Kings Island to Say Goodbye to Vortex at the End of 2019 Season

© Kings Island

Kings Island has announced that Vortex, the park's classic Arrow multilooping roller coaster, will be retired at the end of the 2019 season.  While shocking and sad to many, the park reports that the ride has simply reached the end of its service life.  They note that most rides of this type last between 25 and 30 years, and Vortex is currently in its 33rd operating season at Kings Island.

Vortex was the first roller coaster in the world to turn riders upside down a total of six times, opening at the park in 1987.  The coaster was built by the famed Arrow Dynamics and features a 148 foot tall lift with a 138 foot first drop at a 55 degree angle.

© Kings Island

Riders hit a top speed of 55 miles per hour while on the Vortex, and speed through two vertical loops, two corkscrews and a boomerang turn.  The ride ends with a 360 degree helix before the final brakes.

Vortex was designed using the sit of The Bat, a short lived suspended coaster at the park, with Vortex utilizing that ride's queue and station areas.  The ride was so popular when it opened in 1987 that it helped Kings Island surpass 3 million in attendance for the first time that year.  Since its opening, the coaster has given more than 45 million rides, with its record season being 1987 when 2.2 million rides were given.

© Kings Island

Kings Island shared this neat fact sheet for Vortex along with their announcement of the ride's retirement.  For fans of the ride, it offers great statistics and details that they're sure to love.

Final rides on Vortex begin tonight when the park opens for Halloween Haunt, and will continue until the park's closing day which is October 27th.  The park is offering season pass holders the ability to ride the coaster 30 minutes before park opening each Saturday and Sunday until the end of the season.