How good is Kings Island's 2009 roller coaster collection?

[McSalsa]

OK, my 3rd offseason poll that has been floating in my head for a while. How would you rate Kings Island's collection of roller coasters as a whole? This means every single coaster put together, compared to other parks.

My Opinion:

I regard our collection as excellent, though there are a handful of parks I would list as better...here is my top 5(update: top 4 now!) list. (I have only been to KI so this list is based on what I have seen and heard)

#1-Cedar Point

#2-Six Flags Great Adventure (El Toro, Kingda Ka, Nitro, and the other great coasters here raise my opinion of them in spite of the fact they have "only" 13)

#3-Six Flags Magic Mountain

#4-Kings Island

Removed: Canada's Wonderland was #4 on my list, but upon further review I decided it wasn't as good as I originally thought.

Though, if SOB is removed, I fear Kings Dominion and Carowinds, which would be VERY close behind KI on this list, could pass us with I305 and Intimdator. But that's next year.

What do you think?

PS: Parks without that many coasters didn't stand too much of a chance to make this list, but if Holiday World had 6 Voyage-class coasters they would easily be #1.

[Beast1979]

Give me more B&Ms and more modern wooden roller coasters and we can talk, till then I give it an "Excellent"

[DropZone99]

Kings Island is just a little over average. Pre-2009 we would be average.

[bkroz]

Being from Ohio, we're quite lucky. Regardless of their current statuses, we did have Cedar Fair's flagship, Paramount's flagship, and one of the larger Six Flags parks. States like Pennsylvania have quite a few parks, but mostly local, family parks, and would be quite impressed by our collection. Likewise, people from Orlando may rate us as average, or slightly below. But from my simple experience, I view Kings Island's collection as being above average. There truly are not many park that can say they have a B&M hyper, a family launch coaster with Hollywood special effects, a John Allen racer, an indoor launch coaster, a Vekoma Invertigo, an Arrow megalooper, an Arrow suspended, etc. and that doesn't even touch on The Beast or Son of Beast, or our dozen or so notable records or specialties.

I can see how, depending on your travel history, you may say we have an "average" collection. But I couldn't see the rationalization for anything below "average." If we have an "average" collection, what does Kennywood have?

[Brandon]

#1-Cedar Point

#2-Six Flags Great Adventure (El Toro, Kingda Ka, Nitro, and the other great coasters here raise my opinion of them in spite of the fact they have "only" 13)

#3-Six Flags Magic Mountain

#4-Canada's Wonderland

#5-Kings Island

Canada's Wonderland shouldn't be on that list. Kings Island has a much better collection than them. If you take out Behemoth, their coaster collection is actually weak, but where they struggle with the quality of their coasters, they make up for with their varity of unique and thrilling flat rides. I would definetly put Hersheypark in the top 5, as they have a great collection of both steel coasters and great woodies.

[Dvo]

I've never been to Canada's Wonderland, but based on reviews and general appearances, I think Kings Island has a better collection. I really like Busch Gardens Williamsburg as well... while they don't have many at all, the ones they do have are all amazing. Nonetheless I'd say KI has an above average collection of coasters and is well worth the visit.

[CedarPointer]

If we have an "average" collection, what does Kennywood have?

A free pass with the amusement industry. While KW is a great park, I just can't see why it's worshipped so much.

[Coasterfun]

Being from Ohio, we're quite lucky. Regardless of their current statuses, we did have Cedar Fair's flagship, Paramount's flagship, and one of the larger Six Flags parks. States like Pennsylvania have quite a few parks, but mostly local, family parks, and would be quite impressed by our collection. Likewise, people from Orlando may rate us as average, or slightly below. But from my simple experience, I view Kings Island's collection as being above average. There truly are not many park that can say they have a B&M hyper, a family launch coaster with Hollywood special effects, a John Allen racer, an indoor launch coaster, a Vekoma Invertigo, an Arrow megalooper, an Arrow suspended, etc. and that doesn't even touch on The Beast or Son of Beast, or our dozen or so notable records or specialties.

