standbyme

Here is a booklet/handout that I own...sorry I don't know the year. Front Inside Back By the way Ty, I forget to tell you thanks for all the hard work you put in on your Google map illustration...that was also very informative.

EDIT: Sorry...nevermind. I didn't realize how far back I was quoting!

Ty, A truly great read...the photos were just the icing on the cake! I learned quite a bit. Would someone verify something for me... in the "1981 overview of area" photo...that is the beginning of Festhaus being constructed in the lower left-hand corner, correct?

My checklist post was just my attempt at humor. The only "thrillseekers" who these statements should offend are the ones that it rings true with. If you are not one of those you should be able to laugh it off. (Just like the majority of "normal" ACE members must do.)

After reading CedarPointer's definitions of an enthusiast and families I was THRILLED to EASILY fall into the family catagory. I don't know why...but I don't like being thrown into the enthusiast catagory. (Maybe because we have been told over and over how little their opinions mean.) I was all happy until the Interpreter said most families weren't "hyper-critical"...my family is...so now i'm not sure what I am.

I have already mentioned that my nephew will all about seeing these dinosaurs. He has already gone through several phases in his short life so far...including trucks, Star Wars, sharks...and now it's dinosaurs. So the timing is perfect on this one! I would like to point out something that someone who doesn't have a little one might not realize about Kings Island...although they do have lots of kids rides...they do not have a lot of rides that a parent can ride WITH their child if that child is less than 36 inches. Until you are in that situation you probably wouldn't notice how little there is to ride. (Not counting Boomerang Bay) There are only 9 things that can be done together...and that is if you count "Snoopy's Splashdance" and The Eiffel Tower! The other 7 are: "Boo Blasters" "The Grand Carousel" "The Character Carousel" "The Monster" "Kings Island & Miami Railroad" (Which Is why I would like to see some theming return.) "Snoopy's Junction" "Woodstock's Whirlybirds" Now if you spend a day at the park that means that you are in for several re-rides if you want to do things together. Don't get me wrong, I can have a great time just watching the kids having a good time...but I think it adds something for the kids when their parent can share in the good time with them. I am looking forward to this attraction and hope it lives up to the $5.00 cost.

And according to the video on the parks website, the dinosaurs are "Hand Craved!

I'm guessing that the Cedar Fair execs fought this part of the attraction with it's creators..."Are you SURE they had trees back then?"

I agree...this site needs some new blood. (And if we had some more active mods it would be policed enough where the "right" n00bs would be disposed of quickly...no offense intended to you Robbie.)

I don't ever think I have seen that painting...that is great!

Oh the irony...I STILL consider the "only" 50 odd years old Peanuts irrelevent with the kids...but the MILLIONS of years old dinosaurs to be just perfect for them!

I for one could not be happier that it turned out to be dinosaur related. One of my nephews is all about them right now...so this IS a nice little big surprise.

Ah humor...so American!

I will only make one observation...did you notice how the park didn't choose "Kings Island's #1 Fan site" to "hype" this news...we had to find out about it elsewhere. (And I won't even comment on the lack of excitement from the mods...out wait, I did.)

^Truly a different time period. I can never see a white belt without thinking of Herb Tarlek from "WKRP In Cincinnati"...maybe the character's backstory was that he worked at the park before the radio station and kept the belt!

That blows the ride time on The Beast out of the water!

I agree with you though, once you would reach the top it looked (and felt) like your were headed straight down! You almost had to be dared to go through with it. I know what you mean. I hate heights. (But I have overcame my fear mostly.) Back then when I did this it was sponsered by Nestea. They had a big banner saying "Take the Nestea Plunge"...so even after the banner was gone that is what we always called it. Anyway, on my first time doing it...which I was only doing it because everyone else I was with wanted to do it...I was in shock when I got up there and saw that it looked like you were just pushing yourself off of a cliff. You really couldn't see even a hint of the slide! While waiting for my turn I noticed that the female op would give the kids a push over the edge if they asked. When it was my turn and I was sitting in the water waiting to go I was talking to her...I told her I hated heights and really didn't want to do this...so would she mind just giving me a shove when it was my turn to go. She looked at me a little surprised....but she said sure....but then she said with genuine concern "You gotta promise not to grab me and pull me down with you"! It is still one of my most memorable moments at the park. After that I did ride it a few times everytime we went to Water Works,but it was never because I personally liked it... but at least I never had to be pushed off the edge again.

A day late...but I resized and tilted both of the photos Paul provided so that they matched...then I erased the area where the full tunnel was back in the day just so I could get an idea for myself of where it was. (Sorry if it bores anyone but I found it interesting. )

^After all these years I never actually studied the postcard that closely...thanks for ruining a piece of my childhood.

^could be...but I personally think trees must be like Kryptonite to Cedar Fair execs.

Eventually someone who has a better memory than I will supply the answer of when the first part of the tunnel was removed...but Paramount is not responsible for putting the tunnel to rest, Cedar Fair is. The (half) tunnel was still at the park through the 2007 season...it was gone when the park opened in 2008.

I'm surprised that you would phrase your question like that knowing how it might be answered.

There are only 4 things that I still remember vividly from my very first trip to Kings Island ever...the site of the fountains & the Eiffel Tower as I entered, riding the Rotor & The Enchanted Voyage (over and over) and walking underneath the vine covered walkway. As a kid I didn't comprehend how they made the plants grow in a tunnel shape. (Which made it even more amazing to me.) That is why whenever I see a tree...or in the case of Cedar Fair lots of trees removed I grieve because landscaping IS a big part of the magic of the park, even from the point of view from a kid. Paul, thanks for the continuing cool photos.