Things were much simpler back then. I was 5 when the park opened and was fortunate to be able to enjoy the simple train ride, driving the antique car, riding in the tram through the jungle, or riding in the big canoe. I'm afraid things like that wouldn't do much for kids these days.
I would love to see it. Watching this I have pictures of Alice from the Brady Bunch riding the rides looking for the architecture plans needed by Mike dropped by Marcia, Marcia, Marcia 😆 🤣
This is a great film that shows the creation of one of America's greatest theme parks...King's Island. When the park first opened, it was not the roller-coaster "thrill ride" that it is now. Back then, taking a trip to the park was a family occasion...and seeing all of the live entertainment along with the Hanna Barbara characters was a real treat. My first visit was in 1973, and as a young kid it was the most incredible place in the world. Now, I share it with my children and they love it.
This is awesome! Thanks for posting this video! My father was involved in the original construction of thier sister park (King's Dominion) in Doswell, Va. I was 4 years old and have only limited memory of it. I have been looking for this kind of "archive" footage for years. I know my father would love to see it!
I grew up with King's Island. It was THE place to go during the summer. I'm surprised that the Banana Splits were prominent in the opening ads. I never saw any references to them at the park.
I worked there as a rides electrician from 1999 to 2001, and I recognize the guys that worked there. you can spot a park employee by the lack of a hardhat. they really knew their craft ,they had worked at coney island before kings island was built. those guys would give the shirt off their back to help another employee ,it was family back then .management took care of their workers back then also. the "TOWER" was suppose to be built at coney island but construction was put on hold, due to kings island was a" go" for construction, and they did not want to spend money to move the tower from coney island to kings island.
Today was Kings Island's last day operating for the year. 40 years! Next year will be 41! I went today and rode Flight of Fear and Invertigo, or Face Off. See you next year Kings Island!!!
@arrowguy173 . "As much as I enjoy Stunt Coaster, I would give anything to have the Antique Cars & Flying Eagles back in that area." +100000000000000000000
International Street reminds me of the World Expositions where it was unbelievable architecture and then it was burned down because we never built any of those Expositions. They tore them down. King's Island is the Best! Never The Less!
love it. Can you send copies to all the Kings Island People and Cedar Fair because somewhere down the line I think they forgot the fun, and families who enjoyed coming there.
I was born in 1969 in Ohio, but my parents divorced and Mom took us back to MN. whenever I would visit my dad, we would go to Kings Island..I LOVED it. In the eighties, when Paramount bought it, I remember feeling like the uniqueness was lost...and a feeling of disgust at naming rides after movies. But of course, most parks now are just advertisements for movies and movie studios..what a shame. Cedar Fair is an exception.
Cedar fair might have saved kings island from becoming another Lesourdesville park. That was the amusement park before kings island in the area. It didn't last as long as kings island because it never improved a thing.
@JessicaTheShark King's Island was bought by Cedar Point and no longer resembles the theme park that was originally King's Island. Now it's just a small Cedar Point, an amusement park, not a theme park. Go there and look around, everything says "Cedar Point Amusements" on it. I really miss the old King's Island where there were different sections and each had it's own theme and seemed like it's own little world. Since Paramount bought it, and then sold it to Cedar Point it doesn't feel the same
deadline27 I’m literally 6 years late but Cedar Point never bought it as Cedar Point isn’t a company. Cedar Fair owns Kings Island. Cedar Fair also owns Cedar Point.
Mason and west Chester were already developed. The urban sprawl happened in the late 80s and continues. all the personality of Mason is gone... replaced by pretentious cafes that don't last 5 years and chain restaurants.
yeah i agree..it used to be alot better back when i was young...around time the king cobra and the vortex came out...place was great... now just a huge commercialized placewhere things are over priced and u have to wait in all day... ! bring back the old school stuff like the cars etc...
I wonder how many of those trees that were marked to stay are still there. I understand that KI is a business but I hate what they have done to my memories. Every year they take away more magic to make room for some new monstrosity.
This should be titled "Kings Island 1971" as it showed the park being built the year before it opened. I should also comment on the original pre-opening logo - very whimsical and interesting why they decided to switch to the Deutsch Gothic font logo (which I liked better anyhow) they would end up using their first 20 years of operation.
@arlichar11 it's a business it's supposed to be commercialized. since when did you not have to wait in line all day? I remember when the Beast was new and the line had to be painted and marked with paw prints and they had signs that would tell you you still had 2 hours to wait to ride. KI seems better in memories because we were kids and it was more fun. my kids love going to KI and so do I. the new rides rock. I do hate the new seats on all the coasters now though. we used to fly out of them
@arrowguy173 Not likely. Cedar Fair will gut the place of it's soul and history before it's all said and done and turn it into nothing more than a coaster park. I'm afraid that the King's Island that we all knew and loved (especially that first 10-12 years) is gone forever....sadly. =(
I'm positive that they used to, even if it was mostly bratwurst and schnitzel. I definitely remember the smell of sauerkraut. If they've stopped, I can't imagine why. It's not like brats and fried foods are hard to keep up for crowds, or ever fall out of favor.
season pass holder from mid 80s to late 90s and still go once or twice a year,this is my favorite place going to ever a lot of memories made here lol
I miss the magic that old Kings Island brought.
Kings Island was so clasic back then. Now it's all about thrills. I love the park now and then!
Things were much simpler back then. I was 5 when the park opened and was fortunate to be able to enjoy the simple train ride, driving the antique car, riding in the tram through the jungle, or riding in the big canoe. I'm afraid things like that wouldn't do much for kids these days.
I love the way Kings Island used to be and I think they should make it look the way it was back then.
We rode The Beast late one evening with patches of fog on the grounds. That was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime event, one I'll never forget.
I was 3 years old when kings island was built and the first i went there was 1979👍👍👍👍
A lot of great childhood memories here.
I would love to see it. Watching this I have pictures of Alice from the Brady Bunch riding the rides looking for the architecture plans needed by Mike dropped by Marcia, Marcia, Marcia 😆 🤣
This is a great film that shows the creation of one of America's greatest theme parks...King's Island. When the park first opened, it was not the roller-coaster "thrill ride" that it is now. Back then, taking a trip to the park was a family occasion...and seeing all of the live entertainment along with the Hanna Barbara characters was a real treat. My first visit was in 1973, and as a young kid it was the most incredible place in the world. Now, I share it with my children and they love it.
Thanks for posting this. I really enjoyed seeing how the park came to be. I go a few times every year. Thanks again.
Wow this is classic stuff. I am so glad I found this.
thank you for posting this video.... i wish kings island was still around. i miss it alot now that cedar point is standing where it used to be.
This is awesome! Thanks for posting this video! My father was involved in the original construction of thier sister park (King's Dominion) in Doswell, Va.
I was 4 years old and have only limited memory of it. I have been looking for this kind of "archive" footage for years. I know my father would love to see it!
I miss the canoe ride!!
Its hard to imagine that this year is KI's 50th Good Grief brithday!
What a great find, thank you for sharing!
I grew up with King's Island. It was THE place to go during the summer.
I'm surprised that the Banana Splits were prominent in the opening ads. I never saw any references to them at the park.
I loved going there as a kid , good memories!!!
I worked there as a rides electrician from 1999 to 2001, and I recognize the guys that worked there. you can spot a park employee by the lack of a hardhat. they really knew their craft ,they had worked at coney island before kings island was built. those guys would give the shirt off their back to help another employee ,it was family back then .management took care of their workers back then also. the "TOWER" was suppose to be built at coney island but construction was put on hold, due to kings island was a" go" for construction, and they did not want to spend money to move the tower from coney island to kings island.
I just went there today!:) BEST park ever! I love being able to go there every summer with my friends!
That's my Grandpa at 1:08. :)
Today was Kings Island's last day operating for the year. 40 years! Next year will be 41! I went today and rode Flight of Fear and Invertigo, or Face Off. See you next year Kings Island!!!
incredible video! greatly enjoyed watching! i love seeing vintage footage from a park i love and visit so much :)
Simply AMAZING!
I love this video!
Damn...I wish the Enchanted Voyage was around when I started going. They had already changed it to the Smurfs.
Damn you were alive when you made this comment 💀
My grandma was born almost directly where the eiffel tower stands today. Her house used to be there
Does she have a French accent?
You don't have a picture of her house, do you? Always wanted to see what it looked there before the park was built.
@@ou95grad its sad to say but I don't think she's active on TH-cam anymore
Stuffed Well thats a bummer she isn’t on here anymore.
I remember going here back in 1977 when I was around 4. Hardly remembered anything except that it was very clean. I'm sure it has changed since then.
@arrowguy173 . "As much as I enjoy Stunt Coaster, I would give anything to have the Antique Cars & Flying Eagles back in that area."
+100000000000000000000
agreed
I love it! Thanks for posting this!
You Americans must see the 1950-70's as the Golden years when all things in life was forwards!
We do. That all ended in the 80's.
Great great stuff, Thank you for posting this.
International Street reminds me of the World Expositions where it was unbelievable architecture and then it was burned down because we never built any of those Expositions. They tore them down. King's Island is the Best! Never The Less!
love it. Can you send copies to all the Kings Island People and Cedar Fair because somewhere down the line I think they forgot the fun, and families who enjoyed coming there.
Currently, Kings Island, Cedar Point, Canada's Wonderland, etc. have Peanuts Characters.
I was born in 1969 in Ohio, but my parents divorced and Mom took us back to MN. whenever I would visit my dad, we would go to Kings Island..I LOVED it. In the eighties, when Paramount bought it, I remember feeling like the uniqueness was lost...and a feeling of disgust at naming rides after movies. But of course, most parks now are just advertisements for movies and movie studios..what a shame. Cedar Fair is an exception.
