Editing Kings Island (section)

==Significant facts==

===Notable changes and additions===
* 1977: [[Screamin' Demon (Kings Island)|Screamin' Demon]] debuts as one of the first forward- and backward-looping roller coasters in the United States.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Scheinin |first1=Lisa |year=2007 | title=100 Moments in Roller Coaster History: The First Launched Coasters&nbsp;— 1977 |journal=RollerCoaster! Magazine |volume=28 | issue=2 |pages=20–21 |issn=0896-7261}}</ref><ref name="Screamin' Demon">{{cite web|url=https://www.visitkingsisland.com/blog-article/online-fun/Kings-Island-Photo-of-the-Day-2-1-13-17|title=Kings Island Photo of the Day|date=February 1, 2013|publisher=Kings Island|access-date=April 15, 2013}}</ref>
* 1979: Kings Island unveils [[The Beast (roller coaster)|The Beast]]; the world's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freethemepark.com/kings-island-tickets.php |title=The Wonderful King's Island Theme Park |publisher=FreeThemePark.com |access-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref>
* 1981: [[The Bat (Kings Island; opened 1981)|The Bat]] opens as the first modern-day [[suspended roller coaster]] in the world.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Baldwin |first1=Tim |year=2006 |title=In Suspense, the Contemporary Suspended Coaster Celebrates a 25th Anniversary |journal=RollerCoaster! Magazine |volume=27 |issue=4 |pages=15–19 |issn=0896-7261}}</ref> Plagued with mechanical problems and downtime, The Bat was removed in August 1983.
* 1982: An annual Christmas event called Winterfest debuts, which operates from late-November through December.<ref name="Winterfest-Glaser" />
* 1984: [[King Cobra (roller coaster)|King Cobra]] opens as the first roller coaster designed from inception as a stand-up coaster.
* 1987: [[Vortex (Kings Island)|Vortex]] is added to the park's coaster lineup, briefly holding a world record for its six inversions.
* 1989: [[Soak City (Kings Island)|WaterWorks]] debuts as a family water park included with the price of admission, featuring a wave pool, water slides, and other attractions.
* 1999: The Adventure Village area begins the first of a two-year expansion, renamed Paramount Action Zone and rethemed as a movie studio backlot. Two new rides – [[Invertigo (Kings Island)|FACE/OFF]] and [[Drop Tower: Scream Zone|Drop Zone: Stunt Tower]] – open in the new area, with the latter setting a record for the world's tallest gyro drop.
* 2000: In the second year of expansion, [[Son of Beast]] opens in Action Zone as the world's tallest, fastest, and only-looping wooden roller coaster. Billed as a sequel to Kings Island's [[The Beast (roller coaster)|The Beast]], it was also the park's first [[hypercoaster]]. A Halloween-themed evening event called FearFest, later renamed [[Kings Island#Halloween Haunt|Halloween Haunt]], debuts in October and begins operating annually at the park every fall season.
* 2002: [[The Crypt (Kings Island)|Tomb Raider: The Ride]] opens as the first Giant Top Spin from [[HUSS Park Attractions]], which operated indoor and featured special effects themed to the film it was based on. King Cobra is dismantled after downtime and maintenance proved cost prohibitive.
* 2007: [[Firehawk (roller coaster)|Firehawk]], a [[flying roller coaster]] relocated from [[Geauga Lake]], opens in the X-Base area adjacent to Flight of Fear.
* 2009: The first roller coaster from [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] at Kings Island, [[Diamondback (roller coaster)|Diamondback]], opens to the public.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kidiamondback.com |title=Diamondback &#124; Fast And Full Of Venom &#124; Kings Island |publisher=Kidiamondback.com |access-date=November 14, 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081108230050/http://www.kidiamondback.com/ |archive-date=November 8, 2008}}</ref> [[Son of Beast]] abruptly closes in June and remains closed indefinitely.<ref name="Coaster Critic">{{cite web|url=https://coastercritic.com/2012/07/kings-island-to-remove-son-of-beast/|title=KINGS ISLAND TO REMOVE SON OF BEAST|date=July 28, 2012 |publisher=Coaster Critic |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
* 2010: [[Planet Snoopy]] replaces Nickelodeon Universe. All [[Nickelodeon]] and Hanna-Barbera theming is removed, marking the first time in park history without an attraction themed to [[Scooby-Doo (character)|Scooby-Doo]]. 
