moment of prayer.God bless her friends and family,something tells me she's in a better place.

Thoughts & prayers to all affected.

God Bless her and her family.

Sorry to hear of the loss.

Wow, Thats terrible news...... God bless her family and loved ones. I have known her for a few years, not on a very personal level but me and her have had our fair share of good conversations over the past few years. She was an incredible person and a great KI employee, She will definitly be missed.

I'm tired of hearing about fatal car crashes....... prayers out to her family.

Please, not the stand up gimmick again. It died in the 90's. Let it stay dead.

July 1982. Rode The Bat several times - totally new experience! Rode The Beast for the first time & came off of it shaking - still do to this day! Took my very first #2 at an amusement park that day (could have been from The Beast shaking me up). The weather was perfect, the park not too crowded, and was with 3 friends - all of us had a great, no, make that outstanding time! The other time, which was equally as memorable, was in July of 2010. I was with my daughter and met up with a KIC member or two and, since I had to use my walker, we were able to access rides via the exit gate (of the ride), thus avoiding the long queue lines. A simply marvelous time - 2 days - with absolutely gorgeous weather, and except for puking after riding Delirium for the first time, everything was perfect. I would imagine that future visits will also be awesome, but I will have to use my walker from now on which can be a bit frustrating whilst navigating through crowds. I need a loud, dual-note horn and a shirt with a big orange triangle on the back!

Since I am not the only one that creeps on KI's FB page to get a laugh (or stir the pot ), I believe a topic should be made for the best of the worst off the wall comments. So far today: "I'm not going to KI because Days of Thunder is not longer in the theater" And why can't these people spell Delirium correct? Is it that hard?

I had another memorable visit, reminded to me sadly because of the horrible news mentioned in another post. I remember it as clear as anything. I was 16 years old and I was riding Adventure Express with a buddy when the train started to leave the station I hear a female voice yell my last name. I turn in time to see my good friend from theater. The train returned and my buddy and I waited for her train to pull in. We had a blast the rest of the day. Grabbed a bite to eat and it was just awesome catching a good friend at the park by accident (remember these were the days before Facebook/twitter and texting still cost a little bit for each message). We all had a blast and I remember that at the end of the night we all said our goodbyes. My female friend and I made plans to maybe catch dinner later in the summer but for sure to catch up with each other in the fall during theater. Well the school year started and I saw my female friend's grandma at school every day (she worked at my school). But I am saddened to say that I never ever got to see my friend again. Things happen when you are that age where you feel you have all the time in the world. She did theater at her school I did theater at another. But we would text each other saying how we need to hang out. That Novemeber Jess Carson crashed on 275 near route 4 in November of that year (2002). Her and her friend died. Sorry to be a downer.

