Kings Island History
Вставка
- Опубліковано 27 лип 2012
- History of Kings Island Amusement Park in Mason, Ohio as told by Gary Wachs, the creator of Kings Island, and several influential people that had a hand in birthing the park. There was NO money made from this video and it is NOT monetized now and never will be. I did this for the Love of the Park and was produced under restricted management(NOT Kings Island management) who didn't want this produced! Your Welcome!
- Розваги
I remember going there when a season pass was 19.99 and concerts at Timberwolf were just 1 or 2 dollars extra. We use to go into Enchanted Voyage to cool off in the summer as it was the only ride that was air-conditioned. I have had a season pass since 1976 and since Cedar Fair now owns the park, I get the Platinum pass as it allows you access to all Cedar Fair parks. Kinks Island was the first for many roller coaster firsts. First suspended coaster (The Bat), first coaster to go in reverse (Racer), First coaster with 6 inversions (Vortex), First coaster to use linear motor electromagnetic launch (Flight of Fear), First wooden coaster with a loop AND over 200 feet tall (Son of Beast). Kings Island set the stage for Amusement Parks around the world. It can only get better with age. Happy 42nd birthday to a place that gave me some great memories!
Well said, David. Looking forward to a great 2014!
Kinks Island sounds like a good park too.
David Neal 43 years ago from yesterday now.
David Neal wahhhhh?
You prolly dont give a damn but does anyone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account??
I somehow forgot the password. I appreciate any assistance you can give me
Thanks for posting. That place was magical as a kid. Remember when the parking lot areas were the names of all the Hanna Barbera characters?
Yup... "remember kids, we parked in Scooby Doo 3"
Well i was born after the kids area was re-themed so i don't
Cedar Point is landlocked, King's Island is the future of mega parks.
KyleJPie10 More like waterlocked. Landlocked means an area is surrounded by land, and does not border any water. KI actually own another 1,500 unoccupied acres. To put it in perspective, only 332 are currently occupied.
Jason Hook That was my point.
Shuckle apparently you've never been to Disney
+KyleJPie10 true Disney parks is over priced compared to ceder fair parks
+CRAZYSNAKE GAMEING True, but with Disney (especially Disney World in Orlando) you get a truly amazing 5-park experience. The ride theming is hands-down the best I've ever seen in North America, and overall its just an amazing experience. I thought it was overpriced myself until I went, and while it's not pure thrill like most parks, they've got some kick-ass coasters there (hell, I can't hate a park with an Aerosmith coaster).
What a wonderful production. I grew up in WV in the 70's and I absolutely loved King's Island. Thanks for the post. It really hit home.
This was really an excellent documentary and one I would buy in a heart beat. I really appreciate it being posted on here. Kings Island has a very special place in my heart not only because of my love for amusement parks, but also because its the only place I ever went on vacation with my grandparents too. We went last year and its something I will always treasure because about a month later my grandfather was diagnosed with stage 4 lung and brain cancer. It was the last place we truly had some normality, and Im going back in two weeks and taking my little sister. I have to pick up my granddad a t-shirt all his are to big now.
An hour and thirty minutes, and no ads? I'll watch this video
SCOOBY DOO will never die! I think you should base your kids section on Hanna Barbara again. Sponge bob is cute but SCOOBY DOO is so much better, it's been around so much longer than sponge blob!
Captain cave man gave me a bear hug and I will never forget that!!! I love Warner brothers!! I think you have a better luck with warmer brothers than stupid nick!!! Your most tourists are Warner brothers lovers!!!!!
A couple of years ago they completely severed all ties with HB. The Scooby doo ride is still there but with all references removed. It is... odd looking now.
Also, since KI is owned by Cedar Fair they now have Peanuts characters as does Knotts Berry and the rest of the CF properties.
Lesley Hogue you know that it hasn't been spongebob for a long time now right? It's now called planet snoopy and it features the Charlie Brown characters. This is an older video from about 8 years ago.
they got rid of Nickelodeon Universe in 2009 and replaced all ViacomCBS owned characters with Peanuts characters. They can't bring back Hanna Barbera Land because Cedar Fair does not legally have the rights to use Hanna Barbera characters.
The park originally used Hanna Barbera characters because it operated under Taft Broadcasting, the company that owned Hanna Barbera at the time. When Paramount purchased all Taft Broadcasting amusement parks in 1995 they were tasked with replacing Hanna Barbera content with content owned by Viacom, the parent company of Paramount. In 2006 Viacom split into two companies, Viacom and CBS, giving CBS the rights to the Paramount Parks division. Almost immediately CBS sold all Paramount Parks to Cedar Fair. Over the course of 2006-2009 Cedar Fair rebranded the park to avoid any copyright issues. In the off-season of 2009 all of Nickelodeon Universe was turned into Camp Snoopy.
