KIfan73

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!!!!"

They must have felt that the discussions on here have gotten too boring recently. Nothing like some demolition to get the speculation rolling!

Based on the many posts about the food service staffing last season, would there be any reason to expect it to be any different for the photo department?

My first trips to Kings Island (early 1990's) were a lot like yours is going to be. No matter what, you're going to have fun. Take lots of pics.

The photo version of the Season-Long Dining Plan. What could go wrong?

I remember when "Days of Thunder" was new. It's one of the things that got me hooked on going to Kings Island.

Kings Island can brag about not only having more than 80 rides and attractions, and also the largest collection of empty buildings (especially during it's main season) of any amusement park. All kidding aside, do other parks have as many empty buildings sitting around as Kings Island?

I surely hope they soon add (especially the empty-during-the-regular season version of) KillMart quickly to that list of things they no long have/do.

It would actually probably be fairly shocking how much has changed if you took pictures at the present time standing within 3 feet of...2011.

Here is a picture from July 1992, just before Paramount took over (of course, at the time, I had no clue about who owned Kings Island):

One of the most amazing things about Kings Island is...that it's still operating.

Anyone else checking out the webcams on this beautifully unseasonably warm day thinking how neat it would be to take a stroll through the park today??

I'd say that's arguable. I flew to Orlando for IAAPA for like $29. Of course, a flight to a similar city a few days later could have cost me $450. It makes me wonder what the actual cost is to fly a jet 1,000 miles. According to this article, it looks like a 747 burns about a gallon of fuel a second...but it does also argue that jet travel is fairly economical.....

So, this becomes the new entrance, as well as an exit, also?

I have to wonder if the issue of employee safety is what really ended the trams. This is a much different world than in 1972 ( as well as up to and including whatever year they ended the trams).

I have faith that Kings Island has this new toll booth all figured out, but WOW, will that be a lot of traffic all going into that single entrance. Will the light for this entrance be at the intersection of (what I think is) the church across from Kings Island and Kings Island Drive? It is kind of unbelievable that Kings Island has operated all this time without a dedicated light at either entrance.

I have visited Kings Island around 40-50 times since 1992. I have never left the park thinking about how I wished they would fix the parking lot. If there's enough people like me, that might be why it's in the shape it is.

The main thing I took from that article was the different perceptions of those that wait in line (or queue). So much more attention to detail used to go into queues, and I can't help but think that has played a part in the enduring popularity of some attractions (and vice versa).