Kings Island 2025 Food Reviews and Discussion

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

With just a little over one week until Passholder Preview and Opening Day, I thought now would be a good time to kick off a centralized 2025 food discussion! From freeze-dried blue ice cream to the first full season of the new Shooting Star Cafe, what are you excited for? What will you be eating first? Will the Rivertown Freestyle or Refresh station by the arcade ever be open? 

[Diamondback_Is_King]

A couple of points to start us off!

• So I remember last year there was a sign sitting next to the Diamondback Coke Refresh Station say that ICEEs were coming to that location. I then remembered after a long time that they got some pre-made ICEE thing. I wasn't sure if this was it or not. In my mind, I thought they would be getting a whole new ICEE machine to put in there.
• Anyone think there will be a new bar put in by the end of the year? 
• I really wish that the Feestyle machines were always open and had everything stocked. I really liked the way Universal does it, which is great. The machines are always stocked and they scan a chip at the bottom of the cup so that people can't cheat the system. If you still have some time left on your drink plan, it would then tell you how much time was left. But then I tell myself, "whoa there. You're comparing Universal to Kings Island"  I'm not entirely sure if this is exclusive to Universal, or if others have it. If you did this with the Freestyles at Kings Island, it would allow for less scanning at the front of the line (which could eliminate the long lines during the summer) and allows for more drinking fast and easy. Win-win in my opinion. Although, I'm not sure if there is an added cost to this if it isn't Universal exclusive. Overall, I really love the Freestyle machines a lot, and has drinks everyone enjoys!
• Last year I had a super good waffle fry basket from Soak City, that I don't normally have. It was soft, warm, and had the right amount of crispy on the edges. I was actually surprised by this, and thought it was worth getting with my burger. I'm hoping they are able to bring back that amazing batch of fries!

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I'm personally looking forward to just having all of my favorite park food back. This year will hopefully be one where I get my eating habits (both timing and what I'm eating) back under control, and visits to Kings Island will be my respite from whatever new territory I venture into that week. Some specific things I'd like to do:

• Try something from almost every dining location that's on the meal plan. I don't particularly enjoy chicken though, so that is off of my menu. 
• Find the best hamburger/hot dog/LaRosa's pizza in the park.
• Track my "spending" habits through my meal plan. I did this last year, and got down to a price per meal of ~$3.93 (42 meals across 6 parks) and a price per drink of ~$0.61 (57 drink plan cups across 6 parks). I don't know many places where you can get a good meal for $4.50 these days!
• Have my comfort foods in the park and rate the quality of each plate of food. Last year's ratings were almost entirely "Good"s and "Great"s, so I'm looking forward to more this season!

I don't know that there is space for a new bar, but I wouldn't put it past anyone to find the space. Action Zone has one near Congo Falls, Oktoberfest has one in the Festhaus, Adventure Port has the Mercado bar, Coney Mall has 21&Colder and one next to Jukebox Diner, Area 72 has a beer cart, Rivertown has one next to LaRosa's and another next to the train station, and Soak City has one next to First Aid and another near Coconut Cove Cafe. Planet/Camp Snoopy won't ever get one, which leaves International Street as the only area without a bar. We'll have to see what happens!

[SmartCat7162]

French Corner has a bar so international street technically does have a bar just at the very far end!

[LuvingKI]

Definitely looking forward to G&G

[Stoan]

On 4/10/2025 at 9:59 PM, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I'm personally looking forward to just having all of my favorite park food back. This year will hopefully be one where I get my eating habits (both timing and what I'm eating) back under control, and visits to Kings Island will be my respite from whatever new territory I venture into that week. Some specific things I'd like to do:

• Try something from almost every dining location that's on the meal plan. I don't particularly enjoy chicken though, so that is off of my menu. 
• Find the best hamburger/hot dog/LaRosa's pizza in the park.
• Track my "spending" habits through my meal plan. I did this last year, and got down to a price per meal of ~$3.93 (42 meals across 6 parks) and a price per drink of ~$0.61 (57 drink plan cups across 6 parks). I don't know many places where you can get a good meal for $4.50 these days!
• Have my comfort foods in the park and rate the quality of each plate of food. Last year's ratings were almost entirely "Good"s and "Great"s, so I'm looking forward to more this season!

