40 Facts About King Island

Kings Island: A Legendary Amusement Park

Kings Island, located in Mason, Ohio, is a beloved amusement park with a rich history and a plethora of attractions. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this iconic destination.

1. Location and Size: Kings Island is situated approximately 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati, Ohio, and covers an area of 364 acres (147 ha).

2. Opening Date: The park officially opened on April 29, 1972, after two years of construction.

3. Original Name: The park was named through a naming contest, combining "Kings Mills" (its location) and "Coney Island" (its predecessor).

Themed Areas and Early Attractions

Themed areas and flagship rides have always been a cornerstone of Kings Island's charm.

4. Themed Areas: The park originally had five themed areas: Coney Island, Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera, International Street, Oktoberfest, and Rivertown. By 2023, this number had expanded to eight, including Area 72 and Adventure Port.

5. Flagship Rides: The Racer and the Enchanted Voyage dark ride through Hanna-Barbera's cartoon land were the two flagship rides when the park first opened in 1972.

6. The Racer: This twin-track wooden coaster was the first of its kind in modern times and reached speeds of up to 60 mph, making it the fastest ride at the park upon its debut.

7. Enchanted Voyage: This dark ride was the most expensive attraction at the park when it opened, costing $2 million.

Expansion and National Attention

Kings Island quickly gained national attention and expanded its offerings.

8. Expansion Projects: By 1973, the park had completed a $6 million expansion project, adding rides like the Flying Dutchmen, Bayern Kurve, and a second log flume, as well as a new games arcade and nature trail.

9. National Attention: In 1973, Kings Island gained national attention when The Partridge Family aired an episode shot entirely at the park, featuring Johnny Bench and Mary Ann Mobley.

10. The Brady Bunch: The entire cast of The Brady Bunch visited the park in August 1973 to shoot their own episode, further boosting the park's popularity.

Unique Attractions and Record-Breaking Rides

Kings Island is home to some unique attractions and record-breaking rides.

11. Lion Country Safari: In 1974, a fifth themed area was added—Lion Country Safari (later known as Wild Animal Habitat), which featured a monorail ride and a record-breaking high wire walk by Karl Wallenda.

12. Water Park Addition: In 1989, a new 12-acre water park called WaterWorks (now known as Soak City) opened, featuring 15 water slides, a lazy river, and a children’s area.

13. Renamed Rides: In 2008, several rides were renamed, including Drop Zone to Drop Tower, Top Gun to Flight Deck, and Italian Job: Stunt Track to Backlot Stunt Coaster.

14. Diamondback Roller Coaster: Introduced in 2009, Diamondback is a $22 million steel roller coaster standing 230 feet tall with a first drop of 215 feet at a 74-degree angle.

15. The Beast’s 30th Anniversary: In 2009, The Beast celebrated its 30th anniversary season with a tightrope walk by aerialist Nik Wallenda.

Family-Friendly Fun and Seasonal Events

Kings Island offers a variety of family-friendly attractions and seasonal events.

16. Planet Snoopy: In 2010, Kings Island’s award-winning kids’ area received a fresh new look with the debut of Planet Snoopy, featuring more than 18 PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions.

17. Boo Blasters on Boo Hill: An interactive family dark ride opened on International Street in 2010, adding to the park’s family-friendly offerings.

18. WindSeeker and Dinosaurs Alive: In 2011, two new major attractions debuted: WindSeeker, a $5 million tower ride, and Dinosaurs Alive!, the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park featuring over 60 life-sized dinosaurs.

19. Attendance Records: By 2021, Kings Island had an estimated 3.18 million guests, ranking third in attendance among seasonal amusement parks in North America behind sister parks Canada’s Wonderland and Cedar Point.

20. Golden Ticket Awards: Kings Island has won several Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today, including “Best Kids’ Area” for 18 consecutive years (2001–2018) and “Best New Ride” in 2017 for Mystic Timbers.

Thrilling Coasters and Haunted Attractions

Thrill-seekers and fans of spooky attractions will find plenty to love at Kings Island.

21. The Beast’s Rankings: The Beast consistently ranks as one of the top ten wooden coasters in the world according to Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards.