Cedar fair might have saved kings island from becoming another Lesourdesville park. That was the amusement park before kings island in the area. It didn't last as long as kings island because it never improved a thing.
KINGS ISLAND BEFORE THE BEAST
WOW!
such good times back then
No fall protection in those days LOL
This is Very Cool. Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to what they'll do with the space that they just tore down the Son of Beast at.
best park ever !!!!!!!!!!
love the park!!!!!!!
I love being a human being.
Fact: Hanna-Barbera is now owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
HE WAS THE ROLLER COASTER TYCOON
@RikDaPrik I disagree the whole area by the log ride has been ruined and when they took out the old fashoned cars for the mini cooper coaster.
32 years before I was born😂
I would give anything to go back and ride the Enchanted Voyage one more time...on acid.
@JessicaTheShark King's Island was bought by Cedar Point and no longer resembles the theme park that was originally King's Island. Now it's just a small Cedar Point, an amusement park, not a theme park. Go there and look around, everything says "Cedar Point Amusements" on it. I really miss the old King's Island where there were different sections and each had it's own theme and seemed like it's own little world. Since Paramount bought it, and then sold it to Cedar Point it doesn't feel the same
deadline27 I’m literally 6 years late but Cedar Point never bought it as Cedar Point isn’t a company. Cedar Fair owns Kings Island. Cedar Fair also owns Cedar Point.
i always wondered if people live in those houses along the walkway... like upstairs or something
the brady bunch
@deadline27 Uh...what? Kings Island still exists! It's in Mason, OH. Always has been. Cedar Point is all the way up in Sandusky, OH.
@CraigOH1981 don't worry your not alone. a lot of us till remember. :J
Nice
Wow, this looks like that "Brady Bunch" episode.
West Chester and neighboring areas were just being developed at the time.
Mason and west Chester were already developed. The urban sprawl happened in the late 80s and continues. all the personality of Mason is gone... replaced by pretentious cafes that don't last 5 years and chain restaurants.
yeah i agree..it used to be alot better back when i was young...around time the king cobra and the vortex came out...place was great... now just a huge commercialized placewhere things are over priced and u have to wait in all day... ! bring back the old school stuff like the cars etc...
I wonder how many of those trees that were marked to stay are still there. I understand that KI is a business but I hate what they have done to my memories. Every year they take away more magic to make room for some new monstrosity.
This should be titled "Kings Island 1971" as it showed the park being built the year before it opened.
I should also comment on the original pre-opening logo - very whimsical and interesting why they decided to switch to the Deutsch Gothic font logo (which I liked better anyhow) they would end up using their first 20 years of operation.
Hahaha oh the irony at 9:40
the old Flying Eagles was sold to a little amusment park in huntington wv.called camden park its still there they call the ride the flying scooters
@bfyobrian yea not many people ride the racers anymore so they only do the red one
Look for an old familiar face hammering on the racer
I want to know the music at the end
1:13. The original antique cars. Killed off by Paramount in 2004.
Hey, Check out the Kurt Hultquist video: Great story concerning the Twin Racer!!
@arlichar11 it's a business it's supposed to be commercialized. since when did you not have to wait in line all day? I remember when the Beast was new and the line had to be painted and marked with paw prints and they had signs that would tell you you still had 2 hours to wait to ride. KI seems better in memories because we were kids and it was more fun. my kids love going to KI and so do I. the new rides rock. I do hate the new seats on all the coasters now though. we used to fly out of them
This video came out when Son of Beast was still open.
I'm not sure if this is a joke or not.
now Six Flags....................the erosion (as gradual as it may be) of fun and service starts now.
@dkp2112 yeah I worry that someday some owner who knows nothing or doesnt care will ruin The Beast by clearing woods for a new ride.
Can someone tell me why they don't run the Racer with both Trains running anymore? It's like what's the point of having a racer if they don't race!
I'll have to ask her. I'm not sure whether or not her family was the last owner of the house before kings island came
Did ki pay her to move?
@arrowguy173 Not likely. Cedar Fair will gut the place of it's soul and history before it's all said and done and turn it into nothing more than a coaster park. I'm afraid that the King's Island that we all knew and loved (especially that first 10-12 years) is gone forever....sadly. =(
Bring back bat
Why does KI have Oktoberfest area with no German food?
I'm positive that they used to, even if it was mostly bratwurst and schnitzel. I definitely remember the smell of sauerkraut. If they've stopped, I can't imagine why. It's not like brats and fried foods are hard to keep up for crowds, or ever fall out of favor.
They never renamed the place after the chain restaurants moved in.
Fred Flinstone seems a little fcked up
Damn was 71 dead back then or what?
I think cedar point Is better then this place
Cedar point has the dirtiest restrooms and restaurants I've ever seen.