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Regarding reviews - some are unrealistic expectations, and I bet an even bigger number are the many negative trolls out there that just write a negative review just for the sake of writing a negative review - they cannot afford to go there, so they "attempt" to prevent someone else from having fun by trying to discourage someone from going. In my own unscientific observation, I have reviewed negative reviews of parks that were done on FB and then clicked on the reviewers page and find all they do is complain, and in some instances, even find where they commented on one of their friends pictures at "XYZ" park and they post that they wish they could/afford to go to "XYZ" park, and such comment was made after their supposed review of the same park! If someone has a "legitimate" bad experience is one thing, but to blatantly lie is another issue and one that I know companies are starting to go after.

Meanwhile at the (going to be) front entrance....

It was really neat seeing the aerial views of the park from the Eiffel Tower. It's crazy how much the park has changed in even just 35 years. Really cool to be able to see this stuff in action and to see how it evolved over time. One must hope that Kings Island pays more attention to their burnt out light bulbs in the future, as Dwight mentioned, haha. Maybe someday they will. *looks longingly at the sky*

Other than counting down the days, I'd have to say my off-season thrills would mostly consist of strumming away at my guitar and doing some drawing every once and a while. I do enjoy me a relaxing trip to the Cincinnati Art Museum here and there, though.

I quite enjoyed Captain Caveman when I was younger. It was on Boomerang when my kids where younger, they thought it was just one of the dumbest things they had ever seen..........One of my favorites. And Hong Kong Phooey. You just don't see classics like that anymore................

Committee to examine all aspects of state fair: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2014/11/23/kentucky-state-fair-evaluated/19463223/ Attendance was at its lowest in 30 years Net loss of around $200,000 for the fair Fair board president/CEO calls attendance drop "anomaly" This could get interesting...

It's like going through a time machine!

Don't forget The Hillbilly Bears!

This guy on Google reviews going by the name of Randy Cramer sums it up pretty well (no it is not me, he may be a KIC member but I don't know): "It's an awesome park, and a lot of fun. Most of the negative reviews here you can account for being based mainly on people's own stupidity. Complaints their are no bins for the Firehawk to store their items like phones? There are lockers located at that ride, with a huge sign that says, "no storage bins on these rides". Huge lines on the weekends?? You don't say lol... Your friend bought a ticket from a private seller and Kings Island wouldn't honor it when you got their? That's illegal, and it's called scalping. Those tickets are given to employees for their personal use, and are not intended to be sold. The list goes on and on. The only truly valid and repetitive complaint I've seen in any of these reviews is the cost of food. It is marked up in many cases by 400% of what you'd pay outside of the park, and when you know people will stay all day, that's ludicrous and frankly just rude. Other than that, it's an amazing park with amazing rides and staff." Also there's a person who thinks Banshee is nothing more than FACE/OFF repainted. Uhh, the invert right next to the entrance which was FACE/OFF is NOT Banshee, that's Invertigo, Banshee is near the back of the Action Zone section where King Cobra/Son of Beast were...

Looks exciting. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/business/media/disney-pairs-up-with-turner-to-promote-shows-and-a-ride.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0&referrer=

Just rode this ride about a month or so ago and was wondering when or if this ride would ever be updated. Well, I guess I found out the answer.

I'm just glad that we're not losing another classic...

Who'd want to keep changes like this under the hat?

My winter activity will be painting, and wall papering the inside of our house. I've got 1 room almost finished. I'm hoping for the tub to be installed before the new year. Hint, hint, lol. Other than that, I'll be sitting with NoChickens, beside the warm glow of my monitor and TV too.

Orange cat, bad teeth, little beret- can't miss me.

I think they were regular bees. Kings Island wasn't the only place that had issues with bees this fall. I went to Carillon Park and they had an outside patio closed because of bees. I've learned to be very cautious in reading reviews. Some people tend to have unrealistic expectations, especially with hotels. Don't expect a Hilton experience when staying at an economy level hotel.

Actually, you'd be surprised how many bees are in those trashcans in October! I don't remember if they had much of a presence at night, but I do recall seeing trash cans with bees in them when working during the Haunt season. However, I don't know if they're hornets or just regular bees.

I had a near-zen ride (only other rider was another KICer) on 2014's closing day, and was on the last public train of the season. I find it humorous that the first and last riders of the season were members of this site.

Unduly? Heck, I was, and I was in my forties!

And now it's about to begin. My political sources tell me that, under strong pressure from Governor Beshear, every aspect of the Kentucky State Fair, the State Fair Board and its relationship with Kentucky Kingdom is now under the political microscope and that no holds are barred. I am also told that the print edition of the Courier Journal has some details, but does not come close to revealing just how close to a political powder keg and firestorm this is. The 2014 fair lost money. There's an election on in less than a year. And Bruce Lunsford, Mr. Hart's crony and partner and former opponent of re-elected Senator Mitch McConnell, is concerned.

