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Are you fearing that someday someone will ask you "Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Kings Island Central Party?"

People still do this, many people actually. I'm one of them. There most definitely is still a photography industry. It's ever-changing and certain companies utilize it a lot better than others, but I wouldn't say it's dying or that something like this would kill it. Here's my two cents: This is a neat opportunity for anyone who has some good shots and would like to contribute. i whole heartedly agree that some form of credit or a link to the photographer's website should be given. However, there's no revenue they're going to generate by offering free wallpapers for site visitors to see or download. It'd be one thing if they're using these photographs as marketing material, but according to the original post they're just asking if anyone would like to contribute some wallpapers. I know when I was 15, first reading this site and first getting into photography I would've jumped on something like this. Why not? If it's good enough and they use it as a wallpaper, it adds some credibility to your work. It may not be a big thing on a resume, but it's still cool. Now, if these photographs showed up in something the photographer didn't originally agree to (advertisements, promotional material etc.), then there'd be a problem. No offer was made for a photo credit so how are they going to get noticed. So a budding photographer wanting to market their work won't get that "lucky break". BTW as you proved in the fantastic thread of your photos, great shots are a result of experience and very hard work. If someone wants to reproduce any of the shots, you should get paid for the very hard work you put into those. If not pay, then at least a credit. Not a single shot on the link provided had a single photo credit which means KI paid someone to shoot them, or for the rights to use them uncredited. I sincerely doubt that KI paid someone to specifically come in and shoot photos that could be used on their site as wallpapers. The ones they already have were probably grabbed from marketing/event shoots they hired a photographer for. However, if people are just contributing wallpaper images then I don't see a problem especially if they're getting a tour in exchange. It's something fun. I'm sure Don could walk around the park a few days in the summer and get some good shots and I know he has in the past, but why not let some KICers contribute something cool? And in exchange you get a backstage tour for you and some friends. I think that's reasonable compensation for some background wallpapers. There's a fine line between a few good shots that people contribute from here as wallpapers and professional work. No offense to anyone here, but if the park wants/needs something professionally done they'll probably hire someone for that job and I doubt they'd hire someone specifically wallpaper images. They could just not have any on their site and the world would go on just fine. Like I said, they said it's just for wallpaper images. If it was for something bigger or an ad campaign, that'd be different, but if it's just for wallpapers - no big deal.

Ok, like I said, not the best quality, but check out the station wagon! That thing screams early '80s! LOL. I like how bright the firework is in this one, really lit up the area! Had to include one that had the Eiffel Tower in it for proof these are Kings Island, lol!

I am guessing that if you contact Avatar he would be more than happy to help you out...or help you out the door as the case may be.

^ My thoughts exactly. It just makes you feel the old days too. I was born in 77 and that is the KI I remember adoring as a kid.

I like today's Kings Mill photo...mostly because it shows the perfect amusement park ride...a ride the whole family can ride together. The family in the log look like they are having a great time*. *Squirting elephant or Snoopy not included. Void where prohibited by law.

Who ever taped the show.probaly just thought the.ride.looked cool.and.wanted it in all.the shots

I may have misheard but I'm pretty sure they said that the cemetary dated the plant and that none of the graves were from people that worked at the plant. The "Ghost Hunters" revealed this at the end after their extensive research via an easy Google search. One of them looked at Don and was like "Oh, hey, yeah, uh so that factory exploded like, uh, well after those people died. OMG, DID YOU HEAR THAT!?" Then he pointed his flashlight at an area where the camera wasn't looking. When the camera turned... nothing was there. Also, I'm pretty sure that the plant that exploded was once adjacent/connected to the cartridge factory that still stands well behind the park and down the river. Although, there were once other munition plants on land that now occupies KI. I don't think any of those ever exploded though. One last thing: Don never said that the little girl in the blue dress was connected to the plant explosion, yet the Ghost Hunters seemed like they kept assuming that. And just for the record - this was a good thing for the park. The B-Roll footage was beautiful, it got the park national attention on a wildly popular show and was fun to watch. The show is still stupid though.

If you hang around here enough, you'll come to understand the "inner workings" of roller coasters and other rides, and recognize how mistaken your friend must be. Complex mechanical systems and redundant safety features are in place on all roller coasters. The restraints on Flight Deck are (to my knowledge) unlocked from underneath the train or by pressing a pedal along the side of each individual car. If one restraint is unlocked, all of the restraints in that car (four seats) would be, as well. Therefore, it's not possible to manually release the restraints during the ride. Sometimes rides can definitely give the feeling of weightlessness, and the rigorous swaying of Flight Deck may make it seem like your over the shoulder restraint is fitting loosely. However, the idea that one restraint might come undone is not only extraordinarily improbable and mechanically unlikely, but that it would happen five times to one person on five separate instances makes it about as close to statistically impossible as it can be. I don't doubt your friend truly felt like her restraint came undone at least the first time, but as a community that tries to get people to enjoy Kings Island and understand it, I feel like it's necessary to let you know how near impossible it is that it happened at all, much less five times to one person. But others with far more knowledge about that particular ride's safety features can say more if they choose. Also, welcome! Hope you stick around and we don't scare you off.

