Wait. 2019's Over?! A Look Back at Kings Island's Season

Kings Mills Antique Autos, The Beast's 40th Anniversary, International Street and Royal Fountain renovations, Glockenspiel restoration, Fireworks!, Miami River Brewhouse, Grand Carnivale, #TEOTWAWKI, Orion Announcement, Vortex Closing, WinterFest

When Kings Island guests crossed through the front gate turnstiles for the first time in April, I wasn't sure where they would go first. Would they make their way to Coney Mall to ride Kings Mills Antique Autos? Would they spend a little longer on International Street admiring the refreshed look and new Royal Fountain? Would they head back to The Beast to get their first ride in of its 40th Anniversary season?

With no exception, the 2019 season has been one of the most interesting seasons in Kings Island history. If you're a park fan, there's one thing you should take away from it- the nearly 50 year old amusement park recognizes its rich history and is focused on its future.

What's Old was New in 2019

I grew up at Kings Island. My earliest memories of the park (I was not alive when it opened in 1972) include seeing the Viking Fury under construction, being terrified of Fred Flintstone, riding The Enchanted Voyage (not the smurf version!), being awoken from a lunchtime nap in the International Restaurant by the Clown Band and riding on my dad's shoulders down International Street after the fireworks.

Those are my memories, and I'm sure you have your own too.

In many respects, 2019 was about investing in the park's past. Last August, Kings Island General Manager Mike Koontz announced that antique cars would return to the park after a 15-year absence. In the months following it was revealed that International Street would receive its first extensive makeover in decades, the Royal Fountain would be updated with modern technology, the famous Festhaus Glockenspeil would be restored (incidently, I learned how to spell 'glockenspiel' in 2019!), and the revered footprints of The Beast would once again lead guests to the world's longest wooden roller coaster. We even found a way to bring attention to our past, while looking to the future.

Kings Island's Future - The 2020 Season

And speaking of the future, 2020 promises to be one of the most thrilling in Kings Island's history. When the park's new coaster, Orion, opens in the Spring of 2020 it will be one of only seven giga coasters on the planet. Did you see the announcement? Watch it again here.

With a 300 ft. first drop and speeds of up to 91 mph, Orion will be the tallest and fastest coaster at Kings Island. Will you be there to ride on Opening Day 2020?

Looking Back at Kings Island's 2019 Season

1. The return of Antique Autos to Coney Mall (Cincinnati Enquirer)
2. The renovation of International Street and the Royal Fountain (Theme Park Insider)
3. The return of the Festhaus Glockenspiel (WCPO - 9 On Your Side)
4. The introduction of the new Miami River Brewhouse (Dayton Daily News)
5. The 40th Anniversary of The Beast (WLWT - Cincinnati, Channel 5)
6. The introduction of Grand Carnivale and the Spectacle of Color parade (WKRC - Cincinnati, Local 12)
7. More than 6,000 guests attend the announcement of Orion- the park's first giga coaster (WXIX - Cincinnati, Fox 19)
8. Halloween Haunt 2019 introduces new scare zone, Shipwrecked (WKRC - Local 12)
9. WinterFest 2019 (WXIX, Cincinnati, Fox19)
10. New Year's Eve (Dayton Daily News)

Do you have a favorite memory of the 2019 Kings Island Season? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for a great season!

Chad Showalter is a results-focused communicator with an MBA and more than 15 years of successful public relations and marketing leadership. He only writes about businesses he loves and issues he cares about. Connect with him on LinkedIn today, and follow him on Twitter.