1969 – Taft Broadcasting Company then purchased 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) of land in Warren County, Ohio for $3.2 million.
1970 – June 15, construction of Kings Island started.
1971 – Construction of the Eiffel Tower, Royal Fountain and The Racer roller coaster were completed. Rides and attractions had been transported and installed from Coney Island.
1972 – Opening – Kings Island opened its gates for the first of several preview events on April 29, and officially opened to the public May 27.
There were 5 themed areas: International Street, Oktoberfest, Coney Island, Rivertown, and The Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera.
Rides
From Coney Island: Dodgems, Scrambler, Monster, The Rotor, Kings Mill Log Flume, Sky Ride, Tumble bug, Grand Carousel, and Flying Scooters.
Others: Alley Cat 500, Antique Cars, Auto Livery, Bavarian Beetle, Boo-Boo's Baggage Claim, Boo-Boo's Buggies, Canoe Ride, Cuddle Up, Der Spinning Keggers, Enchanted Voyage, Flying Carpet Slide, Gulliver's Rub-A-Dub, Haley’s Comet, Jet Orbiters, Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad, Pee Wee Raceway, Scooby Doo, Sky Ride, Sunshine Turnpike, Wheel of Fortune, and Winnie Witch's Cauldrons.
Attractions: International Showplace, International Street Bandstand
Slogan: "America's Family Entertainment Center", "Come on, get happy"
1973 – April 18, the park announced the completion of a $6 million expansion project. The Partridge Family, filmed at the park in the episode "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati". The Brady Bunch, filmed at the park in the episode "The Cincinnati Kids".
Rides added: Bayern Kurve, Flying Dutchmen, Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal
Other attractions opened: Games arcade, a 1/2 mile nature trail, and The International Restaurant
1974 – Karl Wallenda broke a world Skywalk record of 1,600 feet (490 m).
Themed area added: Lion Country Safari
Rides added: Lion Country Safari Monorail
Attractions added: Salt Water Circus, Monkey Island
1975 – October 25, Evel Knievel successfully jumped 14 Greyhound buses. Coney Island is extended.
Rides added: The Troika, Zodiac.
1976 – Air theatre collapse from winter snow. July 4, the park held a bicentennial celebration and the wedding of Paul Revere from the pop rock band Paul Revere & the Raiders that made Time Magazine. July 24, safari ranger John McCann was mauled by a lion and died.
Rides added: Flintstone's Boulder Bumpers
Rides removed: Cuddle Up, Shawnee Landing, Kenton's Cove Canoes.
Attraction added: American Heritage Music Hall
1977 – First forward- and backward-looping roller coaster in the country opened. Dick Van Dyke became a spokesperson for the park. The movie Rollercoaster was filmed at the park.
Themed area renamed: Lion Country Safari » Wild Animal Safari
Rides added: Screamin' Demon
Rides removed: Canoe Ride, Bavarian Beatle.
Rides renamed: Lion Country Safari Monorail » Wild Animal Safari monorail
Attractions added: Fascination game building, International Showplace Theater.
1978 – Construction begins on The Beast. College Football Hall of Fame joined the Kings Island complex. Comedian Jonathan Winters became the spokesperson.
Attractions added: electronic shooting gallery
1979 – The Beast breaks world records for tallest, fastest and longest wooden roller coaster.
Rides added: The Beast, Mr. Jinks Jalopies
Rides removed: Halley's Comet, Sky Ride.
1980 – The Beast's 540deg helix was enclosed.
Rides renamed: Scooby Doo » The Beastie
Attractions added: Beast souvenir shop, wine and cheese shop
1981 – Wild Animal Habitat joined the Cincinnati Zoo and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine to establish the Cincinnati Wildlife Federation. Performers were added throughout the park entertain guests.
Rides added: The Bat
Rides removed: Gulliver's Rub-A-Dub, The Rotor
Slogan: "Take me with you"
1982 – A $2.1 million expansion renovation of Hanna-Barbera Land. One of the trains on the Racer was turned around to travel in the backwards direction. July 9, Air Supply kicked off the new amphitheater. Was the first year for Winterfest. May 26, employee Terry Raitt was mauled by a lion. He suffered a punctured trachea and body cuts but survived.
