Kings Island History 

I remember going there when a season pass was 19.99 and concerts at Timberwolf were just 1 or 2 dollars extra. We use to go into Enchanted Voyage to cool off in the summer as it was the only ride that was air-conditioned. I have had a season pass since 1976 and since Cedar Fair now owns the park, I get the Platinum pass as it allows you access to all Cedar Fair parks. Kinks Island was the first for many roller coaster firsts. First suspended coaster (The Bat), first coaster to go in reverse (Racer), First coaster with 6 inversions (Vortex), First coaster to use linear motor electromagnetic launch (Flight of Fear), First wooden coaster with a loop AND over 200 feet tall (Son of Beast). Kings Island set the stage for Amusement Parks around the world. It can only get better with age. Happy 42nd birthday to a place that gave me some great memories!

Thanks for posting. That place was magical as a kid. Remember when the parking lot areas were the names of all the Hanna Barbera characters?

What a wonderful production. I grew up in WV in the 70's and I absolutely loved King's Island. Thanks for the post. It really hit home.

This was really an excellent documentary and one I would buy in a heart beat. I really appreciate it being posted on here. Kings Island has a very special place in my heart not only because of my love for amusement parks, but also because its the only place I ever went on vacation with my grandparents too. We went last year and its something I will always treasure because about a month later my grandfather was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and brain cancer. It was the last place we truly had some normality, and Im going back in two weeks and taking my little sister. I have to pick up my granddad a t-shirt all his are to big now.

Cedar Point is landlocked, King's Island is the future of mega parks.

Went there when I was a little kid from the late 70’s-mid 80’s driving up from Louisville. Great memories! I remember the classical music that played at the entrance by the fountains. I remember riding the log flume and train. My first time riding The Beast. The Racer was always a favorite. Many terrific memories. This was a great look back.

This is awesome. Whoever put this together, I really enjoyed hearing the history and pieces of development and evolution of the park. First went there in 1977 and still go when I get the chance.

I go to kings island on a regular basis I love it and I will never get sick of it I have gone over 200 times and I'm still not

I know it was made to make money, but I still appreciate the guy who made it happen. He is responsible for one of the most magical days of my life. My first trip to Kings Island. Early 90s, Paramount was in full swing with it, pouring in money. You had movie themes all through the park with themes playing. The Merth Mobile from Waynes World was there, Forest Gumps outfit/book/feather/shoes was there. I will never forget that day. I didn't think the day could get any better then the sun went down and all the lights came on. Man w as that cool on the Vortex.

I remember riding the Beast in '79 year it opened with brother and sister, must of been 10-15 times in a row. Favorite coaster till Millennium Force at Cedar Point. Beast still rocks...really good documentary, thanks

SCOOBY DOO will never die! I think you should base your kids section on Hanna Barbara again. Sponge bob is cute but SCOOBY DOO is so much better, it's been around so much longer than sponge blob!

51:15 My only issue with this is that there were a few coasters built in the 50s and 60s, mostly junior wood coasters or wild mouse designs, but Camden’s Big Dipper (1958) Cedar Point's Blue Streak (1964) and Myrtle Beach’s Swamp Fox (1966) were three good sized coasters built during this otherwise slow period. Anyways back to KI. Been going since 75 and so happy that the park is in the hands of Cedar Fair after Paramount had changed so much of the character of the park. And even after the many changes to Beast and Racer it is still great to take a ride once in awhile. I do hope the park restores some of the elements to Beast for its 50th anniversary. Here is a GREAT read for those of you who remember when The Beast had 4 bench trains, water surrounding the station, skid brakes and a more secluded entrance which was intimidating to my 8 year old self at the time. www.themerica.org/blog/2019/02/24/kings-island-03

What Mr. Wachs said about hoping the park wouldn't become too commercial is crucial to its ultimate survival. The Paramount era is a perfect example of this. Also, the "Fast Lane" concept is nothing but corporate greed. Not everybody can afford the ridiculously high priced wristbands! If the greed doesn't stop, Kings Island will suffer a much worse fate than its predecessor! Speaking of Coney Island, it's much more reasonable to spend a day there and the prices are not so high as to prevent return visits throughout the summer. Plus, there is a quaintness about the old park that Kings Island will never be able to replace!

