rlentless

Actually homestar92, that is exactly the kind of Sentimental Memory I was hoping to read. I regret putting (non-ride) in the topic. I just simply meant not what is your favorite ride because its 300 feet high type of thing. I am sadden to hear both stories of friends passing away. But it sounds like you both have a special links still living through Kings Island to those friends. I hope it brings you comfort in years to come. Thank you for your memories.

I would really like to hear some of your Favorite Sentimental Memories of KI . . . non-ride experiences preferably but can be feelings, smells, sounds, etc. of a ride or attraction. Mine is the plant covered tunnel that ran between International Street and Rivertown. I was 5 when Kings Island opened and that tunnel was like a magic pathway in my child’s mind. I do not remember if it was there when KI opened or was put in later. But I distinctly remember always looking forward to going through it walking back and forth. It fascinated me because as I walked down International Street hearing those sounds of IS music, the water fountains, the dolphin show, the Eiffel Tower and the crowd walking around me. The smells of fresh bread, cotton candy and I think even pizza. Then I would enter this beautiful green (magic) tunnel with gentle sunlight peeking through. It was very peaceful and quiet inside. I think I remember planters and benches where people rested. It just felt very tranquil and magical. Remember, I am talking about a child’s mind where everything was much grander. Then I would come out to the other side and hearing Rivertown music, the screams and splashing from Kings Mill Log Flume. Then the steam and whistles of trains from the KI & MV Railroad . . . and distant gun fire from the cowboys and Indians. The smells I remember was chicken (or meat) coming from the Columbia Palace Dining Hall. It was a special magical tunnel to me . . . almost like teleporting between two very distinct different worlds. I love the big rides and look forward to riding Banshee, Beast, Diamondback and others. But that feeling of being somewhere magical and away from our normal world is what appeals to me most.

I believe the Stricker's Grove "Electric Rainbow (Round-Up)" came from LeSourdsville Lake. I thought I remember somebody from KIC got permission to walk around and take pictures and mentioned that ride.

I do no remember what it was called but I thought the Flying Eagles equivalent at Americana (LeSourdsville Lake) was fun with decent snapping action. It was located close the the Screechin' Eagle queue line. www.negative-g.com

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2014/01/20/worlds-tallest-waterslide-is-higher-than-niagara-falls/?intcmp=obinsite

that's great . . . thx TombraiderTy. I had completely forgotten about the Beaver Dam. Didn't trees use to fall as they cut them down?

curious . . . was the track layout altered when Waterworks was added to the park? As a kid in the 70's (and I know everything seems larger than life as a child) it just seems the ride was much longer. I know it use to involve actors, battle seens with cowboys and Indians . . . and I believe it even stopped once or twice. But still, I just remember the track layout being longer. I keep looking for old brochures that may have the old track layout but none really show it before Waterworks.

Sad to see . . . looks like a good park to have visited when openend. http://beta.news.yah...0517-slideshow/

Maybe they should rename the WindSeeker to "Area 51: The Ride" . . . with all the mystery, rumors and folklore flying around (no PUN intended). With mystery parts arriving by helicopter at night, 'Men in Black' seen in the crow's nest but elusive, water dummies being tossed about the park and now a mad scientist/engineer who is the only capable person to program this tower of terror. I guess it will open when it opens.

Well, I will add some more folklore to this topic. On Sunday night we were one of the last rides on The Beast (it was awesome), so it was very late when we got off. As we were walking back to the lockers by The Vortex exit and WindSeeker, we were stopped by 3 security guards at the pathway after LaRosa's heading towards "Backlot Stunt Coaster". They told us this part of the park was closed but allowed us to go to the lockers and an escort security guard met us on the Coney Mall midway. The escort security guard told us that there is only 1 person who can program the 4 WindSeekers. He was at "Canada's Wonderland" the past two week and "Kings Island" is second on his list and will arrive in Cincinnati this week. Hopefully it's true but we will see.

Maybe I am off base but concerning the AE rating . . . I took this to mean it is rated 5 under "Family Rides". But if Kings Island had listed it under "Thrill Rides" then it would have recieved a rating of 3 for example. Same as BSC, it is listed under "Family Rides" as a 5 but move it to "Thrill Rides" then maybe it also becomes a 3. Because I would not rate AE and BSC as a 5 to equal the Diamondback or The Beast of all were listed under "Thrill Rides". So if comparing the DT with a rating of 4 under "Thrill Rides" this in my opion would be a higher rating than AE being a 5 under "Family Rides". This is just how I interpreted the ratings . . . right or wrong.