Kings Island is my “home” park, that I’ve had a pass to and visited over 100 times! I’ve ridden every ride, including many that no longer exist! My first “upside-down” coaster was Screamin’ Demon. Also, I rode Son of Beast both with and without the loop. Without further ado, here is my ranking of every Kings Island ride. If you are into coasters, be sure to check out my rankings at the new Universal Studios Epic Universe!
*Last updated June 9, 2026
Ranking Every Roller Coaster at Kings Island
16. The Great Pumpkin Coaster
The Great Pumpkin Coaster is the smallest coaster at Kings Island. It is the perfect coaster for the tiniest of children. However, it is just some bumps that goes in a circle. For anyone over a few years old, you are going to age out of this one quickly.
15. Snoopy’s Soap box Racers
Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers is a boomerang style. This means that it goes one way forward and then runs the track back the same in reverse. Additionally, I think it is the newest coaster to Kings Island as it opened in 2024.
It is a fun little ride and great to see another coaster in the Camp Snoopy kids area. However, my only complaint is that only one car can run at a time so the lines can be longer for that reason.
14. Woodstock’s Air Rail
Woodstock’s Air Rail is another kids coaster in Camp Snoopy. It is an inverted, feet-dangling ride. It can be a significant thrill upgrade over some of the other Camp Snoopy coasters. Also, it is a little unnerving for kids when the track drops out at the top of the hill!
Woodstock’s Air Rail opened in 2021 under the name Rugrats Runaway Reptar. It later was renamed Flying Ace Aerial Chase. Finally, it landed on the current name, Woodstock’s Air Rail. It used to be orange and yellow, but is currently a more earth-tone brown and green.
13. Queen City Stunt Coaster
Queen City Stunt Coaster originally opened as a themed coaster to the movie “The Italian Job”. You will remember the mini cooper chase scene if you’ve seen the movie. Additionally, it became Stuntlot Coaster after Paramount sold the park. Recently, it was rebranded to include Cincinnati landmarks. This gives it the name Queen City Stunt Coaster, after Cincinnati’s nickname.
The ride itself is a short, quick series of turns. It is another ride for those that don’t love big drops, similar to the next coaster on the list.
12. Adventure Express
Adventure Express is a steel track coaster that opened in 1991. It is unique as a coaster in that it really has no large drops. Surprising to many people, the hill is at the end and after the anticipation of a dozen giant stone sculptures pounding their fists, it just returns you to the beginning to get off of the ride. However, for those that don’t like heights or drops, this may be the coaster for you.
Additionally, the theming as a lost mine train, has one of the better visual sets for a park that doesn’t have much of that on its rides. However, be aware that it is a bit jerky and the turns throw you despite the ride never feeling that fast.
11. Woodstock Express
Woodstock Express is a wooden coaster, that has existed since the park opened in 1972, under the name Scooby-Doo. It is a smaller, all-family coaster for kids too small to ride The Racers. It was renamed “The Beastie” after The Beast opened in 1979.
However, it became the “Fairly Odd Coaster” in 2006 and in 2010 was renamed to the current “Woodstock Express” to fit the Camp Snoopy theme. Regardless of the name, it still makes for a fun and memorable experience for younger kids 40″ or taller as a first-time roller coaster.
10. The Racer (red)
The Racer is a twin track “racer” design featuring a mirrored track with one side blue and the other red. Kings Island lists The Racer (Red) as a separate coaster from the blue racer, so I guess I will as well.
The racer design is identical tracks, splitting off about half way and returning together for a fun finish to determine who is the winner. It was the centerpiece rollercoaster when the park first opened in 1972.
In the past, the carts show there 1970s design and the carts are pretty tiny. Even at 6 feet tall, my knees sit a little crammed in and you feel every bump on the track. I can only imagine that anyone taller could be pretty uncomfortable.
However, all things aside, the coaster definitely has a throwback, Americana-vibe and is really an enjoyable family ride for kids that are over 48″ tall and looking for something bigger.
9. The Racer (Blue)
The Racer (Blue) is exactly the same track as the red, it just runs on the left side instead of the right side of the track. However, I’m giving the advantage to the blue racer in the rankings, since it used to run backwards, while the red racer ran forwards.
From what I’ve read, they started running one of the racers backwards in 1982 as a one-year promotional idea, but ended up keeping it that way for 26 years. After the 2007 season, it was turned back to run forward, which is how they both run today.
However, when the park is at low capacity, they will only run one racer to reduce staffing requirements. Unfortunately, it’s just not as fun without both tracks running.
8. Invertigo
Invertigo is boomerang-style coaster, meaning that it goes out in one direction and then you return backwards along the same track. The downside to this design is that there is only one car running at a time, so no matter how short the line is, it always seems to have a long wait.
Originally, it opened in 1999 as “Face Off” as a nod to the Paramount film featuring Nicholas Cage and John Travolta. Following the sale of the park from Paramount, it was renamed Invertigo.
The ride itself is inverted, with feet dangling, and takes you both directions through multiple loops and twists. Withe the “face off” design, you either start forward the first half and finish backwards, or vice versa.
