Banshee Media Preview and Ride Review

King's Island- Banshee Media Day Ride Review.

When we were invited to join the press for King's Island's newest roller coaster, Banshee, it was easy to say our excitement level went into orbit. We've been following this newest addition closely from it's announcement, through construction and initial testing. Our expectations were high and our hopes were higher yet for this new ride.


What we found lurking upon the grave of "The Son of Beast" was an amazing piece of steel and engineering. Imagine the perfect coaster storm, everything you could wish for on a ride and then have those dreams manifest in front of you. That is what we found...

Coaster Giant B&M to build their First Family Inverted Coaster

Image from RCDB

 Coaster Giant B&M to build First Family Inverted Coaster.

 While the coaster company Bolliger and Mabillard may be known for their giant ride, it seems their doing a first for the Happy Valley Park in China.

 The company isn't known to build smaller, family style coasters but according to Roller Coaster Database it seems they are now. These small, inverted family coasters are normally the mark of Vekoma Coasters but it seems B&M is now getting into the game. They normally run only a single coaster train and sit only two people per row.

 The currently unnamed coaster is being installed at Happy Valley Park in Shanghai, China.

First Banshee Watch of 2014- 1/1

 First Banshee Watch of 2014- 1/1

 A new interview of Don Helbig, the Public Relations Manager for Kings Island has given up a few new bits of information about the new coaster, Banshee.

Including a conformation that the building schedule is on track for completion in mid-January, Conformation that a gift-shop and photo area will be included under the raised station for Banshee, On-Ride Photos will be included with Banshee and that the park expects the coasters trains to arrive in February!

 Don also goes into lots of details about the 2014 Season at Kings Island, including some possible re-names and even more information about The Bat.

 You can read the full interview over on "Don Speaks Live- KI Fansite"

Image from Kings Island's Facebook Page

 Kings Island has also been posting up some construction photos of the new ride.  In this image we can see the batwing section of the ride rising into the air.

 With the hint that Banshee will likely receive it's trains in February, I'd guess we can expect testing of the ride to begin shortly afterwards. 

 Things are getting exciting over at Kings Island!

Banshee Watch- December 13

 Another Update to Banshee Watch for December 13th, 2013

 Even in the Winter Months while most of the park lies dormant in the snow, waiting for it's springtime crowds to return, construction on the new Banshee Roller Coaster hasn't stopped!

 While much of the site may be covered in snow, work keeps moving as you can see from the photo to the right which was posted on Kings Islands Facebook Page.  Work still continues on the rides heavily themed station area, rumor has it they expect to have much of the construction finished and ride testing to begin sometime between February and March of 2014.

Banshee Watch - October 30

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN PEOPLES!!!

  Okay so I'm a day early but no big deal right? Especially since this is my favorite holiday and I've got a Halloween treat just for yinz (yes, I'm from Pittsburgh and yes I use Pittsburghese just deal with it).

Wait for it.........................................................THE LOOP IS COMPLETE!!!  King's Island Facebook has posted the picture of the complete loop which encircles the lift hill and it looks so amazing.

  

I have an unrealistic hope that a car will be going up the hill as one passes overhead but that would put two cars too close together and we all know that would be a bad idea so my dream shall just remain a dream. (I feel like I should sing "I Dreamed a Dream, but we'd all go deaf).

I also found this gem hidden among the pictures and I honestly couldn't remember if I posted it or not but either way do we really care? Nope, we just want more photos.

 

 I can not believe the scale of this ride and I love how it fills the whole area.  Imagine what it'll be like in a couple of years once all the trees and nature grow back in.

 I am ending my update here today and I wish everyone a safe,scary, spooky and wondrous HAPPY HALLOWEEN.  Remember: Jack the Pumpkin King is watching you.

Banshee Watch - October 26

Hey Everyone!!!!

This is going to be a mini update since I'm trying to write on my phone so please forgive any mistakes. :)

This photo was posted by KI's Facebook page today and besides the beautiful sunset behind the ride construction this bit looks amazingly wonderful. 

