Italian Job Stunt Track @ Kings Island | Coaster Reviews
The most noteworthy thing about the Italian Job coasters are the Mini Cooper themed trains. They're straight from the ride's namesake, the 2003 movie starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron. With the aforementioned movie theme and and en vogue Minis, right away Italian Job is the opposite of a timeless classic. But it'll please the masses and theme parks like movie production companies, need crowdpleasers. I've never been in a Mini, but these Mini train cars must be much smaller than the real cars. Each 4 person car featured onboard speakers and reminded me of Power Wheels from my childhood.
As soon as everyone's buckled in, you're shot into a large upward helix in a faux parking deck.
The launch (40 mph) is gentle compared to many of today's launch coasters, but it feels fast enough. A small hill follows and next the train weaves through a highway themed area. After a few twists and turns you come to a halt. I'm guessing this next section is an industrial area of some kind. A black helicopter starts shooting at the riders. The gas tanks nearby explode and you can feel the heat. A second launch propels the trains into a building where it's near pitch black. In the dark, the train dips and turns and has a somewhat disorientating effect. Next, you burst back into daylight straight through a billboard and down into a trench. As you dive into the trench you just miss a bridge. The train then swoops to the left and the ride is over.
I'm not a fan of short, gimmicky coasters (ahem...Hypesonic XLC), but for a family coaster Italian Job is pretty good. It even boarders on great for the audience it's intended for.
What makes me a little ill is when average park goers compare Italian Job and its clones to real thrill coasters. It's a relatively tame family launch coaster, in that context, Italian Job is a winner. Final Rating - 6.5
Check out this onride video of Italian Job Stunt Track at Kings Island:
Similar Roller Coasters:
Italian Job Stunt Track at Canada's Wonderland
Italian Job Turbo Coaster at Kings Dominion
Got a question or comment about Italian Job (the coaster or the movies)? Leave a comment below.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Italian Job Stunt Track @ Kings Island | Coaster Reviews
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1 comment:
I don't know what it is, but there's something I really love about this coaster. Maybe it's my friend's reaction after we both thought it was a kiddie coaster (clinging onto me during the helix and screaming "WHAT THE HECK!" while spiraling down the darkness) or the fact that a classmate who was sitting behind me peed himself during the ride. Maybe it was both. o_O
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