King's Island Nostalgia Waxes Strong

With the impeding sale of Paramount's Kings Island this year, my mind goes back to a time when Paramount's Kings Island was just Kings Island. It also brings a question to mind. Has a large Corporation like VIACOM, which owns Paramount Pictures and CBS really been a benefit to one of my favorite places on the planet? The answer is yes AND no. First the yes reasons. By tapping in to a large resource of finances, the park was able to put in place some amazing attractions. The roller coasters, for the most part, where all named and themed after blockbuster movies. For instance, Top Gun, Face Off, The Outer Limits-Flight of Fear (even though Paramount lost the rights to The Outer Limits, then it became just Flight of Fear). Plus you have all the characters from Nickelodeon that help with the kids area. And for the 2006 season, Hanna-Barberra land is becoming Nick Universe. These attractions where themed to the various movies they were named after. Flight of Fear took you into a large aircraft hanger, then inside a large UFO before boarding the coaster, which was totally enclosed in the dark. Top Gun was themed to an aircraft carrier out on the ocean. However, this theming, in time, largely vanished, with Flight of Fear being the only theming intact.
Paramount also seemed to make several aspects of the park disappear. I can't place my finger on it, but back in the day it seemed to be a much more wholesome place. Without the presence of the large corporate stronghold. And, it seemed to be a much more imaginative park. I can't really put my finger on it. But there was definitely something missing. I have tried to figure it out but just can't seem too. Is it my own lost youth that I am pining for? Is it the strong memories of a child that seem less significant now that I am an adult? Or is there something that has been missing at Kings Island?
Maybe the sale will bring about a return to the glory days of Kings Island. The days when The Racer's white paint glimmered in the sunlight, instead of being cracked and chipping. Maybe the magic will return. Maybe the park will seem more alive again. Of course, maybe it still does, and it is my inner child that is slipping away. Cynicism, Bills, Responsibilities, they all can take their toll on that child we have in us. We all should to our best to nurture that child when ever we can.
Well, all I can say is save a place in line for The Beast for me!