BlondyRidesOn

Blondy, blessing your thread with memes during this trying time in Kings Island's history.

And just when we thought there was a light at the end of the tunnel, it was just another train...

Were there any visible signs of surveying in 2007 for Diamondback? I remember reading that in late October of 2007 they began to remove a couple trees in preparation.

Update 9/19/2026 I drove down to the Coney Island site to snap some photos of the progress from the sidewalk along Kellogg Avenue. (No laws were broken, all taken from the public sidewalk along the street) Sunlite Pool/ Sunlite Parking Lot The location of Sunlite Pool has officially been paved with asphalt. Last time I was at the site was during Summerfair in June; the lot was still gravel. Farmer Music Center The amphitheater is nearing completion and the covered canopy close to the stage has been installed. I'd be lying if I said it isn't a cool looking building from the sidewalk. It was monstrous when I saw it up close during Summerfair. Hampton Court/ Former skill games building Currently housing the offices of Music & Event Management Inc. (MEMI), the steel framed, brick constructed French Normandy inspired structure, designed by UC graduate Darrell W. Daniel, still stands and it looks as if the cupola and clock tower have been painted. Moonlite Gardens Construction lights are still hanging from the ceiling and lit up, suggesting that work is happening inside. Sometime in 2025, the North wing of the former dance hall was fitted with electrical equipment, possibly an AC unit and electrical boxes, indicating long term future use. However, a new development shows that several window panes and shutters have been removed from th he building. If they are refurbishing the building, it would not be surprising if the old windows were in poor condition and needed replacement. However, one would think they would cover the openings with tarps or plastic. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with the construction of the building and don't know if it's all open air or if some rooms are enclosed and climate controlled; I had only been inside briefly one time when I was younger. Judging by recent renderings of the new complex featuring Moonlite Gardens prominently, I think can assume Moonlite Gardens will live. Above is a zoomed in screenshot of the computer generated renderings of FMC showing a refurbished Moonlite Gardens in the foreground, complete with festoon lighting on both wings.

To add on what KI Guy said above, Mystic Timbers provides a different experience than The Racer and The Beast. The Racer is the classic out and back racing coaster with floater airtime (PTC was good at this), The Beast is a terrain hugging wooden coaster built like a monster prowling through the forest and designed in house, and Mystic Timbers provides a more snappy ride experience. All three built by different manufacturers. I don't think the same can be said for two RMC I-Box coasters with similar enough experiences to be compared. People already do that with Diamondback and Orion despite their differences in the ride experience.

I've seen a few arguments about the "whys" and "why nots" regarding ArieForce One coming to Kings Island. Capacity being an issue, for one, Kings Island being a well balanced and mature park already and other parks in the chain needing a standout attraction. The biggest argument would be that Kings Island needs a standout attraction themselves having lost Vortex in 2019 without a replacement. That argument may seem selfish because I'm sure a lot of people want us to get an RMC. But what if we looked at it from a business perspective. Kings Island is Six Flags' "most penetrated park (their words, not mine)," getting people from not just Greater Cincinnati but Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, Louisville and Lexington (the same was true with Coney Island before 1971). Kings Island is a huge money maker for the chain and corporate is dependent on it bringing in money. With that said, the company is still struggling financially. ArieForce One is a beloved and renowned roller coaster by enthusiasts and a lot of the GP alike. The news about it being picked up by Six Flags is already getting people buzzing. Placing it at a park that isn't doing well, which may need a standout attraction in their lineup, in order to boost their attendance is a risky move when the company can't afford to take risks at this time; it may not be enough. Kings Island has already shown that they can generate money for Six Flags and legacy Cedar Fair; while parks cater to families and not roller coaster enthusiasts, a tried and true legendary coaster being placed at a tried and true park like Kings Island might make sense to bring in people who may have otherwise skipped Kings Island in order to go to Cedar Point which, despite doing well, constantly requires investment (plus they already have an RMC I-Box in Steel Vengeance, so it would be redundant at Cedar Point anyway). Just my two cents.

