Shaggy

A keen eye will find lots of old Ki items scattered throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Why? KI held annual "Yard Sales" for years. They would clear out many items that had been sitting in storage without use. This is how Jungle Jim obtained many pieces in the early days. There are homes with Smurfs, signage, ride cars etc etc etc.

I always heard that "Kings Island" was named by a young girl. Her name, I don't know, but she won a "Name the new park" contest held prior to KI being constructed. She was the one that coupled the two words together to form the park name - and as a reward she has a lifetime pass. At least that's what they said in the speech given at the 25th anniversary banquet I attended years ago.

Did she lose her wig?

Funny you should mention it... Just yesterday I read a thread on KI's Facebook page for the first time. It asked a question like "7 original rides from Cincinnati's Coney Island still operate at KI, can you name them?" Well, I started reading answers/guesses and was flabbergasted at the false responses, inaccuracies and arguments that were arising! I didn't reply - again, not worth it. ;-)

So I had the good fortune to be able to attend KI recently... my first and only visit to the park this year. I enjoyed WindSeeker, but did find it a bit "disorienting" at night. It's a fun install. Now on to the subject of this thread. I pride myself on all things factual... especially Kings Island. And I can't help but be irritated when I hear people "embellishing" or "fibbing" about things only to make themselves seem "experts" on a subject. Case in point... While on WindSeeker, as we were waiting for the ride to lower to the ground, a few seats ahead of me was what I will term a "Kings Island fibbing know-it-all." I listened as he loudly explained to his friends that WindSeeker was originally going to raise to the top, twirl, then the ride carriage would drop several feet, raise again then drop all the way. (As best I could understand him to say.) He said "All the parks that got one were supposed to do this, but they couldn't get it to work so it just raises and lowers." Now maybe I missed something, and that was the original intent (although I find it as far fetched as just about any rumor I've ever heard.) But for some odd reason, I have had a hard time letting it go. There's no way I would have corrected him, but I sure wanted to! Does this ever happen to you? Grrrrrrr....

What can't be understood by those that never rode the Eagle, is that it had one of the most insane moments of airtime on any coaster. The drop following the turnaround was unnerving to those riding in the rear car. It was as though the entire track fell from underneath you. That drop was so steep, as a matter of fact, that the rear seat of the car had a special "back" adhered to the rear of the train so that riders in the last row would not fall out backwards. I loved riding the coaster... and wish I could experience that feeling again :-( Shaggy

I have the complete press/media announcement kit for "The Bat." I also have one for most, if not all, the coasters up until Firehawk (They went viral with press kits when it opened.) But The Bat remains the rarest, IMO. I also own a Beast Operators manual from back when it operated with skid brakes. Shaggy

Splashin Safari is HW's bread and butter. There's nothing that can touch it within a 4 hour drive. The dry park, however, has direct competition from other *nearby* parks - KI, IB, SFSTL, BB etc. Shaggy

I've never been a Camden Park fan. It ranks beside Williams Grove as one of the most run-down parks I've ever been to. I went twice, and the last time was years ago when I swore I'd never go again. When I was there last, Thunderbolt (now removed) had a sign saying "reopening soon" or such. Well, you could easily see that the track had literally rusted completely through. I thought "Do they seriously think this is repairable?" Obviously, it wasn't. The Dipper had all of the seats closed off in the rear car. Actually, I am wrong... it had NO seats in the rear car - and caution tape across the side of the train to keep people from boarding that car. Finally, when I decided to ride "HaWnted House" I got in my car, and the ride attendant gave it a shove to get me started (that's how they get it going - a shove!) Well, the entire side of my car fell off! He stopped the car, at which time I asked "Shouldn't I get out?" He said "No, happens all the time" and proceeded to re-duct tape the side of the car back on and send me on my way. I was scared to death I was going to get hurt. Camden is a scary carnival in my book. It's just not well maintained. Shaggy

Given Dollywood's clientele.... the couple failed to realize that the park probably had their best interest in mind... their safety. A same sex couple is no different than anyone else... they elicit a positive reaction by living and acting in a loving, caring way. They do not earn respect by wearing a T-shirt made to provoke a reaction. It's the old "you catch more flies with honey" addage. Shaggy

Yes, it was definitely a Boat Tag Attraction. I just couldn't recall if Ki's was called that or something different. BTW, Indiana Beach had one for years... also I think Knoebels has (or had) one. Here's a pic:

The attraction most people don't recall was a game/ride that was located in Rivertown for just part of one season I believe. It was located in the spot adjacent to the Kings Mill Log Flume in the general spot of the Wheel of Fortune (after it's demise.) The attraction was a boat that floated around in a huge tank of water, and you could pay to shoot at the drive of the boat, while they shot back. I can't for the life of me recall the name of it. I only recall watching it once, and it had to either be the late 1980s or very early 1990s. Shaggy

Except for Brady Bunch Hence the word *Virtually*

The giveaways are: Mountain Express Colossus Observation Tower Oh, and the simple fact that it's a TV show... countless TV shows in the 70's & 80's had "Amusement Park" episodes... and virtually every one of them was filmed at Magic Mountain since it's near LA. Shaggy

