Kings Island has announced that Firehawk will be the coaster leaving the park at the end of the 2018 season.

 

On October 26 – 28, 2018.  11 years, 5 months and two days from its Kings Island opening date, Firehawk will take its last flight ever as Kings Island will bury Firehawk!

 

After Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island from Paramount in 2006, Firehawk was the first coaster that Cedar Fair installed into the park in 2007. Firehawk was not a new coaster though, Firehawk was previously installed as X-Flight in 2001 at Geauga Lake which closed in 2007. Firehawk was manufactured by Vekoma and its removal will reopen 5.5 acres of land. More info about Firehawk along with construction photos and more can be found here: https://kicentral.com/rides/firehawk/

Type of Coaster	Steel - Flying
Manufacturer	Vekoma
Model	Flying Dutchman
Lift/launch system	Chain Lift Hill
Height	115 ft. (35 m.)
Length	3,340 ft. (1,020 m.)
Speed	50 mph (80 kmh)
Inversions	5
Max Vertical Angle	33 degrees
G-force	4.3
Heigh Restriction	40-80 in. (137-203 cm)
Trains	2 trains with 6 cars. Riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 24 riders per train.

 

We don't know what the future holds for the area occupied by Firewhawk now, but the X-Base area of Coney Mall is the last area that has not been refreshed since Cedar Fair purchased the park. Could it be that they have big plans for that area of the park with its removal? 

 

A look back at Firehawk 2007 - 2018.

Tell us your thoughts about the park removing Firehawk and your memories of the ride! 

This was the ride I was going to be the least upset about leaving.

Sorry Vortex haters, maybe next time. This was a good move on the park's part and I support their decision in favor of what's to come in the near future. Firehawk was my first inverting coaster so I'll miss it, but cherish the fond memories I had riding it.

Pfew.... That's not one I'll miss too tremendously. Certainly is a good thing in my mind. 

 

My kids are not going to be happy about this as a Firehawk is one of their favorites.  Next year they will probably prefer to go to CP more often but hopefully the space is used for something even better soon.  

It always sucks to lose a ride. Firehawk was never one of my favorites, but that in-line twist and final helix are incredible. Definitely sad to see it go, but I will happily sacrifice the red-headed stepchild in order to keep my beloved Vortex a few more years.

Press F to pay respects. I'll start: F

Sad to see it go! It is definitely one unique ride. I can't wait to see what will takes its place!! 

F 

Not terribly surprising. Firehawk was my first coaster that was built at the park as a KIC member, so I’ll always have fond memories of obsessively checking this site during that time period. Loved seeing the photos of the construction site from the skies oh so long ago...

Firehawk certainly isn’t my favorite by any means, but I spent a lot of time riding it it’s first few years after it’s relocation with friends (and girlfriends) who have seemingly moved on much like the ride itself. Good times, good times. 

Im excited to see what the future holds for the land it occupies, but I’m more convinced this was a budgetary issue as opposed to a removal for expansion. But we’ll see, won’t we? 

Rest In Peace (Pieces), I guess.

Bye bye birdie

Sad to see it go, it was fun when I rode it in 2015.  I didn't think Vortex would be leaving, with the Hawk making the sound in the background in the video.  

RIP Firehawk!

F

But the news media said it was Vortex

Glad Vortex is safe (for now). Firehawk was a one and done for me.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

While the capacity and mechanics of the ride weren't the best, it was very fun when it was working. Did they do any hints about the future?

So, the rumors were true. It was Firehawk. Now, let's see what Kentucky Flyer turns out to be. Also I am expecting a construction fence in X-Base...is it still even that anymore? Flight of Fear gonna be the only ride back there next year. Basically it's just gonna be the Flight of Fear area again, as it was from 1996-2006.

Firehawk was a decent coaster, I did like it, but I can understand why the park is removing it. Firehawk had to have been a maintenance nightmare, and it was known for breaking down a lot. And if Vekoma really did back off on the support for the model, then well, that probably made this decision easy for the park.

Also, odd fact: this will be the first coaster I have ever ridden that went defunct. I have been on flat rides and stuff that went defunct, but no roller coasters (I didn't seriously begin riding them until 2009 and missed Son of Beast)...until now. I am kinda surprised it will be Firehawk of all coasters getting that title. I am planning on going to Kings Island with a group of friends for haunt this weekend, so I will probably get my final rides in this weekend.