I guess Number Five is NOT Alive then?

I took some photos while attending Summerfair 2026 as well as the USO Concert & Swing Dance. Sunlite Parking Lot: Sunlite Pool's former location has become a parking lot to make up for the loss of parking as the new Farmer Music Center rises where the West parking lot was once located. Tivoli Fountain & Moonlite Pavilion: This area is relatively unchanged from previous years. The little fountain Pool is still there and Moonlite Pavilion is still being utilized for events. They have even started painting the front of the building. Administration Office: Coney's old administration building is still standing and being utilized by full time Riverbend staff and full time Coney staff who were retained following the park's sale. Moonlite Gardens: The historic dance hall was featured in the latest renderings for the new Music Center, indicating that there are plans for its refurbishment. Inside the building, construction lighting as been set up along the ceiling which is a sign of activity going on inside. On the North wing of the building, crews added what looks to be an air conditioning unit and electrical panels, which should point to long term plans for the space. In addition to this, looking at the park from the street, a temporary ladder had been erected on the North wing in the weeks leading up to Summerfair and the USO Concert, possibly for work on the roof, and the building looks like it has seen a fresh coat of paint (although it may have just been the light from the sun). LaRosa's Pizzeria (RIP) As previously shared, the building which housed LaRosa's Pizzeria during Coney's "modern era," which had been built in 1967 as a souvenir shop between the Skee Ball building and Penny Arcade, was demolished over the winter. It was used for refreshments and restrooms in 2024 and looked to have been undergoing renovations in 2025. Unfortunately, for reasons unknown, the building was reduced to rubble with only the back wall and electrical boxes remaining. Picnic Grove Restrooms The restrooms near the picnic grove, located near Moonlite Gardens, were mysteriously torn down. Whether new restrooms are built in this location or not remains to be seen, as they do plan on retaining the park area. From what I have gathered, bad plumbing may have contributed to the buildings demise as well as possibly the LaRosa's building. Famous Fairways/ Cincy Minigolf The minigolf course, which was located across from LaRosas and next to the Dodgem when the park still had rides, is now nothing more than a patch of grass among trees. Only a lone light pole remains. Flood Storeypole & River Gate Has previously shared, the River Gate, built in 1925, will remain and the Coney Island logo on top will continue to mark the site from the Ohio River. The Storeypole which marks the various floods over the years, including the 1937 Flood (79.99 feet; "The Champ"), will also remain. The pole is currently peeling and in dire need of repairs. A new Riverbend and PNC Pavilion version of the famous "Floods Come In All Sizes! They Begin Here" sign has been added. Farmer Music Center: Originally marketed as Riverbend 2.0, the Farmer Music Center is being built on the West side of the property behind Moonlite Gardens where the park's old athletic fields were located and the parking lot where the Nights of Lights display was held. To protect the new venue and its amenities from flood damage, Lake Como was temporarily drained and the lakebed dug out and used as landfill to elevate the structure. When the water fully returns to Lake Como, it will be around 30 feet deep in some areas, whereas previously it was only 3 feet. It was amazing how large it was actually seeing it in person.

The yellow and green bulbs below the seats were transferred over from the Scrambler after it's refurbishment in 2016. The current lights look new and appear to be LEDs.

They were. The Eiffel Tower was originally floodlit with bright halogen lamps before switching to the colored LED lighting. The uplighting surrounding the Tower was removed prior to the 2017 season.

It did. Check a little higher... 👀

I noticed something about the Eiffel Tower today. Something... different. You could say something(s) missing... If you have a keen eye you might've seen it too.

I just heard Hoedown by Aaron Copland, an old track that played during the KECO era.

If the rumors are true, this will be the second Eyerly Monster to be retired as a parts donor for Kings Island's/ Old Coney's Monster. The first was Shiva's Fury at Canada's Wonderland, which was retired in 2003.

The fountain is filled with a large valve and outspout near the pump room located underneath the International Street Bandstand. It looks kinda like one of those old top loaded washing machines with a middle agitator where the water fills the compartment before actually running.