KI Favorite (non-ride) Sentimental Memory

[rlentless]

I would really like to hear some of your Favorite Sentimental Memories of KI . . . non-ride experiences preferably but can be feelings, smells, sounds, etc. of a ride or attraction.

Mine is the plant covered tunnel that ran between International Street and Rivertown. I was 5 when Kings Island opened and that tunnel was like a magic pathway in my child’s mind. I do not remember if it was there when KI opened or was put in later. But I distinctly remember always looking forward to going through it walking back and forth.

It fascinated me because as I walked down International Street hearing those sounds of IS music, the water fountains, the dolphin show, the Eiffel Tower and the crowd walking around me. The smells of fresh bread, cotton candy and I think even pizza.

Then I would enter this beautiful green (magic) tunnel with gentle sunlight peeking through. It was very peaceful and quiet inside. I think I remember planters and benches where people rested. It just felt very tranquil and magical. Remember, I am talking about a child’s mind where everything was much grander.

Then I would come out to the other side and hearing Rivertown music, the screams and splashing from Kings Mill Log Flume. Then the steam and whistles of trains from the KI & MV Railroad . . . and distant gun fire from the cowboys and Indians. The smells I remember was chicken (or meat) coming from the Columbia Palace Dining Hall.

It was a special magical tunnel to me . . . almost like teleporting between two very distinct different worlds.

I love the big rides and look forward to riding Banshee, Beast, Diamondback and others. But that feeling of being somewhere magical and away from our normal world is what appeals to me most.

[shark6495]

My most favorite all time memory would be (I am sure I probably mentioned it on here before) the last time I saw my friend Jess at the park. I was riding Adventure Express when I heard her yell for me, I waited at the exit line and my friend and I met up with her and her friend. Adventure Express will always be special to me. I hung out with Jess for the rest of that day. We said we would call each other and hang out soon. We mentioned how we were excited to hang out and see each other during the fall in TX (St X theater). She died during that next school year. She had an accident on 275. Before any plays happened she was gone. My last memory of her was riding around Adventure Express and going on coasters with her in the park. I couldnt tell you what we talked about or what we rode. She was my friend (no romantic intentions) and I just assumed we would hang out again soon. If not soon we would hang out in the fall. So no matter how old I get no matter who I ride Adventure Express with, the ride will be forever linked to her.

KI hold special memories for me because as I get older, memories of people I loved and knew are intertwined at KI. My grandpa hanging out in the picnic area during Shriner Days, or my aunt taking pictures of myself and my cousins on the Antique Cars. My dad (pre-stroke) and I riding with my mom and sister on The Beast or The Racer.

[MDMC01]

When I was little and didn't ride much, I loved to watch Vortex's train go through the boomerang. I seriously thought that was the coolest thing ever.

[homestar92]

My fondest KI memory was actually a ride. Specifically, my first ride on Vortex. (No, I'm not going to go into a spiel about my undying love for Vortex. Maybe some other time.)

My first ever ride on Vortex happened in 2010. Don't know the date, but I'd guess it was in May. I was there with my (now ex) girlfriend and she was introducing me to coasters. I had been afraid of "big boy" coasters until that point, and she was trying to get me past that. (Nothing like trying to impress a significant other to make you face your fears). I had ridden Flight of Fear and Firehawk, and we had decided to go to the main part of Coney Mall next, so we headed to Vortex. As I was on the part of the queue over the brake run, I noticed my friend Jeremy (who had been my best friend since practically infancy) on the train coming into the station. We headed out of the line so we could meet him before riding. He joined our group for my first ride on Vortex. After that, he just became part of our coaster group. He was my coaster buddy from then on, every time I was at Kings Island, he was in the group. Vortex was a mutual favorite of our group. She was our "classy lady". I don't remember how that happened. I believe it was the result of someone saying Vortex was rough and one of us retorting, "Don't talk about Vortex that way! She is a classy lady!". But I digress.

Jeremy was killed in a car accident on July 4th, 2011. To this day, that has been the worst day of my life. That was also the day that Vortex became irreplaceable as my favorite coaster ever. On that same day, you may recall that Vortex's chain broke, and it didn't operate for several weeks. It just seemed to fit. It was as if Vortex was mourning with us. It was very difficult for me to go to Kings Island after that.

