Vortex Kings Island: History, Stats & Closure

Vortex was a steel looping roller coaster that operated at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, from 1987 until 2019. Built by Arrow Dynamics for roughly $4 million and designed by veteran coaster engineer Ron Toomer, it opened on April 11, 1987, on the same plot of land once occupied by the original suspended coaster The Bat, even reusing that ride’s former station and queue line.

Upon debut, Vortex made history as the tallest full-circuit roller coaster in the world at 148 feet, and it became the first coaster anywhere to feature six inversions in a single circuit. Those records stood for barely a year before Six Flags Great America’s Shockwave surpassed them in 1988, but Vortex remained one of Kings Island’s most beloved attractions for over three decades, carrying more than 46 million riders before its 2019 retirement and 2020 demolition.

Quick Answer

Vortex was Kings Island’s Arrow Dynamics steel looping coaster, open from April 11, 1987, to October 27, 2019. It debuted as the world’s tallest full-circuit coaster (148 feet) and the first with six inversions, carried over 46 million riders, and was demolished in winter 2020 after Kings Island retired it at the end of the 2019 season.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Kings Island. Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics. Designer: Ron Toomer. Opened: April 11, 1987. Closed: October 27, 2019. Height: 148 feet. First Drop: 138 feet. Top Speed: 55 mph. Length: 3,800 feet. Inversions: 6 (two vertical loops, double corkscrew, batwing). Trains: 3 trains with 7 cars, seating riders two across for 28 riders per train.

History and Records

Kings Island announced the new coaster in 1986 as part of a broader push to keep expanding its ride lineup, and Arrow Dynamics, then one of the industry’s leading manufacturers, built it for about $4 million using an estimated 750 tons of steel. Ron Toomer, the engineer behind many of Arrow’s best-known looping and corkscrew coasters, designed the layout.

When Vortex opened on April 11, 1987, it immediately set two world records: tallest full-circuit roller coaster at 148 feet, and the first roller coaster anywhere with six inversions in one ride. Both records held for about a year before Six Flags Great America’s Shockwave, with seven inversions, took over the inversion title in 1988. Even after losing its records, Vortex’s opening season helped push Kings Island’s annual attendance past 3 million visitors for the first time in park history.

The Ride Experience

Riders climbed a chain lift hill before plunging into a 138-foot first drop at roughly a 55-degree angle, launching into a layout that packed six inversions into 3,800 feet of track. The sequence ran two back-to-back vertical loops, a mid-course brake run, a double corkscrew threaded back through the loop structure, and a batwing element that delivered the final two inversions.

An on-ride camera in the dip of that boomerang (batwing) element caught riders’ reactions, and the layout finished with a 450-degree ascending helix that carried the trains back toward the station. Three trains, each with seven cars seating riders two-across, kept the line moving during the roughly two-and-a-half-minute ride. The tight, interlocking inversions made Vortex feel more aggressive than its modest 55 mph top speed suggested, a hallmark of Arrow Dynamics’ looping coaster designs from that era.

Closure, Demolition, and Legacy

Kings Island announced on September 27, 2019, that Vortex would be retired at the end of that season, citing the coaster reaching the end of its service life. The ride gave its final rides on October 27, 2019, and crews demolished and scrapped the structure during the winter of 2020.

Vortex’s trains didn’t disappear entirely: Kings Island sent them to sister Cedar Fair park Carowinds, where they were sanded, repainted, and combined with the chassis of older trains to run on Carolina Cyclone. In fall 2020, Kings Island also sold limited souvenir kits made from 1.5-inch slices of actual Vortex track, capped with metal plates and mounted on a display stand with a certificate of authenticity, for $198.70 each. Over its 33-year run, Vortex carried more than 46 million riders, making it one of the most-ridden attractions in Kings Island’s history.

Vortex Photo Archive: 2000 to 2006

These are original ThrillZing photos of Vortex taken on visits between August 2000 and August 2006, restored and upscaled from the original camera files. They show the Arrow Dynamics looper in its Paramount-era paint, with the lit marquee, the twin vertical loops, the double corkscrew and the layout seen from the Eiffel Tower. Vortex closed after the 2019 season. All photos are free to reuse under a CC BY 4.0 license with credit to ThrillZing and a link to this page.

