Summer might be in full swing, but Kings Island is already preparing for an even splashier 2025. The beloved Mason amusement park has announced it will introduce RiverRacers, Ohio's first and only dual-racing water coaster, promising to make some waves in the water park world. This high-octane aquatic ride alongside a revamped kids' play area, Splash River Junction, comprises the latest expansion to cool off fun-seekers in the upcoming season.
According to a release covered by WLWT, the RiverRacers is no idle addition. Racers will board side-by-side rafts at the starting line and blast down a vertiginous first drop, rocketing up to 30 mph. Water jets will then spur riders upwards on a track designed with split turns, a moodily lit enclosed tunnel, and culminating with a gravity-defying drop to the finish. It's a thrill ride designed to drench and excite in equal measure.
A family-friendly update, Splash River Junction, will also be seeing an expansion. The new area aims at those in the younger demographic seeking a gentle ride, featuring seven new water slides and a retro-styled swimming hole dubbed Bluegill Lagoon. This addition, as highlighted by The Cincinnati Enquirer, is all about catering to the little squirts eager for splashy escapades with slides offering gentler slopes and turns.
Emphasizing the draw for all ages, Mike Koontz, vice president and general manager of Kings Island, told Dayton247Now, "Whether you’re a new water slide rider or an experienced thrill seeker, Soak City offers the largest outdoor water park experience in Ohio. Our park guests have wanted the thrills of a water coaster for a long time, and you can never go wrong adding new experiences for kids and families to cool off together, especially in Soak City." To accommodate guests wanting to lounge by the fun, hundreds of new chairs and loungers are added for those preferring a bit of sun or shade as part of the refresh.
The park is particularly keen to note that those who jump on board with a Gold Pass purchase by August 11 will snag an exclusive perk of five free Single-Use Fast Lanes, valid for select dates in the 2024 season. It's an incentive to not just look forward to the new but to seize the day and the summer sun as soon as possible.
