Thursday, March 19, 2009

Kings Island in 1972

Photo of Kings Island on Opening Day 1972

Kings Island opened its gates on April 29, 1972. The star attraction was the Racer roller coaster designed by the legendary John Allen of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The Bavarian Beetle, a small steel coaster relocated to Kings Island from Coney Island (the ride was removed in 1979) and Scooby Doo (renamed The Beastie in 1979 and renamed again in 2006 as Fairly Odd Coaster) were the park's other two coasters in 1972.

Other attractions that opened with the park in 1972 included the Grand Carousel, Der Spinning Keggers, Sky Ride, Haley's Comet, Log Flume, Les Taxis, Turnpike, Scrambler, Flying Scooters, Winnie Witch's Cauldrons, Kings Island & Miami Valley Railroad, Rotor and Enchanted Voyage.

My first visit to Kings Island came on June 11, 1972. Der Spinning Keggers was my first ride. I rode the Racer nine times; it was the first roller coaster I had ever ridden.

Do you remember your first visit to Kings Island?