Banshee, the world’s longest inverted roller coaster, opens at Kings Island in April of 2014. The Bolliger & Mabillard coaster will send riders through 4,124 feet of track and seven inversions at speeds up to 68 mph.
The ride begins with a lift hill taking riders up to the maximum height of 167 feet. After plunging down 150 feet, riders will maneuver through the following inversions:
- dive loop
- vertical loop
- zero gravity roll
- two batwing inversions
- second vertical loop
- 170-foot long heartline finale.
Unlike other roller coasters, Banshee’s top speed isn’t reached until halfway through the ride’s course due to the coaster’s hilly terrain.
Since Banshee’s lift hill is on a higher elevation of terrain than the other side of the ride that goes down into a valley, the total elevation change is 208 feet from the highest point at the top of the lift hill to the lowest point, which is the bottom of the batwing element.
Passengers will be seated in cars four across. Banshee will sport new B&M inverted trains, featuring restraints similar to those found on B&M’s flying and wing coasters. A total of three trains, each containing eight cars, will enable Banshee to accommodate approximately 1,650 riders per hour.
Banshee construction is now underway in the Action Zone area of Kings Island. Park visitors can see the ride being built from the ground up with great aerial views and photo opportunities available from the observation deck of the Eiffel Tower on International Street.
Banshee will be Kings Island’s 15th roller coaster. The coaster represents the biggest new product investment in the park’s 41-year history at $24 million.
See more artist renderings of Banshee here.
Banshee Videos
Take a virtual ride on Banshee below:
Watch an off-ride video of Banshee:
Below is a video showcasing the new B&M inverted trains that will debut on Banshee in 2014:
Artist renderings and animations © Kings Island
Find even more pictures and information at Kings Island’s official Banshee website.
Pre-announcement updates:
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We’re waiting for the announcement:
The below photo shows where the park will reveal its 2014 plans.
Are those church pews underneath the plastic? They sure look like pews to me.
Now that Banshee has been announced, what are your thoughts about the ride? Discuss in the comments section below.
Can’t wait!!!! Hope it’s an inverted, or wing coaster!!
I think Banshee is going to be one of the best rides in the world.
I think im gonna have to force my parents to take me to Cincinnatti next year. I will die if I don’t ride that next year!