KIfan73

I have a vintage KI postcard with that image on it. One of the best shots I've ever seen of KI, IMHO.

I ran the 5k on opening day in 2013 and remember how neat it was to see that fence and all of those signs, especially knowing the speculation it would ignite once I logged on here!

I would probably be so annoying to be around if I ever visit KD. I would be stopping every six inches trying to take in the differences (and of course photograph) between it and KI.

One of the things I really liked about Dinosaurs Alive was that you could take a walk in the shade. It could be my imagination, but when I walked through it this past summer there was virtually no shade on the entire path...would they really remove trees just for the sake of removing them???

Here is a Google Maps Street View look at that area previously: Because when you're a complete Kings Island nerd, you look at Kings Island during the off-season with Google Maps Street View, it's what you do.

I remember going to my first job interviews, and being unbelievably nervous about it. The best antidote I found for this (and still find it important) is to dress for the occasion. It's an unbelievable confidence booster.

A truly unbelievable phenomenon. In the middle of southern Ohio countryside. Something that virtually has no chance of ever being reproduced (many have tried)...

For those that watch the shows where they fix up cars, I think that Paramount/CBS were more "Pimp My Ride", where Cedar Fair is more "Overhaulin". On PMR, they would put tens of thousands of dollars into the stereo system and paint and interior of a car, but usually do nothing with the drivetrain, brakes, etc. On "Overhaulin'", the whole project began with stripping the car completely down, basically making it better than new. Paramount/CBS did some very flashy, attention-getting attractions, but, I bet if the truth were known, largely neglected Kings Island's infrastructure.

I really do think that Diamondback was a positive (and necessary) addition to the park, but the location has just always seemed a bit awkward to me. Could be because my brain is so used to all the "big" coasters have traditionally been located in the north side of the park. Banshee, for example, just (at least to me) feels like it's in the "right" place, like it has always been there.

At one point, this was my favorite thing at Kings Island. I remember not having any idea what it was the first time I rode it. However, I have to wonder what could Kings Island be like now if the money spent just on this and Son of Beast were put into general park improvements/theming??

The problem with 'Tiques is that they aren't cheap to operate given their gasoline engines. Oil prices are lower right now than in past years, but that's still a significant cost. And it's very subject to change. I'd be surprised to see parks install new ones in this day and age. I guess you could use electric motors... But a 'Tique that doesn't spurt and putter like the carbureted engines of old is hardly a 'Tique at all, in my book... This argument against the antique cars always seems to come up. I would think that the cost of gasoline to operate those cars would pale in comparison to the costs of constantly dragging a coaster train up the lift hill (as well as slowing it down and stopping it) on something like Diamondback or Banshee (or any major coaster). I would also hate to know how much electricity is used during every cycle of something like Drop Tower.

Ok, so we know they're changing WWC's queue, and that they're building a new funnel cake stand. It doesn't seem like either one of those necessitated the tearing down of the old elephant ear stand, or did I miss something?? This isn't to bemoan the destruction of the building, just speculating.

Looking back, when I first started going to Kings Island, one of the things I found so neat about Kings Island was how many of the attractions were kind of "hidden away", and were so well integrated into the landscape. You didn't really know what to expect, you kind of just followed the path.

I visited Cedar Point once, and I've been to Kings Island probably almost fifty times.

Lots of interesting posts on KI's Instagram this week....

There's some work going on behind the train station...in the woods that looks very close (through?) the queue of WWC...Has there always been that much (of what appears to be) clear cut woods in that area? https://www.visitkingsisland.com/online-fun/webcams-7315_34349

Looks like some work going on next to RHoFG, across from the train station...https://www.visitkingsisland.com/online-fun/webcams-7315_34349 **edit: I'm looking back and forth between the webcams and Google maps...it looks like Rivertown games and the basketball game are both gone...hard to tell exactly, though...

I was considering whether to renew my pass for next year. Even when I decided to go to the park on closing day, I was still on the fence. That was until I exited I-71, got on Kings Island Drive, pulled into the parking lot, and started heading for the front gate. I had to keep myself from running to the Gold Pass processing window to renew for 2016. I'm a tough sell on lots of things, but (so far) a season pass to Kings Island isn't one of them. I will have to admit that seeing the Kings Island Resort SBNO is a big downer to see just before entering Kings Island.

I've always wished for another long terrain-hugger like The Beast, but maybe in steel. I've just always enjoy going out through the woods. It would be neat just to be able to "explore" another wooded area of the park. **edit** I didn't read enough of the preceding posts. Looks like I'm not the only one with the same idea!

Wow, the park that they describe sounds like a place that I wish I could visit!

If this were to be true, I would think it would take a parade of paving trucks running from now until opening day to get it done. That's one large parking lot. I'd hate to think of how many miles of highway that thing would be equivalent to.

Surprised I haven't seen this tweet mentioned anywhere (I may have missed it):

What's that saying that's been thrown around on here a million times? "People gotta play soccer".

As I read through this thread, I can't help but (hilariously) envision a group of reporters shoving microphones in to Don Helbig's face: "Can you tell us more about the demolition of the funnel cake stand in Rivertown!?" "What is the nature of this project??" "What does this mean for the future of White Water Canyon!?" "The public is just wanting answers!!!!"