Voicetek

Ah, well that makes sense. I was too young to know how much he paid for our VCR or how much those things actually cost back then. That would make sense that the VHS won because it was a cheaper product.

Our first VCR was a Betamax as well lol. Around that same time my dad was shopping around for a VCR trying to decide on the VHS or the Beta. After doing much research and consulting people working in the electronics departments, he went with the Betamax. He was informed that the tapes were smaller and had better resolution video (all of which were true) so it would more than likely win out over the VHS which was a bigger tape. As we all know now, VHS won the battle of home video cassette media. Why? To this day I have no idea. You'd think with how things usually go, the more compact tape would win. I loved our Betamax though. The tapes were small and it produced some nice quality recordings. We kept that thing and used it for years, even after video stores stopped renting Betamax copies. Having a VCR in your home in the early 80s was quite exciting!

If I would've created something this bad for work (which I have before), my boss would've called me into his office and yelled at me (which he has before) lol. I learned real early to step up my game and not to take shortcuts - which looks like what happened here. Something like this would not pass at my work, and I work for a small, locally-owned, family company. The standards for KI should be MUCH higher than were I work.

Just got a newsletter from KI about the 2015 season passes. It contained this graphic: I love the crop work around the people. You know, KI should think about hiring some of us to do their Photoshop work. Heck, they wouldn't even have to pay us. Just throw some nice KI perks our way and we'd be more than happy to help them out. Just a thought.

I've not visited many theme/amusement parks that are now defunct except for a couple. Those were Americana and Fantasy Farm. Of the two, I feel like Americana could've been reopened and made a comeback. It was a nice little park with lots of classic rides. Fantasy Farm? I'm not sure. I don't know if it really needs to be brought back or not, but it would be cool to go back in time and experience it again at the age I am now. I have very vague memories about it, but can't remember it in detail. It would be fun to experience it again the way it was in the 80s.

Just rode this ride about a month or so ago and was wondering when or if this ride would ever be updated. Well, I guess I found out the answer.

I think we're due for another family ride. Something that everyone can ride together. Something that's high-quality and unique that young and old will enjoy. Something that's not a coaster. I'm calling for a huge, high-quality, highly detailed, extremely immersive dark ride. It would also be good if the cars (or boat, vehicles, whatever) could hold 4 people so mom's, dad's, and kids don't have to split up like they have to do on many other rides. We have coasters, we have flats - some of these even considered "family" rides. But what if someone in your family doesn't like these types of rides? I know I can't ride most flats because I get dizzy. And my mom didn't like ANY type of coaster, so family rides, when I was growing up, that we could all ride together, were far and few between. However, we could ride the dark rides together. Enchanted Voyage, Smurfs, Phantom Theater...any of those were perfect. I think this is was KI is lacking. We've got such an incredible line up already. Let's make it totally complete with the addition of another family dark ride!

He did get himself banned from Disney World. He did a video where he talked about that.

I never said it was the "end" of animation, I just said that right now the whole climate of the industry is different than it was back in the 80s/90s. Is this good or bad? I guess we'll find out. All I know is that studios are laying animators off or hiring them for temp positions (some of them anyway). And they can do this because there are so many animators now that they're happy to have the work.

