Halloween Haunt at Kings Island

Saturday, September 20, 2014



Last night, I had the opportunity to visit Kings Island for their Halloween Haunt! This is a special time of year when the ghosts and goblins make their way into Kings Island and take over the park.

Though I'm more into the cute pumpkins and adorable Halloween decorations - I have a lot of friends and family that enjoy the more spooky side of this holiday. So, I go along and do my best not to be too scared. However I was much more scared this year than any other year.

Please note that Halloween Haunt is not intended for small children. During that time, the kids rides are closed and that area is only partial used. The part of Planet Snoopy that is used - is solely for haunted mazes.

This year, the haunted mazes have an added and terrifying feature. A Skeleton Key!

Halloween Haunt features mazes, scare zones, live shows, and monsters around every dark corner. Enter if you dare, survive if you can. Plus, scream to the front of the line and unlock five exclusive rooms using your Fright Lane featuring the all-new Skeleton Key.

The all-new Skeleton Key allows you entry into five ultra exclusive rooms.  These five rooms are more terrifying than I could have imagined and they are a fun way to start your journey through the haunted maze. 

If you really enjoy haunted houses and want to experience all of the haunted mazes during Halloween Haunt, I do suggest purchased the Fright Lane pass.  Otherwise, you likely won't have time to get through all of the mazes. 

Though we did make it through every maze - I'm there for the rides!  I love riding Diamondback and Delirium in the dark.  I especially love taking a ride on the Beast in the pitch black darkness.  There are moments when you can see absolutely nothing while furiously traveling through the wooded area that surrounds the Beast.  Much more terrifying.

If you're wanting to enjoy a more family-friendly and relaxing environment, I suggest visiting during the early hours when kid's activities are available



During the day it's all fun. No fear.

Kings Island is filled with rides, a petting zoo, costume contest, trick-or-treat stops and more. During the day it's all fun. No fear. Saturdays and Sundays, September 21 to October 26. 



Gold StrikerSnoopy's Halloween Party

Kids, dress up in your favorite costume and get ready to trick-or-treat in this all-new, family-friendly Halloween event. There is so much to see and do! Snoopy's Halloween Party is located in Soak City and included FREE with park admission to Kings Island. It's the ultimate kids' Halloween Party.





LayoutRegion's Largest Petting Zoo

Our friends at Honey Hill Farm have provided us with more than 70 animals for children (and parents) to learn about and interact with including a Kanagroo, Camel, African Spur-thigh Tortoise, Alpacas, Hedgehog, Sheep, Goats, Miniature Horses, Ducks and Chickens.




RenderingsPlanet Snoopy

Planet Snoopy, voted "Best Kids Area in the World" for 14 consecutive years (2001-2014) by Amusement Today, boasts an elaborate collection of PEANUTS-themed rides and attractions for every age, including more kids' roller coasters (four) than any other amusement park in the world.







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Meal Deals at Kings Island!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Amusement parks are a lot of fun and we enjoy visiting them often - especially Kings Island! Taking kids to an amusement park can include a lot of planning depending on their ages. The older they've become, the less that I need to take with us to the park.

However, food is always the biggest focus of my trip-planning. Where, what and when are we going to eat?

Since we live a bit of a distance from the park - I pack food to eat on the way there. Often, I also pack a cooler full of food for lunch and dinner. It's a bit of a trek to leave the park and make our way to the car for a quick meal - but I grew up doing that and am use to it. However, I very much enjoy just eating inside the park.  This year, I've finally looked into purchasing a meal deal or plan.  If you plan to spend a lot of time at the park - I think it is well worth the money.


We purchase season passes each year to Kings Island - and the All Season Dining Plan would absolutely be worth the time I would save by not preparing picnic meals ahead of time.  We visit Kings Island a lot and the price per person would more than pay for itself over the course of one season.

