KIfan73

That's funny. I took some pics of the same area when I was at the park last Monday. Has there ever been a Haunt here? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I always wonder what it's like for Kings Island workers when it reaches that point, like a switch turning off, that people just stop coming to the park...depressing or happy to see the busy, busy time come to a close?

It kind of seems like they have forever to get this thing done (April 2017), but I roughly figure 240 days (only ~160 if they take the weekends off). Not a lot of time to build an entire wooden coaster and have it ready to open to the public.

as best as I can see it: "3 OFF E/P II MEET (some circular symbol) GRD II"

It was fairly soon after the entrance.

I saw these stakes while walking through DA yesterday...

I'm pretty sure that, earlier in this thread, I raved about Banshee. For good reason. It's a great ride, and it's something the park needed. I had similar feelings about Diamondback when it was new. On a related note, for the past couple seasons, I have more than willingly waited in long lines, if needed, for The Beast, Racer, Adventure Express, and The Bat. Along those lines, I'm eagerly looking forward to (project) 2017...and beyond...(will I be in line for it beyond 2017?...I'm thinking there's a good chance of that!).

Best addition to the park since Adventure Express.

Best announcement in my 25 years of visiting the park. Exactly what I've been hoping for.

Looking forward to checking this out on Thursday. Also heard that some type of "announcement" would be happening that day, as well.

That looks like a '64 pickup they are using...the year that Kings Island was conceived (according to Wikipedia)...Origins???? <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

And a big thanks to everyone who is re-posting the content here for those of us who can't keep up! Very much appreciated !! I opened a Snapchat account just for this reason. Other than reading KI's Snapchats, I still have no idea how to use it!

Here's to hoping this is just a rehab, and that it's coming back! One of the few really relaxing rides in the entire park.

Call me crazy, but I think this is one of the more inventive events the park has come up with. I'm really going to try to be there for it next week.

Here is a great shot http://www.KICentral.com/photos/displayimage.php?pid=2175 of the Swan Lake Winterfest '05 preparations from right here on KIC. Wow, I don't know if I've ever browsed through that photo album before. That's a stunning amount of work they went to for that event. I guess maybe it paid off, as some have suggested....

What was Fascination? It was really cool to come across that. I may have been the only person in the park that day that would get excited about something like that, but I love finding stuff like that. I would think that box would be almost as old as Kings Island.

Since this thread is talking about Oktoberfest, this seems like a good place to put this. I noticed this while walking through Tower Gardens two days ago. I apologize in advance if this is already well-known. I just don't remember ever seeing this before. It's on a power unit located in TG.

Just read about that in my e-mail a few minutes ago. Well, that's one (completely unexpected) way to appease the bring-back-Winterfesters!

Beer is most definitely not free at Kings Island now.

One thing Kings Island could do is to build Winterfest-specific structures (special shopping, dining, Santa Claus houses, Christmas-themed walkthroughs, etc.) that may or may not be used the rest of the year...it's not like it would be an unprecedented move.

I finally made it back to the park since my only other visit of the season, which was the Gold Pass preview night. I'm going to start off by saying something about the new entrance. The only other time I've used the entrance was during the preview night, and I entered from the south, as I had spent the night in Mason. Yesterday, I entered from the north (left turn), which is the normal way I usually enter the park. I've read about some confusion on here, and figured it was probably kind of exaggerated, and that I would have no problems. Luckily, I did make it in the right way, but just BARELY!! I can't believe how "unmarked" the turn into one of the world's largest amusement parks is!! I could easily see how the cars should exit there, but, just at the last second, I realized that I needed to turn into that section of pavement. The car just in front of me completely missed it, and had to make nearly a complete U-turn and turn LEFT into what is the right turn entrance for those entering from the south. Really, completely unbelievable. Now that I said that, that was really the only negative aspect of the day. I really had only planned to stay a few hours, but I ended up leaving at 6pm, nearly 9 hours after I arrived. This was truly one of the most enjoyable trips to Kings Island that I've probably ever had. Started the day of with The Beast, then AE, Racer, Bat, SR&R, and possibly the best ride of the day...Congo Falls. Hadn't ridden that in a few years, but it was easily the funnest thing I did all day. Of course, I had to ride the Train to check out the construction. Attempted to ride WWC, but it had the longest line that I've ever personally witnessed, so I passed on that. Also went up in the Tower, enjoying the much cooler atmosphere up there. I also took the opportunity to see a few shows. I watched "Let It Rock" while I ate lunch. I really enjoyed this. The music was everything I listened to as a kid. I also checked out the dog show at the International Showplace. Really enjoyed this one too. Then I made the 3:00 showing of Origins. This was the first time I watched this, and also enjoyed it, as well. Some pretty amazing stuff goes on during that show. I had dinner at RHOFG. The service was pretty amazing. They brought my food out within just a couple minutes after I ordered it. I even remarked that they were faster than McDonald's. Below are few random pics from the day: Landscaping Was cutting through Tower Gardens, and took a double take when I saw this on a power unit located there: Not sure if I have saw this mentioned, but this was rebuilt, with the original bricks being replaced that surround it: construction: Being the Kings Island history buff that I am, I spotted these on display in Starbucks (these are two, there were a couple more): They don't make them like this anymore: Live music at, IMHO, a really hidden gem of an area of the park: First time I've seen this open in my 24 years of visiting the park: Still a huge fan of the Dinos: Wore my Apple watch today. First time I've ever documented how far I walk in a day at KI: Thanks for reading!

Those fireworks glimmered like a diamond. Back when there used to be a nice like there.

No, but I did watch the (evidently non-functioning) splashdown a few times!

Just got home from KI...can't believe I didn't notice that!

Number one song in April 1972: