The Many Ghosts of King's Island

It is amazing what you can find along the way when you go on a road trip.  Ghosts lurk around every corner and phantoms seem to find you when you are looking for fun.   In my past travels,  I have noted that many places devoted to fun are also haunted by sorrow.  Many of the Six Flags are haunted and Disney Land is as much of a ghost land as a wonderland.   It is, therefore, no surprise that King's Island in Cincinnati, Ohio is teaming with ghosts.  What was a surprise to me, was that I should just happen upon such a haunted place by accident.  While staying at Great Wolf Lodge, I thought I would ask the staff about the allegedly haunted Great Wolf Lodge in Sandusky.   What I found was that the amusement park that I could see from my back patio is notoriously haunted.  

There are a plethora of ghosts haunting the various rides at King's Island.   A little blond girl in a lovely blue frock is said to wander the Waterworks.  Her ghost is said to be linked to a tiny cemetery located just off the grounds of King's Island.   The Eiffel Tower ride is haunted by a ghost named Tower Johnny.   He is said to have made an unfortunate decision on the night of his graduation.   In 1983, he climbed up the elevator shaft of this ride and lost his footing.  He fell to his death after being cut in half by the elevator cables.   His ghost has been seen wandering the Eiffel Tower ride and tormenting those who are seeking a more earthly thrill.  The Octopus Ride is also said to be haunted by an ill fated rider who died  on the ride and White Water Canyon is haunted by a ghost named Woody who comes out after dark and throws rocks at those who happen by. 

I couldn't go to King's Island during my trip because it was still closed for winter.  But peaking through the fence at it in its stark, lonely, winter garb made it seem all the more haunted.    The rides were quiet and the air was thick with the last breath of winter.   I could imagine ghosts wandering in the shadows of the silent park and as night came I could almost see a lonely girl in blue looking for her way home.

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The Ghost of Six Flags

 

Everyone has heard of six flags.  Throughout the country,  these parks are known for there thrilling rides that become increasingly more terrifying and death defying.  This year when we went to Six Flags in Atlanta,  we found a roller coaster that goes straight up at a 90 degree angle and descends at the same nauseating angle.  There was a roller coaster that puts you on your stomach, like superman, and twirls you around.  There is ever manner of terrifying ride, but the rides are not the only horrifying thing at Six Flags, Atlanta.

Just a little bit of research into the Six Flag theme parks reveals that death seems to linger around these amusement park like a grim specter.   Here are a few examples of some of the deaths and injuries that occurred at Six Flags:
*On May 11, 1984, eight teenage visitors were trapped and killed when the Haunted Castle attraction was destroyed by fire.
*On June 17, 1987, a 19-year-old woman died after falling from the Lightnin' Loops shuttle loop roller coaster.
*On June 28, 2008, a 17-year-old male was decapitated  by a passing train  of Batman the Ride in Atlanta after he hopped two six-foot fences and entered a restricted area. Initial reports said that the victim was allegedly trying to grab the feet of a rider as the train went by; later reports said that the victim was merely trying to retrieve a hat.
*On July 18, 1989, an 11-year-old boy became unconscious while riding Z-Force. Park staff performed CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital.

If you enjoy these stories, wikipedia has an entire page dedicated to deaths and injuries at the Six Flag amusement parks.  Some are clearly caused by the stupidity of the guests, others are caused by park problems, but the sheer volume of them makes them an interesting read.

Strangely, the ghost of Six Flags in Atlanta doesn't have an origin story.   Most haunted amusement park ghosts have a back story.  The Disney ghosts all died somewhere near the ride they haunt and you would expect the same of Six Flags.   However, the ghost of Six Flags is just a little girl.   She is said to wander the park looking for the lost and lonely.  She picks them out of the crowd and asks for help.   The hapless victim inevitably tries to help the little girl.   She leads them into the woods around the park and when the victim turns the girl vanishes leaving the victim somewhat lost and completely confused. 

I didn't see any ghosts when I went to Six Flags, nor did I see any death or mayhem.  All I saw was happiness and sunshine and several teens vomiting in the trashcan after a particularly nauseating ride.  It is interesting to think, however, that behind the screaming crowds a little girl ghost wanders forever searching for her next victim.