Interested in a Kings Island Meal Deal?  Check them out:

Single Meal Deal

The Single Meal Deal includes an entree, side and a regular size fountain drink at participating restaurants throughout the park.

This is available only online at $12.99 plus applicable fees and taxes.

All Day Dining Plan

Guests with All Day Dining will receive a wristband at any of the participating locations and enjoy an entree and side as often as every 90 minutes! Drinks are not included.

With the All Day Dining Plan, you'll never go hungry, but you'll save a bundle. Enjoy an entree and a side every time you choose to stop in at one of the participating restaurants inside the park. Best of all, there's only a 90-minute wait time between meals. Stay fueled for the fun with the All Day Dining Plan.

Dine All Day. One Great Price.

All Season Dining Plan

When you purchase the All Season Dining Plan, it will be uploaded to your season pass at any participating location. Simply present your pass at any participating location. You'll enjoy 2 meals per day with a minimum of 2 hours between each meal. Drinks are not included.

As low as $72.00 plus applicable taxes and fees.  This is available for purchase at the park.



Remember to visit Kings Island online to keep up with any changes made to the meal options.

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Halloween Haunt at Kings Island!

Thursday, September 26, 2013


It is finally that time of year again! Time to pull out the cute and spooky Fall decorations! I love Fall and the many events that take place during this time of year. One of them being Halloween Haunt at Kings Island!

Darkness falls. Evil rises. Each weekend night, Kings Island transforms into a horror-filled nightmare. From mazes with terrifying creatures around every corner to thrill rides that'll haunt your dreams, it's everything you fear and can't wait to experience. Not for anyone under 13.
Credit: www.visitkingsisland.com/haunt

When I was younger, my brother always enjoyed visiting Kings Island during this time of year. Though the event had a different name "back in the day".  He always made sure to visit and always enjoyed it. I never understood his excitement. I'm more into the cute pumpkin decorations as opposed to spiders, skeletons and tombstones. So, unfortunately, I never went with him and experienced it.

Last year, I went to Halloween Haunt for the first time! I attended the RIP Party and then spent hours enjoying coasters and a few of their haunted mazes and scare zones. Though I am still not a big fan of ghouls, ghosts and goblins - I do have a lot of fun. The spooky characters wonder through the park - at moments speaking to you. I could do without visiting the mazes and scare zones. I'm just there for the rides! I love riding the coasters at night, especially the Beast!

I'm usually with a group that wants to go through the mazes - so we do venture through them. Note that the mazes and scare zones are not intended for children. All the spooky imagery and characters that come with Halloween Haunt are again - not my thing. However, the costumes and makeup are fascinating! I can't imagine how much time it takes to get that many ghouls and ghosts ready.


Image courtesy of Kings Island

Image courtesy of Kings Island


A few of the mazes:


:: Carnevil

:: Board to Death

:: Club Blood

:: Cornstalkers

:: Delta Delta Die


If you're like me and really enjoy the park over the themed attractions of Halloween Haunt - don't worry! There are plenty of rides and food to enjoy! The major thrill rides are usually operating and the lines aren't incredibly long. I've not yet ridden Diamondback at night but I imagine it is as amazing as the Beast is.



Check out Halloween Haunt hours and ticket information here.



*I was provided with media passes to Kings Island's Halloween Haunt. All opinions are my own.


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Kings Island announces Banshee!

Friday, August 9, 2013


As you know, I am an amusement park enthusiast!  I try to visit all the parks that I can and ride as many of their rides as possible.  Luckily, my kids also love amusement parks and rides.  The nearest amusement park is Kings Island - so we usually try to purchase season passes and visit often.



Today I am thrilled because Kings Island has announced plans for a screaming new world record-breaking inverted roller coaster coaster to open in 2014!  Banshee!




Also, I want whatever program they used to create this virtual Kings Island! I have Roller Coaster Tycoon 3 - and can't create anything as amazing as the park in this birds-eye view.





So, who wants to ride this terrifyingly awesome looking coaster with me?




KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – The longest inverted steel roller coaster in the world, “Banshee,” will make its debut at Kings Island in April of 2014.

The first female-inspired thrill ride at a Cedar Fair Entertainment Company amusement park, Banshee will send riders screaming through 4,124.1 feet of track and seven mind-bending inversions at speeds up to 68 miles per hour during the 2-minute, 40-second ride.



Built over hilly terrain and incorporating the most exciting features of the very best inverted roller coasters in the world, Banshee will feature several unique elements that distinguish the ride from others.

The ride begins with a lift taking riders up to the maximum height of 167 feet. After plunging down 150 feet, riders will go through a dive loop, followed by a vertical loop, zero gravity roller, two batwing inversions, a second vertical loop and a 170-foot long heartline finale.

Two of the most unique features about Banshee are the massive size of every loop, and unlike other roller coasters, the top speed isn’t reached until halfway through the ride’s course.

Since Banshee’s lift hill is on a higher elevation of terrain than the other side of the ride that goes down into a valley, the total elevation change is 208 feet from the highest point at the top of the lift hill to the lowest point, which is the bottom of the batwing between loops four and five.

Passengers will be seated in cars four across. A total of three trains, each containing eight cars, will enable Banshee to accommodate approximately 1,650 riders per hour.

“Banshee reflects our commitment to providing the best in world-class thrills and value for our guests and is an investment in the Ohio tourism industry,” Kings Island’s vice-president and general manager Greg Scheid said. “People from around the world will plan a visit to Ohio next summer specifically to experience this ride."

Banshee will be the 15th roller coaster at Kings Island, which is home to some of the top-ranked roller coasters in annual industry and enthusiast polls including The Beast and Diamondback, and represents the biggest new product investment in the park’s 41-year history at $24 million.

Banshee was designed by Bolliger and Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, one of the premier leaders in roller coaster development. Since 1990, B&M have designed a number of ground-breaking and critically acclaimed roller coasters. In fact, B&M features 14 of the top 25 roller coasters on the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards Top Steel Roller Coasters list for 2012, five of which are listed in the top 10. They have more top-ranked steel roller coasters than any other ride manufacturer on the list.

B&M roller coasters are renowned for their smooth ride, comfortable seats and restraints, reliability, low maintenance, impeccable safety record and ride capacity.

As of 2013, B&M has more than 85 roller coasters operating worldwide, including Diamondback at Kings Island and this year’s sensation, GateKeeper at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

The construction of Banshee is currently underway in the Action Zone area of Kings Island. Park visitors can see the ride being built from the ground up with great aerial views and photo opportunities available from the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower on International Street. Those who cannot wait until 2014 may take a virtual ride on Banshee at visitkingsisland.com/banshee.

Visitors to visitkingsisland.com/banshee may also access exclusive Banshee updates, virtual videos and renderings, ride statistics and more.

Kings Island is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Kings Island, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, four water parks, an indoor water park, and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

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Kings Island Ticket Giveaway!

Tuesday, June 18, 2013



Growing up, I was lucky enough to live near a fantastic amusement park.  Kings Island!  We would make at least one trip to Cincinnati, Ohio each Summer to enjoy a day at the park.  Some years, we had season passes and could visit more often.  I always looked forward to spending time with my family at Kings Island.

Now, I get to take my own children to this fun place!  They love riding coasters and other thrill rides as much as I do!  My long love for Kings Island makes this announcement even more exciting!

Bloggy Moms is giving away Kings Island tickets!!! 

Bloggy Moms is giving away two (2) sets of four (4) Kings Island tickets!

This giveaway ends at 12:00am on Tuesday  June 25, 2013 - so enter today!


How to enter:

Entering for a chance to win is simple!  Use the form below to enter your name, email address and link for a chance to win! 

Note: If you do not have a blog, you can enter your Facebook or Twitter URL. You must enter an email address.  Giveaway ends June 25, 2013 at 12:00am

Let your friends know that you've entered for a chance to win with a quick tweet


WINNERS ANNOUNCED!















