“Wah, wah, wah”……anyone remember the teacher in the Peanut’s cartoon? I think she’d be telling the kids, “go visit Planet Snoopy at Kings Island, you’ll have a great time”. Kings Island and I go way way back. I think I’ve either visited the park or worked at the park every year for the past, deep breath, 24 years (I can make a mean funnel cake or a grand beehive of cotton candy). I’ve seen KI transform into “Paramount’s Kings Island” and was upset when Hana-Barbera land was turned into Nickelodeon Universe (I really loved the Hanna-Barbera merry-go-round). But, Nickelodeon Universe eventually grew on me and my girls really loved it. When they found out that Kings Island was changing the kids’ area to Planet Snoopy, they were not too pleased. In fact, my oldest broke down in the car crying that all her rides would be gone and she’d never get to ride Swiper or The Fairly Odd Coaster again. Once she started lamenting about the sad state she was in, her sister jumped on the bandwagon and was also inconsolable. Would happier days be here again?
YES! Last Saturday, we got to visit Kings Island for the first time this season and all my girls’ worries vanished. They had a blast and ran up to Snoopy and gave him a big hug. All of their fears about their favorite rides being gone were unfounded as they happily rode the Woodstocks Express (formerly The Fairly Odd Coaster) over and over again. My youngest, S, was thrilled since this was the first year that she could actually get on the bigger roller coaster. In fact, S had a grand day since she is now 44” she can go on a lot more rides and K’s world opened up even more since she’s now 48”. Planet Snoopy was freshly painted and spruced up. They also have a fun new kids show, Charlie Brown’s Hoedown at the Peanuts Playhouse that runs throughout the day.
It was also a whole new world for my husband and I since we were able to actually venture out of the kid’s ride area to the main park. We were able to do some of the main park rides (Shake, Rattle & Roll, & The Scrambler) as a family. K and Chris even got to ride Adventure Express (love that roller coaster) and K could ride some of the other rides in the main park but she was a bit apprehensive to try some of them. Maybe on our next visit.
Since we have season passes, we can visit Kings Island as much as we want. I love the season pass since you don’t have to feel like you are in a mad rush to see as much of the park as possible in one day. If you haven’t bought your season pass yet, help support the Mason Schools Foundation by purchasing one. The Foundation’s purpose “is to fund activities, programs and learning environments that promote academic, artistic and athletic excellence”. The Mason Schools Foundation has partnered with Kings Island to offer a discount fee on admission fees (on single day admissions). The nice thing is that you get a discount and the Mason City Schools get a cash rebate for purchases made. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Single day admission discounts (from KI’s website):
Single Day Adult …… $33.99 vs Single Day Adult at the Park……. $48.99
Single Day Jr/Sr ……. $29.99 vs Single Day Jr/Sr at the Park………$31.99
My Kings Island goal for this season is to finally ride Diamondback. I almost did it last Saturday then I chickened out. Wish me luck and have fun with your family at KI!
Can’t wait to check this out with P!
.-= Amy in OHio´s last blog ..More on Eat! Move! Play! =-.