Special kids get chance to play
Benefit held for crash victim
WSU vs. Milwaukee
Return of the King
With 80 rides, new shows and other attractions, Kings Island is primed to catapult park visitors to more fun in 2008
> Kings Island photos | Coaster quiz | Vote for your favorite coaster
> What are you most looking forward to at Kings Island?
Friday, April 18, 2008
You strap yourself in, and the seat you're sitting in lurches to a start. Feet dangling, you begin the long, uphill journey to speed, sharp turns, adrenaline rushes, peeing in your pants ...
That's right, it's roller coaster season.
Extras
Kings Island is opening Sunday, April 20 — an event that area residents of all ages have been anticipating for months.
Thirteen-year-old T.J. Farnbacher of Springboro said he's been counting down the days for more than a month.
"I like it so much because it's a world-class park in my mind," he said. "It has a great collection of rides — some are mild, but some are kind of wild and thrilling."
The park has more than 80 rides, shows and attractions. Kings Island boasts Ohio's only flying roller coaster — Firehawk. It propels riders 115 feet into the air through five inversions at more than 50 mph. Kings Island also has The Beast, the longest wooden roller coaster in the world.
T.J. said The Beast is his favorite ride. He likes helping his friends conquer their coaster fears so they can ride it, too.
"One of my favorite things to do down there is to take a friend who's afraid of the rides and take them on easy rides and work our way up," he said. "That's how I learned. Until about 2006, I was really afraid of them."
Amusement Today trade newspaper doesn't seem to think there's any reason to be afraid. For the seventh year in a row, it has awarded Kings Island the Golden Ticket Award for Best Kids' Area in the World — Nickelodeon Universe. It includes two "neighborhoods" dedicated to SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and more kids' roller coasters than any other park in the world.
But, with opening day comes some changes.
After buying Kings Island from Paramount in June 2006, Cedar Fair Entertainment has renamed many of the park's attractions. It's also bringing back a focus on live entertainment that Kings Island spokesman Don Helbig said was lost during the Paramount-ownership era. Six live shows will be presented this year, compared to last year's two.
Lilian Baker, 17, of Dayton said she is excited about the opening, but skeptical about some of the changes.
"I think the fact that it was owned by Paramount had something to do with (Kings Island's) popularity," she said. "Rides like Top Gun refer to movies, and I think it's a possibility that it will get less popular."
Baker said she would consider going to the shows, but she goes to the parks for the rides.
Dr. Robert Myers of Contemporary Pediatrics in Centerville has a different perspective because of his history in shows at Kings Island.
As an undergraduate at the University of Cincinnati, Myers played trumpet for the swing band The Kings of Swing and the Turner Sisters. He said he is glad to see the shows making a comeback to provide today's students with the opportunity he had.
"I think it contributes in numerous arts and theater programs," he said. "The Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, even the programs at Miami and Wright State, they've all got very good talent."
Kings Island does seem to attract a wide variety of people — from senior citizens to families to young adults. Why?
"I think it's because we offer roller coasters, water parks and shows," Helbig said. "Kings Island has something for everyone."
Contact this reporter at astevens@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Tray
June 27, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
Dove nuovo scherzo-per-matrimonio qualche poi essere plasma.
By Pablo
June 27, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Poco [URL=http://www.agefrontier.com/voli-hong-kong.php] ai voli-hong-kong [/URL] non http://www.agefrontier.com/b-b-bologna.php modo.
By John Doe
April 22, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
David knows all. The website says 1 day admission is $29.99
By John Doe
April 22, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
David knows it all. The website states 1 day ticket is $29.99.
By John Doe
April 22, 2008 7:48 PM | Link to this
David know it all. The website states 1 day ticket is $29.99.
By david wilkinson
April 20, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
Really Chris, Really. If you would have read what I wrote, you would see that I said people dont go to amusement parks to see the shows. That would be like me going to the Reds game to get a hot dog. Its there so I enjoy it, but its not the reason people come to the park. I went to the park and saw the wanna-be stars on ice 2 times, both times there were plenty of available seats, so its not “ALWAYS” packed - you must have went on a rainy day. And the gate price is not 30.00
By Chris Holderfield
April 19, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
.25% David, really? Really?
I seem to remember last year several shows that I attended where people had to stand up because the venues were crammed with people! Granted, I visited the park 6-7 times last season, so I wasn’t there every day, but a majority of those visits were during the week, only a couple on the weekend…And shows were ALWAYS busy…So it would only make financial sense for the park to add more!
By david wilkinson
April 18, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
“many people” is vague and a totally unsupportable amount of people. If i were a betting individual i would say less than 0.25% of the parks total attendance last year went to the park to see shows. Kings Island is an amusement park, not a “show park”. You’ll note that the year in which you reference the park, i believe, was for sale. Perhaps you have some inside information you would like to share with us Mr. Suhr, you seem to allude the more shows were requested in 07…
By Bobby
April 18, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
This article failed to mention the lower entrance fee for 2008. Its only $30 for a 1 day pass and $50 for a 2 day pass. Thats the most significant change for the new season that will increase demand this year. I plan to go to Kings Island more often now that the cost of getting in has been reduced. Buy your tix online, I think they cost a little more at the gate.
By Samantha S
April 18, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
I do think a great deal of people come for the shows and if not, they do stop by to take a break and enjoy the Live entertainment. I am most looking forward to all the people that will come and, most importantly, all the kids whose eyes will light up upon entering the park.
By Ryan Suhr
April 18, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this
In Paramount’s last year running the park there were two shows: School of Rock and karaoke. Many people go to Kings Island for the shows… otherwise they’d be installing a ride this year instead. Why else would parks have shows? Last time they didn’t add a ride was 1983 when they built the Festhaus instead.
By Chris Holderfield
April 17, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Hmmm…I seem to remember during the final years of Paramount a grand total of 2-3 shows…So Cedar Fair has now changed that to six. Last year they installed Firehawk, which wasn’t a “new” ride (it came from their other park, Geauga Lake), but it was new in the sense that most people who visit Kings Island had not ridden it until now. Finally, it’s still under wraps officially, but the park is working on a new construction project (ride, coaster?), possibly for the 2009 season.
By david wilkinson
April 17, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
When was the last year a new ride was not installed?
By david wilkinson
April 17, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
People go to amusement parks for the rides, not shows. This “kicentral.com” website is full of nutjobs that let their lives revolve around kings island and will be more than happy to tell you that these shows are just as good as getting a new ride. Of course you have to weed through the high school age moderators chastising people. I also remember there being a plethora of shows during paramount parks tenure. If i want quality live entertainment, kings island would not be the place i go
By Jackson Thurnquist
April 17, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
WOO HOO! 3 DAYS LEFT!
By Jackson Thurnquist
April 17, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
WOO HOO! 3 DAYS LEFT!