Great Pumpkin Coaster
A gentle first coaster built for young riders who are just beginning to experience coaster hills, turns, and motion.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 0
Starter Coaster
Type
Steel Kiddie Coaster
Minimum Height
36 in. with a supervising companion; 40 in. to ride alone
Should You Ride Great Pumpkin Coaster?
Great Pumpkin Coaster is designed specifically as a first roller coaster experience. The ride stays very low to the ground, moves through a short layout of gentle hills and turns, and avoids the larger drops, higher speeds, and stronger forces found on Kings Island’s bigger family coasters.
Best For
Young children, first-time coaster riders, and very cautious riders who are ready to experience a coaster train, restraint, lift hill, small drops, and turns without a major thrill element.
Biggest Fear Factor
For a brand-new rider, simply riding a roller coaster may be the biggest challenge. The lift hill, the feeling of being secured in the train, and the first small drop can all feel significant when those sensations are completely new.
CoasterSchool Take
Great Pumpkin Coaster is exactly what we want from a Level 0 coaster. The goal here is not intensity, it is familiarity.
A child may want to ride it several times, return to other favorite children’s rides, or spend multiple visits at this level. There is no need to push progression. Once the coaster feels familiar and the rider naturally begins wanting something larger, that is a much better sign that they are ready for the next step.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Great Pumpkin Coaster at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
E&F Miler Industries
Type
Steel Kiddie Coaster
Opened
1992
Height
8 ft
Speed
Not published
Length
199 ft
Inversions
0
Ride Duration
About 52 sec.
Minimum Height
36 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 0
DID YOU KNOW?
Great Pumpkin Coaster opened in 1992 as Scooby Zoom. It later became Top Cat’s Taxi Jam and Little Bill’s Giggle Coaster before receiving its current Peanuts theme and name in 2010.
Rider Restrictions
Riders must be at least 36 inches tall. Guests 36–40 inches must ride with a supervising companion, while riders 40–60 inches may ride alone. Guests over 60 inches must be accompanying a child.
What Great Pumpkin Coaster Feels Like
Great Pumpkin Coaster is a very small, gentle coaster designed to introduce the basic sensations of a roller coaster without adding much speed, height, or force.
The Lift
A short chain lift hill carries the train only about 8 feet above the ground. For a brand-new rider, the clicking lift may create more anticipation than the actual height does.
The Drop and Hills
The first drop is small and mild, followed by gentle changes in elevation. Riders may feel a brief little stomach sensation, but there is no major airtime or steep drop.
The Turns
The compact oval layout uses simple turns that stay close to the ground. There are no inversions, sharp transitions, or intense forces.
The Overall Ride
The entire ride lasts about 52 seconds and is intentionally repetitive and predictable. For a child riding their first coaster, that predictability is a strength, it gives them a chance to experience a lift hill, drop, turns, and coaster motion without being overwhelmed.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Seat choice makes only a small difference, but the front or middle is a good starting point for a first coaster.
- Front/middle: Most predictable overall feel
- Back: Slightly stronger pull over the small drops
Body & Restraint
The simple restraint system should feel comfortable and secure for most young riders.
- Sit naturally back against the seat
- Let the ride attendant secure all restraints normally
During the Ride
For a brand-new rider, the anticipation may feel bigger than the coaster itself.
- The lift, small drops, and turns introduce basic coaster sensations
- Repeating the ride can build confidence before trying something bigger
Watch the Great Pumpkin Coaster Ride Preview
See Great Pumpkin Coaster from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show its small lift hill, gentle drops, mild turns, and kid-friendly layout so first-time riders and families can see why it makes a great introduction to roller coasters.
Where Do You Go From Here?
Coaster progression isn’t a checklist. At Level 0, familiarity and confidence matter more than moving quickly to the next coaster.
Not Ready for a Bigger Coaster Yet?
Stay With Familiar Rides
There is nothing wrong with spending more time on comfortable family and children’s rides. Let the rider repeat the experiences they enjoy until riding feels fun rather than stressful.
Keep Building Confidence →
Ready for a Bigger Challenge?
Woodstock Express — Level 1
Take the next step with a longer, more traditional roller coaster that adds a taller lift hill, bigger drops, more speed, and a stronger sense of movement while still staying very approachable for newer riders.
It’s a good next choice for riders who enjoyed Great Pumpkin Coaster and are ready to try something that feels more like a full roller coaster without jumping too far ahead.
Explore Woodstock Express →