* 2011: A tower swing ride named [[WindSeeker]] opens at the end of the Coney Mall. [[Fast Lane (Cedar Fair)|Fast Lane]] is introduced for the first time, and [[Dinosaurs Alive! (attraction)|Dinosaurs Alive!]] opens.<ref name="dinosaurs">{{cite web|url=http://masonbuzz.com/2011/03/18/kings-island-to-open-worlds-largest-dinosaur-park/ |title=Kings Island to open world's largest dinosaur park |publisher=Mason Buzz |date=March 18, 2011 |access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref>
* 2012: Boomerang Bay is renamed [[Soak City (Kings Island)|Soak City]], which receives a moderate makeover.<ref name="Soak City">{{cite web |url=http://www.visitkingsisland.com/things-to-do/soak-city-waterpark |title=Soak City |publisher=Kings Island |access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref> Son of Beast is demolished.<ref name="Coaster Critic"/>
* 2014: The longest [[inverted roller coaster]] in the world, [[Banshee (roller coaster)|Banshee]], opens on the former location of both Son of Beast and Thunder Alley.<ref name="Banshee announcement">{{cite web|url=http://attractionsmagazine.com/out-of-the-loop-banshee-roller-coaster-announced-at-kings-island-for-2014/|title=Out Of The Loop: Banshee roller coaster announced at Kings Island for 2014|last=Guinigundo|first=Andy|date=August 19, 2013|work=Orlando Attractions Magazine|access-date=March 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Banshee-2">{{cite news|url=http://www.whiotv.com/news/entertainment/kings-island-to-offer-new-coaster-for-2014/nZJnP/|title=Kings Island to offer new coaster for 2014|last=Tan|first=Lot|date=August 8, 2013|work=[[WHIO-TV]]|publisher=[[Cox Media Group]]|access-date=August 9, 2013}}</ref>
* 2017: A new wooden coaster from [[Great Coasters International]] called [[Mystic Timbers]] makes its debut. Winterfest also returns after a twelve-year hiatus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wcpo.com/entertainment/local-a-e/kings-island-to-bring-back-holiday-themed-winterfest|title=Winterfest to return to Kings Island|date=August 18, 2016}}</ref>
* 2020: [[Orion (roller coaster)|Orion]] is added as the park's first [[giga coaster]], featuring a {{Convert|300|ft|m|adj=on}} drop.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-01 |title=Kings Island's Orion first ride: Thrills, chills and, oh, what a drop |url=https://www.wcpo.com/money/consumer/dont-waste-your-money/kings-islands-orion-first-ride-thrills-chills-and-oh-what-a-drop |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=WCPO 9 Cincinnati |language=en}}</ref>
* 2023: Adventure Port is added as the park's newest area replacing a portion of Oktoberfest.<ref>{{Cite web |last=WKRC |date=2023-06-10 |title=New themed area 'Adventure Port' has opened at Kings Island |url=https://dayton247now.com/news/local/new-themed-area-adventure-port-has-opened-at-kings-island |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=WKEF |language=en}}</ref>
* 2024: Camp Snoopy is added in addition to Planet Snoopy. Snoopy's Soap Box Racers and other activities open. Some rides are also re-themed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Scheve |first=Annasofia |title=Snoopy came to play: Kings Island announces Planet Snoopy expansion, new roller coaster |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/theme-parks/2023/08/10/kings-island-new-roller-coaster-planet-snoopy/70566995007/ |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>
{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:PKI-Son of Beast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Son of Beast (original), added in 2000]]
| [[File:Racer (Kings Island) 01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.7|Aerial view (2007) of [[The Racer (Kings Island)|The Racer]], [[Firehawk (roller coaster)|Firehawk]] and [[Flight of Fear]]]]
| [[File:Diamondback.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Diamondback, added in 2009]]
|}

===Notable events===
*1972: Hanna-Barbera produced an animated made-for-television film called ''[[The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park]]'', which mixed in live-action sequences filmed at Kings Island, and it aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] in 1972.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Briana |title=Banana Splits has a new movie, and surprise! It's a horror film |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2019/08/21/banana-splits-movie-horror/2072315001/ |access-date=November 7, 2021 |work=[[Cincinnati Enquirer]] |date=August 21, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Banana Splits in Hocus Pocus Park (1972) |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-banana-splits-in-hocus-pocus-park-v289650 |publisher=AllMovie |access-date=November 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107144116/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/the-banana-splits-in-hocus-pocus-park-v289650 |archive-date=November 7, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*1972: ABC sitcom ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' filmed at the park in the episode "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati", which aired on January 26, 1973.<ref name="Sitcoms-WVXU.org" />
