Kings Island is one of the premier amusement
parks in the Cedar Fair chain. Located in Mason, Ohio, Kings Island excels
in many areas. It has a strong coaster lineup, great operations,
and a wonderful atmosphere. I always have a pleasant time here. So in this video, I will be reviewing Kings
Island and explaining everything you need to know. The story begins with Coney Island. Not the New York City one, but rather the
one in Cincinnati, Ohio. This was a small amusement park on the banks
of the Ohio River. In 1964, the park was hit by a devastating
flood. Combined with the lack of land for expansion
and the prospects of increased competition, the owners wanted to relocate Coney Island. In 1969, Taft Broadcasting purchased Coney
Island for $6.5 million and 1,600 acres in Mason, Ohio. The new site would be named Kings Island,
which was an amalgamation of the nearby Kings Mills region and the Coney Island amusement
park. The park would take 2 years to build and opened
in 1972. 16 of Coney Island’s former rides were relocated
to Kings Island and four of them still operate at the park to this day. While Coney Island would be reborn, it always
remained a small local’s park. Meanwhile, Kings Island blossomed. The park would receive large and cutting-edge
roller coasters over the next 5 decades. From 1992 to 2006, the park was owned by Paramount. and this park has been one of the chain’s
crown jewels ever since. Kings Island is a massive park, spanning 364
acres. But it was brilliantly laid out and planned. You have a large parking lot adjacent to the
main entrance. And then you have a good layout that spokes
outwards from the park’s iconic Eiffel Tower. The park’s largest rides run into the woods,
which helps minimize walking distances between attractions while also giving the coasters
breathtaking settings. These placements are why Kings Island is one
of the best amusement parks in the world for nights rides. You want to visit this park at night if possible. The Beast is the park’s most famous night
ride since that coaster is pitch black after the sun goes down and travels deep into the
woods, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Both Mystic Timbers and Diamondback have similarly
dark settings plus more dynamic ride experiences. Banshee is another dark one and the fog effects
give the ride an eerie atmosphere. Orion combines a secluded setting with flashy
rainbow lights. And even the supporting coasters are cool
at night. Both the Bat and Adventure Express are two
others that are barely visible from the midway. There are two minor downsides with this park’s
layout. First, the Bat’s placement. This ride is set obnoxiously far back from
the rest of the Action Zone and it’s only accessible by a single, desolate pathway. I honestly wonder how many guests miss this
ride. Second, the lack of bathrooms. Compared to other parks of this scale, there
are a lot less bathrooms as you make your way through the park. Now let’s talk about this park’s appearance. Kings Island is more of an amusement park
than a theme park. While the park only has light theming, most
areas have their own distinct feel. And most importantly, the park looks awesome. The park is very well taken care of. Rides have fresh coats of paint. The park is well landscaped. And the presentation is top notch. Rides have dedicated entrance plazas with
large, picturesque signs. Just look at the one for Banshee for instance
that radiates fog. Then the park has brilliant use of music. Some rides like Orion and Mystic Timbers have
their own dedicated scores while the other areas have twists on familiar music. For example, I love the booming orchestral
soundtrack that plays on International Street as you enter the park. It gives the park a grand feel. Kings Island is one of the highest attended
seasonal parks in the United States. Thankfully the park has incredible operations. Most major rides run at least three trains
with swift dispatches, so lines move quickly. And you’ll see a lot of fellow coaster enthusiasts
working here. As for when to visit, I would try to avoid
Saturdays unless you’re willing to purchase the Fast Lane skip-the-line pass, specifically
Fast Lane Plus, for $75-100. Although Fast Lane is an awesome way to maximize
your visit since it usually dumps you right off in the station with zero wait. I’ve found crowds manageable on weekdays
and then if you’re willing to get wet, a rainy day is a good option to visit Kings
Island. Most rides remain open and crowds will be
extremely light. On a quiet day or with Fast Lane, you can
do all the roller coasters and major rides at Kings Island in a single day. If you plan to experience the water park too
or encounter crowds, you may want a second day so you’re not rushed. My recommended touring plan depends if you
have a season pass. Passholders get a half hour of early entry. The rides vary depending on the day, but I
recommend marathoning the largest ride included. Once park opening hits, I would start with
Orion and Flight of Fear. These two coasters in Area 72 routinely have
the longest line. Orion because it’s the park’s most popular
coaster and Flight of Fear since it does not have the best capacity. I would then try to hit Backlot Stunt Coaster
and the three big coasters in Rivertown if you can beat the crowds there. If you can’t get on Beast, Mystic Timbers,
and Diamondback before the masses arrive, those ones do at least improve significantly
at night. Another one that is possibly smart to start
with is Invertigo. It’s located near the front, has a low capacity,
and is unreliable. But I prefer to start in either Area 72 or