Since I'm on my phone I can't really tell where this portion is located. 

I'll be sure to keep everyone up to date as I find more pictures and hopefully I won't be on my phone next time

Hugs to all!!!!

Banshee Watch - October 19

 

 

 

Good morning folks!!!!

 

 I've got another photo update for everyone to enjoy, at least I hope everyone is enjoying these updates as much as we are.

 

 So I'm going to get right into it; enjoy!!!

 

 

So based on this picture...I have no idea where this is going, lol.  We're looking over the back end, return to station track section, and we can see the first hill.  And while looking on KI's Facebook page apparently this lovely little piece of track weighs 8,000 lbs.  Who knew we were going to learn something interesting today?

 

So on to the next picture:

 

Check out the half built loop de loop!!  (Yes, I know I sound like I'm five but shush)  I love the twists you can see built into the track, this opening is going to be kick ass.

 

We are so excited for this ride and as soon as more photos show up I'll be sure to get them available to all you awesome readers.

 

Hugs to all!!!

Banshee Watch - October 6

Good evening peoples!!!!

King's Island has posted more photos of Banshee's construction on Facebook and they look amazing as usual.

I'm going to jump right into it because like I've said before, that's really why you're here.

So first we've got:

This is the first drop and I must say this look neat.  I love how it twists and then you're on the outside.  So ingenious. (Seriously where are they getting this beautiful looking weather!! I'm so jealous right now)

Next picture we've got is:

Here is the first drop almost complete.  I'm not a fan of the angle of this picture but what can we do?  It's hard to tell what's going on with the trees there but I would not have them get rid of the trees since once it all grows back in this baby will be a hell of a ride.

I can't wait for them to get to the building of the loop which goes around lift hill and that will be neat as hell.  I love when coasters interact with each other or go around on itself.

So, before I sign off for the article I just wanted to let people know that we (ISI) do have a fan page on Facebook (we know that many people don't like FB but unfortunately many parks still use it for numbers since they aren't up on G+) and we would love for you give us a "Like" if you have Facebook page: InsanityLurksInside Facebook

Thanks to all who are sticking with my mini updates on Banshee.  See you around on G+.

Hugs to all. 

Banshee Watch - September 30th

Good evening peoples!!!

Alex here because Carrie and Kitsune are still going like crazy people in Florida for the Haunt Tour :)  There's a small update from our sister/brother (?) site regarding their funness: Kitsuneverse

So there have been more photos of Banshee released by King's Island on their Facebook page over the last four days since I put up the last posting, it's so neat to watch this get built right?!!!

So I'm just going to hop straight into the photos because that's really why yinz are here:



So this was posted on 26 September and it is the construction workers installing column number seven for the lift hill.



In this photo (posted 27 September), workmen from the Adena Corporation install lift element seven to column element seven (yes, I took that directly from the FB page because it explains what is going on and I couldn't do it any better) and I personally think that they're insane!!!  I do coasters no problem but don't ask me to deal with the height without one; nope, no way!!



Gentlemen and ladies...we officially have a drop!!!!! This photo was posted 30 September and I am loving the fact that we get to see that it's just going to drop, no turn and drop which I am not really a fan of myself.

I hope that everyone reading this is just as excited about this coaster as we are and as more pictures make their way into the open we will post them up for yinz.

Hugs to all!!!

Banshee Watch - September 26

Hey all!!!

Alex here,

With Carrie plugging away at #HHN23 in Universal Studios Florida (I'm so jealous considering the weather here up North) I caught sight of the newest pictures that King's Island posted on Facebook of the Banshee track.

This ride looks AMAZING!!!!  I can't wait for April to get here, I wanna ride this beauty so bad!! (Be aware I'm going probably sound like some annoying fangirl but sorry, at this point I kind of am)



Here is the opening lift hill and columns!!!! This is the hill that will take riders up 167ft and drop them 150ft!!!



This lovely view is of the end of the ride on your way back to the station, so in other words at this point King's Island hopes that you no longer have a voice or that you are dead in your seat.

