Good old days

[SonofBaconator]

I apologize if there is a similar forum but when you used to go to KI as a kid, what was your favorite ride to ride from 1972 to now? And what do you wish KI still had that isn't there anymore? (I have a feeling I'll regret asking that last question)

[TheCrypt]

The Crypt and The Crypt.

What else would you expect from me?

[KI FANATIC 37]

These are the good ole days for me. I dont remember anything else.

[PKIVortex]

I remember when the Top Coasters were Vortex, King Cobra, The Beast, The Racer, and Adventure Express, That was back in 1991, seems like moons ago. I remember riding those over and over again as a kid.

[bkroz]

Tomb Raider: The Ride.

I visited often as a child (born in 1991) and have very fond memories surrounding the ride up through my early teen years. I sort of allowed amusement parks to fall off my radar for a number of years and decided to pick up visiting once more in 2008. I still feel that those few years were very difficult for a number of reasons. The shifting powers at the park left a dissatisfied taste in my mouth (especially since Paramount's Kings Island had been my childhood, and thus would always gleam with perfection in my hindsight vision).

I do distinctly remember, though, visiting for the first time in years in 2008, riding The Crypt, and feeling very empty afterwards. Only when Tomb Raider was gone did I recognize how nonsensical it had been for such an incredible ride to be in a seasonal amusement park in Ohio. I actually remember browsing through the rest of the park afterwards and feeling very nostalgic - maybe even sad - at what had happened. Sort of welling up with tears a little, even if that sounds really stupid.

For me, Tomb Raider was more than a fun ride that I liked. It represented much of my childhood; the origin of my interest in parks and, ultimately, the industry. I wouldn't be on this site (which some might prefer) if I'd never ridden Tomb Raider. Back then I was purely an observer, not interested or aware of ownership, operating policies, or investment strategies. I just loved that ride.

[BB1]

The Crypt and The Crypt.

What else would you expect from me?

Nothing much, same here TR and the Crocodile Run

[Original]

Im not old enough to reply to this topic . I havent riden anything that is gone, or been replaced.

[The Interpreter]

I'm too old to reply to this topic!

I was long past being a kid chronologically whenst Kings Island first opened its gates.

[westcoaster]

flying eagles and the tiques

[esquire]

Well, I'll bite. I was born in 1976, and my years at the park were the 80s and early 90s, until I started working there under Paramount. I definitely think people are most nostalgic about their childhood era, because I for one think the Paramount years were bad (but I can see how someone who was a kid then might be nostalgic about them). Anyway, the rides I miss include the Ferris Wheel (#1), Witch's Cauldron (where Charlie Brown's Windup is now), the spinning barrels, the flying shoes, the antique cars, the similar car ride in Hanna Barbera Land (Sunshine Turnpike?), the Flying Eagles, the other log flume... etc. Basically all the family rides that are long gone. Now that I have kids of my own, it would be fun to have more rides outside of Planet Snoopy we could ride together. We can only do Scrambler, Monster, and Viking Ship so many times (the are 40 and 47 inches so they can't yet do a lot).

Oh, and Skylab! I probably wouldn't ride it now, but it was a neat ride to watch.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

I could literally ride the Giant Slide in Coney Mall for most of a day way back when. I also loved Tumblebug!

Giant Slide: There was a long ascent up stairs on the left (Racer-ward) side of the slide. At the top, you were handed a burlap sack (?) into which you slid your feet. The associate would help you into your slot, then down you'd go! There were a series of drops and straightaways, which slowed you down just enough to feel the belly-thrill of each subsequent drop. It really was a brilliant "ride."

Tumble Bug: You know that sensation when you're not looking forward while riding in the back of a car, and there's a sudden hill? Tumblebug was the ride that captured that perfectly, frequently, and consistently!

[coastermike]

The Giant Slide, The Enchanted Voyage, The Rotor, Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal, The King Cobra, The Bayern Curve, The Wheel of Fortune, The Ohio Overland Auto Livery, Les Taxis, Winsome Witch's Cauldron, Der Spinnen Keggers, The Bavarian Beetle, The Shawnee Landing and The Sky Ride.

Mike B.

[tjpavlik]

The Bat. When it was operating. The Screamin' Demon. How many times did I climb those steps?? Way too many to count.

[Original]

'bout how many of them stairs didja have to climb?

[Thrill_Biscuit]

I never counted the stairs, but the picture belonging to a Blake Boliger at this link will illustrate the climb that was so well-rewarded:

http://www.flickr.co...N00/6637300843/

The earliest I can remember, the slide had been re-painted red, white and blue, and only the left-hand staircase was open.

[marlfox_21]

The Smurfs, and the Big Yellow Slide ( whatever it was called ), and of course going up the Eiffel Tower.

[Thrill_Biscuit]

I'm not entirely sure, but I think the yellow slide was the Giant Slide (or so I heard), repainted and moved into HBL within a year or two of 1980(???)

[BeastForever]

Man, I sure wish TR:TR was still there. I only got to ride it after the apocalyptic transformation of the ride I know as the Crypt.

[jdawg1998]

Man, I really wish I was alive during Kings Island's golden years. It just seemed so fun, as did all of the 70s and 80s. Instead, I had to be born close to the new millennium and that means I was born close to the mistake Kings Island made, a loss of a stand up, etc., etc. Oh well.

[Hank]

The beautiful layout of the park when it first opened. So clean, so fresh, so uncluttered. Themed areas actually existed. The Racer had a cool head chopper which has since been removed. Those were the good old days for me.

[TheCrypt]

I entirely forgot about the Eagles! Those were always so fun. My mom could make us go the highest I've ever seen, and she would always snap! An unforgettable, interactive ride I wish we still had. I remember, for the longest time when I was a youngster, I always thought they were storing it somewhere, in hopes they could bring it back. But alas, I learned more and was sorely disappointed.

I wish we could have all the "classic" rides back. Rides like the Rotor, Wheel of Fortune, Tumble Bug, Zodiac, Ferris Wheel, KCKC, Scooby's Ghoster Coaster, Der Spinning Keggers, Skylab, King Cobra, The Flying Dutchman, Bayern Kurve, Bavarian Beetle, Halley's Comet, Cuddleup, and the Skyride were all rides I missed, and they can not be brought back easily.

[Kyle100991]

I don't know if this counts as a ride but I would put the motion seats back in the Action Theater and make it Days Of Thunder again. That is my favorite movie and I miss it being at King's Island. I always loved the show cars and everything that went with it.

[Tanna]

Everything coastermike listed and The Bat. And the fun theming throughout the park. (Planet Snoopy looks spanky, though.)