RayFields

I think Kings Island has five standout coasters: Orion, Banshee, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers, and The Beast. If you were to put any one of these coasters at ValleyFair, Michigans’ Adventure or probably over 90% of the amusement parks on the planet, it would be their best coaster and would surely standout. Leviathan is a standout coaster for Canada’s Wonderland and most that feel Orion is slightly superior to Leviathan. But Orion doesn’t stand out at Kings Island the way Leviathan does at Canada’s Wonderland due to the fact that Canada’s Wonderland doesn’t have near the supporting cast that Kings Island does. In fact, Leviathan is the standout attraction in all of Canada and Orion is still a tad better. The fact that Kings Island has five coasters that are very close to each other in terms of quality doesn’t allow for any single coaster to standout on it own. I actually like that Orion doesn’t completely overshadow all other rides like some rides do at their respective parks. The other coasters get to keep their appeal. There’s now just more variety. Orion was a very good fit for the park I would even venture to say that the majority of park goers would rather have an Orion over a Veloicoaster, SteVe, Maverick, X2 or The Voyage. The size, the speed, the looks, the drop. It’s just more attractive to more people. Nothing you put at Kings Island is going to standout with the lineup they have anyway, not SteVe, not Veloicicoaster, not The Voyage. It’s just people’s preference for what they prefer. Not everyone prefers the most intense ride. Intensity does not maketh the most superior experience.

Funny but I actually like how the International street restaurant at the entrance blocks the view of International street and the Eiffel Tower. It just makes it more breathtaking when you finally walk through the gates and see all the magnificence! Don't know why some people feel the park entrance is ugly, I think it looks fine. Most people don't even notice one way or another and to me the worst thing is to have a ride right at the entrance.

Alan Schilke rides the S&S Axis:

Lately I've been seeing a lot of enthusiasts place Kings Island as their #1 park, even ahead of Cedar Point. They point to the more relaxing atmosphere and the magnificent staff and ride ops....Good job people! Coaster Studios 1 month ago I’ve always thought KI was right up there with Cedar Point. Quality is high, it’s clean, amazing operations, and great rides. Never had a bad visit to KI. I know I’ve said this before, but KI really feels like a park you can take your time with and just enjoy, while Cedar Point is almost overwhelming it’s so massive. Both fantastic parks though! Sean Flaharty 3 weeks ago Kings Island has always been one of my home parks as I live in between KI and Cedar Point. I have always appreciated the difference between the both of them but Cedar Point has always been the more thrill oriented park. Something switched for me this year though. I only had one visit to Cedar Point and a few to Kings Island. I can't quite put my finger on it, but Kings Island has really, really done something to me this year. I have never had such a level of appreciation for that place as I do now. Airtime Thrills 1 month ago Dude, your 1&2 took the words out of my mouth. KI wows me every time in a way CP cant even do it and its mainly because staff and ops Tony's Toolbox 1 month ago Kings Island blows Cedar Point away in every aspect except the coaster collection. Best ride ops I've ever experienced. Sedric Granger 1 month ago I’m also in the crowd that likes Kings Island above Cedar Point! Since I live in Columbus I can choose which one to go to every other weekend! I’ll be going to CP this weekend then Kings Island the week after! Ohio is the best!

Admit is you want one of those coasters just as badly as I do...You don't have to be afraid to agree with my obviously perfect proposal

