74Gibson

^ My thoughts exactly. It just makes you feel the old days too. I was born in 77 and that is the KI I remember adoring as a kid.

I think it's a cool thing. KI is using what they have available to them and... They contacted our members directly. If we help them with some images they want, don't you think they'll be more kind to us in the future. Wouldn't it be even cooler if they designated which wallpapers were provided by fans... not hired professionals. I'm not so sure when "if you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" became a bad thing. They're compensating you with a beast tour if you win. If we can make PR's job easier, maybe they'll spend some free time organizing another RWCW (dream)...

I just really want to see what fresh blood in CF management will bring to our parks. Hopefully decisions will be based merit and worth and less on personal desires.

Don't temp me, I'm a highly skilled conversation derailer

Kings Island is a place I like to go and ride rides, enjoy the scenery/ ambiance and hangout with friends and family.

Exactly, now public edu. is completely worthless I guess I was referring to the old thinking but what does that leave us with today? Traditionally, public schools reward complacency, a simple input output method of productivity. The teacher is the experts and the students should sit attentively and then reproduce and add to what they've learned. These are not the skills desired in our current job market. CEO's from many business sectors tell me they are looking for people who can follow orders and routines but also appropriately challenge the system for positive growth. They want working partners with good character, strong work ethic and a desire to grow. Not someone who can just sit still all day processing and producing information. Besides, even federally funded research shoots gaping holes in many commonly used public school practices. It is simply a horrifically inefficient system with too many pressures and too little funding. For many of our children, it is unfortunately a very unhealthy environment and until another place is found for them, nothing can truly "fix" our public education system.

Sometimes dust takes a little time to settle... especially when stirred up by the winds of change

I wonder if benches were relocated for DA

but why would they need those skills to work in my factories and buy my goods? Someone (collectively) is breeding automotons.

You're thinking too much about the quality of education. I honestly believe that is not the true goal of public education.

Here's what I want to happen... whatever keeps KI vibrant and their visitors happy. If Crypt isn't hurting anything, leave it. If it needs to go, goodbye. It was amazing as TR:TR but that is a memory... nothing more. My head would spin if I was trying to decide on... fix the problems of SOB and TR:TR. I would also take it as a lesson learned. KI is an amazing seasonal park and does not need to push the limits of competition, especially with parks that have year-round attendance.

Thank you so much. Other than youtube and this site, no single thing has kept my daily attention like this thread. You have truly outdone yourself J.D. and I am incredibly impressed. When you started this, like you, had no idea how well 2011 KI would do in my votes. I tend to be a nostalgia guy myself but am realizing that, as I grow, I love the hear and now. Besides, KI has come a long way in the last few years on over-all experience and ambiance within the park. Many of the 11' shots would not have been nearly as nice without some of the recent revamps/ upgrades like pavers and rebuilt/designed midway areas. I must say, it's really impressive and I can't wait to see this progress continue... by moving BLSC to the go cart track and filling the area with a family traction surrounded by lush landscaping and many trees. Then revamp the Tower Gardens/ Paramount story area and do something with the large pile of ginormous toothpicks behind the relocated BLSC. Sometimes I hate waking from dreaming Now, would someone please publish this work in a coffee table (large) format. Side-by-side 74'-11' with some commentary would be awesome. Thank you again JD for all the joy, forgotten memories and good debates you've given me. I was glad to be at the top of the politically correctly alphabetized credits (not that I always start screen and band names with a number so it's at the top of lists ) Edit: to correct autocorrect David

I purposefully waited to ride Voyage for the first time after dark. I mostly played around on Raven all day and ws left wanting for NOTHING. Truly an amazing ride! Then, I had a Holiwood nights worth of amazingness before I ever saw anything after the 3rd drop on Voyage

LOVE the video. Raven is my #1,#2,or#3 coaster at HW (but never #4!)... depending on my mood and how they're running. Safety standards, manufacturers recommendations and parks fear of litigation have gotten... crazy?! It's odd to think that they must consider how to avoid someone being able to willfully hurt themselves or someone else. Have you seen the video of the guy crossing a chute the chutes track to get his hat. How many fences were installed because someone got hit by a B&M invert. I'm sorry but, how do you let yourself get in the way of a train that freaking huge and loud. I feel horrible for the kid but... OFF SOAPBOX

I want to be a me Just sayin' I greatly appreciate the work done on this site but can most honestly say that I only use KIC for forums... and LOVE them! I used the main site constantly, when it was new to me, and it was great. EDIT: to add... I can't imagine anyone putting in the amount of effort JD has though. To do that for anything other than passion sets a very high bar for work expectations on here.

