KDConnection forum member kDfrEaK804 posted some pics from opening day today.

A couple items of note were a new sign inside the main entrance:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/s...eningday344.jpg

...and the much-anticipated new billboard for Backlot Stunt Coaster made its debut today:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj184/s...eningday406.jpg

More photos here:

http://www.kdconnection.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=227

Great to see KD opening up. I could have been there... Good to see Dominator is all up. The paint job is gonna look sweet once it's finished. I really like the color choice.

WTF?

KDConnection is now closed due to the owners relationship with Kings Dominion.

^ That is rather peculiar.

Given that the park just opened this past weekend, and the site posted pics, it seems strange that the site would have already have been taken down prior to business Monday at request of KD.

So I would have to think that one of two things happened:

1) They did something very wrong during opening weekend,

-or-

2) Someone hacked their site.

I don't like the BLST sign and KD sign...

^ That is rather peculiar.

Given that the park just opened this past weekend, and the site posted pics, it seems strange that the site would have already have been taken down prior to business Monday at request of KD.

So I would have to think that one of two things happened:

1) They did something very wrong during opening weekend,

-or-

2) Someone hacked their site.

Or the owner may be an employee of the park and has chosen to refrain from running/being involved in such a community.

If that was the case though, you would have thought that the creator would have asked for a successor and then stepped down. Weird, you never know when your favorite internet site will go down. Anyone else remember rollercoaster.com? That was a great site that just one day stopped being updated, and then poof it disappeared.

They posted some illegal POV videos on their forums that were taken on opening day.

Yes. I noticed some members posted some POV shots in their forums. Was actually wondering when and if those would be removed, and apparently the whole site has. Honestly...What do you expect to happen when you post something blatantly illegal like that? Is it so hard to respect park rules?

If you post a POV of a ride without permision it's illegal? Thats pretty dumb...

No, it isn't. Parks have a responsibility to provide a safe riding experience to all riders. Encouraging loose articles on a train with the public is not only folly,it can cause all kinds of problems the parks do not need. It is also an unsafe riding practice. Film shot during media events and/or under different conditions is a whole nother thing....

It is also an unsafe riding practice. Film shot during media events and/or under different conditions is a whole nother thing....

Tell that to Mr. Brady

That was then.

This is now.

Times are different.

Very different.

Times are much different. Its hard to believe that the Brady Bunch episode that was shot at Kings Island in 1973 is now almost thirty five years old!! My how the park has changed significantly since then! Look how many owners have come and gone. Taft is gone, KECO is gone, Carl Lindner`s control of the park is gone, Paramount, Viacom and the brief stint that CBS had the park are gone as well.

Just look at all the modifications that have been made to The Racer trains over the years in the name of safety. Seat belts, new lap bars, and head rests to name the major ones.

^ That is rather peculiar.

Given that the park just opened this past weekend, and the site posted pics, it seems strange that the site would have already have been taken down prior to business Monday at request of KD.

So I would have to think that one of two things happened:

1) They did something very wrong during opening weekend,

-or-

2) Someone hacked their site.

Or the owner may be an employee of the park and has chosen to refrain from running/being involved in such a community.

Justin(KDC Owner) is a friend of mine, and he shut down the site due to relations with the park. I will say this, Carowinds tried to get me to shut down Carowinds Zone, but I told them "No, I spent too much time working on the site. If you were smart, you would see that Carowinds Zone is actually a free asset to the park."

~Roller"Search for Carowinds on Google.com, and Carowinds Zone is number 4"Nut!

That was then.

This is now.

Times are different.

Very different.

Oh, I know. 'Twas merely a joke.

The real reason for KDConnection's closure is because the two owners work for the park, and were told that they could make more money if they didn't have the site. My friend "Lake Charles Guy" is working on a new Kings Dominion site, that should be up by May.

No, it isn't. Parks have a responsibility to provide a safe riding experience to all riders. Encouraging loose articles on a train with the public is not only folly,it can cause all kinds of problems the parks do not need. It is also an unsafe riding practice. Film shot during media events and/or under different conditions is a whole nother thing....

I am not saying taking POV video is appropriate and I am definately not saying The Interpreter is wrong but if loose article are an issue why were ride ops making people take their loose articles on Vortex and SOB last year?