TLDR; they cannot legally use Hanna Barbera characters.
@@lesleyhogue8513 Warner Brothers did not even own Hanna Barbera while the park was themed to Hanna Barbera though? Taft Broadcasting did. If you're a Warner Brothers lover then you should be going to Six Flags parks.
Went there when I was a little kid from the late 70’s-mid 80’s driving up from Louisville. Great memories! I remember the classical music that played at the entrance by the fountains. I remember riding the log flume and train. My first time riding The Beast. The Racer was always a favorite. Many terrific memories. This was a great look back.
This is still one of my favorite amusement park documentaries. Thank you!
The Beast: The best night ride ever!
Unless you make the trip to Holiday World for one of their events. You want pitch darkness and Mystic Timbers level of insanity? It's worth the drive. Their wood coasters are very different and do a lot more to you than The Beast which is mostly low to the ground and a lot of straightaways. I do like the tunnels and helix though.
I go to kings island on a regular basis I love it and I will never get sick of it I have gone over 200 times and I'm still not
51:15 My only issue with this is that there were a few coasters built in the 50s and 60s, mostly junior wood coasters or wild mouse designs, but Camden’s Big Dipper (1958) Cedar Point's Blue Streak (1964) and Myrtle Beach’s Swamp Fox (1966) were three good sized coasters built during this otherwise slow period. Anyways back to KI. Been going since 75 and so happy that the park is in the hands of Cedar Fair after Paramount had changed so much of the character of the park. And even after the many changes to Beast and Racer it is still great to take a ride once in awhile. I do hope the park restores some of the elements to Beast for its 50th anniversary. Here is a GREAT read for those of you who remember when The Beast had 4 bench trains, water surrounding the station, skid brakes and a more secluded entrance which was intimidating to my 8 year old self at the time. www.themerica.org/blog/2019/02/24/kings-island-03
I remember riding the Beast in '79 year it opened with brother and sister, must of been 10-15 times in a row. Favorite coaster till Millennium Force at Cedar Point. Beast still rocks...really good documentary, thanks
This is awesome. Whoever put this together, I really enjoyed hearing the history and pieces of development and evolution of the park. First went there in 1977 and still go when I get the chance.
You did a great job. Just now seeing this lol. I grew up at KI and so have my kids ☺️
I remember the first time I rode the beast, late May or Early June. 1979.
Excellent documentary of Kings Island! Very informative and very well done. Thanks, Gary, for your concept and seeing it through to completion.
The Beast without cheek breaks before the tunnel? That sounds awesome!
Going there for vacation this summer... totally looking forwards to it!
Try Cedar Point. It's much better.
Allan Birmantas I would have to agree, but because 99% of your day is spent waiting in lines for these amazing rides, I would hardly call it a better day spent, you would need multiple days to fully enjoy Cedar Point. But King's Island on a weekday you can get even on the newest coaster the Banshee in around 15mins, and ride everything else before the sun even sets.
Or u could go on Monday Tuesday or Wednesday those r the three days they r not packed
That is very cool
I grew up coming here with my parents that have a pic of me in front of the hanna barbara sign when I was a baby & parents being early 20s... suchhh good but bittersweet memories with my cousins & parents before they split... I mainly only remember the Scooby doo & nickelodeon themes. Now currently going in my early 20s grown up w/my bro & boyfriend. Cannot wait to bring my future kids here one day and let them live their childhood like I did here. Love this video so much
This is my favorite place in the world! I can’t wait to take my kids here one day!
I love this Park so much , Many memories, of the 80s, and I was there a few yrs ago, many changes, have happened, but looking back I remember so much, still today, The Memories, are so awesome,
What Mr. Wachs said about hoping the park wouldn't become too commercial is crucial to its ultimate survival. The Paramount era is a perfect example of this. Also, the "Fast Lane" concept is nothing but corporate greed. Not everybody can afford the ridiculously high priced wristbands! If the greed doesn't stop, Kings Island will suffer a much worse fate than its predecessor! Speaking of Coney Island, it's much more reasonable to spend a day there and the prices are not so high as to prevent return visits throughout the summer. Plus, there is a quaintness about the old park that Kings Island will never be able to replace!
