On opening day, 2016, a mysterious wall appeared outside the Rivertown area at Kings Island amusement park in Mason, Ohio with a sign that read, “CAUTION Watch for Falling Trees.” Speculation instantly spread across the internet about what could be in store for the future of Kings Island.
As the season progressed, we started to get more clues into the future, and on July 28, 2016, Kings Island announced the addition of a new world class roller coaster alongside the famous Beast! The new wooden coaster would be nothing like other woodies in the park and would usher in a new era of what guests could expect from a classic wooden coaster. The new attraction would be called Mystic Timbers.
In a genius marketing move, at the last minute, Kings Island decided to remove the ending from the concept point-of-view video, and started promoting the #WhatsInTheShed campaign. All of a sudden this new coaster had buzz potential to take it through to opening day. A new roller coaster always garners up new interest, but when there was an element of surprise still left to be discovered, it peaks additional interest.
One of the first things you will notice upon entering the Mystic Timbers area of the park is the theme of an abandoned lumber company and the mysterious woods is carried through in every way we imagined possible. From the eerie music, to the crashed GMC truck at the entrance, and the video screens with security footage, you instantly become immersed into the story line. (Note: You can see the making of the damaged Miami River Lumber Co. on the Kings Island Facebook page.)
Once on the ride, the roller coaster traverses 16 airtime hills through wooded terrain and over water along a 3,265-foot-long track at 53 mph! To say this ride is fast is an understatement! As it twists and turns through the woods, leaping you over hills, the speed is incredible and a HUGE thrill!
The ride was designed and built by Pennsylvania-based Great Coasters International, Inc., which also created popular wooden roller coasters at the following Cedar Fair Entertainment Company parks: Gold Striker at California’s Great America in Santa Clara, CA, Renegade at Valleyfair in Shakopee, MN and Prowler at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, MO.
As you ride Mystic Timbers, you can definitely tell that some of the best features from the installs at other Cedar Fair parks were incorporated into the roller coaster.
Three trains with the lead car design based on a 1960’s pickup truck will accommodate 24 passengers each with a capacity of 1,200 riders per hour. Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.
After riding Mystic Timbers with our son, who is in between the 48-52” ride range, the coaster is an impressive hit and families will love it as it is something for everyone to enjoy! The ride is tremendously fast and the twists and turns provide tons of airtime that is simply a thrill to ride!
What’s in the Shed you ask? While a typical coaster ends and you get off the ride after catching your breathe, Mystic Timbers takes you into the shed while warning tell you not to enter. Just when you think things are about to end, the shed comes alive mysteriously when a radio turns on, but then...
Be sure to ride Kings Island’s new Mystic Timbers again, because the finale may be different on your next experience with the shed!
Kings Island opens for the season on April 15.
Find Justin at the CPFoodBlog.com, where along with his family, they travel across North America to visit Cedar Fair amusement parks and write about the food. You will be tempted with everything from the latest Boysenberry products from Knott’s Berry Farm to an iconic cheese-on-a-stick at Cedar Point. Find the CPFoodBlog on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to stay up-to-date on the latest news.