If you are like our family, we could not wait to get back into Kings Island to start checking out some of the new 50th Anniversary celebration. While much of the anniversary will not kick off till later this summer, guests got their first glimpse of some of the off-season improvements, decorations, and just a tad bit of the new menu items throughout the park.
To start with, the front entry sign has been swapped out for a new 50th Anniversary logo that shimmers and it is beautiful! In addition, the light poles throughout the park are adorned with new 50th Anniversary banners and custom scrolls. Walk the midways, and guests will see new photo ops, throwback photo boards, and tons of upgrades to buildings and rides around the park, including a repaint of The Racer that takes it back to its original red, white and blue paint scheme.
While the FUN is just beginning, we started to get a glimpse of some of the new menu items guests will find throughout Kings Island for the 50th Anniversary season.
At stands throughout the park, guests will be available to purchase the new Golden 50th Fizz. The drink, served in a souvenir mason jar, is based on Sprite, served with Tito’s vodka, and passion fruit. $12.99 with Tito’s; $9 non-alcoholic.
For guests using the Freestyle machines, check out the limited time exclusive flavors: Golden Jubilee Berry Spritz and Golden Jubilee Peach Fizz.
For those looking for additional adult beverages, stop over at the Biergarten to try four new cocktails. All cocktail beverages $11.99
– Backwards Racer Blitz (White cranberry, peach, blueberry and vodka)
– Eiffel Upside-Down Mule (Pineapple juice, vanilla vodka, ginger beer)
– 1972 Cherry Jubilee (Cherry, Bacardi, Sour mix, Sprite)
– Tower Garden ’72 (Lavender lemonade, gin)
Some of the biggest changes for the 2022 season will be found in the Sweet Spot. The park has really focused on the sweet and pastry side of the menu for the new year, with a rearranged store and focus on all new treats.
For starters, guests will notice that the fudge counter is now front and center with a variety of flavors from vanilla to blue ice cream.
New for 2022, Sweet Spot will now offer custom cakes for guests looking to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or even just a FUN gettogether at the park with friends. $15.99 each.
Maybe a sugar cookie is more your speed. The park has created new cutouts featuring Peanuts, Kings Island, blue ice cream, and even the Eiffel Tower. $2.29 each.
A new menu item at Sweet Spot we could not decide on just one was the deconstructed cake cups. The park calls them either mousse or triffle and they vary from $3.99-$5.99. Choices may vary, but we sampled the pineapple upside down cake, Oreo brownie, chocolate coffee, and coconut raspberry. We were big fans of all four flavors.
What do they say about blue foods? At least for us, the blue hue means we must try it! The Sweet Spot has created a new Orion cream puff, and lets just say, you must try it! For starters, the pastry chefs have custom created a crackled pate a choux pastry that provides a great shell for a variety of fillings. This particular one is filled with a cream that is made from the blue ice cream concentrate. The crusty shell and cream pair excellently together. Like really, really well. Amazing execution on these little treats! $2.99 each.
Also new for the 50th anniversary, chocolate medallions.
Of course those just scratch the surface of new treats this season at Sweet Spot. However, lets head over to many guests favorite restaurant, the Miami River Brewhouse.
The menu still has fan favorites like the Three Little Pigs, BBLT, and the BIG Pretzel. However, for the 50th Anniversary Kings Island has offered two new menu items.
King Cobra (spicy tempura sushi roll with venom sauce)- $9.99
The sushi roll had a nice crunchy shell from the tempura around a veggie center. Not overly sweet or spicy. Among our party, the King Cobra had mixed reviews and we generally enjoy a wide variety of sushi. Personally, I really enjoyed it, especially with the slivers of cucumber on the side. Something different while still appealing to a wide audience.
Diamondback Bites (empanadas stuffed with cheese, bacon, and jalapeños with pepper avocado ranch)- $10.99
Three empanadas came to an order with a side nacho chips. The Diamondback Bites were a BIG hit with our family. They immediately disappeared from the tray, even before their own plates were consumed. Do not let the jalapeno scare you, as the cheese filling helped cam any heat, and even the kids devoured them.
