Kings Island, only having a wooden coaster that was over the 200-foot mark that didn’t quite please the public, wanted a true hyper-coaster built and in 2009, it came and it was a hit. Having a height of 230 feet (tallest coaster in the park) reaching speeds of 80 mph (fastest coaster in the park) and a length of 5,282 feet (longest steel coaster in the park but The Beast still hold the record there for the longest coaster!) this is certainly the coaster Kings Island was waiting for. This was also the first coaster to bring B&M’s newly designed V-shaped trains to the US, giving a great view of the ride no matter where you sit.
Featuring a 215-foot drop over the midway, 5 airtime hills with a hammerhead turn in the middle, and the first hyper-coaster to feature a splashdown finale, Diamondback is also a great photogenic coaster. Sitting in the back car during a hot day is a perfect way to cool down too as you are literally right next to the rooster tail that shoots out behind the train as it dives into the splashdown pond!
Be sure to check out the other A-Z Coaster of the Week coasters!
I couldn’t get myself to be impressed by diamondback in any way. I really tried. I had only night rides but they were multiple. I loved the trains… very comfortable and open. But it was as if I couldn’t experience any forces. The turns felt, well they were missing feeling, like they were anesthetized with force management or something. Even the airtime seemed too soft and fluffy for a thrill. It’s tough to explain. I experienced the same thing on Carowinds B&M Intimidator. Which was also cold air and nighttime. I think the train might be one row too long pulling acceleration and deceleration from the transitions from top and low speeds. I’m not sure. Perhaps I just need a day ride. Katie does sure look like she enjoys the Intimidator at least. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7oKyf2iTZc