I honestly agree with Carrie in that I can't believe how quickly this coaster is getting put up but since I also live in the "winter hell zone" I do know what our winters can be like so I can see why they are try to avoid construction during that hell.

I know I have every intention of dying my hair for opening day. :)

Keep tuned to the blog for more Banshee updates and for updates on the Haunt Tour!!

Hugs to all!!

Banshee Watch- September 22nd

 Things at Kings Island just keep getting better!

 Even more track for their world recording breaking roller coaster, Banshee have been delivered to the park.  Progress on this coaster is going as light speed, with new pieces going up each week.

 This photo came from Kings Island's Facebook page and was posted yesterday, September 21st.

 This photo looks to be part of the lift hill for Banshee. Posted up to Twitter and Instagram from Kings Island.

 Honestly, I can't wait for this ride to be complete. I can't wait to ride it, I may even dye my hair for the occasion!

More Updates as we find them!

Banshee Watch- September 6th

September 6th, 2013

 We've got some more news coming from Kings Island today regarding their new record-breaking coaster, Banshee, which is coming in 2014. This and many other new images have been posted to their facebook account. 
*Remember on Social Media Networks you can follow #BansheeWatch for my updates as well as many others!*

Image from Kings Island's Facebook Page

 More track is up, this is the first of the 'real' ride track that has gone up outside of the maintenance station area. Construction is progressing swiftly for the park with the mild fall we've been having so far. Footers for additional supports have been poured and are curing as we speak, those same supports are on site and ready to rise into the air as soon as the ground is ready.

 Each time I look at the layout for this ride, I admit, it a few years it's going to be even more amazing. Once the trees and foliage grows back in, this ride is really going to be a sight to behold while riding. Much like Beast, I think when things finally grow back it you won't see as much of the ride leaving you with that secluded feeling of thrill.

Banshee Watch- Track is going up!

Image from Kings Island's Facebook Page

Just a quick update for all you folks out there following the Banshee News coming from Kings Island.

Kings Island has officially gotten the very first piece of track for their record breaking new coaster, Banshee, into place!

Now, I can't say for sure but this looks a lot like either station track or part of maintenance track to me. I simply must admit, I'm loving the color scheme for this ride! Either way, progress has begun on the build and we personally can't wait for this rides opening day to come! We sure hope that progress continues at this fast pace and that the ride is ready for April, because I promise you, we here at ISI will be there with bells on for it's opening day!

(Special Thanks to ISI's own Alex for spotting this today!)

Kings Island Announces Banshee

The Newest, World Record Breaking Roller Coaster

Coming to Kings Island in 2014

Check out our review of Banshee right here!

Tonight at 10pm Kings Island in Kings Mills, Ohio announced the World Record Breaking Coaster Banshee which is taking over the spot once occupied by the ill fated 'Son of Beast'. This space in the park as be empty and desolate for five years now since the once great coaster went quiet after a spat of injuries, accidents and lawsuits.

Image from Kings Island

 Banshee is a much needed and much anticipated project for Kings Island who hasn't built a new coaster since 2009 when Diamondback opened to the public. Finally we're seeing progress in getting much needed fresh blood into the park as well as a coaster that will "chew through a line" as the term is known. A high capacity, high excitement ride. Banshee is the will be the world record holder for "Worlds Longest Inverted
Coaster".

Image from Kings Island

 The stats for Banshee are also pretty damned impressive, they need to be in order to be a record breaking! Banshee is a Inverted roller coaster with the following stats...
Height: 167 feet
Drop: 150 feet

Speed:  68MPH

Inversions: 7

Length: 4,124.1
Ride Duration: 2 minutes 40 seconds

Image from Kings Island

 The theme for Banshee is also pretty interesting, coming from legend. They mourn the passing of others and wail when someone is about to die. Some also say it's a woman who died or a woman who lost her child. So this theme is really very fitting for a ride which is taking over the grave of a titan.

(Side Note: I was RIGHT!)