Invertigo gets a new, very blue color scheme this year. Provided image
Paul McKibben reports:
A $10 million expansion of its Soak City water park isn’t the only new feature at Kings Island this year as the amusement park celebrates its 40th anniversary season.
Kings Island will unveil four new shows and food. Thrill seekers will also notice some cosmetic changes such as new colors on the Invertigo roller coaster (aqua track and royal blue supports).
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New shows
“British Invasion,” Festhaus, starts opening day, songs of the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Elton John and others
“Charlie Brown’s All-Stars,” Peanuts Playhouse, starts opening day, a baseball-themed show with Peanuts characters
“Remember When: The 70s!” Showplace Theatre, starting in June, music from the 1970s, the decade Kings Island opened
“Ed Alonzo’s Psycho Circus of Magic and Mayhem,” Kings Island Theatre, June 2 through the end of August: Magician Ed Alonzo who played Max in the sitcom “Saved by the Bell.”
“It’s like adding a new ride because not everybody will ride rides all the time. Some people come just for the entertainment aspect,” Kings Island spokesman Don Helbig said. “So you always want to have something that’s new and fresh for those guests as well.”
Shows returning are “American Country,” “Hot Summer Nights” and “Peanuts Party in the Plaza.”
New food
New food includes “fresh never frozen” hamburgers at the Festhaus, Juke Box Diner and Stunt Crew Grill; a new Philly cheesesteak at the Snake Pit food stand, burritos, burrito bowls and nachos at Hank’s Burrito Shack restaurant at the park’s Oktoberfest section, and gluten-free pizza at LaRosa’s on International Street.
Other new food includes a new pretzel, improved funnel cakes and a fresh-dipped ice cream bar at the Planet Snoopy section of the park where customers will be able to add their own toppings.
Kings Island will have freestyle Coca-Cola machines in the park where customers can make their own drinks. A commemorative souvenir 40th anniversary bottle will be available for purchase. Coke and LaRosa’s have been partners with Kings Island for 40 years.
All about Soak City
The $10 million water park expansion project is the biggest project at Kings Island this year includes 30 water slides, two wave pools, tropical lagoons, rushing rivers and more.
New wave pool: Measures 39,000 square feet with more than 650,000 gallon waves, a water depth up to six feet with wave heights of more than four feet.
New action river: The renovation of the current Lazy River includes new waterfalls, a rain curtain, tipping buckets, spray hoses and jets creating turbulent water effects.
Sand volleyball court: New professional-quality court is designed for both casual and competitive play.
More lounging: Three football fields of lounging areas include more than 1,000 additional chairs.
If you go
Kings Island opens Saturday. It is closed for a private event on Sunday.
The park opens for weekend operation May 4; daily operation starts May 11.
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |
