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Photo #32 - Wild Animal Habit 1977- (Action Zone)

Huh? The original Amazon Falls didn't have any themeing. The way it is today is pretty much the way it was in 1988. The only thing that changed between Amazon Falls and Congo Falls was the name (and the sign). Believe me, I rode it on it's opening day, and have fond memories of that day when my friends and I picked up our friend Doug and forced him to stand on the bridge as a boat passed underneath. Doug didn't speak to me again until 4 months later, as I was the main instiGator.

You may not see the hint, but Dolly would.

Filming was done over a four-day period.

With a working or non-working yeti? Such as your avatar?

I hear it's being renamed to "Backlot Stunt Coaster."That's just the word from under the black hat, so to speak.

Here are the 'tiques on September 5, 2004 (rode them that day too)

Might I also add that they are actually putting GRASS under the ride. But then again, those were just renderings...

Before the announcement of Gatekeeper. Park official just happens to mention (wild) eagles. With a view of Millennium Force. Hints. Dropped in plain site. Yet some birdies want to complain about signs, signs, everywhere a sign. Towering above us. Another diversion? Or just a joke? The best in fun, now playing. Terp, whe does what he does because he does.

Perhaps for the same reasons it hasn't sold? This isn't Roller Coaster Tycoon.

Its amazing how much the trees filled in over a period of twenty years! I still miss the peacefulness of all those trees in the center of the park. Of course the biggest travesty is that we also lost our Flying Eagles ride the season that Backlot opened.

Photo #31 - Antique Cars 1973

According to Coasterbuzz, BeastBuzz is making its return on August 10, 2013! Link. No details have been released yet besides the date, but the fact that it's happening is exciting enough!

From the KI website under Group Sales menu, category called Group Performances: Parade Through the Park Marching bands can now parade through the park, with an optional stand-in-place performance in front of the Eiffel Tower!

I just came across King Dominons Eldorado ride still for sale on http://www.italintl.com/detail_page.php?record_id=1523 Its almost been 2 years since the ride was taken out due to KD putting in WindSeeker and Dinosaurs Alive nearby. The ride only lasted a few years at KD because it was one of the rides moved from Geauga Lake when Cedar Fair decided to close down the park. My main question is why didn't Kings Dominion just move it somewhere else in the park, or why doesn't Cedar Fair take it and re-use it in one of the other chain parks. Honestly I wouldn't mind Eldorado at Kings Island! I think CF should do something with it because obviously there isn't many interested buyers for the ride.

Per Twitter, the days/hours for early season pass processing have been announced: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/things-to-do/special-events/Season-Pass-Processing-Dates-and-Hours There's also information on the Opening Day schedule: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/things-to-do/special-events/Opening-Day-2013 (turnstiles won't open until ERT starts at 9:30)

This is the first impression of Cedar Fair's flagship park, Ouimet's not going to let anything go sub par.

Terp, while I agree most would be huffing, puffing and snickering. I am still not the a fan of parking lot coasters, i.e. Intimidator at Carowinds (I do like Dominator at KD), I feel that Gatekeeper will give a better experience than the typical parking lot coaster. Gatekeeper, will make riders feel like they're going somewhere, passing the beach, passing over the main entrance, close to Blue Streak, etc. where as the typical parking lot coaster wraps just around the parking lot and the returning track passes by the same track the riders were just on. I know that Gatekeeper will do a little bit of both, but feel I think it'll be a much different experience having the fly-throughs and inversions.

Indeed, it was a fairly odd coaster.

Ten years ago, if Magic Mountain were building this ride and entrance plaza, most here would be huffing, puffing and snickering about how Cedar Fair didn't build parking lot coasters and many would declare the entire concept antiseptic and ugly.

I miss the original theming that Top Gun had. You were made to feel like you were on the aircraft carrier with the billboard size picture of the USS Enterprise going full speed on the ocean and the music playing from the movie. Throughout the park, you would have characters walking in the park as Federation officers and Klingons from Star Trek. Their costumes and make up looked like they were from the movies and the Klingons must had been taught how to speak in Klingon. The park had an exhibit of items from the Star Trek movies and TV series. They also had a very large scale model of the USS Enterprise starship hanging in the Paramount Story area. The park was alive with everything regarding Paramount movies.

I don't mean to be a downer, but I used to walk past the Antique Cars every shift I worked from 95 to 98 and can still remember the sound, smell and feel of that great ride! Like many here, it took me back to my childhood and reminded me of times long gone! This thread has now made me depressed...*sigh...I've seen a lot of rides come and go. Some rides saw a welcomed end (from my perspective) while others were unbearable to watch as they made way for other "attractions". This is the nature of this business and I appreciate that, but I must say the AC hit me the hardest and still hurts to see what it has become! Ok, I'm finished with the rant and am in high hopes that beauty (in some form or fashion) will one day return to that area - hopefully sooner than later!

