Editing Kings Island (section)

==History==
Kings Island was conceived as early as 1964 when [[Coney Island, Cincinnati, Ohio|Coney Island]], a popular amusement park {{convert|10|mi|km}} east of downtown Cincinnati on the banks of the Ohio River, suffered from a major flood that submerged the area in over {{convert|14|ft|m}} of water.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /><ref name="Coney Island History" /><ref name="40 years" /> Although occasional flooding was common at the successful park, the flood in 1964 was the fourth highest on record and caused considerable damage.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /> Faced with already-limited space for expansion and parking, the event triggered discussions within the organization about relocating the park.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET">{{cite web|url=http://watch.cetconnect.org/video/2365180842/|title=Riding History To The Limits&nbsp;– The Concept|date=August 26, 2009|publisher=CET|access-date=November 9, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Coney Island History">{{cite web |url=http://coneyislandpark.com/history |title=Coney Island History |publisher=Coney Island |access-date=July 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009055225/http://coneyislandpark.com/history |archive-date=October 9, 2015 }}</ref>

Leading the way was Gary Wachs, son of Coney Island president Ralph Wachs, who with friends and family owned a majority of stock.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /> He decided it was time to relocate the park to stay competitive.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /><ref name="Coney Island History" /> After years of research and traveling abroad, he presented ideas for a new theme park to the company's board of directors.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /> Some board members opposed relocating, including significant stockholder Charles Sawyer.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /> It was not taken seriously until 1968 when actor [[Fess Parker]] announced plans to build a theme park in Northern Kentucky&nbsp;– well within Coney Island's primary market that extended as far south as [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]].<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /><ref name="Coney Island History" /> The announcement highlighted the need for change and gave Wachs' proposal credibility within the organization.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" />

Gary and Ralph met with Dudley S. Taft, president of [[Taft Broadcasting Company]], to discuss a possible merger.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /> Taft Broadcasting was interested in promoting its recently acquired [[Hanna-Barbera]] division,<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" /> and in July 1969, the company purchased Coney Island for $6.5&nbsp;million and {{convert|1600|acre}} in [[Warren County, Ohio]], for $3.2&nbsp;million.<ref name="Coney Island History" /><ref name="KICentral – Development">{{cite web|url=http://kicentral.com/parkhistory/development/|title=Development|publisher=KICentral|access-date=November 10, 2015}}</ref> Kings Island still owned {{convert|773|acre}} of that purchase {{as of|2005|lc=y}}.<ref name="KICentral – Development" /> The site is located between [[I-71]] and the [[Little Miami River]] in what was then a part of [[Deerfield Township, Warren County, Ohio|Deerfield Township]].<ref name="40 years">{{cite magazine|url=http://amusementtoday.com/backissues/at_june_2012_web.pdf|title=Kings Island's 40 years of success started with 1972 opening|last=Seifert|first=Jeffrey|date=June 2012|magazine=Amusement Today|access-date=November 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319030051/https://amusementtoday.com/backissues/at_june_2012_web.pdf |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following the purchase, Fess Parker's efforts to secure financing fell apart along with his plans to build a competing theme park.<ref name="Riding History Part 1 – CET" />

===Taft Broadcasting and KECO (1970–1992)===
Construction began on June 15, 1970.<ref name="40 years" /><ref name="KICentral – Development"/> Later that year, a public contest was held to name the new park.<ref name="KICentral – Development"/> "Kings Island" emerged the most popular, as the name was a nod to both the local [[Kings Mills, Ohio|Kings Mills]] area as well as the park's predecessor Coney Island.<ref name="40 years" /><ref name="KICentral – Development"/> Most of the rides at Coney Island were relocated, and much of what remained was demolished.<ref name="Coney Island History" /> The popular Sunlite Pool attraction continued to operate, however, and the park was partially restored years later.<ref name="Coney Island History" /><ref name="40 years" /><ref name="KICentral – Development"/>