Jump to: 2006 · 2005 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

2006 · 3 photos

August 2006

Aerial view of the Vortex loops and hills set in green summer woods, wooden coasters at left and behind, power-line towers on the hill at Paramount's Kings Island, August 2006 — Aerial view of the Vortex loops and hills set in green summer woods, wooden coasters at left and behind, power-line towers on the hill at Paramount’s Kings Island, August 13, 2006. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Aerial view of Vortex's loops and hills among the trees, with The Beast's wooden lift hill behind at Paramount's Kings Island, August 2006 — Aerial view of Vortex’s loops and hills among the trees, with The Beast’s wooden lift hill behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, August 2006. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

2005 · 4 photos

July 2005

A Vortex train full of riders near the top of the lift hill in warm evening light, leafy trees and orange track in the foreground at Paramount's Kings Island, July 2005 — A Vortex train full of riders near the top of the lift hill in warm evening light, leafy trees and orange track in the foreground at Paramount’s Kings Island, July 0, 2005. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train with riders upside down at the top of a vertical loop against a clear blue sky, a corkscrew and green trees below at Paramount's Kings Island, July 2005 — A Vortex train with riders upside down at the top of a vertical loop against a clear blue sky, a corkscrew and green trees below at Paramount’s Kings Island, July 0, 2005. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

2002 · 34 photos

April 2002

A Vortex train on the lift hill with a vertical loop in front at Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train on the lift hill with a vertical loop in front at Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train in the low turn beneath the loops at Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train in the low turn beneath the loops at Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train on the low track beneath the loops at Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train on the low track beneath the loops at Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Vortex's lift hill, hills and twin vertical loops behind the fence at Kings Island, April 2002 — Vortex’s lift hill, hills and twin vertical loops behind the fence at Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Vortex's lift hill, first drop and loops among bare spring trees at Kings Island, April 2002 — Vortex’s lift hill, first drop and loops among bare spring trees at Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex vertical loop beside the long lattice-supported lift and drop, bare trees and pine branches framing the structure under a gray sky at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex vertical loop beside the long lattice-supported lift and drop, bare trees and pine branches framing the structure under a gray sky at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Looking up Vortex's long lift hill beside the steel structure, a train near the top under a cloudy sky and guests on the walkway below at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — Looking up Vortex’s long lift hill beside the steel structure, a train near the top under a cloudy sky and guests on the walkway below at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

The Vortex lift hill at left and the tall turnaround with its catwalk silhouetted against stormy clouds, loops visible beneath at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — The Vortex lift hill at left and the tall turnaround with its catwalk silhouetted against stormy clouds, loops visible beneath at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Vortex's steel lift hill and curve rising at left behind a white wooden coaster structure and a flowering tree at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — Vortex’s steel lift hill and curve rising at left behind a white wooden coaster structure and a flowering tree at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

The Vortex lift hill, turnaround structure and loops silhouetted against a darkening cloudy sky above a wooden fence at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — The Vortex lift hill, turnaround structure and loops silhouetted against a darkening cloudy sky above a wooden fence at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

The two Vortex vertical loops behind a white picket fence, a train on the hill at upper left and bare branches overhead at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — The two Vortex vertical loops behind a white picket fence, a train on the hill at upper left and bare branches overhead at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train full of riders on the low track behind a white picket fence with a Danger Keep Out sign, the lattice-supported hill rising behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train full of riders on the low track behind a white picket fence with a Danger Keep Out sign, the lattice-supported hill rising behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train with the ride's name on the front car rolling along the orange-railed brake run, riders seated, grassy slope and loops behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train with the ride’s name on the front car rolling along the orange-railed brake run, riders seated, grassy slope and loops behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Two Vortex vertical loops above the brake run track, visitors walking the path below and a white-flowering tree between the loops at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — Two Vortex vertical loops above the brake run track, visitors walking the path below and a white-flowering tree between the loops at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

The twin Vortex vertical loops silhouetted under gray clouds, a train cresting the hill behind the left loop at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — The twin Vortex vertical loops silhouetted under gray clouds, a train cresting the hill behind the left loop at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex loop framing a train full of riders crossing the hill behind it, lattice supports against a gray sky at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex loop framing a train full of riders crossing the hill behind it, lattice supports against a gray sky at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train passing low among tangled orange-railed track and dark supports in dim evening light, bare trees behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train passing low among tangled orange-railed track and dark supports in dim evening light, bare trees behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train full of riders racing through the left of two vertical loops under a cloudy sky, corkscrews and lattice behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train full of riders racing through the left of two vertical loops under a cloudy sky, corkscrews and lattice behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train cresting the top of the lift hill above its lattice supports, spring trees and a wooden fence in the foreground at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train cresting the top of the lift hill above its lattice supports, spring trees and a wooden fence in the foreground at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train rounding the curve at the top of the hill above the lattice supports, budding trees at left at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train rounding the curve at the top of the hill above the lattice supports, budding trees at left at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train cresting the hill at left with the turnaround structure at right, rising above bare trees and midway buildings at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train cresting the hill at left with the turnaround structure at right, rising above bare trees and midway buildings at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Two Vortex vertical loops, corkscrews and a curving helix of orange-railed track at dusk, with a grassy slope below at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — Two Vortex vertical loops, corkscrews and a curving helix of orange-railed track at dusk, with a grassy slope below at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train full of riders sweeping through a vertical loop in close-up at dusk, lattice supports behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train full of riders sweeping through a vertical loop in close-up at dusk, lattice supports behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