Lot of nice ideas here but I would greatly prefer an X2 killing S&S Axis 4D coaster over all other options. If people are going gaga over a 800 ft. prototype I can't imagine what a full scale model would be like. Reliability and Maintenance costs would obviously be the biggest concerns and may be a deal breaker but these things look to be a riot. https://attractionsmagazine.com/my-test-ride-on-axis-the-next-evolution-of-roller-coaster/ "As the coaster launches (approximately 0-70 in 1.8 seconds on the prototype! WOAH!) I am thrust back into my seat; then, what looks like an outer bank turn flipped me over, but it only flipped the vehicles, as the track doesn’t do a full inversion. Wait! Did I just do a barrel roll even though the track didn’t? I’m not sure I have time to figure it out as I’m immediately on the side of the track instead of above it in the next element, a banked turn, that immediately drops me into something no other coaster has ever done. I’m not so sure this next element even has a name, as the coaster floats over the track providing a bit of sustained airtime. I made one more fast bank to the right that was so sharp, the cart rotated almost 90 degrees through the final element. It blew past the launch track and back up toward the first section that inverted" "I have no words at this moment. How? What? Where? Nevermind, my mind couldn’t comprehend what just happened. I guess I need to try it again. Launch. Repeat. Launch. Repeat. Launch. Repeat. I just cannot wrap my mind around what is happening." "After somewhere north of six or so rides, I finally had an understanding of what’s happening. Barely. I could sit here and try to describe this all day, but I would just end up talking in circles. So much happened in 800 feet of track that it may as well be a full coaster in itself, but it isn’t. In fact, the full-scale version is going to be even more insane. So, which theme park is getting one? Well, we don’t know. When can you ride it? Again, we don’t know. Once a park purchases one from S&S, it’ll be a while before it’s built and ready to ride. Also note that whatever theme park company buys it, they will name it themselves, so it may not have Axis in the title. But you’ll know it when you see it. But, there is a lot we did learn about the design and the tracking system. The coaster rotations feel random, but are actually extremely controlled. While there may be some slight variation based on weight, every element was designed to make the car do what they want. In the back seat POV in the video above you can see a giant “wheel” made of metal on the back of the seat that rotates. That wheel actually contains magnets that control the speed of rotation. The roller coaster’s speed and the track transitions determine exactly what the car is going to do. This is roller coaster design taken to the next level." Unfortunately, as this prototype isn’t open to the public. You may have to wait a few years to fully understand what that next level coaster is. I promise though, it’ll be worth the wait. Sorry Steel Vengeance, you are no longer my number one roller coaster. That title belongs to 800 feet of track in an empty field in the middle of nowhere Utah." Yeah I'll take one....

Those 4d's are great and I'm sure no one would complain at having one but this Axis concept is their evolution of the original 4d coasters. Looks to be much more comfortable and less abruptly jerky than the standard 4d rides From the S&S site (with a lot of over the top marketing intertwined) "S&S has started a revolution! We have re-imagined roller coaster dynamics by taking our patented and proven 4D rotating vehicle technology and turned it on a new AXIS. The new AXIS roller coaster delivers deliberate and fluid movements that give the rider a feeling of flying unlike any other ride. This coaster redefines track elements that cannot be replicated by any other ride and creates a highly marketable attraction that will have your gates booming! Whether you want a high-thrill experience or a family-friendly coaster, AXIS will be the ride your guests want to ride time and time again. Let your customers in on the roller coaster revolution by letting them flip, fly and soar on AXIS!" At any rate I wouldn't want to see a B&M dive or winged coaster on The Vortex plot because these or any other B&M models would likely only be the 4th best B&M in the park (I think the 3 best B&M models are already there) This S&S model conversely would be on the same level as the big 5 KI coasters giving you 6 very top tier coasters. Then later on you add a RMC that snakes through the woods like Outlaw Run or Lightning Rod and well.........Greetings and Salutations

KI is in very good shape compared to most parks, they wouldn't need to add another major attraction for another 5 years or so but they probably will before that time anyway...would like to see them add some low-mid intensity rides like the old Flying Eagles, the drunken barrels, etc. and as stated work on landscaping, adding flowers, trees etc. I don't think this S&S would be nearly as risky a prototype as The Bat what with all the advancements in coaster engineering/technology over the last 40 years, From listening to the S&S rep from the 2nd video above it seems as if they are quite enthusiastic and serious about moving forward with this model. and are well on their way to having it worked out

I don't think it'd be a risk as long as S&S has all the kinks worked out. It would probably cost quite a bit less than a B&M Dive or Winged Coaster and would have a lot more character and would be appreciated by Enthusiasts and Casuals alike....Doesn't look crazy intense it just looks like pure fun.

