Today, we were lucky enough to get the chance to preview one of the most highly anticipated new roller coasters of 2017, Mystic Timbers at Kings Island. Members of the media were granted the first rides on the new coaster this morning and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
To appreciate all of what this coaster has to offer you first need to understand its backstory:
The Miami River Lumber Company decided to set up shop in this dark section of the Ohio forest, little did they know what was lurking there. They opened their doors for business on April 15, 1983 and stayed open for only one day. During that first day workers that were spotted fleeing from the work shed, screaming about what they had found inside. They jumped in their truck and tried to make a getaway, but failed when they ran into the entrance of the mill; they were never seen again. Until now the forest and lumber yard have been abandoned. Some form of security is there now and they try to keep people out, but if you enter you will be captured by the forest and given a thrilling journey in a truck just like the one that crashed many years ago.
As you approach the Rivertown section of Kings Island you now see wooden coaster track peeking over the tree tops, inviting you in. But when you walk closer you start hearing this announcement:
WARNING: DO NOT ENTER. A MANDATORY AND ON GOING LOCK DOWN FOR THE MIAMI RIVER LUMBER COMPANY IS IN ORDER. REPEAT: DO NOT ENTER.
We entered anyway.
After walking past the abandoned truck, you make your way up and into the station which is an old warehouse. Attached to the warehouse is some shed looking thing… but we’ll talk about that later.
On to the ride itself. As you leave the station you meander for a short distance before heading up the lift (meanwhile security is still trying to get you to leave the area). The first drop on this coaster is incredible for only being 100 feet tall. It takes a sharp left nose-dive down toward the ground, nearly hitting it and then immediately shoots you back over the lift hill and into the rest of the course.
From start to finish, Mystic Timbers has you in its clutches. Airtime hill after airtime hill, twist after twist, this ride never lets up.
It uses the the park’s terrain to its full potential. Fast, smooth, low-flying coasters are my favorite, so needless to say I loved this ride.
Kings Island has definitely scored again with this new world-class coaster. Mystic Timbers has something for everybody. It is intense enough for thrill seekers and enjoyable enough for the little ones. Great Coasters International was able to put all of their best elements into this one ride.
The amount of detail the park put into the ride is phenomenal as well. From the trains that look like they themselves are from 1983 to the themed queue, it is very well put together.
Oh wait, did I forget something?
WHAT. IS. IN. THAT. SHED?
Sorry folks, you need to experience this one for yourself. All I will say is that it is the perfect ending to a perfect coaster. It adds a little something special where other coasters just send you right back into the station.
Do you have any plans to come ride this new coaster? Make sure to let us know what you think!
We will be back at Kings Island tonight (April 13th) for the first riders auction charity event, so make sure to follow us on social media for updates and our thoughts as we take night rides on Mystic Timbers!
I went on it today, and didn’t think it lived up to the hype. It felt jerky (pretty good for a wooden coaster, but not great, still jerky), and I didn’t like the ending. It felt too long, and really anticlimactic. It should have quickly shot you off, instead the ride just ended.
However, it was still pretty fast 🙂 just didn’t think it was THAT good.
Totally fun coaster. I agree that the terrain hugging features make the ride. We had fun in the shed too. It feels so fast and out of control. I think it was rather smooth for a traditional wooden coaster. Very nice job. Thank you Kings Island.
This coaster really surprised me when I first rode this during the auction event. This is my favorite GCI coaster and easily in my top 5 wooden coaster of all time. My wooden coaster count is 93.