Explore the personal story and mission behind Fallout Thrills.
True courage is discovered in the breathless seconds between the agonizing click of the chain and the exhilarating rush of the drop.
Hi, I’m Jerica. I am the 26-year-old Founder of Fallout Thrills, and I am writing this because I believe the amusement park industry is about much more than steel and wood. It’s about memory, connection, and the joy of the experience.
I created this platform with a single goal: to serve you.
Kings Island is my absolute happy place. It is where I feel most alive. But I didn’t build this website just to document my own rides; I built it to be a resource for you. From seasoned enthusiasts to nervous first-timers, I am here to be your resource and your cheerleader. I want to help you turn anxiety into adrenaline and make every visit a victory.
My philosophy on theme parks is built on family tradition. Growing up exactly two hours down I-74, our yearly trip to Kings Island was the undisputed highlight of the summer and often our only vacation.
My childhood was defined by the golden age of Nickelodeon Universe sitting in the shadow of Son of Beast. While I loved the rough, out-of-control nature of The Beast, I mostly stuck to the colorful safety of the kids’ area, watching the other skyline giants with a mix of awe and intimidation.
My dad was our guide. A humble man who climbs radio towers on the side, he always led us to the front row. He wanted us to have the best seat in the house, to experience the view with the wind in our faces and nothing in the way. I’ve kept that tradition alive. If it’s your first time, I’ll always suggest the front row.
But outside of that first ride? I believe in experiencing the train from every single seat. I’ve learned that every seat offers a unique perspective, from the view up front to the intensity in the back.
Then, Diamondback changed the skyline in 2009. I was immediately captivated by the theming, rattle, and the splashdown. I desperately wanted to ride it, but fear kept holding me back. For the first few years, I would watch it from the path, intending to get in line but always backing out at the last second.
Eventually, I decided I was finally ready.
I wasn’t.
The ride was a blur of panic and tears. It was a genuinely difficult experience, and when I finally stumbled off the exit ramp, I promised myself I would never ride it again. Shortly after that, life just got busy, and my visits to the park faded away for years.
It wasn’t until July 2025 that I finally returned to Kings Island. Walking back through the gates, I realized how much I had missed it.
On August 9, 2025, a ride buddy and I stood at the entrance of Diamondback for a long time, paralyzed by fear, debating whether we should ride. We knew if we got in a long line, we would talk ourselves out of it. So, we made a desperate decision to buy single-use Fast Lane passes. We figured if we paid for it, we couldn’t back out.
The plan worked a little too well. There was literally no wait. We walked straight to the seats with zero time to process what we were doing. As the train clicked onto the chain lift and we began to climb, we looked at each other with pure, instant regret. Why did we do this?
But then came the drop, and the regret instantly vanished.
By the brake run, my fear had transformed into obsession. I turned to my friend in shock: I want to do that again.
That moment is the reason Fallout Thrills exists. It taught me that fear is often just a barrier to the best moments of your life.
Finally, I want to be transparent about the person behind the screen. I live with Social Anxiety Disorder.
It is something I have navigated my entire life, and while I have made a lot of progress, face-to-face conversations can still feel like climbing a mountain. I share this because I want to be open with you: connecting with people is something I love, but it is also something I struggle with.
If we meet at the park and I seem quiet, awkward, or struggle to find words, please know it isn’t because I don’t want to talk to you. I am genuinely thankful for your support and happy to meet you, even if my anxiety makes it hard to show it.
I hope this platform serves you well, helps you plan your next visit, and maybe even gives you the courage to get in line for that one ride you’ve been watching from the ground.
See you at the park,
Jerica Johnson
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Home Park: Kings Island
Favorite Ride: Diamondback
Favorite Manufacturer: B&M
Coaster Credits: 16
Memberships:
American Coaster Enthusiasts
A coaster credit is defined as one credit earned for every unique roller coaster you have ridden.
My credits are ranked below. As you look through them, keep in mind that the “perfect ” ride is entirely subjective. Because every rider experiences thrill in their own way, there’s never a right or wrong answer.
| Ranking | Name | Park | Location | Manufacturer | Coaster Type | Height | Speed | Track Length | Steepest Drop | Inversions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diamondback | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Bolliger & Mabillard | Hyper | 230 ft | 80 mph | 5282 ft | 74° | 0 |
| 2 | Orion | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Bolliger & Mabillard | Giga | 287 ft | 91 mph | 5321 ft | 85° | 0 |
| 3 | The Beast | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Charles Dinn | Wooden, Terrain | 110 ft | 64.8 mph | 7361 ft | 53° | 0 |
| 4 | Mystic Timbers | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Great Coasters International | Wooden | 109.2 ft | 53 mph | 3265 ft | 53° | 0 |
| 5 | Flight of Fear | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Premier Rides | Launched, Enclosed | 74.2 ft | 54 mph | 2705 ft | N/A | 4 |
| 6 | Firehawk | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Vekoma | Flying | 115 ft | 50 mph | 3340 ft | N/A | 5 |
| 7 | Banshee | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Bolliger & Mabillard | Inverted | 150 ft | 68 mph | 4124 ft | N/A | 7 |
| 8 | Racer | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | Wooden, Twin | 88 ft | 53 mph | 3415 ft | 45° | 0 |
| 9 | Bat | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Arrow Dynamics | Suspended, Terrain | 78 ft | 51 mph | 2352 ft | 45° | 0 |
| 10 | Iron Dragon | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | Arrow Dynamics | Suspended | 76 ft | 40 mph | 2800 ft | N/A | 0 |
| 11 | Queen City Stunt Coaster | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Premier Rides | Launched | 45.2 ft | 40 mph | 1960 ft | N/A | 0 |
| 12 | Mean Streak | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | Dinn Corporation | Wooden | 161 ft | 65 mph | 5427 ft | 52° | 0 |
| 13 | Adventure Express | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Arrow Dynamics | Hybrid | 47 ft | 35 mph | 2963 ft | N/A | 0 |
| 14 | Woodstock’s Air Rail | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Vekoma | Inverted | 48.6 ft | 26 mph | 1122.1 ft | N/A | 0 |
| 15 | Woodstock Express | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | Wooden | 39 ft | 35 mph | 1350 ft | N/A | 0 |
| 16 | Great Pumpkin Coaster | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio | E&F Miler Industries | Kiddie | 8 ft | N/A | 199 ft | N/A | 0 |
