Kings Island will have a new restaurant ready for guests when it opens for the 2023 season on April 15.
Grain & Grill will be located at the end of International Street, serving up Eastern European and Mediterranean dishes such as Moroccan chicken and glazed pork shoulder. The fast-casual dining spot shares a name and decor with a restaurant at another Cedar Fair park, Kings Dominion. (You can find more about Theme Park Tribune’s thoughts on that Grain & Grill location in our Kings Dominion review).
Along with the new eatery, Kings Island is welcoming a new executive chef: Joseph Perez, who was previously the lead chef at Kansas City’s Ameristar Casino and Hotel.
“Our guests continue to tell us that the park’s culinary offering is such an important part of their visit to Kings Island,” Mike Koontz, Kings Island vice president and general manager, said in a blog post. “Our reputation as a place where they can come together and enjoy unique food offerings and traditional amusement park favorites is in good hands with Chef Perez.”
Kings Island had already announced that its adding a new Adventure Port section to the park this season, complete with enhancements to its Adventure Express mine train coaster.
Hershey’s Chocolate World adding new attraction
While not technically in a theme park, the Hershey’s Chocolate World visitors’ center next to Hersheypark will debut what it calls a “cinematic experience” attraction on May 19.
Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition will be a 30-minute theater attraction disguised as an animated train ride. 270-degree projection-mapped screens will give guests the sense they’re really traveling though candy-themed locales such as Jolly Rancher Junction, Kit Kat Timbers, Reese’s Ridge, and Twizzlers Forest. There’s even an interactive element, as you’ll pick which destinations the “train” visits by hitting buttons on your armrest.
Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition concept art (Hershey)
“We are proud to bring fans a new experience unlike any other attraction of its kind in North America,” said Suzanne Jones, vice president of The Hershey Experience, said in a press release. “Hershey’s Great Candy Expedition combines the nostalgia of train-style travel, the story of Hershey’s beloved candy brands, and cutting-edge technology into a brand-new family-friendly experience for all ages to mark Hershey’s Chocolate World’s 50th anniversary year.”
The new attraction will cost $20 per person and includes a bag filled with candies for each visitor at the end of the attraction.
Hersheypark itself is getting a major new ride later this year with Wildcat’s Revenge, a hybrid makeover of the former Wildcat wooden coaster.
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