Actually, riding it without the swing sounds about as fun as my last... experience on the Crypt. Similar seats too!

Launched wave pool sounds fun... as long as the bottom is smooth at the shallow end

I was a major part of getting historic looking signs and poles added to my historic neighborhood but (lock-n-load JD), some of the landscaping in those 74 shots would be so gaudy today. Times change. The Coney Mall in 74 says "beauty and guest experience first" as a means to draw you back for another visit. I know for most its about the rollercoasters and none of this matters, but for some that's not all that matters when they visit. I just worry how much more vegetation will suffer in order to serve the almighty dollar in years to come. In any case, you can see this kind of landscaping (or lack thereof) just about anywhere...boring I would have loved to see the sculpted ginkgo trees return to this part of the park during this last seasons revamp, but more-so I hope the landscaping will be highly regarded in the future! bold added for emphasis I like the point you make. However, I go to parks to ride rides (in a beautiful environment), not the other way around. In 74' it was the other way around (for other guests, I wash't born yet). I'm glad KI management noticed that change in park-goers or KI may not be as successful as it is today. That said, KI has lost a tone of atmosphere, probably equal to the positive impact of the recent upgrades to Coney Mall, Planet Snoopy, Rivertown (kinda like that new coaster too-great theming . 3 years ago I would agree completely. Today, I think KI is on the right track and I give them my confidence (based on recent improvements to atmosphere). As far as- How much more vegetation will suffer for the almighty dollar... Come on, Greenhouse grown annuals aren't nearly as good for the environment as all the trees that have filled in- Tress that are still there in the winter and coming years and don't require all the nasty chemicals to keep nice like manicured landscaping. Look at aerial photos and I'll defend KI for keeping vegetation any day! BTW, I've driven a Prius since 06' and worked for a citizen's lobby on environmental issues.

Which I had a hunch of during the event and (at a somewhat unfortunate cost) I definitely made the most of it. That was definitely one of the best weekends of my life... and tagging yr car was a blast Unreal. I also went out of my way to thank and get to know Don as much as possible.

I knew someone so amazingly wise must be insane and now I have proof Those trees took away from KD for me. Honestly my friend, I am so sorry I had to type that. I didn't realize we lost those lights, it hurts. I was a major part of getting historic looking signs and poles added to my historic neighborhood but (lock-n-load JD), some of the landscaping in those 74 shots would be so gaudy today. Times change. I love reminiscing though and do agree that things have been lost that SHOULDN'T have been! Imagine this, 1977 KI in today's world compared to 2011 KI in 1977. Which do you honestly think would draw more people? Technology and engineering are cool, they give us great toys!

To be fair... that box looks horribly ugly, so ugly I'm surprised I've NEVER seen it. Times also change. KI was formerly about overall experience, an escape to a beautiful get-away with attention paid to every detail and some great rides. Now it's more about having a bunch of great rides, a national trend. It can be said that KI has so much else going on that the green space we're looking at isn't nearly as important as electrical access, perhaps for ambient lighting and other guest experiences, IDK I genuinely believe (based on the trend of in park improvements) that KI management really cares about ambiance and landscaping and really look forward to continued improvements. Thanks again for all your work. I can't imagine the hours you spent setting up these shots, oh and running this thread too

And that's what we call the one in the jam room:) He seems happy as the Reggae/rock band mascot

I honestly just sit here and laugh at how amazing this is and... well we'll see whatever becomes of it but if it isn't at least published as a book of side-by-side frames, well... KI is leaving some easy money on the table! Edit to add: If I worked for the local Chamber of Commerce I would want it, especially for tourism advertisements and conventions and stuff.

Everyday, I save this topic for when I get to my MacBook One of those funny things that probably 1/2 of us here do. J.D. Ki should give you a free pass or something for this. Even if your... nostalgia leaning

The tunnels are nasty. It doesn't matter if they're clean or not. For me, they totally spoil the mood coming back to the station. I really like all the green in the 2011 photo though! ... and still love The Racer, of course!