No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway begins at 11:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 and ends at 12:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. The winner will be drawn randomly and announced on this page.  All entries received after the Giveaway closing date and time will not be considered. Entries that do not follow all of the entry requirements will not be considered. The Winner will be notified via Twitter during the above mentioned Twitter party. Winner will have 24 hours to confirm their email address. If the winner does not reply within 24 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to participants in the U.S. who are 18 years and older. Void where prohibited. Taxes on Giveaways are solely the responsibility of the winner. Winner agrees to permit Bloggy Moms and the Giveaway Sponsor to use her or his name, voice, photo, or likeness for reasonable promotional and marketing purposes. Bloggy Moms and the Giveaway Sponsor(s)are not liable for late or misdirected entries, entry errors, or transmission problems. Bloggy Moms reserves the right to terminate the Giveaway in the event of technical problems, or to correct typographical or technical errors, or to amend these rules. By entering, participants agree to release and hold harmless Bloggy Moms and Giveaway Sponsor(s) and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from any and all liability or any injuries, loss, or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with the Giveaway. Bloggy Moms will provide the name of the winner for any Giveaway, upon request, for 30 days after that Giveaway’s entry period ends. Unless otherwise provided by the Sponsor(s), no substitution, transfer, or assignment of prizes is permitted. Non-winning entries from one Giveaway are not carried forward to future Giveaways.

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Kings Island - Free Admission for Military Personnel

Friday, May 18, 2012



 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                      Contact: Don Helbig
May 18, 2012                                                                                                                                         (513) 754-5797 
                                   
KINGS ISLAND TO OFFER FREE ADMISSION TO MILITARY PERSONNEL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND FOURTH OF JULY
Offer valid for any active or retired members of the military
 
KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – Kings Island prides itself on providing world-class thrills, fun and entertainment for guests of all ages.   The 364-acre amusement and water park is also proud of the brave men and women who serve in the U.S. military and is pleased to announce plans for its Tribute to the Armed Forces program during the 2012 season.
 
Kings Island’s Tribute to the Armed Forces program will offer a free regular admission ticket to any active or retired military personnel Memorial Day weekend and over the Fourth of July.  Along with free admission, active and retired members of the military will be able to purchase discount admission tickets for members of their immediate family (maximum of six) at a special military discount price of $29.99.  A valid military ID must be presented at the Kings Island ticket window May 25-28 and July 3-5 to receive this offer.
 
Kings Island is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.”  In addition to Kings Island , Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy , Calif. under a management contract.
 


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Kings Island {Rides from the Past}

Monday, May 7, 2012

This was one of my favorite rides at Kings Island when I was little.  I'm not sure exactly where it was located but I believe it was around where you will currently find Surf Dog.

On this ride, you moved the car by peddling with your hands. I was the best... I always ran into the kids in front of me and no one could catch up to me.  I'm pretty sure the ride operators always told me to slow down and not ram into the kids in front of me.  I should have probably been banned from the park.

I could really use this type of arm exercise today!  Maybe they should put in an adult version!










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The Racer roller coaster at Kings Island to celebrate four decades of thrills!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

 

                                   
THE RACER TO CELEBRATE FOUR DECADES OF THRILLS IN 2012
Kings Island roller coaster was the star attraction when the park opened in 1972
 
KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – “It rides like a baby coach.”
 
That was the opinion of the renowned late John Allen of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, who’s “baby” was the Racer roller coaster at Kings Island .
 
The Racer – really its twin racers – has been the focal point of the Coney Mall sector of the park for the past four decades, and with good reason.  The Racer is credited for re-igniting the roller coaster building boom in the early 1970’s, thus beginning the second golden age of the roller coaster.  More than 96 million guests have taken a ride on the Racer since it opened April 29, 1972 – the most in park history.  Its record year was 1976, when a park record 3,681,338 rides were given. 
 
