Banshee
A massive inverted coaster that combines seven inversions, high speed, strong forces, and relentless pacing while riders race through the course with their feet hanging below the track.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 5
Advanced / Expert
Type
Steel Inverted Coaster
Minimum Height
52 in.
Should You Ride Banshee?
Banshee is built for riders who are already comfortable with inversions and are ready for a longer, faster, and considerably more forceful experience.
Its seven inversions arrive throughout a layout that rarely slows down, making Banshee one of Kings Island’s most sustained thrill experiences.
Best For
Experienced riders who enjoy inversions, positive G-forces, and fast-paced coasters that remain intense from the first drop through the final roll.
Biggest Fear Factor
The sustained intensity.
Banshee does not rely on one enormous drop or launch. Instead, the forces and inversions continue for nearly the entire ride.
CoasterSchool Take
Banshee earns Level 5 because it combines several advanced challenges rather than relying on height alone.
Seven inversions, dangling feet, sustained positive forces, high speed, and very little downtime create a significantly more relentless experience than Kings Island’s Level 4 coasters.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Banshee at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
Bolliger & Mabillard
Type
Steel Inverted Coaster
Opened
2014
Height
167 ft
Speed
68 mph
Length
4,124 ft
Inversions
7
Ride Duration
About 2 min. 40 sec.
Minimum Height
52 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 5
DID YOU KNOW?
Banshee is the world’s longest steel inverted roller coaster, with 4,124 feet of track.
Because the coaster follows Kings Island’s natural terrain, its highest and lowest points are separated by approximately 208 feet—and Banshee does not reach its 68 mph top speed until midway through the ride.
THE PRETZEL KNOT
One of Banshee’s most distinctive elements is its enormous pretzel knot, a pair of connected inversions that sends riders twisting down toward the ground before climbing and flipping again.
With riders suspended beneath the track, the element creates a combination of rotation, speed, and strong positive forces that helps make the middle of Banshee especially intense.
What Banshee Feels Like
Banshee feels large, fast, and forceful throughout its layout, with the inverted trains adding an exposed sensation as riders move through seven different inversions.
The First Drop
After climbing the 167-foot lift hill, Banshee curves into a 150-foot first drop instead of plunging straight toward the ground.
The drop quickly builds speed and sends the train directly toward the first major inversion.
The Inversions
Banshee features seven inversions, including a dive loop, vertical loop, zero-G roll, pretzel knot, another loop, and an in-line twist.
They arrive in several different shapes and sizes, so the ride continually changes the way riders experience being upside down.
The Forces
Banshee produces stronger sustained positive forces than many of Kings Island’s other coasters, especially through its loops and lower portions of the layout.
Instead of emphasizing floating airtime, much of the ride presses riders firmly into their seats as the train races through the course.
The Inverted Seating
The Inverted Seating
Banshee’s trains hang below the track, leaving riders’ legs completely unsupported beneath them.
That exposed seating makes the drops, inversions, and near-ground sections feel very different from a traditional sit-down coaster.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Banshee offers noticeably different experiences depending on whether you prioritize visibility or intensity.
- Front: Best unobstructed view and easiest place to anticipate upcoming inversions
- Back: Stronger pull through the first drop and a more aggressive overall experience
Body & Restraint
Banshee’s vest-style over-the-shoulder restraints securely hold the upper body throughout its seven inversions.
- Sit naturally against the seat and allow the restraint to support you through the stronger positive forces
- Avoid tensing your entire body through every inversion, which can make the long ride feel more tiring
During the Ride
Banshee maintains its intensity much longer than most Kings Island coasters.
- Expect very little downtime once the train leaves the lift hill
- If sustained positive G-forces bother you, the loops and pretzel knot are likely to be more challenging than the inversions themselves
Watch the Banshee Ride Preview
See Banshee from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show the 167-foot lift, curved first drop, seven inversions, inverted seating, terrain-hugging sections, and forceful finale so riders can see what makes Banshee a Level 5 coaster.
Where Do You Go From Here?
Coaster progression isn’t a checklist. Choose the next ride based on what felt comfortable, or what still felt intimidating.
Not Ready for Banshee Yet?
Flight of Fear — Level 4
Practice riding multiple inversions at a lower speed and smaller scale before taking on Banshee’s seven inversions and sustained forces.
Try Flight of Fear →
Ready for Another Challenge?
Explore More Level 5 Coasters
If Banshee feels comfortable, you may be ready to explore other advanced coasters where sustained forces, aggressive pacing, or multiple major thrill elements are combined.
Explore Level 5 →