I don't know that there is space for a new bar, but I wouldn't put it past anyone to find the space. Action Zone has one near Congo Falls, Oktoberfest has one in the Festhaus, Adventure Port has the Mercado bar, Coney Mall has 21&Colder and one next to Jukebox Diner, Area 72 has a beer cart, Rivertown has one next to LaRosa's and another next to the train station, and Soak City has one next to First Aid and another near Coconut Cove Cafe. Planet/Camp Snoopy won't ever get one, which leaves International Street as the only area without a bar. We'll have to see what happens!

I used to do this for a while, I got pretty close to trying every single meal plan meal in the park, but sometimes some items just don't sound good.

 

Grain and Grill is consistently empty but surprisingly good. 

 

They really need a second skyline too 

[Tr0y]

2 hours ago, Stoan said:

They really need a second skyline too 

I don’t think there is a “need” for a second skyline. However current skyline needs a remodel in order to make it more efficient. The cashiers tend to take on more orders than the kitchen can handle. Factor in that Skyline is often customized ie: with or without beans, onions, and or mustard. It becomes easy for an order to be messed up and food be sent back. Which really bogs down the kitchen. They need to switch the current setup to something more of the lines of Enrique’s. Where you pick your options as you go then check out. That way the kitchen is being overrun by orders, and orders aren’t being sent back.

[silver2005]

24 minutes ago, Tr0y said:

I don’t think there is a “need” for a second skyline. However current skyline needs a remodel in order to make it more efficient. The cashiers tend to take on more orders than the kitchen can handle. Factor in that Skyline is often customized ie: with or without beans, onions, and or mustard. It becomes easy for an order to be messed up and food be sent back. Which really bogs down the kitchen. They need to switch the current setup to something more of the lines of Enrique’s. Where you pick your options as you go then check out. That way the kitchen is being overrun by orders, and orders aren’t being sent back.

As a Skyline employee at an actual restaurant, there are ways to teach speed.  At the Clifton location, you either learn speed or not work there with the demand.  Kings Island needs to take notes from the actual restaurants.   The other busy ones to look to for advice on speed are Oakley, Dent and Newport.   I think the problem they have just by my observation is that they try and do it assembly line style when they should have one person doing only coneys, one person only doing ways, etc.  

[BeeastFarmer]

I don't see what the problem is with Coney Mall Skyline.  If its a crowded day, premake a bunch of 3 ways and chilidogs.  People who want cheese, chili etc on the side, just have to wait longer.  The common items (meal plans) should be ready to hand out as soon as the transaction is complete.  

[Hawaiian Coasters 325]

1 minute ago, BeeastFarmer said:

I don't see what the problem is with Coney Mall Skyline.  If its a crowded day, premake a bunch of 3 ways and chilidogs.  People who want cheese, chili etc on the side, just have to wait longer.  The common items (meal plans) should be ready to hand out as soon as the transaction is complete.  

Agreed. When I want Skyline I get it outside the park which is usually cheaper with bigger helpings. I think KI's Skyline should be more comapared to concession Skylines at Reds/Bengals games where the menu is smaller and more expensive and not the actual restaurants.

[disco2000]

3 minutes ago, Hawaiian Coasters 325 said:

Agreed. When I want Skyline I get it outside the park which is usually cheaper with bigger helpings. I think KI's Skyline should be more comapared to concession Skylines at Reds/Bengals games where the menu is smaller and more expensive and not the actual restaurants.

Does the meal plan work at Skyline outside the park 

The Skyline menu offering at the park is significantly smaller than at an actual restaurant.

[silver2005]

8 minutes ago, BeeastFarmer said:

I don't see what the problem is with Coney Mall Skyline.  If its a crowded day, premake a bunch of 3 ways and chilidogs.  People who want cheese, chili etc on the side, just have to wait longer.  The common items (meal plans) should be ready to hand out as soon as the transaction is complete.  

You don't want coney buns soaking with chili for extended periods of time.  Also, mustard gets added before the chili.  Also doesn't account for chili cheese sandwiches, which, to me, are a bit tougher to make.

I do agree there should be a 2nd location though, but I can't think of a great place to put one.  

I time myself at work all the time for efficiency's sake.  From seeing an order pop up, it takes me about 20 seconds to make orders of 3 or less coneys and 30-40 to make 3-5 ways regardless of how customers want them.  I can make a full rack of 8 in under a minute.   Heck, I just had a $660 Door Dash order a week ago where I work at the Ft Wright location that we knocked out in 15 minutes (which included 2 coney kits and 20 fries).  Using coney racks really streamlines production and also makes the food look better because you learn to control the chili runoff, even if the coneys are different and ways are even simpler.  I also think KI should expand their Skyline offerings to at least include chilitos and simple burritos (not the deluxes).  I have a pet peeve with how the KI Skyline isn't consistent on cheese portions either, especially on coneys.