I HATE the Fast Lane passes. It's unfair to the people that have waited in line. What if you can get 24 people on a coaster, and 24 people have a Fast Lane pass? Those 24 people who have, rightfully, waited for their turn have to wait again for everyone that passed them. We were in line for Delirium and 12 Fast Lane people showed up. Which meant 12 people who were in line for 30 minutes had to wait again, even though it could have been there turn. It's stupid. And, on a hot day, almost cruel.
klb084
The Fast Lane passes are available to everyone at the same prices. I think that is fair, and I know many don't agree. But in the grand scheme of things, the average regular ticket rider only waits one more ride. So I don't think that is a major inconvenience. I drive many hours to be at some of these theme parks and my plans always include prices of fast passes, if the park offers them. I would rather ride 25 rides in that one day than 5. I would always suggest to someone to get them. If enough people bought them,then they would become useless, but I have never been told that they've sold out of them.
klb084 They limit it to a max of 12 Fast Lane people at a time.
When it first opened, King's Island was trying to become on a regional and seasonal scale what Walt Disney World was going to become on a national and year-round scale - a family vacation destination. It had its own hotel and campground that was run by the park itself and I am pretty sure that they owned the golf course too. It was a true theme park then with rides that "fit" in each of the lands and a good balance between thrill and family rides. It's basically a coaster park now.
Thank you for posting this…such interesting history…I have such fond memories of Kings Island…my favorite ride as a kid, hands down, was the Enchanted Voyage…the last time I was at Kings Island was in 1983 for my high school graduation Grad Night …my friends and I saw Huey Lewis and the News there ( this was before they became well known ) …
I'm 50. My first amusement park ride ever was The Beast in 1980, maybe 1981. I've been hooked ever since.
Outstanding documentary!
I went there as a 6yo kid in 1972! Best TIMES OF MY LIFE! Hanna Barbera cartoon characters dominated the park during that time!
I remember getting real excited after seeing the 100 ft tall Scooby Doo billboard along the highway of I-75 on the way there saying only 25 miles!
Once there I was mesmerized with all of my favorite cartoon characters live and in person walking around meeting an greeting the kids!
I remember running up to Scooby Doo and he gave me a pat on my head!
I was so much under a spell that I got separated from my grandparents and was lost for at least 2 hours!
I was very frightened an scared and felt like crying! But then that’s when I saw the Banana Splits and all of a sudden I wasn’t scared any more! I think that they had a music band with them and I remember dancing with all the other kids all races an colors and we had so much fun! I remember the big attraction at that time was the Red Racer Blue Racer Twin Roller Coaster it was so white so clean and I was so scared to get on it like my other cousins did! So my uncle wound up taking me on the Marathon Turnpike motor cars!
Then we went on a ride that went indoors and seen lots of bright colors and flashing lights with more of my favorite cartoon characters inside that was so beautiful! We then went on the train ride in Frontier Land! I remember using my pointed finger as a gun to shoot at the Indians as we rode through the Wild West in Southern Ohio😜
To cap the night off there was a big fireworks display to conclude the most magnificent magical night in my childhood life!
And now it’s 50 years later since I’ve been there! I’ve been to Cedar Point several times and it’s a great park too but it’s not Kings Island!
I’m 56 now and I have to get there by any means necessary to relive my beautiful childhood again !
My grandparents are gone now but I know that they will be there with me again if I can make it out there!
WISH ME LUCK!
Who’s watching in 2019!? 🙋🏽♀️
Me..lol
I know it was made to make money, but I still appreciate the guy who made it happen. He is responsible for one of the most magical days of my life. My first trip to Kings Island. Early 90s, Paramount was in full swing with it, pouring in money. You had movie themes all through the park with themes playing. The Merth Mobile from Waynes World was there, Forest Gumps outfit/book/feather/shoes was there. I will never forget that day. I didn't think the day could get any better then the sun went down and all the lights came on. Man w as that cool on the Vortex.
This was a fabulous documentary! Stayed up half the night watching it. My hometown park was Marriott’s (Paramount) Great America in Santa Clara, CA and it was fun to see the parallels in how the respective regional theme parks fed off each other & even share the Fess Parker origins in their early history. Again, a tremendous doc ! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
This was the best 90 minutes I have spent in a long time. Thank you!!!!
This video is an absolute gem. So much insight and history I didn't know about. Thank you!
Wow, this was soooo good!! I watched it all. Wow wow wow Great piece
Fascinating video, didn't know King's Island spawned from Coney Island or that Hannah Barbara had such a large presence when it first opened. Kinda sucky that they shut the other guy down that also wanted to open a park though; wonder how things would be if they hadn't 🤔
it's nice to know the history of kings island.........thanks for posting this!!!!!!
I thought he was referring to the original Coney Island in New York at first. Interesting video, definitely alot of history behind Kings Island Amusement Park.
me too, I lived in Indiana and never knew there was a Coney Island in Ohio
I never had been to Kings Island until 13 years ago. Now that my husband and I are going back this year, it got me wondering about the history behind this awesome amusement park! Very interesting to learn about the history. Thank you so much for posting this!
