Every once in a while though, a day comes along, and I'm reminded that sometimes it's not so bad in Ohio. Today was one of those days.
Today was media day at Kings Island, and I previewed one of the biggest rides to hit the park. Diamondback is an out-and-back hypercoaster designed by Bolliger & Mabillard, the company responsible for several of the highest rated coasters in the country. Strangely enough, this is the first B&M coaster at Kings Island. Many fans see this one as a long time coming, as previous management had always seemed to avoid using them for new rides.
Here are the numbers for everyone:
Height: 230 ft
Angle: 74 degrees
Speed: 80mph
Track Length: 5282 ft
The first thing that caught my eye about Diamondback is the way that it's draped across the midway in Rivertown. The first drop and last helix pass over the main walkway between the Beast and Nick Central, giving pedestrians a close up of its height and speed. For those of you wondering, there is no theme here. There are no video screens or special effects... no storyline, nothing but gravity and power, which quite frankly is all this ride needs.
Entering the station, the thing I noticed the most is the new train design. The seats are reclined a bit and staggered, giving the cars a roomier feel. After being seated, most feet do not reach the floor, giving the ride a floorless quality even though there actually is a floor to the train. The trains also have absolutely no sides....not an inch. Quite simply it looks like a couple of stools bolted to a metal floor. This feature adds a very real element of apprehension for some riders, even though the trains are safe. The cars add an element of freedom to the ride, almost as if there is actually no seat at all for you to sit in.
While on the subject of sitting in seats I'll say this. You will spend as much time out of your seat as you do in it on Diamondback. The airtime provided by the 12 steep drops on the ride is some of the longest air I've ever experienced. From the top of the first drop to the end, the front seat seemed to be one continuous negative G, only putting you back in your seat at the very bottom of the hills and firmly planting you there during the helixes, and the inverted turn at the back of the track...affectionately known to coaster fans as a "hammerhead turn". Even the back seat provided some air, although the out of control feeling of being pulled rather than pushed is what people will like about the back of the train.
Rider reaction was pretty much unanimous. Everyone loved it...well almost everyone. I caught a glimpse of Cincinnati mayor Mark Mallory after his ride. I don't know what photo of him will appear in the paper, but I'm thinking he was there for the publicity only, because he didn't look too hot when he stepped out of the train. Most were blown away by the ride, and quick to deem it the best ride in the park. Some Beast fans may take exception to that, but even they had to admit that Diamondback is indeed an amazing ride.
As for me, I was more than amazed. The best comparison I can make is this: It's Apollo's Chariot on steroids. It's taller, faster, steeper, has more airtime, and the train adds an X-factor that sets it apart from its peers. Half of the track is hidden from view, the helix and splashdown provide an exciting ending, and the reride value is off the charts. Kings Island has hit the proverbial home run with Diamondback, and I predict that it will be at the top of many coaster lists for years to come.
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So, how does D-back compare to your beloved Millennium Force?
Anyway, not sure when I will get the family to King's Island (probably not until at least both boys reach the magical 54" mark), but when I do you can bet I will be among the first in line for Diamondback that day!
One incident of note that I forgot to mention is a tribute to management and park dedication to safety. The ride ops stopped the train before mine in the middle of the first lift. One of the ops spotted someone with a camera on the ride, tied off to the safety cable, walked up, and took the camera away. They promptly started the ride back up after he got down.
To answer your question James, the jury is still out for me on which is better. Diamondback's first drop isn't as tall, steep, or fast as Millennium, and the design is a more traditional out and back style that pays attention to hills, rather than the "flying in a jet" kind of style of Millennium. I likes me some airtime though, and Diamondback deals it out heavily. That front seat is something else.
Put it this way, if Diamondback and Millennium cross each other in next year's tournament...I will agonize greatly over which one to pick.
Great report, Derek. I'm filled to the brim with steaming hot jealousy.
To be fair to the media, there were other people at media day as well. A lot of them were friends/family of the construction company or park management. I'm guessing they were the likely culprits.
My wife and I shot video and took pictures from all angles. Security was good enough to escort media into some restricted areas to allow some filming. I saw a few camera phones pass by on the backstretch.
Thanks for the report!
Considering my ladyfriend doesn't ride the coasters, this might just be bearable!
The kids' area within the park is Nickelodeon Universe, not Nick Central. It was redone in 2006.
Also, the coaster does not travel over the midway between Nickelodeon Universe and Rivertown. All of Diamondback is located in and above Rivertown- Nickelodeon Universe is a good 70-yards away from Diamondback's first drop.
The first drop travels right over the walkway, as does the helix to the splashdown. Unless you are blind Ty.. or didn't really read the report and just decided to throw your two cents in, you know that people walking between the Beast entrance and toward Nick Universe, (my apologies for using the old name Nick Central, the names are just so different) got a nice closeup view of the coaster. If you want video or pictures from several angles, I would be happy to post them. Also, The Wild Thornberries River Adventure and the Phantom Flyers (both Nick Universal rides) rest rather close across the way to the entrance of Diamondback, which is behind the Rivertown Junction Grill that used to be called Wings Diner, which prior to that was called the Columbia Palace before Ty was born.
Yes, the ride is in Rivertown..which I believe I mentioned in the report, but the entrance is close enough to Nick Universe to describe it as "in between", and people who have never visited Kings Island (or don't know it that well) would perhaps like a little more description than "The ride is in Rivertown".
I'm curious though Tombraider Ty (or should it be The Crypt Ty)...o'young moderator of KI Extreme (which is a great site by the way), how did you like the ride?
I'd like to take a moment and point out that I was wrong. Back when Cedar Fair bought the Paramount parks, I steadfastly argued that this was exactly what they weren't going to do (drop hypers in each park). Looks like I was wrong. That doesn't mean I'm thrilled with CF being in charge of the joint, but I'm most assuredly eating crow.
Are they managing the ride line for those who get there before the park opens? For the Behemoth, they were (sometimes) trying to set up the line before they opened the area, and then walking the line to the ride.
I've ridden Apollo's chariot and Behemoth, and except for the seats on teh Behemoth being really cool, I like Apollo's chariot a bit more for the overall ride.
Plus it is kind of fun to sit with the entire family in one row......
From what I've heard and read, the line for Diamondback moved very quickly and was rarely more than 3 hours. Given the size of the lines as seen on fansites and the webcam, I would say that they did a pretty good job. I don't expect the lines to let up for this one anytime soon.
Anyway, great roller coaster with amazing air time. It's right up there with The Beast as one of the best coasters at Kings Island.
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