The ride debuted as Top Gun, themed to Paramount’s 1986 film, then became Flight Deck in 2008 after Cedar Fair acquired the park. In 2014 it was rechristened The Bat to honor its legendary predecessor — the world’s first suspended roller coaster, which operated at Kings Island from 1981 to 1983 before mechanical troubles ended its brief run.

Stats at a Glance

• Park: Kings Island (Mason, Ohio)
• Manufacturer: Arrow Dynamics
• Opened: April 9, 1993
• Height: 78 ft (24 m)
• Top Speed: 51 mph (82 km/h)
• Length: 2,352 ft (717 m)
• Inversions: 0
• Duration: 1 min 52 sec

The Ride Experience

The layout opens with a chain lift to 78 feet, then plunges 70 feet before sweeping through a wide horseshoe element and a series of sharp, banked curves. Because the trains respond dynamically rather than being locked to the track, each turn tilts riders dramatically outward — the defining hallmark of Arrow’s suspended coaster design. Guests frequently feel as though they are barely clearing the wooden supports and terrain features lining the course.

Capacity runs to about 1,200 riders per hour across two seven-car trains, each seating 28 guests two-across. The 42-inch height requirement makes it accessible to a broad range of thrill-seekers, and the absence of inversions focuses the experience entirely on lateral swinging forces rather than upside-down elements.

A Legacy in Two Coasters

The Bat is the second ride to carry that name at Kings Island. The original Bat — an Arrow prototype — opened in 1981 as the world’s first suspended coaster, but persistent mechanical issues forced permanent closure in 1983. Renaming the 1993 coaster in 2014 restored the connection to that pioneering machine and gave the park a meaningful throughline in its coaster history.

Under three different names the coaster has remained one of Kings Island’s most distinctive offerings. Its low-slung, terrain-hugging profile and freely swinging cars deliver a ride feel that modern inverted and launch coasters simply do not replicate, making The Bat a perennial favorite for riders who value sensation over raw statistics.

Explore more: Roller Coasters hub.

The Bat FAQs

What type of roller coaster is The Bat at Kings Island?

The Bat is a suspended steel roller coaster. Its trains hang below the overhead rail on pivoting axles and swing freely through turns, producing a distinctive lateral swinging sensation throughout the ride.

How fast does The Bat go?

The Bat reaches a top speed of 51 mph (82 km/h) over its 2,352-foot course, powered by a chain lift that brings riders to a height of 78 feet before the first drop.

Has The Bat always had that name?

No. It opened in 1993 as Top Gun, themed to the 1986 Paramount film. Cedar Fair renamed it Flight Deck in 2008 after acquiring the park, and it became The Bat in 2014 — a tribute to Kings Island’s groundbreaking 1981 suspended coaster of the same name.

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Set against the lore of the abandoned Miami River Lumber Company, the coaster delivers 16 moments of airtime through forested terrain before pulling into a darkened shed — where one of three randomized finales (bats, a snake, or an elusive tree creature) awaits unsuspecting riders. The ride won the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride of 2017.

Stats at a Glance

• Park: Kings Island, Mason, Ohio
• Manufacturer: Great Coasters International
• Opened: April 15, 2017
• Height: 109 ft (33 m)
• Drop: 98 ft (30 m)
• Top Speed: 53 mph (85 km/h)
• Length: 3,265 ft (995 m)
• Inversions: 0
• Duration: About 2 minutes

The Ride Experience

After a chain-lift ascent to 109 feet, Mystic Timbers drops 98 feet at a 53.7-degree angle and launches into a relentless sequence of hills and curves through mature woodlands. The layout was engineered to maximize ejector airtime — riders experience 16 distinct moments of negative-G lift across the roughly two-minute run.

The signature finale arrives as the train plunges into an enclosed shed. Inside, a random projection sequence plays out: riders may encounter a swarm of bats, a menacing snake, or the mysterious creature of the Miami River Lumber Company legend. The randomized ending keeps repeat riders guessing and has made the shed one of the most talked-about elements of any wooden coaster in North America.

Awards and Legacy

Mystic Timbers earned the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride of 2017 from industry publication Amusement Today, validating its instant status as one of the finest wooden coasters in the country. Its arrival allowed Kings Island to reclaim the world record for most wooden roller coaster track at a single park — a combined 18,804 feet across four wooden coasters.

The ride’s combination of immersive theming, terrain-hugging layout, and mystery-driven narrative set a new benchmark for modern wooden coaster design. It remains a cornerstone of the Kings Island lineup and consistently ranks among the top wooden coasters in annual enthusiast polls.

Explore more: Roller Coasters hub.

Mystic Timbers FAQs

What happens in the shed at Mystic Timbers?

The shed is an enclosed finale structure where one of three randomized projection sequences — bats, a snake, or a mysterious tree creature — plays out. The sequence is chosen at random each cycle, so riders rarely experience the same ending twice.

How tall do you have to be to ride Mystic Timbers?

Riders must be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to board Mystic Timbers.

Who built Mystic Timbers?

Mystic Timbers was designed by Skyline Design and constructed by Great Coasters International (GCI), a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer known for fast, airtime-focused wooden coasters.

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Photo by Susanne Koppert on Pexels.

