The state of Ohio’s two biggest amusement parks, Kings Island and Cedar Point have plans to kick off the summer season in May, although they could face changes in operating rules from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
DeWine Thursday announced a relaxing of restrictions for fairs, festivals, parades, weddings, and high school proms and graduations. He said some changes could come for amusement parks.
In 2020, when the pandemic was in its early stages, DeWine kept the amusement parks closed past their original start date.
Cedar Fair Entertainment, the operators of Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, and Kings Island in Mason went to court and won a judge’s order to allow them to open.
Prior to the effective date of the order, DeWine approved their reopening in July with restrictions such as limited capacity, mask-wearing, and social distancing.
At his briefing Thursday, DeWine said he had not yet spoken with the amusement parks, adding that they are operating under the same state guidance that they had last year.
“If they want to change those they can certainly ask us about that. But we have not received anything from the amusement parks yet. We suspect they’ll wait until we get a little closer to the summer,” DeWine said.
Kings Island’s schedule, posted on its website, lists its opening for season pass holders on May 8 and 9. Saturday, May 15 is listed as Opening Day for the remainder of the public.
The park did not open its water park, “Soak City,” in 2020. This year the water park is scheduled to open Saturday, May 29.