Kings Island sure has changed a lot in the past 15 years. Proof, see Kings Island's 1997 website. (here)

A few things to note-

1. Some of the rides we have come to know and love haven't ben built, yet. While others have been defunct for quite some time.

2. Green slime was a huge theme. 11 slime attractions... From my memory, I can only recollect the slime tower, and the slime show. (I got called from the audience to be in the show... Had a sponge tied to my butt, and was told to transfer water from one bucket to the next. Very memorable! I was about 6 or 7 years old, at the time.)

3. The food options were much more varied back then... Also, this was before Panda Express took up residence in Festhaus. Seems there used to be german food.

_

And, for grins, I looked up the old PKI forums. Fun stuff! PKI Unlimited.com :: The ultimate guide to Paramount's Kings Island

The German food, such as it was, was served in the front of what is now Bubba Gump's. When the place was open. Which was sometimes.

And 1997 is only 13 years ago...15 years from then will be 2012...and who knows what Kings Island will be like by then. Not even Dick Kinzel...

What were those two people in the bottom left, I remember them from something, but can't put my hands on it. And I remember the slime, sitting there as a kid watching Nick, then going to Kings Island and they had the slime. I always wanted to try, but my mom wouldn't let me.

Those would be characters from Star Trek, back in the early Paramount years they had walk around "face characters" like that who you could interact with.

Ah, Les Taxi's and the Skylab just go back another 5 or 6 years and throw in the the Enchanted Voyage, to die for!

I dearly miss those footlong skyline coneys

I like the little logos for each area of the park (leaves for Adventure Village, Cotton Candy for Coney Mall, paw print for HB land), but why would they pick french fries to represent Rivertown?

Has anyone seen a larger, clearer version of this image? It's awesome!

i just tried looking and couldn't find one, but i did find these two:

both are small and a little pixelated, but you can still make them out.

I like the little logos for each area of the park (leaves for Adventure Village, Cotton Candy for Coney Mall, paw print for HB land), but why would they pick french fries to represent Rivertown?

Because Potato Works' fries are delicious. Sometimes I look forward to those more than the rides. Granted I don't have any conscious memories of '97, as I was only four. Potato Works may not have even been there.

Potato Works was there and has been for a long time. And I love the fact you can find other interests in the park besides super duper monster coasters Kudos to you!

Haha, it's too bad my "other interests" are all so carby.