They need to add this new S&S Axis free spin to the old Vortex area. It's like the complete perfected evolution of the original free swinging Arrow Bat design. Riders also say it's very comfortable (unlike the regular S&S free spins) and it would give a different ride each time similar to X2...Be cool if they paid homage to Vortex by painting the ride with the same colors.....Be perfect in that spot

Then all you'd need is an RMC....something like Outlaw Run but with a longer ride length to take you through the forest to complement Mystic Timbers and The Beast.....sure would be a rad ride lineup

Man some of you guys need to lighten up a bit....You have to remember that these employees and executives have a passion for the rides and the park just as much as the public and I'm glad that they freely express their opinions and show a sense of humor....better than being all stiff and official like a politician Some people are just too easily offended.....snowflakes

This is probably the most intelligent review I've seen of Orion....Orion makes you feel like you're an eagle in flight....you feel like you're gracefully soaring and then swooping down for prey....it's an awesome beautiful sensation and different from other gigas.... I don't think KI will need another coaster for the next 5-6 years, I'd like to see the return of some rides like the Flying Eagles, Der Spinnen Keggers and rides like that. When a new coaster is added I'd like to see the new S&S Axis prototype be put into The Vortex spot and painted the exact same colors as Vortex...seems like it would be a good fit there after the 2 Arrows that preceded it

Nothing worse than being forced to listen to dumpy modern day music in an amusement park....can pretty much ruin your whole day when you're waiting in line and Taylor Swift or Maroon 5 come blaring through the speakers .No.......No.........Gawd No.....Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.............................

I think that starting next year Kings Island should stay open until midnight at least one night per week during their operating season (Friday would be best) Kings Island has so many good night rides yet due to closing at 10 pm you really only have time for 1 per visit.....If they were open until midnight then you could get in 5-7 night rides....Orion, The Beast, Mystic Timbers, Banshee....heck even rides like The Bat and Adventure Express take on a whole new meaning at night and give phenomenal rides. That way you'd get all that goodness in one night... I can only imagine the electricity in the park on a late Friday night with everyone scurrying around to get these rides in...be quite the scene (would probably attract a lot more high school/junior high kids also)

I don't even notice roughness, rattles, etc. unless I have a headache afterwards....roller coasters are never going to be perfectly smooth and that's part of their charm but if a ride gives people a headache then I think changes should be made...not sure what percentage of people acquire a headache after riding Banshee so who knows...dain bramage is not good

Simpler than tearing down the ride and putting something else there......If the trains are indeed found to be the culprit then the entire expense of the new trains should be on placed on B&M due them not designing/using the proper train type in the first place...Mistakes happen

I think that these new trains are the primary culprit contributing to the discomfiture on Banshee. The trains are much lighter than the trains on their other inverts and with Banshee being so intense I think the ride needs the older heavier trains even more-so than their other inverts. Swapping the trains would probably reduce the shakiness/roughness at least to "normal" levels (on par with other B&M inverts) If I was Cedar Fair I would bring this up with B&M during this off-season....should be a simple fix and threads like these will disappear into anonymity

Here's a different type of Orion review with some nice additional content. Highly recommend watching Reviewer thinks the first drop is the best of any Giga and the 56 ft. speed hill is the best single moment on any Giga

That makes sense also. If their is long-term differential settlement then the slender track/support structures may not be sturdy enough to prevent the wheels from vibrating (as the foundation is slowly settling/weakening and is less able to absorb energy) Coasters from manufactures that use beefier track/support structures wouldn't exhibit this vibrating wheel effect AS MUCH as the foundation settlement occurs over time......

Yes that makes sense. My only question is why does the "rattle" on some of these coasters get worse over time? For instance Fury325 was very smooth for the first few years and then started developing a rattle. Same thing with Banshee. Seems the rattle gets worse over time and they change wheels frequently. If it was the wheels then every time new wheels are put on then the ride should be exactly as smooth as it was on day 1. I don't believe this is the case. Put on all new wheels take a ride and there should be no rattle or at least it should match the ride from Day 1

Exactly, That's why changing the restraints would probably make the ride much more enjoyable and then the rattle would be less of a problem

Yes long-term differential settlement looks to be a likely culprit possibly in conjunction with other factors like the varying wheel gaps caused by the non adjustable wheels. Need to tighten up them tolerances

Good points.. Wheels on the trains wear down at different rates and you if you can't adjust each individual wheel then you have a problem

Sounds about right...