*1973: ABC sitcom ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' filmed at the park in the episode "The Cincinnati Kids", which aired on November 23, 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0531129/|title=IMDb&nbsp;– "The Brady Bunch" The Cincinnati Kids (TV Episode 1973)|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref>
*1974: Sixty-nine-year-old [[Karl Wallenda]] broke a world [[Tightrope walking|skywalk]] distance record of {{Convert|1800|ft}}.<ref name="Wallenda 1974 - Enquirer">{{cite news|url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1997/07/19/loc_wallendas.html|title=Wallendas fight to survive: Family troupe finds less work|last=McNutt|first=Randy|date=July 19, 1997|work=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=April 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2008/07/05/wallenda.html|title=Wallenda attempts high-wire walk over Kings Island|date=July 5, 2008|newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch|access-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref>
*October 25, 1975: A nationally televised event featured [[Evel Knievel]] successfully jumping fourteen [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]] buses at Kings Island, clearing a record-breaking distance of {{convert|133|ft}} which stood until 1999.<ref name="Knievel-HC">{{cite web|url=http://www.history.co.uk/shows/barryd-treasure/articles/evel-knievels-5-greatests-stunts|title=Evel Knievel's 5 greatests stunts|last=Reppion|first=John|publisher=History|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150408225316/http://www.history.co.uk/shows/barryd-treasure/articles/evel-knievels-5-greatests-stunts|archive-date=April 8, 2015}}</ref><ref name="Knievel-CinMag">{{cite magazine|last=Spencer|first=Jean|date=December 1975|title=Our Man With Evel|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GesCAAAAMBAJ&q=evel+knievel+%22kings+island%22&pg=PA10 |magazine=Cincinnati Magazine|access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>
*June 9, 1991: Three people are killed in two unrelated incidents at the park. The day is known as "Black Sunday" in park lore.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2023/06/09/today-history-kings-island-deadly-day/70297857007/|title=Today in history: Deadly day at Kings Island with 3 deaths, 1 hospitalization|date=June 9, 2023|newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer|access-date=December 28, 2024}}</ref>
*May 24, 2008: [[Robbie Knievel]], son of Evel, successfully jumped over 24 [[Coke Zero]] trucks in the Kings Island Parking Lot. This was expected to be the last of Robbie's big jumps.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.knieveltour.com/past_jump_galleries/paramount_kings_2008/kings_island_photos/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080803014602/http://www.knieveltour.com/past_jump_galleries/paramount_kings_2008/kings_island_photos/index.html |archive-date=August 3, 2008 |title=Photos from Robbie's King's Island Jump|access-date=July 30, 2008 }}</ref>
*July 4, 2008: High wire artist Rick Wallenda broke the world skywalk distance record of {{Convert|1800|ft}} held by his grandfather, [[Karl Wallenda]], by walking {{convert|2000|ft}} on a {{convert|75|ft|m|adj=mid|-high wire}} from Kings Island's Eiffel Tower to the park's entrance and back.<ref name="Rick Wallenda">{{cite web|url=http://www.wallendaenterprises.com/skywal.html|title=Skywalks&nbsp;– Exceeding the Limits of Tradition|publisher=Wallenda Enterprises Inc.|access-date=June 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618141937/http://wallendaenterprises.com/skywal.html|archive-date=June 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/p/content/gen/sharedoh/photos_galleries/entertainment/events/070408wallendawalk.html|title=Wire walker at Kings Island|last=Auckerman|first=Pat|access-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref>