Rides added: Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel, Hanna Barbera Carousel, Quick Draw's Railway, Baba Looey's Buggies, Viking Fury
Rides removed: Bayern Curve
Attractions added: Timberwolf Amphitheatre, Festhaus, McScrappy's Farm, Jelly Bean Bowl
1983 – The Bat was closed due to mechanical problems. The first eland-to-eland embryo transfer in veterinary medicine history resulted in a birth at the park. King's Entertainment Company founded. May 13, John Harter, 17, was killed after falling down the elevator shaft from a restricted area of the Eiffel Tower.
Themed area added: Adventure Village
Themed area renamed: Wild Animal Safari » Wild Animal Habitat
Ride renamed: Wild Animal Safari Monorail » Wild Animal Habitat Monorail
Attractions removed: Elephant rides, Walk-through animal exhibit
Slogan: "Get ready for the thrill of your life"
1984 – The first roller coaster designed for riders to stand opened at the park. Smurfs were introduced to the park.
Rides added: King Cobra
Rides renamed: Enchanted Voyage » The Smurfs Enchanted Voyage
Rides removed: The Bat
Slogan: "Do it All"
1985 –
Rides added: White Water Canyon
Rides removed: Tumble Bug, Boo-Boo's Buggies
Slogan: "Do it All"
1986 – Coney Island was expanded and renamed. Flying Eagles and Dodgems were relocated within the park.
Themed areas renamed: Old Coney = Coney Mall
Rides added: Skylab, Zephyr
Rides renamed: Flying Carpet Slide » McScrappy's Slide, Flying Scooters » Flying Eagles
Attraction added: Cinema 180 Theatre
Slogan: "Do it All"
1987 – The Vortex broke the world record for most inversions. First ice skating show at Festhaus. Zodiac is closed to riders.
Rides added: Vortex
Rides removed: Screamin' Demon
1988 – Science Day debuted at the park.
Rides added: Amazon Falls
Attractions added: Sea Dream(3D Movie)
1989 – $4.2 million water park addition was added as well as an additional station for Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad. The two-day ticket was introduced.
Themed area added: WaterWorks
Rides removed: Zodiac, Wheel of Fortune, Der Spinning Keggers
Water park attractions added: Ultra Twist, Bonzai Pipeline, Kings Mills Run, The Helix, Splash Island
Slogan: "We've Got It All"
1990 –
Rides added: Flight Commander
Rides removed: Flying Dutchman, Oktoberfest Ferris Wheel
Water park attractions added: Rushing River
Shows added: It's Magic
1991 – Olympic figure skating medalist Debi Thomas and teen stars from "Beverly Hills 90210" and the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" made special appearances. On June 9, two men, William Haithcoat, 20, and employee Darrel Robertson, 20, were killed and another hospitalized from electrocution after entering a shallow pond near the Oktoberfest beer garden. Later the same day, Candy Taylor, 32, fell from Flight Commander and also died.
Rides added: Adventure Express
Rides removed: Winnie Witch's Cauldrons, Enchanted Voyage
Attractions added: Lazer Maze, Hanna-Barbera Shop
1992 – July 31, Paramount Communications, Inc. purchased Kings Island and KECO to form Paramount Parks. November 21, the park announced that it would be Winterfest's final year.
Rides added: Phantom Theater, Scooby Zoom, Pixie and Dixie's Swingset, Dick Dastardly's Biplanes
Rides removed: The Smurfs Enchanted Voyage
Attractions added: Enchanted Theatre, Anniversary parade
Slogan: "Let Yourself Go"
1993 – The park becomes "Paramount’s Kings Island". Animals from Wild Animal Habitat are removed.
Rides added: Top Gun
Rides removed: Wild Animal Habitat Monorail
Attractions renamed: Columbia Palace » Wings Diner, Busytown Grill » Quickdraw's Cafe, The Germain Bier Gardens » Oktoberfest Gardens, American Heritage Music Hall » The Paramount Theater
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
1994 –
Themed area renamed: Wild Animal Habitat » Adventure Village
Rides added: Days Of Thunder (Simulator)
Rides removed: McScrappy's Slide, Sunshine Turnpike
Attractions added: Preston T. Tucker's Roadside Cafe, Busytown Grill
Slogan: "The Only Place Thrills Are Paramount"
1995 – Nickelodeon was introduced to the park.
