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Good resource for helping protect you and your family from becoming victims: https://www.fbi.gov/resources/parents http://www.missingkids.com/home The danger is much more widespread than we think. Be alert.

Hopefully, the sign isn't the only thing they refurbish, Vortex has been pretty faded for as long as I can remember!

I'm currently the same age as this girl. As a Male the chances of this happening to me is a little less but still possible. Kids my age seriously need to watch out, This is one of the reasons to this day I still don't use social media. It's a good thing but people need to watch the way the use it. I just think it isn't worth meeting anyone online.(Unless they're a KICentral member you know & trust :)) but back to a serious note. At least do a little research and if you do decide to see the person IRL, Go with a few friends or meet in a VERY public area where if the person decides to do anything stupid people we able to see you, And you can yell for attention.

1. Riding Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle for the first time. I first started going to Kings Island when I was obsessed with Scooby Doo, so it was my favorite ride. (I rode Fairly Odd Parents the same day and cried--I didn't go on roller coasters until three or four years after that!) I actually cried when the newspaper ran the announcement that they were replacing it and even wrote a letter to Kings Island management about it! 2. It will forever be The Beast. 3. Hmm...that's a tough one! Probably either Coney Mall or Rivertown. 4. Phantom Theater. 5. Mystic Timbers!! I have been hoping for a new wooden coaster for a while, so I was extremely excited when they first announced it. I can't wait for Preview Night--hopefully the crowd for Mystic Timbers will be somewhat less than regular Opening Day crowds.

Vortex is safe for another year [emoji14]

1. I have a couple: Being pushed around Winterfest in a stroller and riding the original Enchanted Voyage in Hanna-Barbera Land. 2. Has to be Adventure Express. This was one of my first "bigger" coasters when I was a kid, so it has some sentimental meaning to me. 3. I always liked River Town. 4. Phantom Theater 5. Mystic Timbers and Winterfest!

1. Riding Flying Ace Aerial Chase when I was around 5 for the first time 2. It's a 4 way tie between Vortex, Beast, Banshee, and Diamondback [emoji6] 3. Action Zone! 4. King Cobra 5. Mystic Timbers!

Honestly, Single Riders are the best thing ever for Ride Operators. You guys are like Candy. We love to attempt to get full trains as best as we can. So when we have a row of 3, and a singe rider comes up? It's the best thing ever, especially if they don't mind where they sit.

So sad to hear when things like this happen! I have students this age and we try our best to teach them to practice safe internet usage but sometimes horrible things like this still happen. I remember when I was in high school we took a trip to a local theater and a girl got up "went to the bathroom" but really went outside and got in a car with her over 18 "boyfriend" she was missing for two days after that. Also, I agree completely with younger children checking in w/ parents or guardians at the time etc. My brother is 16 and when I take him and a friend to KI, they often stay with me but if they want to go on their own I get permission from their parents if they can go off alone and I get check ins every hour and have them call their own parents periodically. That's probably a bit much, but I worry about them especially when they are in my care. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Apparently this little girl and this man initially met at the park but she left unharmed because he wasn't who he said he was. However, later on they continued to chat on the app which lead to a second meeting where the girl split off from her group and tried to confront the man for lying to her and that's where things went south. http://www.wlwt.com/article/man-charged-with-rape-unlawful-sexual-conduct-with-minor-at-kings-island/8658300 All you younger KIC members please listen to what I have to say. I was fourteen when I started to go to Kings Island without parental supervision but I still had to check in with my mom every hour or so through text. I think teenagers need to be more aware about the dangers of meeting people online. I'm sure there's hundreds of cases just like these that haven't been reported yet. This little girl didn't even bring it up until the police found out this man was talking to her. The fact of the matter is that you can't trust anyone you meet online. For all you know, I could be a completely different person than what I have set my profile as on here and no one would know, though some of you know what I look like from running into me at the park every now and then. Apps that are used to communicate with people are an extremely risky place to meet people; you don't see their face, you don't know what they look like, where they're from, or what they really want. If you have a messaging app that isn't Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram than you probably don't want your parents to read what you are saying otherwise you would be using your text feature on your phone. If people you don't know are messaging you on something other than on text than they probably don't want your parents reading it either. I'm not saying to not participate on forums like this one but I am saying to be careful. A lot of things, even things worse than rape, can result from meeting someone online.