Less than two years after breaking ground, Kings Island opened its gates to the public on April 29, 1972. It was the first of several preview events. The grand opening was held the following month on May 27, 1972.<ref name="40 years" /><ref name="KICentral – Development"/>

[[Image:Kings Island 1972.jpg|thumb|left|upright|View from [[Racer (Kings Island)|The Racer]] in the mid-1970s with {{Anchor|Zodiac}}[[Double wheel|Zodiac]] on the right]]
One of the first signature attractions featured at the park was [[The Racer (Kings Island)|The Racer]], a wooden roller coaster consisting of two trains that race side by side on identical tracks.<ref name="Racer 100 million" /> Designed by legendary designer [[John C. Allen]], who was convinced to come out of retirement, The Racer was the first of its kind in 35 years and played an integral part of the roller coaster renaissance of the 1970s.<ref name="Racer 100 million">{{cite news|url=https://www.indystar.com/story/entertainment/2014/07/28/kings-island-beasts-millionth-rider-diamondback-racer-banshee-coaster-milestones/13259385/|title=Kings Island: Racer coaster tallies its 100 millionth rider|last=Richardson|first=Rachel|date=July 28, 2014|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=March 31, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Racer-Helbig">{{cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/april/ki-45-the-racer|title=KI 45: THE RACER|last=Helbig|first=Don|date=April 25, 2017|publisher=Kings Island|access-date=March 31, 2018|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331231314/https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/april/ki-45-the-racer|url-status=dead}}</ref> Decades later, it was distinguished as a Roller Coaster Landmark by [[American Coaster Enthusiasts]] (ACE) in recognition for its historical significance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aceonline.org/CoasterAwards/details.aspx?id=50|title=Coaster Landmark Award – The Racer|publisher=American Coaster Enthusiasts|access-date=November 10, 2015}}</ref> Other roller coasters present on opening day in 1972 were the Bavarian Beetle, a small steel coaster brought over from Coney Island, and a new junior wooden coaster in the [[Hanna–Barbera theme parks|Happy Land of Hanna-Barbera]] originally named [[Woodstock Express (Kings Island)|Scooby Doo]].<ref name="1972 map">{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparkbrochures.net/maps/1972/pki197x_1.html|title=Kings Island – 1972 Map|publisher=Themeparkbrochures.net|access-date=July 22, 2012}}</ref> The most expensive ride to open with the park was [[Enchanted Voyage]], a $2-million [[dark ride]] attraction that featured over a hundred animatronic [[Hanna-Barbera]] characters.<ref name="Enchanted Voyage">{{cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2018/january/remembering-the-enchanted-voyage|title=Remembering the Enchanted Voyage|last=Keeter|first=John|date=January 9, 2018|publisher=Kings Island|access-date=March 31, 2018|archive-date=March 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331235831/https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2018/january/remembering-the-enchanted-voyage|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kings Island was nationally promoted in two well-known [[situation comedy|sitcoms]]: ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' in 1972 and ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' in 1973.<ref name="Sitcoms-WVXU.org" /> Each filmed an episode on location at the park, which were later broadcast on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]].