Apparently The Beast is not going to rest on its laurels. The park announced in a press release on Wednesday that it will extend the track by 2 feet, strengthening grip on the plate by 24 inches.
How long is The Beast exactly?
Renovation of The Beast began in November.
Kings Island/Cedar Fair Entertainment
The Beast was 7,359 feet (2,243 meters) in length. But when it opens in May, riders will enjoy those 2 extra feet — for a new official height of 7,361 feet — because of “off-season retracking and reprofiling work,” the release said.
Obviously, those 2 extra feet (.6 meters) will fly by pretty quickly. Perhaps more important and more noticeable to the thrill seekers on the ride is a steeper first drop.
Kings Island said it “has been re-profiled from 45 degrees to 53 degrees so it can go lower in the tunnel and deliver a buttery smooth transition through the first tunnel to the second drop.”
Crews began refurbishing 2,000 feet (610 meters) of the coaster’s track in November.
Other features of the roller coaster
The Beast has two pretty serious drops of 137 feet and 141 feet.
Kings Island/Cedar Fair Entertainment
So how much time will it take to bridge the new 3,761 foot track? That’s four minutes and 10 seconds of driving time. Some other chilling, screaming Beast stats from Kings Island:
• Vertical drops of 137 feet (41.8 meters) and 141 feet. That last drop is at an angle of 18 degrees.
• An underground tunnel at the bottom of that 137 foot drop is 125 feet long.
• That’s just the first tunnel — there are two more.
• Eight banked turns and a 540 degree helix tunnel at the end.
• Speeds up to 64.77 miles per hour (about 105 km/h).
Kings Island said it cost $3.5 million to build The Beast from 1977 to 1979 and that it would cost more than $20 million to recreate it today.
What it’s like to ride The Beast
The beast has earned its name according to Martin Lewison (aka Professor Roller Coaster).
Kings Island/Cedar Fair Entertainment
“I’ve ridden it many times. It’s definitely a must if you go to Kings Island. It’s iconic,” said Lewison.
“For years and years it was my No. 1 wooden roller coaster. It’s really an experience.”
Lewison said the design makes it a ride like no other roller coaster.
“It practically has chapters. It’s actually two giant halves,” he said. “It actually has two lift hills — for a wooden roller coaster, that’s pretty unusual.”
His favorite part is when the train flies through the surrounding woods.
“It’s great at night. Part of the excitement is running around the property. You’re just hurtling through the dark.”
He gave special mention to the 540-degree helix.
“The second lift hill goes in a giant helix. It’s just so intense. Every time I ride this, I look at my wife and say, ‘This is insane.’ †
Lewison said part of the excitement of a wooden roller coaster is that it has to feel rickety. “When you hit that helix, you feel like the roller coaster wants to tear itself apart.”
The Brady Bunch Didn’t Ride This Roller Coaster
Part of the fun of The Beast is how it weaves through forests and uses the lay of the land to enhance the ride.
Kings Island/Cedar Fair Entertainment
Kings Island Amusement Park is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and now has 15 roller coasters.
Top image: This view of The Beast shows how much territory the coaster covers. (Kings Island/Cedar Fair entertainment)
