Diamondback Review, Kings Island Bolliger & Mabillard Hyper Coaster | Best Ride at the Park? 

Diamondback has a special place in my heart. It was the new ride at the park when I started going to KI as a kid. It’s my favorite B&M hyper outta four I’ve ridden. With the closest being Raging Bull. Even though I’d rate Mystic Timbers and Orion higher I can’t help but love this thing.

That splashdown is the coolest thing about this hyper

I’ve been waiting for you to do a review on this one for a while. I consider this the best coaster at the park by a slim margin. Very comparable to Intimidator at Carowinds, but the second half isn’t a total disappointment

Diamondback is very smooth throughout unless you are in the back car. I have a feeling there is something about the splashdown claws that throw off the weight and balance. I started to treat rows 13 and 14 as the back and always had a much better experience!

This is my favorite B&M hyper at the Cedar Fair parks mostly because it has better airtime I find than intimidator and a better layout, but it’s also smoother than behemoth with a much better setting.

I love Diamondback, definitely my favorite ride in the park.

Your review is basically how my ride experience was last year. However when I was there, they were running 3 trains without stacking. It was a station wait the entire first day. Huge shoutouts to the amazing ops at KI those 2 days

One weird thing about this (and Intimidator) is that I never remember my rides on it, I’ve ridden Diamondback 3 times and all I can remember is my first ride I was thinking “this airtime is really relaxing” my second ride the ride op had trouble choosing a row for me, and my third ride in the back row feeling the water on the splash down, and that one took a lot of thinking to discern whether or not that really happened! The case is even more extreme for Intimidator, cuz I don’t remember riding that one at all! but I’m fairly certain I did. Most I can say about Diamondback, is that it’s relaxing, and forgettable 😓

I agree Diamondback is a tad overrated. I got two rides on it during my 2019 visit and I walked away a little disappointed. I just felt like it was more sluggish than I expected and I've always wondered if that was due to the staggered trains. I've always compared this coaster to Nitro at SF Great Adventure because the stats of the two are very similar and I definitely find Nitro to be the more thrilling due to it's stronger airtime and the very intense helix going into the mid course brake run. Admittedly I do have many more rides on Nitro since I live close to Great Adventure, but it just makes me want to get back in line. I didn't get that as much with Diamondback.

Maybe I've just had great rides but the rattle on Diamondback doesn't bother me but the rattle in the valleys on Goliath at Over Georgia completely ruin the ride for me. Oddly enough, Diamondback is my favorite B&M hypercoaster (haven't ridden Shambhala) while Goliath is my least favorite for that reason. I still prefer Diamondback over Mako and other well regarded B&M hypercoasters. Call me crazy.

Diamondback is my favorite B&M Hyper. KI is my home park so of course, I'm biased. Lol I like it more than Mako, Goliath and Candymonium though. I haven't ridden Intimidator or Behemoth so I can't say.

I like Diamondback just as much as Mako, both have weaker second halves. Hard to decide which I like more, I think Diamondback mostly due to the setting and stronger second half (in comparison).

This is arguably the best B&M hyper it's either this or Mako.... I just rode Mako a few more times the other day and I absolutely love both of them....

Yes, best coaster in the park (barely over Orion), second best U.S. B&M Hyper behind Mako, and best floater airtime coaster in the U.S. The ride tries to do one thing really well - floater airtime - and executes perfectly. Ops are fast, ride is almost never down, fireworks ride is incredible, and with the exception of Halloweekends, have never waited more than 4 minutes for this ride (Season Fast Lane though). Always exit the ride with a huge smile.

Its my favorite at Kings Island! The l o n g b o i trains are just *chefs kiss* imo

This ride has almost everything I want in a coaster. I didn't notice the rattle at all and it just barely edges out Orion for me since it felt like a longer ride.

Diamondback, absolutely the #1 coaster at KI. Or the 2nd. That rattle will get ya in the back though.

