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I have quite a “Firehawk” back-story many of you may be interested in hearing. Now that the ride is “gone” I feel its ok to share… I sat on this for 15 years now... LOL! In 2003, I was invited to go to Six Flags Worlds of Adventure with the Paramount’s Kings Island Marketing Team on a “field trip.” Jeff Siebert, David Mandt, Maureen (then) Kaiser (then the parks’ brand-new PR Director) and I spent some time taking in the park… it was a great day. Specifically we all were there to ride X-Flight (later to become Firehawk) and it was then that I learned its true story. Now, the KI Marketing Team was stellar - and never divulged any company information... However, after rides had opened, they would sometimes share the stories of how the ride came to be... Well, the rumors all about the "X-Flight/Firehawk" have persisted since, so here’s your official verification… As many as you may know already… Vekoma first partnered with Paramount Parks to develop “Stealth” at California’s Great America. Both KI and KD were already slated to get the 2nd & 3rd versions of the coaster in 2002. The issues Stealth faced in development, coupled with the fact that Kings Island was under great scrutiny with their own bevvy of Son of Beast issues, Paramount Parks (specifically the park’s GM - Tim Fisher) made the decision to pass on the exclusive rights to the coaster and not install. Vekoma, already in the manufacturing process, then offered the options to Six Flags who opted to quickly install the rides at Six Flags Worlds of Adventure and Six Flags America – respectively. (As I understood, the routing & delivery of the rides was already scheduled – so rather than further complicate matters, Six Flags simply added them to the 2 parks closest to KI & KD.) Paramount, who had funded Vekoma’s development of the ride, likely profited from the sale of the two coasters to Six Flags. If memory serves me, it wasn’t finalized, but the working “theme” of the Flyer for KI was to be “Mission Impossible.” After the coaster installs for KI & KD were cancelled in late 2000, Paramount Parks R&D in LA immediately switched gears to develop a ride for KI to take the spot vacated in 2002. Tim Fisher was behind much of the push to “modernize” Kings Island and removed what he considered “eyesore” and “dated” rides. That’s why KCKC was demolished and Tomb Raider came into origin – as a direct reaction to the cancellation of the flyer. Ironically, King Cobra at KI was originally going to be demolished in 1999 – and not open with Action Zone. But once the development of “Stealth” began – KI opted to hold on to KC for two more seasons in order to swap a coaster for coaster… The “new” “more vibrant” paint job that KC was given when Action Zone opened was a decision to mask what Tim Fisher considered an “eyesore” by that point in time. After Action Zone opened, King Cobra was again slated for removal in 2001 as preparation for the Vekoma Flyer to be added in its spot. Even after the flyer was cancelled, KC still met the fate of the wrecking ball after 2 years of the park attempting to sell it. It was on this day that I learned that Delirium & Scooby Doo’s installation in 2003 were a direct result of PKI passing of the Vekoma Flyer. This trip was also the first time I heard the name “Dave Cobb” mentioned… Mr Cobb (unknown to me at the time) was already developing “Italian Job: Stunt Track” for KI’s 2005 season. I met him later, when KI first installed the ride and learned that the removal of the Antiques and Flyers were a result of Tim Fisher's initiative to modernize the park. Maureen Kaiser (with whom I rode X-Flight at SFWOA that very day) stayed with KI into 2007, and oversaw the PR of the coaster's installation before passing the torch to Don Helbig. Tim Fisher (who by then had transitioned to Paramount's Carowinds) left the company in 2006 when Paramount Parks was sold to Cedar Fair. However - ironically - it was while he was at Carowinds that the park relocated "Stealth" from Paramount's Great America to become "Borg:Assimilator" at PCow. Mr Fisher joined Cedar Fair Parks as the COO in late 2017... So there you have it… a lot of the PKI rides installed in the early 2000’s were actually a domino-effect result of X Flight not going to Kings Island as intended.