Going there for vacation this summer... totally looking forwards to it!

I grew up coming here with my parents that have a pic of me in front of the hanna barbara sign when I was a baby & parents being early 20s... suchhh good but bittersweet memories with my cousins & parents before they split... I mainly only remember the Scooby doo & nickelodeon themes. Now currently going in my early 20s grown up w/my bro & boyfriend. Cannot wait to bring my future kids here one day and let them live their childhood like I did here. Love this video so much

You did a great job. Just now seeing this lol. I grew up at KI and so have my kids ☺️

When it first opened, King's Island was trying to become on a regional and seasonal scale what Walt Disney World was going to become on a national and year-round scale - a family vacation destination. It had its own hotel and campground that was run by the park itself and I am pretty sure that they owned the golf course too. It was a true theme park then with rides that "fit" in each of the lands and a good balance between thrill and family rides. It's basically a coaster park now.

I was a very young kid, not even ten years old but I remember the Fess Parker fiasco. I remember being interested (even at that age, in the 1960's) at the prospect of it, because I loved Coney Island but Parker's idea of an amusement park wasn't very exciting. It was downright dull and would have failed in its first year, no question. King's Island was clearly the right way to go. These guys made some very smart and brave decisions and it has paid off handsomely, no doubt.

I started going to Kings Island in the mid 1980s. This documentary was a wonderful look behind the creation of this still-great-park and also a pleasant trip down memory lane. I wish they would have left the "Beastie." It was fun for small kids to feel like they were riding an "adult" coaster. And more than anything, I wish one of those Racer's was still backwards. I'm aware that it wasn't originally, but it was so much fun! I haven't been on The Racer since they changed it. Those few little nit-picky things aside, I have loved Kings Island through its many changes and will continue to enjoy it for years to come. Thank you for this look back!

I went there as a 6yo kid in 1972! Best TIMES OF MY LIFE! Hanna Barbera cartoon characters dominated the park during that time! I remember getting real excited after seeing the 100 ft tall Scooby Doo billboard along the highway of I-75 on the way there saying only 25 miles! Once there I was mesmerized with all of my favorite cartoon characters live and in person walking around meeting an greeting the kids! I remember running up to Scooby Doo and he gave me a pat on my head! I was so much under a spell that I got separated from my grandparents and was lost for at least 2 hours! I was very frightened an scared and felt like crying! But then that’s when I saw the Banana Splits and all of a sudden I wasn’t scared any more! I think that they had a music band with them and I remember dancing with all the other kids all races an colors and we had so much fun! I remember the big attraction at that time was the Red Racer Blue Racer Twin Roller Coaster it was so white so clean and I was so scared to get on it like my other cousins did! So my uncle wound up taking me on the Marathon Turnpike motor cars! Then we went on a ride that went indoors and seen lots of bright colors and flashing lights with more of my favorite cartoon characters inside that was so beautiful! We then went on the train ride in Frontier Land! I remember using my pointed finger as a gun to shoot at the Indians as we rode through the Wild West in Southern Ohio😜 To cap the night off there was a big fireworks display to conclude the most magnificent magical night in my childhood life! And now it’s 50 years later since I’ve been there! I’ve been to Cedar Point several times and it’s a great park too but it’s not Kings Island! I’m 56 now and I have to get there by any means necessary to relive my beautiful childhood again ! My grandparents are gone now but I know that they will be there with me again if I can make it out there! WISH ME LUCK!

Excellent documentary of Kings Island! Very informative and very well done. Thanks, Gary, for your concept and seeing it through to completion.