I can see how, depending on your travel history, you may say we have an "average" collection. But I couldn't see the rationalization for anything below "average." If we have an "average" collection, what does Kennywood have?

We have one of the larger Six Flags Parks? Are you referring to Kentucky Kingdom?

[bkroz]

We have one of the larger Six Flags Parks? Are you referring to Kentucky Kingdom?

Noooo haha I said regardless of their current statuses, we had one of the larger Six Flags parks. I was talking about Ohio's theme park collection, and Six Flags: Worlds of Adventure.

[KI Kevin]

I'd say we're excellent. Honestly if you averaged the ratings of all the coasters at CP or KI, I think KI would win (or at least that's my opinion). I think Magic Mountain and Great Adventure look pretty epic though.

[McSalsa]

Update:

I just looked at the coastergrotto page for Canada's wonderland. They have one "9.3", Behemoth. And then a bunch of 7s.

Moved KI above Canada's Wonderland And CW falls several spots...

[The Interpreter]

Well I am ever so glad that others can quantitatively rank coaster quality with such specificity. I cannot and will not. One question I got very tired of this summer was this: "Do you like Nitro or Diamondback better?" The answer, honestly, is yes. There are days and experiences I'd rather be on Nitro...and days and experiences that I'd rather have on Diamondback. Variety is the spice of life.

I know truly awful when I experience it (Ninja, at Six Flags Over Georgia, for one example...Zamperla Flying Coasters for another). I know true bliss (The Georgia Cyclone, Tremors at Silverwood, Superman: The Ride when it opened at Six Flags New England, Superman: The Ride, when it opened at Six Flags Darien Lake, just to name a few).

It's in that great middle ground that it all seems to run together.

Recently, I heard a wonderful public service spot on a local commercial talk radio station. I believe it was for Laity Lodge. It spoke of four people at a table engrossed in wonderful conversation, with rapt attention. On FOUR cellphones. Moral of the PSA: "Be where you are." Something I intend to try to do more of in the future. Kings Island is not Cedar Point is not Great Adventure is not Holiday World is not Knoebels is not Busch Gardens Tampa, etc. And none of them is Disneyland, or Kennywood. And on and on...

This next summer (and even the rest of this season), that's my motto. I intend to be where I am, and experience it to its fullest.

[McSalsa]

I'd say we're excellent. Honestly if you averaged the ratings of all the coasters at CP or KI, I think KI would win (or at least that's my opinion). I think Magic Mountain and Great Adventure look pretty epic though.

Using Coastergrotto's numbers...

Cedar Point

#1-Millennium Force (9.6)

#2-Maverick (9.3)

#3-Top Thrill Dragster (9.3)

#4-Raptor (8.7)

#5-Magnum XL200 (8.4)

#6-Wicked Twister (8.1)

#7-Mantis (7.3)

#8-Gemini (7.0)

#9-Blue Streak (6.5)

#10-Mean Streak (6.3)

#11-Iron Dragon (5.6)

#12-Wildcat (5.6)

#13-Disaster Transport (5.2)

#14-Corkscrew (5.0)

#15-Cedar Creek Mine Ride (4.9)

#16-Woodstock Express (4.3)

#17-Jr Gemini (3.4)

Average: 6.7

Kings Island

#1-Diamondback (9.5)

#2-Beast (8.8)

#3-Firehawk (8.0)

#4-Flight of Fear (7.8)

#5-Son of Beast (7.4)

#6-The Racer (7.1)

#7-Invertigo (6.9)

#8-Vortex (6.9)

#9-Flight Deck (6.8)

#10-Backlot Stunt Coaster (6.7)

#11-Adventure Express (5.9)

#12-Fairly Odd Coaster (5.4)

#13-Rugrats Runaway Reptar (5.0)

#14-Little Bill's Giggle Coaster (3.3)

Average: 6.8

Kinda shocking...but we must remember, Cedar Point has 3 9/10 or higher rides...we have ONE...