It was amazing to hear Wachs admit that a crucial stage was the crushing of the rivalry from Fess Parker by calling all the banks and having them cut any funding to Parker! Wow, so much for free enterprise and competition.
Wow, thanks for posting this!
I was a very young kid, not even ten years old but I remember the Fess Parker fiasco. I remember being interested (even at that age, in the 1960's) at the prospect of it, because I loved Coney Island but Parker's idea of an amusement park wasn't very exciting. It was downright dull and would have failed in its first year, no question. King's Island was clearly the right way to go. These guys made some very smart and brave decisions and it has paid off handsomely, no doubt.
Drinking game? Take a shot every time the old, bald-headed guy says "Coney Island" You'll end up in the ER for alcohol poisoning.
Hahahah
youll be wasted 10 minutes into the video lol
A remarkable story, even though it meant the loss of the true Coney which really was one of the best traditional parks in the country and small parks have a charm that big parks just can't capture. It would have been fun to touch on the mine that once occupied Kings Island property and its connection with the small cemetery that can be seen in the lot (an episode of Ghost Hunters talked more about this). Also sad to see Vortex go as it was my favorite there since it opened but every ride has a shelf life and everything from maintenance budgets to popularity must be considered. If it always had the lines it did on its final day they would have sunk the money into replacing all of the steel that needed it. On a brighter note, KI's 50th anniversary will be here before we know it!
Thank you for that very informative video it was really neat to see all the old characters again!
Amazing video!!!! Tons of info
I have been going to Kings Island since I was 3 years old and I love the park! I'm going tomorrow and I can't wait!
BRUH I MIGHT SEE YOU THERE
I went there when the Partridge Family TV show was filming for some episodes, probably in 1972 I'm thinking....fun times!!
+Ted Neuhaus And the Brady Bunch!!!!
The Partridge Family was there before the Bradys,Great Video I hope to get there some day
pretty lucky to have grown up less than 2 hours from here, been going as much as i can since like 2000
me too, I live just an hr away. just visited this past Friday & was so fun! Awesome everything is opening back up since covid... times are actually becoming normal again. Haven't been to kings island since like 2017, I try to go every yr also. Took out vortex:( but Orion is def something else
Great video! Learned a lot about King's Island. Also pretty cool that two celebrities worked there before making it big.
I started going to Kings Island in the mid 1980s. This documentary was a wonderful look behind the creation of this still-great-park and also a pleasant trip down memory lane. I wish they would have left the "Beastie." It was fun for small kids to feel like they were riding an "adult" coaster. And more than anything, I wish one of those Racer's was still backwards. I'm aware that it wasn't originally, but it was so much fun! I haven't been on The Racer since they changed it. Those few little nit-picky things aside, I have loved Kings Island through its many changes and will continue to enjoy it for years to come. Thank you for this look back!
Isn't the Beastie still there but with a different name?
yes it is! they changed it to snoopys coaster.
Chante Bright it's called the beast and they tore down son of beast because of all the accidents
You're thinking of the wrong thing. The Beastie is in kiddie land. The Beast is in Rivertown. The Son if Beast is a whole other ride.
Chante Bright the one in kiddie land is adventure express that's the one ur thinking about
Nice documentary, brings back memories :) I used to drive down there very year back in the old times. Kings Island back then was a genuine theme park. for all ages. Like the monorail wild animals, all the shows, even a sea world, etc. Last time I went I noticed it had just become a bunch of modified roller coasters amusement park. Never went back again. Sort of sad in a way what it is now. Lots of people like me really enjoyed going there in those days. I think when Paramount took over is when it lost it's nostalgia.
Great video! We go to Kings Island dozens of times a year.
That was some great history and information 🛤❤️
Kings Island is hands-down my favorite park in the country. Been there four times, most recent being just a couple weeks ago, and I have a complete blast every single time. Looking forward to many many more visits, and it was great to have this chunk of history about one of my favorite places
Thanks for making this whoever you are
Its easy to forget this place is special to so many
Love Kings island. Been going since 1975. Really enjoyed this. Learned so much. Many thanks.
My visit to Kings Island was the third time that I had been to an amusement park. Riverside in Indianapolis Coney Island in Cincinnati. Since my first time I knew at that moment it was not going to be the last I have been to Kings Island over 500 times and at 58 years old will continue going every season at least 10 times. Thank You for creating this place. From Indianapolis Indiana the roller coaster fan of the future.
This video was just AMAZING! Thanks for sharing!!