For running the Skyline stand at KI, I would say an ideal staffing would be 2 people on coneys, 2 people on ways on busy days, and for reduced staffing, 1 on each and have 1 extra as a floater (who can also help stock things) where the individuals make the whole coneys and ways orders in full, not as an assembly line.  

   

[Driver8rws]

6 hours ago, Tr0y said:

I don’t think there is a “need” for a second skyline. However current skyline needs a remodel in order to make it more efficient. The cashiers tend to take on more orders than the kitchen can handle. Factor in that Skyline is often customized ie: with or without beans, onions, and or mustard. It becomes easy for an order to be messed up and food be sent back. Which really bogs down the kitchen. They need to switch the current setup to something more of the lines of Enrique’s. Where you pick your options as you go then check out. That way the kitchen is being overrun by orders, and orders aren’t being sent back.

The digital kiosks they had for a year or two after COVID were GREAT!!  SO strange (and inefficient) that they went back to humans taking your orders...

[Driver8rws]

6 hours ago, silver2005 said:

As a Skyline employee at an actual restaurant, there are ways to teach speed.  At the Clifton location, you either learn speed or not work there with the demand.  Kings Island needs to take notes from the actual restaurants.   The other busy ones to look to for advice on speed are Oakley, Dent and Newport.   I think the problem they have just by my observation is that they try and do it assembly line style when they should have one person doing only coneys, one person only doing ways, etc.  

The efficiency and speed at ALL of the restaurants and rides really annoys me to death!  It has for all of Cedar Fair's ownership.  You have to just come to the conclusion that they don't really "care" about efficiency and speed.   You're in the park. They got your $$. Plus it's a bunch of dumb high school and college kids (with barely any supervision) running almost everything and they DEFINITELY don't care about speed or efficiency! 

[tks944]

6 hours ago, Driver8rws said:

The efficiency and speed at ALL of the restaurants and rides really annoys me to death!  It has for all of Cedar Fair's ownership.  You have to just come to the conclusion that they don't really "care" about efficiency and speed.   You're in the park. They got your $$. Plus it's a bunch of dumb high school and college kids (with barely any supervision) running almost everything and they DEFINITELY don't care about speed or efficiency! 

KI is one of the best parks for ride op efficiency. If you want to see slow ride ops go to Kennywood. Food service is a different story at KI though

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

13 hours ago, Driver8rws said:

The digital kiosks they had for a year or two after COVID were GREAT!!  SO strange (and inefficient) that they went back to humans taking your orders...

I was just wondering about the ordering kiosks. They seem like they would help with the order customization issues, but maybe not the speed issues. The kitchen optimization definitely needs to be fixed, as @silver2005 described. That stand could do with a good re-working either way.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Order Window restaurants (Skyline, Potato Works, Tom+Chee) need to implement order numbers with a screen by the pick-up window that displays what orders are ready. The "platter menu" system has worked wonders for Coney Bar-B-Que and Jukebox Diner and I think order numbers would do just as much good for Skyline and stands like it. The park also already uses a form of order numbering in the Brewhouse, so I think the POS system should be able to support something like it. 

[Diamondback_Is_King]

1 hour ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I was just wondering about the ordering kiosks. They seem like they would help with the order customization issues, but maybe not the speed issues. The kitchen optimization definitely needs to be fixed, as @silver2005 described. That stand could do with a good re-working either way.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: the Order Window restaurants (Skyline, Potato Works, Tom+Chee) need to implement order numbers with a screen by the pick-up window that displays what orders are ready. The "platter menu" system has worked wonders for Coney Bar-B-Que and Jukebox Diner and I think order numbers would do just as much good for Skyline and stands like it. The park also already uses a form of order numbering in the Brewhouse, so I think the POS system should be able to support something like it. 

It gets super crowded by the ordering window, and it is not very ideal for waiting. This causes people to get angry/upset at other customers if they cut in line purposefully or accidentally. Then, customers start worrying that their order was missed or sitting up there cold, and cut the line to go and check, and then get other customers mad. Having people sitting and waiting in a clump is never a great idea.