On my first trip back to Kings Island after the incident, I was an emotional wreck. Fortunately, the same girlfriend was there with me, and while it was very difficult for both of us, I think we needed to go, and we both needed one another for the emotional support. I believe it was the only time in my adult life that I have cried in public. And at an amusement park no less. I got a lot of weird looks that day. And then that evening, the two of us got our first ever night ride on WindSeeker. We were both miserable in line and then for reasons unknown to us, there was a delay for about 10 minutes that stopped them from dispatching the ride one cycle before ours. We were frustrated to say the least. Eventually, we got to ride. As we got up the tower, we heard a booming sound, and then it hit us. Due to the random delay, our cycle got pushed back such that it started right at 10:00. And so, we got the fireworks ride. It was the most wonderful ride of my life, and we were convinced that Jeremy was in heaven pulling strings for us to make that happen. Since then, WindSeeker has joined Vortex as one of the most special rides anywhere to me. If you haven't already, I highly recommend trying to get the fireworks ride on WindSeeker. It is absolutely the best night ride in the park (yes, better than Beast at night in my opinion).

Eventually it got easier to visit the park, and now the emotional pain is mostly behind me. For a while, I wondered if this made me a bad friend for putting it all behind me so easily. But then, amazingly enough, I heard some words of wisdom from a fictitious character of all people. I would type out the quote, but I think a clip would do better. The quote was actually pertaining to lost family members, but I think it can relate to lifelong friends, too:

And thanks to Doctor Who, that's how I learned to stop worrying and love the Island (again). I hope nobody has to go through what I did. But if I'm to be completely honest, the entire experience made me a better person on almost every level.

[TTD-120-420]

I've taken some really fantastic naps on the train and on top of the Eiffel Tower. Good stuff.

[shark6495]

...

And thanks to Doctor Who, that's how I learned to stop worrying and love the Island (again). I hope nobody has to go through what I did. But if I'm to be completely honest, the entire experience made me a better person on almost every level.

I always hate reading about when someone else talks about losing a friend at a young age. It is never good when a young life is lost. 16 year olds shouldnt be mourning their friends who have passed. I agree, I hope no one else on here has to go through this as well. Homestar, it does get better. It has been almost 12 years since I lost my friend when I was 15 and eventually the good memories will replace the bad/pain of the loss.

[rlentless]

Actually homestar92, that is exactly the kind of Sentimental Memory I was hoping to read. I regret putting (non-ride) in the topic. I just simply meant not what is your favorite ride because its 300 feet high type of thing.

I am sadden to hear both stories of friends passing away. But it sounds like you both have a special links still living through Kings Island to those friends. I hope it brings you comfort in years to come. Thank you for your memories.

[Jr for Birdy]

My two year old ( soon to be three), last May she was being so good riding all the kiddie rides with her big sis, and the wife and I were shocked how she was so behaved! Then we felt her head and she had a fever! That's not the good part, the good part is how well Kings Islands staff took care of her in Planet Snoopy, gave her and our 5 year old pop cycles and let us stay with them in the air condition until we got her fever down. My wife is an RN so they all chit chatted until we left for home. I will always remember how sweet and kind they treated my family. Feels great when strangers treat your family like their family, I wont forget.

[beastfan11]

I've taken some really fantastic naps on the train and on top of the Eiffel Tower. Good stuff.

This.

There's nothing like a good nap on the train. I remember one Friday in high school my dad came and picked me up after school and we made an impromptu trip to the park. We ate a huge lunch. I mean huge. It was hilarious. We didn't (read couldn't) get ourselves on a single ride except the train. We both proceeded to fall into a glorious food coma. So peacefull!

[VortexBFForever]

One of my fondest memories of the park was when I first went in 2007.

We (my mom and I) were walking around Coney Mall looking at all the different rides. Then suddenly, I saw Vortex. The sight of this coaster to the 8-year-old I was at the time was really and I mean REALLY captivating...I thought it was the coolest thing ever just to see the train soar through the batwing right in front of me! I ended up spending over 10 minutes just standing there and watching it; needless to say I was hooked the moment I saw it.