<ref name="Sitcoms-WVXU.org">{{cite web|url=http://wvxu.org/post/brady-bunch-kings-island-show-premiered-1973#stream/0|title='Brady Bunch' Kings Island Show Premiered In 1973|last=Kiesewetter|first=John|date=November 23, 2015|access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> The Brady Bunch was produced by [[Paramount Television]], a large Taft Broadcasting shareholder.<ref name="KICentral – Brady Bunch">{{cite web |url=http://kicentral.com/parkhistory/brady-bunch-episode-at-kings-island/ |title=Brady Bunch Episode at Kings Island |publisher=KingsIslandCentral.com |access-date=August 1, 2010}}</ref> The park also held several world-record-breaking events. In 1974, 69-year-old [[Karl Wallenda]] set a world record for the longest [[Tightrope walking|tightrope skywalk]] at a distance of {{Convert|1800|ft}}, which was performed {{Convert|60|ft}} off the ground.<ref name="Wallenda 1974 - Enquirer" /> The following year, [[Evel Knievel]] successfully jumped fourteen [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] buses on his [[Harley Davidson]] at Kings Island, clearing a distance of {{convert|133|ft}}.<ref name="Knievel-HC" /><ref name="Knievel-CinMag" /> The jump set a world record that held until 1999.<ref name="Knievel-HC" /><ref name="Knievel-CinMag" /> It was the longest successful jump of his career as well as his last major stunt,<ref name="Knievel-HC" /> and the nationally televised event was broadcast live on ABC, landing 52 percent of the TV audience during that hour with an estimated 55 million viewers.<ref name="Knievel-CinMag" /> Park executives favored the national exposure and additional revenue being generated by record-breaking, newsworthy events that kept the park at the forefront of the industry.<ref name="Beast-KIBlog" /> To keep momentum going, Kings Island spent years researching and designing a mammoth roller coaster, [[The Beast (roller coaster)|The Beast]], which opened in 1979 as the tallest, fastest, and longest wooden roller coaster in the world.<ref name="Beast-KIBlog" /> It was designed and manufactured internally by the park.<ref name="Beast-KIBlog">{{cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/october/the-beast-the-original-biggest-baddest-tallest-fastest-wooden-roller-coaster-in-the-world|title=The Beast: The original biggest, baddest, tallest, fastest wooden roller coaster in the world|last=Keeter|first=John|date=October 2, 2017|publisher=Kings Island|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408104436/https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/october/the-beast-the-original-biggest-baddest-tallest-fastest-wooden-roller-coaster-in-the-world|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On the heels of early success came turbulent times beginning in the 1980s. Kings Island partnered with [[Arrow Development]], an amusement ride company well known for its work at [[Disneyland]] and [[Walt Disney World|Disney World]], to develop a unique roller coaster concept.<ref name="The Bat-WDW" /> [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1981)|The Bat]] opened to the public in 1981 as the first modern-day, [[suspended roller coaster]] featuring an overhead track with train cars that swung freely from side to side, designed to simulate the feeling of flight.<ref name="The Bat-WDW">{{cite web|url=https://wdwnt.com/2013/06/wdwnt-the-magazine-arrow-dynamics-disneys-coaster-partner/|title=Arrow Dynamics: Disney's Coaster Partner|last=Truskowski|first=Michael|date=June 14, 2013|work=WDW News Today|access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="The Bat-KIBlog" /> Although it was well received, it was plagued with design flaws and constant maintenance that resulted in frequent closures over its short, three-year history.