My idea is to do as @Losantiville Mining Co. said, a "platter menu" and do a line similar to Coney BBQ but wrap it around the building. As always, I will include an example and explain it:

In my idea, the orange represents the food line that guests wait in. This "extended queue" if you will, will take up the walking space between the Scrambler and the Skyline building itself. But, I don't ever see many people using it, and the next pathway to get back there is not far at all. Next, the purple represents TV's that will be added to the side of the building to display the menu to guests waiting in line. The ordering process begins at the red section, which is where they will ask you whether you want Coneys or a "Way" (is that the name for 3,4, or 5 Ways as a whole?) This red section is similar to the Enrique's section where they ask you if you want Tacos, Burrito, or Bowl. After picking your "base meal" you head to the green section, which is where you get chili and toppings (onions, beans, etc.) if you want it on either your Coneys or "Ways". Finally, the blue section is where you get your cheese and crackers, as well as napkins, forks, etc. The brown section is where you finally order at the windows and get any drinks wanted and pay. The black is the drink station, which will be relocated. If you can see it, the gray is the divider that stops guests from getting refills, which is what KI likes to do. I'm not sure if I like this or not, but I included it for more realism.

This way, the line prevents people from gathering in big clumps as they wait for their meal. I feel this also helps clear up the exit of Dodgem, which can get crowded with the Skyline orders. This is another issue with PotatoWorks, but it's only really busy towards the end of the night. So, I feel PotatoWorks is fine. Skyline definitely needs a change though. With this concept of mine, this allows the line to be controlled in a sense, and prevent guests cutting in line. If needed, the line can slow down because its one big line. What do you guys think?

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

I don't know how well the cafeteria-style line (like at Enrique's) generally works out for Skyline, but I think it might be a little too much for this particular building since it's laid out to only have order/serving windows on the front/back sides. That setup might also drastically reduce the kitchen space. A good short-term solution would be to place a ton of benches near the pick-up window and remove the fence that blocks said pick-up window. The gate can move and still block guests from entering the line, but people would be free to step away from the window for a moment. 

As for long term (in this building), I'd vote to keep the line and counter service layout, but have it set up more like Potato Works is. Keep the line as it currently exists, the order window is where your green is, move the pick-up window to the top side on the right (your red), put a TV displaying order numbers/status next to it, and place a ton of benches along the path next to Scrambler. Have associates pour drinks after ordering like at Potato Works (issues with ice/syrup/carbonation are something that needs to be fixed throughout the park, so don't worry about it). Moving the order pick-up to that side of the building better directs guests toward the Skyline Pavilion and its beautiful covered seating while getting the window itself out of the sun and taking guests away from Dodgem's exit pathway. 

Now, move Skyline into the KillMart building (which is slightly smaller than the Brewhouse building) with another restaurant and maybe you'll have a better cafeteria style setup. In there it would be more like a small food court and could have some tables inside and outside. 

[Tr0y]

1 hour ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

I don't know how well the cafeteria-style line (like at Enrique's) generally works out for Skyline

It’s literally how they assemble your food at skyline. The only difference is the customer is not on the other side of the counter.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Oops! I jumbled my thoughts, sorry about that. The guests being on the other side of the counter in this specific location was what I found questionable. The former Skyline on International Street (in all of its glory) seemed to work very well, I just think the building in question would need too many modifications to become cafeteria-style. The park would be better served starting from scratch if they wanted to change this building's service style IMO. 

Also, which location is this picture from? I really like how it looks!

[silver2005]

1 hour ago, Tr0y said:

It’s literally how they assemble your food at skyline. The only difference is the customer is not on the other side of the counter.

I'm hoping whoever owns that Skyline isn't that insane where the employees wear a shirt and tie.  I'm really hoping this is just a corporate promotional image.  

[disco2000]

Hot dogs at Juke Box are not the footlong this year.

[chad_1138]

Just had the Pep & Chee.  That thing was amazing!  Very big pizza sub taste.  Their tomato soup base is the sauce in the sandwich.

[Losantiville Mining Co.]

Miami River Brewhouse Review 4/18/2025:

Note: We were probably within one of the first 100-200 orders of the season at the Brewhouse, so keep that in mind.

Got in the building and ordered around 12:30 or 1:00pm. There seemed to be a few hiccups for people who ordered before us, but it's the first day of operations and within the first 100 orders and is completely understandable. We ordered three meals with drinks (thank goodness for the meal plan and drink plan). The Coke machines were full of ice and the pop syrup mixtures were much better than normal. After finding our seats we noticed a few odd things about our receipt. 

1. It said "King's Island" at the top of the receipt.
2. It listed three drink plan orders and one meal, despite us having ordered three drinks and three meals.
3. The listed price-per-meal for the meal plan is now $11.00, as opposed to last season's $12.25
4. The listed price-per-drink for the standard drink plan is now $2.50, as opposed to last season's $2.75

We got all three meals when our order came, but it was odd that two of them didn't get listed on the receipt. 