In addition to being considered an important part of the roller coaster renaissance of the 1970’s, the Racer was the site of several world-record riding attempts and is notable for its appearance in the “Cincinnati Kids” episode of The Brady Bunch, filmed at the park in 1973.   On May 28, 1982, one side of the Racer became the world’s first full-length, backwards travelling roller coaster (both sides now face forward). 
 
Kings Island officials coaxed Allen out of semi-retirement for the task of designing and building the Racer.  He started to design the ride’s blueprints in 1969.  Actual construction began in September, 1970.  The first trial run came in September, 1971.  It worked perfectly the first time as Allen predicted it would. 
 
The Racer was the first roller coaster built structurally on the ground with prefabricated sections lifted into position and bolted.  It was one of the largest roller coasters ever built at the time, and the largest that Allen had built.  He considered the Racer to be the finest roller coaster he ever built. 
 
There’s more than 600,000 board feet of lumber in the ride.  Nobody knows how many nails.  The construction crew started with 6,000 tons of nails which lasted only 60 days. 
 
Kings Island opens for its 40th anniversary season April 28.  Daily operation begins May 11.
 
Kings Island is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.”  In addition to Kings Island , Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy , Calif. under a management contract.
 
 



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Thrills Connect at Kings Island!


 
 
                                                                                                   
 
THRILLS CONNECT AT KINGS ISLAND
364-acre amusement and waterpark popular family vacation destination

KINGS ISLAND, Ohio  -- For four decades, it has been the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest for millions of families seeking the best in rides, shows and attractions, all in a magical setting: Kings Island.

Located off I-71, 24 miles north of Cincinnati and 36 miles south of Dayton , the 364-acre amusement and waterpark celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2012.

Since opening in 1972, Kings Island has worked hard to ensure a visit to the park is a vacation to remember for the entire family – the best day of the year.  Kings Island provides memorable fun for visitors of all ages, from children to grandparents.

Kings Island offers a complete entertainment package and is divided into theme areas, each with a selection of rides, activities and food.  Kids have their own area which has received a Golden Ticket as the “Best Kids’ Area in the World” 11 years in a row – Planet Snoopy (with rides like the Great Pumpkin Coaster, Snoopy vs. Red Baron and Woodstock Express) – while families and thrill-seekers have their own array of choices including 14 world-class roller coasters like The Beast (longest wooden roller coaster in the world), Diamondback (230-foot-tall steel coaster that reaches speeds up to 80 mph), Firehawk (Ohio’s only flying coaster), and Invertigo (only steel looping, forward and backward, face-to-face coaster in the Midwest).

Other popular family attractions include the Eiffel Tower (one-third scale replica of the original Eiffel Tower in Paris , France ), Grand Carousel, White Water Canyon , WindSeeker, and the K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad.

When the action in the park becomes too hot to handle, guests can cool off in the all-new Soak City , a 33-acre waterpark.  Soak City offers more than 50 fun and thrilling water activities for the whole family, from waterslides to children’s areas.  Chair-side waiter service, private cabanas, full bar facilities, family changing rooms, secluded shade-covered areas, and free use of inner-tubes are among the many amenities.  A massive 650,000-gallon wave pool – Tidal Wave Bay – and an interactive experience – Splash River -- highlight the new attractions in Soak City .

Soak City is included free with park admission to Kings Island . 

Kings Island ’s thrills don’t end with the rides and Soak City .  The park’s live entertainment is amazing too!  The 2012 season will feature four original new live shows (“British Invasion”, “Yesterday Once More: The 70’s”, “Charlie Brown’s All-Stars” and “Ed Alonzo’s Psycho Circus of Magic and Mayhem), along with two popular returning shows (“American Country” and PEANUTS Party in the Plaza”). 

