Kings Island Set to Remove A Roller Coaster - But Which One?

© Kings Island

This past weekend visitors to Kings Island's Halloween Haunt took notice of a new somber funeral setting, but the sign in front of it got all the attention.  Seen above, the sign reads:

"The air is eerily calm as we make final preparations for the ill-fated demise of one of our own."

It also comes with the R.I.P. dates of 10/28/18, and the hashtags #RestInPiecesKI, #ItsBigItsGone and #RIP2018KI.

© Kings Island

While rumors flew all weekend long, Kings Island today officially confirmed that one of the park's roller coasters will be closing forever on the last day of the 2018 season, October 28th.

The park hasn't confirmed that I've seen, but many are taking the 11 chairs set out to represent the park's 12 major roller coasters, less one of course - that's who the funeral is for!

Going off that thought we're left with:  Adventure Express, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Banshee, Bat, Beast, Diamondback, Firehawk, Flight of Fear, Invertigo, Mystic Timbers, Racer and Vortex.

© Kings Island

To me, there are many rides that can quickly come off that list:  Banshee, Beast, Diamondback, Mystic Timbers and the Racer.  In the middle class of "maybe but probably not" I would add:  Backlot Stunt Coaster, Flight of Fear and Adventure Express.  That leaves Bat, Firehawk, Invertigo and Vortex on my most-probable list.

I can see reasons for all of these to meet their end, whether age, operating costs, low ridership or even location (to make space for the future), but let's also consider the text of the teaser.  It mentions the "air is eerily calm" which is quite the opposite of what a Vortex does, and compared to that windy event calm air would certainly be eerie.

Then again, we all know that Invertigo is one of only a few left of its kind, and Dorney Park did just send their version of the ride to the scrap heap this year.  The Bat is equally unique and we've seen several Arrow Suspended coasters meet their end recently.  And Firehawk's capacity/ridership may have put a nail in its coffin, as well.

Hard to be sure at this point, but thankfully Kings Island says that the ride will be revealed by the end of this week, so not long to wait.