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Thought I'd share an interesting video I found on YouTube of Kings Island in 1991 (a fine year, I must say. ) It's been stabilized, which is why the frame keeps shifting all over the place (as opposed to being a VERY shaky video): It's relatively short, but in it, you can see and hear: -A relatively new Vortex that does not come to a complete stop on the MCBR -The theming on the KI&MVRR, including the town by the train shed -Kings Mills Log Flume, which woefully doesn't seem to have much video existing for it online -A few peeks at Adventure Village and King Cobra Unfortunately, there's also an on-ride video of Vortex. It's really distorted and looks like video of an uprising during an earthquake, but it's there. The posting of this video does not equate to endorsement or approval of the unauthorized filming on any ride at Kings Island. Please do not film on any rides the park does not permit guests to film on without permission, including Vortex.

Due to high winds, not much progress today. Only 1.5 supports installed today. It was an oddly shaped support that has three legs support that actually supports 2 pieces of track. As always, Link to gallery.

I wouldn't classify a stadium for a football team that hasn't seen the second round of the playoffs since the fall of the Berlin Wall to be an awesome or profitable improvement.

I care. It was one of the things that gave Cedar Point character. I choose to give Mr. Kinzel "credit" for this decision.

I would argue that downtown already is a lot more than Reds and Bengals games and festivals. As someone who spends a lot of time down there, downtown is a lot more active and entertaining than it was even back in 2007 when I first moved back to the area. There's a lull on weeknights in the winter for sure, but overall downtown is doing great. The streetcar itself serves as an urban circulator which connects multiple attractions and businesses on a loop. The point of it is to provide rapid transportation between these waypoints and spur economic development. Essentially if you take the bus or your car downtown, the streetcar helps you navigate around multiple attractions very quickly. In the future you may see improved bus service, BRT or even light rail reaching the further outlying areas and connecting them with downtown. However, keep in mind that rail lines extending into other cities and counties becomes a far more complicated process. If this were true, you'd see economic activity springing up all around the "Southbank Shuttle" line. You don't. Meanwhile in Portland, Charlotte, Atlanta and cities where modern streetcars and light rail are being built - you see businesses popping up all along the fixed rail routes, mainly because those routes are permanent and not going to change. Unfortunately, had the Governor of Ohio not recommended state funding being pulled from the streetcar - you'd see the Clifton line under construction right now. Keep an eye out for it in the future though. Not to mention all the bars, restaurants and good stuff in between and along the route. I'm guessing you're not aware of the actions taken today. A private donor stepped up to guarantee operational funding until 2025, meaning the city's operating budget won't be going towards the streetcar. Not to mention, even if the city bore the operational costs, they're minuscule compared to the rest of the operating budget. You won't be paying more taxes for it, nor have your taxes been raised. To be fair, not just Cincinnati, but the entirety of Hamilton County is paying for/voted to raise taxes for the construction of the two stadiums. It takes far longer than eight minutes to walk the entire route, I know because I've walked the entire route before: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/09/cincinnati-streetcar-virtual-tour.html Also as far as "the hood" goes, I've been in neighborhoods and cities far worse than where the streetcar runs. OTR still has its issues, but increasing pedestrian traffic and development in the neighborhood is one way to combat crime.

^ you can see an archive of my webcam captures with the link in my signiture

Gosh I'm not even sure how they got video while on The Vortex. From what I remember, camcorders back in 1991 were fairly large. That's insane. Anyway, I love to watch Kings Island videos from the past and was even more excited to see the old theming on the train. Very nice!

Continued... A few years back Newport and Covington passed resolutions stating that if they were to build a streetcar, they would build theirs to the same specifications and details as Cincinnati's in order to connect the two systems. The most recently proposed route would be a loop featuring a KY streetcar departing Newport over the Purple People (or most likely the Taylor Southgate) bridge into DT Cincy, then back over the Clay Wade Bailey into Covington and back through CVG into Newport. However, no studies or plans have been launched since then. I wouldn't classify a stadium for a football team that hasn't seen the second round of the playoffs since the fall of the Berlin Wall to be an awesome or profitable improvement. It's easy for people to sit back and pan the stadium construction now, but it's funny how no one had regrets when they voted to raise taxes to build the two buildings. It's a much more complicated situation and issue, but you have to keep in mind the mentality in 96. Teams held cities' hostage and having pro sports teams wasn't just an economic engine, but a matter of civic pride and a determining factor of where your municipality is on the national stage. Lover it or hate it, those stadiums are here to stay. The streetcar itself won't, however future light rail could. Earlier in this post I mentioned how the streetcar is a circulator line, meant to rapidly carry people throughout downtown. It is meant to be connected with existing roads and bus service. In the future, you could see light rail extending to Mason and other outlying areas. Interestingly enough - in 2002 there was a measure put on the ballot to fund construction of a massive light rail system. The first part of that system, dubbed "Metro Moves," would've been a modern streetcar line similar to what is being built now. The second phase and first light rail line would've been called the "Kings-port" line. That line would've had a southern terminus at CVG International airport, snaked its way north through Kentucky and crossed the Ohio River into the downtown Riverfront Transit Center (where it would link with streetcar/other lines), then it would proceed north roughly following the path of I-71 until it reached a northern terminus at Kings Island. I'm not sure where exactly a Mason or Kings Mills (as it was at the time) station would've been placed - I haven't read that study in years, but essentially you could've taken rail all the way from KI to the airport through the city. Sadly, that measure was defeated at the ballot box.

