Shaggy

Who do you like better, your Uncle or new baby Nephew? ;-) In my mind, comparing the two is like comparing a rotary phone to an iPhone7. But I do think lines for night rides will be the tell-tale sign of popularity. But Beast has had competition before - and has always stayed on top. Choosing a coaster on which to finish out the night may be very tough in the future.

Milllenium Force doesn't have stairs

Surely the park will move that vine... I cannot imagine that they will obscure the logo that much.

I'm saying he said there wasn't a $25-$30M coaster. That's the point.

This is what irks me about enthusiasts... something MR Hart said was taken completely out of context, posted here and now people are passing it as truth. Mr Hart NEVER said a $25-$30M coaster was coming to KK. He said he'd like to install one, but until he has proof that it would significantly boost attendance, it's too much of a gamble. I have no doubt something big will come to KK... eventually... but I'm not holding my breath. He's got bigger fish to fry...

Mr Heart seemed specifically interested in people's opinions of Kings Island. Incorrect. Mr Hart responded to a hypothetical question posed to him. The question asked if we was "granted a wish for anything at KK, what would it be?" His response was that he wish he could know if adding a $20-$30M coaster would increase attendance significantly. He said that otherwise, it would be too big of a gamble since the market had drastically changed from 20 years ago when a large attraction install meant large attendance results. He then cited HW as an example saying they installed a B&M and their attendance went down. He also cited the previous times of large coaster installs at KK came at a time when "Kings Island wasn't installing big coasters." I attended the event. It was a very nice of the park to hold the tour, provide a free lunch and for Mr Hart to share his time with those that attended. I had a good time, and have nothing but good things to say about the generosity they showed. I will point out, that the most noteworthy thing of the day (for me) was when Mr Hart used the term "urban park." Mr Hart recognizes the biggest challenges he faces at KK - and it has nothing to do with rides. That was refreshing to hear.

I was at Knott's last January. I had visited before, but it had been about 10 years. However, when I returned, I got the same exact feeling I had the first time around. I'ts hard for me to put into words the vibe I get when at Knotts. The best way I can describe it is, it gives me the exact same feeling as when I am at Kentucky Kingdom. It comes across as a small, half-day, local park - not a destination. The park is VERY landlocked, and has a weird dead "center" with the train tracks running smack dab through the middle of the park - splitting it - like the Fairgrounds perimeter road at KK. That having been said - they've got a few gems in there. Silver Bullet is fun and it's placement at the entrance is terrific. Xcelerator is huge fun too - but is a one trick pony. I love that they've kept Montezooma's Revenge, the original Camp Snoopy and the Calico Mine Ride. Ghostrider was down for re-furb when I was there - but I understand it's back to running like it originally did when it opened (I did ride it 10 years ago.) The removal of boomerang does not at all surprise me. I skipped it when there last year - as did 99% of the other guests there that day - it was a walk on. I rode the skycabin - but frankly it's a shell of it's former self with the parachute ride long gone. I also took note of the closed Riptide when I was there - and the park removed it a month afterwards. All of these lie on the back-side of the mine ride and near that dead park center I mentioned earlier. Add in the fact that a tall lift would be right in line with the tallest attractions currently at the park - and that opens up some huge possibilities. If you look at the first picture below (pay no attention to the man behind the beard) you'll see the "void" that could be filled by building a major coaster running behind/around/over Calico Mine Ride. The second picture shows how the removal of Riptide, Boomerang and (possibly) Skycabin opens up a very large playing field. (In the picture - Skycabin is hidden behind the lift of Boomerang.) The park is crying out for a LARGE signature attraction. My gut tells me they're getting it - but sacrifices are necessary to do so.

... or a ewe...

Not everyone knows where "you are." It's marketing. Free advertising. Just like most big-name parks now put the park name on the fronts of coaster trains. So when selfies, newspaper photos, FB and Instagram and Twitter pics all get posted - they advertise the park. Not everyone knows where Mystic Timbers is... this way they'll know.

The cameras were up this morning, and I saw people walking tracks. I also noticed a smaller mobile crane in the transfer shed area. That all ads up to what I expect is an exciting day at the park... HOWEVER - it's a bit cold to cycle...

LOL, I bet I'll go down as the person with the biggest regret here... I opted to not ride The Bat. (the original) I watched it, but couldn't muster up the courage.

LOL, me pre-beard... Those were some fun times!

For those of you that may be interested - I uploaded a bunch of Winterfest park guides today. So far there's 1986-1992, but there's more to come as I dig through my files. It's actually hard for collectors to find the Winterfest park guides - much harder than the regular seasonal park maps/guides. Enjoy!

Thanks! There's plenty more to come... so much so it's overwhelming! :-) I'm enjoying sharing it!

With all due respect to Interpreter, it does need to be clarified that he was never privy to, or a part of, Management and decision making at the park. His statements, however leading, misleading, on point or vague were never based on official internal information. He was a spectator just like the rest of us. That having been said, I do find it odd that he suddenly dropped off - he devoured these boards. I've known the *real* guy behind the Interpreter for years, and I do hope he is ok.