Rivertown since there are multiple popular rides in close proximity to maximize your
efficiency. Now let’s talk about the ride lineup. Kings Island features 14 different roller
coasters and everyone seems to rank them differently. Most parks have a clear-cut top coaster, but
at Kings Island, you have 4 or 5 possible options depending who you ask. This is one of the reasons Kings Island’s
coaster lineup is so strong. There is so much variety and quality top to
bottom. My personal favorite here is Orion, the B&M
giga coaster. I know some claim it isn’t a true giga since
the drop is barely 300 feet or 91 meters tall, but the layout is fun regardless. The first drop is one of the best in the world
with the copious amounts of sustained floater airtime. The first few elements are tall, but the second
half has some smaller hills with some really strong floater airtime. This coaster has nice elements and speed while
also being glossy smooth, which makes it a winner, as I talk about in its own review. Diamondback is the B&M hyper coaster. This one is a floater airtime machine. The first half in particular has some of the
strongest airtime on any B&M. The second half is considerably slower, but
there’s still some weaker floater airtime to be had plus that picturesque splashdown
finale. Banshee is the giant B&M invert. When this ride is running smooth, it’s awesome. You have seven large inversions and I love
how they offer both force and speed. Then the final inline twist offers some crazy
hangtime as a contrast. However, I have gotten some very rattly rides
on this coaster over the years. It seems to be train dependent, so hopefully
you have good luck with this ride. It can make or break the experience. Flight of Fear is the park’s biggest launch
coaster. Located indoors, this alien-themed coaster
from Premier Rides features a convoluted spaghetti bowl layout. The first half has three forceful inversions,
but a trim brake midway through saps the second half of its power. This ride has gotten pretty shaky in recent
years though, but fortunately the ride was retrofit with lap bars so it’s still tolerable. Backlot Stunt Coaster is the family-friendly
launch coaster, also from Premier Rides. This attraction has a deceptively forceful
helix at the start that causes me to greyout. The rest of the layout is pretty tame, but
it passes some nice theming and special effects. Adventure Express is another solid option
for families. This Arrow mine train is located on a hill,
so it builds up some nice speed as it goes. I also love how this ride utilizes tunnels
and the finale is one of the craziest of any coaster. Invertigo is a rare Vekoma inverted boomerang. I have rotten luck with this ride, but it’s
a pleasure when it is operating. The 3 inversions going both forwards and backwards
deliver leg-numbing and powerful positive Gs. And it’s not too rough, which is surprising
considering it was the hybrid of a boomerang and a SLC, which are typically rough. Bat is an Arrow suspended coaster. This one has a shorter layout, but it stays
low-to-the-ground after the initial drop, so it holds its speed well. This results in some wild swinging, particularly
in the second half. Mystic Timbers is my favorite wood coaster
and night ride at Kings Island. This is the best GCI I’ve experienced, as
it features nearly a dozen hills that pop riders out of their seat while zooming past
trees. While the ride appears to have a basic out-and-back
layout, the ride weaves side-to-side quite a bit to mix in some laterals. And then you have the quirky shed at the end
to give it some character. Check out my review if you want to hear more. There are three other wood coasters as well. The Beast still holds the record as the world’s
longest wooden roller coaster. This ride’s setting is legendary. The ride spans over 30 acres and you cannot
see any other attraction during your journey. The layout isn’t too exciting minus the
double helix finale, but it’s just so long and unique that it still brings a smile to
my face. And for the 2022 season, the ride is receiving
a reprofiled drop and a ton of trackwork, so it may run better than ever. Racer is an iconic and historic racing coaster. Both sides are usually running and the ride
has been extensively retracked, so it’s running quite well. The outward leg has some decent pops of airtime,
but nothing too crazy. Woodstock Express is perfect for kids with
its colorful paint scheme and approachable ride experience. It’s a bit more ambitious than your average
kiddie coaster though. But that’s not the only junior coaster. You also have Flying Ace Aerial Chase, which
is an early Vekoma suspended coaster. However, this ride is pretty jerky and can
cause some uncomfortable headbanging. Then there is a standard kiddie coaster here
in the Great Pumpkin Coaster. It’s loved by kids. But if you’re a coaster enthusiast, this
ride is off-limits. You either need to be a child or accompany
one. Kings Island also has one of the deepest and
most interesting ride graveyards, particularly when it comes to roller coasters. These rides alone could form a park worth
visiting. Son of Beast was the world’s first wooden
hyper coaster. It also featured a giant loop, but this RCCA
creation was extremely rough. The old Bat was the first suspended coaster
from Arrow Dynamics. While the ride was a mechanical nightmare,
the extreme swinging offered a truly wild ride experience. Firehawk was the smoothest Vekoma flying dutchman. While I enjoyed this flying coaster’s layout
and forces, it was a slow loader and difficult to maintain. Vortex was the most recent casualty. This giant Arrow multi-looper had some airtime