Soon, the majority of Internet traffic will be delivered to mobile devices. It's bad enough you must have Flash to buy a ticket or season pass from FUN. Don't tell me about Accesso. The average customer couldn't care less--FUN is responsible for its contractors' performance in its name. So, today I get an email from California's Great America. Like many, soon to be a majority, I'm on a mobile platform. They sent a Happy Holidays video. That, on an iPhone, at least, defaults to their mobile website. In 2013. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Really? Pathetic.

That was one ride that truly set Cedar Point apart. Sure, it was nothing major and wasn't really innovative or anything like that, but how many other parks can you say had a paddewheel boat ride through a lagoon? Sure the jokes were very corny, but my whole family enjoyed that ride.

Ah, 1991... a simpler time in my life. October 6th (the date the video was taken) I had completed my 3rd year in Food Service at KI (in Rivertown Karts), leaving much teenage drama behind in the process, and was about a month and a half into my freshman year at college. Good memories. Thanks for posting that, it was nice to see things again as they used to be (and thanks for explaining the stabilization, I would have wondered what was up with that crazy frame).

3 supports and 3 pieces of track installed again today. As always, Link to gallery.

It's a pain, reading posts on Twitter and seeing a link from Kings Island. When I click it, I'm first asked whether I want to download the app (even if I've already installed it before). Afterwards, I'm taken to the mobile site, which is different from what I clicked the link for. At least they (appear to have) stopped using twitpic for their images. Not only did it take longer to load, but I was often met with an obnoxious advertisement I had to click out of in order to see the picture.

It was a different they. Had Mr. Kinzel still been in charge today, you can bet your sweet bippy this would not be happening at KD now. Also, if you go to KD now, it's closed!

As neat as all of this is, is it frustrating to anybody else, in that why didn't they do this for Kings Island? On a side note, I really want to go to KD now!!

From KDs Facebook: On the 8th day of Christmas, ‪#‎KD40‬ gave to me: A 40th Celebration Merchandise Store! From retro items to t-shirts to coffee mugs, you’ll find all things KD40th in the Starlight Gift Shop, located on International Street near the main gate. (Photo From KDs Facebbok)

They did. It was called Salt Water Circus. There are even pictures of it on some sites. It was behind the Eiffel Tower, I think where Internatational Showplace is now. I know this post is from over a month ago, but small correction: Salt Water Circus wasn't where International Showplace was, but instead behind it. They both co-existed for ~20 years.

Don't sweat it. Especially if it's your first part-time job, no one's going to make a big fuss over references. The references I used during my part-time jobs were hardly (if ever) contacted, even well into my fourth and fifth jobs. And the contacts I made at THOSE jobs were never contacted for my current full-time job, even though I made it into a supervisory position at one of them. Once you get into full-time work, it seems to be more about who you know than who you've worked for. The bigger thing to be concerned about with ANY job is how you present yourself. Employers--especially those looking for part-time or seasonal help--want to hear that you're hardworking and dedicated. And if you tell them you're hardworking, BE hardworking. Don't promise anything you won't be or do. Several people I worked with didn't understand just how replaceable they were, so it was a surprise to them when their chronic laziness or argumentativeness resulted in them being fired. When you are at work, be there to work, and any employer worth working for will notice. Good luck!

Malem has posted the video in the random video thread under Kings Island. I wish I'd never seen this thing. I cannot believe a Cedar Fair park posted that video. Safety as a cornerstone. Yeah. Sad.

I love the "Can't see this? Click the link!" Which just takes you to the same webpage using the exact same graphic and tech they just sent you.

I rank its removal right up there with the removal of the Pirate ride. Sad.

How I miss that ride, it's charachters have found new homes in Bayou, Cut throat Cove and Screamworks. Also one of the boats is in bayou.

Seriously? He did the marketing in 1991? He looks like he is in his late teens/early 20s.

I remembered that the other day driving, but don't promote Tapatalking and driving. Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

^ Im guessing you dont live in the city and your not going to be one of the ones paying for it.

The yellow and black striped poles shown in the first two pictures, which held up posters in years past, have been removed. This happened on the 9th and 10th of this month, so not a very recent development. Still worth pointing out though. Removal can be seen in the first minute of this time lapse.