<ref name="The Bat-WDW" /><ref name="The Bat-KIBlog" /> To appease frustrated guests, the south track of The Racer began running its trains backward in 1982, which became so popular that the change remained until 2008.<ref name="The Bat-KIBlog" /> The park also pushed forward with its next major addition, [[King Cobra (roller coaster)|King Cobra]], which opened in 1984 as the first of its kind to be designed from inception as a stand-up roller coaster.<ref name="The Bat-KIBlog">{{cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/october/the-sporadic-erratic-flight-of-the-bat|title=The Sporadic Erratic Flight of The Bat|last=Keeter|first=John|date=October 30, 2017|publisher=Kings Island|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=June 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627114445/https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2017/october/the-sporadic-erratic-flight-of-the-bat|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Kings Island also went through a series of ownership changes over the next decade. Taft sold its theme park division in 1984 for $167.5&nbsp;million to [[Kings Entertainment Company]] (KECO), a company formed by senior executives and general managers of Taft Attractions Group.<ref name="KECO formation - Bryan Times">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19840412&id=eJdjAAAAIBAJ&pg=5520,939609|title=Amusement Parks Sale Completed|date=April 11, 1984|work=The Bryan Times|access-date=July 10, 2012|location=Bryan, Ohio}}</ref> Three parks – Kings Island, [[Kings Dominion]] and [[Carowinds]] – were involved in the sale.<ref name="KECO formation - Bryan Times" /> Taft invested in KECO to retain one-third interest.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/04/10/business/taft-sells-parks.html|title=Taft Sells Parks|work=The New York Times|date=April 10, 1984 |agency=Associated Press|access-date=July 10, 2012}}</ref> Three years later in 1987, Kings Island was sold individually to [[American Financial Corporation]], led by [[Carl Lindner, Jr.|Carl Lindner]].<ref name="40 years" /><ref name="1992 Purchase-WashPost" /><ref name="1992 Purchase-UPI" /> The deal included a contract with KECO to continue managing park operations.<ref name="40 years" /><ref name="1992 Purchase-WashPost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1992/08/01/taking-a-plunge-into-theme-parks/f32a233b-cb46-48c0-8718-c6eb1dc5e29e/|title=Taking a Plunge Into Theme Parks|last=Powers|first=William F.|date=August 1, 1992|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="1992 Purchase-UPI">{{cite news|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/07/31/Paramount-to-buy-4-theme-parks-for-400-million/2902712555200/|title=Paramount to buy 4 theme parks for $400 million|date=July 31, 1992|publisher=United Press International|access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref> KECO, which retained ownership of the other two parks,<ref name="1992 Purchase-WashPost" /> also added [[California's Great America|Great America]] to its portfolio after purchasing it in 1989 from the city of [[Santa Clara, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.santaclara.com/story/Great-America/1868111|title=Great America|publisher=City of Santa Clara|access-date=April 8, 2018|archive-date=April 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408022043/http://www.santaclara.com/story/Great-America/1868111|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inparkmagazine.com/greening-great-america/|title=The history of California's Great America and its path to sustainability|last=Kleiman|first=Joe|date=May 30, 2017|work=InPark Magazine|access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref>

