Theme Park Insider - Park Review

Location: Kings Island is located north of Cincinnati, just off I-71. You can obtain driving directions by clicking the Kings Island link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: Kings Island opened in 1972, boosted by "product placement" in Partridge Family and Brady Bunch episodes. In its first few decades, the park became known for hosting many prototype rides and coasters. These included The Bat, King Cobra, and Screamin' Demon, among others.

Hours: http://www2.cedarfair.com/kingsisland/. Kings Island is open from April through Labor Day, reopening for Halloween Haunt in late September through early November.

Tickets: Buy and print online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save money and to save time when you get to the park.

Reservations: FastLane is available for an additional upcharge, priced depending on date and number of wristbands purchased. The service allows you to bypass the majority of the wait for most of the park's attractions, including Diamondback and Beast.

Strategy: As with any amusement park, arrive early (at least :30 minutes before opening) and hit the headliner attractions first.

Most visitors tend to begin the day with Diamondback then work counter-clockwise around the park hitting the main coasters as they go. Use that tendency to your advantage and head left toward Coney Mall. Ride Firehawk first (because of its low rider capacity) followed by Flight of Fear, Racer, Back Lot Stunt Coaster, and Vortex. Now you can tackle the lines at the Beast and Diamondback (which has a single rider line if you are traveling solo). Finally head down to the Action Zone where you can hit Flight Deck and Adventure Express.

Once your coaster tour is complete, and you have ridden the family coasters, midway rides, and water attractions that interest you, visit the Eiffel Tower for some nice views of the whole park.

Park admission also includes access to Soak City, a 35-acre water park.