I love this Park so much , Many memories, of the 80s, and I was there a few yrs ago, many changes, have happened, but looking back I remember so much, still today, The Memories, are so awesome,

The Beast: The best night ride ever!

The Beast without cheek breaks before the tunnel? That sounds awesome!

This is my favorite place in the world! I can’t wait to take my kids here one day!

An hour and thirty minutes, and no ads? I'll watch this video

I'm 50. My first amusement park ride ever was The Beast in 1980, maybe 1981. I've been hooked ever since.

I remember the first time I rode the beast, late May or Early June. 1979.

I thought he was referring to the original Coney Island in New York at first. Interesting video, definitely alot of history behind Kings Island Amusement Park.

Thank you for posting this…such interesting history…I have such fond memories of Kings Island…my favorite ride as a kid, hands down, was the Enchanted Voyage…the last time I was at Kings Island was in 1983 for my high school graduation Grad Night …my friends and I saw Huey Lewis and the News there ( this was before they became well known ) …

It was amazing to hear Wachs admit that a crucial stage was the crushing of the rivalry from Fess Parker by calling all the banks and having them cut any funding to Parker! Wow, so much for free enterprise and competition.

This was a fabulous documentary! Stayed up half the night watching it. My hometown park was Marriott’s (Paramount) Great America in Santa Clara, CA and it was fun to see the parallels in how the respective regional theme parks fed off each other & even share the Fess Parker origins in their early history. Again, a tremendous doc ! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I'm biased because I've grown up at Kings Island and was honestly spoiled there. I've been to several parks around the country and KI is second to one, Cedar Point. However, there is so much available land at Kings Island they don't even know what to do with it. As long as they can keep the prices reasonable and they are, and not go too crazy on corporate BS, this will eventually be the largest and best amusement park on the planet. LONG LIVE KINGS ISLAND!!!

I have been going to Kings Island since I was 3 years old and I love the park! I'm going tomorrow and I can't wait!

I never had been to Kings Island until 13 years ago. Now that my husband and I are going back this year, it got me wondering about the history behind this awesome amusement park! Very interesting to learn about the history. Thank you so much for posting this!

This video is an absolute gem. So much insight and history I didn't know about. Thank you!

I went there when the Partridge Family TV show was filming for some episodes, probably in 1972 I'm thinking....fun times!!

A remarkable story, even though it meant the loss of the true Coney which really was one of the best traditional parks in the country and small parks have a charm that big parks just can't capture. It would have been fun to touch on the mine that once occupied Kings Island property and its connection with the small cemetery that can be seen in the lot (an episode of Ghost Hunters talked more about this). Also sad to see Vortex go as it was my favorite there since it opened but every ride has a shelf life and everything from maintenance budgets to popularity must be considered. If it always had the lines it did on its final day they would have sunk the money into replacing all of the steel that needed it. On a brighter note, KI's 50th anniversary will be here before we know it!

Nice documentary, brings back memories :) I used to drive down there very year back in the old times. Kings Island back then was a genuine theme park. for all ages. Like the monorail wild animals, all the shows, even a sea world, etc. Last time I went I noticed it had just become a bunch of modified roller coasters amusement park. Never went back again. Sort of sad in a way what it is now. Lots of people like me really enjoyed going there in those days. I think when Paramount took over is when it lost it's nostalgia.

My visit to Kings Island was the third time that I had been to an amusement park. Riverside in Indianapolis Coney Island in Cincinnati. Since my first time I knew at that moment it was not going to be the last I have been to Kings Island over 500 times and at 58 years old will continue going every season at least 10 times. Thank You for creating this place. From Indianapolis Indiana the roller coaster fan of the future.

What a great documentary. Thanks so much for the background on the park. Best park ever!

