Kings Island is a 364-acre (147 ha) amusement park located 24 miles (39 km) northeast of Cincinnati in Mason, Ohio. Opened in 1972 by Taft Broadcasting Company and now owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Kings Island is the most visited seasonal amusement park in the U.S. with an estimated 3.1 million visitors in 2010 (second overall in North America behind sister park Canada's Wonderland).

Originally part of a 1,600-acre (6.5 km²) purchase, Kings Island currently owns 773 acres (3.13 km²) of land. It offers over 80 rides, shows, and attractions including 14 roller coasters and a 15-acre (61,000 m²) water park. Kings Island has won Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for having the "Best Kids' Area" in the world for eleven consecutive years (2001–2011).

Kings Island was an idea conceived as early as 1964 when Coney Island, a popular park on the banks of the Ohio River 10 miles (16 km) east of downtown Cincinnati, suffered from a major flood that submerged the area in over 14 feet (4.3 m) of water. Although flooding was nothing new for the successful amusement park, limited space for expansion and parking was becoming just as much an obstacle. The Wachs family who owned and operated Coney Island decided it was time to relocate the park in order to stay competitive. In 1968 after actor Fess Parker announced plans to build a new theme park in Northern Kentucky, the need to finalize plans became more urgent. In July 1969 following several failed attempts to find a major financial partner, the Wachs sold Coney Island to the Taft Broadcasting Company (a business interested in promoting its recently acquired Hanna-Barbera division) for $6.5 million USD. Taft Broadcasting Co. then purchased 1,600 acres (6.5 km²) of land in Warren County, Ohio for $3.2 million to be used for the future site of the new park.