KIfan73

Banshee, by a mile. While it's well-documented on here that I'm a huge Kings Island enthusiast, I think I've been coming to KI the last few years mostly for sightseeing and sentimental reasons. I wasn't even all that interested in Banshee, to be honest. I came to Kings Island to run the 5k in May and decided to give Banshee a try. Completely blown away. Haven't been that pumped for roller coasters since I rode Vortex for the first time in 1992 (when I was 19). Banshee seemed to almost literally turn the clock back for me. Love the location, the theme, the trains, the lift hill, all the elements, the sound, and the gift shop. They truly hit it out of the park, in my opinion.

IMHO, the fountains would probably come in dead last (or at least close) on the list for things that need changed/upgraded at Kings Island.

My uncle purchased a VCR at around that same time, and we used to go visit him. It seemed like it was probably about 2 feet wide, 2 feet deep and probably a foot tall. Playing a movie you want to see - anytime you want to see it!? He may as well have had a space shuttle in his front room. He also had one of the 9 foot diameter satellite dishes in his backyard at around the same time.

That's the most vivid image I've seen yet of what it was like to be in the park way back when. I've always wanted to see what the shops looked like during the early years. Amazing! Thanks! Edit: I also want to say your father must have had an extremely advanced video camera (for that time period). The picture quality and the sound are incredible. I've got a pretty good set of speakers set up on my computer and it sounds like I'm right there. For the young ones...In 1980, it would have been extremely rare and expensive to have even owned a VCR in 1980!

What is it about July 24!!?? http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/24760-standing-within-3-feet-of-1974/?p=446132

If the timeline is similar to last year, we should be within a few weeks of finding out when Kings Island opens for the season! I am seriously looking forward to Kings Island opening back up, maybe more than ever.

Without hesitation, I have to say Top Gun. For the initial ride/theming, as well as just the many years of providing an awesome experience due to its longevity. I also have to say something about its placement in the park. A lot of people complain about the queue, but that's something I really like about it. Something about walking the far distance into that area of the park is something I always find special about the ride. I think its one reason I like Banshee so well. For some reason, I've just always really liked that area of the park.

From this past October (2014):

As I've said before, I would think that the fountains and Eiffel Tower alone would qualify as a "world class" attraction!

Thanks for posting these. Can't believe I finally got to see a POV from the WAH/LCS. Got to ride it once. In 1975. When I was 2 (but have no memory, of course). Thanks again!

While it may be a dream for many of us on here, I can't imagine there would be that many people that would want to live so close to a major amusement park.

Should we have already figured out the reason for the revival of the Italian Job thread?

I've seen this sign for it for 20+ years on my way to KI. It's kind of fell into the category of some other things that I'd like to see in the area of Kings Island...do I really want to sacrifice time at the park, which is the reason I've driven 1.5 hours, to visit this? Off topic, but I was kind of shocked to see the big Bob Evans close to Kings Island was closed!

I thought my days of riding roller coasters over and over again were done years ago. I'm so thankful for the new rides like Banshee and Diamondback. I rode both of those all day long a couple weeks ago with no pain (I'm 41)...just got up the next morning and went to work without feeling a thing.

Except for one visit when I was too little to remember, I've only visited Kings Island as an adult. I really feel, though, for all those people who have memories of a certain era. I definitely would have been in the H-B era, and know how much the child version of myself would have liked to have seen it during the '70's and '80's. I think this thread brings up a good point. Look at Disney. I'm sure you can still see things there that you would have seen as a child 40 years ago. I think parks like Kings Island are missing the boat when they trash so much of their past, although I understand much of the trashing is due to legal reasons.

Better check the cams today. They move fast!

I believe the park said something to the tune that they were going to cater more to families. I'm afraid they are.

Banshee without a doubt. I'm so looking forward to riding it next year. I don't think I've ever felt that way about one certain ride.

Well, it looks like it's fate is sealed. This is really too bad. The Kings Island Inn/Kings Island may just as well been Disney World when I was growing up. In case you're wondering what kind of place it was in years past, here are some pics from a menu from the "Alpenhorn" restaurant inside the Kings Island Inn from 1980: Sorry about the sideways photos. I've tried several times to rotate them in Photobucket, but they just keep coming back like that.

I thought the blacktop around the Tower was looking pretty sad when I was there last weekend.

I'm glad for everyone on here that loved the Eagles that a form of them are coming back. For me, personally, though, I never caught the fever (along with Phantom Theater). However, if a new version of Skylab was coming back, look out! I'm also really looking forward to the Starbucks, the yogurt and candy shops, and for SR&R coming back.

Banshee, without a doubt. Completely renewed my interest in riding roller coasters. It took me back to when I rode Vortex for the first time 22 years ago.

I was there opening year. There was no Starbucks on International Street. No but plenty of outside vendors.

Starbucks nostalgic? Really?? On another note.....some of you are hard to please. Yes, I really think it is. Take a look at a brochure from Kings Island's opening year, and see what fills several of the shops on International Street.

I'm really excited about the new Starbucks. This is actually a very nostalgic addition to Kings Island.