Magic Mountain

And when something *does* happen to SOB, Lance (of Screamscape) will be sure to delete all the false info he posted in the past, and he'll lead with something like "As I have been telling you..." Shaggy

Are you primarily interested in rides? If not, there's lots more "attractions" that are now defunct... House of Cards Puppet Tree Handcarts Frontier Trail Pioneer Landing Nickelodeon Slime Shower McScrappy's Farm Nickelodeon Splat City Climbing Structure etc etc etc

Also of note... McDonalds was the first fast-food joint to open anywhere near KI. It opened at Fields Ertel which was completely undeveloped at the time. I distinctly recall this McDonalds was "western themed" and the seats at many of the tables were actual saddles that kids could sit on. I recall thinking just how awesome that Mc Donalds was. (Today's coffee-laden, order it anyway you like it ,slow-food McDonalds is as non-awesome as you can get!) Shaggy

I've said for years that a Wild Mouse/Mad Mouse would be the perfect fit at HW. Shaggy

It's worth noting that many coasters... including the ones at KI and DL.. have a special harness option for those of a disabled nature. When I worked at KI, there were two amputee season pass holders that regularly rode the coasters I operated. I strapped them into the harness many, many times and sent them safely on their ride. (BTW - The harness is a specially designed series of straps - much like that of a skydiver harness - that attaches to the rear of the seat and/or car. If you ever wondered why there are seat belt latches on the back of the 3rd - or is it the 4th? - car of The Beast, well they are for the harness.) Although I have ridden ROS at DL many, many times, I am unsure if it has a harness feature or not. I would assume that being a *newer* coaster that it would. However, if not, I am flabbergasted that he was allowed to ride. Just the mere thought of someone with missing limbs riding a coaster as steep as ROS is enough to frighten me. However, I also can see where someone not wanting to offend (especially a teen) would be hesitant to not allow a disabled person to ride. Many years ago, when I worked on Chang at SFKK, we received NUMEROUS complaints from people who had a handicapped friend or family member that couldn't scale the steps up to the load station to ride. There was no elevator to the load platform for a reason - and we had to literally explain that it was a STAND UP COASTER. But none-the-less, the ride ops regularly got reamed by guests because we were not being "accessible" to those with special needs. Eventually, the ride ops just shrugged those complaints off, but it wasn't easy. Once I got "reprimanded" by an area manager about an accusation that I had been "short" with someone... someone who in reality had been screaming obscenities at me for not allowing their wheelchair-bound friend to ride. When questioned by the area manager about my "attitude" I simply responded "Listen here - I look at operating this coaster like driving my car. No one rides in my car in an unsafe manner, because ultimately the responsibility for their safety lies with me. If you have a problem with that, then I'll call you over to operate the ride when a handicapped person insists - that way it's your responsibility." I was never "reprimanded" again. Now, I was an adult when this occurred... as a teen I may not have had the gusto to refuse. Shaggy

This is why I EBay these things... it went to someone that truly has enjoyed it. Hoping for the same on the other items. Glad you have enjoyed the IJST Car... I'll never forget when that arrived at my place the first go-around... Marketing had literally just stuck a mailing sticker on the box itself and mailed it. I would have liked the original box, but the US Mail was none to kind to it and the cellophane etc was destroyed. It sat on a shelf at my office for years, so I was glad when it ended up in a great home ;-) Shaggy

Hi... About once a year, I purge items I have stored away in the basement that go without use. Recently, I pulled out a small box of items that had a few rarer KI/Amusement park souvenirs I had from years ago. I wanted these to go to a fellow KI fan that would enjoy/cherish them as I did. I put them on Ebay because that will ensure that they will be bought by a collector. One of the items is really rare - the media invite for the hugely guarded secret 2000 attraction that ended up being Son of Beast. Wait until you see what they sent to invite me to the announcement! http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-Kings-Island-Son-Beast-Media-Announcement-gift-/110709276209?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6c97e31 In addition, there's the HTF RL Stine Beast books: http://cgi.ebay.com/HTF-Kings-Island-Beast-RL-Stine-Books-/110709278429?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6c986dd And a few other park related items someone may want: http://cgi.ebay.com/Various-Cedar-Point-Roller-Coaster-VHS-DVD-/110709281632?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6c99360 http://cgi.ebay.com/Cedar-Point-2003-Park-Map-featuring-Top-Thrill-Dragster-/110709283515?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c6c99abb http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110709286608 I hope these find a new, good home ;-) Happy 4th! Shaggy

Touche! Game, set, match! Lol

If I may offer some advice... Be aware that a "Paw-print" tattoo of that sort is linked to an alternative lifestyle type. In the gay community, there's a classification of a certain type of gay man known as a "bear." Many gay "bears" get paw-print tattoos to signify to other's their personal preference. The paw-print they use is often indistinguishable from the same prints used for The Beast. Not trying to sway you in any way, just trying to alert you to the fact that many people may see them and assume something far different than a love for a rollercoaster. Shaggy *Disclaimer* - my comments above were not made to dissuade or entice. They should not be mis-construed as a comment - pro or con - on any alternative lifestyle.

Or the media event tent.