I got the Big Dog & Potato Barrels (menu price of $16.29) and it was great! It was a lot of food, but I finished most of it and enjoyed all of it. As a whole I'd rate the experience at 4/5 Stars. The only things that could've given it that last star would be if the receipt was correct and if there was a little more airflow in the restaurant. 

[disco2000]

Aunt Annie's under Diamondback first drop no longer has Icee's

[Diamondback_Is_King]

1 hour ago, disco2000 said:

Aunt Annie's under Diamondback first drop no longer has Icee's

Yes, but there are many new spots to get ICEE's...as long as your willing to wait of course 

[AnyPancakes]

I wa super impressed with the food operations today. We are at the Coney BBQ. There was line about 50 people long outside the building.  We made it through in about 15 minutes. I had the rotisserie chicken. It was hot. It was juicy. It was properly seasoned. Last year they struggled with seasoning and keeping things juicy.  My kids had the chicken tenders. They were also not over cooked. I was shocked.

on the way out I grabbed my kids pizza at the fest haus. Once again it had a long line. And the line moved fast. 

Everything was properly staffed. People were moving with intention.  The people working seemed to care. 
 

I really hope this continues. Such a. Improvement over last year. 

[BB1]

I had lunch and dinner at the park:

Coney BBQ simply put felt like the park was not prepared for the event. They have one side open and only opened the other side when we got to the front exchange point.

To say I feel like the park needs to refine is an understatement. I MISS the tri tip, give me brisket give me something that is a BBQ standard. The fact we have chicken tenders makes no sense as we have a whole restaurant dedicated to chicken tenders. My issue is that sure I enjoy the burnt ends but I wish we had seasonal offerings that switched things up a bit. 
 

The burnt ends are decent, the potatoes were okay but not something I would get again. The portion sizes for the potatoes are small, the flavoring I felt was a decent stab at trying something different which tasted good but I feel like the other sides give you so much more. Would love to see collard greens come back but I’m unsure when that would ever come back.

I think my point here is that I hope the park gives the head chef the opportunity to use the Coney BBQ as a way to expand on the guest experience. There’s a lot of opportunities that I hope the park takes advantage of.

As for dinner I got Grain & Grill. This is where I figured out the overall situation on portion sizes. If you get a “cupped” side like a salad or macaroni & cheese it looks like you get more quantity than just standard potatoes. 

I got the honey soy beef and Greek salad, ironically I didn’t get offered naan bread which might have been a fluke but I didn’t see anyone else getting naan bread which I hope isn’t a budget cut moving forward. Same quality overall but I hope that we can keep the same portions as we did last year moving forward.

[SmartCat7162]

I imagine we will see the same food issues tomorrow if not more due to the very large amount of people that went through today. But next weekend is when I would look for big changes to dining,.

[disco2000]

2 hours ago, BB1 said:

I had lunch and dinner at the park:

Coney BBQ simply put felt like the park was not prepared for the event. They have one side open and only opened the other side when we got to the front exchange point.

To say I feel like the park needs to refine is an understatement. I MISS the tri tip, give me brisket give me something that is a BBQ standard. The fact we have chicken tenders makes no sense as we have a whole restaurant dedicated to chicken tenders. My issue is that sure I enjoy the burnt ends but I wish we had seasonal offerings that switched things up a bit. 
 

The burnt ends are decent, the potatoes were okay but not something I would get again. The portion sizes for the potatoes are small, the flavoring I felt was a decent stab at trying something different which tasted good but I feel like the other sides give you so much more. Would love to see collard greens come back but I’m unsure when that would ever come back.

I think my point here is that I hope the park gives the head chef the opportunity to use the Coney BBQ as a way to expand on the guest experience. There’s a lot of opportunities that I hope the park takes advantage of.

As for dinner I got Grain & Grill. This is where I figured out the overall situation on portion sizes. If you get a “cupped” side like a salad or macaroni & cheese it looks like you get more quantity than just standard potatoes. 

I got the honey soy beef and Greek salad, ironically I didn’t get offered naan bread which might have been a fluke but I didn’t see anyone else getting naan bread which I hope isn’t a budget cut moving forward. Same quality overall but I hope that we can keep the same portions as we did last year moving forward.

They ran out of bread.  @BoddaH1994 would have had a legit complaint over this compared to the hush puppy