Kings Island has one of the largest coaster collections in the country, and their lineup contains a number of iconic rides. Unlike most parks, Kings Island lacks a standout number one, which makes the debate of what coaster is the best more interesting than most parks. I've spent two days at Kings Island over the last year, and feel that I've had enough rides to be able to define my personal opinions on each one. I will say that I don't exactly find Kings Island to have the deep quality lineup of parks like Cedar Point, but there are certainly a number of unique standout attractions at Kings Island worth discussing.
14. Great Pumpkin Coaster - I wasn't able to ride this (nor did I really want to), but this is the park's kiddie coaster. One can only ride this if they have a child with them that fits the height requirement, and it certainly fits the label as a "kiddie ride"
13. Flying Ace Aerial Chase - This ride is indeed a step up from a kiddie coaster, but if a growing child wants to experience the next step up between a kiddy ride and a more extreme coaster, this is certainly not the ride to try. This ride is a family version of Vekoma's Suspended Looping Coasters, which isn't exactly a good comparison. Like their larger model, this family suspended coaster is janky and rough, and considering it lacks any real positives, it just comes off as a waste of time.
12. Invertigo - 4/10 - Invertigo differs from similar Boomerang rides as it is suspended rather than a traditional sit down experience. I'll admit that the different seating style does add a bit to the ride that make me appreciate it more than a traditional Boomerang, but these rides are still too rough and generic for me to truly enjoy. If you are a fan of going upside down backwards on rides, I think you could find some enjoyment from Invertigo, however I just don't enjoy that feeling, especially when the profiling isn't that great.
11. Woodstock Express - 4/10 - It's both a knock on Invertigo and a compliment to Woodstock Express to put it higher on the list. This is another family coaster at the park is a simple old school woodie that isn't too intense for younger audiences. I found this to be a smooth, relaxing experience with some light thrills. I would recommend this for anybody looking for an intermediate thrill coaster, even if it isn't exactly noteworthy for most individuals.
10. The Beast - 4/10 - Now this might be my boldest opinion in this list. Many enthusiasts and park-goers find The Beast to be one of the most legendary wooden coasters ever built. While I can't deny the rides status as a classic wooden coaster (and still the world's longest), I just can't believe that many truly enjoy this experience. The Beast is one of the roughest wooden coasters I have ever ridden, and after just one ride on my most recent visit I needed a half hour just to recover. That said I do find that the ride has some nice scenery being tucked away in the woods, and there are a few moments of excitement, but I find it overshadowed by the constant shakiness, lack of airtime, and the brutal transitions. I will always respect The Beast, however I just can't enjoy it.
9. Adventure Express - 5/10 - Putting this janky mine train above The Beast might be blasphemy, but that ending with the Mayan inspired animatronics is very unique, and that alone makes this an enjoyable ride for me. I also might be biased as I did make this ride my 100th coaster, but I really do find this coaster unique for a mine train. That said, it still is a fairly tame and janky ride. All things considered though I would recommend this for anybody looking for an intermediate ride, and it certainly is a unique part of Kings Island's lineup.
8 - Racer - 5/10 - Racer is a pretty standard dueling wooden coaster. I don't really have many notable negatives to say about the ride, however I also don't find much about it that stands out. It would've helped if the ride was dueling on either of my visits, because without the dueling this is just a standard wooden coaster without much real airtime or memorable moments. I'm happy it wasn't rough or anything, but I can't say it's a coaster I'm yearning to ride on my next visit.
7 - The Bat - 6/10 - I wanna like the bat more than I do. The ride has a great setting tucked away, and it really is a one-of-a-kind experience. This classic Arrow Suspended Coaster does run pretty fast and definitely has a few moments of excitement, however I still feel like the ride lacks something. It doesn't help that I typically prefer rides with airtime. Overall The Bat is a solid ride that packs some moderate thrills and swooping turns through the lush forest and the first ride at this park that I would consider a solid attraction.
6. Backlot Stunt Coaster - 6/10 - Backlot Stunt Coaster is really good for what it is, and that Is a fun family ride with some mild theming. The ride has a fun launch to start, and the fire effect later in the ride is a treat. Stunt Coaster is a smooth experience from start to finish, and what it lacks in intensity it makes up for in fun factor. Overall a memorable family ride that's always worth checking out on a visit for the cool effects and mild thrills.
5 - Flight of Fear - 6/10 - The parks other themed launch coaster is (in my eyes) the inferior version when compared to its twin at Kings Dominion. Even though this FoF doesn't run as well as its clone, it still packs the awesome launch and pitch black excitement. I also love the teeming throughout this ride, as it certainly builds anticipation. Unfortunately the ride is a bit rougher than it's clone (at least on my most recent rides) which hold it back, but I still find it a solid experience worth trying out any day at Kings Island.
4 - Banshee - 8/10 - There is a decent step up in quality from number 5 to 4, and the final rides at this park are all standouts. The only major negatives I have about Banshee is that I find the other 3 rides above it more re-rideable, and that I'm always going to be biased for rides with airtime. Banshee is a standout inverted coaster with an incredible sense of speed (one of very few coasters where the fastest part ISN'T the first drop) and some memorable inversions that are very intense. My favorite part though has to be the final roll before the breaks and the ride slows greatly so you get amazing hang time. I find it odd that many call this ride rough, as I didn't find it too bad. Overall, even if I can only do it once or so per visit, I still really appreciate the intensity of Banshee.
3 - Diamondback - 8/10 - Diamondback is a winner for me with how re-rideable the coaster is. The coaster is reliably solid with every ride, and packs some solid floater airtime throughout. I do think it is a stretch to call this a standout hyper however, as it is easily the most mild of the bunch I've been on. I would put it low on my hyper rankings, but overall it's still a great time with a solid drop, multiple airtime moments, and a noteworthy splash down at the end.
2 - Orion - 8/10 - Orion is so close to being a 9, however I just find the ride too short for that honor. Where I think many enthusiasts overrated Diamondback, I think they also underrate Orion. The first drop on this coaster is incredible, and the rides sense of speed is unmatched at the park. I also love the lighting package it has for night rides. Besides the drop, every other element on the ride is memorable and solid. If this ride was longer and had a couple more airtime moments it certainly would be an elite coaster for me, but I still appreciate it for what it is.
1 - Mystic Timbers - 9/10 - Mystic Timbers is one of my favorite coasters. It might not reach the legendary status to be a 10, but this ride is just so fun. The setting of Mystic makes it feel like you are flying through the woods, and the layout maintains the speed perfectly. Mystic also is packed with thrilling maneuvers and amazing ejector airtime. It might not be the longest coaster, but the ride leaves you out of breath every time you hit the breaks. Even "The Shed" at the end is a standout for me. Everything from the restraints to the smooth ride experience make this the definitive ride at Kings Island and a must ride upon visiting the park. In fact I'd say it's worth riding multiple times solely to fully experience "The Shed".
World Class Rides: Mystic Timbers
Must Rides/Classics: Banshee; Diamondback; Orion
Solid Rides: The Bat; Backlot Stunt Coaster; Flight of Fear
Mid-Tier Rides: Racer; Adventure Express
Weaker Rides: Flying Ace Aerial Chase; Invertigo; Woodstock Express; The Beast
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