Firehawk

Opening in 2007 as part of the park’s transition from Paramount to Cedar Fair, Firehawk was a rare “flying” roller coaster that offered riders the unique sensation of soaring through the sky like a bird. Originally built by Vekoma as X-Flight at Geauga Lake in 2001, the ride was relocated to Kings Island’s Area 72 (then known as X-Base) to bolster the park’s thrill lineup. The experience began with a unique loading process where the trains were tilted back into a “lay-down” position; as the train crested the 115-foot lift hill, it flipped over, suspending riders face-down in a flying posture. Over 3,340 feet of track, riders reached speeds of 50 mph and navigated five inversions, including two “lie-to-fly” transitions and a massive vertical loop. Despite its loyal fan base, Firehawk was closed at the end of the 2018 season to make room for the park’s first giga coaster, Orion, which now stands on its former site.