There was, and still is, something about this coaster that attracts me like a magnet. Even though I was still afraid of going upside down until I rode it 3 years later in 2010, I could spend all day watching Vortex!

I still relive that memory when I visit the park now. Now that I take my camera with me it is now tradition to take about 5 minutes out of my day there just to watch and take pictures of Vortex.

[BB1]

It was 2004, my first year of BB. This was actually the main reason why I started to go to Kings Island, Boomerang Bay. Just looking at the place, I felt like I was at home, with the immersion of theming and etc. I must have spent the whole day at Boomerang Bay, it is one experience I will never forget. I cannot even begin to enumerate just how much I loved that place on my first visit, the slides, the signs, good gosh even the sounds of Boomerang Bay I can still remember it all.

BB1, thankful for his memories.

[APE]

I wasn't living here locally until I was around 10 years old. My grandparents lived here and we spent most of the summer with them as kids. My favorite memory is everyone getting ready to go to Kings Island and my grandparents old house in Milford.

[jdf21972]

My most sentimental moment is actually the restaurant in Action Zone. It was 1994, and it was called Kafe Killamangaro and later renamed Action Stunt Grill then I beleive now The Chicken Shack? and I was working my 1st season at KI. I met my future wife and can honestly say looking at that building while holding hands with my youngest daughter or with my kids thinking without that place I would not be able to have the joy and happiness they bring me each time we scream down Diamondback or doing a double loop on Vortex or completeing a barrel roll on Firehawk. Without that place, my life would be so different.

[thedevariouseffect]

Hmm, this is a tough one as a good few memories were made at KI this year, especially after finding out I potentially had orders, each trip was better utilized.

I'd say first fireworks with Lindz ontop of tower. Even though we technically started dating at CP, I met her on Tower KI opening day 2011, and then again during one of her trips to the point she sat a few seats away from me in the cafe as we discovered in pictures. Then finally met up in AUG 2011.

Coincidences are impressive honestly

[BeastForever]

Meeting up with KIC folk for the first time.

[rlentless]

I was 12 and it was August, 1979 and I heard all the stories of the biggest, badest, longest and fastest roller coaster in the world. It was that day I decided to meet The Beast “face to face” as we were challenged by KI commercials. It was also the day I brought my new girlfriend with me. For that entire 3 hour wait in the queue line I was scared out of my mind. The warning signs they put up did not help matters. But there was NO WAY I was going to back down in front of my new girlfriend.

As we climbed the lift hill and started rising above the surrounding trees, my heart was pounding out of my chest. But wow what a ride . . . I was totally hooked and still scared. We rode other rides that day like The Screamin’ Demon, Racers, Flying Eagles, Scrambler, etc. But none of them compared to my first ride on The Beast.

Later that day I got my first real kiss and I have The Beast to thank for starting it all.

[AgentSoB]

The most sentimental moment I have had at the Island occurred for me on Memorial Day weekend of 2010. My then girlfriend at the time (who was not a park enthusiast) was convinced to come to the park with my sister and my dad. Little did she know of my intentions once we arrived.

I had to work hard to finally convince her that we would spend the entire day at Boomerang Bay. Although at the time, I didn't think that about the fact that my entire plan involved going to the top of The Eiffel Tower.

Well, to keep it short all of us convinced her to go up to see how crowded the water park was. We came to the front of the tower overlooking International Street and I proposed. I told her,"This place is one of my favorite places and it is very special to me! I want it to be special for you too!"

I can't wait till opening day to take a ride on one of our favorite rides at the park, The Bat!

[razmataz99]

Later that day I got my first real kiss and I have The Beast to thank for starting it all.

When you were twelve?!

[BB1]

The most sentimental moment I have had at the Island occurred for me on Memorial Day weekend of 2010. My then girlfriend at the time (who was not a park enthusiast) was convinced to come to the park with my sister and my dad. Little did she know of my intentions once we arrived.