$20 million was spent on four prototype attractions in a single year (KBF, CW, KI, CP). Two missed their original launch window of Spring 2011; one was relocated to another section of the park at the last minute (KBF); the second on claims it was the problematic weather conditions that caused its delay (KI). One began test runs with guests and saw that the seats swayed too close together (CW); therefore, hydraulic dampeners were installed aftermarket on all four, even the ones that hadn't even opened yet. Another $13 million was spent the following season on two more of the same prototype attractions (KD, C). One saw its cables caught in the gondola after high winds pushed them out of their sockets and caused structural damage to the gondola (CP). Several have had incidents stranding riders high up in the air for more than 20 minutes (KBF, CW, CP, KD, C); one had its riders stuck for over several hours (KBF). I think equal blame should go to the company that decided it would be a good idea to spend $33 million on six cloned attractions in two years without stopping to think that it would be better to start off with one or two clones and see how they work out.

Kings Island was like a bad dog when they took out the cars, we all found ourselves saying, "NO, BAD. WE DON'T DO THAT"

Hey I'd take an Expedition Everest from Vekoma

Oh how I miss the antique cars! It was a beautiful part of the park! It is a shame that this carefully tended garden of 20 years was replaced with a junkyard looking monstrosity of a ride

This was kind of a fun ride! I especially loved the giant Reptar statue out in front of the coaster. That's something I wouldn've liked to have gotten a hold of when they took it down. I would've totally put it in my back yard and turned it into some kind of fountain lol!

Photo #30 - Pre Runaway Reptar - Nick Splat City

I love how on the website it says "you'd never know by looking at it, but Woodstock Gliders is over 70 years old!" I want to say "you'd never know by looking at it, but that ride belongs to Kings Island!" I would gladly trade BLSC (formerly Italian Job:SC) to Carowinds in exchange for the Flying Eagles to make a return flight to KI. BLSC's current theming is a shell of it's former self, which was rather questionable to begin with imo. I mean rusted shipment crates, and concrete/gravel really? I can stay home in Dayton and still get that experience. Also if the money is going to be spent on keeping the pyrotechnics operating, I feel it should have more of a stage to be observed and admired, rather than being atleast partially concealed. It's been stated that Action Zone seemed the more appropriate location for this attraction, and I would have to agree. NOW years later, and it appears the much wiser decision would have been to leave the area untouched with the Antique Cars and Flying Eagles Maybe BLSC can be rethemed and billed as a new attraction for Carowinds?

Days of Thunder in the Action Theater.

https://twitter.com/#!/KIGMGREG And with the same Twitter handle format. Methinks this more than a coincidence. @KIGMGreg @DPGMMcClure @CPGMJohn But will there be a @CWGMKinzel? What was that Ouimet said about being more engaging with visitors? More accessible online presence? And this season, Cedar Point will feature never-frozen burgers, an open line of sight down the Millennium midway, and a nighttime light show that (in true Disney styling) is called "Luminosity" that is expected to trickle to other parks as success is proven. And no one could overlook the other "Disney-esque" benefit for people staying onsite, who get into the park a half hour early...

I was really worried about the future of CF until I read your post about the CEO's. Thanks for your insight, I'm at ease now.

Soak City at Cedar Point is getting an overhaul. They are painting some of the slides and adding a new slide. I think that even Kings Island`s water park could use some new water slides as well.

Italian Job Coming for 2005! Paramount Pictures’ The Italian Job™ Premieres as a High-Speed Mini Cooper™ Stunt Car Ride at Paramount’s Kings Island in 2005 Stunt drivers dodge near-collisions, chase through tunnels and narrowly escape massive explosions triggered by gunfire from a menacing helicopter. Another Hollywood big-screen spectacular comes to life at Paramount’s Kings Island with the addition of THE ITALIAN JOB: Stunt Track™, a new multi-million dollar fast-track coaster experience for 2005. Based on the high-action finale of Paramount Pictures’ The Italian Job (2003) starring Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland, this new wild ride takes families on a high-speed stunt car adventure through movie sets and scenes inspired by the film’s climatic chase sequence. Park guests will experience what it’s like to be a Hollywood stunt driver and go behind the scenes of an action movie. Guests board their very own MINI Cooper S tricked out with audio special effects adding to the multi-sensory sensation of the experience. Once strapped into their custom stunt car, rubber meets the road as the MINIs peel out to begin their chase sequence. Drivers twist through a parking garage, dodge near-collisions, race down stairs, chase through tunnels and narrowly escape massive explosions triggered by gunfire from a menacing helicopter. Tires skid out one last time as the stunt cars crash through a billboard and splash down into an L.A. aqueduct concluding the chase sequence and their trial as a stunt driver in this screen test! http://www.pki.com/italianjob/

Well.... not quite. While Scooby Doo (the coaster, aka Beastie, aka Fairly Odd Coaster, aka Woodstock Express) can be seen in the background, Mrs. Brady is not standing in Hanna-Barabera Land. She's standing in a behind the scenes area, specifically right in front of the Administration Building. That building is also where they shot the boardroom scene, in which Mike pulls the Yogi poster from the tube. What I find interesting (along with the running scenes that you pointed out make no sense if you know the layout of the park), is that when they're running through the park, it's sunny, but when they're in front of Admin handing the plans over to the executives, it's raining. You can't really tell by looking at the actors, but the ground is wet, you can see some raindrops to the sides of the frame, and there are a few rather large raindrops that pass right in front of the camera lens. I love that I have this episode (ok, ok, I admit... I have all 5 seasons!) on DVD, and The Partridge Family episode on VHS so I can watch them anytime I want. It rained for about an hour that day around 1 o'clock. We ducked under the canopy of one of those car rides that are no longer there. edit to add: it rained for an hour on the day I was there.

