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

[@starapton5374]

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.

[@Jazz-Man1910]

Same. My home park is CP, but I still go to KI a fair amount, and I always try to get a ride on my favorite B&M hyper. Albeit, Orion is now my favorite ride at the park.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

That splashdown is the coolest thing about this hyper

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a cool visual.

[@SkyrushFanboy]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Glad the ops were better than my experience.

[@jayducharme]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Mystic and Orion.

[@jayducharme]

@@CanobieCoaster Mystic Timbers is remarkably good. But I love the airtime on Diamondback. 🙂

[@jrax1713]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like Behemoth best of those 3.

[@marcusmcgraw3519]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

It does feel similar to Intimidator, just in the woods.

[@kentsoliday763]

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!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Maybe that contributes.

[@thomasxl200]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

The long trains are nice on the ends.

[@Thuggysmurf]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have a few hypers ahead of this, including Mako, the Goliaths, and Candymonium to start.

[@CivilianSatellite]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Behemoth is my favorite of the 3.

[@huddyr1112]

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....

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Mako.

[@jtwoolley]

this ride is a powerhouse. those floater pops are sweeeeet

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lots of sustained floater in the first half.

[@richey0995]

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 😓

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's odd! I find it memorable.

[@HugeRMCFanBoY-bx3od]

You have memory loss

[@blathersb]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It definitely has a longer ride than Orion.

[@OutlawRunnerSDC]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I feel like B&M hypers rate higher the less you've been on. One complaint about them is that many feel similar.

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

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

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

I was thinking the same thing. There's something unique about the airtime in the very middle of the train, same with Intimidator. I don't remember Behemoth well enough, but I'll bet it's the same.

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

@@OklahomaCoasterFan I’ve only ridden Intimidator in the front and back, but I’ll have to try tow 8 next time I’m there

[@CanobieCoaster]

Interesting! I'll have to try it next time.

[@justiceleaguebattleformetr9239]

@@CanobieCoaster I will say that the front and back are a little better, but row 8 is still excellent, especially with a lot of room

[@DankPeezy_YT]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Mako, Goliath, and Candymonium.

[@mamarley]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's good, but I prefer Orion and Mystic.

[@mamarley]

@@CanobieCoaster I like Mystic Timbers too (and it is my favorite wood coaster), but overall I prefer the more graceful airtime from a B&M hyper.

[@joep3211]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm pretty sure they have advil available behind the counter at some gift shops. Most parks do.

[@supremefan]

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).

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Mako.

[@mythicgamingmk1105]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Enjoy!

[@Loverovergold]

Great vid

[@CanobieCoaster]

Thanks!

[@mochicaca123]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@mochicaca123]

@@CanobieCoaster thx

[@Spike-sk7ql]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'll try that next time.

[@OklahomaCoasterFan]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like Beast, but I prefer the more complete coasters.

[@theatreandrollercoasters]

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!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@gilbertceballos8674]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have it 3rd.

[@mhtube01]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Those 2 do have similarities.

[@Spike-sk7ql]

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

[@First-Drop-Studios]

I’d put it as #2 behind mystic

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Orion and Mystic myself.

[@Spike-sk7ql]

It's usually a toss up between Mystic, and Diamondback. Idk..... Orion is good, and all, but you get better air time on Dback. If it's a cooler day, and Diamondback is running kind of slow, then Mystic #1 all day. Heck, i just rode Mystic last weekend, in the lower 30s, and it was still flying. That coaster does not know the meaning of running slow!🤣

[@Paolo8772]

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!

[@CanobieCoaster]

Doesn't Steel Dragon have larger camelbacks?

[@Paolo8772]

@@CanobieCoaster SD 2000 has the largest single camelback; I said two consecutive camelbacks.

[@KIKoasterKid]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I find the first few worse.

[@KIKoasterKid]

I guess I’ve just kinda gotten use to it, when listening, you can hear the rattle after the hammerhead

[@mateoalvira3514]

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?

[@CanobieCoaster]

Intimidator is the smoothest of the three. The other two rattle in some valleys.

[@clairefunnell8481]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I like the drops best.

[@Stagnant_Gravy]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That could help.

[@jacobmitton]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@micoasters]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Make bullet points you want to talk about before recording.

[@zacg_]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Both rattle, but I much prefer Goliath for the forceful airtime start to finish.

[@pjgaringer2901]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I much prefer this to Vortex.

[@Coop-su4qb]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

That's fair to prefer Banshee.

[@corkscrewfoley]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Behemoth is my favorite of the 3.

[@corkscrewfoley]

@@CanobieCoaster You're a good man.

[@Missglam67]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

230 feet

[@alantrotter2077]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I'm glad you like Silver Star too. I see a lot of people bash that one.

[@ScottyMania313]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Quite possibly.

[@thrillshaveabeard]

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

[@Spike-sk7ql]

Try leaning forward at the bottom of the hills. Right before it starts to rattle. It used to do the same to me, but now I can ride multiple times a day. Got 18 rides on day 1 of coasterstock this year. 16 of those were in the back row. (God, I hope there's a coasterstock next year)

[@thrillshaveabeard]

@@Spike-sk7ql I don't like it enough to bother with that.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer to marathon those 2 as well.

[@mateoalvira3514]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@Daniel_Coasters]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I think Cedar Fair added them to all hypers in 2014. Behemoth originally did not have seatbelts either.

[@ok_mister_sigma]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

2021. I just had this footage in my backlog.

[@aaronlesko1929]

The rattle is technically theming

[@CanobieCoaster]

Lol

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I find the airtime really good in the front car as well.

[@teddym2808]

About an 8 for me too.

[@CanobieCoaster]

Nice!

[@victor5953]

Got to ride in a lightning storm one time

[@CanobieCoaster]

I've ridden Beast in those conditions.

[@victor5953]

@@CanobieCoaster OK fine your life is better😂

[@ThemeParkPlunge]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a good ride. Just not one of the top B&M hypers for me.

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's a good ride. Just not one of the top B&M hypers for me.

[@coasterking1078]

It’s a classic

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's quite fun.

[@derekhafner3156]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer it over Flight of Fear and Beast.

[@Magichands000]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I have Orion, Mystic, and Diamondback in that order.

[@JEDIMIKETTV]

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.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer this to Banshee.

[@reneoppenneer9339]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

I find it fun.

[@rollingcoasterscanada7317]

Unfortunately, I also find this ride to be overrated.

[@CanobieCoaster]

I wish the second half was as strong as the first.

[@diamondback-my3gm]

Orion is way better than Diamondback

[@CanobieCoaster]

I prefer Orion as well.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

Front and back are best.

[@cliquet3scliquet3s96]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's possible to.

[@mateoalvira3514]

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

[@CanobieCoaster]

It's possible.