Just stop posting and quit logging in?

Photo #9 - KI&MVRR

Investor Conference, NYC, Thursday, January 19, 2012, 9-11 AM, Eastern Standard Time. FUN reports record attendance. Also, note the last sentence of the slug line in this press release! http://m.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cedar-fair-entertains-a-record-234-million-guests-in-2011-136742523.html (Note: I find it VERY interesting this conference is being held in New York City, not in Sandusky, Huron, Milan, Toledo, Akron or Cleveland. In fact, if I were the Mayor of Sandusky or Governor of Ohio, I'd be a wee bit worried. Enough so I might be in New York City on January 19, 2012)

Just returned from a 3 day quick trip to Virginia. Goal was to help a friend who works at Busch Gardens to move back here temporarily. Left 6 a.m. Wednesday, 12/28 and drove straight to Busch. After waiting for her to meet us at a local fast food joint, she got us into the park with complimentary tickets (Saving $37.95 x 4). She had to work until 6:30 p.m., so we took off to explore. We rode "Air over Europe" with is a moving seat to give the effect of flying over European landmarks. Next, we purchased a round of hot chocolate and stood in line for "Ice Palace--a Penguin Paradise." Featured were several live penguins on loan from the Columbus Zoo. Unfortunately, They had just finished swimming and were drying off for the night. Not much action. By this time, our friend was off work (She has been working since June in the makeup/costumes--being in charge of the Busch Santa for Christmas Town. We met at the Festhaus (Germany) and saw the singing/dancing show "Deck the Halls." which was very entertaining and featured great talent. Following the show, we ate at the Festhaus. Selections included Prime Rib Sandwiches (lean on the size of prime rib), pizza, fries, chocolate cake, eggnog cheesecake, etc. Her employee discount got us $30 off the total bill. Next she took us to meet Santa (his greeting "ya'all" amused my granddaughter (11 y.o.). After that, we went to Ireland for the "Gloria" show--a gospel rendition of the story of Christ's birth--the real reason for Christmas. It was wonderful. Great effects and beautiful voices. She took us backstage to meet the performers after. Next we headed for Italy to see "Miracles" a dazzling show featuring magnificant singers, ballet dancers and more special effects. On the way, we passed "Alpengeist". Thinking we did not have time to ride and make the show, I made the "adult" decision not to ride and still regret it. Turns out, there was no wait (was the 40 degree weather a factor?) My 17 y.o. daughter and our friend rode while we went to the show. Turns out they made the show as well. It was then closing time. Not mentioned previously was the glorious lights. Apparently, they bumped it up from 3 million lights last year to 5 million this year. The lights were fantastic. I now have a plan to order some gold strings for my yard next year. According to our frend, the tree at the Festhaus has it's own crew just to keep it going. It had a dancing lights to music show of it's own. Polar Pathway had a water ride building litterally blanketed in white lights, with blue lights covering the water ways. It was beautiful and apparently, visible from Skylab in outerspace. After a few souvenir purchases, we left for the evening. PLEASE Cedar Fair--BRING BACK WINTERFEST. On a side note: the flowers were still blooming. They had beds of petunias, pansies and flowering shrubs. Seemed kind of strange for December (almost January). Turns out we were there on the coldest night so far for the area--probably in the low 40s but dropped lower that night.. On Thursday afternoon (it took all morning to get an 11 y.o. and 17 y.o up and fed at the local IHOP) we visited Colonial Williamsburg. We were pretty much dragging the kids, but I think they secretly enjoyed it. You have to purchase a ticket to get into the buildings. We were short on time, but got our money's worth. We were participants in the courthouse reinactment. Husband stayed to watch the "Tavern Lighting" I had to get the kids back to civilization (visitor center with shopping). We then met up with our friend, packed up the back of our minivan with her belongs that won't fit in her car when she drives back tonight after Christmas Town closes. We ordered pizza and drove through the Newport News Christmas Light display at a local park. It was pretty, but I was disappointed it was 100% secular--no nativity. Drove back to Dayton on Friday. Had beautiful weather both directions to enjoy the Blue Ridge Mountains. Happy New Year.

The last year for the year was '08 (seen here, vs '09 here). I wish that the park would return both the name and the year to the display. And, a quick sidenote, the floral clock also once had the park name, seen here (year unknown, vs. '10 here). I wasn't sure which display the park used this year. I did however notice that the structure the bell was hanging from was replaced/rebuilt this year, and it definitely needed it- check out this '70s vs. '09 comparison here. Like TOPGUN1993 pointed out, the clock used to be to the right of Eiffel Tower, where International Showplace is today. I'd assume it was relocated in '77 (the year Showplace opened). I could be wrong, but I think that the theater was removed when American Heritage Music Hall opened in '76. Regarding the actual picture, one of my favorite things about it is how the Kings Island Theater advertises "Air Conditioned" on the side- I probably take that amenity for granted

riddle me this- how long was the theater in the picture there? and anyone have any pictures from inside that?

The clock actually was in the park in (well at least 1974) but not in the familiar location it is today. It was located in the current spot of International Showplace.