How much did it cost to build the banshee at Kings Island?

Banshee cost $24 million to build, making it the most expensive project in Kings Island's history at the time.



The construction of Banshee, the world’s longest inverted roller coaster at Kings Island, cost approximately $24 million. At the time of its announcement and subsequent opening in April 2014, it represented the single largest investment in the park’s history. Designed and manufactured by the renowned Swiss firm Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the ride was a massive engineering undertaking that replaced the infamous Son of Beast wooden coaster and the Thunder Alley go-kart track. The $24 million price tag covered not only the 4,124 feet of specialized steel track and the seven intense inversions but also the extensive themed queue line and the sophisticated station house. The investment proved to be a major success for the park's owner, Cedar Fair, as it significantly boosted attendance and solidified the "Action Zone" section of the park as a premier destination for thrill-seekers. Even as newer rides have been added, Banshee remains a cornerstone of the park’s lineup, lauded for its smooth yet forceful ride experience.

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Taft also financed over half of the $600k required to build Kings Mills Drive, a feeder road to service the park off I-71. Before vertical construction could begin, over 350k cubic yards of dirt had to be moved and graded. By the time the park opened, the total cost would escalate to $30 million.

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The Banshee represents a $24 million dollar investment by the park – the most expensive ride in Kings Island history.

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Net revenues for 2021 totaled $1.34 billion compared with $1.47 billion for 2019, driven by: Attendance that approximated 70% of 2019 levels (85% on a comparable operating day basis) (1);

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The ride experienced its first major incident on July 9, 2006, during which a train passed over a structural track failure that severely jolted riders. Son of Beast closed for the remainder of the 2006 season while repairs were made, and Kings Island decided to replace the original trains with lighter models.

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Cedar Fair owns 11 amusement parks including Cedar Point, Canada's Wonderland, Kings Island, Knott's Berry Farm and Michigan's Adventure. Six Flags currently has 27 parks. Cedar Fair, the parent company of Cedar Point and Kings Island, will merge with Six Flags, the company announced Thursday morning.

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Earlier this month, Cedar Fair, which owns Kings Island and 16 other parks, merged with Six Flags to form an $8 billion theme park giant. The combined company will operate under the name Six Flags, which caused some thrill seekers to worry that their favorite amusement park's name could also change.

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The average Kings Island hourly pay ranges from approximately $14 per hour for a Ride Operator to $24 per hour for a Food and Beverage. Kings Island employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.8/5 stars.

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