I will say, the valley after the hammerhead is definitely the rattliest on the ride

You mentioned trying front and back, but I’d also recommend trying row 8. The airtime in row 8 is probably the most sustained of anywhere on the train

Almost exactly my feelings. I find it a little overrated, but it's a very fun ride, and those first 2 camelbacks are amazing. On my last several trips, Diamondback has consistently been under 15 minutes, often just a 1-2 train wait or a walk-on, except on that busy Saturday. My 2018-2019 rides were extremely rattly, and it kind of ruined the ride, but ever since, it has ridden quite smooth on almost every ride. Any rattle has been quite mild. It's my # 4 in the park, because I'm a rare enthusiast who loves the Beast. It's also my # 4 B&M hyper, having ridden just the ones in N.America.

Here is my top 5 rankings 1. Orion 2. Diamondback 3. Mystic timbers 4. Banshee 5. Beast 👇Comment yours and like this Comment

Of the 9 B&M Hypers I've been on, 4 are in my Top 50- Mako, Goliath, Candymonium, and Silver Star. The next three that are outside of my Top 50 all have issues- Diamondback falls into this category with Intimidator and Nitro. All three are probably in my 70's or 80's. Diamondback has a pretty bad rattle. It is the worst for me in terms of any B&M Hyper. With that said the airtime is quite good on this ride. And I agree the setting is pretty good.

Cedar Fair received three Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coasters after they purchased the parks: Behemoth at Canada's Wonderland, which opened in 2008, Diamondback at Kings Island, which opened in 2009, and Intimidator at Carowinds, which opened in 2010. If I ask you about the three to ride again, Canobie Coaster would say: Yes, they all offer great airtime with those staggered seating trains and clamshell restraints. If I ask you, what do you think about the three in terms of smoothness or rattle, what would you say, Canobie Coaster?

Diamondback was my "get over fear of roller coasters" coaster. Even though I've now been on all of the major coasters in Ohio, nothing will ever beat how intense going over those first two camelbacks felt on my first ride. Not even the ones on Steel Vengeance when I rode later that summer. Now DB feels more like a gentle joyride to me than the monstrosity it used to seem like, especially riding in the middle rows. I still notice the rattle on maybe 30% of the rides I get on it, so I keep ibuprofen with me just in case. (I honestly think KI could make a killing if they sold advil in shops). I probably prefer Orion to DB just because the 300 foot drop is a guaranteed good time no matter what row you're in, Mystic over DB if the trains are warmed up, and Banshee over DB if it's midday and I get to marathon it.

Did you ever come off Diamondback at Kings Island with a headache? What do you think?

Not even in my top 4: 1. Orion, 2. Mystic, 3. Beast, 4. FoF The second half is just such a snooze fest outside the splash down.

Definitely a ride to do. Same height as Behemoth. Has a great helix. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

I went to kings island for the first time this past August and I went on this 6x. I was also underwhelmed w this ride. But it IS a good ride just over-rated imo. So was orion, lol. Best ride at the park was Mystic timbers imo. This is probably 2nd and 3rd orion for me.

Do you have any tips for making good coaster reviews? I find than once I record mine they are only around 2 minuets

Orion Mystic Timbers and Banshee are all way better than Diamondback. I think it's a great B&M hyper but the final third of the ride is super weak.

I’ve found the rattle to be much milder on the center seats. Noticed a huge difference from rows 15 and 16, but maybe it was just the day I visited.

Solid review! Would you agree that Timbers is the best-paced coaster in the park?

I like banshee at 3 for me, but I'm a little more partial to positives, especially on inverts than most people. That and my rides on diamondback felt very lacking.

Personally, I think when it's running all 3 trains the line moves so quick and I got to reserve the front seat and I love the airtime and how if you're in the front it hangs you over the drop

Diamondback is my 2nd favorite ride at KI only behind Orion. It has some of the most sustained airtime on any coaster ive ridden. Maybe its the fact that I haven't ridden that many B&M Hypers yet but I can forgive the 2nd half for being weaker since it still offers airtime due to the longer trains and I don't mind the trimmed camelback because the deceleration throws me forward while I get airtime cuz the hill is very sharp. I love the sound the ride makes in the pullout of the first drop, and I consider that and the rattle theming - you can't convince me otherwise. Orion has stronger airtime, better theming, and much better pacing, but Diamondback is currently my favorite Hyper and I love that splashdown, it draws so much attention every single time.