[The Interpreter]

Sigh. Ask a mother of three kids to assign each of the three kids a rating from 0.0 to 10.0. I'd like to be there when you get your answer!

[McSalsa]

Sigh. Ask a mother of three kids to assign each of the three kids a rating from 0.0 top 10.0. I'd like to be there when you get your answer!

A punch to the face from Dad? Or 3 10/10s...

I was just giving some numbers to compare the parks. However, if you break this down to just "Mega Thrill Rides"...removing all "family" and "kiddie" rides...

Cedar Point

#1-Millennium Force (9.6)

#2-Maverick (9.3)

#3-Top Thrill Dragster (9.3)

#4-Raptor (8.7)

#5-Magnum XL200 (8.4)

#6-Wicked Twister (8.1)

#7-Mantis (7.3)

#8-Mean Streak (6.3)

Average: 8.4

Kings Island

#1-Diamondback (9.5)

#2-Beast (8.8)

#3-Firehawk (8.0)

#4-Flight of Fear (7.8)

#5-Son of Beast (7.4)

#6-Invertigo (6.9)

#7-Vortex (6.9)

Average: 7.9

Cedar Point wins hands down. Please note that these numbers do not reflect everyone's opinions on a certain ride and will change from person to person. For example, I would give Vortex a 8/10, not a 6.9. Someone else might hate it and give it a 4, etc.

There are also areas where Kings Island, as it is now, probably has Cedar Point beaten- such as the kids area and family rides (probably why the average score for KI is higher from that web page). As a whole, however, I think KI is very well rounded...

Great Steel Roller Coasters? Check. (Diamondback really helped fill in this one)

Great Wooden Roller Coasters? Check.

Great Flatrides? Check. (Though we do need a few more for adults)

Great Family Rides? Check.

Great Kids Rides? Check.

World Records? Check.

Good Food? Check. (Though it is expensive!)

Clean Park? Check. (Well, mostly...)

Observation Tower? Check.

Train? Check.

Water Rides? Check.

How many other parks have all these things? I don't there are that many.

[Browntggrr]

^ I need some clarification.

Is this poll about coaster collection or coaster quality? I have seen comments for both sides.

If it is about collection, KI rates an average. Not having an inverted or stand-up hurts in this department.

If it is about quality, KI is barely an average. KI only has 3 coasters that I no problem waiting in line for over an hour.

[DaveStroem]

^ I need some clarification.

Is this poll about coaster collection or coaster quality? I have seen comments for both sides.

If it is about collection, KI rates an average. Not having an inverted or stand-up hurts in this department.

If it is about quality, KI is barely an average. KI only has 3 coasters that I no problem waiting in line for over an hour.

But average has to do with comparison to other parks. While there are a few parks that have a better collection as to quality or variety in their collection, there are a whole lot more that fall well short of KI on both accounts. Thus putting it above average.

With all the parks I have been to this year, it makes me thankful to have 2 great parks with in a couple of hours from home.

[bkroz]

If it is about collection, KI rates an average. Not having an inverted or stand-up hurts in this department.

If it is about quality, KI is barely an average. KI only has 3 coasters that I no problem waiting in line for over an hour.

If not having an invert or stand up is the defining factor, then a LOT of parks on your list must be serverly below average... Especially the ones that don't have a unique sampling of B&M, Premier, Arrow, John Allen, and Vekoma, not to mention The Beast. We have a highly-themed LIM launch coaster, a family-oriented launch with special effects, an Invertigo, the worlds longest wooden roller coaster, a flying coaster, a arguably top-5 mine train, one of five remaining suspended coasters, four kids coasters (enough to earn us recognition for our #1 kids area), a classic John Allen racer, one of the better Arrow megaloopers... People within this thread are rating Kings Dominion below Kings Island, and it has an invert (not B&M, but a full-circuit invert nonetheless) and a near-clone of our old stand-up coaster (which was removed to make way for our incredible family of flat rides, which aren't even considered in this post, but still worth mentioning).

