KIfan73

They need pavers around the Eifel Tower area. Hope that's part of the announcement.

I really wish Kings Island would bring back really nice, suitable for framing, collector's maps.

I think much of what we're seeing in education is simply a result of supply and demand. You see stories of kids in other places walk for miles to learn in a hut, because there is nothing else. In America, you can barely show up for class, not turn in a thing, and there's office after office of professionals waiting in line to intervene to ensure you eventually receive a diploma. Money keeps being poured into it, but when is that ever the answer?

Had not planned at all to go to Kings Island today, but decided at about 11 am, that I would go for it! Arrived at the park at about 1. The weather forecast didn't lie, this was a spectacular day to visit the park. I renewed my pass for next year, and received my first-ever Fast Lane Pass! After using it for the day, I can't imagine going without one, which I will, because it would be pretty expensive to buy one every visit! I would like to take this opportunity to talk about Banshee. I can't believe how much I like this ride. If you've read my posts in the past years, you know how much I appreciate all of the historical aspects of the park. While I still definitely do, I think I could now spend every visit doing nothing but riding Banshee. I love the queue, the ride, and even the gift shop. I wasn't really all that enthused when this ride was announced and was being built, not sure why, just wasn't. I have to say now that riding Banshee turns me into a 10 year old kid. It has completely renewed my interest in riding roller coasters. Banshee's Fast Lane line was the place to be yesterday. Many of the other rides FL lines were getting fairly long, some of which I chose not to wait in. Banshee's FL line was a virtual walk-on all day long. I rode it 6 times in a row, and total of 8 times for the day. I actually tried Diamondback a couple times yesterday thanks to the FL pass, as I haven't rode it in a few years. I'm sorry, but it just doesn't hold a candle to Banshee, in my humble opinion. Another neat thing yesterday was checking out the doggie event. There was even someone with a dog in the Gold Pass purchasing line. As someone who loves dogs, I thought this looked like a really nice event. If my drive wasn't as long as it is, I would have loved to have taken my dogs. I'm glad I got to go this late in the season so it won't be quite so long until my first 2015 visit! I'll let the pics do the rest of the talking. Enjoy! Arrived!: Have they had this date on here all of this month?? Wish they could go into this much detail for a Christmas themed event: See you in the spring, Kings Island!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like Kings Island, at least, has kind of backed off on the "nothing is off limits" marketing the last couple of seasons.

Just found some photos from a trip in October 1994. A photo from the front: For those of you not familiar with the Resort, you can get an idea, from this angle, how many rooms are in just one of the front buildings (that I have circled in pink in the photo below): A shot of the old sign, along with the bus waiting to take guests CLOSE to the front gate, back in those days: A shot inside:

The last time I stayed there was last year. That's the first time that I felt like it was just a bit "rough around the edges". While I don't doubt that there have been some people have some bad experiences, it isn't a place you'd walk through and think that it is dilapidated. It is just so (sorry to use the word again) sprawling, that all the small maintenance things it needs kind of adds up. I hope someone on here may have some more in-depth pics of it in its prime.

Yeah, my mom gets a little ill when she sees what GTOs go for at Barrett-Jackson. She bought hers nearly new from her soon-to-be brother in law who worked at a Pontiac dealer at the time. 1970 GTO Judge Ram Air III 4-speed. I guess in the early '70s none of these cars were really worth anything as insurance rates began to soar. She sold hers for $1500 (in almost new condition) in 1973 or '74.

An overhead current shot of KII/R: It's always amazed me at what a sprawling complex the Inn/Resort is. When you look at an overhead shot of it, you can see it really quickly (and every section visible has two stories, I believe!). When it was the only show in town, it's size would have made sense. I've wondered how, for the last few decades, it has been able to support its footprint. I don't know how hotels rotate which rooms they rent, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's entire sections that haven't been used in years.

For comparison, here are pictures from 2013:

Whether the good old Kings Island Inn/Resort gets demolished or not, it probably deserves its own photo thread. Here's what I've got: These are from 1972, from a visit made by my mom, aunt, and uncle (before I was born!): From the parking lot (it really doesn't show much, except for just how much there wasn't across the street):

No, no problem at all!! I hope lots of people posts pics they have of the KI Inn/Resort in this thread. I have some more from over the years I'm going to post.

^I was gonna post my pics on this thread. What a shame. Another thing that will disappear from the "original vision" of Kings Island. The pic with the two girls in it are my mom and aunt. Both pics are from 1972. It looks like it would have been quite the experience to visit the whole Kings Island "resort" back then!

I'm 6'4" and I've rode it a few times without problems. It's actually a really good ride. It would have made a nice addition to the "regular" side of the park, except for it's low capacity.

When The Resort opened, was it the only hotel around?

Wow! I have to say, I would really be sad to see that happen.

Wing it Friday nights...I know I can't be the first one to giggle at that...considering where you'll eat them!

I had almost forgotten that I acquired these tickets a little while back...supposedly these were purchased during Coney's final weekend of operation. Either way, I felt really lucky to get these little pieces of history.

That is part of what's confusing me - if you looked at that view from the same angle today, wouldn't the Int'l Street shops be visible? I was under the impression that all those buildings were constructed before the park was opened and weren't part of any expansion. It'd be great if KI posted "throwback" pictures every so often. I'm fascinated by that Taft video about the park's construction, wish more stuff like that was around. i think that pic is actually in front of the entry building, before you go through the gates.

That's definitely a rare view of the park. Looks like its from a fairly early time in the park's history. It drives me nuts when I think how many historical pics the park itself probably has in it's archives!

I know I'm not the only one that has noticed how much Kings Island's history has been highlighted in various social media posts this season (both by the park, and other related accounts ). This makes me kind of excited for 2015!

I actually purchased that episode from iTunes. That's a real gem. I watch it every once in awhile on my iPad or Apple TV (or iPhone for that matter..pretty small picture though). Picture quality is outstanding. It gives many great views of old Kings Island, including the Kings Inn.

I was looking at those gravestones this summer and thinking how all the thousands of people that go past them have no idea of their significance!

Kings Island must bring in dump truck loads of money during Haunt.

That Galaga game is a real gem. I played that a ton back in the 80s. Only a quarter, and no line. I played it for about 20 minutes for one quarter last summer...talk about an 80s flashback!