There was an identical coaster at Six Flags America in Maryland, which has since been removed. It was closed for long sections during the 2025 season for repairs, but was running last time we visited earlier this month. However, it does seem to be closed during week days assuming the park is at low staff/capacity.
7. The Bat
The Bat originally opened in 1993 under the name Top Gun, themed to the movie of the same name while under Paramount ownership. The coaster itself is a top-mounted, hanging car to give the impression of a F16 jet. When the ride opened, all the operators were decked out in full flight gear costumes, even in the middle of the summer! Also, the Top Gun theme song would play in the background, it was definitely fun.
However, after Paramount sold the park, the ride was renamed “Flight Deck”, before eventually being renamed again as “The Bat”, a throw-back reference to a 1980s hanging cart ride of the same name.
The ride itself is scenic, if comparatively slow by modern coaster standards. The minimum height requirement was reduced to only 42″, making it a great family coaster for kids looking to upgrade from the kid’s coasters in the Camp Snoopy area. Lastly, the ride is located just past Banshee, but be aware it does have a bit of a hike to get back to the entrance of the ride itself.
6. Flight of Fear
The top 6 coasters is about where you get into the really good rides at Kings Island. In fact, you could put a lot of these rides as the number 1 and I wouldn’t argue. Flight of Fear opened in 1996, so it just hits it’s 30th anniversary and is showing its age just a bit. The ride is pretty rough and bumpy, despite the near complete brake/stop in the middle of the ride. Also, there is an exact replica Flight of Fear coaster at Kings Islands sister park, Kings Dominion in Virginia. Additionally, the queue has perhaps the best theming in all of Kings Island, leading you through an indoor UFO with a backstory playing through monitors.
5. Mystic Timbers
Mystic Timbers is the newest wooden coaster at Kings Island and it is a great companion to that other wooden coaster you’ll see later down this list. Kings Island tried the wooden sequel with Son of Beast, which was later removed after only 9 years (from 2000-2009) after issues with rider injuries. Mystic Timbers follows that up with a great ride, fun hangtime and a smooth track that ranks right up there with the best wooden coasters
4. Orion
Orion is Kings Island only “Giga Coaster”. That means that it has a hill or drop from 300-399 feet. Orion comes in as the smallest giga coaster in the world, with a 287 foot hill and a 300 foot drop, just barely squeaking in. However, it is a giga and it is still a big hill!
It is a fun ride, largely goes out-and-back, but is at the end of the park so not overly scenic. Also, if you like speed, this is where you will get it as the ride tops out at 91 miles per hour!
However, the next coaster on this list was built earlier and has a similar feel, which makes this coaster not feel as novel or unique. Additionally, for first time visitors, I’d be curious to know what they think.
3. Diamondback
Diamondback might be a sleeper pick for number 3, but don’t sleep on this coaster. It may not be the tallest, that would be Orion, but it makes up for the slighter smaller stature with big-time personality!
This is a coaster that just grows on me more and more every time I ride it. As a certified “Hyper Coaster” (200-299 foot hill/drop), it has a 230 foot hill and a drop of 215 feet. Additionally, it has some great hangtime and finishes with a splash-down into a pool of water with a geyser tail. However, don’t worry, you won’t get wet, it is only for show.
While it doesn’t have the “giga” status of Orion, it has some great turns and goes right through the park so that scenery changes with every viewing as you turn just over passengers walking below. It really has become as central as any ride in the park. Also, it is always just a lot of fun, and for that reason I rank it at number 3!
2. Banshee
Banshee is my wife’s favorite coaster and if you ask me on another day, so that probably breaks my tie between it and Diamondback! At over 4000 feet of track, this ride just keeps going and never disappoints. Oh, and it is inverted (your feet hang) and goes upside down 7 times. Inverted and 7 inversions? Yes, please!
I can’t describe enough how cool it is to do these loops on the outside of the track and nothing below you. Also, it really is ultra-smooth so you can ride this one over and over again without too much fatigue.
There isn’t a whole lot else to say, except this is an epic ride, and absolutely deserves it spot at number 2!
1. The Beast
Okay, I’ll be honest, The Beast might not be the “best” coaster at King’s Island. However, I always ride it at least once, making it my most ridden coaster and it ranks as my favorite. Also, there is so much legend and history behind it, so I have to rank it number one.
Sure, depending on where you sit, the back car comes to mind, it can be very bumpy. I’m sure there is more than one person who has needed a spinal adjustment after a ride on The Beast. Also, for the smoothest ride, sit in the middle of a train and the middle of the car.
At 7,361 feet of track, or about 1.4 miles, it is the longest wooden roller coaster in the world! Additionally, it has held that distinction since it opened in 1979, for the last 47 years. It has two separate hills, the first is the main drop and the second follows with a double helix / 540 degree turn through tunnels.
Bonus points, taking the Beast at the end of the day, for a night ride out and back, through the woods, it is unforgettable. For all of the reasons above, The Beast will always hold a special place in my heart, and for that reason lands at the number 1 spot for best roller coaster at Kings Island!