Kings Island is celebrating its 49th birthday Thursday.The park opened its gates and welcomed guests for the first time on April 29, 1972.The opening set the stage for nearly 50 years of world class thrills, fun and family memories.What did Kings Island look like in 1972? It was the first year of operation for the Mason, Ohio, theme park, which was then owned by the Taft Broadcasting Company.The idea for the popular theme park was conceived in the early 1960s as an expansion of Cincinnati's Coney Island, which was (and still is) prone to flooding from the Ohio River. When the park first opened, there were just over 60 attractions for the public to enjoy. Now, after years of investments, there are more than 100 rides and attractions including Orion, which claimed the title of Best New Amusement Park Attraction by USA Today's 2020 10Best Readers' poll.The coaster is the seventh giga coaster on the planet. Cincinnatian Nick Franceschina recently stumbled upon footage of the theme park during its inaugural year in his family's home videos. He shared the footage with us of his family outing. Watch that video in the player above.The park will open its gates this year on May 15. Season passholders will get a special sneak preview on May 8 and 9. Soak City Water Park opens May 29 (Memorial Day weekend).
Kings Island is celebrating its 49th birthday Thursday.
The park opened its gates and welcomed guests for the first time on April 29, 1972.
The opening set the stage for nearly 50 years of world class thrills, fun and family memories.
What did Kings Island look like in 1972?
It was the first year of operation for the Mason, Ohio, theme park, which was then owned by the Taft Broadcasting Company.
The idea for the popular theme park was conceived in the early 1960s as an expansion of Cincinnati's Coney Island, which was (and still is) prone to flooding from the Ohio River.
When the park first opened, there were just over 60 attractions for the public to enjoy.
Now, after years of investments, there are more than 100 rides and attractions including Orion, which claimed the title of Best New Amusement Park Attraction by USA Today's 2020 10Best Readers' poll.
The coaster is the seventh giga coaster on the planet.
Cincinnatian Nick Franceschina recently stumbled upon footage of the theme park during its inaugural year in his family's home videos. He shared the footage with us of his family outing. Watch that video in the player above.
The park will open its gates this year on May 15. Season passholders will get a special sneak preview on May 8 and 9. Soak City Water Park opens May 29 (Memorial Day weekend).
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