KIfan73

Thanks for posting these! I'm missing KI, and it's nice to see up to date pics of the park even though it's closed!

Great report and pics! Thanks for posting!

I have to agree with this. Just taking the park for what it is presently, without any comparisons to the past, I think Cedar Fair has it looking fantastic.

I think it would be interesting to be able to tour KI's various maintenance buildings, garages, offices, boardrooms, etc. I would think the planning of these various "infrastructure" buildings was as complex as the park itself when they built the park.

Very interesting post added today, especially for those into KI history!

Can't you just imagine this in the Museum of KI History - JD's photo's as mounted 11x14 prints side by side, with Hendricks fades playing underneath on a tv screen - all surrounding a scale model of the park from the early 70's. In the next room, various signs/ride vehicles/images from rides gone by, followed by ... Sorry, here I go dreaming again - although I still say it would be an awesome attraction. I think that would be a good theme for a nice sit down restaurant at the park. Kings Island Inn, perhaps?

Awesome! It's great to see a pic of this fairly undocumented part of the park. I vote for '74. I still can't imagine the reaction of the average park goer back when Kings Island was new. It had to have been totally stunning.

For some reason, every time I hear Rihanna, I think of KI. I have no idea why, I'm not even particularly a fan (but I do like some of her songs). When I hear her, it puts me right at the park. When I near "Umbrella", I always think of AZ. Weird!!

I've been wanting to comment on this topic for a few days...what a neat story! So, here on KIC we have someone that was in the park that day, and in the hotel! I'm really jealous...too bad there weren't cell phones back then...we might have a video now!

All rides use energy, some more than others...

Wow, all those driving attractions, and now they're all gone. It must have been all the rage in the early 70s. Given that I'm partial to those types of attractions, I'd pick 1974 all day long. Thanks again!

Gosh, this thread is both interesting and sometimes sad at the same time!

Is the '74 pic taken from the monorail station? Another great comparison.

Yes, I think they should.

I gotta ride scrambler sometime, I have never been on it. I don't think anybody considers the train a flat ride.

Well, this one is certainly hoping! There's a certain current popular thread on here that is doing a great job of showcasing a declining level of attention to detail in the park (having said that, I still maintain that Kings Island is a great looking park in its current form).

Viking Fury, for lots of reasons, not the least of which is its fantastic setting (can you imagine what a current installation of that ride would look like? Ugh.)

I really liked today's comparison. As for which year I'd pick, there's no comparison!

For those that have been to a Disney park, how have they changed visually over the years?

Wow, I never get tired of that video. Yes, I'll chime in. I think a lot of the old beauty of KI has been lost, although I still think it's a beautiful park.

Actually, lots of people can guess, and some already do know!

There have been some interesting posts in the last few days on the KI insider blog if you haven't read it lately!

I still can't believe that whole area was ever at Kings Island. It's just so hard to imagine. I did visit it once, but was too little to remember. It's fascinating seeing that area compared to today. Thanks again!

Is thread was just mentioned on KIPR's twitter!

That would have been fantastic. And, I'd say that most would agree that Diamondback is more fun. -KIfan73, who is not always in the majority