Fascinating video, didn't know King's Island spawned from Coney Island or that Hannah Barbara had such a large presence when it first opened. Kinda sucky that they shut the other guy down that also wanted to open a park though; wonder how things would be if they hadn't 🤔

Well I didn’t grow up in the Midwest and I had never even been to Ohio or anywhere in the Midwest until recently. In fact the purpose of my trip was specifically to visit Kings Island! I think I road The Beast and Racer more than the others. Don’t get me wrong, Kings Island has an amazing coaster line up and I enjoyed them all. Kings Island is a beautiful park and I can’t wait to come back! The Racer sort of reminded me of my beloved Colossus because it was a racer too complete with PTC trains with buzz lap bars! It was a wonderful good time.

Wow, this was soooo good!! I watched it all. Wow wow wow Great piece

This is still one of my favorite amusement park documentaries. Thank you!

Kings Island is hands-down my favorite park in the country. Been there four times, most recent being just a couple weeks ago, and I have a complete blast every single time. Looking forward to many many more visits, and it was great to have this chunk of history about one of my favorite places

pretty lucky to have grown up less than 2 hours from here, been going as much as i can since like 2000

it's nice to know the history of kings island.........thanks for posting this!!!!!!

Great video! We go to Kings Island dozens of times a year.

The Partridge Family was there before the Bradys,Great Video I hope to get there some day

This was an excellent doco!! I was a regular at King's Dominion from the summer it opened until the late 70's/early 80's and this brought back a lot of great memories :) It was so interesting to hear the story of the Kings parks' origin told by the guys that made it happen along with input from original park employees and park enthusiasts. Thanks so much for uploading this gem, I really enjoyed it.

Super awesome, super entertaining! Great job! Its totally weird how "off" Dennis Speigel is on his dates on the festhaus, the smurfs, etc... Also it's totally weird they say the Brady Bunch was their FIRST foray into TV and Hollywood... The BANANA SPLITS did an episode there in 72, and so did the Partridge Family! Brady Bunch wasn't till 73... Btw, they just showed the Partridge Family episode on AntennaTV a couple days ago!

This was the best 90 minutes I have spent in a long time. Thank you!!!!

Amazing video!!!! Tons of info

I have only been to Kings Island once. It was interesting to watch the history. I grew up going to Kings Dominion from the late seventies up to 2007. A documentary of that park would be wonderful to bring back the memories of my own childhood. Great film!

Great video! Learned a lot about King's Island. Also pretty cool that two celebrities worked there before making it big.

Drinking game? Take a shot every time the old, bald-headed guy says "Coney Island" You'll end up in the ER for alcohol poisoning.

Great documentary. Really gives me more insight of how it went from the beginning of KI all the way to today. I felt the histroy between 1980s to the present was rushed. But again there wasn't much to say about it's change and I have a feeling they didn't mention the amount of times it was bought by other companies. I remember Kings Island when Paramount owned them (From KI to Canada's Wonderland), then they sold it off to Cedar Point in 2007 during the transition when Paramount wanted to make more money. So they sold the parks to CF to make more profit off of selling the parks (which I think is what ruined some of the attractions that were once themed). My family did go to it in 2011 and, so far after 6 years not much has changed (except the removal of Son of beast). Either way, I do thank you for making this in-depth documentary as it really helped me get more info on the pre-Kings Island part all the way to the 1980s. Nowadays it's still Kings Island but now owned by Cedar Fair, not Paramount anymore. So that's the only change I would say that's different between this documentary (when it was shoot around 2006 or before/2007 and later). But this really helped me get into Kings Island a lot more then what the other videos have provided me in the past before I came across this video. Never knew that Kings Island would inspire thousands of companies, whom had their own theme parks, to have their own roller coasters and attractions built right into their park. Not even Six Flags and Disney ever thought of that.

Love Kings island. Been going since 1975. Really enjoyed this. Learned so much. Many thanks.

Wow, thanks for posting this!

That was some great history and information 🛤❤️

Who’s watching in 2019!? 🙋🏽‍♀️

Outstanding documentary!

First, Hannah Barbera Land, then it was Nickelodeon Universe, now it's Planet Snoopy. Really makes you wonder what'll be next.

