Mystic Timbers nominated for "Best New Amusement Park Attraction" for USA Today's 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards contest

December 15, 2017

Don Helbig

Area Manager, Digital Marketing - Kings Island

On the heels of receiving the Golden Ticket Award for “Best New Ride” in 2017 by the industry trade publication Amusement Today in September, Mystic Timbers has been nominated for “Best New Amusement Park Attraction” for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards contest.

How can Kings Island fans help? First, click here to cast your vote for Mystic Timbers and then click here and share Kings Island’s Facebook post.

Vote once per day until polls close on January 1 at noon EST. The winning attraction, determined by your vote, will be announced January 5.

Built by Pennsylvania-based Great Coasters International and themed to an abandoned lumber company, the 109-foot-tall wooden roller coaster traverses 16 airtime hills along 3,265 feet of track through densely wooded terrain and over water at speeds up to 53 mph and has given more than 1.3 million rides in its debut season.

Don Helbig

Area Manager, Digital Marketing - Kings Island

SpiritSong brings top Christian artists to Kings Island

2018 SpiritSong, a Christian music festival held at Kings Island, was a smash hit this year with thousands traveling from across the country to see the nation’s top Christian music groups and personalities. The festival celebrated its 25th anniversary with more than a dozen contemporary Christian artists of many different genres, from heavy metal to folk to hip-hop. Several Christian radio personalities and Christian comedian John Crist also made appearances.

The history of Kings Island's famous blue ice cream

In 1982, Michael Jackson released Thriller, Steven Spielberg made us fall in love with a little alien who wanted to phone home and Kings Island debuted blueberry-flavored, soft serve ice cream. Little did they know that a simple blue ice cream cone would become a staple in Kings Island history and Cincinnati culture.

Active military, veterans get free admission to Kings Island July 1-4

Kings Island prides itself on providing world-class thrills, fun and family entertainment for guests of all ages. Kings Island is also proud of the brave men and women who serve in the U.S. military. As a thank you to all who have served and are currently serving in our country’s military and the sacrifices made to serve and protect, Kings Island will pay tribute by offering free admission on military appreciation days July 1-4.

What if there's a storm at the park? Kings Island's safety protocol

So you’re enjoying a sunny day at Kings Island when dark clouds start rolling in. What keeps you and your family safe? Kings Island has you covered. It takes a lot to manage Kings Island’s 364 acres, but the park has a whole behind-the-scenes system to track severe weather. Doug Kramer, Kings Island’s director of safety and security, has worked at Kings Island for over 40 years and oversees all safety and security in the park.

Make plans to celebrate the Fourth of July at Kings Island

The Fourth of July is coming up, and Kings Island is planning to celebrate our nation’s 242nd birthday with one of Cincinnati’s largest and most impressive Independence Day fireworks displays. This colorful pageant in the sky set against the backdrop of the park will be 20 minutes in length, making it notably longer than the park’s traditional nightly shows.

Landscaping an attraction at Kings Island

Down a gravel road off of Kings Island’s parking lot sits the park’s best and oldest kept secret. In a small back lot just across from Great Wolf Lodge, rows of greenhouses sit filled with dozens of different plants that will eventually make their way to Kings Island’s main grounds and create some of the park’s most iconic landmarks. When you step into one of the greenhouses, you’re immediately transported to a jungle with dozens of different colors and shapes.

Coaster Campout at Kings Island raises over $20,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Cedar Fair Charities

The fourth annual Coaster Campout at Kings Island June 15-16 had thrill-seekers screaming and snoozing under the stars, all for a good cause. This year’s campout attracted 375 campers from nine different states who spent the night after the park closed riding some of their favorite attractions until 1 a.m. on The Beast, Backlot Stunt Coaster, the Racer, Scrambler and Dodgem and enjoying snacks which included popcorn, cookies and Coca-Cola products.

Ride Tip: Ride in the front row on Banshee

Where you sit on one Kings Island’s 16 roller coasters will affect your ride experience. To get the most thrilling ride on Banshee, sit in the front row! You’ll be able to stare the spectacular 150-foot curved first drop right in the eyes. The coaster is manufactured by Bolliger and Mabillard, or B&M. The Swiss firm also created the tallest and fastest roller coaster at Kings Island, Diamondback, which opened in 2009

Kings Island dog show features world-class canine athletes

In the 1980s, Lou Mack was working as a contractor in Davis, California when a friend suggested that he find a hobby outside of work, so he took Lou to a Frisbee dog show. The visit turned into an award-winning, 35-year career that put Lou on stages and television screens across the globe.

Your PEANUTS Celebration Playlist

No matter what musical mood you’re in, there’s a show at the PEANUTS Celebration to fit your groove. Kings Island has launched five new live shows to honor Charles M. Schulz's beloved comic strip characters during the celebration, which runs daily through June 17.

Kings Island