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Orion: The Giga Coaster

Orion opened in 2020 as Kings Island’s first giga-coaster and the seventh giga-coaster ever built worldwide. The 287-foot lift hill, 91 mph top speed, and 5,321-foot layout deliver sustained airtime hills and a swooping helix that makes Orion among the smoothest high-speed coasters in North America. The orange track is visible from the park entrance and serves as the operational anchor of the new Area 72 themed land.

According to Roller Coaster Database, Orion’s combination of height, speed, and length puts it in elite company with only seven giga-coasters operating globally, including Cedar Point’s Millennium Force.

Diamondback: The Hypercoaster

Diamondback opened in 2009 as a Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster reaching 230 feet with a 215-foot first drop and 80 mph top speed. The 5,282-foot layout includes 10 distinct airtime hills, making Diamondback one of the most generous airtime experiences in the industry. The diamond-themed train design and water-splashdown finale add visual flair.

For context on what makes Diamondback’s category so dominant, our breakdown of the hypercoaster category covers exactly why these 200-foot giants define the marquee investments at every major park.

Mystic Timbers: The GCI Wood Coaster

Mystic Timbers opened in 2017 as a Great Coasters International wood coaster reaching 109 feet with a 53 mph top speed across 3,265 feet of track. The ride features a mysterious “shed” finale with a randomized indoor effects sequence, plus the famous “what’s in the shed?” marketing campaign that became a viral hit during the ride’s announcement.

The Beast: The Wood Coaster Legend

The Beast opened in 1979 and remains the longest wooden coaster in the world at 7,359 feet. The 4-minute, 10-second ride experience includes two lift hills, multiple tunnels, and a high-speed helix that closes the layout. Veterans of multiple eras of theme parks consistently rank The Beast among the most atmospheric coaster experiences ever designed, particularly during its evening operations when most of the layout runs through dark forest.

Banshee: The Inverted Coaster

Banshee opened in 2014 as the world’s longest inverted coaster at 4,124 feet, with seven inversions and a 167-foot lift hill. The Bolliger & Mabillard installation replaced the dismantled Son of Beast wooden coaster site, transforming a problematic former coaster footprint into one of the most visually striking inverted experiences in the Midwest.

Why Kings Island Earns the Trip

Coverage from Coaster101 consistently ranks Kings Island among the top 10 parks in North America for serious coaster enthusiasts, and the combination of giga-coaster, hypercoaster, longest wooden coaster, and longest inverted coaster gives the park bragging rights that few competitors can match. Multi-day passes that combine Kings Island with Cedar Point (also a Six Flags-owned park) make for one of the best regional theme park combo trips available.

For more on how to plan multi-park theme park trips, our guide on traveling theme parks on a budget covers exactly how to maximize annual passes that span multiple destinations across a single chain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many roller coasters does Kings Island have?

Kings Island currently operates 16 roller coasters, ranging from family models to the Orion giga-coaster.

What is the longest wooden coaster in the world?

The Beast at Kings Island stretches 7,359 feet, making it the longest wooden coaster in operation globally.

When did Kings Island open?

Kings Island opened in 1972 as a relocation and expansion of the older Coney Island amusement park near Cincinnati.

Is Kings Island bigger than Cedar Point?

Cedar Point has slightly more roller coasters (17 to 16), though Kings Island’s 364 acres is comparable in scale.

Does Kings Island have a water park?

Yes, Soak City water park is included with regular Kings Island admission, similar to Hersheypark’s combined-gate model.

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When Millennium Force opened at Cedar Point in May 2000, it shattered records and redefined what a roller coaster could be. Standing 310 feet tall and reaching speeds of 93 mph, it became the world’s first giga coaster, a category that did not even exist before its debut. More than two decades later, it remains one of the most beloved coasters on the planet.

Grab this design on a tee

The ride was manufactured by Intamin and cost approximately $25 million to build, making it one of the most expensive coasters of its era. Its signature element is the massive first drop at an 80-degree angle, plunging riders 300 feet at breathtaking speed. For more on Cedar Point’s legendary lineup, check out the ThrillZing blog.

What Makes Millennium Force Special

Unlike many modern coasters that focus on inversions and complex elements, Millennium Force is all about speed, airtime, and the pure joy of flying through open terrain. The layout winds through Cedar Point’s wooded areas and over lagoons, delivering sustained speed and graceful banked turns that create a sensation of effortless flight.

The cable lift hill is another distinctive feature. Instead of the traditional chain lift that clicks and clunks its way to the top, Millennium Force uses a high-speed cable system that rockets the train up the 310-foot hill in about 20 seconds. It builds anticipation differently, the speed of the ascent making the height feel even more dramatic.

The Legacy of a Giga Coaster

Millennium Force opened the door for an entire generation of giga coasters. Parks around the world followed with their own 300-foot-plus coasters: Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion, Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland, Fury 325 at Carowinds, and Orion at Kings Island. Each brought something new, but Millennium Force was the trailblazer. You can learn about its full history at Cedar Point’s official site.

The coaster has consistently ranked in the top ten of Golden Ticket Awards and remains a fan favorite in enthusiast polls year after year. It proves that sometimes the simplest formula, big hill plus incredible speed plus beautiful terrain, creates the most enduring magic.

Riding Millennium Force Today

If you are visiting Cedar Point, Millennium Force typically commands moderate to long wait times, especially on summer weekends. The front row offers the most dramatic view of the first drop, while the back row delivers the strongest airtime over the hills. Either way, you are in for one of the greatest coaster experiences ever created.

