Thrill_Biscuit

Not having someone to go along with me has stopped me on some occasions (wife working, friends unable to go, etc.) It's boring (and a bit creepy) going to the park without family or friends to make fun of as they react to the rides.

I know of a great, "Toobular" MST3K Song video out there that would describe some of the ways people dress in public these days almost perfectly. Because this is a mostly decent site, I'll leave it up to you to search it out on your own. Hint: hats.

With trains that look like snakes? Now come on! You gotta think that's not unimaginative! "Boring?" Are you by chance a fighter pilot? (I've always sought their perspective on land-based thrill rides.) Well, okay. Add a batwing and a couple loops.. that oughtta round it out.

GWL for the adventure feel. Marriott by the ghost of Biggs in Mason, or Embassy Suites in Blue Ash for quality.

I get a little irritated by men screaming like bee yotches on tame rides (even more so than by their ubiquitous entourages of giggling groupies that encourage them to keep on going with it). Then again, who am I to dictate how people should have their fun... soooooo: [Voice of Steven Tyler] ♫♫ Scream on, ah, scream on, ah, scream on, aaaaaaahahahahahahahahahaha! ♫♫

Drop a kid from a train to get your hat...I see what the "Indiana Jones" franchise has done to the American psyche. But seriously, folks, day-yam! That has got to be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard! I mean, how is that guy even smart enough to have a job that allows him to afford admission to the park?!? Oy! Glad the kid's ok, but, again: Oy!

Hey, Album Reviews is over in another thread! LOL that they crammed into the dryer, though. I guess the photo booths don't have that added element of "danger."

I'd get the details back onto the BLSC "Mini's," but I'd completely re-theme the ugly, urban LA dock theming with something more 'Autobahn' (faux mountains, trees, etc.); The Grand Carousel band organ would be restored to its original glory; The Clock above Festhaus would be restored; Ambient music would be theme-specific; I'd park a flying scooter ride on Zodiac's footprint(!); Eiffel Tower would get a good sand blasting and fresh coat of paint (looking a little 2004-ish these days ).... DB's splashdown would have some dynamic lighting effects at night (but that's not really necessary, because it always looks darn impressive!)

When I was a young kid, and we moved from the relative serenity of my birthplace, Mason, Ohio, to the loud, urban maelstrom of suburban Detroit, I suffered from homesickness and often expressed my desire to return to my home by drawing the Eiffel Tower on everything...Etch-A-Sketch, drawing paper, making it out of wood blocks and Legos (obsessed much?) I was like the people in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" with their [although implanted] fixation on Devil's Tower, Wyoming. Teachers and social workers picked up on this, and tried to talk me into accepting that I might not return for many years. I kept believing, though and, through circumstances in my parents' lives, finally moved back to Mason in 1980 with much peace and jubilation. First stop: Kings Island, where I got to go up into the tower for the first time in a long while. I can't explain how special that was, but to a kid it's pretty neat. I never visit the park without at least a stop at Tower Drinks. The tower, as well as the whole park, is a landmark of happiness in my otherwise stormy young life.

If you've ever stood in front of the antenna on a microwave radio when someone keys the mic, you won't want to stand in front of it again. [ I think he thought it was an alarm bell; but well said of the ill effects of direct, near-transmitter microwave exposure. Fries, anyone? (Kidding. Something called a rectenna is supposed to remedy such danger).

Personally, I prefer the grandeur of seeing the fountains and Eiffel Tower to the strains of a good Elmer Bernstein, Erich Kunzel or John Williams piece, than to those of "Losing My Religion" by R.E.M. ... juz sayin'

^^BIG ELO fan here. Big fan! I agree about the modern music trends; however, there are still some great, lively and upbeat hits from across the last five or so years that I don't mind hearing over the speakers ("Hey Soul Sister," "Fireflies," "Firework," "I Get a Good Feeling," "Hollywood," and others of that kind... stuff that doesn't sound 'sad').

I guess, from a pure business perspective, it would make sense that if guests had to shout a lot to be heard, they may become thirsty and want to buy more drinks or ice cream to soothe their throats.

I was in the park for about 4 hours last week, and about 80% of the time some really sad-sounding stuff was being blasted out over the speakers; minor chord progressions, funeralistic and somber tones with growling, angst-ridden lyrics that finally depressed me enough to want to leave. Kings Island used to sound like a festive, happy place, with beautiful, relaxing, up-beat music that was theme-oriented. Now it sounds like going into some store at a shopping mall. I guess it's generational. Who knows what it will be like in another 10 years. I could get both political and religios right here, but I'm aware of the TOS, so suffice it to say I'm just going to cherish the memories I have of a time when this park was truly an escape from the world.

That looks like the pog-flippin' summer of 1995 haircut

...And we liked it!

Great trip report! New style of metal detectors? I haven't seen them yet. I picture the rectangular walk-through ones with SGs using "wands" to augment them. Are the new ones more invasive/time consuming? I hope not. -Tb, who has come to hate traveling b/c of certain, progressively more stringent security practices...

I think it's possible that there are people who are terrified of coasters, but have no fear whatsoever of Drop Towers. I've seen stranger things: one friend of mine loves loves loves Delirium, but is absolutely petrified of Viking Fury. Go figure.

Captain Picard to the Bridge! There is a facepalm approaching at warp 8. ...On screen!

Well, it's never too late. Get back up there and fulfill that long-deprived experience. Ride Pet Check, my friend, ride it well! Seriously, that's a funny story. Makes me wonder how many people thought they were riding the "Lunch Basket" in 1972! LOL (The map of Kings Island that year had the name of that nearby eatery positioned very close to the Scrambler...)

Our guests don't surprise me anymore. Then you should see Disney World when the roudy South Americans come around, its "Brazil Brazil!" all around the parks. Oh, they're just asking for directions, that's all. Viva Brazil!

Why just stop at two billboards? Go New York, baby! Do like they do in Times Square, where whole sides of buildings are covered in LED panels! Now, that would look cool on the front gate!

you voted for it because your initials are tb!!! I never even caught that! (I guess I never wanted to have a screen name that could be abbreviated the same as Paramount Parks...)

Taft Broadcasting!