Oh and finally:

F

 

 

Good riddance Firehawk. Enjoyed rides over the years starting at Geauga Lake. You were fun in my younger years. First coaster I’ve been on that was moved from a different park that I rode in both parks. Won’t say I’ll be sad to see you leave for something better. R I P Firehawk.

 

F

 

 

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I'm starting a thread for speculation on what's next. The link is coming soon. And finally:

F

On the bright side there will be plenty if room to build a really big restroom back there now.  

I bet they're putting in a huge bathroom. 

Edit: You beat me to it by seconds, @King Ding Dong!

6 minutes ago, McSalsa said:

So, the rumors were true. It was Firehawk. Now, let's see what Kentucky Flyer turns out to be. Also I am expecting a construction fence in X-Base...is it still even that anymore? Flight of Fear gonna be the only ride back there next year. Basically it's just gonna be the Flight of Fear area again, as it was from 1996-2006.

Firehawk was a decent coaster, I did like it, but I can understand why the park is removing it. Firehawk had to have been a maintenance nightmare, and it was known for breaking down a lot. And if Vekoma really did back off on the support for the model, then well, that probably made this decision easy for the park.

Also, odd fact: this will be the first coaster I have ever ridden that went defunct. I have been on flat rides and stuff that went defunct, but no roller coasters (I didn't seriously begin riding them until 2009 and missed Son of Beast)...until now. I am kinda surprised it will be Firehawk of all coasters getting that title. I am planning on going to Kings Island with a group of friends for haunt this weekend, so I will probably get my final rides in this weekend.

Oh and finally:

F

 

 

Hmmm....  Got me thinking.  I'm sure others lists are much, much longer.... but for me:

King Cobra, SOB at Kings Island

The Bob sled coaster and Wild Cat at Cedar Pointe

Mantis and Mean Streak at CP (if you can count those)

And now Firehawk.

Not a very long list, perhaps there is another ride or two out there

I feel bad for anyone who liked it...but besides Invertigo it is the coaster I will miss the least.

Anyone heard if the park has confirmed what is being done with the coaster?  When I heard the rumors it was being removed I also heard it was being scrapped with the trains and other components being sent to Carowinds.  But was just looking for confirmation.

8 minutes ago, MaxxForce said:

I'm starting a thread for speculation on what's next. The link is coming soon. And finally:

There are already speculation THREADS please don't open another...

1 minute ago, Kenban said:

Anyone heard if the park has confirmed what is being done with the coaster?  When I heard the rumors it was being removed I also heard it was being scrapped with the trains and other components being sent to Carowinds.  But was just looking for confirmation.

No official word, however speculation says it's been sold to Kentucky Kingdom. The process of removal will probably be telling as to what happens from here. 

I updated the first post with ride stats the park sent me.

Great photo I got of Firehawk during Coasterstock 2018

Glad The Vortex is safe -- when we got down to KI this summer, it was the one coaster I didn't get a chance to ride, so I can get it next year. 

Firehawk was unique and I was glad to have ridden it, but I won't miss it. It was uncomfortable and, honestly, it was the one ride I never felt safe on. I always felt like I was going to fall out (I know I wasn't going to...it just felt that way). 

I also think it never truly felt like a part of KI, probably because it got its start elsewhere. It seemed just tossed into X-Base, and never had the character I feel from most other KI coasters (Invertigo feels the same way for me). The best Kings Island coasters feel organic to the park. This felt like an unnatural fit. Excited to see what comes next. 

The portion of Firehawk from being lowered in the station until you made it to the lift hill always reminded me of the dentist. I was never a fan of that. Love the rest of the ride though.

12 minutes ago, lifetimecoaster said:

No official word, however speculation says it's been sold to Kentucky Kingdom. The process of removal will probably be telling as to what happens from here. 

Are there any clues in this hashtag? #RestInPiecesKI  It is plural.

For some reason, this song keeps playing in my head now following Firehawk's demise.

 

6 minutes ago, homestar92 said:

The portion of Firehawk from being lowered in the station until you made it to the lift hill always reminded me of the dentist. I was never a fan of that. Love the rest of the ride though.

But Vortex is the one that rattles your fillings loose.