Original International Street

[DBInternational]

Howdy everyone,

While I was at the park this last Saturday, my little sister asked me a question I hadn't thought of in a while: "Why is this part of the park 'International'? I don't see anything International about it." So I continued to explain to her how when the park first opened that the different sections of it were themed like different part of the world much like Walt Disney's Epcot. But as I tried to explain which nations each section represented everything seemed to look either German or Spanish, not really anything else. Am I correct or were there other different nations represented on I-Street?

If I had to guess based on the above image I'd say:

A = Spain

B = France

C = Germany

D = South America

Are my assumptions correct?

Thanks,

DBI

[BoddaH1994]

The decor is very French. And, I mean there IS the Eiffel Tower on that street... But yeah, it hasn't been "International" for quite some time.

[upstop]

to the left of A, (outside of the boundaries) Is France (Parisian café plus the Starbucks building.)

A: is correct.

B: Looks kind of French, but I cant be for sure....I'll have to do a little research.

C: is Swiss

D: is German

Edit: B apparently is French and Italian where Larosa's Pizza is located.

check this out.

http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/maps/1972/pki197x_1.html

[Fire-Beast-OF FEAR]

I do enjoy the current look that I-street has to an extent. The shade trees and the grass around the Fountain make for a relaxing area that doesn't look present in the picture above. It serves as a replacement for the old look of Rivertown that D-back and Tomb Raider stripped away.

[Sebastien6221]

If you think about it though, it is the same as every other thing in the world. You need to remove to expand.

[TheBEASTunchained]

If you think about it though, it is the same as every other thing in the world. You need to remove to expand.

Removing the international themes and styles on International Street had very little to do with "expansion".

[Avatar]

Depends on how you use the word "expansion" it certainly a crowd issue to include safety as well. There were curbs along the street that you had to step up to to get into many of the shops. If you look at LaRosa's you will see the tables tucked into the trees close to the shop itself. Obviously it was very crowded and cramped during busy times getting in and out of the shops a busy street with curbs and guests made for a unsafe atmosphere. How can they rearrange the area to expand upon the greater good of the guests needs and a safer environment. Move the trees to the other side and expand the seating area greatly take out the curbs to expand the street right up to the building for an easy entrance and exit. So yes you are technically right but they did expand much needed areas by rearranging the area.

[The Interpreter]

Dream Street at Great Adventure still has curbs. I find that rather amazing.

[Diamondback96]

You really love talking about Great Advencha, Terp.

Remind me to get over there sometime.

[The Interpreter]

Even more so than Kings Dominion, Great Adventure was planned and built with Kings Island as an exemplar of the ideal. It's quite the place.

[sam2cpa]

at 34:35 in the video of Kings Island History it mentions German, Swiss, and French shops.

[BlondyRidesOn]

I watched videos of Kings Dominion that were made not too long ago, and they still play instrumental music on their International Street (Heck, they still even play movie music.). Since Canada's Wonderland and Kings Dominion had their fountains and International Street's redone and remodeled, which means Kings Island is most likely next, it would be nice to see our entrance restored to its International theming.

[The Interpreter]

Hmmm. I have NOT heard instrumental music on KD's International Street, but rather the same choices oft heard at Kings Island. Worlds of Fun, yes; Kings Dominion, no.

[BlondyRidesOn]

In one video, Eragon's theme from the film Eragon was playing in the background.

skip to around :25 in the video. It repeats the scene again at around 3:16 in the video.

[BoddaH1994]

Dream Street at Great Adventure still has curbs. I find that rather amazing.

Universal Studios Orlando has curbs everywhere.

[OldieButGoodie]

Interesting to watch the thread... Don Quixote comes right out of the buildings near Starbucks... seems kinda Spanish to me. German stuff near the Festhaus, lots of French stuff. Loved the theming back in the day. And the 'vine tunnel' between the kids area and River Town... times change. Some for the better, some less so. Love KI either way though!

[upstop]

The shops on International street once sold imported items from the country of origin, I'd like to see that return, along with the demo shops, like the Rainbo bread and Kahn's sausage demos. We still have the Glassblower, right? (I don't usually venture into the shops these days.)

[Avatar]

Over the years we have enjoyed shopping at Kings Island and picked things up along the way but more so several years back like King Cobra years back. The shoppes had unique items and didn't have the parks name placed on it. I must be honest there is nothing in my living room with any park name on it. Oh we do have several items we have bought at different parks as a reminder of a of a day filled with family fun but it may have been a simple bird house bought at Kings Island.

Recently it seems that most items are sold with Kings Island name on it and I can't remember buying anything like that in a long time. I understand they must sell a lot of it or they would quit doing that. Our most recent trip my wife wanted to go to Girl Space shop on International Street because they often sold trending cloths without the parks name on it. Well she was very disappointed to find it was now stocked with clothing that you could find at the other shops in the park and yes the parks name was on it. For me I acted disappointed in front of her but honestly I was smiling knowing I was going to save money this year.

[upstop]

I thoroughly enjoyed Dollywood's Craftsman Valley. I couldn't afford about 90% of what they sold but the products were superbly handcrafted.

[Webble78]

In my opinion the only store worth anything is the glass blower. Every other sells the same thing as the other stores. My daughter buys one new t-shirt a year, as she likes to wear them at school but that's it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[upstop]

That was always a part of the fun to what the craftsmen work. I always wanted one of the glass Eifel Towers. Might just get one this year.

[Vortex]

Bush Gardens Williamsburg reminded me a lot of early Kings Island. Shame the shops now days have nothing international in them.

[upstop]

I wouldn't mind seeing International Street have an International Food Festival. Yummmmm, yum.

[upstop]

Bush Gardens Williamsburg reminded me a lot of early Kings Island. Shame the shops now days have nothing international in them.

Actually, they still sort of sell international products....most of the stuff comes from China.