KIfan73

It is confusing, because when other things have vanished from the website, they did not operate for some time. But were they closed, or just not operating? Ah, the off-season!

By the way, Action Theater would not have to be removed to make room for WindSeeker.

No doubt, wouldn't be the first time. However, the wording in Ryan's post struck me as a little odd. Why not say that Action Theater will be open for 2011? Or that the park has not closed Action Theater? But, to say there are no plans to close it for the 2011 season seems to allow the park for some wiggle room. If I had a store that I really wanted people to visit, and was asked if it was open, I would shout "Yes!!". It would seem a little vague to say "there are no plans to close it for the next week".

Due to the placement of WindSeeker, the entrance and exit will almost certainly have to be diverted from their current location. Many here noticed that it was removed from the official website a few months ago, though an administrator here who is in direct contact with the park has assured us that it is not being closed for the 2011 season. That being said, it's removal from the website seems to indicate (to me at least) that it's changing (perhaps a new ride film), though I certainly don't know for sure. I just can't imagine any other reason that it would be deleted from the site if it will be open next season. We shall see! If you're referring to the same post I read, that was on November 23, and said there were no plans to close it. On November 23. I suppose that means they could have decided to close it on November 24, or later.

Not sure that is it, but I am wondering if they feel it would not get much viewership to be worth their time? I think it would get quite a bit of attention. Apparently, it's enough to shut down other, even much larger, things in the park.

Dodgems..aha. Even though I have so many pics of that from overhead, I couldn't place the building (doesn't help that I've only rode Dodgems once or twice). Another shot of this area from 1972: And, for good measure, 1992:

What's in the old Flying Eagles spot now?

It may not be a technical problem; the manager may just not approve of the viewing experience.

A-ha, thanks. Very interesting! The sad thing is that I probably walked over those bricks, but just can't remember it!

Thanks! So, I'm confused. Did the "Coney Island" section of KI used to have red pavers?

I love that pic above...Can anyone tell where it was taken from (to get that angle)?

Can't wait to take a walk on those pavers.

continued...

I came across this album a little bit ago from a few years back...It was a Saturday morning during the fall. Some clues to some Winterfest prep going on. Sorry about the lack of pic quality, was my old digital camera.

On the subject of guest behavior/expectations... I am a season pass holder, and normally, visit the park by myself. Given this, I simply wake up one morning, decide to visit the park, and take off. No big deal. Since I have a gold pass, each visit I make technically makes each visit cheaper and cheaper. If I paid $70 for a pass, and visit even three times, my entry price (including parking) has been $23.33 per visit. I can barely go out and eat for that much. Those of you that visit many, many times in a season, your "cost per trip" would be much, much lower than that. The point of all of this, is that I'm probably not going to get upset about something small like a ride being down, someone incompetent at a food stand, etc. Now, let's look at somewhat the opposite of the spectrum. Let's say a family of five have made their one trip to KI, maybe only once every few years. They've probably gotten up very early and have had to get kids ready, go out and eat, etc. Often these people get their tickets at the front gate, and have shelled out $10 for parking. Just to get into the gate they've already laid down possibly $200. Just inside the gate, they may need to rent a stroller or two (don't even know what those cost now). On top of what they've just paid, they're also wanting their family to have a good time, and don't want let down. Of course, in this situation they're not going to let anything "go". Ride down? Major hassle, they might have just drug their whole family across the whole park (and yes, were probably too busy with the kids to read the sign out front). Person at the blue ice cream stand rude? Another major hassle. They're as much a part of the kids' entertainment as the rides are. Now, for someone like me, the cost for a trip to the park probably totals out under $50 (gas, food, maybe even a souvenir). The family's trip could easily be several hundred dollars just for the day. I know that if I was in the latter category, I would be raising much more heck with the park than I do now.

I haven't seen anyone mention this video from KI, but I thought it was pretty good...would be excellent to show someone that's never been, or if it's been a long time... <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKdBSIJWNkY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKdBSIJWNkY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKdBSIJWNkY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Good point! Some of the most well-known parks in the world achieved that status through things other than roller coasters. And in my opinion, some of the best parks in the world have one or two great ones, if they have any at all! I can only go on what others say and old pictures and such, but it seems like there were lots of different things that initially contributed to KI's alleged "on the map" status.

I don't think that rides are the only things that could put Kings Island on the map, assuming it is presently not on the map...

I looked for my trip report for that years Winterfest but it has disappeared into the mists of time. (Too bad, I would have liked to relive it now.) Is this it? (something's a little messed up with the formatting).

I was just gonna post the same thing..."Imagine Winterfest"...how mean...that's exactly all I'm able to do, is imagine it!

Awesome pics. Makes me a little homesick!

Maybe park guests could run on electricity-producing treadmills while waiting in line!

Wow, that's a little scary. I've thought about the exact same thing.

Who says CF doesn't do theming? Have you seen what color most things on a real flight deck are? Not bright red, that's for sure.