===Paramount's Kings Island (1992–2006)===
In 1992 [[Paramount Communications|Paramount Communications Inc.]] (formerly Gulf+Western) purchased KECO along with Kings Island from American Financial in a deal worth $400&nbsp;million.<ref name="1992 Purchase-WashPost" /><ref name="KECO sale 1992 – Amusement Business">{{cite web|url=http://business.highbeam.com/53/article-1G1-12864545/acquisition-keco-sharpens-paramount-marketing-edge|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110234651/http://business.highbeam.com/53/article-1G1-12864545/acquisition-keco-sharpens-paramount-marketing-edge|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 10, 2015|title=Acquisition of KECO sharpens Paramount's marketing edge|last=Zhito|first=Lisa|date=August 10, 1992|publisher=Amusement Business|access-date=November 10, 2015}}</ref><ref name="KECO sale 1992 – LA Times">{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-23-fi-7444-story.html|title=More Studios Open Theme Park Attractions That Tie Into Their Movies : Entertainment: MCA, Paramount, Walt Disney and Time Warner now control 13 of the top 20 most popular parks in the U.S. and Canada.|last=Woodyard|first=Chris|date=August 23, 1992|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 10, 2015}}</ref> Paramount formed a new division known as [[Paramount Parks]].<ref name="KECO sale 1992 – Amusement Business" /> KECO owned 20% of Canada's Wonderland, and Paramount bought out the remaining 80% stake in 1993, raising the total number of parks to five.<ref name="KICentral – Development" /><ref name="Canada's Wonderland purchase">{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/viacom-may-sell-billion-dollar-baby/article18217012/|title=Viacom may sell billion-dollar baby|last=Bloom|first=Richard|work=The Globe and Mail|publisher=February 25, 2005|access-date=November 11, 2015}}</ref> Later that year, Paramount Parks began incorporating themes from its movies into each park.<ref name="KICentral – Development" /> [[Viacom (1971-2005)|Viacom]] entered the picture after acquiring Paramount in 1994, paving the way for the inclusion of [[Nickelodeon]] themes. [[Nickelodeon Splat City]], an interactive [[splash pad]] area,<ref name="Splat City">{{cite news |title=Slime Time at Kings Dominion May Turn Your World Upside Down |url=https://www.mcall.com/1995/04/16/slime-time-at-kings-dominion-may-turn-your-world-upside-down/ |access-date=May 23, 2023 |work=[[The Morning Call]] |date=April 16, 1995 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230523044635/https://www.mcall.com/1995/04/16/slime-time-at-kings-dominion-may-turn-your-world-upside-down/ |archive-date=May 23, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> was added in 1995, which later evolved into Nickelodeon Central (2001) and eventually Nickelodeon Universe (2006).<ref name="Park timeline 1972-2012">{{cite web |url=http://www.visitkingsisland.com/media-center/timeline |title=Timeline: A History of Kings Island |publisher=Kings Island |access-date=July 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312200056/http://www.visitkingsisland.com/media-center/timeline|archive-date=March 12, 2012}}</ref><ref name="50-year timeline">{{cite web |last1=Helbig |first1=Don |title=A look back at 50 years of fun and memories at Kings Island |url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2022/april/a-look-back-at-50-years-of-fun-and-memories-at-kings-island |publisher=Kings Island |access-date=May 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525134937/https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog/2022/april/a-look-back-at-50-years-of-fun-and-memories-at-kings-island |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |date=April 11, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Kings Island Eiffel Tower at night.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The Eiffel Tower and the fountains at night]]
In 1997, a year after leaving Deerfield Township, the city of [[Mason, Ohio|Mason]] annexed most of Kings Island.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://homefinder.cincinnati.com/closetohome/cth_deerfieldtwshp_011297.html |title=Close To Home: Deerfield Township |date=January 12, 1997 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |access-date=July 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126220717/http://homefinder.cincinnati.com/closetohome/cth_deerfieldtwshp_011297.html |archive-date=January 26, 2011 }}</ref> A temporary measure allowed for some land to remain in Deerfield in an attempt to appease park officials and reduce the impact on the township.<ref>{{cite news |last=McNutt |first=Randy |title=Bite by bite, neighboring cities take land |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=August 31, 1998 |url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1998/08/31/loc_lemonclose31.html |access-date=December 28, 2006}}</ref> The rest would be annexed in 1999.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://enquirer.com/editions/1999/09/15/loc_mason_annexes_all_of.html|title=Mason annexes all of Kings Island|last=Aldridge|first=Kevin|date=September 15, 1999|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=July 7, 2012}}</ref> In 2005, Viacom split into two companies, [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] and [[CBS Corporation]], with CBS inheriting Paramount Parks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/06/14/viacom.split/index.html |title=Viacom board opts to split company |date=June 14, 2005 |publisher=CNN |access-date=July 16, 2012}}</ref> CBS made the decision to sell its theme park division in January 2006.<ref name="CBS Sale - Announcement">{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/stories/2006/01/23/daily43.html|title=CBS to sell Carowinds, other theme parks|date=January 26, 2006|work=Charlotte Business Journal|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref><ref name="CBS sale 2 - Fasig" /> CBS CEO [[Leslie Moonves]] stated that despite the health and profitability of Paramount Parks, the business was "one that just doesn't fit our core strategy".<ref name="CBS sale 2 - Fasig">{{cite news|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2006/02/20/story5.html|title=Paramount's Kings Island riding coaster of offers|last=Fasig|first=Lisa Biank|date=February 20, 2006|work=Cincinnati Business Courier|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

