KIfan73

And here is Action Zone/Lion Country Safari:

I tried my hand at "blending" the '72 pic, and one from the present

For some reason, I find the time of transition from Coney to KI very, very interesting, and have read everything I can find about it. I bet that really was awful when they closed Coney. I wasn't born yet then. However, I can only imagine how bummed out I would be to hear that Kings Island will be closed down, with just some of the rides moved to some field somewhere.

This picture reminds me of Firehawk's queue!

^I was actually at the park on...June 23, 2000!! Do you have any more pics from that trip?? On the subject of history...even though I find the Banana Splits a little disturbing, this site banana splits at KI has some good shots of KI and Coney. It was a link listed on KI's wiki site.

When I see Diamondback's nearly finished station, I can already almost feel the sweltering heat and hear the cursing, chain-smoking teenagers I'll be waiting in line with to ride it!

I'm no expert, but I can't help but think that it may be a long time before anyone opens up a new amusement park in America. I'm also more amazed each day that Kings Island went ahead with plans to install Diamondback. 2009 may be a banner year for KI not just because of DB, but because of the fact that the park still exists.

I'm looking forward to seeing DB in the flesh. I see these pictures, but I really can't wrap my mind around it. It makes Vortex look like a kiddie coaster, and I've always considered it "big".

I can't believe HRP already came and went. During my several trips to MB over the years, I always thought it would be a great place to build a new amusement park. I caught the special on TV about the building of HRP. Has a park that was opened to the public ever went down so quick?

That is a GREAT picture. I also liked the one posted in the Diamondback thread. Thanks for sharing.

I, too, am working on completing a Master's program, as well. For much of the past year, KIC has been a place that I brake for a break, so to speak...

Wow, now I really wish I had made it to a Winterfest. That's amazing. Actually, that was very nostalgic.

And if you ask me, its neighbor is would be a great candidate for a top-Flight transformation.

Sounds like a great ride. I've never ridden Medusa, but redesigning an already exsisting coaster sounds like a great way to provide a whole new experience at what would seem to be at the fraction of the cost of a new installation. I wonder if Kings Island has any coasters that would be a good candidate for a re-do...

You know, speaking of large additions to the park, I have to think what it was like to see the Tower and Royal Fountains being installed initially. Actually, I'm taken back by them a little everytime I visit KI. Imagine watching them being constructed in a field. In southern Ohio. Just so people can walk around and enjoy them. Its really amazing how lucky we are.

From what I've learned over the years on this site, many parts of a coaster are re-worked or replaced during its life span. I noticed that you were pretty quick to ask Beast1979 how he knew that all the wiring was done. Merriam-Webster defines construct as: to make or form by combining or arranging parts or elements. By that definition, I don't think that Diamondback's 'construction' is really ever completely done. The lift hill appears to be 'finished', but that doesn't mean its parts or elements will never be re'arranged'. The line between done and not done can be a little blurry, especially given the fact that we're all watching the majority of Diamondback's construction from a remote webcam feed.

Until its removed, it doesn't seem like the construction of a coaster is ever really finished.

^ That is a good point. Have people always done the stupid things at amusement parks that we see now? It does seem like that every new attraction has to become a little more "bulletproof" than before.

Just paid through Paypal... Boddah1994 gigacoaster2k Gordon Bombay Mr. 3000 beastfan26 flightoffear4thtrain Raptor66 CoastersRZ violakat03 cincyboy79 Brian5475E +3 Mabye skaterboy22101 Longlivethesmurfride Cory Butcher coasterguy15 iChase Beast man Beast1979 IBEW_Sparky KIFan73

^Imagine from now until next July 1.

With it being approximately 0 degrees outside right now, I was fondly browsing through some summer pics here on the computer. I came across some from my trip on July 1 of this year. The high temp this day was 80 degrees (I looked it up)-gas had just busted the $4 mark, if I remember right, as well. Anyway, I thought with the weather the way it is now, it is neat to look at how much things can change in a few months. It also makes me look so forward to 2009. Enjoy! And no TR is complete without a shot of these: You know its summer when you see the fountains! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I had problems last night. One page took probably 5 minutes to load.

I enjoy going to the modern day Kings Island, but when I see old videos or pictures, I almost get sick to my stomach. Only to be able to visit KI circa 1970's!

This Banana Splits movie shows some vintage KI scenes:

Diamondback's track always looks like wet spaghetti to me. It must be the minimalist support structure. Having never ridden a B&M, or followed the construction of one, this is a whole new experience for me.