I know I've written about memorable trips on this site before, but one has now come to the forefront in my mind (I think mood affects which trip is most memorable for me; there are so many to choose from). I'll set the scene: It was 2003. I hadn't been to Kings Island in 18 years. I had been away, serving in Texas, New Jersey and Montana, then Turkey, then off to college in Maine. I lived a lifetime away from my "hometown" (this region that stretches from Downtown Cincinnati to Miamisburg, and points in between), and never thought I'd have a chance to come back and visit the park I loved so much. But, as fate would have it, I met my wife, got married, moved back to Mason, the town I was virtually born in. I could see the park, watch it's nice little fireworks displays from points around town, but I hadn't planned on visiting just yet. Then, just out of the blue, my wife saw that I was feeling down one day, and she said "Come on, honey, I'm taking you to see a doctor, Dr. Pokaei." Not being sure exactly who this doctor was, I figured it was her family doctor or something. When we rolled into the parking lot of (Paramount's) Kings Island, I immediately figured out her clever play on the acronym "PKI." For the first time in 18 loooooonnngg years, I was being led through the familiar front gate. It was one of those perfect, cloudless days where the sky looks impossibly blue, and the air is of the most comfortable temperature and humidity. The powerful, bombastic theme from "Superman" by John Williams was booming over the loudspeakers as we waited in the gathering line. The Face/Off, which I was finally seeing up close and in person, was lifting into position high above and to the left, ready to drop a cycle of eager riders into what lie beyond the obscurring trees and season pass center. The scent of many perfumes and sun screen blended miraculously well with the aroma of funnel cake and french fry. The signature, multi-chime steam whistle of the train echoed into my soul with just the right harmony to well up such long-built-up feelings of joy that I almost cried like a dork. -Thankfully, said coaster released with a dramatic, mechanical clunk, followed by a kind of thrill-borne scream I'd not heard "live" in quite some time, which threw my emotions into another, wonderful direction! As we got closer to the gate, I looked past the booths and could see the majestic Royal Fountains, (which, by the way, have you noticed how they tower out of view past the ceiling of the front gate as you come in?). We made our way into the "lobby" and as I came out into the plaza, I don't know if it was timed to do this or not, but the closing crescendo of the Superman Theme was building, and so were the fountains! It was like the dag-gone park knew I was coming! I could go on and on about this trip, but I just wanted to show what was so memorable about coming to the park after being away for so long. I will say that I rode the brand-new Delirium that day, which was memorable, because during one high swing, it felt like time slowed down, and I looked around at the park, under the amazingly bright, blue sky. For some reason, I locked on to the flashing, white lights (of the hammer game?) on Coney Mall, and watched it disappear out of view as the ride swung back through and under. For some reason, that will always stick out in my mind as one of the most memorable trips to Kings Island I can recall.

When some dude proposed to his girlfriend at the front of The Vortex train I was in. Thank God, for his sake, she said yes. They were already buckled in and it's a slow chain lift to the top

They are all memorable.Riding Vortex with my Mother,Prom date puking on my shoes in line for The Beast(I still rode!),Ice skating with my friends,riding DB non-stop with fastlane with my wife, riding Woodstock Express and Viking Fury with my 4 year old! Her favorite seat is the back with hands up from start to finish on both. Today i took her sledding and she pretended to ride all her favorite KI rides going down the hill.

Me too, I was #69 dude.

No. It's a series of little spikes a car can go forward over, but not backwards. They keep the train from rolling backwards. You can hear them on wood coasters (Son of Beast's were VERY loud) and particularly on Flight Deck. They can also be on other hills, but are most commonly found on lift hills.

Deep fried worms? Crunchy fried worms? BBQ flavored worms? They are an excellent source of protein, which my green beret friend said they learned in search and rescue and survival training. He said they are very tasty with a little bit of hot sauce poured on them. They might be, but ask the people that ate them after chugging the liquor and swallowed the worm in the bottle!

I thought parks had upgraded their food. Terp, early bird.

This thing with the Son of Beast reminds me of the movie The Village by M. Night Shyamalan. The creatures in the woods were referred to as "Those we don't speak of". LOL.

I commented on that one. She said "Six Flags it is then!" after someone told her it wasn't there anymore. What?! Also, everyone is spelling it Delerium, I know it's been said, but it's amazing how many people spell it like that. It's annoying me! Browntggrr...I'm finding your comments on the Delirium posts. You answer better than Kings Island themselves!

So you'd rather observe Son of Beast than log into facebook? You spoke the name of what is not to be spoken!! AAAAHHHHHHH... ....and yes.

So you'd rather observe Son of Beast than log into facebook?

Most people only care about the ride itself (if they care at all) and could give a flying flip how its spelled. No matter if you're talking about Zeypher, Zypher or Zephyr, I know you're talking about the adult sized Charlie Brown's windup and that is about all that matters to me.

Facebook is a self serving, ego fueling, privacy invading, waste of brain cells that could be put to better uses like watching grass grow or wood rot. I'm proud to say I've never posted or looked at anything on Facebook. Sounds like the level of discussion on the KI Facebook page lives up to my expectations.

People here spell Delirium "Delerium". It bothers me too. Same thing with how people spell Zephyr. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've seen "Zeypher" or "Zypher" and the likes.