Favorite Memories Of The 2009 Season Options

[Jasper]

Well ladies and gentleman, Halloween is here, summer has come and past. The leaves are turning colors and the ghosts and goblins are out in their usual Haunt attire. Soon after these ghosts and ghouls return to their slumber though, comes the dreaded off-season. The off-season is a time around KICentral that can be quite relaxing at points, also quite intense. The arguements about what the park will have new next year or how a trash can will be moved to a different location in the park. But, lets turn back the clock shall we? The date is April 17th 2009, most of us are stricken with anxiety attacks for the nest day. We are all ready to ride the new beast that has been unleashed, Diamondback. We are all about to settle down for a long nights sleep so we can be energized and revitalized to go to the park the next day. Well my friends, that fateful day started, in my honest opinion, one of the greatest seasons for Kings Island ever. We saw many things take place right before our eyes. Nik Wallenda wire walked to new heights, ASA Action Sports Tour ramped into action, Son Of Beast closed down, again, a new class of Hall Of Fame inductees for 2009, two new Halloween Haunt mazes, a new show, and last but not least, the departure of Nickelodeon Universe. All of these things made the 2009 season one of the finest KI has ever seen. From the gravity defying hills of Diamondback, to the long, agonizing waits for Firehawk. Now is the time to reollect on those fond memories of the 2009 season. I'll start.

Huddling in the family dryer during a torrential downpour and then staying the rest of the day until the park closed.

Riding Diamondback for the first time in the very front seat.

My first trip to Kings Island by myself. The long lines I had to wait in all day.

Most importantly, bringing together my 5 best friends and going up together for one final trip with us all together and having the time of our lives. That my friends is what Kings Island is made of.

[CoastersRZ]

One of my favorit memories is when several of us Coney ride operators made a visit to Kings Island on one of our days off. Several of us actually met in Coney`s employee parking lot and we drove up to KI. A little odd thing that happened is myself and a friend decided to ride Slingshot. Well, it later turned out that both of us were promoted to rides managers halfway through August, go figure. Some of us Coney people are going to be making a return trip to the park next Friday night.

My first ride on Diamondback was memorable for reasons that I can`t really get into here. Lets just say that it is always nice to see something that was on paper become a three dimensional object, and I`ll leave it at that.

[Captain Nemo]

Angie will understand this one

"For realz!"

[markhudson17]

My favorite memories of this 2009 season would have to be...

KIC Glam Rock Meet-Up. It was my first time meeting anyone from KIC and even though my day was cut short, it was great to meet you guys.

Diamondback. The first coaster that I was actually excited about and couldn't wait for. Its pretty bad that 3 months before opening day you have a countdown on your desktop.

Theres probably a few more but I have too many things on my mind to think of any more.

[Justin_M17]

Mine would have to be the look on the face of the seat separator on Diamondback when we told him we had 24 people It was beyond priceless.

[Unrealsk8er]

I think mine will be coming this weekend. lol

[pkiboy]

The wonderful people I met over the 2009 Season. Even though Kings Island is getting ready to shut its gates from a perhaps the best season they have had since 2004 I think its more than just a memory. I could go on about all of my memories that happend over the 2009 season but I know the park reads these bords so I will just say that I HAD A BLAST .

[pikeman77]

It would have to be april the start of spring as the rides get geared up for the first time like diamondback.Not very long lines and the park seems so fresh.It's like a homecoming.
Oh anyways back to my fav moment of 2009 was opening day and the debut of diamondback.
The first ride auction was a great moment to.

[dexbomb]

my absolute favorite memory of this season which may never be eclipsed is when i stood next to little bills giggle coaster and watched my barely tall enough 2 yr old and wife ride. Heaths face lit up from ear to ear he smiled the entire time and talks about wanting to go to the park all the time. we're raisin him right

[The Interpreter]

Mine is very simple and one for which I will ever be grateful. First going to the park for two different events during the off season and thinking I had truly seen Diamondback. Then going back opening day and really, truly seeing Diamondback, in a way I had never seen it before. And finally, after waiting so very long to be able to do so, actually getting to ride Diamondback. Even if it did take months to do so, it was a very gratifying personal experience, and one that was well worth the wait.

...My first ride on Diamondback was memorable for reasons that I can`t really get into here. Lets just say that it is always nice to see something that was on paper become a three dimensional object, and I`ll leave it at that.

Amen. And how. Truly seeing Diamondback was a very, very gratifying experience, and one I will never, ever forget. Truly actually seeing it with all its color and brilliance was actually even better than what I thought riding it would be like!

Terpy, who is glad that all Diamondback rides need not be experienced in what was for him a very personal night row...(and yes, those who know me know what that means, and it is NOT a reference to any coaster in New Jersey). A very good season indeed. Perhaps next year I will be able to see to getting to more coasters, but this year there were many other priorities and considerations. And some of my best times have been at, for me--of all places, Cedar Point. Tell me people don't change!

[faeriewench]

Me, Haunt Undertaker and Ki Man riding Diamondback with a dragon puppet

[KIfan1980]

I have more than a few but will only list a couple:
- Having the pleasure of meeting many KICers on park meetups, totally added to the fun.
- Diamondback ERT. From waiting at the detectors to the fast walk to the rerides before the crowd showed up.
- Walking up on opening day and being handed a SRL ticket.

But without a doubt my two favorite were:
- The night my then 5 year old got his 48" wristband and we got to ride Flight Deck, Racer, and BLSC together for the first time. I'll never forget his comment "daddy, I love riding roller coasters with you" on the Racer breakrun.
- The first time my 3 year old decided to brave the FOC. It's now the first ride every trip!

[KI Kevin]

Opening day. Getting to the park at 7:00 AM with two of my friends. I had invited another friend, but he came with his dad because he didn't think we'd get there on time. Turns out we beat him by 15 minutes!

I'm not sure that this has been one of the best seasons for the park, but it was for me. I went, without a doubt, more times than any other season. I also really liked 2004 and '05. I really started loving coasters in 2004 after those Son of Beast and Vortex rides.

Hmm, what else? Going to CP for the first time in five years was awesome. I also LOVED Busch Gardens and Holiday World! I rode so many more new coasters this year than any other it's not even funny.

[KIfan73]

It's got to be the first visit of the season. This year it wasn't until June 15. After reading KIC all winter (and attending the off-season blues party!), looking at pics on the Internet, and feeling like it's been years since I've been to the park, the drive there, parking, and walking through the gates is my best memory of the park every year.

[Jasper]

I love reading all of these memories, keep them coming.

Another one for me is going to the park in mid August and never seeing Diamondback's line reach past the stairs to the station. The park was absolutely empty that day and I loved it!!