Earlier this week, I was discussing the apps that most parks - including Kings Island - are adopting as a hub for guest information.

In the conversation, I brought up the fact that prior to web technology, guests never knew if any attractions would be closed for the day, until they arrived at the park.

The person to whom I was speaking seemed flabbergasted by that.  I explained that KI used a sign outside the main gate to indicate to guests prior to buying tickets (or entering the park) what, if any, rides would be closed that day.

The sign was to the right of the main entrance, before you reached the ticket booths (that are no longer there.)  The sign had various rules, like guest code of conduct, but at the bottom it had an area known as the "closed rides" sign.

It simply said "The Following Attractions Will Not Operate Today" and underneath had slots where plaques with ride names would be slid in or out, if they were closed.

The sign was there from the first visit I made back when the (original) Bat was new (in addition, The Bat closures also forced the park to set up sandwich boards in the entry plaza telling of its closure for the day.)

But I also remember the ride closure sign being there through the majority of the Paramount years.

I was wondering if anyone knew the exact year it was removed?  Possibly the same time they removed the ticket booths?

I remember the digital signs that were on the code of conduct and fun guide. I’d say it was removed in early the Cedar Fair-era. Before 2010 or so.

One thing I'll also add:

Originally, you were given the park guide/map by the cashier when you paid to park.  If a major ride was closed, they'd also sometimes include a insert with the park guide saying the attraction was closed.

The first year I purchased a gold pass was 2012, and the sign was still in operation at that time. I remember seeing Drop Tower was closed for the day. I wanna say 2013 was the last year, as they added a souvineer cup stand/advertisement with the Banshee logo on the background in 2014 that was blocking the sign (which was turned off), and then it was removed shortly there after.

Here are some photos from opening day 2006 if that's helpful. 

July 14th 2007

 

The magnet board was replaced for the 2007 season with this scrolling sign (Photos from June 27th 2007)

 

@TOPGUN1993 - exactly the sign I was thinking of.  (The non- digital one) Thank you!

6 hours ago, TOPGUN1993 said:

Here are some photos from opening day 2006 if that's helpful. 

Thank you for those!  Wish we still had those lamps!

Oh man, that magnetic sign brings back memories. Thank you, @TOPGUN1993.

8 hours ago, Gordon Bombay said:

Oh man, that magnetic sign brings back memories. Thank you, @TOPGUN1993.

I have three of the signs on my fridge.  Got them in a drawing in an off-season event.

Pixie & Dixie's Swing Set
Nickelodeon Splat City
The Beastie

 

1 hour ago, robintodd said:

I have three of the signs on my fridge.  Got them in a drawing in an off-season event.

Pixie & Dixie's Swing Set
Nickelodeon Splat City
The Beastie

 

That, my friend, is a very cool and unique souvenir. 

Man, seeing the pics of the Cedar Fair scrolling sign with the closed rides.....takes me back to simpler days. Thank you @TOPGUN1993 for the pics!

Also, correct me if I'm wrong, I'm pretty sure its not there anymore. Right?

On 2/9/2023 at 1:35 PM, TOPGUN1993 said:

Here are some photos from opening day 2006 if that's helpful. 

Thanks for sharing this image. I probably wasn't old enough to remember the magnetic boards, as I was 7 or 8 years old when Paramount sold to Cedar Fair. I do remember the scrolling LED sign. However, these pictures unlock another memory: 

I had forgotten that Paramount had display cases with movie posters, not too dissimilar to those in The Paramount Story/ Tower Gardens, showcasing the latest films the studio was producing or distributing that year. In 2006, Paramount was releasing the film "Last Holiday" starring Queen Latifah, so the film's poster was on display to advertise it. 

I most remember seeing the digital signage about closed rides, but I likely saw the physical sign at one time as well. Also, I remember the inserts that used to be in park maps. On the trip that would be my first ride on Flight of Fear (in the 2000's), I got a flyer saying that day was a limited operation day (IIRC, Flight of Fear was one of the few coasters open that day)

On 2/10/2023 at 10:43 AM, robintodd said:

I have three of the signs on my fridge.  Got them in a drawing in an off-season event.

Pixie & Dixie's Swing Set
Nickelodeon Splat City
The Beastie

 

Here's a picture of said magnets (taken by me  )

That’s pretty cool 

I think I still have some of the "Tomb Raider may or may not work today" handouts from the tolls from 2002 somewhere.

Personally I liked the old magnetic boards better because there was no waiting through a scroll, everything was visible at a glance.