I've been studying animation since I was around 5 or 6 (I'm 34 now), and had originally planned to be an animator. I read every article I can get my hands on and watch all the documentaries I can find. Lately I've been reading a lot about what's going on in the industry right now and it's not all good. The whole business of animation is in an interesting state right now. I somewhat feel sorry for current animation students who are hoping to have a long career in animation here in the US. Let me explain a little bit for those of you who might be interested. See, 20-30 years ago, animation was an art form that could only be created by artists. You had to have special skills. Not only did you have to know the techniques of animation, but you also had to be classically trained in fine art. You studied anatomy and physiology. You studied nature, and animals. You really knew how to capture every little detail. It was quite painstaking. Of course, this was for 2D animation - Think Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, and Lion King. These guys were masters at their craft and it took special talent and a lot of hard work to become one of these guys. Fast forward a few years and along comes Toy Story. Now, most of the people who worked on this film came from the 2D animation background. These guys were artists who were now using a different medium. They were trading their pencils for a mouse and screen. Let's move forward a decade or two and now we're busting at the seams with 3D animated films. They're everywhere and new studios are constantly popping up trying to get in the game. But where are all these animators coming from? Well, you no longer have to be an "artist" anymore. As long as you know the techniques of animation and know how to use the software, anyone can animate. You no longer have to have that special talent of "fine artist" anymore. Now obviously it helps, but it's not required. In an interview for the movie Tangled, Glen Keane (an ex-Disney animator), was talking about the guy who animated the opening scene in which we first meet Rapunzel. He stated that the particular animator couldn't draw a stick figure to save his life, but he was especially skilled at understanding movement so he was able to animate Rapunzel with believability. Had this guy wanted to animate 10-20 years prior, he would not have been able to because he was unable to draw. This was no doubt a huge hindrance for many, many people. Now with computers, this opens up the door for many new people to become animators, even those that can't draw! Is this a problem? Yes. Because of this, the industry is much more crowded. There are tons of people trying to break into the industry, so each studio has to be more selective and there aren't as many jobs as there are animators wanting those jobs. This also create new problems. Since we have such an abundance of animators, new studios are opening up and getting into the business. Remember when is was just Disney? Then Disney and Pixar? And then Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks? Do you know how many studios have entered the animation business? Quite a few. Now, everyone's competing for that top spot and there are many more selections of quality animated family films to choose from at the theater. This splits up revenues and each studio is struggling to recoup their budgets. This creates another problem. Dreamworks has been struggling the past couple of years to make a profit, or a big enough profit to keep their shareholders satisfied. Because of this, they laid off a TON of animators and announced that they would be moving a good chunk of their animation department overseas. Kung Fu Panda 3 will be largely animated in China. Is this fair? Well, not to American animators, but to the company, it's quality animation done cheaper. Cheaper animation = higher profits. See, animation is a business now, not strictly an art form. So what's happening over at Pixar? Well, now they higher animators on per job. What does that mean? Well, you want to work for Pixar? They higher you on to do animation for a particular film. At the end of the film you either stay on for another film, or they can let you go. Think of it as "temp" work. This isn't good for anyone wanting a career in animation. So what's up with the Disney Animation Studios? Well, they might be worse. Just earlier this year they booted a bunch of big named 2D animators out the door. They've decided that no one wants 2D anymore so they don't want 2D animators hanging around. Not even to train the new guys. Many of the 2D animators who were there in what some people would call the Disney Renaissance era back in the late 80s and early 90s have moved on to do their own projects and are doing some great things in animation. I highly recommend doing a Google search for "Glen Keane" and "Duet." So since it's easier to animate and a lot more people can do it, it's making animation as an industry more crowded and less profitable (for some). Someone told me the other night that it's never too late to become an animator. I looked at them and said, not now. Not in this climate. And that's the truth. Now there are some areas that still require some fine artists, but more than likely that won't be as an animator. It will most likely be in pre-production stuff, designing backdrops and layouts and that kind of thing. These are really talented people that sometimes get forgotten. You can still have a career as a fine artist in animation, but it's not like it used to be. I look forward to the day that 2D animation is revived and animation becomes more of an art form like it was at one time. We can only hope!