Themed area added: Nickelodeon Splat City
Rides added: Drop Zone (Swing Ride)
Rides removed: Flight Commander
Attractions added: Emergency Green Slime Shower, Nickelodeon Green Slime Zone, Fowl Play (show)
Slogan: "The Only Place Thrills Are Paramount"
1996 – The world's first Linear Induction Motor (LIM) launch roller coaster opens at the park.
Rides added: Outer Limits: Flight of Fear, XS Raceway
Slogan: "The Only Place Thrills Are Paramount"
1997 – The park land was annexed into the city of Mason, Ohio.
Rides renamed: Days Of Thunder » The Paramount Action F/X Theater
Rides removed: Skylab, Ohio Overland Auto Livery
Water park attractions added: Buccaneer Island, Sydney Sidewinder, Surfside Bay
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
1998 – Hanna-Barbara Land got a makeover and new rides.
Rides added: Scooby's Ghoster Coaster, Atom Ant's Airways, Yogi's Sky Tours
Rides renamed: Scooby Zoom » Top Cat's Taxi Jam
Attraction renamed: Days of Thunder » Paramount Action FX Theater
Shows added: James Bond 007: A License to Thrill
Water park attractions added: Wipe-Out Beach
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
1999 – Worlds tallest gyro-drop at 315 ft opens. Construction started on Son of Beast.
Themed area renamed: Adventure Village » Paramount's Action Zone
Rides added: Drop Zone: Stunt Tower, FACE/OFF
Rides renamed: Amazon Falls » Congo Falls, Drop Zone (swing ride) » Xtreme Skyflyer
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
2000 – World's tallest, fastest, and only looping wooden roller coaster opens. A WaterWorks entrance from the parking lot is added. FearFest debuts at the park for the first time.
Rides added: Son of Beast
Ride renamed: Outer Limits: Flight of Fear » Flight of Fear
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
2001 – Part of Rivertown and Hanna-Barbara Land is added to the Nickelodeon Central kids area. Gold Season Passes are introduced. The world's first junior inverted coaster opens. First 3D movie plays at FX Theater.
Themed area renamed: Nickelodeon Splat City » Nickelodeon Central
Rides added: Flight Team Aerial Helicopter Tours, Rugrats Runaway Reptar
Rides renamed: King's Mill Log Flume » Wild Thornberry's River Adventure
Rides removed: Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal, King Cobra
Shows added: Stan Lee's 7th Portal 3D
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
2002 – World first enclosed giant tops spin ride is opens. Construction begins on Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle.
Rides added: SlingShot, Tomb Raider: The Ride
Rides removed: Phantom Theater
Slogan: "Where the magic of the movies meet the thrills of a lifetime"
2003 – World's first Giant Frisbee ride opens. Metal detectors are added at the front gates. Royal Fountain are refurbished. A large American Flag is added to the Eiffel Tower. September, the park's main marquee sign was destroyed by high winds.
Rides added: Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle, Delirium, Launch Pad
Rides removed:, Flight Team Aerial Helicopter Tours, Launch Pad
Water park attractions renamed: Wipe-Out Beach » Pipeline Paradise
Water park attractions removed: FasTracks
Shows added: SpongeBob SquarePants 3-D
Attractions renamed: Octoberfest Gardens » Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack
Slogan: "Choose your Adventure"
2004 – The Nickelodeon Parade debuts in July. Kings Island Campground is closed.
Themed area renamed: WaterWorks » Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay
Rides removed: Antique Cars, Flying Eagles
Water park attractions added: Coolangatta Racer, Tazmanian Typhoon, Jackaroo Landing, Kookaburra Bay,
Water park attractions: All water park attractions were renamed to Australian themed names.
Shows added: The Magic of the Movies
Slogan: "Memories That Last a Lifetime"
2005 – Winterfest returns.
Rides added: The Italian Job: Stunt Track, Launch Pad
Rides removed: Boo-Boo's Baggage Claim, Huck's Hotrods, Jetson's Jet Orbiters, Scooby's Ghoster Coaster, Baba Looey's Buggies
Attractions added: Back Porch Stage, Chick-Fil-A, Graeter's Ice Cream, Starbucks
Attraction removed: Emergency Green Slime Shower
Attractions renamed: Happy Days Diner » Preston T. Tucker's Roadside Cafe
Slogan: "The Best in Hollywood Entertainment, Now Playing"
2006 – Kids area gets makeover. June 30, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company purchases Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation for $1.25 billion. Son of Beast accident sends 27 people to the hospital and is closed. Winterfest is cancelled.