b&m hyper coasters, they are fast and long but boring. how can you even suggest that this steel beast comes near the real beast. BTW i love b&m suspended coasters

This would probably be my favorite B&M Hyper when I ride it soon

Yeah you lost me at underated. Orion is likely my fav at park due to the drop and the speed.. but Diamondback is the best overall ride at KI. Granted I’d make a video about how Mystic Timbers is overrated and people would be mad at me lol. MT is good, but it just isn’t for me. Lots of things factor in like preferences, riders body shape and size, etc. which is why everyone has different thoughts on favorites. I will say this though MT is best wooden coaster with a ton of laterals I’ve been on….but I am not a fan of a lot of laterals. Diamondback is one of my favorite rides ever, my fav hyper, and it’s in my top 10. Worst hyper I’ve been on is Intimidator at Carowinds was a snooze fest. Granted I rode it right after Fury 325 which is my number 3.

I rode this once as a kid. I mustve been stapled or rode in the dead center or something, cuz I remember being so disappointed by it! I remember liking vortex more

How tall is this coaster? I will put it on my list when I visit Kings Island in June 2024

When I went to Kings Island it was a "rainy day". Barely anyone was in the park and I got to ride Orion in the pouring rain and I was the only one on the ride!

Unfortunately, I also find this ride to be overrated.

Orion is way better than Diamondback

Diamondback is my favourite B&M hyper and my favourite ride at KI. Intimidator is smoother with a weaker layout; Behemoth is better than Intimidator, But Diamondback wins for the having the world's two largest consecutive camelbacks on any roller coaster. The icing of the cake is the low station and about 250' difference between the top of the lift hill and the bottom of the splashdown, giving riders in the back car a relatively large last drop without slowing down until the scoops hit the water. The two bunny hills between the MCBR and the splash down are the only moments I find lacklustre of Diamondback. However, It's also a long ride with the most sustained floater airtime on any coaster in the world. The only coasters I can think of that have more duration of airtime than Diamondback are Steel Vengeance, The Voyage as well as possibly Shivering Timbers and T Express. Despite its imperfections: It's my third favourite coaster I've ridden after Steel Vengeance and Fury 325, although I can see myself liking The Voyage better as well as possibly Velocicoaster. Thanks for posting!

Would you like to go to Kings Island again? What do you think?

Diamondback is my favorite ride in the park. The front is my favorite row, mainly because it doesn't really rattle up there. I can ride in the back without getting a headache too (unless I have already been concussed by The Beast), which is surprising because Orion does give me a headache. I also love night rides on this one; my night ride in the front row was one of my favorite coaster experiences ever.

Wait... so last time you visited kings island was ages ago?

this ride is a powerhouse. those floater pops are sweeeeet

Would you say Behemoth is the superior hyper of the Cedar Fair trio? Love your review as always, m'man.

I kept riding it when I went to kings island for the 3rd time. It was so much fun! And with my pass that lets me skip lines, I didn’t have to wait long

The rattle is technically theming

Diamondback has amazing airtime, but the rattle makes me ill. It a home park that I visit multiple times a year, and it's always good for a ride. But you'll find me lapping Orion and Mystic Timbers

Great vid

The trio of CF B&M hypers is so interesting to me. On all three, I've had very underwhelming rides no matter where in the train I sit. And then on a repeat visit, I'd get some spectacular rides in those same seats. I do think Diamondback is the most consistent of the three, and then that setting really elevates it.

About an 8 for me too.

I did not know diamondback didn’t have seatbelts. I wonder if intimidator at Carowinds didn’t have seatbelts before 2014.

It’s a classic

Got to ride in a lightning storm one time

The problem with Diamondback is that if you don’t sit in the back it’s completely forceless.

Try leaning forward at the bottom of the hills, right before the rattle starts. It starts and ends in the same spot all the time so its easy to time. I used to get a migraine if i rode it too many times in one day in the back. Ever since i started leaning up its been fine. Rode it 18 times during coasterstock this year.

Did you ever come off Diamondback at Kings Island with a headache? What do you think?

See Diamondback at Kings Island. What are your favorite rows on the ride, Canobie Coaster?