filled drops and six fun inversions, but it had increasing maintenance costs and declining
ridership. But some notable non-coasters bit the dust
as well. The most notable was Tomb Raider, a very well-themed
indoor top spin. The ride was severely neutered after the Tomb
Raider IP was lost, but it still offered a disorienting ride experience few top spins
could match. The park’s current collection of flat rides
is pretty strong. You have a collection of smaller spinning
rides appeasing guests of all ages plus 3 standout flats. Drop Tower is a rare Intamin gyro drop. This is one of the taller drop towers out
there, so it offers stunning views. And the drop is pretty good too, offering
solid floater airtime at the start. WindSeeker is a Mondial swing ride. The ride’s massive height offers similarly
amazing views of Kings Island while spinning around. Delirium is a Huss giant frisbee. It has run a weak cycle in recent years with
just 2 max swings, but those max swings offer some nice floater airtime at the apex and
solid positive Gs on the downswings. You also have two sizable upcharge attractions
in the Xtreme Skyflyer sky coaster and the Slingshot. If these rides are of interest to you, ride
them early. The park offers steep discounts on them during
the first hour or so. I’ve ridden both of these for just $5 a
piece, as opposed to the usual $20-30 rate. You probably will never find a cheaper rate
for a skycoaster if you’ve never done one. There are also two observation rides of note. The best of the bunch is the park’s 314
foot or 96 meter tall Eiffel Tower. You can spend as much time as you like on
the ride’s walking platform admiring the view or snapping photos. Then you also have the Kings Island & Miami
Railroad that goes out into the woods while also giving the best views of Mystic Timbers. The park currently has one dark ride in Boo
Blasters. This one features a long ride with more complex
ride system than the others with rotating vehicles. It features the familiar 2D aesthetic, but
many of the targets don’t work or are non-responsive, which makes it frustrating. For water rides, there are a few. White Water Canyon is the best one. It’s a well-landscaped Intamin rapids ride
through the woods. You have some solid rapids plus two soaking
geysers. The log flume may oddly be the wettest of
the bunch. Race for Your Life Charlie Brown is a relatively
small Arrow flume, but the way the log bangs down the trough dumps water into the boat. The final splash isn’t too bad, but there’s
an evil Snoopy sprayer around the corner that nails all riders. Then Congo Falls is an Intamin shoot-the-chutes
ride with a surprise pop of air on the double down drop. If that’s not enough, you also have the
large Soak City water park attached. Spanning 33 acres, you have some intense body
slides here plus a solid lineup of tube slides. I prefer to focus my time on the dry side
since the water park doesn’t have any tremendously unique slides, but it’s a great option for
locals, especially on a hot day. For kids, you have one of the best children’s
sections in the world. The Planet Snoopy area has won the Golden
Ticket Award for the best children’s area for 18 straight years. The area is colorful and populated with the
popular Peanuts characters. And there are nearly 2 dozen rides. Some are exclusively for kids. Others can be comfortably enjoyed by kids
and parents together. This would be a great section for a kid to
grow up with. I haven’t watched any shows here, but there
is a nightly fireworks display in summer. It’s a short 5 minute display, but it’s
neat to see a regional park do something like that. The one downside is that it stops the operations
of both the Beast and Orion. You can still get a night ride as long as
you’re in the queue prior to park close though. I also haven’t visited the park for either
Haunt or WinterFest. While Haunt has some bonus walkthroughs and
is the best time of year for night rides, I’ve heard it can get super busy. WinterFest typically has manageable queues
and beautiful lights, but the ride lineup is fairly limited. Flight of Fear and Mystic Timbers are the
only two major coasters open. Moving onto food, Kings Island does a pretty
good job. They are famous for their blue ice cream cones,
but I’ve never tried one since I despise sweets. Their meal food is consistently solid across
the board. My favorite place to eat is the Miami River
Brewhouse. The burgers there are very good. So do I recommend Kings Island? Absolutely! This is one of the best pure amusement parks
in the United States. The ride lineup is wonderful. You have a super deep coaster lineup with
many good to great coasters. Then there are nice complimentary rides for
all tastes, including that award-winning Planet Snoopy area for families. The park also has a cheery atmosphere and
strong operations, making it a pleasant experience and one of the better Cedar Fair parks. You can get admission as low as $45 online
as of 2022 and it’s well worth that price point. Or if you’re like me, you can purchase a
Platinum Pass to get you into all the Cedar Fair properties including the nearby Cedar
Point. So those are my thoughts on Kings Island,
the best park in the Cincinnati area. What are your thoughts on this mega park? Do you like the rides and atmosphere as much
as me? Let me know what you think about this Cedar
Fair park down in the comments. If you enjoyed this review, I’d appreciate
it if you gave this video a like and you considered subscribing since there will be a lot more
roller coaster and amusement park videos here at Canobie Coaster. Thanks for watching.
