Here’s the Story - of Kings Island and the Brady’s

[Avatar]

Most fans of Kings Island know that back in the early 70’s Kings Island was opening up and the Brady Bunch came to the park to film an episode of a their sitcom called “Cincinnati Kids”. Well that episode lives in the hearts for those of use who grew up watching the Brady Bunch on TV and for those who like to see the early years of Kings Island played out in an entertaining way.

Well over thirty years later after Kings Island opened Kings Islands management has been thrilling their guests with major Throw Back forms of entertainment mostly over long holiday weekends. So on Sunday August 31, 2008 of Labor Day week-end, some of the cast of the Brady Bunch where brought in to Kings Island to reminisce of days gone by and to make new memories through some fun activities. This report is my account and experiences of this day complete with some photos and videos of various activities of time spent with the Brady’s.

This day of activities started a few weeks back by the way of an invitation from Kings Islands Public Relations point person Don Helbig at KICentral’s Event day. Don told the group that they were in the need for of some fill-in Bobby and Cindy Brady’s to take a photo on The Racer roller coaster that would be used as to promote the Brady’s day at the park. I grew up watching the Brady Bunch with my brothers so I sent my requests right away to Don and received instructions on where to meat at the park yeah…..

Well the day finally came and when I arrived the parking attendant handed me a flier announcing the “A Very Brady Reunion” show.

We where to meet at the Kings Island Theater at 9:45 AM sharp. Well I was a bit nervous when I got to the park and seen a long line backing-up and with me towards the back as the gates opened at 9:30. I scanned the many lines waiting to get in and noticed many other KICentral Event participants standing in the various lines as well, so I knew I would make it on time or the publicity photo would only have a half filled coaster.

Don Helbig and several Kings Island staff meet us at the theater and immediately led us past a growing crowd forming for the daily jog through the park after the rope drop. We arrived at some tables outside of Outer Hank’s. Don Helbig got a list out and handed the appropriate attire for the participants to wear for the photo shoot and a list that predetermined where each participant was to sit during the photo session.

I was thrilled to learn that some how I was lucky enough to get assigned Red Racer Car 1 Seat 2 right behind Mike Lookinland with Susan Olsen (aka Bobby and Cindy on the Brady Bunch show) right beside him. I haft to admit I was a bit bummed that I did not get car 1 seat 1.

At this point most of the participants where trying on their Bobby and Cindy wigs and shirts for proper fit and to try to look as appropriate as we could. This was not easy.

Some looked more natural in the Bobby style.

After a head count there appeared to be too many Bobby’s and not enough Cindy’s so some cross dressing would be needed and Dane Thomas was recruited to set an example to take on for the team.

Well he took it like a man without much screaming.

They needed a lot of Bobby’s as you can see, not all Bobby’s are created equal

It is at this point that Mike Lookinland (Bobby) Susan Olsen (Cindy) and Barry Williams (Greg) joined the group and chatted with us and signed autographs and took various personal pictures as a group

Or individually with us.

This photo is Mike and Susan and I right before boarding the Red Racer in The Racer station. Wow, you don’t get opportunities like this everyday or more like hardly ever.

We where on the Red Racer and obviously could not take photo’s of ourselves during the shoot so the next photo was taken by Rick Norton on how we all looked right before leaving out of The Racer Station. Thanks Rick Norton.

When the photos where taken on the ride, for some reason they had all us stand on the Red Racer exit ramp and do the Chicken Dance. Hmmm. Then I took a picture of the Brady Bunch cast coming in after a ride on the Red Racer.

After their ride they meet with the media and did some interviews.

At this point everyone has handed in their wigs and shirts and had time for lunch break before the first showing of “A Very Brady Reunion” show at 2 PM. A lot of the KICentral members went to Festhaus for lunch and to discuses various board topics and personal stories of our own lives. After lunch we got in a couple rides and worked ourselves as a group over to the Kings Island Theater. I know I was very surprised when we got there about a half hour early and saw three very long lines stretching back to Action Zone and towards the front gate entrance.

As we walked into the Kings Island Theater the theater ushers cut off the lines to get in right after us and offered wristbands for those that did not get in to come to the next show. So when we went into the theater we where treated to a rare site of a capacity filled Kings Island Theater.

I don’t know what the capacity of the Kings Island Theater is, but it was filled each of the four shows.

“A Very Brady Reunion” show starts out with a short video introduction of Barry Williams (Greg Brady). This ones a bit dark but the rest are ok.

After the video introduction Barry Williams comes out and does a parity song about his experiences.

Barry sings a few more songs and I do have video of those if anybody would like to hear more of it I did enjoy his singing. The next video Barry Williams sings some more and Mike Lookinland (Bobby Brady) and Susan Olsen (Cindy Brady) join Barry on stage.

From here the three Brady Bunch cast members invite interested audience members into coming on to the stage and learning some Brady dance moves, all the while making sure everyone keeps a Brady smile on.

At the end they proclaim that the participants are now honorary Brady Bunch honoraries.

This last song Barry Williams sings I thought was his best and he used a video to show pictures and videos the Brady Bunch cast members took of their adventures off the camera.

After that song Mike and Susan rejoin Barry on stage for some questions and answers from the audience shown in the video.

After the “A Very Brady Reunion” show those who are interested in purchasing memorabilia, free autographs or a picture with the Bunch are invited to do so.

