Thrill_Biscuit

I call it a success, because he beat his dad's distance and landed safely. It was a cool spectacle that we don't get to see everyday, and it went off quite well. Plus it got world-wide press for the 'besting of his dad's jump'. Very cool. [edit] Dawg beat me to it

Great job! I love it how Invertigo just happens to loop Robbie right as he walks by (0:38)! Nice work.

Great pictures! I haven't been down rt 4 in a year so I haven't seen the progress up close. Very cool to see the ol' monorail at her new home! ...and that's a big post#400! w00t!

Haven't had a chance to ride yet this year, but I did notice on 5/24, while in line for SB3D, that the trains were never staggered (always 'racing'). I can't wait to get back into some good old-fashioned races this year!

^I've been hearing about this new phenomenon called "Staycations" because of the economy woes. I wonder how many of KI's visitors come from within the 50-mile circle?

An airhose blowing around sounds like clever theming .... as in the movie "Twister" . Juz tryin' to get to 400! Have a nice day!

So far as I know all the Kings Island coasters are rollin' this year (but I didn't ride FOF this year, so I don't know about that one). (There's one big attraction that isn't open, but that one's under construction )...

And pay attention to the shadowy figure on the grassy knoll. Sheesh! [edit] Seriously, though, it is cool that he made it safely over at least 22 of them. Still very entertaining and cool.

That jump was a thing of beauty. I had some drunk guy behind me in the crowd complaining about how some guy did a much longer jump, flipping through the air, on a dirtbike somewhere, and that this is nothing compared to that. Counter to his point, I asked him politely why, then, he bothered standing in a hot, crowded parking lot, at what was a very poor angle, to see a glimpse of someone attempting what he thought was a second-rate jump. I didn't hear much from him the rest of the afternoon. Viva Knievel! Viva Kings Island! The event was pure showmanship from a man who loves his country, his family, and his one-of-a-kind job! Absolutely memorable!

Thanks, WooferBearATL. I don't think it's too much on the contrary, though. I was a security guard at the Auburn Mall in Auburn, Maine, and I processed a young shoplifter who was caught red-handed by the store manager, and we turned her over to the police (following strict policy). Her parents and about 6 others showed up that day and threatened to throw us through a plate glass window, you know, because the smart alec little girl was such a perfect little saint. Talk about ego. You're right about poor parenting. I'm right about the ego factor. Failure to discipline children IS poor parenting, and it comes from parents wanting to be friends instead of parents to their kids.

KI is very clean. Most guests are 'pitching in'. There will always be those few rude people who will just hurl their trash into the grass, fountains, ponds, etc., but the yellow crew is right on it!

The reason for all the bad behavior is that fewer and fewer people have any respect for authoritah...I mean authority. We're about three generations removed from the days when parents could correct their offspring without fear of being shunned by society for 'bruising their kids' egoes'. Now, those unbruised egoes are doing whatever they want, careless of whatever others think. If they can get away with whatever they want growing up at home, what's going to make them obey a sign, or someone with a radio and a badge?

I didn't mind the $11 for the Bacon & Cheese Fries and Coke at Potato Works. The portion was huge, and it filled me up long enough to go buy a $20.99 Sausage/Pepperoni pizza at Larosa's under Vortex.

^Thanks, Avatar!

Well, Mrs. Thrill Biscuit had to work, so she dropped me off at Great Wolf for breakfast (she'd join me later at the park). I walked along the orange cones, over to the park, past the awesome Knievel speed ramp, with its four American flags waving in the perfect blue Kings Island sky. I looked over and saw the 24 clean, red trucks, so neatly parked with the jump ramp. Except for some security folks, there was no one else around. Everything was so quiet. It was like walking through my brother's Evel Knievel toys from when we were kids. I can't explain the emotion, so I'll be cool and keep typing... I knew this would be a memorable day. I have to say, I loved the return to 1975 in front of the theatre. I noted in another post that the actors playing the tourists uncannily resembled older versions of my family from that era, right down to the yellow trousers (my mom's hair was more of a passe beehive at that time, though, but still very weird!) Although they did the Hustle with the Hanna Barbara characters every 15 minutes or so, it never got old! We loved it! [it was neat to see the 70's uniforms, and those giant rose things, too!] Still don't like the new music they play on International Street. It does not go with the visual grandeur of the Royal Fountains and Eiffel Tower. It doesn't fit. I also noticed that the Grand Carousel is quieter than ever, and I don't recall ever hearing the train whistle all day. Maybe these things will return in time. The Knievel jump was grand and awe-inspiring. At one point, I noticed that, when the parking lot crowd got quiet, the Eiffel Tower (both decks packed with spectators) started eminating with chants of "Robbie! Robbie!"). The skydivers, giant American Flag, pyrotechnics, everything (except the bad microphone) was great. The jump was just magnificent to witness. (Later when I went home and saw how the jump was being reported around the world, I let out a warm, fuzzy "I was there!"). Very cool. Can't say much more than that. Went back in with what seemed like 30000+ other guests (who were all very courteous!) and enjoyed the rest of the day with Mrs. Thrill Biscuit & friends. PS: We started a kind of 'Vanna White' time lapse with the "Cement Pond" (using my cheap Kroger camera). Can't wait to see what this spectacular new thing is going to be... Best, Thrill Biscuit

I didn't catch on to the Hustle bit until I walked through, trying to get a picture of "Dino" and "Astro," and noticed that there were other 'characters' doing the iconic 70's jig (the gentleman in the hat with the Polaroid, and his "wife", eerily chanelling my mom from 1975....right down to the bright yellow pants!) Absolutely entertaining and original! Loved it! The Knievel event was very cool, except ...at ....icrophones..kept...utting out.....lot. Pure Kings Island day. Very memorable! -Tb

I live right in Mason, and I've noticed that this spring has had more cooler and/or rainy days that in recent years. I think you're right about the effect of the rising gas prices. People are pawning stuff just to pay for gas to and from work, much less for a leisure trip to an amusement park.

Such a simple fix for International Street. That one is a no brainer. I second that! Heck, some licensing and a few good "WGUC" CDs and voila!

I remember when they had the old "Sohio" signs on top of them. I kinda miss them, but the walk isn't really as long as it seems from much of the lot.

It'd be nice to see a couple web cams of the ol' park; or even a running time-lapse of the Swan Lake project from one of our talented, prolific photogs...

^Oh, yes... I forgot about guest behavior. I can imagine, after being spit on by some punk kids in line for Tazmanian Typhoon a couple years back, how people might behave on Skyride these days.

1. Der Spinnen Keggers (made famous by "Alice"); 2. Sky Ride (hasn't cable car technology improved since 1975?); 3. Skylab; 4. Keelboat Canal; 5. Original lighting on the ET.

Wow, I didn't know that. It must take a lot of skill, ingenuity and cheese.

When Evel jumped at KI, there were three major networks, public broadcasting and independent stations; pretty much everybody had fewer than 10 channels to choose from. Now there's like 500 channels. I'm sure the jump will appear somewhere, like, I dunno, ESPN 8.

^priceless!