I just do not remember Hillbilly bears. Must've been before my time. The older I get, the more I love to say that.

I was looking online, and Kings Island showed in stock for both. I ordered and got the dreaded cancelled, out of stock email the next day. If anyone knows anyone that has an extra one, or one they are wanting to sell, please show them this topic. Thanks!

Ive heard this rumor floating around since early 2013, should be a nice partnership with some updates. The theater is going to be a central focal point of the park once again with the removal of the hat, so these changes are going to be very well timed.

Yea I can't see how this isn't a win-win. TCM gets some new programming (and new advertising dollars) while WDW gets a refresh of an older ride.

I love the Hillbilly bears. Sometimes you can find eps on YouTube or Trilulilu. Paw Rugg reminds me of my brother in law.

I was too afraid to even open the threads.

I'd like to hear Don's take on this topic.

Hit the report. I did.

And there is spam.

And the changes at Disney's Hollywood Studios continue... Sounds like a win-win for both parties. I'm glad the Great Movie Ride will be getting a refresh, rather than being replaced amid all the coming to the park. If all goes as planned, I should be at Walt Disney World in just over a year, in January 2016, so hopefully I'll get to ride the updated ride relatively soon.

Pat Koch should join a coaster club. Things could get really interesting.

To my knowledge, they haven't released any details about media day yet. However, knowing HW, I would be a bit surprised if coaster clubs weren't invited.

Wow!..... These videos are truly stunning! It's always great to see previously unseen footage of the park. There's always a view you haven't seen.

Now, don't get greedy!

Funny, from that angle, it doesn't look like the top of lift will be 325'. Just a thought, from someone who secretly wishes it was going to be taller.

@mikefehnel on Twitter: "#FURY325 is about to get taller..." And so it did..... Photos : Mike Fehnel (Carowinds GM) via Twitter Webcam capture : Carowinds Fury 325 Construction Cam

And they will definitely adversely affect the inpark experience. Me? I'm hoping for a sale...of the parks.

"Fresh Horses" is an awful movie, and I'm in it. I'm in the background during the White Castle scene filmed in Norwood. My dad and I love "Homebodies" He's a riffer- I recall vividly seeing the scene where they are all at the door, looking out at the bad guy through the glass, my dad says, "Hey, that one old guy's blind! Why's he looking out the window?" The whole film is littered with dadisms.

Yes, you can. But, half an hour before? By then, the tower is typically shut to new viewers. It has limited capacity and many, many people want to go up there then. That is, of course, assuming that one of 2015's new additions isn't Boom Lane!

I absolutely loved seeing the Tumble Bug in action. That was my mothers favorite ride when she went to Coney with her family, and later Kings Island with her friends. Out of all the old videos of the park, these are the ones that truely reflect how much the place has changed.

Pretty cool videos. For once I can say i was too young to remember the park like that. The one time I was gonna go on the Eiffel Tower at night, was 4th of July this year. Was gonna take the wife and girls up about, half hour or a little sooner before 10. and try to get a good spot to watch the fireworks. They didn't even make it till 6:00. So i took them to the hotel room and done the next best thing..............coaster marathoning...........And I still don't even know IF you can go on ET during the fireworks..........

ah, back in the days when they knew how to do the complicated things like.... change burnt out light bulbs. Such a lost art.

Compare Six Flags season pass pricing. Or Kentucky Kingdom now vs. the old Hart days.

Nov. 28th-Jan. 11th, the Circle of Lights in downtown Indy. Nov. 28th- Jan. 4th, Christmas at the Zoo, also downtown. Dec. 21st - ??? Veals Ice Tree, Acton Indiana. It lasted until May 6th last year, though not much to see at that point, lol. Best viewing is usually mid January- late February IMO. I really don't go out much in the winter, cold is not my thing. Special events make me brave the cold, but for the most part, my winter thrills are spent beside the warm glow of my monitor, and TV. This is the time of year I wonder why I live in Indiana, then May comes, and I remember

Having spent the last two years in kiddy land with present day four year old twins, I'll throw in my two cents. Did my kids know who the Peanuts were before they started going to KI? No. Did they care what brand there was? Not one bit. If anything, their exposure to the Peanuts gang at KI has led them to see what the Peanuts were all about outside of KI. Can't begin to tell you how many times we've watched "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" the past few months. Now that they are more familiar with the Peanuts, it makes each visit that much more special for them. Not sure if that's what Cedar Fair was gunning for when they went with a less familiar brand but hey, whatever works. I'll say this, we threw down quite a bit of cash this year on Peanuts plush in the merch shop so kudos to Cedar Fair, mission accomplished. As for the removal of water maze, I guess the bad finally outweighed the good. Sure there was never a line and there was little maintenance needed on it but it always seemed like such a liability having that attraction around. Then again, I guess it's no different than the tipping bucket over in the waterpark.

There was not. And to say there was anything soft about those restraints....they were very similar to Invertigo's.