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Orion opened on July 2, 2020, as the seventh giga coaster in the world and the single largest investment in Kings Island’s history at roughly $31 million. Built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard and themed around a sci-fi escape to the Orion constellation, it instantly became the defining landmark of the park’s skyline.

Quick Answer

Orion’s lift hill climbs 287 feet via a chain lift, then tips into a 300-foot first drop angled at 85 degrees that sends the train to 91 mph. The drop exceeds the lift height because the valley at the bottom is excavated below the surrounding terrain — the design detail that earns Orion its giga coaster classification.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Kings Island, Mason, Ohio, in the Area 72 section. Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), Switzerland. Opened: July 2, 2020 (soft opening July 1). Cost: approximately $31 million — the largest single investment in Kings Island’s history at the time.

Lift hill height: 287 feet. First drop: 300 feet at 85 degrees. Top speed: 91 mph. Track length: 5,321 feet. Ride duration: approximately 3 minutes. Total hills: 8. Inversions: 0. Train configuration: 3 trains, 8 cars each, 4 riders across — 32 riders per train. Height requirement: 54 inches. Hourly capacity: approximately 1,650 riders.

The 287-Foot Chain Lift Climb

From the moment the train engages the lift chain, the ascent is steady and deliberate. B&M chain lifts are designed to build anticipation rather than rush it — the climb takes roughly 30 to 40 seconds. That is long enough to take in sweeping views of the park, the surrounding Mason, Ohio landscape, and on clear days, the Cincinnati skyline to the south. The chain is a continuous loop of interlocked metal links running in a trough beneath the track; a catch dog on the train’s undercarriage grabs the chain and is pulled upward until the train reaches the crest.

At 287 feet, you are at the highest vantage point in the park. You can spot the Eiffel Tower replica, the outlines of The Beast winding through the trees, and the full footprint of Kings Island laid out below. Then the front of the train tips past the crest, and everything changes.

Chain Lift, Not Cable: Getting the Record Straight

Some sources — including earlier versions of this article — describe Orion as using a cable lift. That is incorrect. Orion uses a traditional chain lift, which is standard across B&M’s entire coaster lineup. Cable lifts, which replace the metal chain with a lighter wire rope, are primarily found on Intamin coasters such as Millennium Force at Cedar Point and Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. The practical differences are real: cable systems run faster and handle steeper inclines, while chain lifts provide a smooth, controlled ascent that B&M builds into their large-scale designs.

The chain lift on Orion is purpose-built for this 287-foot climb. There is no engineering reason to use a cable system at this angle and height — the chain does the job as intended, and the slower, deliberate pace is part of the experience B&M designed.

The First Drop: 300 Feet, 85 Degrees, 91 MPH

Orion’s first drop is where the engineering gets interesting. Although the lift hill is 287 feet tall, the drop measures 300 feet — those additional 13 feet come from the valley at the bottom being excavated below the surrounding terrain. The train does not simply fall to ground level; it plunges into a low point carved into the earth, and it is those extra feet that push Orion into giga coaster territory.

The drop angle is 85 degrees — five degrees short of vertical. At that pitch, riders in the front row experience significant ejector airtime over the crest before the train rockets through the valley, reaching 91 mph at the bottom. The overbanked turn that immediately follows hits with substantial positive g-forces, providing a sharp contrast to the weightlessness of the plunge itself.

The Rest of the Layout

After the first drop, Orion delivers seven more hills across 5,321 feet of track. The design prioritizes sustained speed and airtime rather than complexity — there are zero inversions. Standout moments include a pair of sweeping overbanked turns, a high-speed run along the rear perimeter of the park that keeps the train moving deep into the back half of the ride, and a sequence of camelback hills that produce consistent out-of-seat float. Total ride time is approximately three minutes.

Trains seat 32 riders each across eight cars with four-across open seating, and Kings Island can run up to three trains simultaneously. At full throughput, Orion cycles approximately 1,650 riders per hour — strong capacity for a coaster of this scale.

What Makes Orion a Giga Coaster

A giga coaster is defined by a drop between 300 and 399 feet. Orion qualifies because its first drop is exactly 300 feet — even though the lift hill stands only 287 feet. It is the drop measurement, not the structure height, that places a coaster in the giga class. When Orion opened in July 2020, it was the seventh giga coaster in the world.

Notable giga coasters include Millennium Force (Cedar Point, 2000), Intimidator 305 (Kings Dominion, 2010), Leviathan (Canada’s Wonderland, 2012), and Fury 325 (Carowinds, 2015). Among B&M-built giga coasters specifically, Orion is the third. It is worth noting that B&M internally classifies Orion under their Hyper Coaster model designation, but Kings Island markets it as a giga coaster, and by the widely accepted industry definition — a 300-foot drop — it qualifies.

Area 72: The Setting Around the Climb

Orion anchors Area 72, Kings Island’s sci-fi themed land built on the site formerly occupied by Firehawk and Dinosaurs Alive!. The area is designed as a classified government research compound, and Orion’s storyline frames riders as participants in Project X — technology being tested to propel humans through a meteor storm toward a habitable planet in the Orion constellation.

The theming goes beyond signage. IMAscore composed an original soundtrack for the area, and hidden Easter eggs throughout the land reference decommissioned Kings Island attractions including Bavarian Beetle and Boo Blasters. In 2020, USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards named Orion the Best New Amusement Park Attraction in the United States.

Orion Lift Hill FAQs

How tall is Orion’s lift hill?

