Mason, Ohio, home to the Kings Island amusement park since 1972, has been entertaining millions of guests over the years. Many will come in from out of town to visit the park for a couple days. However, many more grew up going to Kings Island and have fond memories of the historic past as well as the FUN thrills of today. We are proud to say we grew up going to Kings Island, and if you relate to these signs, you may be too!

1) Rivalry Between Cedar Point and Kings Island

Sure today we know Kings Island and Cedar Point to be sister parks owned by the same company, Cedar Fair. However, not to long ago the parks were competitors. While Cedar Point has always been an amusement park, Kings Island was a theme park, where every ride and attraction immersed you into the experience with lovable characters and serene environments. As a result, Kings Island maintained a cult following of dedicated enthusiasts.

2) Racer Backwards

Were your summers spent with family and friends deciding whether you should ride the Racer forwards or backwards? From 1982 through the 2007 season, guests had the choice of which side they wanted to ride facing forwards, or if more daring, facing backwards.

3) A wooden coaster by any other name…

You remember the Woodstock Express roller coaster not as Peanuts themed, but as Scooby Doo (1972-1979), The Beastie (1980-2005), or the Fairly Odd Coaster (2006-2009).

4) Celebrity Appearances

Shortly after The Partridge Family taped an episode in 1972 and The Brady Bunch in 1973, you quickly ran to the park in hopes of walking in the same footsteps as David Cassidy or Maureen McCormick.

5) Roller Coaster Bells Ring, Are You Listening

From 1982 through 1992, you might have been one of the lucky ones who got to experience Winterfest at Kings Island. The Christmas themed event ran from late November through December 31 and offered guests an off-season experience.

Winterfest returned in 2017 and has now become a family tradition each year.

6) Enchanted Voyage

From 1972 through 1984, visiting the Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera was a must see for families of all ages. The Enchanted Voyage transported guests into the colorful world of characters in the park’s first classic dark ride.

7) Tomb Raider

Prior to Paramount’s Kings Island debuting Tomb Raider, the park might have pulled off one of the biggest PR tricks of all time. When guests were finally able to get into the park in the spring of 2002, they had no idea what to expect with Kings Island’s mysterious new indoor attraction. Heavily themed to Paramount’s Tomb Raider franchise, the giant Top Spin attraction placed guests in the hands of goddess Durga, fighting for their chance to survive.

8) Kenton’s Cove Keelboat Canal

One of Kings Island’s earliest attractions, the Kenton’s Cove Keelboat Canal log flume ride operated from 1973 to 2000, sending 40,069,518 riders down the dual 45-foot plunge.

9) Kings Island Camping & Inn

On the site of the current Great Wolf Lodge, used to be a 45-acre campground featuring 350 sites plus overflow, 6 cabins, pool, game room and store. Across the street, guests could stay in the 300-room, alpine village style Kings Island Inn.

Did you rush out to stay at the Inn after the Partridge Family’s episode “I Left My Heart in Cincinnati” or the Brady Bunch episode “The Cincinnati Kids” aired?

10) Lion Country Safari

Originally intended to operate year round, the Kings Island Lion Country Safari gave guests the chance to view hundreds of African animals from lions to elephants. Read additional details on the Lion Country Safari on the Kings Island blog.

11) Monorail

While guests were used to similar drive-thru style safaris, part of the excitement of Kings Island’s Lion Country Safari was because of the monorail. The electric monorail trains operated from 1974 through 1993. More than 15 million visitors rode the 2-mile monorail through the animal preserve.

Guests can still see the original Kings Island monorail by visiting Jungle Jim’s International Market in Fairfield, Ohio.

While there are many attractions that have come and gone of Kings Island’s history, the park continues to evolve by blending it’s past with the future. What are some of your favorite attractions from your childhood?

For the latest food menus, prices, photos, reviews, and dining plan information, see the Kings Island Food Guide.

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