I just thought of this the other day. What if the camera for the ride photo is what's in the shed? lol that'd be hilarious

I can echo what everyone has said so far. I personally have come to LOVE being at the park alone because I can do what I want when I want. I have a lot of regret because I spent fifteen years barely visiting parks or riding coasters because I felt weird about going alone. After the first couple times, I got over the weirdness and now I sometimes get a little edgy if I've spent too much time at the park with friends because I miss the freedom of not always negotiating what to do next. Going to the park alone doesn't have to be lonely, either. I've frequently gotten into conversations in lines or on the rare occasions I get paired with another rider, sometimes hitting it off with someone enough to ride two or three different rides in a row together. Being at the park as often as I am, I've made friends with a few other frequent single-riders, who I ride one or two rides and chat with before we go on our separate ways at the park. I'm not the most friendly person ordinarily, but enjoying myself, doing something I love in a place I love, tends to open me up more and put me in a more friendly mood. But on days I don't feel like talking to anybody, I can do that too. It helps to have a prop to keep you busy especially until you feel more comfortable: a smartphone is good. It gives you something to do in line, and makes you feel a little more connected to the friends who aren't currently with you. I've become less dependent on mine than I was at the beginning, though, often choosing to people-watch and just look around at the details of the park instead. Really, the thing I find most uncomfortable doing at the park alone is eating. So, I usually take my food out to the car (or brought snacks to eat in the car before I bought season-long dining) and talk to my husband on the phone while I eat. Because I try to go to the park when it's not busy, it's uncommon for me to be paired up with someone by the line-separator ride-op. But when it happens, it's not really as weird as I worried it would be. If not told by an employee to pair up, I will not "hop on" with another solo rider unless I ask first: I just wait for the next train. This seems to be pretty much accepted behavior, and it is exceedingly rare someone just sits next to me without being directed by an employee or asking me if I mind. The exception to this is on Diamondback, in the even rows where the seats are widely spaced, I neither ask nor expect to be asked if it is ok. It's perfectly polite to join an even row with another single without saying anything because you're actually riding closer to the people in the odd row in front of you than you will be to the other person in your row. My personal policy is to never refuse a request to sit with me if asked, even though I don't ask others except sometimes when I'm waiting for the front row. I would rather just wait a train than potentially make someone else feel awkward.

1. What is the earliest memory at Kings Island that you can remember? 2. What is your all-time favorite KI roller coaster? 3. What is your favorite area at Kings Island? (example: Action Zone, International Street, Soak City ; etch) 4. If you could bring back any ride back to Kings Island, what would it be? 5. What are you most excited for in the 2017 season?

Midget wrestling at KI? I missed that. Really? I thought that was strip club and biker bar stuff. This is the first I have heard of this and only read the report in the OP. A bit confused over BoddaH1194's comments and questions more than anything. Scratching my head on how the park could possibly had anything to do with this or done anything to prevent this. Razor wire fencing around all park owned property not in a direct line of sight from security personnel? That is a standard I don't think this society wants or can possibly achieve. Again, sorry if I misunderstand your thoughts. As I said, I am confused. Several people have asked (paraphrasing) "Once she knew he was lying why did she go back and meet him again?" She likely had formed an emotional attachment to him. That's what predators do. They manipulate. They groom. Chris, it appears this is just coming out now because a) he was just charged b.) the victim did not report the incident, she was sought out by investigators after they discovered his contact with her while investigating an unrelated matter. In Boy Scouts we adhear to the Buddy System. We can operate in some rather isolated areas. You don't go anywhere without a buddy. Never.

I've thought long and hard about something to say about this, and I've come up with many more questions than answers. The first question to come to mind is this: - Lowbrow Haunt entertainment - Midget wrestling - Steeply discounted tickets for much of the season Have things like this devolved the park into attracting such crowds? The park seems to think so. How can one tell? Look at the days that they choose to do metal detection vs the days they do not. Notice how Father's Day, which is "bring a friend for $XX.99 day" ALWAYS has wanding, while a Sunday during October does not. Is the safety of the guests a second rate to a slight bump in attendance? Also, I've seen every major news outlet report on this. The park? Oddly silent about this. Questions like: How could this happen at your park? Is this an isolated incident? What are you doing to prevent this from happening again? ...all await answers. Does this minor league approach to adversity when it comes to public relations seemingly create more suspicion than appeasement? What about that poor, innocent , 13 year old girl whose life was forever changed? Would it really be too much to say that you're sorry it happened? Are you so immunized to the thoughts and feelings of the guests that when the most horrible thing that will ever happen in this girl's life happens on your property it does not constitute a comment? And the real question is: when the park opens up this April, will those of you who are fathers and mothers to teenage girls think that Kings Island is the same safe place that it was last Fall? Will you allow your kids to wander alone there any longer? I do not ask these questions out of conviction, I simply ask the questions that must be answered.

