Diamondback opened at Kings Island on April 18, 2009, as the park’s first Bolliger & Mabillard creation and, at the time, the largest capital investment in the park’s history at roughly $22 million. Built as a steel hypercoaster with an out-and-back layout, it introduced Cincinnati-area riders to the open, stadium-style seating that has become a B&M signature, giving every rider in the 32-passenger trains an unobstructed view of the ride’s rolling Ohio terrain.
The ride’s claim to fame is its splashdown effect, a feature Diamondback introduced as the first hypercoaster of its kind to include one. After the 215-foot first drop sends trains diving at up to 80 mph, the layout works through a string of airtime hills and banked turns before skimming across a water feature near the finish, capping off a ride that still ranks among the most popular attractions in the park’s lineup.
Stats at a Glance
- Park: Kings Island
- Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
- Opened: April 18, 2009
- Height: 230 feet
- Top speed: 80 mph
- Length: 5,282 feet
- Inversions: 0
The Ride Experience
Diamondback’s lift hill carries riders to 230 feet before a 215-foot drop at a 74-degree angle launches the train toward 80 mph. The out-and-back layout then delivers a sequence of airtime-filled hills, ranging from a 193-foot second drop down to smaller humps near the station, along with sweeping banked turns that showcase views of the surrounding Ohio countryside.
Because Diamondback has no inversions, it relies on lap-bar restraints and open-air, stadium-style seating across its three 32-passenger trains, a layout that keeps sightlines clear for every rider. The ride wraps up with its signature splashdown, sending riders through a spray of water just before returning to the station after a run of about three minutes.
History and Legacy
When it debuted in 2009, Diamondback was Kings Island’s first roller coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard and the biggest single investment in the park’s history up to that point, a record it held until Banshee arrived in 2014. Its combination of height, speed, and airtime quickly established it as one of the park’s marquee attractions.
Diamondback remains a mainstay of Kings Island’s coaster lineup, valued by enthusiasts for its smooth B&M trains and sustained airtime moments. It continues to anchor the park’s coaster collection alongside other B&M-built machines added in the years since.
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Diamondback FAQs
How tall is Diamondback at Kings Island?
Diamondback stands 230 feet tall, with a first drop of 215 feet.
Who manufactured Diamondback?
Diamondback was built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), a Swiss roller coaster manufacturer known for hyper coasters and inverted coasters.
Does Diamondback have any inversions?
No, Diamondback has zero inversions. It is a hyper coaster focused on speed, airtime, and its signature splashdown effect rather than loops or rolls.
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Photo: Jonathan Goble (on Commons as jcgoble3) / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.