This was an excellent doco!! I was a regular at King's Dominion from the summer it opened until the late 70's/early 80's and this brought back a lot of great memories :) It was so interesting to hear the story of the Kings parks' origin told by the guys that made it happen along with input from original park employees and park enthusiasts.
Thanks so much for uploading this gem, I really enjoyed it.
Very nice! So many memories, and still enjoy it.
I'm biased because I've grown up at Kings Island and was honestly spoiled there. I've been to several parks around the country and KI is second to one, Cedar Point. However, there is so much available land at Kings Island they don't even know what to do with it. As long as they can keep the prices reasonable and they are, and not go too crazy on corporate BS, this will eventually be the largest and best amusement park on the planet. LONG LIVE KINGS ISLAND!!!
I am still growing up there
If it gets too much bigger I'd want them to do another transport ride like the old Sky thingie that took you from one part of the park to the other. If it gets to be a mile long some sort of tram would be appreciated. I always thought a coaster that had two stations at different ends of a park would be awesome. Just think rather than riding a train or monorail or something you take a coaster from one end to the other.
@@tjwright I never considered using a roller coaster as a mode of transport in an amusement park but it is a fantastic idea. Not only are people getting from point A --> B but it's a thrill to do so.
Thank you so much for this!
First, Hannah Barbera Land, then it was Nickelodeon Universe, now it's Planet Snoopy. Really makes you wonder what'll be next.
Super awesome, super entertaining! Great job! Its totally weird how "off" Dennis Speigel is on his dates on the festhaus, the smurfs, etc...
Also it's totally weird they say the Brady Bunch was their FIRST foray into TV and Hollywood... The BANANA SPLITS did an episode there in 72, and so did the Partridge Family! Brady Bunch wasn't till 73... Btw, they just showed the Partridge Family episode on AntennaTV a couple days ago!
Great video but why no mention of Paramount at one time Kings Island was called Paramount's Kings Island why didn't they mention that?
I'm never gonna look at kings island the same way again
Loved that place. I need to go back. Lived in Kettering from 70 to 82.
I remember the cowboy & Indians train ride!! Cool stuff!!
This is a great documentary!
Thank you Nate!
51:33 Blue Streak @ Cedar Point 1967...try again
Cedar Creek Mine Ride 1969 as well...
@@kc8hnz I assumed they were talking about wooden coasters because whenever the park makes that claim it's usually in regards to wooden coasters. Cedar Creek is technically a steel coaster and just has wooden supports. If you include steel, the Matterhorn Bobsleds were built in 1959.
You should do video for the 50th anniversary of kings island
Never made it to Kings Island since it's about a four hour drive, but hopefully my wife and I can coordinate our vacation schedules to make it there for the golden anniversary season.
Last time I was at an amusement park was the late great Geauga Lake, when Funtime still had it.
This is a great documentary. I had no idea that King's Island was so revolutionary
This was amazing thanks so much
Good memories of just my dad and I At this park especially seeing his face the first time he road the Beast thx for the memories all the way from Arkansas
Outstanding!!!!
I would love to dig around in there old offices man knew what needed done and got it done .
totally miss all the animals!
Good show!
Well done!
I haven't been to King's Island since 1985 when my dad got reassigned to California. I've been to all the parks out here and non add up to King's Island. Miss the Racers, The Beast and for thoughts that remember it King Cobra, good memories.
The best theme park out there. Especially the beast and banshee
Been going to kings isl;and randomly for 20 some years, not once caught both racer tracks open
really enjoyed this documentary. kings island is the greatest park in the country.
Well done perfect
I just hope this mystic timbers will not be the downfall of the beast. That was my first big kid rollercoaster from my training on the Beastie!!
Oh I totally understand the cedar fair thing. But with Don saying they are staying relevant to today's youth, then replacing it with an outdated product, then maybe cedar fair should become more relevant? Peanuts is outdated.
wow..great.... video..!!
Happy 40th Kings Island!
I like how Don says that Nick is keeping up with the times and it's what the kids are watching these days. Then the park replaces it with a cartoon just as old as Hanna Barbera? Yeah, that's being relevent to today's youth.
So many memories!
thats were the brady bunch was filmed and so as the partridge family too
that place is awesome
WOO HOO! BEAST AT NIGHT! BEAST AT NIGHT ! YEAH!
awesome!!!
Scooby-Doo is the worst use of space. Bring back Hannah Barbara!
Any body excited for the new coaster next year cause I am they are already adding invadr at Busch gardens Williamsburg which is a gci which is very cool 2 gci min a year so cool I heard Gcis are awesome
totally agree
Wow very interesting.