Queen City Stunt Coaster
Queen City Stunt Coaster is a compact launched coaster that combines sudden acceleration, tight turns, high banking, themed stunt scenes, and a dark tunnel into a fast-moving experience without any inversions or major drops.
Park
Kings Island
CoasterSchool Level
Level 3
Confident Family / Step-Up
Type
Launched Steel Coaster
Minimum Height
48 in.
Should You Ride Queen City Stunt Coaster?
Queen City Stunt Coaster is a great introduction to launched coasters. Instead of slowly climbing a lift hill, the train accelerates from 0 to 40 mph in about three seconds and immediately enters a series of tight, highly banked turns. The launch is noticeable, but the coaster stays relatively low to the ground and never goes upside down.
Best For
Riders who are comfortable on traditional coasters and are ready to experience their first launch, tighter turns, and a faster-paced layout.
Biggest Fear Factor
The Launch
The launch is the biggest mental hurdle. There is no slow lift hill to build anticipation, the train suddenly accelerates out of the station and reaches 40 mph in only a few seconds.
CoasterSchool Take
Queen City Stunt Coaster is an excellent Level 3 coaster because it introduces launch acceleration without combining it with extreme height, large drops, or inversions. If launches make you nervous, this is one of the best places at Kings Island to learn what one actually feels like.
Quick Facts
Key stats and ride details for Queen City Stunt Coaster at Kings Island.
Park
Kings Island
Location
Mason, Ohio
Manufacturer
Premier Rides
Type
Launched Steel Coaster
Opened
2005
Height
45.2 ft
Speed
40 mph
Length
1,960 ft
Inversions
0
Ride Duration
About 1 min.
Minimum Height
48 in.
CoasterSchool Level
Level 3
DID YOU KNOW?
Queen City Stunt Coaster has had three different names. It opened in 2005 as The Italian Job: Stunt Track, became Backlot Stunt Coaster in 2008, and was renamed Queen City Stunt Coaster in 2025.
Cincinnati Comes to the Coaster
The 2025 refresh transformed the ride’s generic movie-set theme into a stunt chase through the Queen City, adding references to Cincinnati’s skyline, landmarks, and even its abandoned subway system.
What Queen City Stunt Coaster Feels Like
Queen City Stunt Coaster feels more intense than its modest height suggests because almost everything happens quickly. The launch, tight turns, sudden banking, and dark finale create excitement through acceleration and movement rather than huge drops.
The Launch
There is no traditional lift hill. Instead, the train launches directly out of the station from 0 to 40 mph in about three seconds. You’ll feel yourself pushed firmly back into the seat, but the acceleration is brief and manageable.
The Parking Garage Helix
Immediately after launching, the train climbs through a tight upward helix with steep banking. This section produces stronger side-to-side and positive-force sensations than you might expect from a coaster only about 45 feet tall.
The Stunt Sequence
The train slows for a themed stunt scene before suddenly moving again through more sharp turns and changes in direction. This break in the action makes the second half feel somewhat unpredictable the first time you ride.
The Tunnels & Finale
The final portion dives into a dark tunnel where it becomes harder to see exactly where the track is going. There are no inversions or giant surprise drops, but the darkness and quick movement can make this section feel faster than it actually is.
COASTERSCHOOL RIDING TIPS
Tips for a Better Ride
Seat Choice
Seat choice doesn’t dramatically change the intensity, but it can change how well you anticipate what’s coming.
- Front: Gives you the clearest view of the track and themed elements and is a good choice if knowing what’s ahead helps with anxiety.
- Middle: Provides a balanced experience and is a good option for someone trying a launch coaster for the first time.
Body & Restraint
Queen City Stunt Coaster uses individual lap-bar restraints along with padding that helps secure your legs.
- Sit back against the seat before the launch and allow the restraint to support you instead of trying to brace against the acceleration.
- Keep your head facing forward through the tight turns to make the rapid changes in direction more comfortable.
During the Ride
The launch sounds more intimidating than it feels because the strongest acceleration lasts only a few seconds.
- Expect to be pushed back into your seat at the start rather than experiencing a stomach-dropping sensation.
- Remember that the coaster has no inversions and only a 31-foot maximum drop, so most of the intensity comes from speed and turns.
Watch the Queen City Stunt Coaster Ride Preview
Watch Queen City Stunt Coaster before you get in line to see the launch, highly banked turns, themed stunt sequence, and dark tunnel before experiencing them yourself.
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 Queen City Stunt Coaster Yet?
Adventure Express — Level 3
Practice quick turns, dark sections, and unpredictable coaster movement without having to tackle a launch.
Try Adventure Express →
Ready for a Bigger Challenge?
Flight of Fear — Level 4
Take what you learned from your first launch and step up to a faster indoor launched coaster that adds complete darkness and multiple inversions.
Explore Flight of Fear →