Vortex turns 30

March 31, 2017

Don Helbig

Area Manager, Digital Marketing - Kings Island

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 riders upside-down a total of six times in two and one-half minutes.

The Vortex was exclusively designed for Kings Island and includes the following succession of breath-taking thrills that had never been incorporated into one steel coaster before: a 148-foot high lift and drop of 138 feet at a 55-degree angle, two vertical loops, one corkscrew, one boomerang turn, and a 360-degree helix turn at the end, all at speeds exceeding 50 mph.

Over 43.5 million guests have experienced the Vortex since its debut, the seventh-most in park history and sixth among active rides.

Don Helbig

Area Manager, Digital Marketing - Kings Island

Lions and tigers and baboons! Oh My!

Perhaps the most unique attraction at Kings Island was the Safari Monorail. Lasting 20 seasons, the park’s immensely popular attraction gave millions of guests the chance to see wild animals up close. However this attraction was no zoo – here the humans were the ones enclosed while the animals roamed around.

It's not easy being green

When Kings Island opened in 1972, it was decided that landscaping would serve a large part in telling the park’s story. Dick Ammon (a renowned local landscaping expert responsible for works such as the Cincinnati Zoo, Coney Island, Indianapolis Museum of Art and Miami University) and Roy Rector (Kings Island’s first grounds superintendent) were responsible for leading a team that designed the landscape of Kings Island. The team chose to base their design on those of elaborate European Gardens.

Scholarship awards presented to seasonal associates

In addition to sharing the fun and excitement of working at a world-class amusement park, Kings Island offers its associates the opportunity to apply for a scholarship during the season they are working. Congratulations to all selected recipients and their proud families!

There's no business like show business

One of the key ingredients to a successful theme park will always be its live entertainment. Ever since it opened its gates in 1972, Kings Island has been peppered with literally thousands of entertainment offerings. Never one to stagnate, the park has not only expanded its shows, but they’ve also expanded the facilities that house them.

Tropical Plunge features water slides you've gotta ride

Don’t underestimate the possibility of high-adrenaline thrills at Kings Island’s Soak City Water Park. One attraction in particular has something the adrenaline-seeker in the family won’t be able to get enough of. Debuting last summer and towering nearly seven stories, Topical Plunge features six different water slide experiences.

Here's the story

Not to be outdone by “The Partridge Family” (who had filmed an episode at Kings Island in 1972), television’s “The Brady Bunch” paid a visit to the park during the second season of operation. Although filmed a year later, the “Brady” episode is the more popular and well known of the two.

What Kings Island meant growing up for me

I grew up on the Westside of Cincinnati and like most in the tristate area; Kings Island was a part of my life. Kings Island was that magical getaway from everyday life. It actually still is. My family would make the trip maybe one or two times a year when I was very young, but once I got a little older my grandmother bought me a season pass and I visited more frequently.

It has become an annual summer tradition: Cincinnati Reds Day at Kings Island

If you could ask the Cincinnati Reds any question you wanted, what would it be? Kings Island guests will have their chance Friday when the annual Reds Day event is held at the 364-acre amusement and water park. Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart, outfielder Scott Schebler and third baseman Eugenio Suarez are scheduled to appear and field questions from guests during a question-and-answer show at 11 a.m. in the Festhaus.

A Partridge in a ginkgo tree

Four months after Kings Island opened in 1972, "The Partridge Family" cast came to film their ABC show at the park a full year ahead of "The Brady Bunch." The TV family of pop musicians -- stars Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Susan Dey, Danny Bonaduce, Suzanne Crough and Brian Forster – were shown enjoying rides like the Racer, Grand Carousel, Antique Cars and Log Flume when not performing in front of the Royal Fountains on International Street.

A Kings Island Life: James Moreland

Like many of the full-time staff at Kings Island, James Moreland applied for a seasonal position never imagining a summer job would lead to a career opportunity at the 364-acre and amusement park. Upon being hired as a seasonal associate 14 years ago, James was placed in the merchandise department. After quickly falling in love with his job, he knew he wanted to stay in resale and had his sights set on becoming a full-time member of the team.

Kings Island