Kings Island :: Mason, Ohio

The city of Mason, Ohio is home to one of the most popular amusement parks in the United States, Kings Island. The park opened its gates in 1972 as a replacement for Coney Island (not the New York park, a popular park on the Ohio River that was forced to relocate due to flooding) and it is currently the third most visited seasonal theme park in North America behind only one of its sister parks, Cedar Point and Canada’s Wonderland. The park stuffs 364 acres with over 80 rides, shows and attractions including Boomerang Bay, a 15 acre water park. One of Kings Island’s most notable features is the 1/3 scale replica of the Eiffel Tower that greets visitors as they arrive to the park, providing them with a view of the entire park as well as one of the best viewpoints for the parks nightly fireworks display. Kings Island has also won the “Golden Ticket Award” from Amusement Today Magazine for Best Kid’s Area for 9 years in a row.

The park is split into 7 different sections, each with its own theme and featured attractions and rides. Upon entering the park you also enter the International Street section which is highlighted by the Eiffel Tower replica mentioned earlier as well as the Grand Carousel, featuring 48 hand-carved wooden horses decorated with 23 karat gold and sterling silver. The section is also home to the Kings Island Theater, musical attractions and a variety of food, services and souvenir shops. The Action Zone section of the park is alongside International Street and is home to three of the park’s roller coasters and a variety of other adrenaline pumping rides. Take a ride on Invertigo, an inverted boomerang roller coaster where riders sit face to face so you can see each other scream in excitement. For those looking for a little less excitement you can try Congo Falls, a giant flume drop that creates a large tidal wave bound to soak everyone on board and perhaps some bystanders too. Behind the Action Zone sits the Oktoberfest section of the park which houses the Adventure Express, an Indiana Jones-esque themed mine train roller coaster along with a variety of other rides. The Coney Mall section of the park is named after the park’s predecessor and is loaded with rides as well as entertainment for the kids. Kids can have some fun at the Coney Mall Arcade, grab some candy at Coney Confections and even check out SpongeBob SquarePants 3-D at the Action Theater. Boasting five thrilling roller coasters, Coney Mall is sure to be a hit with any rollercoaster enthusiast. The Rivertown area is a great place to grab a bite to eat, it has a lot of different dining and snacking options like LaRosa’s Pizzeria and the Rivertown Potato Works. It is also home to various rides and two roller coasters: the Diamondback, a hypercoaster that hits a top speed of 80 mph and features a unique splashdown effect near the end, and The Beast, a giant wooden coaster designed by the park themselves and still considered a top 10 coaster among enthusiasts.

The Nickelodeon Universe, renamed Planet Snoopy for 2010, section of the park the reason Kings Island keeps winning that Golden Ticket Award for Best Kid’s Area, it is loaded with fun and entertainment for all the kids. Ride on one of their four kids’ roller coasters, the most at any amusement park. In Planet Snoopy, kids can enjoy ice cream, watch live stage shows and even meet the characters in person at the daily meet-and-greets. With over 20 kid centric attractions, this section of the park is bound to be the highlight of your children’s visit to Kings Island. But let’s not forget what is most likely to be another highlight of their visit, Boomerang Bay, Kings Island’s Australian-themed water park. With over 30 water slides, lagoons, rolling rivers, waterfalls and 36,000 sq ft wave pool it is a great place to cool off when the summer heat starts to get you. The kids will love Kangaroo Lagoon with its three slides along with a fortress with water cannons and tipping tanks. With its winning combination of roller coasters and other great rides and attractions, Kings Island is definitely a great place to spend the day with family and friends.