A history worth repeating

April 20, 2017

John Keeter

John M. Keeter first attended Kings Island 35 years ago when “The Bat” was originally taking flight. The awe of that first visit and later rides on “The Beast” (Still his favorite Kings Island attraction) triggered his enduring love of the park. A picture of a flooded Cincinnati’s Coney Island found in a grade school library book triggered his quest to learn all he could of Kings Island’s beginning. An avid roller coaster enthusiast, he’s ridden over 400 different coasters. He resides in Louisville, KY and maintains “Sit on It”, a Facebook Page dedicated to remembering the Kings Island of our past, as well as looking forward to the Kings Island of our future. It can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/SitonItKI/

If you’ve been to King’s Island anytime during the last 45 years, you probably have a favorite memory. You may have ridden your first roller coaster. You may have danced with a Smurf or Charlie Brown. You may have had your first kiss under the Eiffel Tower. You may have gotten soaked on a water ride. You may have even ridden the Turnpike ride with a long-lost loved one.

Kings Island holds more memories in the hearts and minds of its guests than there are stones in its pavement. Every ride, every building, every bit of landscaping in the park tell a story.

Throughout the coming weeks, in celebration of Kings Island’s 45th anniversary, I am honored to take you on an enchanted journey back through the park’s past. It’s a rich history that began over 100 years ago in, believe it or not, an apple orchard.

So, let’s trip down memory lane together. You may learn something new, you may find out what happened to a long-gone ride, or better yet, you may be amazed by the story Kings Island has to tell.

John Keeter

The Beast: The original biggest, baddest, tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster in the world

Kings Island’s star attraction has become as synonymous to the city of Cincinnati as the Reds, Bengals and Skyline Chili. It has entertained tens of millions of brave riders. It is known the whole-world-over and is arguably the most successful wooden coaster of all time. When it opened, it was the biggest, baddest, tallest, fastest roller coaster on planet earth. Those that created it could have in no way predicted the legend it would become. Why, the tale of “The Beast’s” origin is just as big as the ride itself.

Halloween Haunt returns to Kings Island for 6 weekends

Roller coasters won’t be the only attractions conjuring up screams this fall at Kings Island. Halloween Haunt comes screaming back to Kings Island this Friday, September 22. Running every Friday and Saturday night through October 28, the 11th annual Halloween Haunt will feature 11 haunted mazes, three outdoor scare zones, three live stage shows and hundreds of assorted clowns, ghouls, vampires, werewolves and zombies lurking in the shadows throughout the park.

Kings Island honored with Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Ride and Best Kids’ Area

Amusement Today’s 20th annual Golden Ticket Awards, honoring the best of the best amusement and theme parks around the world have to offer, took place September 9 at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut, with Kings Island taking home two awards and placing in the top 10 in two other categories.

The Beast's best gal

Throughout the history of Kings Island, there have been many incredible individuals working hard behind the scenes to create its magic. However, one particular person’s light shines so bright that even 20 years after her passing, she is still revered and loved by those whose lives she touched.

Kings Island celebrates end of summer with Dollar Days

The end of summer is just around the corner, but there’s still time to visit Kings Island and take advantage of Dollar Days over Labor Day weekend Saturday (September 2) through Monday (September 4). Several items will be sold for only $1, including LaRosa’s pizza slices, hot dogs, blue ice cream, popcorn, chocolate dipped Oreos and pretzel rods, and fountain soft drinks.

Last splash of summer

The transition from the fun and freedom of summer break to the school year can be a tough one, especially when the summer sun is still shining outside the classroom window. Don’t stress, because you still have time to enjoy action packed days at Kings Island and Soak City Waterpark.

Evel Knievel's record-breaking jump

Spurred by the desire for more national exposure, Kings Island’s most attention-grabbing moment (thus far) occurred when, on Saturday October 25, 1975, Daredevil “Evel” Knievel set a world record by successfully jumping 14 Greyhound buses at the park. To say the jump at Kings Island was monumental would be an understatement. It would be Evel’s final world record attempt and his most successful jump.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and wife Jordan host 'King For A Day' event at Kings Island

Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowl quarterback Andy Dalton and his wife, Jordan, hosted 40 families for the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation's fourth annual "King for a Day" community outreach program at Kings Island on Sunday, August 20. "King for a Day" is one of five programs initiated by the Andy and Jordan Dalton Foundation.

Quiz: How well do you know The Beast?

The Beast opened to rave reviews April 14, 1979 and still stands today as the world’s longest wooden roller coaster. How well do you know this world-renown attraction? Test your knowledge for a chance to win park tickets and a behind-the-scenes tour of the ride.

Thrown for a loop

Can you imagine Kings Island without its huge collection of world-class coasters? Can you imagine going to the park and there not being any “upside-down” rides? Well, for the first five seasons of operation from 1972-1976, that was the case.

Kings Island