VIDEO: Orion Completes First Test Run Ahead of Kings Island 2021 Opening

Spring is here! With warmer temperatures sliding into the daily forecast, many amusement parks across the country are preparing for the 2021 season.

Kings Island, located just outside of Cincinnati, has been very busy during the Winter months performing ride maintenance, cleaning, painting, landscaping, and even refurbishing old rides such as The Racer – which received over 500 feet of new track for 2021.

Today, just over a month before opening their gates, Kings Island’s newest roller coaster, ORION, completed its first test run of 2021. For thrill seekers, this exciting news means the much anticipated theme park season is almost here! ORION, which debuted in 2020, is the seventh GIGA-coaster in the world and plummets down a 300-foot first drop reaching speeds of up to 91 mph! If you’ve never seen a coaster during test runs, check out the video below. Water dummies are plastic units filled with water to simulate the mass of a human as the ride completes lengthy tests. Some water dummies often contain mechanisms for g-force monitors and speed sensors. ORION, along with all the other rides in the park, will undergo hundreds of test runs before the park opens for the season. This ensures guest safety and of course, maximum fun!

Kings Island opens to Gold and Platinum passholders on May 8, and then to the General Public on May 15. Kings Island’s Soak City Waterpark will open on May 29.

Last year, Kings Island was forced to operate on a condensed schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, 2020 season passes will be honored for the 2021 season.

The park plans to bring back some of their highly anticipated seasonal events in 2021 such as Halloween HAUNT, WinterFest, and more! New this season is Kings Island Camp Cedar, a luxury outdoor resort and RV park, less than a mile from the amusement park’s front gate. The full 2021 calendar is available on the park’s website here.

Start your 2021 season by taking a virtual ride with us on ORION below!

Kings Island continues to monitor the ever-changing conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and is actively working with health experts and government officials to maintain the highest safety standards for guests and associates. Guests are encouraged to visit visitkingsisland.com for the latest updates on requirements, policies and safety protocols for the 2021 season, as these guidelines may be revised prior to opening day.

For tickets and more information, visit the official Kings Island website by clicking here.

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