The lift hill is 287 feet tall. The first drop, however, measures 300 feet because the valley at the bottom is excavated below the surrounding terrain — that design detail is what qualifies Orion as a giga coaster.

Does Orion use a chain lift or a cable lift?

Orion uses a chain lift — despite some sources claiming otherwise. Traditional metal chain lifts are standard on B&M roller coasters. Cable lifts, which use a wire rope instead of a chain, are primarily found on Intamin-built coasters like Millennium Force at Cedar Point.

Is Orion really a giga coaster?

Yes. The standard industry definition is a drop between 300 and 399 feet, and Orion’s first drop is exactly 300 feet. It was the seventh giga coaster in the world when it opened in July 2020.

What is the height requirement to ride Orion?

Riders must be at least 54 inches — that is 4 feet 6 inches — tall to ride Orion.

How fast does Orion go?

Orion reaches a top speed of 91 mph, achieved at the bottom of the 300-foot first drop.

When did Orion open at Kings Island?

Orion had a soft opening on July 1, 2020, with a full public opening on July 2, 2020. Its debut was pushed back from its original spring 2020 target due to the COVID-19 pandemic delaying Kings Island’s season.

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Designed by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger and Mabillard and opened on April 18, 2014, Banshee was the most expensive project in Kings Island’s history at the time, costing $24 million. The investment yielded a Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride in its debut year and a world record that has stood for over a decade. For anyone ranking the must-ride inverted coasters in the United States, Banshee belongs near the top of the list.

Quick Answer

Banshee is a Bolliger and Mabillard inverted coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. It stands 167 feet tall, reaches 68 mph, delivers seven inversions, and runs 4,124 feet of track — making it the longest inverted roller coaster in the world. It opened April 18, 2014.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Kings Island, Mason, Ohio | Manufacturer: Bolliger and Mabillard | Type: Steel inverted coaster | Opened: April 18, 2014 | Height: 167 feet | First drop: 150 feet | Top speed: 68 mph | Track length: 4,124 feet (world’s longest inverted) | Inversions: 7 | Ride duration: 2 minutes, 40 seconds | Minimum height: 52 inches | Maximum height: 78 inches | Hourly capacity: approximately 1,650 riders | Cost at opening: $24 million

The First Drop: No Warm-Up Allowed

Banshee’s first drop is defined by what it refuses to give you — a moment to prepare. The 150-foot plunge is banked into a curve and flows directly into the first inversion, a dive loop, before the train has finished accelerating. On an inverted coaster, where your feet hang free in the air below the track, hitting a dive loop off the opening descent creates a combined sense of falling and rotating that is immediately disorienting in the best possible way.

A dive loop is not a standard vertical loop. Where a classic loop rises straight up and over, a dive loop sweeps sideways into the inversion, adding a banking rotation on top of the overhead flip. Experiencing one while still picking up speed from the first drop makes Banshee’s opening sequence one of the most aggressive starts of any Bolliger and Mabillard inverted coaster. Coaster reviewers consistently describe the drop itself as more forceful than expected for an inverted model — a pleasant surprise for first-time riders.

All Seven Inversions, In Order

After the dive loop, the second inversion is a full vertical loop positioned so that it wraps visually around the base of the lift hill structure — a distinctive design choice that gives riders a disorienting frame of reference as the large steel supports rush past during the inversion. The third element is a zero-G roll, a barrel-roll inversion where the centripetal force balances the effect of gravity, producing a brief floating sensation while fully upside-down. It is one of the more graceful moments on an otherwise forceful ride.

Inversions four and five are delivered by a single element called a pretzel knot — a rare Bolliger and Mabillard configuration that threads two consecutive inversions through a valley section of the layout. The train descends into this element and climbs back out, passing through two inversion peaks in rapid succession. This is the deepest point of the ride’s terrain interaction, and it is where Banshee reaches its maximum speed. Inversion six is a second vertical loop, and the sequence ends with an inline twist before the train reaches the brake run — seven inversions in total.

Why Banshee Hits Top Speed Mid-Ride

Most coasters reach their top speed at the bottom of the first drop — the most direct conversion of elevation into velocity. Banshee is an exception. Its peak speed of 68 mph occurs approximately midway through the layout, at the lowest point of the pretzel knot element, not after the opening descent.

The reason is terrain. Kings Island built Banshee into a hillside, routing the back half of the course into a valley that sits far below the lift’s starting elevation. The total vertical difference between the crest of the 167-foot lift hill and the valley floor is greater than the 150-foot first drop alone. Riders spend much of the ride’s first half descending in stages, with each inversion pushing the train lower before the terrain finally drops away entirely. The practical result is that the coaster feels like it never stops accelerating until that valley section, giving the middle of the ride an urgency that usually belongs only to opening drops.

How Banshee Compares to Other B and M Inverts

Bolliger and Mabillard built their reputation in part on inverted coasters, and Banshee represents the format’s outer edge in terms of scale. Its 4,124-foot track length surpasses every other inverted coaster from any manufacturer — not just other Bolliger and Mabillard models. The gap to the next-longest inverted coasters is substantial, which is why the world record has remained unchallenged since 2014.

On inversions, Banshee ties Busch Gardens Tampa’s Montu at seven — the joint record for inverted coasters. Where Montu spreads its seven inversions across a more varied rhythm with pacing breaks, Banshee’s layout keeps the intervals tight and the train moving quickly between elements. The intensity difference between the two is a common discussion point among coaster enthusiasts, with Banshee generally rated as the more relentless ride.