Make it look like 2009 again please and not 2001

1. Playing in Scrappy's farm and riding the little train engines. 2. The Beast 3. Either Coney Mall or Oktoberfest 4. Hmm. My screen name might be a give away. 5. The answer to the Shed.

1. Eating blue ice cream with my mom next to Boo Blaster (then Scooby Doo) 2. The Beast 3. International Street / River Town (they tie for me) 4. Phantom Theater (or an updated version of it) 5. Going to my first ever CoasterStock [emoji39][emoji567] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I made some renderings on what I think a giga in X-Base would look like. The coaster in this concept runs along a straight, relatively flat section of land that would require minimal tree removal and would over all be a more economic choice. I didn't really factor in any specific turns, except after the first drop, to convey the overall shape of the ride. Also notice how Dinosaur's Alive hasn't even been touched. I'll provide a more detailed rendering soon. Thoughts?

CF would probably loose in a dance off with him!

Different parents have different expectations. Some use KI as a summer baby sitter for their 11 year old as TRFTW mentioned. Something I would never do. I didn't take my 11 year old to haunt this past year. Not because he was not ready to be there, but because I was afraid if we got separated on a midway I would not be able to find him easily. Although we many not agree with a parents decision on how they do things, the sole responsibly goes on the man who decided to do these things. This is something we should not have to worry about anywhere much less a park.

It's worth noting that amusement parks as a whole--and Kings Island is no exception--can be treated as and are treated as daycare services by some people. A pass is cheaper than a babysitter, and some people seem to think an amusement park is just as safe. It's not. Bad things happen at parks, too.

I don't have much sympathy for the complaining residents. I'm pretty sure the area was built up after the park was built. Moreover, very few residents would have been there before the park was built in the 70s. In other words, they moved to the nuisance. I think the stadium shares the parking lot so staying open during games may not be an option.

As a dad to two teenage girls, he needs more than that done. I won't elaborate what I think should be done......

It was partially repainted in 2009. It's been a bit, but it could use some more paint again.

1. Watching Vortex, being near the Carosuel, or seeing the climbing maze thing. 2. Either Bat or Banshee 3. My favorite area of the park is Action Zone, with Soak City and Rivertown in 2nd and 3rd place 4. Maybe? I was too scared to ride when I was a kid.* 5. Mystic Timbers, just being in the park again riding great rides and the triumphant return of Cirque (and hopefully DuoFannick!) *EDIT: So, I don't think I correctly answered the 4th question; I thought it was about if they should bring Phantom Theatre back. In answer to the newly proposed question, I'll say King Cobra. I never got to ride it (well, almost...) and I remember seeing it during my childhood. Son of Beast would also be an option, but it's not as nostalgic now due to it being closed the last few years of existence and because the loop was removed.

1. Definitely that one time I rode Phantom Theater when I was little. I got off crying and never rode again. 2. Adventure Express, for sure. 3. I really like the idea of Oktoberfest and Rivertown, but I feel like both (especially Oktoberfest) have gotten pretty far away from their original intents. I'd love to go back in time and experience both in their original forms. 4. Tomb Raider: The Ride. Big surprise, haha. 5. I'm looking forward to Friday nights after Origins opens this year. Friday nights are always a fun time to go to the park, and I'm really excited to have both Origins and Mystic Timbers available this year. (I don't know what I'm going to do with myself once the cirque shows leave!)

I believe Fiesta Texas is the only one left. It's my understanding that Scooby is branded through Sally, the company who built the Scooby rides, not through the parks themselves.

Thanks everybody for the advice. Gave me some ideas I would never come up with.

They are hosted on photobucket. Are you restricted from seeing pics on Photobucket?

I got tagged in these on Facebook! I was there just in ghost form apparently! Glad you guys had fun!

What. Why did she go back a second time? Once she finds out this guy was lying I would have canceled all communications altogether. Instead, she goes back to "confront" him. I'm not saying this is her fault but this could have been prevented altogether if she decided to leave this dude alone, It's sad. Also, how did this man drag her to the woods, I'm thinking they meet close to the main entrance. So It could have been possible to get a little attention. Anyone have more Info about it. I'm trying to decode this situation.

Much worse

Coaster pulls in station... "Riders, how was your ride?" Riders whisper "Yay!!!"

That's terrible! Hopefully he'll get something worse than the book as freaks76 said.