I had a dream once, after watching "Johnny Dangerously," that BLSC was themed 1930's Chicago, with Capone-era cars (including the police cars), and the ride ops decked out in pin stripes and Fedoras. ...too much?

Photo #29 - The Bat - Station - Notice how the transfer track was on the front of the station thus a train never had to go backwards to be taken on or off the circuit. The station and drive box still exist today as Vortex.

I believe it has been pointed out here before just how snugly Backlot fits into AZ, right near where Thunder Alley used to stand.

Okay. An old thread. Well worth reading. From post one. Especially NOW. Hmmm. Must choose words (and paths) carefully. An interesting....diversion. Even some....cross threading. For every post like this, there is a reason. A lot can be learned from careful reading of this old thread, and not just by coaster and park fans. Especially now. Two paths lie ahead. Only one will be chosen. And that will make all the difference for years ahead. Which way? One way chosen. One not. A diversion. Yes, a diversion. And how. Well underway. A work...in progress. The best in fun, now playing....out, over time.

The one thing I really miss is Paramount's attention to detail, at least in the early days: Ride effects and theming were well-maintained, even if the ride wasn't the park's signature attraction Strictly-enforced dress codes (bikinis, bathing suits, etc. were absolutely not acceptable attire outside the water park) Area-specific music (kiddy music in HB/Nick, country/bluegrass music in Rivertown) Fourth of July festivities - patriotic decorations throughout the park, special entertainment, etc.

I miss the Hanna Barbera characters. I liked the Star Trek characters too, although they didn't last long to begin with. My first employer was Paramount's Kings Island. Wow, to be 16 again...sigh. The music was nice as well.

I miss Rivertown. Diamondback really did a horrible job to the area. Don't get me wrong I think DB is a great ride, I would rather have the Rivertown that truly had the essence of the old west than the city street it is now. That place is one step from having a sports bar in Rivertown Junction.

That's kind of like saying "Unless KI says it's getting a dino exhibit, it's not getting a dino exhibit." Is that true? Sometimes. And sometimes it isn't. If I recall correctly, Falfas' departure from CF was a rumor like this before Cedar Fair confirmed it. Thanks for clarifying that, Boddah. Just one thing: Isn't the point of this thread the fact that he's Inmet, and several employees are now Outmet?

Tell you what, for PKI NOT to relocate the Antique Cars really upsets me. That ride is one of the "first" driving experiences for most kids with their mom or dad. I don't ever want to hear about the "family park" argument again. I would hope that PKI would put the cars in an area between BB and the main park. It would be nice to have some natural scenery. But just getting rid of the cars altogether is frustrating to me.

I woould hate it if the park decided to not relocate the Flying Eagles! Anyone else with me on that one???? I think a good spot for them would be where the Eurobungee was at. Just as long as that ride returns to the park, in its current location or another one, I will be happy. It will be a sade day when the Eagles disappear from PKI.

The ride will without a doubt go into the Antique Car area, I have learned this due to recent reports stating that The Antique Cars will be closed officially on August 15. I went to KI yesterday to photograph the area before it is destroyed, yes destroyed, to make way for this new "spectacular" ride that will probably without a doubt leave us wanting something better, just as TR:TR and SOB have thus far. The footprint of the cars is huge, much bigger than people seem to believe, more than enough room for coaster,which has no lift hill, but uses LIMs. This concept is no different than projects similar to it, Test Track and ROTM:TR at Universal. I said it before in the opinion forum, this park needs to stop acting like Disney and get back to basics.... Where is our B & M hyper that more people want. I will still without a doubt ride the ride, and probably love it, and realize some of this post is off topic, but feel I have answered the Antique question... Sorry if other's don't agree with the opinion that my favorite park seems to be heading in a downward spiral. PS - I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong, so if this ride does end up being a success and not a failure, I will apologize in the Spring promptly.

Ok so we all know what the ride is, but did they say anything about moving the old cars or flyers and flower clock? One think I hate about Paramount Parks they theme it to the wrong area of the park. This makes 2 big rides that will be out of place. Also from the video this will look ugly when you first walk in to the park. I see the tower and a lot billboards now. This is what happend to Carowinds floral clock Clock

According the video you can see the front part of the park. From the angles you see Action Zone and the tower, the location is the Antique Cars.

well maybe some of the people on the board will find out and tell use. The old cars area looks to small for this ride unless its a very small coaster Does anyone else thing this looks like more of a Action Zone Ride?

Yeah the tiques location is way to small maybe behind The Racer or FOF?or Maybe they will take up DOT that doesnt get much money anyway does it?