Kings Island has announced that Firehawk will be the coaster leaving the park at the end of the 2018 season. On October 26 – 28, 2018. 11 years, 5 months and two days from its Kings Island opening date, Firehawk will take its last flight ever as Kings Island will bury Firehawk! After Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island from Paramount in 2006, Firehawk was the first coaster that Cedar Fair installed into the park in 2007. Firehawk was not a new coaster though, Firehawk was previously installed as X-Flight in 2001 at Geauga Lake which closed in 2007. Firehawk was manufactured by Vekoma and its removal will reopen 5.5 acres of land. More info about Firehawk along with construction photos and more can be found here: https://kicentral.com/rides/firehawk/ Type of Coaster Steel - Flying Manufacturer Vekoma Model Flying Dutchman Lift/launch system Chain Lift Hill Height 115 ft. (35 m.) Length 3,340 ft. (1,020 m.) Speed 50 mph (80 kmh) Inversions 5 Max Vertical Angle 33 degrees G-force 4.3 Heigh Restriction 40-80 in. (137-203 cm) Trains 2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train. We don't know what the future holds for the area occupied by Firewhawk now, but the X-Base area of Coney Mall is the last area that has not been refreshed since Cedar Fair purchased the park. Could it be that they have big plans for that area of the park with its removal? A look back at Firehawk 2007 - 2018. 20180518_153811.mp4 FH new.mp4 FH new.mp4 Tell us your thoughts about the park removing Firehawk and your memories of the ride!

I think the most ironic thing about this is that they tore down KCKC because it was an eyesore and installed a giant tan box in Rivertown.

On the bright side there will be plenty if room to build a really big restroom back there now.

The GP doest understand "Service Life" essentially means the product is no longer financially viable to operate and has little-to-no marketability. It has nothing to do with safety, everything to due to the cost of keeping it operational. Be it parts, repair, upkeep, electrical costs or manufacturer guarantees. There's a term used in the industry called "viable real-estate." FH obviously occupies real-estate that CF likely feels would be better used if re-purposed. Frankly, I never felt Firehawk was a ride "worthy" of KI. It was a second-hand, "reproduction" foot-print coaster who's novelty was short lived even at it's original park. When KI announced it, I was not impressed... a relocation was "beneath" the park IMO. As far as the ride experience - I literally only rode it twice at KI. It had the same effect each time - uncomfortable when hanging, arduous loading process, not really thrilling, and raised my head's blood pressure level to the point that it was hard to recover. It's placement at the park was awful, and wreaked of a knee-jerk "Hey, KI needs a coaster and we are going to unload GL - so lets just ship it there and stick it over by FOF" mentality. I'll not miss it... as i would not miss Invertigo either.

RIP Firehawk I guess I will not be there for the last ride. I actually like the ride. I first rode it in 2001 at Geauga Lake. I never got to ride Firehawk this year.

Interesting. If it would have came and went in the KC location, We wouldn't have Banshee. Or at least not in it's current form. And as a somewhat confirmation of the story: It's almost like Firehawk was designed for that spot... because it was. The one time Google having the old SOB imagery up being beneficial. lol

Was this tweet meant to be a response to those who speculated Vortex biting the dust before today's announcement? https://twitter.com/KingsIslandPR/status/1045340008612270080

And whoever decides to remove it shall regret breaking the Eleventh Commandment

The loss of our beloved Mine Train would be beyond devastating. It would leave a hole in KI that could never be sufficiently filled

Very true, it might be your most hated ride every, but there is someone else out there that it is their favorite. Sad to see a coaster go no matter what.

@Maverick44, they wouldn't remove a coaster if they didn't have immediate plans for after. Thunder Road was removed after the 2015 season and a water park expansion immediately followed. Son of Beast demolishion concluded in 2012 and constuction and preparation for Banshee immediately followed later in the 2013 season. It's essentially pointless to tear something down unless there's something added within the next year. If Kings Island where to get a giga in 2021 or 2022 I guarantee Firehawk would last for another season or more. Furthermore it's a poor economic decision to tear out a roller coaster and leave the area sit vacant for a years without anything being added.

Its sad that any ride goes. We still laugh about our first ride on it and the picture we got. While not our favorite, it was not our least favorite either. One of the things we always found funny was the reaction of first time riders.

