These Vintage Photos Show What Kings Island Used to Look Like Back in the Day

Cincinnati's beloved amusement park Kings Island has been making memories in the lives of Greater Cincinnatians for five decades this year. The park opened to the public on April 29, 1972, celebrating 50 years as a Queen City entertainment staple and the setting for everybody's favorite Brady Bunch episode.

This year, the 50th season starts on April 16 (Gold and Platinum season-pass-holders will be able to visit the park on the April 15).  To celebrate the milestone, park officials have planned a slate of special events throughout the 2022 season. Kings Island is also asking the public to share photos and videos taken at the park between the 1970s to the 1990s.

"The amusement park celebrates its 50th anniversary this season and is asking everyone to climb into those attics and dig through their old scrapbooks and photo albums to find pictures or videos of their family’s special moments at the park," reads a release. "The park would like to tell those stories this coming season."

Kings Island is located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. For more info or to upload ephemera, visit kingsisland.com.
Scroll down to view images
Page 1 of 2
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary
Antique Autos
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Antique Autos
1 of 24
International Street
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
International Street
2 of 24
Swan Lake
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Swan Lake
3 of 24
Sky Ride
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Sky Ride
4 of 24
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary
5 of 24
Kings Island International Air Show
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Kings Island International Air Show
6 of 24
The Brady Bunch filmed an episode at Kings Island in 1973
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
The Brady Bunch filmed an episode at Kings Island in 1973
7 of 24
Antique Autos
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Antique Autos
8 of 24
International Street
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
International Street
9 of 24
Dick Van Dyke in a 1978 commercial for the park.
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Dick Van Dyke in a 1978 commercial for the park.
10 of 24
International Street
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
International Street
11 of 24
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary
12 of 24
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary. Kings Island had a relationship with Hanna-Barbera when it opened in 1972 into the start of the 2000s, and featured rides like "Smurfs' Enchanted Voyage," which opened in 1984. The Smurfs are also the reason the park has blue ice cream.
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary. Kings Island had a relationship with Hanna-Barbera when it opened in 1972 into the start of the 2000s, and featured rides like "Smurfs' Enchanted Voyage," which opened in 1984. The Smurfs are also the reason the park has blue ice cream.
13 of 24
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary. Kings Island had an aquatic arena and hosted a "Salt Water Circus" from 1972 until 1994, when it was torn down.
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
A fan photo provided to Kings Island for the park's 50th anniversary. Kings Island had an aquatic arena and hosted a "Salt Water Circus" from 1972 until 1994, when it was torn down.
14 of 24
Kings Mills Log Flume
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Kings Mills Log Flume
15 of 24
Flying Carpet
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Flying Carpet
16 of 24
Kings Mills Log Flume
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Kings Mills Log Flume
17 of 24
The Racer
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
The Racer
18 of 24
Kings Island Oktoberfest Bier Garten
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Kings Island Oktoberfest Bier Garten
19 of 24
Der Spinning Keggers
Photo: Provided by Kings Island
Der Spinning Keggers
20 of 24
Page 1 of 2