Kings Island

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.

In the mid 1960’s Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone wanted to build an amusement park in Northern Kentucky. Well, actually, the man that portrayed them on television did. Popular Hollywood actor Fess Parker decided that Boone County in Northern Kentucky was the place where his dream of building a pioneer-themed amusement park called “Frontier World” would come true.

The Racer – really its twin racers – has been the focal point of the Coney Mall sector of the park for the past 45 years, and with good reason. The Racer is credited for re-igniting the roller coaster building boom in the early 1970’s, thus beginning the second golden age of the roller coaster.

Believe it or not, Kings Island owes its whole existence to a single photograph. In spring of 1964, Cincinnati’s Coney Island (located on the bank of the Ohio River) was preparing for another busy season. After all, it was considered America’s finest amusement park at the time.

Many people today have never been on a train. And still fewer people have been on a real steam train. That’s why Kings Island’s recreation of the railroad of the late 1800’s appeals to guests of all ages.

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.

In the fall of 1971, Coney Island, an amusement park on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati, closed its gates for the final time, ending an era in entertainment.  The following spring, another era began when the turnstiles began spinning in Kings Mills, Ohio at the new Kings Island Amusement Park. When the gates opened April 29, 1972, the stage was set for the next 45 years of world-class thrills, fun and family entertainment.

One of Kings Island's most popular attractions, the Vortex, celebrates its 30th anniversary season this year. When the steel coaster debuted April 11, 1987, it set a new world's record by turning rides upside down a total of six times in two and one-half minutes.

Track work on the new Mystic Timbers roller coaster has been completed with overall construction on the 3,265-foot-long wooden roller coaster nearing the end. The cars for the trains have arrived on property with test cycles ready for test runs.