In 2000 [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] revealed that they would build a giant record-breaking, 218-foot, looping [[roller coaster]] by the name [[Son of Beast]]. [[Son of Beast]] was built by [[Roller Coaster Corporation of America|RCCA]] ([[Roller Coaster Corporation of America]]) who was under qualified to build such a large [[roller coaster]]. Halfway through the [[Son of Beast]] [[project]], [[Roller Coaster Corporation of America|RCCA]] was fired and [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] finished the [[Roller coaster|coaster]] themselves. This led to many problems with the structure and many incidents which eventually led to the coaster being closed in the [[Cedar Fair]] era in 2009. The plot of land was replaced with the [[Son of Beast]] ghost themed [[Roller coaster|coaster]], [[Banshee (roller coaster)|Banshee]].

===Cedar Fair era (2006–2024)===
After receiving interest from several potential suitors,<ref name="CBS sale 2 - Fasig" /> CBS announced the sale of Paramount Parks to [[Cedar Fair]] on June 30, 2006, for $1.24&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=77 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060728185503/http://www.cedarfair.com/ir/press_releases/index.cfm?current_root=15&mode=story&story_id=77 |archive-date=July 28, 2006 |title=Cedar Fair, L.P. Completes Acquisition of the Paramount Parks |access-date=December 28, 2006 }}</ref> The acquisition of Kings Island gave Cedar Fair, who had recently acquired [[Geauga Lake]] from [[Six Flags]] in 2004, ownership of all three major amusement parks in [[Ohio]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/frontpage/2004/03/11/145M-sale-of-Six-Flags-solidifies-Ohio-market-Cedar-Point-s-parent-company-to-buy-Cleveland-area-competitor.html|title=$145M sale of Six Flags solidifies Ohio market; Cedar Point's parent company to buy Cleveland-area competitor|last=McKinnon|first=Julie|date=March 11, 2004|work=The Blade|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> Part of the agreement allowed Kings Island to continue using Nickelodeon themes and characters for four years and other Paramount-related branding for ten years, with the option to extend the license on both.<ref name="KICentral – Development"/><ref name="Cedar Fair purchase - The Blade">{{cite news|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Economy/2006/05/23/Cedar-Point-s-parent-firm-buys-5-additional-parks-for-1-24-billion.html|title=Cedar Point's parent firm buys 5 additional parks for $1.24 billion|last=Chavez|first=Jon|date=May 23, 2006|work=The Blade|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

Cedar Fair opted for a buyout option within an agreement clause to remove Paramount branding after one season.<ref name="Cedar Fair purchase - The Blade" /> Beginning in 2008, ''Face/Off'' became [[Invertigo (roller coaster)|Invertigo]],<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Invertigo|location=Kings Island|rcdb_number=530|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> ''The Italian Job Stunt Track'' became [[Backlot Stunt Coaster]],<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=Backlot Stunt Coaster|location=Kings Island|rcdb_number=2860|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> ''Tomb Raider: The Ride'' became [[The Crypt (Kings Island)|The Crypt]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newsplusnotes.blogspot.com/2008/04/kings-island-news.html|title=Kings Island News|date=April 26, 2008|publisher=NewsPlusNotes|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> and ''Top Gun'' became [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1993)|Flight Deck]].<ref>{{Cite RCDB|coaster_name=The Bat|location=Kings Island|rcdb_number=73|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref> Nickelodeon's presence remained until the 2010 season, when Cedar Fair began incorporating its [[Peanuts]] theme throughout the park, primarily in the children's area.<ref name="no more Nick">{{cite web|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/200908/1367/| title=Cedar Fair says goodbye to Nickelodeon| publisher=Theme Park Insider| date=August 29, 2009| access-date=July 9, 2012}}</ref> Nickelodeon Universe was renamed Planet Snoopy to complete the transition.<ref name="50-year timeline" />

