1997 - 2001

From 1997 through 2001, the park added major water attractions, family rides, thrill rides, and themed areas while retiring several older attractions. In 1997, WaterWorks expanded with Surfside Bay, a new 600,000 gallon wave pool, and the nearby Buccaneer Island play area with a large pirate ship, five miniature slides, and several water jets and cannons, while the Skylab ride in Coney Mall was retired after the season. In 1998, Hanna-Barbera Land expanded with three new rides for parents and children to ride together: Scooby's Ghoster Coaster, Atom Ant's Airways, and Yogi's Skytours; WaterWorks added the surfing simulator WipeOut Beach; and James Bond 007: A License to Thrill debuted in Coney Mall with fiery explosions, jet skis, and car chases. In 1999, Adventure Village was transformed into Paramount Action Zone, modeled after a studio backlot and featuring the mega thrill rides Face/Off and Drop Zone, while a large new wooden roller coaster was announced in May and rose during the year. In 2000, Son of Beast debuted in Paramount Action Zone as a massive new wooden roller coaster that was taller, faster, and larger than any previous wooden roller coaster and the first and only modern wooden ride with an inversion, a 118-foot vertical loop. In 2001, Nickelodeon Splat City and the edge of Rivertown were merged into Nickelodeon Central, adding Wild Thornberrys River Adventure and Rugrats Runaway Reptar, while the 3D film 7th Portal debuted in the Paramount Action FX Theater with new superheroes created by Stan Lee, and King Cobra was retired at the end of the season after 18 seasons of operation.

Mason, Ohio · United States