Its easy to forget this place is special to so many

I remember the cowboy & Indians train ride!! Cool stuff!!

Loved that place. I need to go back. Lived in Kettering from 70 to 82.

Very nice! So many memories, and still enjoy it.

This is a great documentary. I had no idea that King's Island was so revolutionary

Great video but why no mention of Paramount at one time Kings Island was called Paramount's Kings Island why didn't they mention that?

I haven't been to King's Island since 1985 when my dad got reassigned to California. I've been to all the parks out here and non add up to King's Island. Miss the Racers, The Beast and for thoughts that remember it King Cobra, good memories.

You should do video for the 50th anniversary of kings island

I would love to dig around in there old offices man knew what needed done and got it done .

51:33 Blue Streak @ Cedar Point 1967...try again

Thank you for that very informative video it was really neat to see all the old characters again!

Been going to kings isl;and randomly for 20 some years, not once caught both racer tracks open

I just hope this mystic timbers will not be the downfall of the beast. That was my first big kid rollercoaster from my training on the Beastie!!

I'm never gonna look at kings island the same way again

Any body excited for the new coaster next year cause I am they are already adding invadr at Busch gardens Williamsburg which is a gci which is very cool 2 gci min a year so cool I heard Gcis are awesome

Thank you so much for this!

really enjoyed this documentary. kings island is the greatest park in the country.

The best theme park out there. Especially the beast and banshee

Thanks for making this whoever you are

This video was just AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!!

totally miss all the animals!

Good memories of just my dad and I At this park especially seeing his face the first time he road the Beast thx for the memories all the way from Arkansas

Oh I totally understand the cedar fair thing. But with Don saying they are staying relevant to today's youth, then replacing it with an outdated product, then maybe cedar fair should become more relevant? Peanuts is outdated.

Bring back SCOOBY DOO OR PHANTOM THEATER!!!! That other stuff sucks!!!!

thats were the brady bunch was filmed and so as the partridge family too

Really, really cool video, I just wish it touched on the modern rides a bit more. There's no mention of most of the roller coasters, both past and present

WOO HOO! BEAST AT NIGHT! BEAST AT NIGHT ! YEAH!

I have been to four amusement parks: Kings Island, Six Flags Over Texas, Dollywood, and Cedar Point. I love them all equally. I also went to Sandy Lake for a band trip, but that hardly counts. I also went to Disney World as a kid, but I refuse to acknowledge any good things about it.

One of the guys in this documentary said that, until Racer was built, there were no roller coasters built in the U.S. since 1946. That is not correct since Blue Streak was built and opened in '64 and the Cedar Creek Mine Ride was built and opened in '69. Overall, though, this is a great documentary about King's Island. It's a great park.

Only one issue at 51:15 - very much an inaccurate statement. Cedar Point's Blue Streak was a brand new build (by the same designer no less) in 1964. RCDB lists others that went up around the country in the 50's and 60's as well although that was a slower period in the industry. Granted KI and CP were competitors (funny that they're family now lol) but as accurate as everything else is in the video I just found that surprising. Racer certainly turned heads and is credited for spring boarding the second golden age of the roller coaster (which is still going strong) but it was not the first one built in 3 decades.

I like how Don says that Nick is keeping up with the times and it's what the kids are watching these days. Then the park replaces it with a cartoon just as old as Hanna Barbera? Yeah, that's being relevent to today's youth.

Scooby-Doo is the worst use of space. Bring back Hannah Barbara!

Thank you Nate!

I don't remember what they were called, but I miss those arial cars that went across the park - they were suspended by a cable. I believe The SanDiego Zoo had that too. I assume they got rid of them so that park visitors would have to walk across the park and then have more opportunities to spend money on drinks, snacks & games... I also miss the "sea world" show, Wildlife Safari(tram now at JungleJims), jalopy cars and when the train was actually fun to ride vs. the now boring PC train....

Happy 40th Kings Island!

Outstanding!!!!