From KDs Facebook: Throwback Thursday & On the 7th day of Christmas, KD gave to me: A Walk of Memories from the 70’s to the 2000’s around the Eiffel Tower. Travel back in time and learn about the rich history of Kings Dominion with our Walk of Memories boards that will be located around the Eiffel Tower. (Photo From KDs Facebook)

Out of all the times I've gone to CP, I only rode it once, after I had heard that it wouldn't be coming back the following year. I enjoyed it but was disappointed I had waited so long to take the time out from the thrills to slow down and enjoy that hidden gem. At least I got to experience it once before it was gone.

Or Rotor? Bayern Curve? Bavarian Beetle? Or Wheel of Fortune? In days of olde, things were far less transparent. Decisions were made on high. The reasons therefor were seldom disclosed or discussed.

On an iPhone, touching the time at the top of the phone screen takes any Safari screen to the top.

There is a "Go To Top" arrow at the very bottom of each page that will do just that....go to the top. You can also hit your "Home" key on the keyboard that will also take you to the top of the page.

Have a bit of a running itinerary for my upcoming Belk Bowl trip with the UC band. Leaving at 10:30 on the 26th to get there at a decent time. Should be about a 10-11 hour bus ride not counting pit stops. A few battle of the bands with UNC's band are thrown in plus a big pep rally the night before. Should be a pretty short and sweet trip of sorts.

Lets push this plan forward for the sake of politics and doing something. We can worry about details later... Ahhh The American Political Machine at its finest.

Exactly! It's going to be a wonderful run for the Kingdom!

I like this. I think the more people you can get to go down town, the less crime you will have. The bigger police presence has also helped. I wish the Metro Moves would have passed at the Ballot Box a few years ago. I live out in fairfield/west chester area. I would take a bus downtown but service stops from my area around 6/7 and there is no direct way home. If the light rail were to have been built, I could park out here take the train into the city, watch a reds game, hop on the street car to hit the bars, take the street car back to the transit center, then take the train back to my car, etc...

They did. It was called Salt Water Circus. There are even pictures of it on some sites. It was behind the Eiffel Tower, I think where Internatational Showplace is now. I know this post is from over a month ago, but small correction: Salt Water Circus wasn't where International Showplace was, but instead behind it. They both co-existed for ~20 years. Oh...thanks for clearing that up...I was just thinking "general location" type thing, and never actually got to see Salt Water Circus (It was gone when I very first visited Kings Island as a kid in 2000, and even my memories of that are somewhat hazy).

http://www.jlpp.org/2013/11/26/rebuttal-a-stronger-case-for-seaworld/

I think it should go to Mason.

NOW, the Fair Board wants a master plan? Now? Really? What's up with that? Wonder if Mr. Hart knows? http://m.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/12/19/fair-board-seeking-firm-for-master-plan.html?r=full Gee, I wonder who knew that! Terp, who likes to ask questions

That was exactly my thought.

Isn't the Banks to Newport like an 8 minute walk? Either way, I've read that a route to Newport and Covington are proposals for future expansion. Baby steps.

They added track at the bottom of the dive loop! And I missed it! And now it's dark and I can't see it!

I don't know why all you Cincinnati people dislike paying for some public improvement. You've been paying for the stadiums since 1996 and those have been awesome and profitable improvements to the riverfront so why is the streetcar any different?

No urban mass transit operates at a profit in the USA.

Yeah! Now we're just like Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook! Oh, w-wa-wait... monorail. Let's build a Monorail!

John Mulcahy? Gee, I wonder what he did 22 years ago? http://business.highbeam.com/53/article-1G1-10513171/kentucky-kingdom-launches-fiveyear-expansion-plan

Pieces of the new water slides being assembled today for the water park expansion..... (Photo Courtesy of The New Kentucky Kingdom) (The man pictured is Kentucky Kingdom's Director of Marketing and Communications, John Mulcahy)

Maybe they have just now realized their in-house marketing is not working?

Knott's Merry Farm 12/18/2013 This day I saw the remainder of the shows I hadn't caught yet and rode some coasters as well. My first show was A Christmas Carol, which is a tradition at the Merry Farm too. LOVED it. The acting was...superb? The gentleman who portrayed Scrooge fit the part very well with his facial expressions and his overall acting was the best of all of them. XD I spent a good portion of the afternoon taking pictures of the rides and around the park. Ghostrider is still one of my favorite woodies, good enough I tolerated it two rides back to back. I could have done more rides...but I felt like I was neglecting my other two must do coasters there being Silver Bullet and Jaguar. Yet again there was NO line for really anything (Xcelerator was a walk on all day). I ended my day with Snoopy's Merriest Tree Lighting in Calico Square. A very good show, the elves are really funny, and the 40 foot tree is gorgeous. It's a really cute show for the full family, and the kids loved it when Santa appeared. Me personally it was the first non Haunt show I ever watched on that stage...I'm not used to it being so colorful and happy looking...I liked it, lol. That's what I got for the 18th, today is my last day at the park as I got Christmas parties to go to with extended family and friends before heading back to Ohio. Kudos to Knott's for stepping up their game this year for the Merry Farm! It's pretty and the shows are fun. IMG_0258 by ki_faerie_wench, on Flickr

razmataz, fooling around with spoiler tags