Paramount: King's Island Theme Park

From LoveToKnow Themeparks

As home to Cedar Point amusement park, Ohio is well known for spectacular and thrilling parks, but one of the most famous destinations is no longer owned by Paramount: King’s Island theme park.

The Beast

Let Go By Paramount: King’s Island Theme Park History

King’s Island first opened in 1972, 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati as a replacement park for the nearby Coney Island that suffered from floods and lack of space. Eventually, the park’s success drew the attention of Paramount, which bought the park and added a Hollywood touch to the rides and shows. In June 2006, however, the CBS Corporation opted to sell its Paramount parks, and Cedar Fair acquired them. Cedar Fair also owns Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, as well as Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, giving the conglomerate a strong presence in the Midwest’s theme park industry.

King’s Island Attractions

This park enjoyed a grand reputation while owned by Paramount: King’s Island theme park became well known for thrilling attractions and great family fun, a reputation that it continues to hold today with its wide range of roller coasters, fun rides, and exuberant shows.

Roller Coasters

The King’s Island theme park is home to 13 impressive roller coasters, many of which have made headlines as being among the best in the world. Some of the more popular coasters include:

Beast: When it first opened more than three decades ago, the Beast’s 7,300 feet of track made it the longest wooden coaster in the world, a distinction it still holds today. Riders will delight in the three tight tunnels and the powerful helix that make the ride one of the best.
Son of Beast: This vicious prodigy lives up to its father’s reputation, and at more than 7,000 feet long, Son of Beast is the second longest wooden coaster in the world. It initially had the only vertical loop inversion on any wooden coaster in the world, but that design element was removed at the end of 2006 to help make the coaster smoother and less stressful.
Firehawk: This unique flying coaster gives riders the unusual experience of diving among the steel beams and girders while soaring on their stomachs through five inversions.
Flight of Fear: A completely enclosed coaster, this wicked design hurtles riders through a sudden launch at greater than four times the force of gravity. The disorientation continues through four inversions that take terror to new heights.
Top Gun: This movie-themed ride was a favorite of Paramount: King’s Island theme park and is also home to the last of the suspended roller coasters with this innovative design. Cars swing through the trees mimicking the motions of an elite fighter jet and the model jets near the ride entrance make the theme even more outstanding.
Racer: This classic white wooden coaster delights riders in a smooth out-and-back race between two trains, one of which rides backwards for additional thrills. With speeds reaching higher than 60 miles per hour, the race isn’t over until the very last stretch of track.

Racer as seen from the Eiffel Tower observation deck.

Other Rides

No amusement park can survive on just roller coasters, however, and King’s Island is home to dozens of other thrill rides. Some of the park’s signature rides include:

Delirium: A swinging ring that accommodates 50 riders per ride, this massive pendulum arcs through 240 degrees as it rotates passengers along a delirious course.
Drop Zone: At 315 feet tall, this is the largest gyro drop ride in the world. Passengers are treated to unparalleled views while circling above the park before the final plummet at 67 miles per hour.
Whitewater Canyon: The perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day, this river rapids ride uses six-person rafts that float through rugged cliffs and under torrential waterfalls along its five minute course.
Congo Falls: This flume ride may seem small at only 34 feet tall, but the massive tidal wave it unleashes is sure to drench everyone aboard as well as unwary onlookers on the crossover bridge.

Eiffel Tower.

Smaller rides are also available throughout the park, giving visitors the chance to enjoy low-key thrills. A Scrambler, Monster, bumper cars, swinging ship, and free-wheeling swings are all fun options for everyone.

Entertainment

Guests who want to experience the park’s elaborate shows have several options. The park is affiliated with Nickelodeon, making it instantly popular with younger guests, and one of the most enjoyable family shows is the interactive Dora’s Sing-Along Adventure. For a cool show, there is no better option than the Endless Summer on Ice figure skating show, while young and old alike will love the fun and energy of the Twistin’ to the 60’s retro musical review.

King’s Island also offers more general entertainment through a variety of games and concert presentations. The park annually hosts school music and band festivals, and the elaborate flower beds are a treat for the eyes as well as the nose. For a bird’s eye view of the park and all it offers, guests can ascend the one-third scale replica of the Eiffel Tower that has been the park’s central icon since it opened, and the observation deck is a relaxing retreat from the thrills below.

Visiting King’s Island

King’s Island theme park is open seasonally from late April through October, though the park is only open weekends early and late in the season.

Tickets

General admission tickets are $48 but are available online for $33 for adults and $30 for children and senior citizens. Season passes vary and range from $95 to $150 for adults ($70 to $150 for kids), depending on how many Cedar Fair parks and water parks are included on the pass. Group and corporate discounts can also be arranged.