What to Know Before You Ride

Banshee is an inverted coaster, which means the train hangs below the track and there is no floor under your feet at any point during the ride. Riders sit in individual seats with over-the-shoulder restraints that lock down before dispatch. The minimum height requirement is 52 inches (roughly 4 feet 4 inches), and there is a maximum height limit of 78 inches. The ride operates three trains of eight cars each, with four riders per row and 32 riders per train, producing an hourly throughput of approximately 1,650 riders.

Seat choice affects the experience meaningfully. Front-row seats provide an unobstructed view of each inversion approaching with nothing between you and open sky. Back-row seats add whip through transitions and a sharper snap over the lift crest. For first-time riders, the middle of the train offers the smoothest averaged experience. Loose articles are not permitted, and paid lockers are available near the entrance. Wait times tend to be longest in the first two hours after park opening and on weekend afternoons during peak summer months.

Banshee at Kings Island FAQs

Is Banshee still the world’s longest inverted coaster?

Yes. Banshee’s 4,124-foot track length has made it the longest inverted roller coaster in the world since its April 2014 opening, and no other inverted coaster has surpassed that length as of 2026.

What are the 7 inversions on Banshee in order?

In order: a dive loop off the first drop, a vertical loop that wraps around the lift structure, a zero-G roll, a pretzel knot element (which accounts for two inversions), a second vertical loop, and a final inline twist.

How tall do you have to be to ride Banshee at Kings Island?

The minimum height requirement is 52 inches (4 feet 4 inches). There is also a maximum height restriction of 78 inches.

Who built Banshee, and when did it open?

Banshee was designed and manufactured by Bolliger and Mabillard, a Swiss roller coaster company. It opened at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio on April 18, 2014, at a cost of $24 million — the largest investment in Kings Island’s history at the time.

Where does Banshee reach its top speed of 68 mph?

Banshee hits its peak speed of 68 mph not at the bottom of the first drop, but midway through the ride at the lowest point of the pretzel knot element. The park’s natural terrain allows the coaster to keep accelerating well past the opening descent before bottoming out in the valley.

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The Beast at Kings Island is not just a roller coaster. It is a journey. Opened in 1979, this legendary wooden coaster holds a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts worldwide. At 7,359 feet long, it was the longest wooden coaster in the world for decades, and its sprawling layout through the dense Ohio woods remains one of the most unique experiences in the entire industry.

The lift hill of The Beast is where the adventure begins. The chain lift slowly carries you up through the trees, and unlike most coasters, you cannot see the layout ahead of you. The forest closes in around you, and all you hear is the click of the chain and the rustle of leaves. It is an old-school thrill experience that modern coasters, with their exposed steel structures, simply cannot replicate. Learn more at Kings Island’s official site.

A Ride Through the Woods

What makes The Beast truly special is its terrain layout. The coaster was designed to work with the natural landscape rather than against it. The track dips into ravines, crests over hills, and races through underground tunnels (yes, actual tunnels) in a way that makes every ride feel like an expedition through the wilderness.

The mid-course brake run leads to a second lift hill, which is unusual for a modern coaster and adds to The Beast’s epic scale. The second half of the ride includes the famous helix finale, a spiraling descent enclosed by wooden structure that creates a roaring, disorienting, absolutely legendary climax. Night rides through this helix, in total darkness with the wood thundering around you, are considered one of the greatest experiences in the coaster world.

Riding The Beast Today

Kings Island retracked portions of The Beast in recent years, smoothing out some of the rougher sections while maintaining the ride’s wild character. The coaster runs three trains during peak season, and while wait times can be long on summer weekends, the ride is worth every minute in line.

If you visit Kings Island, ride The Beast at night. The daytime ride is excellent, but the night ride is a completely different experience, a pitch-dark plunge through the forest that ranks among the greatest coaster moments on earth. For more Kings Island tips, visit ThrillZing’s blog.

Stats at a Glance

• Park: Kings Island, Ohio
• Type: Wooden coaster
• Opened: 1979
• Length: 7,359 feet
• Top speed: 64 mph
• Notable: Longest wooden coaster in the world for decades

Wooden classics are one of many styles — see our types of roller coasters guide.

FAQs

How long is The Beast?

The Beast runs 7,359 feet through the Ohio woods and was the world’s longest wooden coaster for decades.

When did The Beast open?

1979 — it remains one of the most beloved wooden coasters ever built.

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Orion is the giga coaster that launched Kings Island into the upper tier of coaster destinations when it opened in 2020. Standing 287 feet tall and reaching speeds of 91 mph, this B&M giga delivers a ride experience defined by massive speed, powerful airtime, and sweeping high-speed turns through the Ohio landscape.

The name Orion ties into Kings Island’s Area 72 section, a sci-fi themed area that imagines a connection to deep space. The coaster’s station and queue are themed with mission briefing elements and cosmic aesthetics. Learn more at Kings Island’s official site.

The Ride Layout

Orion’s first drop plunges 300 feet at an 85-degree angle, making it one of the tallest and steepest drops on any B&M giga coaster. The train reaches 91 mph at the bottom before sweeping into a massive wave turn that delivers strong floater airtime. This is followed by a speed hill, a treble clef turn, and additional airtime hills that maintain the ride’s momentum throughout the layout.

