‘Intense and aggressive’ ride planned for Cincinatti park
Kings Island, near Cincinnati, Ohio, is building the biggest attraction in its 36-year history, a 5,282ft-long mega coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard. The ride, named Diamondback, will make its debut in April 2009.
The trains will feature the same open-air stadium-style seating that was introduced this season on Behemoth at sister park Canada’s Wonderland, giving all riders an unobstructed view of what lies ahead. Kings Island will be the first park in the United States with such trains.
Built at a cost of $22 million, Diamondback will be the tallest and fastest of 15 coasters at Kings Island. It will be located in the western themed Rivertown area of the park and will travel over flat land, woods, water and rocks. The ride will stand 230ft at its highest point with a first drop of 215ft at a 74-degree angle. Speeds of up to 80 miles per hour will be reached. The ride is to feature 10 vertical drops including plunges of 193, 131, 129, 110 and 106ft; two helixes, one at 323 degrees and the other at 287 degrees; and a spectacular splashdown ending. The total ride experience will last more than three minutes.
“This ride is big – real big – intense and aggressive,” says Kings Island vice-president and general manager, Greg Scheid.