There are already speculation THREADS please don't open another...

That would be Intimidator 305.

If I know Don he’s been itching for weeks to post that.

It’s supposed to parody Mark Twain’s famous quote, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

So a little info on the grave site clues. The 11 chairs are not the 11 "big" coasters. They are there for the 11 years Firehawk was at the park.

Don off to buy the trolling wood for the construction fence next season.

We'd need some serious ceremony to appease the utmost violation of the 11th Commandment.

GateKeeper - 2013, Valravn - 2016, Steel Vengeance - 2018 3 coasters over 5 years, (in 6 total seasons). --- While anniversaries are fun to celebrate and attach sentimental meaning to them, its important to remember that in the context of when parks decide to make major investments, they're basically irrelevant... Parks are going to make investments simply when the time is right. Now, ocasionally it will just so happen that "big" coasters are put in during parks' anniversaries, but I would say these are just coincidences (see I305 for KD's 35th ann.) Why should CP rush to build yet another big ride/coaster for the year 2020, just because they happened to open in 1870. Let's say they just so happened to open in 1868, 1872, 1905, 1911, or 1946?... Should that have any bearing as to what they should do in 2018-2020? In KI's situation, why should they wait two more years to put in something that would benefit the park tremendously (a Giga) just because they just so happened to open in 1972? Lets say for some reason instead they opened in 1970? Would that make 2020 "the year"? Not too long ago, I used to think that anniversaries play a factor in the timing of parks' investments, but the more I thought about, the more I realized that its just not very rational. ------- The fact that B&M has already been contracted on a document for the years 2018-2020 makes me think their engineers spent this summer surveying the land and developing a design. If I had to guess, I would say that the design might even be completely finished as we speak, and waiting for final approval (if not, already approved). Construction may well very be "officially" starting sooner than we think. I would predict starting Day 1 of KI's offseason, the chainsaws are going to be revved up right away and those trees are going to be dropping like flies!

I thought we settled this name thing a long time ago. Commando.

Remember they added fences on the exit this year, unless these are different ones your speaking of.

While I'm sad to lose any coaster, i'm going to def snuggle up to Vortex more than I have been this year.

Actually we do. If you look at the notice of commencement for Mystic Timbers, the document clearly states Mystic Timbers was constructed in 2016/2017 and opened in 2017- which is shown in the document listed below https://oh3laredo.fidlar.com/OHWarren/AvaWeb/#!/image The document that @Old_Bearcat , @fryoj, and myself have provided regarding the B&M project coming to the park is consistent with the events that have been happening recently- the antique cars are being constructed in 2018/2019 and the B&M project is going to happen in the years of 2019-2020 with 2020 being the opening year for the ride. Its one thing to speculate, but there has to be logic to a certain degree.

Just got a mesage from @DonHelbig! Make sure you pay attention to the KIBlog!

Someone on Reddit looked this video up, and I agree that given that Firehawk is about to leave KI, it makes sense to share it. Here is how X-Flight was introduced way back in 2001. BUT BEWARE: LOTS AND LOTS OF 90'S/EARLY 2000'S CHEESINESS!

So, the rumors were true. It was Firehawk. Now, let's see what Kentucky Flyer turns out to be. Also I am expecting a construction fence in X-Base...is it still even that anymore? Flight of Fear gonna be the only ride back there next year. Basically it's just gonna be the Flight of Fear area again, as it was from 1996-2006. Firehawk was a decent coaster, I did like it, but I can understand why the park is removing it. Firehawk had to have been a maintenance nightmare, and it was known for breaking down a lot. And if Vekoma really did back off on the support for the model, then well, that probably made this decision easy for the park. Also, odd fact: this will be the first coaster I have ever ridden that went defunct. I have been on flat rides and stuff that went defunct, but no roller coasters (I didn't seriously begin riding them until 2009 and missed Son of Beast)...until now. I am kinda surprised it will be Firehawk of all coasters getting that title. I am planning on going to Kings Island with a group of friends for haunt this weekend, so I will probably get my final rides in this weekend. Oh and finally: F

It always sucks to lose a ride. Firehawk was never one of my favorites, but that in-line twist and final helix are incredible. Definitely sad to see it go, but I will happily sacrifice the red-headed stepchild in order to keep my beloved Vortex a few more years. Press F to pay respects. I'll start: F

Sorry Vortex haters, maybe next time. This was a good move on the park's part and I support their decision in favor of what's to come in the near future. Firehawk was my first inverting coaster so I'll miss it, but cherish the fond memories I had riding it.

