ohiougrad95

I spent years (decades?) spending all my time at Kings Island standing in line for rides, not wanting to go inside or miss time riding rides to listen to a show. Then I discovered some of the shows. I enjoyed the ice show a few years ago in the Kings Island Theater, and also enjoyed listening to the shows in Festhaus while I ate. The last couple seasons, however, I've spent most of my time...standing in line for rides...especially this year, with Banshee. Full circle (or loop...Banshee really threw me for one!)?

In the 90's, Kings Island drive felt like you were entering a vacation/resort area. I can only imagine what it was like in the 70s and 80s. Parcel by parcel it is slowly moving away from that, even as Kings Island continues to prosper. Even the McDonald's down the road had a neat feel to it, only to be replaced by what looks like a 1950s office building (which is a whole other topic!). I have to say one of the bright spots for the area is GWL opening, but, of course, it did replace the campground.

They're making the fountains deeper and wider!?

Thanks for the info. That was just one of those rides I thought looked a little on the scary side, going upside down that much, but when I rode it it was a blast. At least I know now why its gone. I'm sure it wasn't that popular to offset the cost of upkeeping it.

I've never thought to ask this question on here, but why did they remove Skylab? I thought it was one of the funnest rides in the park.

Does anyone think PKI will ever get a ride like that? If so, how long do you think it will be?

I hadn't seen that episode in years. That was really cool to watch. I had my first visit to Kings Island not too long after that episode was taped. Did anybody see the shots from the Eifel Tower? There's hardly anything down there. Very interesting to watch. I wonder if Kings Island ever did any taping of the park over the years. It would be awesome to watch a collection of that footage from over the years.

Went to PKI yesterday on Labor Day. The guy at the parking gate said they weren't expecting a crowd. On the way out I have never seen that many cars in the parking lot. Ever. Anyway, about the day, it was awesome. Went to the water park for the first time in about 12 years. I want to spend a whole day there next summer. Got to ride the new water slides, and also wait about an hour total in line for food at the Outback shack. The water park was absolutely packed. Very fun though. In the main park, I rode drop zone for the first time. It was absolutely terrifying and could easily cause a phobia. I'll probably ride it again the next time I'm there. Got to ride all the usual coasters. Even though the placed was packed, no real waits for any of those. Overall, a great day. Glad I got to go to the water park on the last day of operation. You'd think when you were there yesterday it was about June with the crowd and the weather. Looking forward to '05 and the IJST. Johnny

I really agree with this one. I think the park needs to constantly update to keep the younger ones interested, but I think anyone over 21 likes to think about what they liked about the park when they were younger. I think some retro touches here and there, maybe even some pictures placed through the park would be a nice touch. Maybe near an entrance of a ride there could be a few signs here and there with pictures of what used to be in that spot. I think people would really enjoy that.

I tried to read as many topics as possible before I posted the first time, but I did see after I posted that one of the many FAQs was "are they going to close The Vortex". All us newbies must think alike. Anyway, I said I was going out on a limb, and I still think it would be a good idea. Of any ride in the park, I think that The Vortex has the least going for it, except that it is a people mover, and I know that is an important thing. And no, I don't really consider Top Gun a full sized roller coaster. Way too short, and tired, too.

Hi, I'm new to this forum. Its very interesting reading all this stuff about Kings Island on the Internet. I think I might be getting obssessed! Glad to see that I'm not the only one. Anyway, about this new announcement for '05. I hope I can go the 12th. I'd like to hear it first hand. Since everybody is speculating here, I thought I would just go out on a limb and make an off the wall prediction. I say they're building a new coaster. Site? Vortex. The reason I say this is that The Vortex is tired, plain, and if there was a new full-sized steel coaster built, it would obsolete The Vortex anyway. Since The Vortex simply took the place of The Bat because it was a lemon, then they haven't built an all-new, full-sized outdoor steel coaster since around 1980. After 24 years, it seems like it would be time. Please go easy on me, remember I'm new here....