Great idea and an even greater job with the retake of these pictures, they look awesome. I was a teenager back when the park opened so I was not thinking about pictures back then and it is nice to see what I missed as well as what has changed. I myself just came across old Cp photos my parents took from the mid 70's and may try to do the same thing next year. Keep the pictures coming.

...keep in mind is that you didn't know what millimeter the lens size was on the original photos. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but not having that information definitely would make it more difficult to duplicate.

I hadn't thought of that.

I did stumble upon some photos my dad took from the Eiffel Tower looking towards Timberwolf…and you can see Viking Fury plain as day, and... Festhaus was under construction!

I would love to see these…I have only seen one far-a-way shot of the Festhaus construction.

I also appreciate that you took time to sign in to post your thoughts!

The thing I remember most about our first trip to KI was walking through the covered walkway and words cannot describe how magical it was.

I wish I could say that I had a shot coming up of the inside of the tunnel…but I don’t. I agree it seemed magical when I was a kid. I remember walking through it at night…as cool as it was in the daytime…at night it seemed so peaceful.

1974

Anyone who looked down upon the fountain from the tower in 1974 just HAD to have been impressed. Looking down at the fountain is still great...but seeing these sculpted bushes from up there just HAD to have been awe-inspiring! (Sidenote, look at the skyride cars down there!)

2011

Where would I rather be standing today? Shockingly, at least to me, I choose 2011!

Why, because even though the 1974 shot looks amazing from the tower...when I am down on “street level” I can’t imagine not having all of those trees all around.

Sitting next to the 1974 fountain in the summer would be about as much fun as it is roasting by the wave pool in Boomerang Bay.

I love sitting underneath the trees just watching the fountain.

Thanks again, again for all the comments...and once again to Hendrick for the great work!

I love the fountain. It's such an awe-inspiring entrance for a park between the fountain and the Eiffel Tower. I don't really think there is any park that captures that magic of an amusement park when you enter the way Kings Island (and by default, Kings Dominion) does.

As a side note, I'm guessing back in 1974 the women's restroom was split in two, as the building that houses the Men's restroom does not exist? That's one of my favorite parts of your pictures is finding the things that are not like the other, but that blend in so well.

I too like the trees better. I-Street just looks naked without them.

Trees...Better..... Asphalt in July...... Too Hot!!!!!

I'm curious about that green grassy patch at the end of the fountain by the entrance. That must have been a bear to keep healthy, could you walk on it? Why was it there?....What does it MEAN????

I've seen old pictures of the fountain and often thought, geez that looks so much better than today. But when I look at these 2, there is no doubt that the fountain area looks better today than in 1974. Not only the trees, but the coloring on the buildings looks much better.

Thanks again

What are those in the upper left corner of the 1974 shot, right next to where the restrooms are now? Are those picnic tables?

What are those in the upper left corner of the 1974 shot, right next to where the restrooms are now? Are those picnic tables?

That was my guess.

Trees...Better..... Asphalt in July...... Too Hot!!!!!

I'm curious about that green grassy patch at the end of the fountain by the entrance.

That is astroturf. I THINK that was the area the parachuters would land on.

Another observation about the 74 pic. We now know where CP got their garbage can spacing technique!

Thanks again J.D. for all the hard work!

Nice pictures. I-Street looked a little bare from the tower without those trees. I'm with you on the preference for 2011, it's nice to sit under the trees next to the fountain, especially if there's a little breeze blowing the mist towards you on a hot day.

I did stumble upon some photos my dad took from the Eiffel Tower looking towards Timberwolf (The Beach Boys were playing there the day we were at the park), and you can see Viking Fury plain as day, and... Festhaus was under construction! I was amazed, always thought it was always there! But, consulting the maps here at KIC, I realized it wasn't! I'll have to share the photos I have managed to save, scanning off of negatives.

Like many other members, I'd love to see these photos

What shop was that in the old picture? It looks like stuffed animals in the window.

According to a 1974 brochure, it was "Fiera degli Animali (Animal Fair)"

I like both the International Street photos (especially the overview- the '74 and '11 photos are seemingly exact). And a tree-less International Street would definitely be a bit hotter, but when you think about it, it couldn't be too different than Magic Kingdom's Main Street

And a tree-less International Street would definitely be a bit hotter, but when you think about it, it couldn't be too different than Magic Kingdom's Main Street

You are 100% correct...but whenever I am at Magic Kingdom I never have the time to just stand around to relax (or get hot) on Main Street.

Very interesting picture. From ground level, I've always thought I'd prefer the old style to the fountains, but with the tower view, I understand what everyone is saying. I do like the old surround to the fountains, but prefer the trees. I also noted that in the '74 picture, there are sidewalks to the storefronts and then the area where people are walking (Disney Main Street Style) whereas today its all one surface.

At least they added more to I-Street since the 70s. Most of these comparisons have shown massive cuts on landscaping...but more trees = better, in my opinion.

I don't think I've said this thread was awesome yet...so yeah, I'll say it now....this thread is awesome!

i think they did away with the side walks because people kept tripping over them.

ADA. Wheelchairs. Strollers, too.

Few curbs left in the park.

Or even arched bridges, for that matter....

Today’s photo set is one of those “probably should have tilted the camera a few inches” ones. I found the proper place to stand pretty easily. (I found an aerial of the 1974 area and superimposed it onto a 2011 shot.) I am not sure though if I have the direction quite correct...i’m thinking that maybe I should have pointed my camera a little more towards the right. (Not that the shot would have been anymore interesting! )

1974

I know that most of the posters here mourn the loss of The Flying Eagles...but to me, I miss Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal a LOT more. (Second only to the Antique Cars.)

2011

Nothing to see here...just keep moving!

It goes without saying that there is no contest for me for where I would rather be standing today...1974 wins by a mile. In my opinion, the ONLY thing that Tomb Raider: The Ride EVER had going for it was it’s excellent theming...Kenton’s Keelboats were a lot more fun!

I would have loved to have been around when you were taking that picture. I can just see some child, "Mommy, why is he taking a picture of a pole?"

This might be the first picture I have ever seen of the Keelboats. That does look like a lot of fun. Thanks once again standbyme.

Another great pic and another attraction replaced by something not as fun (but, in this case, can't be blamed on FUN)!

But you also now have Diamondback in the picture too! I'd say that is more fun than Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal! Granted that likely could have been built over and around KCKC/the lake. Can you imagine?

That would have been fantastic.

And, I'd say that most would agree that Diamondback is more fun.

-KIfan73, who is not always in the majority

This is a fantastic forum!

KCKC was better than Tomb Raider, and it also made sense in an area called Rivertown. (I also love hydroflumes and believe WWL was better than Maverick)

what a great picture of yesteryear and today, cannot wait for more! Sure do miss some of the rides that left, but yes all tomb raider had was the theme going for it.

But you also now have Diamondback in the picture too! I'd say that is more fun than Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal! Granted that likely could have been built over and around KCKC/the lake. Can you imagine?

"Can't see the forest for the trees"...you are right, I was looking right past Diamondback...you have changed my mind, I would much rather have Diamondback...although if I could have it & KCKC that WOULD be perfect!

Is thread was just mentioned on KIPR's twitter!

It's nice to see your work getting recognized standbyme Nothing like spreading the King Island love around to more eyes.

Indeed. But:

See the tree how big it's grown....

Terp waxing melodiously for the past, and the present.