New Orion Roller Coaster Debuts At Kings Island

Kings Island is set to debut their newest coaster Orion on Thursday. Orion, one of only seven giga coasters in the world, a class of coasters having a height or drop of 300-399 ft.

Orion will plunge riders down an exhilarating 300-foot drop before sending them on a high-speed journey over seven more hills at speeds of up to 91 mph. Racing along 5,321 feet of track, it will be Kings Island’s tallest, fastest and longest steel coaster.

Can’t wait to see what it’s like to drop 300 feet? Watch as we take our very first ride on Orion!

The ride’s stats place it among the tallest and fastest coasters in the world:

Height of First Drop: 300 feet
Length of First Drop: 447 feet
Top Speed: 91 mph
Track Length: 5,321 feet
Total Number of Hills: 8
Height of Hills: 287 feet, 174 feet, 202 feet, 56 feet, 147 feet, 125 feet, 90 feet, 83 feet
Ride Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard
Duration: 3 minutes
Trains: 3 trains with 8 cars. Riders are seated 4 across in a single row for a total of 32 riders per train
Capacity: 1,650 riders per hour
Minimum Height Requirement: 54 inches

Along with the introduction of Orion, the park welcomes guests back to the park for a later than expected 2020 opening. The amusement park has put stringent health, safety and hygiene protocols in place to allow a safe opening that align with CDC recommendations and have been shaped by information from company and industry health and safety experts. Download the Welcoming You Back Guide here.

Paper park maps will not be given out this year. Instead, giant boards have been placed through-out the park. Guests are encouraged to utilize the Kings Island mobile app.

Orion’s Backstory
Themed to the park’s new Area 72, the ride features the latest prototype vehicle developed by the Project X initiative. Scientists are in a race against time to develop technology capable of weaving transport vehicles through a coming meteor storm and traveling to a new planet within the Orion constellation. For the program to be successful, it needs volunteers to help with testing.

Take a walk through the entire queue line below.

Furthermore, the Flight of Fear coaster has been extensively re-themed for the new Area 72. The ride now features a new queue, new scenery, and the return of the on-ride photo for the ride.

The Meteor Canteen eatery in Area72 will also be new to park-goers. Guests can grab a Bratwurst with sauerkraut, Italian with pepper and onions or Hot Dog topped off with smokehouse chili or cheese sauce, cool freshening fountain drink, or get a basket of Afterburner fries.

Along with the newly themed area and new eatery, the park has lots of souvenirs available. Here’s a sneak peek look at all the Orion souvenirs.

Kings Island opens daily for Season Passholders with a reservation on Thursday, July 2, and to everyone on Sunday, July 12. Reservations are required and available now on the parks official website.