Diamondback
A towering steel hypercoaster built around huge drops, high speeds, and long stretches of floating airtime without a single inversion.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 4
Bigger Thrill Coasters
Type
Steel Hypercoaster
Minimum Height
54 in.
Should You Ride Diamondback?
Diamondback is one of Kings Island’s biggest psychological steps because riders climb 230 feet into the air before facing a 215-foot first drop at 74 degrees.
Despite its size, the actual ride is surprisingly straightforward. There are no launches or inversions, just enormous hills, high speed, sweeping turns, and repeated floating airtime.
For riders who have become comfortable with Mystic Timbers, The Beast, or other Level 4 coasters but are still nervous about truly massive heights, Diamondback can be an excellent introduction to hypercoasters.
Best For
Riders who are ready to experience a major increase in height and speed but would rather tackle big hills and airtime before adding inversions or more aggressive forces.
Biggest Fear Factor
The height and first drop.
Diamondback’s 230-foot lift hill is extremely exposed, and the open seating makes the climb feel even higher. For many first-time riders, reaching the top of the lift is more intimidating than anything that happens afterward.
CoasterSchool Take
Diamondback is intimidating primarily because of its enormous scale. Once riders are comfortable with the height, the experience is relatively straightforward: big hills, high speed, sweeping turns, and sustained airtime.
We place Diamondback at Level 4 — Bigger Thrill Coasters because its height, speed, exposed seating, and airtime are major challenges without adding launches, inversions, or the more aggressive forces associated with Level 5.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Diamondback at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
Bolliger & Mabillard
Type
Steel Hypercoaster
Opened
2009
Height
230 ft
Speed
80 mph
Length
5,282 ft
Inversions
0
Ride Duration
About 3 min.
Minimum Height
54 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 4
DID YOU KNOW?
Diamondback was the first Bolliger & Mabillard coaster built at Kings Island.
When it opened in 2009, the $22 million coaster was also the largest investment in Kings Island history at the time.
THE SPLASHDOWN
Diamondback ends with one of its most recognizable features, a dramatic splashdown just before returning to the station.
Water scoops mounted beneath the rear of each train create huge sprays of water as the train races across the splash pool.
The splash is primarily a visual effect, so riders do not normally get soaked like they would on a water ride.
What Diamondback Feels Like
Diamondback is less about rapid-fire intensity and more about enormous scale. The coaster repeatedly carries riders high into the air before allowing the train to float over long hills at high speed.
The First Drop
Diamondback climbs 230 feet before turning riders toward a 215-foot drop at a steep 74-degree angle.
The back of the train is pulled over the crest more forcefully, while the front provides an especially exposed view down the first drop.
The Airtime
Airtime is the defining feature of Diamondback, with one enormous hill following another throughout much of the layout.
Rather than the quick pops found on Mystic Timbers, Diamondback specializes in longer floater airtime, creating the sensation of slowly rising out of the seat and remaining weightless over the crest of a hill.
The Open Seating
Diamondback’s unusual staggered trains give riders an especially open view of the track and surrounding park.
The combination of elevated seats, minimal surrounding structure, and lap-bar restraints can make the coaster feel more exposed than riders expect—especially while climbing the lift hill.
The Speed and Scale
Diamondback reaches 80 mph, but most of that speed is used to carry the train over enormous hills rather than through rapid transitions.
The experience can therefore feel surprisingly graceful for such a large coaster, even though the height and sustained airtime remain major thrills.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Where you sit can noticeably change the first drop and airtime experience on Diamondback.
- Front: Best unobstructed views and a moment to look down the enormous first drop before the train accelerates
- Back: Stronger pull over the first drop and generally stronger airtime over many of the hills
Body & Restraint
Diamondback’s open B&M lap bars are designed to leave the upper body free while securely holding riders around the lap.
- Sit naturally back in the seat and let the restraint hold you securely rather than bracing against every hill
- Keeping your body relaxed can make the long floating airtime feel much more comfortable
During the Ride
The lift and first drop are likely to feel more intimidating than the rest of the coaster for many first-time hypercoaster riders.
- Once you complete the first drop, expect a predictable series of large hills and sweeping turns rather than sudden surprises
- If the height makes you nervous, focus forward rather than looking straight down during the long climb
Watch the Diamondback Ride Preview
See Diamondback from a rider’s perspective before getting in line. The Ride Preview will show the exposed 230-foot lift, massive 215-foot first drop, repeated airtime hills, sweeping turns, and signature splashdown so riders can decide whether they are ready for the jump into hypercoaster-sized thrills.
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 Diamondback Yet?
Mystic Timbers — Level 4
Build more confidence with speed and repeated airtime on a much smaller coaster before tackling Diamondback’s enormous height and exposed first drop.
Try Mystic Timbers →
Ready for a Bigger Challenge?
Orion — Level 4
Take the same basic challenge of huge height, speed, and airtime to the next scale with a 300-foot first drop and speeds reaching 91 mph.
Explore Orion →