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Gary Coleman, pictured front right, of Monfort Heights, celebrates his 7,000th ride on Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster on July 4, 2012. Photo provided/Kings Island

Kings Island capped off a successful year that saw the park’s rides and attractions give a combined 25,371,572 rides during the park’s 40th anniversary season, the park reported.

Five attractions gave more than 1 million rides: Diamondback (1,812,311), The Racer (1,372,948), The Beast (1,130,830), Vortex (1,120,052) and the K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad (1,046,644).

The K.I. & Miami Valley Railroad surpassed its 50 million mark in rides given this year. It’s the second-most in park history to The Racer at 97,825, 493.

More than 1.25 billion rides — 1,254,044,426 to be exact — have been given since the park opened in 1972.  The Enchanted Voyage (47,380,374) and Kenton County Keelboat Canal (40,069,518) top the list of retired rides.

The Vortex is expected to give its 40 millionth ride in 2013, Dodgem its 30 millionth and Flight Deck is 20 millionth.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, diamondback, dodgem, enchanted voyage, flight deck, k.i. & miami valley railroad, kings island, mason, retired rides, rides, the beast, the racer, theme park, vortex

Kings Island’s Vortex roller coaster will be featured at 9 tonight on Travel Channel’s “Insane Coaster Wars” program.

Designed specifically for Kings Island, the Vortex began churning tummies in April 1987.  Its debut placed the Mason amusement park in the national spotlight, drawing crews from Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America and a Chinese television station.

The $4 million coaster constructed with 750 tons of steel rockets through six inversions, more than any other ride in the world when it opened, at speeds of 55 mph.  At the time, it was the most expensive ride since the park opened in 1972.

In its 25 years, the Vortex has given more than 36 million rides, the sixth-most in park history, according to park officials. Its record year was 1987, when more than 2 million riders thrilled to its 3,800 twisted feet of steel.

Consider this: The Vortex flips riders head-over-heels six times per ride; multiplying that by total rides, it comes to more than 216,000,000 upside down flips — easily enough to make you lose your lunch.

Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster will be on the same show July 29.

Kings Island is celebrating its 40th anniversary this season.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: diamondback, insane coaster wars, kings island, mason, roller coaster, travel channel, vortex

Kings Island’s Vortex celebrates 25 years of topsy-turvy thrills this season.

Designed specifically for Kings Island, the Vortex began churning tummies in April 1987.  Its debut placed the Mason amusement park in the national spotlight, drawing crews from Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America and a Chinese television station.

The $4 million coaster constructed with 750 tons of steel rockets through six inversions, more than any other ride in the world when it opened, at speeds of 55 mph.  At the time, it was the most expensive ride since the park opened in 1972.

In its 25 years, the Vortex has given more than 36 million rides, the sixth-most in park history, according to park officials. Its record year was 1987, when more than 2 million riders thrilled to its 3,800 twisted feet of steel.

• King of Thrills: KI’s 40-year reign
• Timeline: A trip through thrill ride history

Consider this: The Vortex flips riders head-over-heels six times per ride; multiplying that by total rides, it comes to more than 216,000,000 upside down flips — easily enough to make you lose your lunch.

In a recent poll, Enquirer readers voted the Vortex to be their third favorite Kings Island thrill ride.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: 25, anniversary, birthday, cedar fair, coaster, inversions, kings island, mason, roller coaster, vortex

Kings Island’s Vortex roller coaster is currently closed while the park waits for a part for a lift chain.

During the July 4th weekend, the ride stopped as it reached the lift hill coming out of the station, spokesman Don Helbig said.

Guests were safely evacuated from the train and walked back into the ride’s station. It’s not known when it will re-open.

Posted in: Kings Island, News |

Tags: Tags: closed, kings island, mason, repairs, roller coaster, vortex

WindSeeker, Kings Island’s newest thrill ride, will not be open Saturday when the park opens for the 2011 season.

Don Helbig, spokesman for Kings Island, said the park has not been able to finish the testing process.

“The weather this month, with the record rainfall, severe weather and wind conditions, are contributing factors,” he said.

The 301-foot-tall tower is located in the Coney Mall section of the park near the Vortex roller coaster. It will spin 64 riders in two-person swings at speeds of up to 30 mph, flaring out 45 degrees from the tower.

The park is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday, then reopens for weekends May 6. Daily operations begin May 13.

Posted in: Kings Island |

Tags: Tags: amusement park, closed, kings island, mason, opens, park, ride, theme park, thrill ride, vortex, windseeker