*August 31, 2008: [[Barry Williams (actor)|Barry Williams]], [[Susan Olsen]] and [[Mike Lookinland]] returned to Kings Island for ''A Very Brady Reunion'', a four-show special of song, dance and Brady Bunch stories.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090406131534/http://www.visitkingsisland.com/events/event_detail.cfm?event_id=510&ec_id=15 Kings Island website&nbsp;– A Very Brady Reunion]</ref>
*August 15, 2009: [[Nik Wallenda]] completed a skywalk on a wire suspended {{Convert|262|ft}} above the ground that extended {{Convert|800|ft}}. Although it did not break any world records, it was the highest skywalk Nik had completed to date and was three times higher than the skywalk Rick Wallenda performed a year earlier.<ref name="Nik Wallenda">{{cite news|url=http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/high-wire-acrobat-to-take-thrills-to-new-heights-at-kings-island-214622.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129004450/http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/high-wire-acrobat-to-take-thrills-to-new-heights-at-kings-island-214622.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2013|title=High-wire acrobat to take thrills to new heights at Kings Island|date=July 21, 2009|newspaper=Middletown Journal|access-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref>
*May 19, 2013: Former [[Brady Bunch]] stars [[Barry Williams (actor)|Barry Williams]], [[Susan Olsen]] and [[Christopher Knight (actor)|Christopher Knight]] returned to the park to "entertain park guests during four shows of singing, dancing and Brady Bunch anecdotes".<ref name="Brady Bunch 40th Anniversary">{{cite news|url=http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2013/04/17/brady-bunch-stars-returing-to-kings-island/ |title=Brady Bunch stars returning to Kings Island! |last=Kiesewetter |first=John |date=April 17, 2013 |work=The Enquirer |access-date=April 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419155645/http://cincinnati.com/blogs/tv/2013/04/17/brady-bunch-stars-returing-to-kings-island/ |archive-date=April 19, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="John Faherty">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2013/05/19/brady-bunch-reunion-ohio/2325397/|title='Brady Bunch' reunion brings memories to Kings Island|date=May 20, 2013|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=June 23, 2013}}</ref>

===Notable people===
The following is a list of former employees at Kings Island that later became well known in another industry:<ref name="reunion2010">{{cite news|url=http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/kings-island-employees-to-reunite-890373.html|title=Kings Island employees to reunite|last=Schwartzberg|first=Eric|date=August 31, 2010|newspaper=Dayton Daily News|access-date=December 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100710001307/http://www.visitkingsisland.com/public/news/media/story_ideas.cfm Catch a Rising Star]</ref><ref name="reunion">{{cite web|url=http://kingsislandinsider.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html|title=Second annual Kings Island Employee Reunion|last=Helbig|first=Don|date=August 28, 2009|publisher=Kings Island Insider|access-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref>
* [[Curtis Cregan]] (actor) – worked as a live shows performer and emcee for the Nickelodeon show at Kings Island
* [[Carmen Electra]] (singer) – started her professional career in 1990 as a dancer at Kings Island in the show "It’s Magic”
* [[Woody Harrelson]] (actor) – wood carver at Kings Island during high school
* [[Justin Jeffre]] (singer) – part of quartet that performed throughout the park
* [[Lewis Johnson (commentator)|Lewis Johnson]] (reporter) – former rides supervisor on the Beast and Racer roller coasters at Kings Island (1981–87)<ref name="2010 Inductees">{{cite news|url=https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/local/kings-island-employees-reunite/BJzKlLieqVmOimkPKXdTnJ/|title=Kings Island employees to reunite|last=Schwartzberg|first=Eric|date=August 31, 2010|work=Springfield News-Sun|access-date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905035808/http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/kings-island-employees-to-reunite-890373.html|archive-date=September 5, 2010}}</ref>
* [[Nick Lachey]] (singer) – part of quartet that performed throughout the park
* [[Dan Patrick (sportscaster)|Dan Patrick]] (TV/radio sports host) – worked on park's golf course grounds crew
* [[Susan Perkins]] (1978 [[Miss America]]) – worked at the park as a live shows performer
* [[Gigi Rice]] (actress)
* [[Doug Jones (actor)|Doug Jones]] (actor)