The park is loosely based around a combination of an “Oktoberfest” theme, “Action Zone” theme, “Rivertown” theme, “International Street” theme (where most shops and restaurants are located) and the “Coney Mall” theme, all mixed in with various other themes from Paramount’s motion pictures.  The park is filled with rides for young and old alike; my perennial favorite, however, is definitely the wooden roller coaster known as “The Beast”. 

“The Beast” isn’t fancy; there are no flips or corkscrews.  It isn’t particularly fast, either.  What “The Beast” has that other roller coasters haven’t got is length.  The ride lasts a good two minutes, if not more, and is just what every wooden roller coaster lover wants.  It’s shaky, rough, moderately fast, and full of great dips and climbs.  “The Racer” is another classic wooden roller coaster that no amusement park would be complete without.  You choose your train – the red or the blue, one facing backwards and one facing forwards – and then both trains leave the station, simultaneously.  It may not be the highest or the fastest, but “The Racer” has competition, and there’s nothing like the feeling of leaving the ride after your train won the race.  Another, newer wooden ride in the park is “Son of Beast”, which broke all sorts of records when it was built in 2000, but I haven’t gotten the chance to ride it…yet.

Paramount’s King’s Island also has quite a few steel roller coasters, as well.  I have enjoyed a smooth, fast ride on all the coasters in the park:  “Flight of Fear”, “The Vortex”, “Face/Off”, “Top Gun” and “Tomb Raider:  The Ride” are all exciting and exhilarating experiences.  My favorite of the group, however, is “The Vortex”.  With several inversions and one enormous drop, “The Vortex” never fails to give me a frightening but electrifying ride.

Children aren’t left out at Paramount’s Kings Island.  When I was a child, I always looked forward to the rides in “Hanna Barbera Land”, where characters like Fred and Barney, Scooby-Doo and Yogi Bear would provide entertainment.  For a little kid, there were some pretty good rides available, too.  I can only imagine that with the incorporation of characters and themed rides from Nickelodeon, the children’s area of King’s Island has become even more fascinating for the little ones.

Rides range from mild to wet to wild at King’s Island; there’s something for every member of the family.  My own three-year-old son loves the Nickelodeon area.  My parents (who are in their sixties) enjoy the shows and the traditional midway rides like “The Racer” and the swinging ship ride “Viking Fury”.  I, in my late twenties still enjoy the thrill rides but I also love paying a visit to the centerpiece of the park, “The Eiffel Tower”, which is a one-third replica of the original in Paris, France.  The tower is a great place to start your day at King’s Island; it gives a panoramic view of the park, and I have “planned my route” through the park many times from its heights. 

This is only a fraction of what is offered at Paramount’s King’s Island.  If you visit in the summertime, make sure you pack your bathing suit, because King’s Island also has a large water park complete with its own brand of thrill rides and more sedate attractions.  There are shows to see, good food to eat, and plenty of souvenirs for sale.  The only problem with King’s Island is the fact that it is extremely popular; the park is open daily throughout the summer months, and sporadically for special events throughout September, October and November.  If you plan to visit during the summer, make sure you take plenty of sunscreen and shoes good for walking, as some of the lines can get very long and sometimes aren’t shaded.

All in all, Paramount’s King’s Island is a welcome retreat from the daily grind.  With fun activities and rides for the entire family, King’s Island is the perfect weekend getaway for the entire family!