jbeast

A new theme to that area of the park and two new flat rides...what's not to like? Even though I probably cant ride either one of them. I cannot, nor ever have been able to tolerate spinning rides. Even though I've tried, but my rides on the Rotor, Scrambler and a tilt-a-whirl in the past taught me and people around me that my equilibrium just doesn't like that spinning motion. Ha! Being from a predominately German background, It'd be nice to see Oktoberfest expanded someway. But, can't always get what you want. I do like the Dark Forest idea for Action Zone though. There is a ton of potential there. As someone who's grown up with the park since it's inception, I'm so loving the nods and attention to KI's past recently. It shows people that make the decisions do really care about the park. I've said that, as a kid growing up, the park always had a 'magical' quality back in the late 70's and 80's...current management has certainly brought a lot of that feeling back. I have always been so proud to call KI my home park.

Oh, The Rotor...I remember an unfortunate evening riding that after stopping at White Castle before heading to the park. Not my best moment! Ha! And a Kenton's Keelboats poster I would buy as soon as it would go on sale. I absolutely loved that ride!

My long lost Flying Eagles! And I agree, Viking Fury would be cool too!

That spot has been my sanctuary when trying to keep up with my teenager who runs me into the ground when we go. After a riding for awhile, a good beer and comfy chair under the Diamondback lift hill is needed...ha!

My son and I visited later that day around 5pm or so with the plans on staying until close. But the lines were insane...the park was packed! So we opted to leave around 7:30 or so. Love the park. but the lines for everything including the Tower were long! And, I saw more line jumping in one afternoon than I have ever seen since going to the park...big groups just jumping into the middle of a line. it was especially bad in Mystic Timbers que. We both saw a ton of line jumping waiting the hour plus to ride. Both my son and I were getting very annoyed by it since the line was already so long. I'm a big guy ( 6'4" 230lbs), but I never feel comfortable confronting people who line jump and especially in big groups doing it like last Saturday. I'm hoping KI has a plan to deal with this, cause it's only a matter of time someone is going to get mad and it escalates from there if it keeps happening like it did that day.

That is a stunning photo! brings back so many childhood memories as a small kid when the park first opened. Just beautiful! Thank you to the KI team that is taking so much pride in the park and its history to do all this for the 50th season...geez I feel old all the sudden...ha!

Just wow! So happy to see this! I cannot wait to see it in person. It'll remind me back to the days in the early 80's as a kid when Racer, The Original Bat, Beast and Demon ruled the park, (and the Flying Eagles too!).

Red Summit; That's what I'm thinking too. Cause by 10:05 that's the same error message I got when trying to purchase another ticket.

I got in on the waiting list and probably around 10:03 I was able to purchase. It took about a minute or so. Went into my other laptop to buy one more ( I forgot to add another shirt size), and was already seeing the season pass page when I clicked buy. So it seems, maybe the waiting list to buy was full already by around 10:05.

Yes I saw that too. Right at 10am the button vanished when I refreshed my page. I went into semi freak out mode. I had my other laptop open and I refreshed there and the buy button showed up. So I used that one to make the purchase.

Yeah, I was in the waiting que to buy for maybe 30 seconds. Got mine processed fast and then went to my other browser window to get one more ticket and the buy package info came up, but once you chose shirt size and clicked, it took me to the season pass page. So, guess the waiting que was full, cause no go on that second ticket I tried to get 10 seconds after getting mine.

I tried to get another ticket right after I got mine and it was already sold out. it would let me pick shirt size, but when I clicked purchase, it took me to the season pass ordering page. That took maybe a minute after I got mine. Whew! Glad I got in!

Got mine.! Wow they went fast!

I rode Ghoster Coaster way too many times with my oldest who is in his twenties now. I t was extremely low capacity but unique at the time. It was a tight fit with me being 6'4" and him in the seat...not the most comfortable position to be in to say the least! There were a couple hard brake stops at the end before the station if I remember correctly that were kinda brutal on a certain part of the body...ha!

As a person who absolutely loves this park so much, it hurts my heart to see some of the videos of the fighting that happened. This is a place of families and happiness and great memories made. And now this, makes me sick to my stomach. What is going on in this world? I never thought I'd see this type of behavior at the park...I just don't get it.

Wow! 15 minutes! Can't believe I was able to snag one. Love this event! Thanks to KI for holding the event this year!

I ordered the King Cobra nanocoaster as soon as I saw it was available! I remember riding it a ton...at one time it was truly a groundbreaking idea. Got them all in a display cabinet and would really love to see a original Bat nanocoaster one day to add to my collection! Growing up with the park since the beginning, I was lucky to get my share of rides on so many classics at KI.

Being born in Cincy and then moved off to West Texas in the fourth grade, I clamored for anything that showed the Cincy area and in particular KI. I was so bummed living in a place where the nearest coaster or park was many hours away. Tumbleweeds and dust storms are no substitute for hills and trees and rivers. I missed the my hometown and area something fierce. However, I was fortunate enough to visit my grandparents who lived in Cincy for the summer up until high school, so KI was my special place I waited all year to go to. A long time ago, I copied this Brady Bunch episode finally so I could have see the park anytime I wanted (long before the internet) living so far away. Now, for many years, I live nice and close to the park that has always meant so much to me.

Can't wait! I'm wearing a mask everywhere else except home these days. I'm a person who doesn't enjoy wearing one, but out of respect to others, it is what it is. I hope soon it's a thing of the past. I remember talking with a hospital surgeon a few years back. His quote stuck with me...(Every time you walk out of your house, you're taking a chance of getting sick...there's a million things out there at all times that want to get to you. That's what your immune system is for). I've always washed my hands, covered a sneeze or cough and tried my best to keep distance from those that don't and if I feel bad I do my best to stay away from others... remembering that line every time. At this rate, it seems we may be wearing masks in public from now on. It's a crazy, wacky world we are all living these days! Oh well. So as long as I get to relax and enjoy a couple days at one of my favorite parks ever, I'll wear a mask and go along with my day happy...always hoping for the day it's a thing of the past.

Definitely the first time I rode The Beast so long ago...it truly was a monster coaster when it first opened and still is a must ride every time I'm at the park. It got me into coasters and I'm ever so thankful! I had a truly amazing days as a kid going between The Beast, The (original) Bat, The Demon and the original flyers all day long! Miss those Flying Eagles!!!! Think the last day/night getting to ride the Eagles, knowing they were going away, is one of my very best (and saddest) memories at the park too.

I totally agree Shaggy! There was a very different feel and vibe there during that the early to mid 80's. And it's very hard to describe in words. Guess you just had to be there then to understand it. I was in total awe of both The Bat and Beast and the general ambiance of the park. The only word that comes to mind of that time in the park is just magical. But, as a young teenager then, the world in general was a simpler, much different place too.

I consider myself lucky that I was able to ride the original Bat quite a few times. As a young teenager, and not seeing anything like it before, I was absolutely loved it! The second drop by the trees was my favorite part...the design flaw, even though it was not the fastest coaster around, made a really fun, thrilling ride at the time. I also loved those old commercials for The Beast and Bat. I've said before, that as an artist, those really inspired me as a kid to get into the profession I love as a marketing designer. For all the fantastic progress that KI has had through the years, there was something special back then, especially after The Beast opened. Maybe it was because I was just a young kid, but the park held a truly magical place in my heart. I remember walking through the shaded walkway in the evening toward Rivertown where The Beast and Bat ruled for awhile...fond memories! .

Just wow! Brings back a ton of memories of how the park used to be. Always love the park, but looking back as a kid of the 80's, it was even more special!

Yep, he drew that out for awhile....2 weeks and then Finally!!!! Can't wait to enjoy the park again!

What great photos! Thanks for posting those! Sure does bring back a ton of memories of what the park used to be like. I love the park regardless and know how so much changes, but I do miss all those trees in the center of the park and walking back toward The Beast. it's amazing how much has changed over all these years! Sure miss a few of those rides that used to be. King Cobra, Screamin' Demon and especially the old Eagles.