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This summer marks Kings Island’s 50th anniversary. The amusement park staked its claim in Mason, Ohio, in 1972 as a replacement for the longtime — and frequently flooded — favorite Coney Island. While Coney only closed from 1971-1973 before reopening its attractions along the banks of the Ohio River, many of its classic rides (and employees) made their way to Kings Island.

When the theme park opened, there were only 60 attractions, according to King Island’s area manager, digital marketer and lifelong fan Don Helbig. Today, there are more than 100.

While we have loved and lost many favorites when they went into retirement (RIP Phantom Theater), these 11 rides have been around since the park opened in 1972 — though several have been renamed, sometimes multiple times. visitkingsisland.com. —Maija Zummo

Grand Carousel Built in 1926 and originally housed at Coney Island, this whimsical ride comes complete with a Wurlitzer Band Organ, which was refurbished for the anniversary and is once again operational. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Racer This twin wooden roller coaster features one red and one blue car. Both move forward (except for from 1982 to 2008, when one went backward) and literally do race. Helbig — who has ridden the coaster more than 12,000 times — says no one knows which car will win each time. Photo: Provided by Kings Island
K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad This ride’s two trains are scale recreations of the famed General, from the Great Locomotive Chase of the American Civil War. Helbig says this season they revamped the Wild West theme along the track with fresh signage and animatronics. Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Linus’ Beetle Bugs This kiddie ride started out at Coney Island before moving to Kings Island and is now on its fifth name (it opened as Funky Phantom). Photo: Provided by Kings Island
The Scrambler This nostalgia-inducing carnival classic is another ride that came from Coney Island. Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Peanuts’ Off-Road Rally Cedar Fair, the current owner of Kings Island, has rights to the Peanuts gang, so many rides carry the moniker of Charlie Brown and his friends. Another Coney Island original, this car ride takes kids around a small circle. Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Race for Your Life Charlie Brown Opened as the Kings Mills Log Flume after relocating from Coney Island, this water ride is named after a 1970s Peanuts movie featuring a summer camp raft race. Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Woodstock Express Painted yellow like Woodstock the bird, this kid-friendly wooden coaster was built for Kings Island and was once named The Beastie, an homage to the park’s The Beast. Photo: Provided by Kings Island

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