Kings Island



Theme Park:Kings Island (since 1972)
Address:6300 Kings Island Dr.
45040 Mason
https://www.visitkingsisland.com
Operated by:Cedar Fair

Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, is one of the most influential amusement parks in the United States. Since opening in 1972, the park has played a major role in the development of the amusement park industry. Originally built by Taft Broadcasting, it later became the flagship of the Paramount Parks chain before joining the Cedar Fair group in 2006.

Throughout its history, Kings Island has introduced attractions that helped shape the modern amusement park. The Racer sparked renewed interest in wooden roller coasters during the 1970s, while Flight of Fear was among the first roller coasters in the world to feature a linear induction motor launch. Today, the park is home to a diverse collection of roller coasters, family attractions and live entertainment, making it one of the Midwest’s most popular destinations.

Beyond its attractions, Kings Island is known for its beautifully maintained grounds, extensive entertainment program and one of the largest children’s areas in the United States. Together, they create a well-balanced park that offers far more than just world-class roller coasters.




Fun Fact #1: The original Suspended Coaster The Bat was only short lived. Its station and foundations was reused for the looping coaster Vortex.

Fun Fact #2: The wooden coaster The Beast was built completely inhouse. Up to now, it is still the world’s longest wooden roller coaster.

Fun Fact #3: The park’s huge Eiffel Tower was originally planned for Cincinnati’s Coney Island amusement park.


 
Reviews

Blown away by a Vortex

 
 
 

Highlights of the Theme Park

 




 

Adventure Express

A mine train adventure awaits you

 


 

Backlot Stunt Coaster

Special Effects on a roller coaster

 


 

Banshee

The largest Inverted Coaster

 


 

Diamondback

Airtime Galore

 


 

Drop Tower

Gyro Drops are awesome

 


 

Flight of Fear

Indoor Launch Coaster

 


 

Invertigo

Face to Face and upside down

 


 

Mystic Timbers

GCI at its best

 


 

Race for your Life Charlie Brown

Oldschool Log Flume

 


 

The Bat

Kings Island loves Suspended Coaster

 


 

The Beast

The legendary wooden coaster

 


 

The Racer

The first of an era

 


 
 

Past Highlights of the Theme Park

 





 

Vortex

Giant Looping Coaster

 



Silver Dollar City



Theme Park:Silver Dollar City (since 1960)
Address:399 Silver Dollar City Parkway
65616 Branson
https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park
Operated by:Herschend Family Entertainment


Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, traces its roots to Marvel Cave, one of the Ozarks’ earliest tourist attractions and a place visitors can still explore on guided tours today. As more people came to see the cave, an 1880s-style Ozark village was built above it to entertain guests while they waited. That village eventually grew into Silver Dollar City and laid the foundation for what would become Herschend Family Entertainment.

The original Ozark setting still defines the park today. Traditional craftsmen, historic buildings and live entertainment share the wooded hillsides with an excellent collection of roller coasters and family rides. Time Traveler, Outlaw Run and PowderKeg are among the highlights, but there is just as much happening between the rides, from working craftsmen and street performers to shows found throughout the park.

Silver Dollar City is the kind of park where exploring what lies between the major attractions is part of the experience. The winding paths, wooded setting and countless small details make the 1880s Ozark theme feel like much more than a backdrop, giving the park an identity that has grown naturally from its unusual beginnings.

Fun Fact: The launched coaster Powder Keg used to be a water coaster called Buzzsaw Falls.

 

Reviews

If I could turn back time



 
 
 

Highlights of the Theme Park

 




 

Fire in the Hole

Dark ride with a splashy finale

 


 

Firefall

An airtime machine

 


 

Flooded Mine

An Interactive Dark Ride

 


 

Marvel Cave

A cave within a theme park

 


 

Outlaw Run

The first double inverting Wooden Coaster

 


 

Powder Keg

Just a Blast!

 



 

Time Traveler

If I could turn back time

 


 

Wildfire

A B&M with a very scenic view

 



 
 

Past Highlights of the Theme Park

 





 

Thunderation

A wild ride through the wilderness

 



Downtown Aquarium Houston



Animal Park:Downtown Aquarium Houston
(since 2003)
Address:410 Bagby St,
Houston, TX 77002
https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com
Operated by:Landry's Inc.


Downtown Aquarium Houston in Houston, Texas, combines an aquarium with a small amusement park and several restaurants. Opened in 2003, the attraction was created by transforming the historic Central Waterworks Building, which dates back to 1899. Today, it is one of Houston’s most distinctive family attractions.

In addition to a variety of freshwater and saltwater exhibits, Downtown Aquarium features several family-friendly rides. Highlights include Shark Voyage, a train ride through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks, as well as a Ferris wheel, carousel and other attractions for younger visitors. Restaurants, event spaces and seasonal exhibits round out the experience.

By combining marine life, family attractions and dining in a single destination, Downtown Aquarium offers an experience that differs from both a traditional aquarium and a typical amusement park.

Fun Fact: The trains of the Shark Voyage were the first C.P. Huntington by Chance Rides to be driven fully electric.

 

Reviews

The Aquarium in Houston



 
 
 

Highlight of the Animal and Amusement Park

 





 

Shark Voyage

By train through the shark tank