12 Nostalgic Photos Of Cincinnati's Kings Island That Will Have You Longing For Years Past
By Andrea Limke|Published May 29, 2018
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Cincinnati has many destinations that have been around for decades and even generations. Some of them remain rather unchanged, while others have evolved with the times. Kings Island has been a beloved amusement park in our area for the past 46 years and there is still evidence today from its early days. Much has indeed changed over the years, as many rides and attractions have come and gone and the park continues to adjust themes and its overall feel. So if you long for years past at Kings Island, check out these 12 nostalgic photos of the park and see if your favorite ride from the past is represented.
1. On May 27, 1972, Kings Island held its official Grand Opening ceremonies.
Although there were preview days held before the official opening, after two years of construction, Kings Island held its grand opening on Saturday, May 27, 1972. 18,000 people visited that first day and started a Cincinnati-area tradition that remains a beloved destination today.
On that official opening day, there was a parade to celebrate. As you can see, some of the original features of Kings Island's International Street remain today, while much has definitely changed.
This view shows another popular area of the park on opening day. The Racer remains, although it looks a bit different these days, and many other rides and attractions you can see here are gone or have changed.
Who doesn't miss this antique car ride that was a quiet break after other thrilling rides? Les Taxis operated from 1972 to 2004, giving 22,496,928 rides over the years. It was a 4.5-minute ride that featured beautiful gardens and surroundings and plenty of historic nostalgia.
Typically called the "Log Flume Ride," Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal was a popular ride from 1973 to 2000. It gave more than 40 million rides during its run, which is the second-most among retired rides. Riders enjoyed a relaxing float along a winding ride before plummeting into a huge splash at the end.
Depending on your age, you may not remember the Salt Water Circus, which entertained guests from 1974 to 1993. The dolphin/sea lion show was performed in the 2,000-seat aqua marina and was just one highlight of the extensive entertainment offerings.
This memorable ride had you twisting and turning from 1972-1991, and was very similar to a teacup ride, but with witches' cauldrons. It's definitely one of those rides that is always brought up in conversation about the "good old days" of visits to Kings Island.
Quite possibly the most remembered and talked about ride at Kings Island, the Enchanted Voyage boat ride opened in 1972 and ran until it was converted into Smurf’s Enchanted Voyage in 1983. Of course, since then, the ride has had many names and theme changes. It has also been Phantom Theater, Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle, and is now Boo Blasters on Boo Hill. Despite all the changes, we all still refer to it as whichever one most won over our hearts.
From 1972 to 1994, the Sunshine Turnpike was where all Cincinnati kids learned to drive. Okay, not really, but this car-themed ride did give 21,993,078 rides in its run at the park and is another popular and missed attraction.
Many may not remember these canoes at Kings Island, as they only lasted five seasons from 1972 to 1976, but perhaps you've seen the "Cincinnati Kids" episode of The Brady Bunch, which was filmed in the canoes and throughout the park in 1973.
From 1972 to 1979, the popular Swiss Sky Ride gave more than 12 million rides during its time at Kings Island. This ride was known for its views of the park and was actually moved from Coney Island to Kings Island and was among the first attractions installed in the park before its opening.
Many things may have changed at Kings Island over the years, but it remains a popular and much-loved destination in the Cincinnati area with plenty of amusement park charm. Did you recognize any of the rides in these photos? What were your favorites that are no longer there? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
For more information on Kings Island, visit their website here and follow along on Facebook here.
And for more on this area of town, which is a true playground for everyone, check out our previous article here.
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