How to go
What: Kings Island
When: Open weekends, starting Saturday. Closed Sunday, May 1. Open daily, starting May 13.
Where: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason
Cost: $51.99 for adults; $31.99 for seniors/juniors; Discounts available online at www.visitkings island.com.
MASON — The operators of Kings Island are ready to take visitors to new heights of excitement this summer — and drop them just as quickly.
A new 300-foot spire has been added to King’s Island’s unique skyline of roller coasters, water slides and the Eiffel Tower. The WindSeeker is a 301-foot spinning ride that will take a rider on a three-minute, open-air journey. At the top of the spire, the swings will flare out at 45 degrees and reach speeds of up to 30 miles in the air, giving those brave enough to open their eyes an incredible view of the park and its surrounding area.
Note: WindSeeker will not open on Saturday after a month of horrendous weather delayed completion of the project, park officials announced Thursday.
“If there has ever been a season to visit the park, this would be it,” said park spokesman Don Helbig.
Kings Island opens Saturday for its 39th season. The park will be closed Sunday, but will open again May 6-8. Daily operations begin May 13.
Helbig said the park is beginning daily operations earlier than in the past. This decision will allow devoted patrons the chance to “rack up” numerous rides on park favorites without waiting in lengthy lines, he said.
The WindSeeker is the third major thrill ride the park has added since Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island in 2006. In 2007, the park added the Firehawk rollercoaster, which served as a prelude for 2009’s Diamondback, the biggest metal roller coaster in the park’s history. In its two years of operation, the Diamondback has been ridden more than 3.6 million times.
“It’s popularity is starting to rival the Beast,” said Helbig, referencing the park’s famous wooden rollercoaster.
“I believe Kings Island packs the best 1-2 punch of any park out there,” Helbig said. “No one has a combination of wood and steel coasters like these two rides.”
The Son of Beast wooden roller coaster will not be open for a second year. Helbig would not discuss when, or if, the roller coaster would open again.
The roller coaster was closed in the summer of 2009 after a female rider said it caused a blood vessel in her brain to burst. It previously was closed for reconstruction after a structural failure resulted in injuries to more than two dozen people.
A different sort of adventure — one 65 million years in the making — will make its debut a few weeks after the park’s opening when Dinosaurs Alive! at Kings Island opens the doors to the past with the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park on May 26. Dinosaurs Alive! will display more than 60 life-sized dinosaurs, including some that visitors can control. Helbig said the highlight of the feature will be the Ruyang Yellow River dinosaur, which by checking in at 72 feet long, 12 feet wide and 30 feet high, will be the largest animatronic dinosaur ever constructed.
Kings Island will also offer four new live shows and the return of three crowd favorites.
“I think the live shows and our water park are two of the hidden gems of the park,” Helbig said. “A lot of people don’t realize either are here and how great they are.”
New shows include American Country, a tribute to modern country performers; Charlie Brown’s Pirate Adventure; and Peanuts Party in the Plaza. Returning shows include Way Too Much TV, a salute to television theme songs of the past; Signed, Sealed, Delivered, a tribute to Motown; and Snoopy Rocks on Ice!
“We strive to offer something fun and entertaining for everyone,” Helbig said. “Even if you don’t like the thrill rides, we have shows and games. There’s something here for every member of the family to enjoy.”
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