coasterdudeOH

My condolences go out to his family too. I vaguley remember his show, but the character he played I won't forget. I remember his saying, which I cannot replicate, nor can I spell it out. (it's like blah blah blah). Also, I noticed the censorship on this site is working well since it censored his first name.

Go Beast! I agree with shadow2k3. I think The Beast is what made PKI known to everyone. I hope when I'm retiring in 30 years, it'll be up and running and still the longest wooden coaster.

PKI Homey: Yes, there was a Captain Caveman character at PKI. I, too, remember the characters as I grew up with the HB era. I also agree that PKI should bring some of them back.

I voted for Beastie, but all of you Scooby Doo fans, Beastie used to be called Scooby Doo.

I voted for The Bat. I remember when the first year it opened, I was amazed how anyone could ride below the tracks. And how those cars swung so high..higher than Top Gun. The Bat puts Top Gun to shame in my opinion.

I remember when it first openend and climbing that first lift hill seemed forever. My mom and I rode front seat and wow is all I can say. If I recall (because I was 12 then), the second tunnel was actually 2 tunnels at that time and I don't believe the helix was enclosed. Anyways, I do remember waiting in all of those queue lines for hours just to ride it. Happy 25th Birthday and many more to come!!

I still have the web cam bookmarked on my PC. Here is the URL: http://www.pki.com/attractions_webcam.jsp

And I hope we never get a parking lot coaseter. But if we do, I know that PKI would theme it and landscape it better than Scream! at SFMM.

I remember this incident as I was at band camp when I heard about it. If I recall correctly, it happened in the helix portion of the ride. No one was killed and it was just a wheel, which made the train stop in its place.

I remember riding it its first year. I was 17 and yes, I was nervous. It was a stand-up with a loop. That is all I was thinking about when we started climbing the lift hill. Also worth noting, the helix portion had water. I believe when you went around the bottom portion of the helix, water shot up. You never really got a chance to get wet, except for windy days maybe, but the idea was cool. After years of riding other stand-ups, KC was a hurting machine as others have mentioned. I do miss it, but not the pain.

I wish I could go but have other plans this evening. Everyone who is going tonight will have a blast. The last year I went was in 2000 and all coasters were basically walk-ons. One thing I am happy to see this year is the HB-Lnad being open. Kudos to PKI and the GLBT center for adding that portion to the list this year. For next year, bet your pants I'll be there....boyfriend or not. Hoepfully I'll finally will have one by then. Oh, and like AZ Kinda Guy mentioned...bring a sweater and even rain gear as I have heard storms are rolling in this evening. Have fun!!

I second that! I miss the Fest Haus (sp?) shows. It was very entertaining to sit down and eat in AC. Nowadys, it's boring.

Viking Fury is by Intamin. See link below: http://www.pki.com/attractions_rides_featu...ured.jsp?id=874

I remember the monorail and do miss it. My only reason for riding the 20 minute ride was the air conditioning. During those hot days, it was nice to cool off on the ride. I didn't like the idea of paying for it when they started charging, but hey, mom and dad took care of that back then.

There were no deaths associated with The Bat. Those are only rumors to scare people.

What more can I say. I voted for The Beast. Why? I remember riding when it opened. I was 12 and boy was I scared going up the first lift hill and hanging over looking into that tunnel. Today, it's pure enjoyment. Especailly at night, it's the best coaster for night riding.

I waited 4 hours for FoF it's first year (1996). When I got in line, it was down the midway heading towards Vortex.

TTD with Delirium in 2nd place.

There are a few I miss: 1) Enchanted Voyage -- I can't seem to get that song out of my head. 2) Barvarian Kurve (sp?) -- This was that sled ride that went in circles. As a kid, it was neat. 3) The Bat -- I remember when I first saw The Bat and was scared s***less. I was afraid we would fall out.

I believe it's because before PKI, we had Coney Island along the Ohio River and when Coney Island was getting ready to close, the new park is in Kings Mills, I believe they named the new park Kings Island.

If my memory serves me correct, I believe the Rotor was next to the Barvarian Beetle. If you look at the map, you will see a circus type canapoy next to the Barvarian Beetle and that is the Rotor. I remember my mom and older brother riding it all the time as my dad and I watched from the top looking in. Finally one year, the last year it was in operation (year??), I rode it and loved it.