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Amusement park’s tallest, longest coaster sheds skin

Snake-themed ride opens to enthusiasts at Kings Island.

Greg Lynch/Staff photographer Roller coaster enthusiasts take a ride on Kings Island's new Diamondback ride.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer Updated 5:46 PM Friday, April 17, 2009

Dave and Maggie Altman emerge from the shaded enclave at the end of Kings Island’s Diamondback roller coaster looking simultaneously drained and exhilarated. Their hair wind blown and mouths agape, the husband and wife look at each other and smiled the triumphant look of survivors.

“It was wonderful,” Dave said, waving both fists in the air.

The Altmans, like so many around them, survived, if not conquered, the Diamondback.

After months of anticipation, the tallest and longest roller coaster in the Kings Island’s history was unleashed today, April 17 in a special preview for enthusiasts.

“It’s like Christmas morning,” said Greg Scheid, Kings Island general manager. “I couldn’t be more excited.”

Scheid said he expected 14,000 to 15,000 people to ride the Diamondback each hour during it’s official opening day on Saturday, April 18.

Walter Bolliger, architect of the Diamondback, called the ride “perfection.”

“There are few charms it doesn’t have,” Bolliger said, citing the track’s detour into the woods, the water feature that provides an added splash at the end and the unique open air seating that will allow passengers to have unobstructed views from hundreds of feet in the air before they begin racing downward.

The $22 million steel coaster stands at 230 feet tall at its zenith, with a first drop of 215 feet. Riders will fly at up to 80 miles per hour, traveling more than 5,282 feet for nearly three minutes.

The Altmans traveled from Pittsburgh for the thrill of the new ride. Dave is the vice president of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, an international organization of thrill lovers. The Altmans said the Diamondback won’t replace the Beast as their all-time favorite roller coaster, but it is still a fantastic ride.

“It’s a long-time coming,” Dave said. “The park has really deserved a coaster like this. Not many coasters are being built right now because of the economy, but it was worth the wait.”

Ray Pfeffer, of Cincinnati, rode the Diamondback multiple times in various seats throughout the car. He noted that the center provided the best “air time” — time spent pulled from the seat, providing a free floating feeling — while the rear gave more jolt. The front was the smoothest part of the ride, Pfeffer said.

“This is the way it should be done,” Pfeffer said. “Everybody’s floating out of their seat. It’s going to be a big hit.”

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