Kings Island

It’s no wonder why Kings Island holds a special place in the lives of so many – it has a heart. In 1926, Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel #79 made its debut at Cincinnati’s Coney Island. When Coney Island was dismantled, the carousel made its way to Kings Island for its grand opening in 1972.

Are you ready for third annual Coasterstock event at Kings Island? The two-day event takes place May 19-20 and is the premier coaster event of the year! Coaster fans from 28 states, Canada, Sweden and Switzerland will be represented at this year's event.

One of the most highly anticipated new attractions in the amusement/theme park industry for 2017 and boasting impressive thrill stats, Kings Island’s new ride, Mystic Timbers, attracts riders with an intriguing mystery: What’s in the shed?

Kings Island opened its gates 45 years ago in 1972. How well do you know the park? Take our quiz to test your knowledge.

When guests first passed through Kings Island's entry gate in 1972, what they saw took their breath away. A giant replica of the Eiffel tower, framed by quaint street side shops, eateries, glorious landscaping and elaborate dancing fountains drew gasps, smiles and tears of joy.

After a couple of spins through the shed on the new Mystic Timbers roller coaster, guests will be looking for something to eat and on Fridays in May, Kings Island offers Food Trucks from Cincinnati area favorites!

During the end of the 2016 season, Kings Island Haunt fans were greeted with a surprise in Rivertown, when Tom+Chee opened up in the former Snake Pit besides Diamondback roller coaster. During the offseason, Kings Island worked closely with Tom+Chee to make them a permanent fixture on the Kings Island midway. You will find Tom+Chee located right outside the entrance to Diamondback again this season.

After two years of construction, Kings Island was set to open in late April, 1972. The Grand Opening ceremonies were scheduled in late May, at the onset of daily operations. The park featured 300 sprawling acres with 65 rides and attractions (including a 330’ replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the world’s biggest roller coaster), a 320-foot-long fountain, over 300,000 rare and immaculately sculpted plants, shrubs and trees, live entertainment and countless shopping and food options.

The location of the “New Coney Island” was chosen after a site survey proved the growing I-71 corridor would place the park within two hours of 12 million people. Taft Broadcasting purchased 1,200 acres of land along the Little Miami River near the town of Kings Mills Ohio, and 400 additional acres west of I-71 for $3.2 million. The land had operated as farmland and once held the Kings Explosives Powder Mill. By law, the park would adhere to the constraints of the Federal Conservation Bill that protected scenic rivers. They announced the acquisition Friday March 28, 1969.

Guests love eating at the Kings Island Reds Hall of Fame Grille. While dining in the air-conditioning, guests enjoy table service dining while being surrounded with MLB memorabilia of the Cincinnati Reds. New for 2017, upon entering the Reds Hall of Fame Grille, guests will place their order at the front desk, payment will be collected, and then the guests will be assigned their seats.