That is a VERY GOOD question. I wondered the same thing last year. Dumb, I said it was. Then and I say it now, too.

I used to be one of the idiots that took a camera on rides, but once I found out it was actually against the rules I stopped. Getting a good picture isn't worth getting in trouble, or worse hurting someone.

Yes, last year Kings Island actually had a rule that you were not allowed to leave loose articles (minus cups and souvenirs ) in the station. All backpacks, purses and other items you were required to take with you! Didn`t much make sense, but I guess that they had people trying to say that the ride ops should have been responsible for the articles, when there are numerous verbal and written warnings (and have been for years) saying the park is not responsible for lost, forgotten or stolen items.

Six Flags has solved that problem this year. NO loose articles of any kind are allowed on the ride or in the station. Anything left behind will be disposed of by security. Lockers are available for $1 for up to two hours at each ride. And they will no longer wait to pair single riders, once the gates are closed they will not be reopened except in emergency. The new policy is load the ride and get it out of here safely, load the ride and get it out of here safely and repeat and repeat....Capacity and dispatch...get em riding and keep em riding.

Cedar Point is the same way. I am a baseball player so i wear a hat anywhere i go and on every ride they made me stick my hat inside my shirt. Usually though i just hold it in my hand while i am riding. I also believe i had a drink i had just purchased and they made me toss it.

Yes. I noticed some members posted some POV shots in their forums. Was actually wondering when and if those would be removed, and apparently the whole site has. Honestly...What do you expect to happen when you post something blatantly illegal like that? Is it so hard to respect park rules?

Well it seems that the owner of the site did do something very wrong.

And the park made the correct decision to have the site taken down.

I'm just surprised that a park employee would do something without permission that they know is wrong.

He would be lucky to keep his job after pulling a stunt like that.

Yes. I noticed some members posted some POV shots in their forums. Was actually wondering when and if those would be removed, and apparently the whole site has. Honestly...What do you expect to happen when you post something blatantly illegal like that? Is it so hard to respect park rules?

Well it seems that the owner of the site did do something very wrong.

And the park made the correct decision to have the site taken down.

I'm just surprised that a park employee would do something without permission that they know is wrong.

He would be lucky to keep his job after pulling a stunt like that.

In the case of posting illegal POVs, yes I agree. But I highly doubt that is the reason of the site being taken offline. Cedar Fair is going after any sites owned/operated by anyone with employee ties it seems. Now, if it was simply taken offline due to the POVs, I can agree with that decision. But as I've said in previous posts, and others as well, there are other sites being taken down by the company that have done nothing wrong.

Yes, last year Kings Island actually had a rule that you were not allowed to leave loose articles (minus cups and souvenirs ) in the station. All backpacks, purses and other items you were required to take with you! Didn`t much make sense, but I guess that they had people trying to say that the ride ops should have been responsible for the articles, when there are numerous verbal and written warnings (and have been for years) saying the park is not responsible for lost, forgotten or stolen items.

Because of that, my camera got broken on FoF. Lense cracked when i had to hold onto the bag. I should have taken this case to guest relations or something...

In the case of posting illegal POVs, yes I agree. But I highly doubt that is the reason of the site being taken offline. Cedar Fair is going after any sites owned/operated by anyone with employee ties it seems. Now, if it was simply taken offline due to the POVs, I can agree with that decision. But as I've said in previous posts, and others as well, there are other sites being taken down by the company that have done nothing wrong.

If CF were to be going after sites owned/ operated by anyone that has employee ties, they are just fighting a no win battle. And I'm really not sure what the point would be if they were doing that. Employees can just go to another site, post under any name they want, and disclose & post material about their employer all they want. Some sites will take the material down immediately, while others (I have one on my mind) will post all material they receive, rumors or not.

Even here, there are numerous ties between this site and KI. It's just that here, they have a tremendous amount of respect for the park and will not allow sensitive material to be posted and thus seem to have a great relationship with the park. I would be surprised that the officials at KD would not want that same type of relationship with a site promoting their park. Hey it is free advertising.

Hello guys, I am here to make sure everyone gets the real reason. KDConnection was taken down cause I do not have the time or money anymore to take care of it. My job is more important then the site.

A understandable reason

Very good reason.

Anyway, LOVE the new BLSC sign,

and the front gate sign is OK,