The most notable - and memorable - shop to me was always the Bavarian Toy store. It was a specialty toy store that featured exclusives and foreign toys that were not available at *regular* US toy stores. Things made in West Germany, Sweden, Norway etc.

Thunder Road at Carowinds had the chips stacked against it for decades. As the park developed, it's odd placement became a barrier to growth of the water park. (It was actually the 2nd coaster scrapped for the water park expansion through the years.) Ironically, Ocean Island (the original Carowinds water park name) was the first water park I ever discovered INSIDE an amusement park. (I found out about it when I picked up a Carowinds brochure at a tourist center in 1982 as my parents and I traveled through NC/SC on our way to Disney World.) When the rumors persisted about Thunder Road being removed - I consistently thought "Nah." But then the boom was lowered. I have to say that scared me quite a bit for Racer. However, I pray that Racer's historical significance, coupled with the fact that the real-estate it occupies isn't restricting growth of the park's attractions, will keep it there for a long long time. If I could wave a magic wand at KI, it would be a complete Coney Mall overhaul including a multi-million dollar Racer restoration (Rebuild of final bunny hills, complete re-tracking, re-paint with the original Red, White and blue paint scheme, new trains etc.) That section of the park is perfect, and desperate, for a facelift harking back to old school days. Add in lots of new (old) flat rides, scrap the un-used buildings and take it back to it's glory days.

The area has been 3 themed areas through the years - Wild Animal Habitat, Adventure Village, and then Action Zone. It was re-named Adventure Village long about the time the monorail station was removed (this is the same location as the Skyflyer is now.) The area in front of it, which when converted to Action Zone housed the Water Tower, was not home to an attraction - rather it was just landscaping/entrance plaza to the attraction. The building I think you are referring to was the Congo Cooler stand. It was a food/beverage location that serviced Adventure Village and Timberwolf (when there was an event taking place.) On Location was built for the expansion of Action Zone. Prior to it being built, that land was vacant as part of Adventure Village. It was basically a big empty plaza.

I had not seen this footage until you shared it with me. It's terrific! To add on to what you said about the original Dodgem/Cuddle Up... many think the Cuddle Up was removed when Coney Mall was overhauled for 1986. However according to park maps, it could have been removed as early as 1984. Although I did visit KI in those years, I don't remember riding Cuddle Up then - so it was likely gone. In addition, what is now the Candy Shop at the end of Coney Mall was the location of Ki's Fascination Parlor. Fascination transferred from Coney Island as well. I believe it bit the dust in 1986 when the Coney Mall update happened. Although I've never known it as fact, I have heard that KI's Fascination games were sold to LeSourdesville Lake - which eventually became Americana. They had a working Fascination Parlor until the final years, but I'm not sure if it was ALL KI original equipment, or if KI's was used for replacements.

Got it, thanks for clarifying. :-) I wish I had been more attentive to the park details in the 80's-very early 90's. If only I could rewind time and revisit those years and write down or photograph the subtle, and not so subtle changes at the park (which I started doing around 1996.) Little things like "When did they tear down queue building #3 on Beast" or "For how many seasons did KI have The Vortex "tracks" through Coney Mall" or "When did the German Toy Store close" etc continue to elude me. Back in the 1970's and 80s, there was interest in the park, but it cannot hold a candle to today's microscopic analysis of all things KI. Back then, you either read in the paper or park brochure (or saw a commercial) what was new at KI, then you begged your parents to take you to the park sometime during the season (if you were really lucky, you got to go MORE than once!) and you spent most of that visit running around trying to ride as much as possible - while shrugging off some of the changes. (I.E. "Hmmm... I think there was water running out of this chute last year when I was in line for Beast... Oh Well.") But with the advent of the web, KI-watching took on a life of it's own and the media blitz that followed forever changed how we keep up with those changes. To be honest, I have to give a shout out to people like Don... or my friend Roger who went to Coney Island as a kid - then Kings Island when it opened (and is still going today.) They were ahead of their time because they DID take note of those things - and saw the significance of the changes that occurred in those early years. Most of what I know about those early years is based off of their having witnessed them. I guess that's partly why I created my little page. I really want those that have a love of KI today to see how rich a past the park has had. With so many mega parks today, its really hard to recognize that KI was always a top tier park... and it's very existence is *essentially* a result of an act of Mother Nature.

