MASON, Ohio (LEX 18) — Kings Island's Vortex roller coaster is shutting down after 33 seasons of screams and laughs.

Vortex opened in 1987 as the tallest, full-circuit roller coaster with the highest drop in the world.

Overall, the Vortex flipped 45 million riders upside down more than 275 million times since it opened. According to park officials, only six Kings Island attractions have given more rides than Vortex.

Final rides will begin Friday when Halloween Haunt opens at 6 p.m. The ride will stay open until Oct. 27, the last day of the park’s 2019 fall season.