The ride’s 5,321-foot track length is shorter than some other giga coasters, which has been a point of discussion among enthusiasts. However, what Orion lacks in duration, it makes up for in quality. Every element is purposeful, delivering maximum sensation without filler. The pacing is excellent, with no dead spots or wasted moments.

Orion in the Giga Conversation

The giga coaster category is elite, with only a handful of coasters in the world crossing the 300-foot threshold. Orion joins Millennium Force, Fury 325, Leviathan, and Intimidator 305 in this exclusive club. While enthusiasts debate their ranking endlessly, Orion’s combination of speed, airtime, and smooth B&M engineering makes it a worthy member.

Seeing Orion in motion from the Kings Island midway is a sight in itself. The massive structure dominates the skyline, and the train’s speed through the low-to-ground sections is genuinely impressive from any viewing angle. For more on giga coasters, visit ThrillZing’s blog.

Stats at a Glance

• Park: Kings Island, Ohio
• Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (giga coaster)
• Opened: July 2020
• Height: 287 feet
• First drop: 300 feet at 85 degrees
• Top speed: 91 mph
• Length: 5,321 feet

Orion belongs to an elite club — see how it stacks up in our guide to the types of roller coasters.

FAQs

How tall and fast is Orion?

Orion stands 287 feet tall with a 300-foot first drop and reaches 91 mph.

Is Orion a giga coaster?

Yes — Orion is one of only a handful of giga coasters worldwide, meaning a height or drop of 300 feet or more.

The post Orion in motion. appeared first on ThrillZing.

Diamondback opened at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, on April 18, 2009, as the park’s first Bolliger & Mabillard coaster and the world’s first hyper coaster with a splashdown element. Costing $22 million, it was the biggest single investment in Kings Island’s history at the time. Within its first season it was ranking among enthusiasts’ top steel coasters worldwide — and the lift hill, that long, slow, fully exposed climb, is exactly where the experience begins.

Quick Answer

Diamondback’s lift hill rises 230 feet on a traditional chain lift, then sends riders down a 215-foot first drop angled at 74 degrees, reaching 80 mph. The ascent takes roughly 90 seconds and stores the potential energy that powers everything that follows: 10 total drops, a series of sustained floating airtime hills across 5,282 feet of track, and a splashdown finale unlike anything else on a hyper coaster.

Diamondback’s Verified Specs

All figures below are sourced from Diamondback’s published specifications and confirmed via Wikipedia’s sourced article on the ride.

Diamondback was built by Bolliger & Mabillard, the Swiss manufacturer behind many of the world’s most-lauded steel coasters. It is classified as a hyper coaster — a steel ride with a height between 200 and 299 feet and no inversions. The lift hill stands 230 feet (70 m); the first drop falls 215 feet (66 m) at 74 degrees; top speed is 80 mph (130 km/h). The track runs 5,282 feet (1,610 m) — just under a mile — and the full ride lasts approximately three minutes across 10 drops. Maximum G-force is 4.2. Three trains operate simultaneously, each carrying 32 riders in 8 cars arranged two-across. Hourly capacity is 1,620 riders.

The minimum height requirement is 54 inches. Diamondback’s open-air, stadium-style seating uses T-shaped lap bars rather than over-the-shoulder harnesses, leaving riders fully exposed to the wind and the forces the hills generate — a deliberate design choice that amplifies the airtime experience.

What the Climb Up the Lift Hill Actually Feels Like

The lift hill on Diamondback is not subtle. From the moment the chain engages, the grade is constant and the mechanical noise unrelenting. Stadium seating means you face forward and slightly upward — the crest of the hill is visible long before you reach it, which is both the point and the psychological torment. There is nowhere to look that doesn’t remind you how high you are climbing.

At roughly the midpoint — around 115 feet up — the park’s midway begins to look like a map rather than a crowd. The wooden superstructure of The Beast is visible to the south. On clear days, the suburban sprawl of Mason stretches outward in every direction. Because Diamondback’s lift faces toward the center of the park, riders get a wide panoramic sweep with no side panels or headrests blocking peripheral vision. The open stadium seating that makes the airtime hills so effective also makes the ascent feel genuinely exposed.

The final stretch of the climb is the quietest part of the whole ride. The chain does its job without drama. Then the front car tips over the top, the rest of the train follows in sequence, and the sensation pivots instantly from slow ascent to free fall.

Why Lift Height Defines Everything on a Hyper Coaster

Hyper coasters operate on a simple mechanical principle: convert altitude into speed, then spend that speed on a long sequence of hills. Every moment of weightlessness Diamondback delivers is paid for by that 230-foot climb. There are no inversions, no launches, no magnetic boosters mid-ride. The lift hill is the only energy input the ride gets.

B&M refined the hyper formula across multiple coasters before Diamondback, tuning each hill’s profile to deliver what enthusiasts call floater airtime — a prolonged, sustained weightlessness through the full crest of a hill, rather than a sharp instantaneous pop. Achieving that floater quality requires the train to carry enough speed to crest each successive hill without slowing too much. That is why initial lift height matters so much: less altitude means less speed exiting the first drop, which means shallower downstream hills and fewer airtime moments.

At 230 feet, Diamondback stores enough energy to string together 10 drops across nearly a mile of track before braking. The lift hill is not theatrical setup — it is the engineering foundation for three full minutes of riding.