Neither of the new menu items are on the dining plan.
Head over to Graeter’s on International Street and find a special 50th anniversary cone.
The Ice Scream Zone stand is offering a special Blue Racer Float! Blue ice cream in a bath of Barq’s Red Creme Soda. $6.99
In addition, Planet Snoopy Ice Cream, Ice Scream Zone, and Ralph’s Ice Cream will offer a special gold colored vanilla ice cream.
As guests head over by the Racer, they will notice the Coney Confectionary has been completely revamped for 2022. Now the store focuses on the treats, offering fudge and some of the same treats guests will find over at the Sweet Spot.
Paradise Island stand will offer a variety of “Crazy Sundaes” named after famous Kings Island attractions.
Orion Crazy Sundae (Blueberry soft serve, cotton candy crunch, cheesecake chunks, rainbow sprinkles, whipped cream)- $13.99 (1370-1840 calories)
Diamondback Crazy Sundae (Vanilla soft serve, sea salt caramel, crushed peanuts, crushed M&Ms, whipped cream)- $13.99 (1370-1840 calories)
Banshee Crazy Sundae (Vanilla soft serve, strawberry syrup, cheesecake chunks, Fruity Pebbles, cotton candy crunch, whipped cream)- $13.99 (1370-1840 calories)
Beast Crazy Sundae (Vanilla soft serve, crushed Oreos, chocolate syrup, whipped cream)- $13.99 (1370-1840 calories)
Get a very limited edition Eiffel Tower shaped pretzel. Only 50 available each day.
There is also a special Birthday Bubbler drink (mix of Sprite, Minute-Maid Lemonade and blue raspberry flavor, served with a gold rock candy swizzle stick and dry ice).
International Street Funnel Cake and Rivertown Funnel Cake will offer a special 50th anniversary elephant ear (cocoa powder logo) and a birthday party funnel cake (topped with blue mousse and sprinkles).
Wishbone Grill will honor two by-gone attractions with the Dinosaurs Alive! Caveman Wing (smoked turkey wings tossed in K.I. hot sauce, served in a bucket with chips) Dining Plan Eligible and Grilled steak-on-a-stick with pepper chimichurri honoring Zephyr.
Over in the Festhaus, guests will be able to try a Bavarian Beetle (pork schnitzel sandwich on a pretzel bun, topped with sauerkraut and horseradish mustard) or The Italian Job (smoked Italian beef sandwich topped with pickled peppers and caramelized onions). Dining Plan Eligible.
The Chicken Shack will honor Screamin’ Demon with coconut and spicy sauced chicken wings. Dining Plan Eligible.
At the Bier Garten, pick up an order of the Flying Dutchman (fried pickles on a stick) or head around the other side to Hank’s and check out the Zodiac Burrito (fried rice, shrimp, kimchi, cheese and special sauce). Dining Plan Eligible.
Coney BBQ will honor the Nickelodeon Green Slime Zone with fried green tomatoes with green goddess sauce or pick up Viking Fury (smoked pork with Norseman’s glaze). Dining Plan Eligible.
Many will always remember FireHawk, and the Meteor Canteen will honor the attraction with a special fresh cut chips topped with beer cheese, sausage, sautéed onions and peppers.
Get a hold of a Banshee Screamin’ Weenie (hot dog topped with pickled jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, five-alarm chili and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos) and a Beast Burger (patty made from beef, pork and bacon, topped with BBQ sauce, fried onions, avocado ranch, lettuce and tomato) over at Juke Box Diner.
Rivertown Potato Works will offer a special Flight Commander Fries (topped with carne asada, queso, avocado and pico de gallo). Dining Plan Eligible.
Finally, Vortex will be honored with a special blue ice cream sandwich at select Dippin’ Dots locations.
This is just the beginning of what is to come in 2022 for the Kings Island 50th Anniversary. If you see something new, or even sample many of the menu items, we encourage you to take a picture and send it to us.
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My son said yesterday there were red racer floats and banshee floats at ice cream zone and also the have a special dip and dots at the paradise island shop as well 🙂
Can you post prices on everything?