Wow, talk about a thread bump! This was an epic thread bump 8 years in the making! Oh well, as long as we're here, classic Nickelodeon was, well, classic! I started watching Nickelodeon in the 80's and it seemed like they were still trying to discover who they were as a network. I remember shows like You Can't Do That On Television, Count Duckula, and a show called Out of Control hosted by a young Dave Coulier. There was also this show where kids reviewed movies. Not sure what it was called, but I do remember thinking that some of the movies they were reviewing were sort of inappropriate for kids to be watching. It was quite an interesting network in the 80s. Move on into the 90s and the network was legendary! So many great shows that I can't even list them all. All I know is that on the weekends when I was at my dad's house, Nickelodeon was the only station that was on the TV. Ok, I said I couldn't list all the show, but I'm going to try. Here it goes: Hey Dude Welcome Freshman Double Dare Guts Legends of the Hidden Temple Are You Afraid of the Dark Clarissa Explains it All Alex Mack Salute Your Shorts All That Keenan and Kel The Amanda Show Pete and Pete Rugrats Ren and Stimpy Rocko's Modern Life Doug (do do do do do do...) Ok, that's just off the top of my head and I'm sure there were WAY more that I used to watch. It was such a great channel with some unique programming (see Pete and Pete). Kids today sure as heck don't know what they're missing. Most of the stuff they have on that channel now is just crap (same as current Disney Channel). Oh what I wouldn't give to rewind time back to the 90s and early 2000s and relive some of that awesome programming. Until someone invents a time machine, I guess we'll just have to stick with DVD, YouTube, and the occasional Bit Torrent (you didn't see that). Here's to classic Nick!!!

This discussion is quite interesting to say the least. It seems the reasons people offer as to why Winterfest can't or won't come back all have to do with sucky Ohio weather. They say Cincinnati weather, in the winter, can be unpredictable and unforgiving. No one would come out in this type of weather so a winter event couldn't possibly survive here in this area. I might be wrong, but doesn't the Cincinnati Zoo have to deal with these same weather conditions? Even though extremely cold, don't people still come out of their houses for that? Isn't that event successful? I know, I know. We've been down this road before. The Festival of Lights is well established, they have lots to offer, etc, etc. That really isn't the argument though. The argument is weather. Crazy Cincinnati weather hasn't managed to destroy The Festival of Lights yet, so I feel there could still be hope for Winterfest. How many times could you actually go to The Festival of Lights in one season? We usually go just once. Then the other nights/weekends we're looking for other things to do. Things that are different. We like to experience different types of events during the holiday season as I'm sure many other families do. So re-establish Winterfest and people will come. If they're coming out in blistering cold temps to the zoo, then why would coming out to Winterfest in blistering cold temps be any different? As long as Winterfest had enough to offer, I don't think it would be any different. People would still come. We could basically go around and around in circles and discuss this til we're blue in the face (or blue in the fingertips if you're typing) and we'll pretty much get nowhere. Everyone has their own feelings and their own opinions about the event coming back. These feelings and opinions won't change unless we get an official announcement from the park that it's for sure coming back. Would I like to see it come back? Heck yes, but I'm not holding my breath. If it comes back, great, if not, well then I'll just stick to the list of things I mentioned in my other post. There are plenty of things to do around here for the holidays and for now, we'll just have to stick with those.

What, do you play for the Marlins? Why yes, yes I do.

Too bad the video doesn't exist

Wow, only $1.8 million? Well then, let me just cash the pay check I just got today and head on down there and purchase one.

^Those would be my first 2 choices as far as location.

Here are my thoughts: If KI can only have 1 dark ride, I'd say ditch Boo Blasters and replace it with something better. If KI is open to having more than one dark ride, I'd say keep Boo Blasters, update it a little, then add the new dark ride in another area of the park. I don't know though. I don't know if I see KI having more than one dark ride. I think it would be great. How could would it be to be in another area of the park besides Planet Snoopy and be able to ride a dark ride? That's something that's never been able to be done at KI.

I'm sure since it is a new company, coming up with a few smaller, easy to market attractions, is a good way to market yourself and start building a consumer base. On their website, it looks like they've got some other types of rides that they'll be announcing soon.

I always hoped that they would get the clock fixed. For years the characters were just up there, stuck, not doing anything. I remember as a kid when we were near there, wanting to stop and wait for the clock to go off so I could see the characters come out and do their thing. For years I kept looking up at the clock, hoping to see that something was fixed. It was to my shock this year, when I looked up and saw that the clock was gone completely. My hopes for the clock being repaired were smashed to pieces. I understand things need to change, but this didn't need to.

My wife and I drove past there one Saturday a couple years ago. It happened to be closed that day which was disappointing. We've never actually made it inside. Maybe someday!

