On Saturday 12/10/11, the coaster club GOCC held their annual holiday party at KI. Several KIC'ers were present for the event.Don and his team did a great job with an awesome off-season tour. Kudo's to the food service team for an excellent dinner. This has been my first off-season event and KI and GOCC made it a most enjoyable day!

I took a lot of pictures to share with KIC'ers that could not attend.

EDIT: I just posted some key items from the speakers. Click here to read!

We registered in human resources for the event and were waiting for the tour to start.

We start making our way to the picnic area where a lot of coaster cars are in winter rehab.

Got a pic of Invertigo on the way!

Look over there, it is a green car off DB!

Back lot cars are actually in the back lot!

The poor FOF trains only get to see the outside world when it is cold!

Vortex trains!

Firehawk!

I am pretty sure these are off FH, but not 100%.

This is not how we are used to seeing the FD trains!

AE!

Woodstock Wirlybirds at ground level!

Haunt Hearse

More to come!

Thanks for the photos Indyguy, I love seeing the park during winter rehab. I hope you got some shots of the inside of the park as well.

We took a walk on the K.I. and Miami Valley Railroad track towards DB.

WWC access by train storage.

An empty WWC!

The red light was actually lit!

Train Station!

DB is peaking beyond the trees!

We are now in the Rivertown and looking at the splash down.

Next Stop, The Beast!

More to Come!

Looks like you got some good photos too! Keep 'em coming!

Large DB collection of pics!

Me under DB!

A natural flare!

Probably by favorite!

MCBR!

Train Bridge!

It might be cold, but we are really enjoying this tour!

More to Come!

Vortex and WS!

Empty games area I guess the bowling balls are weather proof!

I could not find anyone to give me a tattoo?

Zephyr!

Monster

Empty Fountain!

I hope you enjoyed the PTR, besides the cold it was a perfect day to take pictures on this off-season day.

Again, thanks to KI and GOCC for this awesome experience and fun filled day! Thanks to Avatar and IBEW_Sparky for making the ride over a fun time as well. I want to thanks Mrs. IBEW_Sparky for the awesome cookies as well!

Thanks for posting these! I'm missing KI, and it's nice to see up to date pics of the park even though it's closed!

Thanks for posting these! I'm missing KI, and it's nice to see up to date pics of the park even though it's closed!

Hopefully it helps the off-season blues!

Great photos, good to see kind of an un-official update of what is going on in the park. Could you tell how far along the Soak City construction was along?

Excellent trip report! Thanks!

Terp, in a warmer winter environment, at least for now

Sad I was unable to make this event due to my medical issues as it sounds like y'all had a great time. It was great to see you, Sparky, and Avatar however, and I appreciate you taking so many wonderful pictures for those of us who weren't there!

We both used y'all in different threads about the same topic at the same time. Tell me we aren't a close knit group!

Terp, glad to have good friends, y'all!

A few things to note from the speakers.

KI:

SOB - Status Quo

Crypt - Under review for future operations

Park Map: We might see some trees, but will not be to scale or 1:1. (In other words, don't expect the park map to be a satellite areal view!)

Single Rider Line will not be coming back for DB

Expect a similar calendar as last year with a later start and more daily operations

The calendar will launch at the same time a face lift is applied to the KI website.

Cedar Point:

Getting a new slide in Soak City

Indiana Beach:

Plans to continue to invest in the park and get the park back to a clean IB, while maintaining that nostalgia feel of IB.

Water Swings to go back to the water platform.

More renovation of cottages and accommodations

Social media person pushing to relocate the game in front of the Carp by Galaxi

They are really interacting now with social media and listening to feedback!

Price drop for 2012.

If anyone who was there remembers more please post!

A few things to note from the speakers.

KI:

Crypt - Under review for future operations

Am I the only one worried by this?

No. I am quite sure GYK and many others join you.

Terp, who does not always say yes, no?

Great photos, looks like you had fun, even though it was freezing.

A few things to note from the speakers.

KI:

Crypt - Under review for future operations

Am I the only one worried by this?

I'm freaking out about that too. I never would've known that ride in October could be my last. Just 1 more year please? It would stink is I go to the park next year and theres no Crypt or SOB.

screamscape could of been right about the Crypt

Great pics and report! Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous, and so glad the weather cooperated for you guys.

screamscape could of been right about the Crypt

Maybe

Could you tell how far along the Soak City construction was along?

From what I could see they were working on the wave pool and new entrance (new construction). I did not see other changes with the existing slides. Although, we did not go over there to know for sure.

Brad,

And thank YOU for sharing your photos! I can tell I really missed out on something good!

I remember walking around the Diamondback construction area when it was still just dirt and footers. (Near where the old trailer tower was. ) I would have really loved to have walked down there now in it's completed state.

Thanks again!

A few things to note from the speakers.

KI:

SOB - Status Quo

Crypt - Under review for future operations

Park Map: We might see some trees, but will not be to scale or 1:1. (In other words, don't expect the park map to be a satellite areal view!)

Single Rider Line will not be coming back for DB

Expect a similar calendar as last year with a later start and more daily operations

The calendar will launch at the same time a face lift is applied to the KI website.

Cedar Point:

Getting a new slide in Soak City

Indiana Beach:

Plans to continue to invest in the park and get the park back to a clean IB, while maintaining that nostalgia feel of IB.

Water Swings to go back to the water platform.

More renovation of cottages and accommodations

Social media person pushing to relocate the game in front of the Carp by Galaxi

They are really interacting now with social media and listening to feedback!

Price drop for 2012.

If anyone who was there remembers more please post!

Did you say a later start? They already opened late enough last year, and if that means an extra week, that leads us into an opening in May. That just seems way to late, I mean this is Southern Ohio. Yeah, we have cold winters, but by that time it is hot. I think the 2 or 3 week in May is a perfect time to start.

I'd interpret similar to last year as meaning about the same as last year, which was historically a late opening.

And I trust you meant April, not May in the end of your post.

I'd interpret similar to last year as meaning about the same as last year, which was historically a late opening.

And I trust you meant April, not May in the end of your post.

Correct, very similar to last years calendar. I do not think we will see a later start date than the 2011 calendar!

I would take a guess and say the park will open on Saturday, April 28th 2012. And if the Crypt goes bye bye, I would say it's no big loss, the ride is horrible from what it used to be!

If KI loses Crypt i will not care,and Im willing to bet its not going to be around much longer. I have rode it twice maybe, and that was back when it was TR:TR and even then I didnt care for it.

KI:

Single Rider Line will not be coming back for DB

Wasn't that the fast line for DB last year?

Yes.

Terpy, who just HAD to

Gravity Group continues to add more coasters to China. They are still working on the "High Five" coaster as it just began testing a week or so ago. They are also working on a coaster in a city by Beijing (i forgot the name of the city).

S&S- 4th dimension coasters/ tower drop rides etc.

Holiday World: Coastbusters (Holiwood Nights) event set for June 1st and 2nd of 2012.

This is about all that i can remember that IndyGuy didnt say in an above statement.

doesn't really have anything to do with the topic, but I saw the picture and it reminded me of a question I had- maybe someone can speak to it. The "log house" on the train ride- in a random conversation I had with someone- not really sure how they were affiliated with the park at all- who said that this house was there before Kings Island was built and the park integrated it to the surroundings. I have no reason to think that this is true or false, just curious.