The Vortex loops, hill and turnaround silhouetted against a sunset glow, a train on the brake run and bare trees around at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — The Vortex loops, hill and turnaround silhouetted against a sunset glow, a train on the brake run and bare trees around at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train at the top of the lift hill about to drop, the curving track and lattice supports silhouetted against a gray sky at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train at the top of the lift hill about to drop, the curving track and lattice supports silhouetted against a gray sky at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Elevated view over the Vortex loops, corkscrews and curving hills in the woods, the Eiffel Tower replica rising at right at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — Elevated view over the Vortex loops, corkscrews and curving hills in the woods, the Eiffel Tower replica rising at right at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Elevated view of the Vortex hills and a vertical loop over green woods and park buildings, a footpath winding along at left at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — Elevated view of the Vortex hills and a vertical loop over green woods and park buildings, a footpath winding along at left at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train with the ride's name on the front car pulling into the station with riders, orange rails and a white picket fence behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train with the ride’s name on the front car pulling into the station with riders, orange rails and a white picket fence behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train with riders upside down at the top of a vertical loop, lattice supports behind under a gray sky at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train with riders upside down at the top of a vertical loop, lattice supports behind under a gray sky at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train full of riders diving low between the supports beside a chain-link fence, a flowering tree at right at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train full of riders diving low between the supports beside a chain-link fence, a flowering tree at right at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

A Vortex train full of riders descending through a dense lattice of blue-gray supports, seen through a chain-link fence at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — A Vortex train full of riders descending through a dense lattice of blue-gray supports, seen through a chain-link fence at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

The sun setting through haze over the treetops, a curve of orange-railed track and lattice supports at right at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2002 — The sun setting through haze over the treetops, a curve of orange-railed track and lattice supports at right at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 13, 2002. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

2001 · 5 photos

April 2001

Wide view across the Vortex layout with bare spring trees, the vertical loops at left, the lattice-supported hill behind and a train on the low track at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2001 — Wide view across the Vortex layout with bare spring trees, the vertical loops at left, the lattice-supported hill behind and a train on the low track at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 7, 2001. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Aerial view of the Vortex loops, corkscrews and lattice-supported hills in bare woods, a wooden coaster lift and power-line towers behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2001 — Aerial view of the Vortex loops, corkscrews and lattice-supported hills in bare woods, a wooden coaster lift and power-line towers behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 7, 2001. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

Telephoto view of the tangle of Vortex loops and corkscrews with a train passing through a loop, a bare wooded hillside behind at Paramount's Kings Island, April 2001 — Telephoto view of the tangle of Vortex loops and corkscrews with a train passing through a loop, a bare wooded hillside behind at Paramount’s Kings Island, April 7, 2001. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

2000 · 2 photos

August 2000

A Vortex train full of riders cresting a curved hill above the steel lattice supports and safety netting against a hazy blue sky at Paramount's Kings Island, August 2000 — A Vortex train full of riders cresting a curved hill above the steel lattice supports and safety netting against a hazy blue sky at Paramount’s Kings Island, August 15, 2000. *Photo: ThrillZing (CC BY 4.0)*

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Vortex Kings Island roller coaster FAQs

Is Vortex still at Kings Island?

No. Vortex closed permanently on October 27, 2019, and was demolished during the winter of 2020. The site is no longer home to the ride.

When did Vortex open and close?

Vortex opened on April 11, 1987, and operated until October 27, 2019, giving it a 33-season run at Kings Island.

Who designed and built Vortex?

Vortex was built by Arrow Dynamics and designed by engineer Ron Toomer, at a cost of about $4 million.

What records did Vortex hold?

When it opened in 1987, Vortex was the tallest full-circuit roller coaster in the world at 148 feet and the first coaster anywhere to feature six inversions. Six Flags Great America’s Shockwave surpassed both records in 1988.

What inversions did Vortex have?

Vortex had six inversions: two vertical loops, a double corkscrew, and a two-part batwing (boomerang) element, followed by a closing 450-degree helix.

Where did Vortex’s trains go after it closed?

Kings Island sent the trains to Carowinds, a sister Cedar Fair park, where they were repainted and combined with older train chassis to run on Carolina Cyclone.

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Vortex at Kings Island: Full History, Stats & Why It Closed

Quick Answer

Stats at a Glance

History and Records

The Ride Experience

Closure, Demolition, and Legacy

Vortex Photo Archive: 2000 to 2006

August 2006

July 2005

April 2002

April 2001

August 2000

Vortex Kings Island roller coaster FAQs

Is Vortex still at Kings Island?

When did Vortex open and close?

Who designed and built Vortex?

What records did Vortex hold?

What inversions did Vortex have?

Where did Vortex’s trains go after it closed?

Get More from Vortex Kings Island roller coaster