Hmmm... Not sure how that picture negates my memory? LOL It actually confirms it.... ;-) I said I went in 1994 to find the monorail gone... (I just couldn't recall if the station remained or if it was an empty plot of land in 1994) then I said that in 1995 the Skyflyer was built. That pic could be from 1994 or possibly 1995 before the Skyflyer was added (if indeed, the Skyflyer opened mid-season) Remember, Top Gun was built in 1993. I distinctly recall Top Gun operating for a season with the Monorail, and then a season without it, then the following (95) Skyflyer appeared. (It was as I drove past the park... sometime in 1995 that I saw Skyflyer being constructed - not while IN the park.) What I am fuzzy about is not when the Monorail was or wasn't there, or when the Skyflyer was or wasn't there... what I am fuzzy about are details like whether the monorail station sat vacant or was demolished for the 1994 season - or the entrance to Wild Animal Habitat was altered in 1994 or 1995 - or if the Skyflyer appeared mid-season as I recalled or if it was ready to go with the start of '95. If we had a specific date of that picture, it would answer a ton of those "fuzzies" I have about the minute details mentioned above. Bottom line, when the Monorail left, it solidified the trend of negating the overall theming of areas within the park that it followed all the way through the Paramount tenure. The "De-theming" of areas IMO started with AE - totally misplaced - by the Linder staff. Then Paramount jumped on board and decided to try and make it a poor man's Universal - and commercialize the park with no regard to it's history. I DO think some good came from the Paramount days - and it gave us lots of good stuff to talk about. But one of the really bad things was how mis-focused the park became. Since Cedar Fair has taken over, IMO, there's been a concentrated effort to adhere to the themed areas. For instance Mystic Timbers is a great theme for Rivertown. Had that been Paramount, we'd be looking forward to "Star Trek: Beyond - The wooden coaster" in Rivertown. *Edit* - I was able to track down an online video from Jul 1995 that shows the Skyflyer (then Drop Zone) was in place by then. So, that answers some of my fuzziness - I probably saw Drop Zone being constructed as I passed by in early 1995 before the park opened for the season. If the above picture is from 1994, that means the entrance to Wild Animal Habitat was altered before it was taken - so that occurred in either late 1993, or early 1994. Here's the video...

Whenever I see older pictures of the the old Wild Animal Safari monorail station, it takes me back... In 1994, I went to KI and was dismayed at the fact that the Monorail was no longer in operation (If I recall properly, throughout that season the station, or at least the land it sat on remained empty.) I attended opening night (my first) for the unveiling of "Days of Thunder" simulator in 1994 and while there, I discovered the monorail had been demolished - and possibly the original entrance to the Wild Animal Habitat area was completely re-done. (In addition, the water under King Cobra was gone.) Then, fast forward to mid-season 1995, I saw what appeared to be a GIANT STEEL COASTER LOOP being assembled in that area of the park. The excitable and non-rational side of my brain thought "They tore out the monorail to install a GIANT coaster!" (even though the practical side of my brain thought "Naaaah, they just installed Top Gun.") Well, as the weeks wore on, imagine my dismay when I saw that the "GIANT STEEL COASTER LOOP" was actually the Skyflyer being installed. Wah waaaaaaah. (As far as I recall, the Skyflyer was actually installed while the park was already operating for 1995.) It was, actually, the first one I ever saw in person, but none-the-less I was really bummed. However that very same time period, I started noticing earth being moved back behind Racer... and we all know what happened back there... It's all a bit fuzzy, and I may have some of the timeline a bit twisted, but there were LOTS of changes in those days - not the least of which was the Paramount takeover. That having been said... I do distinctly recall a big SECRET from that time... Most don't know what ALMOST happened in 1995... and it involved the monorail NOT being removed. One word... MOVIERAIL.

Also, worth mentioning, is the fact that when AE opened, there was no FOF, there was no SOB or Banshee, there was no Days of Thunder, there was no Top Gun/Flight Deck/Bat. It had a great feeling of being "remote" because it was nestled in a valley surrounded by trees (and you also realized live animals were nearby.) So that added a great deal to it's experience. What I distinctly remember the first time I rode, was thinking "Why did they put it in the German section of the park?" That made absolutely no sense to me - still doesn't. I expect it was just prime land. But I have always wondered if the original intent when Arrow proposed the ride to KI, was for it to have a Bavarian theme - especially since the station has a very Chalet look to it. It very easily could have.

It does and it doesn't... I rode Adventure Express in it's first season and it was actually extremely well done. It was the 2nd half of a 2-part deal KI had made with R&R Creative (the folks that came up with Phantom Theater's theming.) They first designed Phantom Theater, and then moved on to the theming of Kings Islands new "Runaway mine train coaster" the park had in the works with Arrow Dynamics. Obviously the picture dramatizes some elements, but when it opened the theming was pretty over-the top. All the tunnels had fog, lighting effects, water splashes, animatronics etc. What exists now is, well, about 20% of it's original effects. *Side note* Did you know in Adventure Express' first couple of seasons of operation, the Wild Animal Safari Monorail actually passed through the ride area?

Today is a really nice day in Louisville. There's only a slight chill in the air, but the sun is out and makes me look forward to the looming spring (my favorite time of year.) We were lucky this year and, knock wood, didn't have a really snowy/icy/bitter cold winter. it had it's moments, but overall it could be a lot worse. Why am I bringing this up? Because every year I marvel at the workers that labor in rain, sleet, snow, cold, hail, ice, wind, freezing temps etc all to build something we'll enjoy in much more pleasurable weather. Year after year the construction crews that assemble the new attractions at KI must face some pretty difficult elements. I hope this season, as each of us ride Mystic Timbers, we take a moment to think about those that braved the elements to help make magic for us. I know I certainly appreciate their hard work!