It’s a mini-vacation destination like no other in the Midwest, and offers families an array of dynamic activities, entertainment and fun that just won’t stop.
It’s Kings Island near Cincinnati, the most popular seasonal theme park in the nation last year. Where else can families enjoy Hollywood in the Midwest, where stars from movies and television come to life every day of the summer?
Kings Island has been the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest for millions of families seeking the best in rides, shows, games, food and fun, all in a Hollywood-style setting. Located off I-71, 24 miles north of Cincinnati, the 364-acre award-winning family entertainment center is truly one of America’s finest family fun venues.
Kings Island offers seven colorful, themed areas (including two specifically designed for children, their parents and grandparents), 40 world-class thrill rides, great live entertainment stage shows, a huge Australian-themed water resort, and a 10,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. The park has grown to the point that it takes visitors two full days to see and do everything.
Diamondback!
New in 2009
The biggest and most exciting new attraction in Kings Island’s 36-year history, a 5,282-foot long steel hyper roller coaster named Diamondback, will change the landscape for thrill seekers when the ride makes its debut in April 2009.
Diamondback will be the tallest, fastest and meanest roller coaster at Kings Island. The ride will stand 230 feet at its highest point with a first drop of 215 feet at a 74 degree angle and reach speeds in excess of 80 miles per hour. The ride features 10 vertical drops overall including drops of 193, 131, 129, 110 and 106 feet, two helixes – one at 323 degrees and the other at 287 degrees – and a spectacular splashdown ending. The ride experience on Diamondback will last more than three heart-pounding minutes.
“This ride is big – real big – intense and aggressive,” said Greg Scheid, Kings Island’s vice president and general manager. “Not only are the statistics of the ride awesome, but its use of the rugged natural terrain and spectacular splashdown ending ensures that no other roller coaster tops these thrills.”
The trains on Diamondback will feature unique, open-air stadium-style seating that will allow riders to experience an unobstructed view of all the thrills and excitement on one of the world’s best roller coasters. Kings Island will be the first park in the United States with trains of this style on a roller coaster.
Diamondback will be located in the western themed Rivertown area of the park and will prey over flat land, woods, water and rocks, slithering along nearly one mile of track through gut-wrenching drops, twists and turns, leaving riders feeling snake bitten.
“The western diamondback is the king of all rattlesnakes with a fearsome reputation,” Scheid said. “They’re big, mean, aggressive and terrifying. The name Diamondback accurately conveys the image of the characteristics of the coaster as it resembles that of a coiled snake ready to strike.”
Diamondback will be the biggest investment in Kings Island’s 36-year history at $22 million dollars and will be the park’s 15th world-class roller coaster.
Diamondback Details
| Track | Type | Year | Designer/Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel | Hypercoaster | 2009 | Bolliger & Mabillard |
Roller Coaster Stats
| Height: 230 feet | Drop: 215 feet |
| Angle of descent: 74 degrees | Top speed: 80 mph |
| Length: 5,282 feet | Ride time: 3 minutes |
| Trains: 3 - 32 passenger |
More About Diamondback
Features: 10 Drops (215-feet, 193-feet, 131-feet, 129-feet, 110-feet, 106-feet)
Estimated cost: $22 million
Trains have eight cars with two rows each, seating two abreast per row.
Braking systems: Magnetic, Water and Mechanical
Ride capacity: 1,620 passengers per hour
Location
6300 Kings Island Drive
Mason, Ohio 45040