greendragon991976

I was at an amusement park in Panama City Beach back in 1993 and I thought the flatrides they had there were pretty unique. The flatrides were inside domes and there was music blasting and disco lights. It really adds to a great flatride!

KI didn't keep record of outside contractors from what I understand

LOL. I don't know if outside contractors count!

He was an employee for several years. But I think KI is going after the fame concept in the fact that Rich works for WLW radio now

Do you know who Gary is now?

I just Met with Gary Wachs this morning. He wanted me to come and see him because he wanted to tell me the news in person. Go Gary! I'm so happy for him.

AGREED!!!!!!! 1 million% with out them ......enough said without them we would be inducting Fes Parker! LOL

My pick would be Gary Wachs founder of Kings Island and Charlie Mechem the man who took the risk at Taft Broadcasting to put up the money to build the park. Nate Byrum

To answer a question. The background behind Gary Wachs during the interview is a concept painting that was supplied by International Theme Park Services. However, Since Gary was sitting on the left side of the screen I had to flip the image so that the tower was on the right. So the original image is reversed from what we see in the documentary.

Did anyone notice what was being autographed by the Brady's during Nate's interview with them?

The way Public Television works is by your support. When PBS says "supported by viewers like you" we count on you to let your public television know that you like this type of programming.

KI Documentary help? CET is trying to gauge the response of this documentary so if you liked or disliked the doc. please leave a comment on the bottom of the CET webpage. The Riding History to the Limits video page with all 9 video sections there is a comment catagory at the bottom. This also helps determines if we can have copys made! Thanks for your support. Nate Byrum

I'm sorry if the links are having problems. You can go to cetconnect.org and look in the history and science catagory it will be posted there.

CET would like your stories of Kings Island! At the bottom of the page http://www.cetconnect.org/KingsIsland/ please tell us your KI story in our comments box. Thank You for your support! Nate Byrum WCET-TV Cincinnati

"Fun in the making" was a film reel Dennis Speigel had found in the attic of his office when I started doing the documentary. I had it transferred to beta and mini dv as well as DVD for International Theme Park services and it is on their website as well. Thank God we found it before it got lost forever. Dennis gave CET permission to use this footage in the documentary. It was produced by the Gunselmans who were well known film guys in Cincinnati. The Gunselmans also shot the introduction to WKRP in Cincinnati. I about crapped my pants when Dennis called me with the find.LOL AWSOME find

"Fun in the making" was a film reel Dennis Speigel had found in the attic of his office when I started doing the documentary. I had it transferred to beta and mini dv as well as DVD for International Theme Park services and it is on their website as well. Thank God we found it before it got lost forever. Dennis gave CET permission to use this footage in the documentary. It was produced by the Gunselmans who were well known film guys in Cincinnati. The Gunselmans also shot the introduction to WKRP in Cincinnati.

I am thrilled that all of you are finding the documentary entertaining. I want to thank all of you for your support. CET is now raising an eyebrow to the fact that there is programming that can be done that the public is very interested in. No matter who owns it, Kings Island will always have a special place in our hearts. Sincerly, Nate Byrum WCET-TV Cincinnati

I am hoping next spring after we see how well it does in broadcast. If the program is popular and well received, we would then have copys made and with a donation to CET or Think TV they would be a gift to that donor in appreciation for their support. The DVD's should be in BlueRay because the program is HD. Otherwise the website is an alternative for watching but of course no HD on the web, sorry.

Think TV and CET are one company since we merged last winter. Both cities have their own stations but we operate together under the umbrella title Public Media Connect. Anything we create in Cincinnati can be used for broadcast in Dayton also.

Just finished the synopsis of all of the sections, here they are: Segment 1 you have posted Segment 2 Breaking Ground In this segment of Riding History to the Limits Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel discuss the overall design of the park. Gary and Dennis discuss the purchase of a cornfield in rural Warren County, the design of different areas of the park, and the routing of traffic to and from the park from the newly formed Interstate-71. Segment 3 International Appeal In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we explore the birth of International Street at Kings Island. Gary Wachs talks about the new pay one price admission system, inspiration for the buildings on international street and live shows at Kings Island. Dennis Speigel discusses the designer of International Street, the fountain, and the Eiffel Tower. We are also introduced to Walter and Nancy Duff, employees who met at Kings Island, and Jack Rouse who coordinated live shows. Don Helbig tells us about the many celebrities who have worked at Kings Island. Segment 4 Opening day 1972 In this segment of Riding History to the Limits Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel discuss the Chaotic opening day in 1972, the financial projections for the first season, and the mid-season rush of park patrons. Segment 5 Coney Mall In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we take a look at Coney Mall, the newly developed reproduction of Coney Island, to be built at Kings Island. Gary Wachs speaks about his meeting with John Allen and the design and construction of The Racer rollercoaster. Dennis and Gary discuss other rides at Coney Mall, and Dennis Speigel and Don Helbig talk about the Brady Bunch episode filmed at Kings Island in 1973. Segment 6 Name that Toon In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we take a look back at the most popular and expensive ride at Kings Island. Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel tell how working closely with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera, made this part of the park the most unique attraction in this region. Other rides in Hanna Barbera land are discussed, and Don Helbig talks about the transition to Nickelodeon Universe. Segment 7 Rivertown In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we find out what spawned the idea of this historic section of the park. Gary Wachs and Dennis Speigel speak about the original rides in Rivertown. While Walter and Nancy Duff, along with Dennis Speigel, speak of the creature that grew out of the woods in 1979. Segment 8 Two Beers, Please In this segment of Riding History to the Limits we look back at the almost extinct Oktoberfest section of the park. Dennis Speigel and Gary Wachs speak of the festivities in this area, while Walter and Nancy Duff reminisce about the rides of Oktoberfest. Segment 9 Wild and Untamed In the last segment of Riding History to the Limits we discuss the wild Animal Safari, Timberwolf, and the first launch coaster, the Screamon Deamon. Don Helbig talks about other attractions that have come to the park since the opening in 1972 like Winterfest, the water park, and Halloween Haunt. Gary Wachs reflects back on his creation.

Hey Kings Island lovers, this is Nate Byrum, host of the Kings Island documentary "Riding History to the Limits". I'm glad to see everyone is excited about this program. We are scheduled to launch on Friday for the web. This is the full length version that will be launching on Friday. A broadcast version will be be coming next spring, but will be a shortened version. I will be editing and looking for closed captioning funding this winter. The good news is that it will be broadcast in HD. The recent footage I shot in HD but the documentary mixes images of photography, 8mm, and old betacam video footage. I have been working on the project since August 2008, because the park means so much to me and patrons like yourselves. PBS loves to give the public local shows that they will enjoy! I did not have a script and did not know what I would find when I started this journey, but I followed a story that became more and more interesting as I peeled the layers back and uncovered the heart of Kings Island. I hope all of you enjoy the program, and remember there are many ways YOU can support public television! Sincerly, Nate Byrum WCET-TV Cincinnati