KIfan73

Love it when they post things like this! I've always wanted to see a pic of the undeveloped field that Kings Island sits on now.

I sure hope that's temporary. One of my favorite things at the park, and I seek it out every visit.

Those videos are fantastic. I have some family members that haven't been to the park since the 70's, and pics don't do the park justice. The videos really give the feeling of what it's like being there.

I haven't been through my KI stuff for awhile, and came across a couple more items with the original logo...two of everyone's favorite items to remember their Kings Island visit: a shot glass, and an ashtray. Also, it doesn't sport the first logo, but the map pictured is from, what I understand, the opening season.

Just wanted to share a few things I have with the original KI logo...the glass and the salt and pepper shakers are vintage. The shirt was sold at Kings Island just a few years ago that lists original attractions. I've worn it to the park a few times. I've had associates ask me about it; a few thought it must have been vintage. it does have 70's vibe to it. Since the original logo was from the Coney/Kings Island continuation era, I scanned a Coney brochure that is from its final season. It doesn't have the KI logo, but it does reference the "new park".

Slightly off-topic, but after all these years (decades), seeing the Eiffel Tower "towering" behind the entrance gate like that still gets me every time!

Those were absolutely fantastic photos. Some of the best views of the park during the early years I have ever seen. My parents took me once in 1975 when I was too little to remember (didn't start going regularly until 1992), so these views of the park always fascinate me. The early years of Kings Island were definitely its most beautiful, and I definitely think its currently much closer to its original condition than it was 15-20 years ago.

Another from Haunt 2007:

Haunt 2007:

I'm wondering at what point will they check your reservation - entry gate? Parking tolls? Entering the lot? Kings Island Drive? What will they do with people that drove hours to the park and have no reservation? Hopefully they have plans for some "security" in these situations (Sorry folks, park's closed unless you have a reservation!).

Anyone else wondering how and when they filmed that video at KI?! That would have been a pretty extensive production. It couldn't have been too long ago that they would have had the "green light" to do this. I saw at least the Carousel opening. Looked to be a lot of covid-related safeguards already installed, looks like they've been preparing for awhile.

The mask situation has become interesting just based on my local observations as various business continue to open up. Two weeks ago, 95% of everyone I saw had on a mask. A week ago, roughly half. In the last few days, I have rarely seen anyone in a mask in a store or restaurant, except for employees that are required to wear them, and most of them have been sporting the trendy "chin masks".

I couldn't have said it better myself! MT feels like it had the similar amount of thought put into it as the original construction of Kings Island.

I check the webcams here and there, and this is the first day I have seen any activity. Several work trucks visible at various locations. Hopefully it's a good sign!

Does night time at Kings Island get much better than this?

I got the survey yesterday. It is very in depth, and had some very interesting questions, along with various possible scenarios for re-opening.

Interesting stuff: Forest conceals long-forgotten amusement park, a 1930s Dayton hot spot

Very interesting, if true. I thought for a long time that Swan Lake would make a great setting for a coaster (that is while keeping it an actual lake; not draining it before hand).

If nothing else changed about current conditions related to the Coronavirus (possibly wear a mask, do your best at social distancing, etc.), but Kings Island was "magically" able to open tomorrow (and it was up to you if you wanted to go) would you visit?

Wonder if Cedar Fair will follow Disney's lead....Beast-themed masks, anyone? Disney’s Cloth Face Masks

The article that was posted a few days ago said they would need six weeks to get up and running. If they were told yesterday they could open, that would put it into mid-June. That would be less than eight weeks of daily operation. If they are given the green light on June 1, that would give a mid-July opening date - providing less than a month of daily operations. The park would have lost April, May, June, and half of July - including roughly eight weeks of daily operations representing a massive chunk of their business. I've never operated an amusement park, but I don't see a way of it making sense to open this year. And, no, I can't believe I just typed that.

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I've been on these forums since 2004, and just wanted to point out that this is one of the best posts I've ever read on here. This is the kind of stuff that has brought back here all these years!! Fascinating!

Fantastic story and letter!! Thanks so much for sharing!!