22. Orion Giga Coaster: The largest single investment in park history is Orion, a $30-million giga coaster that opened in 2020.

23. Halloween Haunt and Winterfest: The park operates seasonally from early spring through Labor Day in the fall, followed by two additional holiday-themed events: Halloween Haunt and Winterfest.

Historical Sites and Ghostly Legends

Kings Island has its share of historical sites and ghostly legends.

24. Dogstreet Cemetery: Located at the north end of the Kings Island parking lot, Dogstreet Cemetery is a historic site dating back to 1803 and is maintained by Deerfield Township.

25. Ghost Hunters Episode: In 2012, the amusement park and cemetery were featured on season 8, episode 1 of Ghost Hunters entitled “Roller Ghoster,” investigating claims of haunted occurrences.

Resort and Golf Amenities

Kings Island offers more than just rides; it also has resort and golf amenities.

26. Kings Island Resort: As part of the Kings Island resort, Taft Broadcasting Company built a golf course, hotel, and campground in 1972. The golf course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and Desmond Muirhead.

27. The Golf Center at Kings Island: The 18-hole “Grizzly” and the 9-hole “Bruin” golf courses are located just across Interstate 71 and have been used for PGA and LPGA tournaments.

28. Kings Island Inn: The 300-room inn, also known as Kings Island Resort & Conference Center, was designed to depict a small alpine village and featured a restaurant, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis court, sand volleyball, half-court basketball, and a conference center.

29. Kings Island Campground: The campground opened with the park in 1972 and featured rental cabins, RV pull-through sites with hookups, tent sites, shower house, general store, playground, and swimming pool. It closed permanently in 2004.

30. Great Wolf Lodge Partnership: A large portion of the campground land was sold to Great Wolf Resorts to develop a Great Wolf Lodge in partnership with Kings Island.

Notable Events and Roller Coaster Milestones

Kings Island has been the backdrop for notable events and roller coaster milestones.

31. Notable Events: Kings Island has been featured in several popular TV shows and films over the years, including episodes of The Partridge Family and The Brady Bunch.

32. Roller Coaster Milestones: The park has set numerous world records with its roller coasters, including The Beast and Banshee, which have both achieved enduring world records.

Continuous Improvements and Community Involvement

Kings Island is committed to continuous improvements and community involvement.

33. Investment in Improvements: Since its grand opening in 1972, Kings Island has invested more than $300 million in improvements, including the addition of new rides and attractions.

34. Employee Growth: The number of employees required for park operations has grown from 1,300 to approximately 4,000 over the years.

35. Themed Areas Expansion: The original five themed areas have expanded to eight, with the latest additions being Area 72 and Adventure Port.

36. Water Park Evolution: The water park, initially known as WaterWorks, has undergone several changes and is now known as Soak City, featuring a variety of water slides and attractions.

37. Renovations and Upgrades: Kings Island has continuously updated its rides and attractions to keep up with modern standards, ensuring a fresh experience for visitors each year.

38. Community Involvement: The park has been involved in various charitable activities, such as raising funds for A Kid Again through first riders’ auctions on Diamondback.

39. Aerial Performances: Kings Island has hosted several aerial performances, including a 2,000-foot skywalk by Rick Wallenda and an 800-foot tightrope walk by Nik Wallenda.

40. Visitor Experience: With its diverse range of rides, themed areas, and special events, Kings Island offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages, making it a favorite among amusement park enthusiasts.

Kings Island: A Legacy of Fun and Thrills

Kings Island has grown from a regional amusement park into a beloved destination for thrill-seekers and families. With its iconic rides like The Beast and Diamondback, the park offers a mix of adrenaline-pumping coasters and family-friendly attractions. The addition of themed areas like Planet Snoopy and Area 72 keeps the experience fresh and exciting. Special events like Halloween Haunt and Winterfest add seasonal charm, making each visit unique.

The park's commitment to innovation and guest satisfaction is evident in its continuous upgrades and new attractions. From its early days featuring The Racer and Enchanted Voyage to the modern marvels like Orion, Kings Island remains a must-visit spot. Whether you're a coaster enthusiast or looking for a fun family outing, Kings Island delivers unforgettable memories.