Vortex (Kings Island)

Vortex is a steel roller coaster at Kings Island located in Mason, Ohio. Designed and built by Arrow Dynamics at a cost of $4 million, the ride officially opened to the public on April 11, 1987. Vortex debuted as the tallest, full-circuit roller coaster with the highest drop in the world. It was also the first to feature six inversions.Vortex occupies the same location in the park once held by The Bat, the world's first suspended roller coaster. Attendance at the park exceeded 3 million in 1987 for the first time in the park's history. With more than 38 million rides given, the roller coaster is one of the most popular attractions at Kings Island to date.HistoryFor the design and construction of Vortex, Kings Island turned to Arrow Dynamics, an industry-leading manufacturer at the time. Construction began in the winter of 1986 on the former location of The Bat, the world's first suspended roller coaster, which was removed after the 1984 season. Kings Island invested over $4 million on the ride, which required 750 tons of steel to construct. The line queue and train station from The Bat were reused for the Vortex. The ride opened to the public on April 11, 1987, and helped the park exceed 3 million visitors for the first time in its history. At its inauguration, Vortex briefly set a few records for full-circuit roller coasters. It was the tallest, featured the highest drop, and had the most inversions with six. All were surpassed the following year with the debut of Shockwave at Six Flags Great America.