Below you will find a link to some fantastic photos and videos from Kings Island's grand opening in 1972. These are found on the web site of Dennis Speigel's International Theme Park Services, which is essentially a consulting firm for the leasure industry. Some of the stuff you've seen, some of it you haven't. Enjoy!

http://www.interthemepark.com/about/history.htm

Thanks for the link. The skyline looked a little barren back then, didn't it?

I liked the roaming artists (like the Klown Band), and the train actors. I wonder why they don't have that anymore?

Thanks for the link. The skyline looked a little barren back then, didn't it?

I liked the roaming artists (like the Klown Band), and the train actors. I wonder why they don't have that anymore?

simple. it takes money to staff. at some point they felt that they needed to cut that portion of staffing out; & never brought it back.

That video really makes me sad that Kings Island is not a theme park any more. Theme parks > amusement parks any day for me!

Thanks for the link...there are some photos I had never seen before.

(I am curious...the last photo of the giraffe by the cars can't possibly be at Kings Island...right?)

The painting of International Street is actually Kings Dominion.

Thanks for the link. The skyline looked a little barren back then, didn't it?

I liked the roaming artists (like the Klown Band), and the train actors. I wonder why they don't have that anymore?

simple. it takes money to staff. at some point they felt that they needed to cut that portion of staffing out; & never brought it back.

Yes, but it was fun while it lasted, and added to the park. My grandmother always spoke of the entertainers wishing her "Happy Birthday", and when my cousin turned 16, the Barbershop Quartet sang to her. It just something extra.

Sometimes I miss hearing the Saber Dance song as I'm walking down International Street.

I remember my dad parking in the Penelope Pitstop section when we went that weekend.

This is so why they need a lil museum at the park, like that video would be so amazing to put in and the photos!