Invertigo
A compact but unusually intense shuttle coaster that sends riders through three inversions both forward and backward while hanging beneath the track.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 5
Advanced / Expert
Type
Inverted Shuttle Coaster
Minimum Height
54 in.
Should You Ride Invertigo?
Invertigo is small compared with Kings Island’s largest coasters, but its backward travel, strong forces, and repeated inversions make it one of the park’s more advanced experiences.
Because riders travel through the same inversion sequence in both directions, being comfortable upside down does not necessarily mean Invertigo will feel easy.
Best For
Experienced riders who are comfortable with inversions and are ready to experience them backward while pulling unusually strong positive G-forces.
Biggest Fear Factor
Going backward through the inversions.
After completing the course forward, the train climbs a second spike and repeats the entire sequence in reverse.
CoasterSchool Take
Invertigo earns Level 5 because its small size hides an unusually forceful and disorienting ride.
The combination of face-to-face seating, backward inversions, suspended feet, and forces approaching 5 G creates a challenge very different from Kings Island’s larger coasters.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Invertigo at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
Vekoma
Type
Inverted Shuttle Coaster
Opened
1999
Height
131 ft
Speed
50 mph
Length
1,014 ft
Inversions
3 — Traveled Twice
Ride Duration
About 1 min. 30 sec.
Minimum Height
54 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 5
DID YOU KNOW?
Invertigo originally opened in 1999 as Face/Off, a name it kept through the 2007 season.
It is now one of only a few operating Vekoma Invertigo coasters remaining in the world.
THE CABLE LIFT
Invertigo’s train places pairs of riders directly across from one another.
That means half of the riders travel through the first half of the experience facing forward while the riders directly across from them experience it backward.
When the train reverses direction, those experiences switch.
What Invertigo Feels Like
Invertigo packs a surprising amount of intensity into a very small footprint, especially because every major element is experienced twice.
The First Drop
The train is pulled backward up a 131-foot spike before being released through the station and toward the inversion sequence.
Because riders face one another, some experience this first acceleration facing forward while others begin the course backward.
The Inversions
Invertigo contains a cobra roll and vertical loop, creating three inversions during one trip through the course.
Because the train repeats the layout backward, riders experience six total upside-down moments before returning to the station.
The Backward Return
After the first pass, the train climbs the opposite spike before being released backward through the entire layout.
Turns and inversions that may have felt predictable on the first pass can feel completely different when experienced in reverse.
The Forces
Invertigo can produce forces approaching 5 G, making it unusually forceful for a coaster only 131 feet tall and 50 mph.
The strongest moments press riders firmly into their seats through the bottoms of the inversions and help distinguish Invertigo from less intense boomerang-style coasters.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Invertigo’s face-to-face seating lets riders choose which direction they want to experience first.
- Forward first: Easier to anticipate the opening inversions before experiencing them backward
- Backward first: Adds disorientation immediately and creates the more challenging first half
Body & Restraint
Invertigo’s over-the-shoulder restraints hold riders securely through strong positive forces and backward inversions.
- Sit centered in the seat and follow the ride operator’s instructions for head and body position
- Staying relaxed can make the rapid changes in direction more comfortable than trying to brace through every inversion
During the Ride
Invertigo becomes more challenging once the train reaches the second spike.
- Remember that every major element you just experienced is about to happen again in reverse
- Expect the strongest sensations through the bottoms of the inversions rather than from the coaster’s height or speed
Watch the Invertigo Ride Preview
See Invertigo from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show the first spike, face-to-face seating, three inversions, second spike, and complete backward return so riders can see why this compact coaster earns a Level 5 rating.
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 Invertigo Yet?
Flight of Fear — Level 4
Practice multiple inversions on a coaster that stays moving in one direction before adding Invertigo’s backward travel and stronger forces.
Try Flight of Fear →
Ready for Another Challenge?
Banshee — Level 5
Take your inversion experience onto a much larger coaster with seven inversions, higher speeds, and sustained forces across a longer layout.
Explore Banshee →