Over the Top: The 215-Foot First Drop

The first drop on Diamondback is 215 feet deep and angled at 74 degrees. At the crest, the track effectively disappears from the rider’s line of sight — steep enough that looking straight ahead means looking down. Riders in the front cars get a brief suspended moment before gravity takes hold; riders in the rear are whipped over the top and accelerating almost immediately as the long train pivots.

The drop delivers the train to a maximum speed of 80 mph at the valley floor. That speed is then redirected upward into the first camelback hill — 131 feet tall — which is where Diamondback’s signature floater airtime first appears. The transition from a near-vertical 80 mph plunge to a slow-cresting hill is the defining B&M hyper experience, and Diamondback executes it cleanly.

For context, a true vertical drop is 90 degrees. At 74 degrees, the descent is not quite straight down, but it is steep enough that first-time riders in the front row — looking down along track that angles sharply away below their feet — consistently rate the drop visual as one of the ride’s highlights before the train ever starts moving.

After the Drop: Airtime Hills, the Return Run, and the Splashdown

After the first drop, Diamondback works through a sequence of camelback and bunny-hop hills at progressively lower elevations. Each hill is profiled to keep the lap bar doing nothing useful — riders simply float up slightly against it as the seat falls away beneath them. The effect is more peaceful than violent, which is the point: floater airtime is about sustained weightlessness, not sudden jolts.

A mid-course brake run trims speed before the second half of the layout, but Diamondback retains enough momentum through the lower bunny hills to continue delivering airtime moments on the return run toward the station.

The ride ends with its most famous element: the splashdown. As the train hits the final brake run, scoops on the undercarriage slice through a water trough and throw a wall of water roughly 50 feet into the air. Observers on the adjacent bridge get soaked. Riders get a dramatic finale. When Diamondback debuted in 2009, it was the first hyper coaster anywhere in the world to incorporate a splashdown — a distinction it still holds as part of its identity. For a closer look at how the mechanism works and what to expect, see our dedicated article on Diamondback’s splashdown finale.

Practical Riding Tips for Diamondback

Height requirement: Riders must be at least 54 inches tall. There is no published upper height restriction, but Diamondback’s seats have a fixed width. Larger riders should use the test seat at the ride entrance before queuing to confirm fit.

Best seat for the lift hill: Front row. The unobstructed forward view during the climb and the dramatic visual of the drop reveal make the front the premier spot for experiencing the ascent. Front-row queues at Diamondback tend to be shorter than at many other coasters because most guests do not specifically request them.

Best seat for airtime: Back row. Rear riders are pulled over each crest faster and with more intensity, particularly on the first two hills after the drop. The character of the airtime changes — still floater, but more aggressive — rather than becoming uncomfortable. Seat choice here is a style preference.

Best time to ride: Early in the operating day, before the park reaches peak capacity. Diamondback’s three-train operation and 1,620-rider hourly throughput mean lines move efficiently, but weekend afternoons in summer can still build to 45-minute waits or longer.

Loose articles: Pockets, bags, and unsecured phones are a serious concern on an open-air coaster with genuine airtime. Free short-term lockers are available near the ride entrance — use them.

Diamondback Lift Hill FAQs

How tall is Diamondback’s lift hill?

Diamondback’s lift hill rises 230 feet (70 meters). That height then drops away as a 215-foot first drop angled at 74 degrees.

What type of lift does Diamondback use?

Diamondback uses a traditional chain lift — a continuous loop of chain embedded in the center of the track that catches the train at the bottom and hauls it to the summit at a steady, constant speed. There is no launch or linear induction assist.

How fast does Diamondback go?

Diamondback reaches a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), achieved at the bottom of the 215-foot first drop.

What is the height requirement to ride Diamondback?

Riders must be at least 54 inches tall to board Diamondback. A test seat is available at the ride entrance for guests who want to confirm fit before waiting in the queue.

What makes Diamondback different from other hyper coasters?

When it opened in April 2009, Diamondback became the first hyper coaster in the world with a splashdown element — water scoops on the train’s undercarriage send a roughly 50-foot wall of water into the air at the ride’s end. It was also the first coaster at Kings Island built by Bolliger & Mabillard.

How long does a ride on Diamondback last?

Diamondback’s ride duration is approximately three minutes from the start of the lift hill to the final brake run, covering 5,282 feet of track and 10 drops.

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Opened on April 18, 2009, Diamondback was the first B&M roller coaster ever built at Kings Island and the first hyper coaster anywhere in the world to include a splashdown finale. It cost $22 million — the largest single investment the park had made at the time — and it reached a million riders within three months of opening. Over a decade and 10-plus million rides later, it remains one of the most beloved hyper coasters in North America.

Quick Answer

Diamondback is a 230-foot B&M hyper coaster at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. It tops out at 80 mph, runs for about 3 minutes across 5,282 feet of track, and finishes with a splashdown that sends a 50-foot geyser skyward. Riders stay mostly dry; spectators on the bridge above the water channel get the real soaking.

Stats at a Glance

Park: Kings Island, Mason, Ohio | Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) | Type: Steel hyper coaster | Opened: April 18, 2009 | Height: 230 feet (70 m) | First drop: 215 feet (66 m) at 74 degrees | Top speed: 80 mph (130 km/h) | Track length: 5,282 feet (1,610 m) | Ride duration: ~3 minutes | Max G-force: 4.2 | Capacity: ~1,620 riders per hour | Trains: 3 trains, 8 cars each, 32 riders per train | Restraints: Lap bar only (no over-the-shoulder)

The Ride: What to Expect from Start to Finish

Diamondback follows a classic B&M out-and-back layout. After the chain lift crests the 230-foot apex, the train tips into a 215-foot drop angled at 74 degrees — steep enough to feel near-vertical while still being squarely in hypercoaster territory. Speed builds to 80 mph at the bottom of that first drop, and the ride barely lets it bleed away.