I did not bring any cash to the show so Kate offered me some wrist bands to come back to the 6:30 PM show with my family.

I did however had my seat assignment paper (seen above) signed by them at that time.

I did bring my family back to the third show of the “A Very Brady Reunion” and they really enjoyed it as well. I did notice that the show ran smother at parts and also noticed they cut out one of the portions of the show, where Barry talks and sings about the Davey Jones episode.

After the show I did purchase and had them autograph “The Brady Bunch Third Season” 4 DVD set to watch with my daughter when we got home, which as been on while writing this report.

I asked Evan to take one last picture of myself with the Bunch at that signing.

In Conclusion; I have attended several events this year at Kings Island and I would haft to admit I was a bit worried that I would be a bit under entertained from the “A Very Brady Reunion” show and also was worried that the theater would be half empty. I am extremely happy and pleased that I thoroughly enjoyed the show and think the show went way above what I thought it would be. I heard nothing but praise from a completely filled theater four times over. I would just like to say once again a big Thank-You to all those at Kings Island who work so hard in bringing such wonderful fun entertainment.

I had A Very Brady Day!

Thanks again to all Jesse.

[fan of beast]

Great report avatar!!

i have missed so much at KI this summer due to travel.

trip reports like this are the only things keeping me in the loop.

i did make it home thursday night after 6 weeks. there has been too much to

do to make it to the park yet. we're going to try to make it later today.

were the actors from that era more down to earth than modern actors?

Fan of Beast

[Jasper]

Wow i cannot beleive you actually got to meet 3 Bradys! That truly is an amazing experience. Nice photos and videos. I love the Barry Williams parody of The Real Slim Shady. Did the 5th season sell out quick due to the fact that the one episode was on there?

[Avatar]

Thank-you fan of beast may I just say I have really enjoyed your trip reports showing us places around the world that most of us probably will never see. In fact just yesterday at the park the subject of trip reports came up and everyone seemed pleased from the variety of places the reports are coming from. Well welcome home and I hope your up coming trip to the park is a nice one.

Jasper – I seen pictures in KICentral Photo Gallery from the show and I seen in one of the photos was taken of the greet table and the 5th season was there. But I know when I met back up with the family and had cash the 5th season was not there at the third show. Oh well I will get it soon. Believe it or not, but Miss Rae is glued to the TV today watching episode after episode. Her friends are coming to watch too. Who would have thunk.

[Beast1979]

Those pictures don't do justice to show how exstatic you were to see them Avatar!

Great PTR, it was a bummer I wasn't able to stay for the entire thing!

[faeriewench]

awesome pics

grr, wish I had known who you was the second I stopped myself before I realize was walking into someones filming range ._.

didn't hit me till after I had walked past...

[AgentSoB]

Yesterday was another great experience for me at the park... I was assigned to car 4 seat 3, but came to realize I would end up being the extra Bobby. I remained in the station a little dissapointed but It was no big deal. Evan, Don's right hand man decided we were the Brady outcasts Buddy Brady and Evona Brady It all ended up great because I got a ride after the initial shoot I sat behind Barry who seemed like he really wanted to ride. Also, along for the trip was Mike and Susan for the third time, plus Evan and someone I believed to be Barrys son.

Although I remained silent and didn't talk to any one really It was still nice seeing everyone.

Kudos to you Avatar for the videos and great pics.

One other thing... Mike Lookinland was making comments the entire time while everyone was doing the Chicken dance. He said, "I forgot we were in Ohio, it's required here to know the Chicken dance." He said other things, but I thought this was the most comical.

[Avatar]

Thanks Beast1979, I admit I was excited to meet them but not as much as others their where. I know you guys told me you were leaving early but for some reason I keep looking to see if I could see you guys at the theater as I was notice most where there.

AgentSoB – great to hear things worked out I saw you standing with Evan and thought you was with the park. Thanks for the kudos; I would have liked to meet you yesterday. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

Faeriewench – wow what a missed opportunity to finally meet before we realized who each other was.

[Beast1979]

Thanks Beast1979, I admit I was excited to meet them but not as much as others their where. I know you guys told me you were leaving early but for some reason I keep looking to see if I could see you guys at the theater as I was notice most where there.

I only wish I could've been there, my mom even more...

[Avatar]

Just going to add another video to this topic, as some are wondering what some of the names of the songs where, I hope this helps.

[Rollercoast19]

Great trip report Avatar! But you forgot your role in Hot Island Rhythms. We would have taken a picture of you in the grass skirt and coconut bra, but our camera's battery died.

[Avatar]

Oh you saw that!

Well yeah that did happen later and my daughter fell to the ground laughing at me. I thought about putting that in the report but I kind of stuck too the Brady Bunch theme. I meet back up with my family later that day and Miss Rae and my wife had a great time riding the water attractions and slides at Boomerang Bay. They usually don’t do a lot together so I was happy they did so much and had such a great time together. When we met up we had some great times together too. Not only did Miss Gibson pull me up on stage for the dance but Josh serenaded Miss Rae at the end of one of his songs. It was a great day I wish I saw you there.

We where sorry to go as we knew we most likely won’t be back until sometime in Mid-October when we return from our annual Fall Disney trip.

[Kawana]

Wow. Sounds like a great trip. Kudos to KI for putting together a great season. Kudos to you for doing your part to help with the festivities. I'm glad you had a great time, and had I been able to attend, I would have gladly helped out in any way possible. Thanks for the report.