Visitors to Kings Island can also step back in time to the beginning of the “Age of Dinosaurs” at Dinosaurs Alive! – the most immersive and comprehensive Mesozoic experience – and encounter the beasts that dominated the planet for over 180 million years.  This multi-sensory and interactive experience is the world’s largest animatronic dinosaur park and brings not only insight into the new scientific discoveries concerning the appearance and behaviors of dinosaurs, but also features some of the latest finds including Mojoceratops and Kosmoceratops, both of whom were discovered in 2010.  Dinosaurs Alive! is presented in spectacular outdoor setting, in order to feature the full life-sized majesty of gigantic sauropods such as Mamenchisaurus and the over 40-foot tall Ruyangosaurus giganteous.

Dinosaurs Alive! is not included with park admission to Kings Island .  A separate $5.00 admission fee is required to experience this major attraction.

In the fall, Kings Island transforms into Halloween Haunt, the biggest, baddest and just plain scariest Halloween event in the Midwest .  Countless numbers of terrifying creatures – more than 500 vampires, werewolves, mummies, zombies, undertakers, clowns and assorted ghouls and monsters – will be lurking in the Kings Island’s shadows and pathways looking for victims during the fall event.

For families and children, there are fall Halloween events that are fun-scary, not scary-scary like Howl-O-Fest  and Trick-or-Treat with the Dinosaurs.

Kings Island begins its 40th anniversary season April 28.  Daily operation begins May 11.  Soak City opens May 26.  

Visitors to Kings Island can save big off the Front Gate admission price when tickets are purchased in advance online through the park’s website at visitkingsisland.com.

                                   
Kings Island is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.”  In addition to Kings Island , Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy , Calif. under a management contract.
 
 
 







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The Beast - An Iconic Coaster

Sunday, November 6, 2011

If you know anything about me at all, you understand that I have an obsession with Kings Island amusement park in Cincinnati {Mason, Kings Mills} Ohio.

 This past summer, I was given the fantastic opportunity to take a behind-the-scenes tour of the greatest wooden roller coaster ever built.

The Beast, one of Kings Island's most notable rides, opened in 1979.  My parents were among some of the first to venture onto this amazing coaster. 

In just over 4 minutes, The Beast will take you across 7,359 feet of thrilling and sometimes terrifying track.  Well, at least it terrifies me when the cars rush through the tunnels in the double helix. 

On your first lift, you will be taken up 110 feet before you drop 135 feet where a dark tunnel is waiting to greet you.

The Beast winds in and out of a wooded area adding to the excitement and anticipation of its next move.

If you ever have the chance to ride The Beast at night, it's an absolute must!  Prior to Cedar Fair purchasing Kings Island, The Beast use to run during the nightly fireworks show when the park would close.  The dark, the loud explosion of the fireworks and the power of The Beast were an amazing experience for any coaster enthusiast.

Riders must be 48 inches tall to ride, and my daughter was tall enough to ride The Beast this past summer.  She loved it!  I love getting to share the enjoyment of thrill rides with her.

We are anticipating not taking a family vacation next year, but we do have our Kings Island season passes!  If you live close enough to make Kings Island a mini-vacation, I highly suggest it!  Wait times are reasonable and you should be able to cover a lot of area within the park if you plan to arrive early enough in the day.

















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Howl-O-Fest at Kings Island

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Howl-O-Fest at Kings Island is the ultimate kids halloween party!

This Fall, Kings Island's Picnic Grove will be transformed into Howl-O-Fest and will take place Saturdays and Sundays at Kings Island from Noon to 5:30pm.
This is the kid-friendly alternative to Kings Island's popular Halloween Haunt! Bring the kids for a lot of fun Fall activites!

Park Gates open at 11:30am
Rides & attractions open at Noon
Howl-O-Fest activities begin at Noon
Howl-O-Fest activities close at 5:30pm
Howl-O-Fest is Free with park admission or a Season Pass

Howl-O-Fest features mazes, shows, story telling, games, a petting zoo and candy!



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