Kings Island announces Banshee

This ride looks like pure action from start to finish. No MCBR, picks up speed half-way through, very nice. I even like how it ends with a slow, graceful heartline followed by a tight helix that's sure to pack strong positive G's.

Very exciting!

Looks kind of like Gatekeeper's ENDING without a MCBR

Looks cool! With all the ghosts supposedly running around Kings Island this is a good theme!

Also I'm very glad to see the restraints from the wing coaster making their way onto this Inverted coaster cause I don't always find the typical hard padded B&M restraints to be the most comfortable.

I thing that batwing pretzel loop whatever is the coolest element I've seen on an inverted coaster. Unless it's on some random overseas or China invert, I think it might be unique.

Consensus seems to be that it's reminiscent of Moonsault Scramble

Note to others: don't participate in speculation threads once Tek and Gonch state what it is.

I'm still not convinced.

Have to admit I chuckled at the 'bat out of the cage' comment during the announcement. Way to commit to the very end.

The video showing the Son of Beast falling to the ground made me a very happy coaster enthusiast.

This ride looks awesome, and I love the theme! It's great that they didn't go for a height record, because we all know that is the biggest problem with Alpengeist. That first drop looks insane.

Not so great? The theme doesn't mesh well with Action Zone, but whatever; it's still a very interesting theme. I think it is silly to boast that this is "The first female-inspired thrill ride at a Cedar Fair Entertainment amusement park." I mean, it's really great and all, but is that really noteworthy? Is it even really true? GIRL POWER! lol

This ride rounds out the park really well, and hopefully the crowds will spread out a little better. I'll probably be there opening day!

There's pics of the Station on some sites out there. Way cool. I also think having some graves at *Low Point's* on the ride would be very cool.

Glad I got back to the Car before storms hit :) It was cool but only a few things were surprising. The Huge drop out of the 0g, Now thats what im talkin about. The only thing disappointing really to me is for just a little more they could have put a snap roll to get the North American Inversion Record.

"The first female-inspired thrill ride at a Cedar Fair Entertainment amusement park."

Wouldn't that be Prowler?

Oh, wait, that's "cougar"....nevermind.

;~P

LostKause said:

It's great that they didn't go for a height record, because we all know that is the biggest problem with Alpengeist.

While I'm probably not the best person to question this, I rarely, if ever, hear that its height is the "problem". Besides, the drop is only 20 feet higher than Banshee's, and is arguably the best part. If I had to list negatives, I'd say cobra roll, mid-course brake, meandering finale. None of that has to do with height.

LostKause said:

Not so great? The theme doesn't mesh well with Action Zone, but whatever; it's still a very interesting theme.

Haunted Action Zone! BOOGAH BOOGAH!!! Not scared enough by the Banshee's scream!? Get on The (not really new) Bat suspended coaster! BOOGAH BOOGAH!

I especially love how they talked up B&M including their reliability and impeccable safety record. The truth hurts Intamin! Looks like an interesting train design compared to earlier models. My only concern with the size of the elements is that the ride will lose the snap people like on the compact models. I think this is why people are giving GateKeeper mixed reviews.

CPcyclone said:
My only concern with the size of the elements is that the ride will lose the snap people like on the compact models. I think this is why people are giving GateKeeper mixed reviews.

Maybe they should have gone for the height record on this one, not just for the sake of it but to ensure the "fun factor" all the way to the end of the ride. Still way to early to judge how the ride will actually feel. I'm very excited to try ot myself!

Lamest.Wingrider.EVER!

Back when it looked like CGA was going to be reborn as the 49ers parking lot, I thought Top Gun would have filled KI's B&M Inverted Coaster void nicely. It doesn't hold any records, though (shortest inverted coaster, perhaps?) and that seems to be something they're pushing with Batshee.

Glad to see another example of this coaster type Stateside. It's been a while. I'm probably alone in hoping that interest in their Standup Coaster is rekindled next.

rollergator said:

"The first female-inspired thrill ride at a Cedar Fair Entertainment amusement park."

Wouldn't that be Prowler?

Oh, wait, that's "cougar"....nevermind.

;~P

Maggie, Millie.

:ducks:

Looks awesome to me. The only question I have - will 3 train operation occur without a midcourse block? I know there are several coasters that do it (Magnum, Dragon Challenge) so I would think it wont be an issue.

CPcyclone said:

My only concern with the size of the elements is that the ride will lose the snap people like on the compact models.

Well that didn't take long.