I remember the Start Trekish Lieutenant Uhura voice announcement : "Please secure loose articles. Loose articles are not permitted. You may hand articles to an attendant but we are not responsible for them. Keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times and remain seated with your head against the headrest, facing forwards throughout your journey. Thank you." edit: there were other announcements from an alien something like: (if anyone knows the correct statement...please correct...) "you offered to travel to the distant realm to experience freedom so kindly remind us why you are the ones locked in your seats?" plus others in rotation

They actually had 4 trains however only ran was with 3. U could see the 4th train was always on the transfer track before going into the unload station. 3 trains were actually converted to lap bars but they only run 2 at any givin time. The trains are rotated out every year. One train goes thru its rehab during the summer with the other 2 operating at the ride. Adventure Express works the same way.

When it opened, it had really uncomfortable overhead restraints instead of the lap bars, which weren't put in place until 2001. It also opened with 6 car trains, but later dropped to 5 cars. And what do you mean by ours not being the original? Kings Island's and Kings Dominion's were the first LIM launch coasters ever, including the original for the layout.

Woke up at about 5:45 Saturday and left my Dad's house around 7am. We got some McDonalds 1 Exit South of KI. By the time I bit into my sandwich we were getting off the highway and onto Kings Island Drive, so I just threw it away since we got to KI at about 8:55 and I had 5 Minutes to get to Diamondback from the parking lot! I made it to the entrance at 9:01. ERT Was amazing, I got 7 Rides on Diamondback, and I could of gotten 9 but I waited for Back and Front. So at about 9:50 I was on Diamondback's lift hill, I turned around and noticed the parking lot was empty. So Instead of going to X-Base before the parking lot opened, we just kept riding Dback til 10:05. Than we went to X-Base and wait 10 Minutes for Firehawk, and 20 Minutes for FoF (longest we waited all day.) Firehawk was as good as it was last year and they fixed the green paint, it's now Back to Red. FoF now has music playing in the spaghetti Bowl and brake run, and the ride seemed alot more intense minus the strong MCBR. After FoF, we went to Adventure Express and got 2 Rides in a row on it, had alot of fun! We than decided to ride Viking Fury and, wow.. it changed. Last year it was great, I loved it but now it's ride cycle is slower, you don't swing to far, and it's just boring... We were going to meet up with some other people but they were on Delirium so we were going to Top Gun. Extreme Sky Flier was $5, so why not go ride it? Me, Paul, and Mitch bought our tickets and waited along time til' we got to ride it. Paul was going to pull the cord but the tallest person isn't allowed, so I got to. It was pretty fun. My Dad's Fiance's ex-husband's girlfriend called me and asked if we wanted to go to Picnic Grove for some event. We said yes and the food was actually really good! We got awesome lanyards, got some cool views of Diamondback, got to see the Diamondback model upclose, got souvenir cups, and great food! Me and Mitchell met back up with Brian and Paul at Blue Ice Cream Patio and waited for Ty. Than We walked to Vortex and waited 15 Minutes for 7-1. Got some great Arrow-Time (lol) and a smooth ride! I wanted to get some good pics of Racer so we went to Sponge Bob. Since the line wasn't too bad we decided to get in line. It was actually pretty fun and it was nice riding it, since I haven't gotten to since 2003. Ty than showed me where you could get some cool photos of Flight Commanders queue and we took some photos. Paul and Ty went to the arcade and Brian, Mitchell, and Me rode Blue Racer. It was a little rough, but the airtime made of for it. We met back up and went to Eiffel Tower for some Aerial Photos. We left Ty up there and He didn't know we left and so we waited at the base for him and refilled our cups with some Fanta. Than we all walked around International St. and than too Diamondback. I used the single riders lane while they waited in the main queues. I rode 2 times, once in the very back, and once in row two. Row two is great, you just hang on the main drop, than get amazing ejector on the second hill, same for the third. The hammerhead is awesome in the front, you can turn around and say hi to everyone! I was in line but than Diamondback closed, so I went to the Exit of Crypt and took some photos. After about 30 Minutes We got bored and We went to Beast. Waited 15 Minutes for Row 2. Had a smooth ride, but Mitchell hit his hand on the tunnel in the double Helix. After Beast I think I went to Drop Tower and waited 20 Minutes. Than to Top Gun and waited 1 Train for the front seat. TG Seems alot faster at night, you should try it! Than I got a text from Adam saying Diamondback opened back up so we walked there and waited 15 Minutes for Back Seat and got back in line again and waited about the same time for row 2. I had a great time, and can not wait to get back this weekend for Ride Warriors! I rode... Diamondback- 9 Beast- 1 Vortex- 1 Racer- 1 FoF- 1 Firehawk- 1 AE- 2 DZ- 1 TG- 1 Viking Fury- 1 Eiffel Tower- 1 Extreme Skyflier- 1 Spongebob- 1 Well Photobucket is being dumb so I had to go to my super old Image Shack account and upload there but it's being slow so photos will hopefully be up soon...