Themed area renamed: Hanna-Barbera Land / Nickelodeon Central » Nickelodeon Universe
Rides added: Plankton’s Plunge, Danny Phantom's Phantom Flyers, Avatar: The Last Airbender
Rides renamed: All kids rides were renamed with Nickelodeon names.
Attraction added: Nickelodeon Theater
Slogan: "The Best in Hollywood Entertainment, Now Playing"
2007 – Paramount is removed from Kings Island's name. Fear Fest is renamed Halloween Haunt. Ice skating show returns. July 4, Son of Beast reopens.
Themed area added: X-Base (Sub area)
Themed area renamed: Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay » Boomerang Bay
Rides added: Firehawk
Shows added: Endless Summer on Ice
Slogan: The Fun and Only", "Ride On!"
2008 – Paramount movie ride names are changed. Daredevil Robbie Knievel jumped his motorcycle over 24 Coke Zero trucks in the parking lot to set a new world record. Rick Wallenda sets a new record with a 2,000-foot skywalk from the Eiffel Tower over the Fountains on International Street. The Kings Island Hall of Fame was created. Howl-O-Fest is introduced to the park. Swan Lake was drained to begin construction of Diamondback.
Rides renamed: Top Gun » Flight Deck, Days of Thunder » Thunder Alley, Drop Zone: Stunt Tower » Drop Tower: Scream Zone, FACE/OFF » Invertigo, The Italian Job: Stunt Track » Backlot Stunt Coaster, Tomb Raider: The Ride » The Crypt
Attractions removed: Back Porch Stage
Attractions renamed: The Paramount Action F/X Theater » Action Theater, Bubba Gump Shrimp Shack » Outer Hanks
Slogan: The Fun and Only", "Ride On!"
2009 – New amusement park record for the most money raised for a first riders auction. Son of Beast closed again this time for good.
Rides added: Diamondback
Slogan: The Fun and Only", "Ride On!"
2010 – PEANUTS characters were introduced to the park.
Themed area renamed: Nickelodeon Universe » Planet Snoopy
Rides renamed: Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle » Boo Blasters on Boo Hill, All kids rides were renamed with PEANUTS names.
Shows added: Sign, Sealed, Delivered!, Way Too Much TV, Snoopy Rocks on Ice
Slogan: The Fun and Only", "Ride On!"
2011 – World's largest animatronic dinosaur park opens. Trick-or-Treat with the Dinosaurs was introduced. New water park was announced. Fast Lane was also introduced.
Rides added: WindSeeker
Rides removed: The Crypt
Attractions added: Dinosaurs Alive!
Shows added: Dinosaurs Alive! 3D (Action Theater)
Slogan: The Fun and Only", "Ride On!"
2012 – Water park gets a makeover with new attractions and a new entrance. Soak City introduces Howl-o-palooza
Themed area renamed: Boomerang Bay » Soak City
Water park attractions added: Sand Volleyball, Tidal Wave Bay
Shows added: Remember When: The 70's, British Invasion, Ed Alonzo's Psycho Circus Of Magic & Mayhem, Charlie Brown's All-Stars
Rides removed: Thunder Alley and Son of Beast
Slogan: Thrills Connect
2013 – Dinosaurs Alive! receives the world's largest dino called the Sauroposeidon.
Shows added: Rock 'N' Roll Never Forgets, Playlist Live!, Ed Alonzo's Psycho Circus Of Magic & Mayhem 2, Charlie Brown's Jungle Journey
2014 – Kings Island receives the world's longest inverted coaster.
Rides added: Banshee
Ride renamed: Flight Deck>>The Bat
Shows added: The Boyz Are Back!, Cirque Imagine, Flashback Totally 80's, Charlie Brown's Hoedown.
2015 – Kings Island receives the largest Starbucks in the Midwest And The Picnic area gets remodeled
Rides added: Snoopy Space Buggies, Woodstock Gliders
Attractions added: Coke Market Plus, Petting Zoo
2016 - Tropical Plunge added to Soak City.
2017 - Mystic Timbers a Great Coasters International wooden roller coaster added.
