In 1972, one of America's favorite playgrounds opened with great fanfare. Inspired by the post-Disneyland theme park boom, operators of a small amusement enterprise near Cincinnati realized they needed to go bigger-or go home. They chose big, and so they proceeded to design and build a magnificent property in conjunction with Taft Broadcasting, owners of the popular Hanna-Barbera characters. Learn how the park came about, how it transformed over the years, and enjoy the stories behind your favorite attractions. Stories come directly from park officials who served throughout Kings Island's history, including the man who started the whole thing from the beginning-Gary Wachs