From there, the track delivers a sequence of large, rolling airtime hills — the kind B&M calls floater hills, where the train rises over each crest and your body gently lifts away from the seat. A mid-course brake run appears roughly halfway through but typically runs with minimal trim, keeping speed high into the second half. A hammerhead turn swings the train around for the return leg, which adds another run of hills back toward the station. The splashdown is the finale, and it doubles as the coaster’s natural speed brake before the train re-enters the loading area.

The Splashdown: How It Actually Works

The splashdown occupies the footprint of Swan Lake, an old boat ride that previously occupied that corner of the park. As the train makes its final approach to the station, it dips low and the rear car skims through a shallow water channel. Special scoops built into the back of the last car catch that water and throw it upward; at full speed the geyser can reach around 50 feet high.

Because the scoops are on the tail of the train rather than beneath it, most of the water travels up and backward rather than into the cars. Riders feel a cool mist and hear the dramatic crash of water, but rarely get genuinely soaked. The pedestrian bridge directly above the trough — a deliberate design choice — is where the real drenching happens. Crowds reliably gather there on hot summer days, and the splashdown has become one of the most photographed moments at Kings Island.

Diamondback was the first hyper coaster in the world to feature this element, which made it a significant talking point when the ride debuted in 2009. No B&M hyper coaster before it had ended in anything more dramatic than a standard trim brake.

A Piece of Kings Island History

Diamondback broke ground in October 2007 and was completed by late January 2009, with the track fabricated by Clermont Steel Fabricators, an Ohio-based manufacturer. The $22 million price tag was the largest capital investment Kings Island had undertaken at that point. When tickets for the first-ever ride were auctioned for charity, buyers paid a combined $102,000 — a signal of how anticipated the coaster was.

It was also the first roller coaster at Kings Island built by Bolliger & Mabillard, the Swiss firm responsible for many of the world’s most celebrated steel coasters. Within three months of opening, Diamondback had carried its millionth passenger. By July 2014, the counter had hit 10 million, cementing its place as one of the park’s cornerstone attractions.

Where to Sit for the Best Experience

Back row delivers the strongest airtime. The whip effect at the crest of each hill is most pronounced here, and the first drop produces the sharpest pull. This is the seat enthusiasts most consistently recommend and the one most likely to have a longer sub-queue wait.

Front row offers the best visuals. You get an unobstructed view of every drop before you hit it and the clearest perspective during the splashdown. The airtime is slightly less intense than the back but still substantial — and the scenery through the wooded sections is worth the tradeoff.

Middle rows give the smoothest ride. If you’re bringing a first-time coaster rider or someone who wants to ease into the experience, the center cars deliver the full layout with less intensity at each crest. Notably, all seats on Diamondback use lap bars only with no over-the-shoulder restraints, which is one reason the ride is frequently cited as especially comfortable for riders of varying body types.

Tips for Riding Diamondback

Ride early or late in the day. Diamondback is a marquee attraction and midday queues can stretch well past an hour during peak summer weekends. The first 60 minutes after park open and the final stretch before close consistently show the shortest wait times.

Make time to watch the splashdown from the bridge. The pedestrian bridge above the water channel puts you directly in the spray zone and gives you a ground-level view of the geyser. If you’re visiting with non-riders or younger children who can’t board, this is one of the best spectator spots in the park — and entirely free.

Secure loose items before boarding. The lap-bar-only restraint system means there is nothing overhead to stop phones, sunglasses, or items from pockets from becoming projectiles on the airtime hills. Use the free storage cubbies in the station queue or rent a locker near the ride entrance.

Diamondback Kings Island FAQs

Do you get wet on Diamondback at Kings Island?

Most riders get only a light mist during the splashdown. The water scoops are positioned on the rear of the last car to throw water upward and backward rather than into the train. Spectators standing on the pedestrian bridge directly above the water channel get significantly wetter than the riders.

How tall is Diamondback and how fast does it go?

Diamondback stands 230 feet tall and reaches a top speed of 80 mph. The first drop is 215 feet at a 74-degree angle, and the full ride covers 5,282 feet of track in approximately three minutes.

What is the best seat on Diamondback?

The back row delivers the strongest airtime and is the most popular choice among coaster enthusiasts. The front row offers the best unobstructed views of the layout and the splashdown. All seats feature lap bars only — no over-the-shoulder restraints — making the ride comfortable throughout the train.

Was Diamondback the first coaster with a splashdown?

Diamondback was the first hyper coaster to feature a splashdown element when it opened in April 2009, and the first B&M roller coaster ever installed at Kings Island.

How long is the ride on Diamondback?

The ride lasts approximately three minutes from the moment the train crests the lift hill to when it returns to the station, covering 5,282 feet of track across 10 drops.

Does Diamondback have over-the-shoulder restraints?

No. Diamondback uses lap bars only, with no over-the-shoulder restraints. This is standard for B&M hyper coasters and is one reason the ride is widely considered comfortable and re-rideable.

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