Orion
Kings Island’s massive giga coaster combines a 300-foot first drop, 91 mph speed, and huge sweeping elements into a surprisingly smooth and straightforward ride.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 4
Bigger Thrill Coasters
Type
Steel Giga Coaster
Minimum Height
54 in.
Should You Ride Orion?
Orion is primarily a test of height and speed. The 300-foot first drop looks intimidating, but there are no inversions or launches and the layout focuses on huge hills, sweeping turns, and airtime.
If you have become comfortable with Diamondback and are ready to make the jump to giga-coaster scale, Orion is a natural next challenge.
Best For
Riders who enjoy Diamondback-style height and airtime and are ready to experience a 300-foot drop and speeds above 90 mph.
Biggest Fear Factor
The 300-foot first drop.
The exposed climb gives riders plenty of time to see just how high they are before the train plunges down an 85-degree drop.
CoasterSchool Take
Orion’s statistics are extreme, but its ride style is remarkably approachable for a coaster this large.
We rate it Level 4 because the enormous height and 91 mph speed are major psychological hurdles, while the smooth track, lap-bar restraints, and lack of inversions keep the actual experience from becoming overly aggressive.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Orion at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
Bolliger & Mabillard
Type
Steel Giga Coaster
Opened
2020
Height
287 ft
Speed
91 mph
Length
5,321 ft
Inversions
0
Ride Duration
About 3 min.
Minimum Height
54 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 4
DID YOU KNOW?
Orion’s lift hill is 287 feet tall, but its first drop reaches 300 feet by using the terrain below the lift.
That 300-foot drop places Orion in the giga coaster category, which includes coasters with a height or drop between 300 and 399 feet.
THE 300-FOOT DROP
Orion’s signature element begins with a 287-foot lift hill followed by a dramatic 300-foot descent at an 85-degree angle.
The train reaches approximately 91 mph at the bottom, making Orion the fastest roller coaster at Kings Island.
Despite its size, the drop is smooth and over quickly, sending the train directly into the coaster’s massive collection of hills and high-speed elements.
What Orion Feels Like
Orion takes the basic height-and-airtime experience of a hypercoaster and increases the scale dramatically without adding inversions or particularly aggressive transitions.
The First Drop
The slow climb up the 287-foot lift creates most of the anticipation before riders face the 300-foot, 85-degree first drop.
The front offers an enormous unobstructed view over the edge, while the back is pulled over the crest more forcefully.
The Speed
Orion reaches 91 mph at the bottom of the first drop and carries tremendous speed through the opening portion of the course.
Because the elements are so large and sweeping, however, the speed can feel smoother and less frantic than on smaller coasters like Mystic Timbers.
The Airtime and Hills
Orion uses several enormous hills to create a mixture of floating airtime and stronger moments of weightlessness.
The airtime feels familiar to riders who have conquered Diamondback, but the dramatically larger scale makes the experience more exposed.
The High-Speed Turns
Large banked turns and sweeping changes in direction break up Orion’s airtime hills.
Rather than snapping riders rapidly from one element to another, the coaster uses its speed across broad, smooth maneuvers that emphasize scale.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Orion’s first drop changes noticeably depending on where you sit.
- Front: Best view over the 300-foot drop and a tremendous sense of speed once the train reaches the bottom
- Back: Stronger pull over the first drop and more forceful airtime on several hills
Body & Restraint
Orion uses B&M lap-bar restraints that leave your upper body open throughout the ride.
- Sit naturally back in the seat and allow the restraint to hold you securely
- Staying relaxed usually makes the large drops and airtime more comfortable than trying to brace against them
During the Ride
Orion’s enormous size can make it look more intimidating than the actual ride feels.
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The slow lift and anticipation before the first drop may be the hardest part for riders nervous about height
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After the first drop, expect large, smooth elements rather than inversions or rapid unpredictable transitions
Watch the Orion Ride Preview
See Orion from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show the towering lift, 300-foot first drop, 91 mph speed, enormous airtime hills, and sweeping high-speed turns so riders can see what stepping up to a giga coaster actually feels like.
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 Orion Yet?
Diamondback — Level 4
Practice extreme height, speed, and sustained airtime on a 230-foot hypercoaster before making the jump to Orion’s 300-foot drop.
Try Diamondback →
Ready for a Bigger Challenge?
Banshee — Level 5
Trade Orion’s massive but straightforward hills for seven inversions, dangling feet, and stronger sustained forces on Kings Island’s inverted coaster.
Explore Banshee →