I had to work hard to finally convince her that we would spend the entire day at Boomerang Bay. Although at the time, I didn't think that about the fact that my entire plan involved going to the top of The Eiffel Tower.

Well, to keep it short all of us convinced her to go up to see how crowded the water park was. We came to the front of the tower overlooking International Street and I proposed. I told her,"This place is one of my favorite places and it is very special to me! I want it to be special for you too!"

I can't wait till opening day to take a ride on one of our favorite rides at the park, The Bat!

I only have one question, did you, or did you not get to go to Boomerang Bay?!

BeastForever, on 02 Mar 2014 - 4:56 PM, said:

Meeting up with KIC folk for the first time.

I remember doing that, officially on Closing Day, unofficially, and somewhat secretly on KIC:BB"1".

[thedevariouseffect]

Proposed on the tower eh? Hmm

[Buckeye Brad]

So many great memories to choose from…

Opening Day, April 1987

I was 13 and obsessed with Vortex. I’d followed every newspaper article, magazine article, and TV spot I could find. I knew it had six inversions, but the layout was still a tangled blur and I had no idea what a boomerang turn was. Finally opening day had come, and I had my first ever KI season pass shiny and new and ready to go. The weather was perfect. I got picked up at 8:30 by my friend Chris’s dad, and by 9 Chris, Ray, and me were at the gates. We were going crazy with excitement! Back in those days you could climb the stairs to the Eiffel Tower’s 50 foot level, and we did to get a closer look at the blue and orange monster at the far side of the park. Ahh, so THAT is the boomerang turn. We waited out the hour in front of the floral clock, and finally at 10:00 they dropped the ropes. We did our best to follow the rules and not run, but we didn’t want to get mowed down either. We were not disappointed in the least that we waited almost 45 minutes. Watching and hearing each train return to the station with cheering riders just got us fired up even more. I’ll spare the ride details since we all know them, but for me it was the perfect combination of terror and exhilaration. Since that morning I’ve never felt that same combo, because once you lose your coaster innocence, it is pretty much gone. Due to the long lines, we took just one more Vortex ride that day, and that one was a 9:45PM dark one. Entertainment wise, there are few times in life when your big expectations are not only exceeded but obliterated, and for me Vortex opening day was one of those times.

Just one year later came another great memory…

8^th Grade Trip, May 1988

The greatest tradition of St. Michael School in Sharonville was to take its graduating 8^th grade class to KI on the last day of school. A day at KI with friends is great anyway, but spending it with all 34 of my classmates and our teacher was amazing. I had planned for months to get all 36 of us on a Beast train, but logistical issues prevented that dream from coming true. I did get to share all my nerdy KI knowledge and introduce rides to kids who had never ridden them. All in all it was a great day, and the last time I’ve seen many of my grade school classmates and our great teacher, Mr. Stouder. Everyone has days that literally mark time periods in their life, and I think of this one every time I’m at KI. Especially when I walk past the spot where our class took over Der Spinnen Keggers for half an hour to end the day.

[MDMC01]

I just thought of another great (mostly) non-ride related memory at Kings Island. A few years ago on Mother's Day, my cousin and I were dropped off at Kings Island and it poured down rain almost the entire day. We made the best of it, and had a blast. Specifically, I remember riding Diamondback in the rain (this is the first of two times this has occurred) and riding Woodstock's Whirlybirds and laughing our butts off.

[Lakota88]

My favorite sentimental memory is not one specific instance, but the collective memories of being a child and walking through the entrance to the sights and sounds of International Street -- the roar of the fountains, the cool mist as you walk by, the the sight of the Eiffel Tower, and of course the music.

Those sensations always meant a day full of fun and freedom was ahead. The phrase "not a care in the world" comes to mind.

[BoddaH1994]

My favorite day at the park was KICentral: The Event. "080807" was how we secretly marketed it until the announcement (August 8, 2007). Ever since attending Beastbuzz in 2004 I had dreamt of having my own event. I did. I'll never forget it.

[tuxedoman52]

My favorite memory was my dad taking me in The Racers station for the first time when I was four. It was my first roller coaster and I've been addicted ever since.

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