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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – In this photo, a train plummets down the 150-foot curved first drop of the new record-breaking Banshee roller coaster during a test run at Kings Island. Riders will scream their way through 4,124 feet of track and seven stomach-churning inversions in two and one-half minutes of non-stop action on the world’s longest inverted roller coaster. Banshee is themed to a wailing mythological messenger from the underworld with flowing white hair and gleaming eyes. Textured lighting and other lighting effects will bring the legend of Banshee to reality, creating the ultimate night ride experience. Banshee makes its highly-anticipated public debut April 18, when Kings Island opens for the 2014 season.

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – The thrill of being among the first night riders on the new record-breaking Banshee roller coaster will have a whole new meaning April 17, when Kings island hosts “Scream for A Kid Again” to raise money for the Greater Cincinnati chapter of A Kid Again, a non-profit organization which strives to enrich the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses and their families by providing healing times of respite through fun-filled group activities and destination events.

Kings Island fans and roller coaster enthusiasts alike will enjoy a night filled with riding the world’s longest inverted roller coaster over and over again from 9:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. All participants will have raised a minimum of $100 for A Kid Again to take part and will receive complimentary admission to Kings Island, a certificate of participation, a Scream for A Kid Again event t-shirt, food and unlimited rides on Banshee. Plaques will be awarded to the top five fundraisers.

As of Thursday, more than $50,000 has been raised...

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – With engineers, technicians, construction workers, managers and park general manager watching, the longest inverted roller coaster in the world, “Banshee,” screamed its way through its first test run Saturday at Kings Island. With seven stomach-churning inversions, the 4,124-foot long Banshee also ties another inverted roller coaster record. Designed exclusively for Kings Island by Switzerland-based Bolliger & Mabillard, Banshee features the following succession of breath-taking thrills: a 167-foot lift hill, 150-foot curved first drop, a dive loop, a vertical loop encircling the lift hill, a zero-gravity-roll, a pair of batwing inversions, outside loop, spiral, in-line roll and carousel, all at speeds up to 68 mph. Banshee makes its highly-anticipated public debut when Kings Island opens for the 2014 season April 18.

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – The record-breaking Banshee roller coaster isn’t the only new attraction this year at Kings Island. Visitors to the 364-acre amusement and waterpark will be mesmerized by the acrobatic performances in the park’s new live show, “Cirque Imagine,” featuring an incredible showcase of strength, balance and athleticism. The 30-minute show opens May 24 in the Kings Island Theater and is included with park admission. Kings Island opens for the 2014 season April 18.

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – It is still growing and prowling, after all these years. A legend in its own time, it is the holy grail of wooden roller coasters. The Beast at Kings Island celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the ride remains as popular as ever with park visitors.

When The Beast opened to the public April 14, 1979, it was acclaimed America’s ultimate roller coaster. It broke all existing records as the longest and fastest ride in the world. It is still listed in the prestigious “Guinness Book of World Records” as the longest wooden roller coaster in the world at 7,359 feet. “

The Beast is a modern classic, an icon and a benchmark that other wooden roller coasters are judged,” David Lipnicky, public relations director of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, said. “It’s powerful, fast and relentless.”

The idea for building The Beast actually began as a dream of re-creating one of the Midwest’s most popular old coasters.

When Kings Island construction and engineering personnel began planning to build a new coaster...

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – In this photo, Mark Wagers from Baynum Painting Inc., paints a section of track orange on the Bat roller coaster Friday at Kings Island. The ride located in the park’s Action Zone area carries riders through hilly wooded terrain suspended below 2,352 feet of track. The Bat, formerly known to park visitors as Flight Deck, will be operational when Kings Island opens for the 2014 season Friday, April 18.

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – The finishing touches are being put on the first set of cars of the Bat roller coaster (formerly Flight Deck) with the new color scheme of orange, black and silver. The ride will feature orange track with the columns two shades of charcoal. Follow the painting of the track and columns via our live webcam: visitkingsisland.com/online-fun/webcams

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KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – In this photo, ride technicians place a vehicle of a train for the new Banshee roller coaster into position on the track in the train storage area Thursday at Kings Island. Banshee will be the world’s longest inverted roller coaster, sending riders screaming through 4,124 feet of track and seven inversions at speeds up to 68 mph. The $24 million ride makes its highly-anticipated debut when Kings Island opens for the 2014 season April 18.

© Kings Island

MASON, Ohio – The vehicles for the first of three trains for the new Banshee roller coaster at Kings Island were delivered to the 364-acre amusement and waterpark on Wednesday. Currently under construction, Banshee will be the world’s longest inverted roller coaster when the $24 million ride makes its highly-anticipated debut April 18. Riders will scream their way through 4,124 feet of track and seven inversions at speeds up to 68 mph.

© Kings Island

MASON, Ohio – In this photo, a workman prepares for the installation of the chain for the lift hill of the new Banshee roller coaster at Kings Island. The $24 million ride will be the longest inverted roller coaster in the world when the ride debuts April 18. Riders will scream their way through 4,124 feet of track and seven inversions at speeds up to 68 mph.