This story is part of The Enquirer’s ongoing coverage tracking the region’s economic recovery efforts.
Kings Island is set to open to season pass holders this weekend and to the general public on May 15.
Park officials are counting on visitors to flood back to the Mason amusement park after many stayed away during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They believe pent-up demand to get out, a hunger to return to normalcy and growing confidence from mass vaccinations will shut down the beleaguered industry’s own roller coaster ride of the last year.
General manager Mike Koontz says demand is still down from 2019 levels but rebounding. One of North America’s busiest parks, Kings Island attracted more than 3 million visitors in 2019.