Gosh, nostalgia is rough isn't it? I look back and remember fondly the days of visiting Kings Island as a kid. My dad would pick my sister and me up on Saturdays (my mom and dad were divorced), and we'd swing by the breakfast buffet at Frishes and then head out to the park. My sister and I were pretty young, so the 3 of us would spend the day in Hanna-Barbera Land. I sure loved that place! I remember riding the Flinstone Bumper Cars, and several other rides. I used to love riding the little trains that you powered by turning a handle with your hands. There were also different colored trains that went round a track (can't remember for the life of me what they were called) and we always took a ride on those. After a while of rides, it was time to sit down, relax, and catch a puppet show by the Puppet Tree. I can still remember walking around that area and hearing theme songs from some of my favorite shows. You'd hear the lyrics over the speakers, "Scooby, Scoobidy Doo..." or "...just because he's smarter than the average bear!" Thinking back on things like this just gives me warm fuzzies inside. It reminds me of being a carefree child, experiencing certain rides for the first time, or just spending a Saturday with my dad. Did I think it was that great while I was experiencing it at the time? It's hard to say. I did know I was having fun though, and that's what was important when I was a kid. I was having great fun! I didn't care about anything else as long as I got to ride Scooby Doo on the carousel. Looking back now though, it's clear to see that these types of things hold more meaning now then they did when I was a kid. Yeah they meant a lot to me then, but over time the meaning changes. It's not about going to the park and having a good time, it's looking back and reliving those times in your memories and knowing that you'll never experience them again. There is something a bit sad about it, but also you're happy because you got to experience those things. So for me, well, I'd probably say that Hanna-Barbera was the best era at the park. Why? Because of the memories I carry with me from that era. The characters, the rides, the attractions, the music. It gets all rolled together into one big memory. 20 years from now, find someone who was a kid during this era and ask him about his memories of visiting KI as a child. I bet you it'll sound the same as my description above, except the names of the rides and attractions will vary slightly. When it really comes down to it, the characters on the signs, or the paint schemes of the rides have nothing to do with it. It's the people you're with and the experiences you share together that cement those memories in your mind. The other things are just secondary. Things change, memories are forever.

I did a forum search for this and got no results, so I thought I'd post it. I remember watching this when it aired on TV back in 1992. I thought it was so cool to see a local park on a TV special. There are some really great clips of some former rides, including a really neat spot on Phantom Theater at around the 42:00 mark. Also, be on the lookout for cheesy characters, bad acting, and really bad 90s fashions. All in all though, it's a pretty neat look back at KI from 1992!

Actually, I saw a video once of a guy who owned a bunch of various arcade-type games. One game/machine that he had was a claw machine. He opened up the control panel and showed that there was a knob that you could adjust how tightly the claw grabbed. Turn it down, the claw would close but not put forth enough pressure to actually grab something. Turn it up, the claw would grab the heck out of whatever was in the machine. So not sure if you could call it "rigged," but you could definitely control the outcome to an extent.

I don't think anyone needs a full week off school for fall break just two months after returning from summer break and just a month out from Thanksgiving. I worked in an afterschool program with elementary school kids while I was going through college. I was contantly surprised at the number of days they got off during the year as well as the number of early dismissals. One year one school gave the kids Halloween off. Another year one school gave the kids the whole week off for Thanksgiving. It seemed like just about every other Friday there was a school with an early dismissal. And God forbid there was the slightest dusting of snow on the ground, if there was, the schools shut down like it was some kind of nuclear winter. Now I'm not against giving kids a break now and then, but there is a limit. Schools now adays seem to be pushing that limit.

You know what I'd like to see brought back? The puppet tree. Now that was something I looked forward to every year when I was a child. When the new season rolled around, I couldn't wait to get to the park to see what new characters and songs would be part of the show. Ever year I had my favorite character puppet and song. My dad would take his camera and get a picture of that puppet for me. I remember one year it was a koala bear puppet that sang and danced to "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport." For whatever reason, I just really liked that part of the show. Not sure if kids today would be into this kind of thing, but it was something I looked forward to most every visit to the park.