If quality coasters are those you'd wait over an hour for, and you require more than 3 to call a park "average," a number of the parks on Earth are immediately dismissed for having only two adult coasters (including every Disney park, all of which have "quality coasters" in the majority's opinion). At Cedar Point, I personally would gladly wait over an hour for Millennium and Maverick, and that's all. At Worlds of Fun, I wouldn't wait over an hour for any of their coasters.

Just some interesting thoughts, I guess. I do somewhat agree with what you said, and understand your reasoning, I'm just trying to bring about a different perspective. We're cool!

[TTD-120-420]

Average

[Thrill_Biscuit]

I voted "excellent". The legendary status of Beast, and the presence of a star-draw like Diamondback can't be overlooked, even though it's shorter and slower than a handful of other giants.

[Jasper]

I give us an above average rating. We have some coasters that are above the ordinary such as Diamondback, The Beast, and Firehawk. We also have a Hyper-Woodie, how many other parks can say that. The collection is also very spread out in terms of types of coasters. LIM Launch, Inverted face to face shuttle, flying coaster, B&M Hyper, and a 6 inversion Arrow just to name a few. I'd give us a over average.

[TopThrill]

Has anyone else noticed that vibration right after the hammer head turn? you can't feel it in the front seat. If you ride it enough it'll give you a headache, or even worse a splitting headache. That's the only turn off I get when I ride DB.

[Jasper]

I haven't noticed that, however I have noticed something else. If you stand under the first drop you can hear the B&M roar then you hear like a meatl clicking sound like metal on metal. When you ride you can also hear it, it sounds like a couple of metal bars just like clinking on the track.

[DaveStroem]

Has anyone else noticed that vibration right after the hammer head turn? you can't feel it in the front seat. If you ride it enough it'll give you a headache, or even worse a splitting headache. That's the only turn off I get when I ride DB.

I too have noticed it. Not so much with a headache, but more in my man parts

[KI-Datro]

Kings Island is just a little over average. Pre-2009 we would be average.

Couldn't have had said it better myself.

[gad198]

We've definitely got a way above average collection, particularly in the steel department. DB filled an enormous hole in KIs lineup. Our wooden collection is good but certainly not great. Unrelated, but if The Beast were to get Timberliners does anyone think there'd be any chance they'd get rid of some of the trims on the ride?

To me, the easiest way to answer this question is this: if you had never been to the park before which park would you want to stay at the longest because of what they had to offer? I'd venture to say that KI, Cedar Point, SFGAdv and SFMM would all be on the list. The other thing to consider is whether you like a lot of "good" coasters or whether you like a lot of bad coasters with one or two great coasters. I personally get more out of a day at Cedar Point than I do anywhere else I've been thus far, so I'm more of the variety guy.

[TopThrill]

Has anyone else noticed that vibration right after the hammer head turn? you can't feel it in the front seat. If you ride it enough it'll give you a headache, or even worse a splitting headache. That's the only turn off I get when I ride DB.

I too have noticed it. Not so much with a headache, but more in my man parts

Yeah I can feel it in the man area to.

[TopThrill]

I haven't noticed that, however I have noticed something else. If you stand under the first drop you can hear the B&M roar then you hear like a meatl clicking sound like metal on metal. When you ride you can also hear it, it sounds like a couple of metal bars just like clinking on the track.

When I was recording back in May by the first drop I could hear the metal on metal to, I miss the load roar!

[Diamondback FOF]

Has anyone else noticed that vibration right after the hammer head turn? you can't feel it in the front seat. If you ride it enough it'll give you a headache, or even worse a splitting headache. That's the only turn off I get when I ride DB.

I have noticed it. Some trains are worse than others (I think green is the worst). I also notice it more in the back of the trains, and a little bit on other areas of the ride, too (third hill, fifth hill, a little bit at other points).

[HTCO]

Above Average. We got a few world class coasters, but defiantly not the best.