^^ that was what Don said to me, so it was probably my post. He said until the first /guests/ went through nobody would know what was in the shed including employees that did dry runs. I don't know how this will work assuming a media day and season pass preview, and the auction for first rides which I believe has been officially announced. They may have changed their minds, they may have something in mind to make media day interesting while still not revealing the contents of the shed. But it was how it was explained to me last year. If what is in the shed is what I assume (something on screens) it will be fairly easy to hide the content. Either wait to install the screens, remove them, cover them, or simply shut them off. But I have no idea that I am correct or not about what will be in there.

It's not to bad riding by yourself. But whenever I end up having to ride something with someone I don't know, I just small talk and ask if they've ever been to Kings Island, or if they've ever rode the ride we're currently on.

Throw the book at him!

Solo tripping from Charlotte, NC to Ohio Wed 5/17/17 thru Sunday 5/21/17. Have Platinum Pass with FL+ and will be visiting KD, CP & KI. I do it every year since family/friends either can't schedule the exact same time off or simply don't like extreme/thrill vacations. You will not be lonely if you strike up conversations. I meet tons of people this way and keep up with them via social media. Do not be afraid to ask if you can ride with someone. To be fair, if they are a wanting a specific seat they may ask you to jump ahead of them or vice versa but I've only encountered that situation once. Also, when you are almost to the loading gate, keep an eye out for the ride op assigning seats holding up "one" finger as they are always looking for single riders. Have never met anyone on this board being located in Charlotte, but I will be at KI on Sat 5/20 if anyone wants/needs a ride partner. Only caveat is we would have to time the wait/que if you have no FL+ but I have a lot of patience. Hope this info helps the OP.

I love to ride alone and dont really pay attention anyway while on coasters, they are way too much fun! I have gone many times alone and had as much fun as with people. The only ride that I hate riding alone is Banshee or Invertigo because being that there are more than 2 seats on Banshee and that you face off (lol face off) on Invertigo, it can get kind of awkward. But riding any ride is lots of fun regardless of company or not and like mentioned before, you might get a new friend out of it, I have made several friends while in line as you can both talk about Kings Island or the local area, anything of interest at the park really. Ive always had fun alone as you can choose your day and odds are you'll meet some folks along the way! MaestroJr

Pretty much what others have said. As a single rider, nobody really cares, there's far more of you than you think, and you have the complete freedom to do what you want when you want without having to negotiate it with the rest of your group. If I have one regret from the past few seasons at Kings Island, it's that on almost every visit I've made, I've spent almost the entire day with other KIC members, or with my mom (we go together once every couple of years, and she doesn't ride much). I miss the first couple of years I regularly went to KI (2010 and 2011), back when I mostly went alone and had that freedom to dictate the day myself. This season, I intend to make at least one visit where I purposely don't meet up with anyone and spend the entire day as a single rider. I want to feel that freedom again.

I too ride by myself. The great thing about it is that you can just go about your day as you see fit. I think you'll also realize that there are a lot more single riders out there than you would think.

It's awesome. You get to do what you want when you want. Riding with other people isn't usually an issue. If you are seated next to a group, they will ignore you. You might get a smile and a slight nod. You may get some small talk about Kings Island, which sounds like it is in your wheelhouse. There is no reason to feel like you don't belong. You do.

I haven't ridden nearly the amount of coasters that many on this forum have, no where close, but of those that I have ridden, Renegade at Valley Fair ranks right at or near the top. Its hard to judge b/c I've ridden many coasters at Cedar Pointe multiple times, and all of the coasters at KI more times than I can count plus a handful of others, while I only got to ride Renegade once, but I'd certainly put it above any of their other coasters, including Wild Thing (their Hyper that seems to get the most hype) and on par with Banshee or The Beast (for different reasons) Perhaps it would slide down a bit on my limited list if I had the opportunity to ride it as often as I've been on The Beast, but it completely blew away my son and I a couple of years ago and put me squarely in the camp wanting a CGI at KI. From the double turn drop, thru the station wrap around (fly-by?) to everything in between it constantly felt like you were being tossed one way or another and completely fun. If this is anything close to what Renegade was I'm going to be extremely happy, 4 star rating or not.

So I got my days messed up already and I just started the countdown. Anyways, here's a throwback photo of construction for Mystic Timers back at Haunt. We're 81 days from solving the mystery of #WhatsInTheShed! (Photo edited and taken by me) Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

When we (Carowinds) received our Boomerang from Geauga Lake in 2009, they added the newer style trains and trust me when I tell you it makes a HUGE difference. Imagine what these trains would do for Vortex...it would be a WHOLE new coaster with much smoother transitions in the elements and best of all, NO HEAD BANGING

NOW YOU WILL BUY- cheap trinkets and t-shirts! Check out at AE.

Maybe that's what is in the shed!