Park World Online's Blog/Article about KI's 1972 Debut

[BoddaH1994]

I don't think this has been posted before, but I stumbled upon it and it's a very interesting read. This is from the perspective of Dennis Speigel of ITPS.

Sample:

Ed McHale and I, as assistant general manager, were responsible for the move. We almost completed the entire moving process in 30 days! An amazing feat as I look back. We had to transport everything 26 miles up Interstate 71, using a local company to handle the move. They came through for us.

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/2240/Happy_Birthday_Kings_Island!.html

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

As a member of the Kings High School marching band, I remember that day very well as we marched in the opening day parade! Besides being the marching band that lead the parade, we also marched and played when Kings Island Drive was opened to traffic. Kings Island's design department created the banner that we used in front of our band to identify who we were. Our banner said: Kings High School Marching Band, Kings Mills, Ohio, Home of Kings Island. We also marched at Coney Island on the last day of operation before they moved up to Kings Mills, Ohio. We had lots of fun on both days. I would go on to work at the park as one of its first workers in 1972 and had fun as one of "The Original Employee's!"

[Voicetek]

A line from the article says:

"In 1972, five themed areas were highlighted. Today there are seven."

Unfortunately, those areas that are supposed to be "themed" are not as noticeable as they were back then and tend to run together. It would be nice if they were as distinctive as they were back in those days.

[BoddaH1994]

As a member of the Kings High School marching band, I remember that day very well as we marched in the opening day parade! Besides being the marching band that lead the parade, we also marched and played when Kings Island Drive was opened to traffic. Kings Island's design department created the banner that we used in front of our band to identify who we were. Our banner said: Kings High School Marching Band, Kings Mills, Ohio, Home of Kings Island. We also marched at Coney Island on the last day of operation before they moved up to Kings Mills, Ohio. We had lots of fun on both days. I would go on to work at the park as one of its first workers in 1972 and had fun as one of "The Original Employee's!"

Did Fairfield march too? Both FUNtv and the parks Web site say they did, but I wad under the impression that they were the only ones.

[KI-ORIG-EMP]

Fairfield and Kings, among others marched in the parade. We wore all red uniforms with a big red K on the back of our overlay with a big red and white bear cap on our heads.