In late 2009 the Mason City Council added a measure on its 2010 ballot that would mandate a 3-percent ticket tax and a 5-percent parking tax at both Kings Island and [[The Beach at Adventure Landing|The Beach Waterpark]]. Council member Tony Bradburn argued that it was necessary for the city to help pay for infrastructure improvements, as well as cover police and fire expenses.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/ticket-tax-proposal-has-both-sides-lining-up-409138.html |title=Ticket tax proposal has both sides lining up |newspaper=Dayton Daily News |date=November 20, 2009 |access-date=September 3, 2010}}</ref> The proposed tax hike was the center of debate for several months, as Kings Island actively encouraged the public to write, email, and call Mason City Council representatives to express opposition.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-news/mason-to-consider-ticket-tax-next-week-on-attractions-like-kings-island-527833.html |title=Mason to consider ticket tax |newspaper=JournalNews |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=September 3, 2010}}</ref> On February 8, 2010, Mason City Council voted 5–1 against the measure.<ref>{{cite news |last=Callahan |first=Denise |url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/kings-island-ticket-tax-rejected-by-mason-city-council-536605.html |title=Kings Island ticket tax rejected by Mason City Council |work=Dayton Daily News |date=March 16, 2010 |access-date=May 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wlwt.com/money/22498753/detail.html |title=Council Votes Against Kings Island Tax Hike |publisher=www.wlwt.com |date=February 8, 2010 |access-date=May 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225075300/http://www.wlwt.com/money/22498753/detail.html |archive-date=February 25, 2012 }}</ref>

A new themed area called Adventure Port was added in 2023, replacing part of Oktoberfest and adding two new family rides – Sol Spin and Cargo Loco.<ref name="AdventurePort-CinEnq">{{cite news |title=Welcome to Adventure Port! Kings Island to debut new themed area in 2023 |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2022/10/19/kings-island-adventure-port-sol-spin-cargo-loco-2023/69573981007/ |last1=DeLetter |first1=Emily |access-date=December 14, 2022 |work=[[Cincinnati Enquirer]] |date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214091614/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2022/10/19/kings-island-adventure-port-sol-spin-cargo-loco-2023/69573981007/ |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AdventurePort-KI">{{Cite web |title=New in 2023: Adventure Port |url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/new-in-2023 |publisher=Kings Island |access-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214093722/https://www.visitkingsisland.com/new-in-2023 |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |date=October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> Through the 2024 season, Kings Island expanded Planet Snoopy with the addition of a new themed section called Camp Snoopy.<ref name="CampSnoopy-USAToday" /><ref name="CampSnoopy-KI" />{{update-inline|date=November 2024|reason=updated citation needed}}

===Six Flags era (2024–present)===

On July 1, 2024, a merger of equals between [[Cedar Fair]] and [[Six Flags]] was completed. This merger created [[Six Flags Entertainment Corporation]] which encompasses all legacy Six flags and legacy Cedar Fair parks, including Kings Island.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2024 |title=Cedar Fair and Six Flags Merger of Equals Successfully Completed, Creating a Leading Amusement Park Operator |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cedar-fair-six-flags-merger-200500080.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |website=Yahoo Finance |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Cedar Fair L.P. (FUN), Six Flags (SIX) Announce Merger of Equals is Successfully Completed | website=StreetInsider.com | date=July 1, 2024 | url=https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Cedar+Fair+L.P.+%28FUN%29%2C+Six+Flags+%28SIX%29+Announce+Merger+of+Equals+is+Successfully+Completed/23421543.html | access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=A farewell to Cedar Fair: Cedar Fair, Six Flags expected to finalize merger | website=WKRC | date=July 1, 2024 | url=https://www.local12.com/news/nation-world/cedar-point-fair-six-flags-entertainment-corporation-finalize-merger-today-kings-island-cincinnati-ticker-symbol-fun-stock-market-nyse-historic-mergers-top-10-expected-closing-date-section-27a-securities-act-amusement-parks-resort-properties-revenue | access-date=July 2, 2024}}</ref>