This was the ride I was going to be the least upset about leaving.

I wonder if KI will get a flying coaster in the next few years after 2020 investment. This might sound ludicrous, but hear me out. The Flying Dutchman coasters were supposed to rotate back on the chain lifts. This can be seen in the promotional material. Vekoma has made a new model of their flying coaster that ensure both the rotation is done quickly and efficiently, as well as maintain high capacity. Vekoma is also rolling out a launches flying coaster next year, FLY at Phantasialand. The ride includes a station that would dramatically cut down on the wasted time in the station. Furthermore, if this launch coaster is introduced without a problem, there likely will be a market for the new coasters.

I'd be rather upset if AE left... It's something you really can't easily find other places.

He is good but also wouldn’t be opposed to Richard Michael Crosby filling in.

I, too, am hoping for Firehawk's removal over Vortex's. It was my first looping coaster and it feels like such a staple in the park's skyline since its all I remember, with the Eiffel Tower and Vortex being the 2 tallest attractions in the 90s until Action Zone came about. I still thoroughly enjoy riding Vortex.

Cedar Point got three new large coasters over the past five years. KD got Twisted Timbers this year. CW and Carowinds getting something for 2019. 2020 is KI's year, without question IMO (and as noted above, the documents specify at as much).

I sometimes feel the same about The Beast.

I bet they're putting in a huge bathroom. Edit: You beat me to it by seconds, @King Ding Dong!

Glad Vortex is safe (for now). Firehawk was a one and done for me. Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

But the news media said it was Vortex

This is just something I quickly threw together in ps. I used Fury 325 as a filler. It is pretty much to scale here. The coaster could be configured any which way, but I think would open the area up. Also note I closed of the X-Base “tunnel” to allow Racer to be restored to the original track configuration. I miss that airtime at the brake run. Again, this is just an idea. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would just like to say that one of my favorite things here over the years is how, when anyone ever suggests changing or removing Adventure Express, there's always a chorus of people who jump in and say, "Don't violate the Eleventh Commandment!" It's up there with the annual Christmas retelling of the sinking of the S.S. Gator. (For those who don't know, the Eleventh Commandment is: "Thou shalt not mess with Adventure Express, or else now you will pay.") Also... It better not be Adventure Express. Although, it would be cool to have been on the final crew for a ride... Boddah's black hat has always been a fairly reliable source, though.

I Know our Season passes will be renewed for sure =) I Missed several years of Kings Island, but when they started teasing #Whatsintheshed we bought passes. this is so much more than the original # Teasing they did with Mystic. We Missed alot of this year, was over in Late June 4 days after our visit my partner had a heart attack. had to take a break from the heat, coasters and all the other things the dr said no to, but FINALLY We was able to get back to the park this past sunday WoooHooo I Got My Diamondback Fix OH darn I'm Excited about this! 1 hour to go

Guess I will wait until 10:15 to make a decision on renewing my 4 Platinum Passes. I hope CF made the correct decision.

Boo Hill is leaving and we are getting a dark ride worth riding. A man can dream.

It is a cool concept, however I doubt Cedar Fair would be willing to work with Vekoma after this is over, especially considering their current relationship with Bolliger & Mabillard. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If we don’t we should... Very few care about FH, many would be upset about AE.

Darn, if The Racer wasn’t there, more people could see Firehawk and ridership would be higher.

What about a tandem of men. Bob & Michael ? Would of loved to use Intamin but can’t find a way haha. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm conflicted because while Vortex is my favorite ride, the inline twist and final helix on Firehawk are my favorite ride elements in the park. Either way I lose something I like.