Beast at Kings Island | Roller Coaster Reviews
Once again, I traveled westward for another much hyped woodie. This time I was in search of the Beast at Kings Island. For nearly three decades it’s been the longest wooden roller coaster in the world. I’ve been looking forward to riding it for a decade. Between expensive Cincinnati airfare and that fateful April day in ’05 when Kings Island closed for SNOW!, it’s taken me years to make it to Kings Island and the Beast.
The Pre-Ride Experience
As I neared the section of the park where the Beast lurked I found a pretty cool sign and a
Coaster Landmark plaque from the American Coaster Enthusiasts. The sign also helps people find the Beast as the station is tucked away in a corner of the park and only parts of the ride’s track can be seen from other lift hills. Part of the mystique of the Beast is its location in 35 wooded acres in the back of Kings Island. The station was a lightly themed saw mill. I was pleased to find an excited station with a skinny, speckled DJ with the gift of gab. He kept the station abuzz with excitement as trains filled with happy riders entered and exited. Through my travels I’ve found that a lively station is a trademark of world-class roller coaster and the Beast is no different.
An Unforgettable Night Ride
After hearing, “Enjoy your 4 minute and 50 second ride” we were off. The train took a smooth right turn out of the station and we approached the lift hill. As always, the lift hill built the anticipation of the drop to come, but on this particular ride there was an additional
treat. A large pink moon hung over the dark wilderness. It lightly illuminated the forest below. Riders were awe-stricken by the beautiful sight and now we were about to be treated to an unforgettable night ride on the Beast.
We plunged down the opening 135-foot drop and immediately into the rocky mouth of an underground tunnel. The train flew out of the tunnel and banked to the left and our journey through the Ohioan wilderness had officially begun. The second drop was a memorable airtime hill that hugged the rolling terrain. At night the barely visible trees were accented with fireflies. This was one of the most remarkable sights I’ve ever experienced on a coaster. The cool air in the woods was a welcomed relief from the humid stickiness of the packed station.
Next the train banked to the right and stormed through the long, flat covered section. After a right turn and a small dip the train charged into the second tunnel. This tunnel was much longer than the first and at times was pitch black, especially at night. After exiting the second tunnel there were a few more turns that set us up for the second lift hill. The real strength of the first half of the ride was the speed, just a touch of airtime on hill #2 and the sheer distance covered in an unusual atmosphere. For the second act the Beast really lived up to his name.
The Beast’s Famous Helix Finale
On coasters like Big Bad Wolf, the second lift hill really steals the moment of the ride. Because most coasters would be over by this point I didn’t mind the break in action. I had already been given a satisfying ride, the rest was like a bonus. Atop the lift the train turned to the left and began a long (141 feet), but very gradual 18-degree drop. It couldn’t look more tame in pictures, but I had heard such great things about the mighty Beast’s helix. And I wasn’t disappointed.
At first, the train gradually gained speed, but before we knew it we were barreling towards what appeared to be a black dead end in the mouth of the first helix tunnel. Somehow the train stayed on the track and we experienced some vicious lateral g-forces. It’s complete mayhem in the helix tunnels, but for some reason even after 28 years its not a rough or painful experience. After surviving the first covered helix the train marches around the downward helix and plows through another covered helix. Then, finally, the Beast released his grip on us. We
coasted for a while back to the station where we passed over a dispatching train set to embark on the same 4 minute and 50 second adventure we had just experienced. The Beast gave me three amazing rides and it lands at number 6 on my Top Ten Coasters. Final Rating – 10.0 (Superior)
What’s Your Take?
Got a comment or question about Beast? Leave a comment below. Photos 2-4 courtesy of CoasterImage.
May 12, 2008 at 12:01
Where is kings island? and is it worth going to there if I live in New York?
February 11, 2010 at 03:00
I live in New York too, and if you go to king`s island, also go top cedar point.
August 19, 2010 at 19:10
Kings Island is located North of Cincinati Ohio (Mason Ohio in warren county)
May 12, 2008 at 13:48
kings island is in ohio. and yes it is the best place ever and it is soooooo much fun!! you have to go!!
June 21, 2008 at 09:19
I was just at King's Island and rode in the front row of the beast on the last train of the night. It was AMAZING but I couldn't help but wonder how much better the ride could have been without four trim brakes that stole some of the awesome speed of the Beast
June 30, 2008 at 02:20
I've probably rode The Beast over 500 times. It's my favorite roller coaster. If you sit way in the back, it's even rougher. Sometimes I get a headache from it though!
February 11, 2010 at 03:02
according to screamscape, the beast will be getting new trains to deal whith that.
September 25, 2008 at 10:17
This ride is AMAZING!
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June 17, 2009 at 20:10
I've been going to Kings Island since I was 10 years old (27 now) and nothing will ever be better than a ride on this coaster. Classic.
June 22, 2009 at 15:37
In regards to Stephen's message, I worked at King's Island one year and as a ride associate one of your "duties" is to ride the rides daily to test for anything feeling different. One day I showed up for work but they did not need me at my ride and told me to enjoy my day going around doing the "test rides" for any ride/rides I wanted (the park was not officially open yet) So I walked around and helped out with peoples training on running the rides. I went to the Beast where they were getting ready to do some various situation runs, (for training purposes) I was assisted into the front seat of the coaster strapped in and sent on my way to one of the most awesome rides I ever experienced on that coaster. The morning mist was still hanging over the park, and just looked amazing to go up the hill with the sun rising off to my side. Then the real fun started as I went down the hill being the only person on the coaster makes it almost to quiet where all you hear is you and the ride. I zipped through the ride and thought it was strange that in most places where you tend to slow down I wasn't and the ride was almost violently jerky in the turns but stayed on track. There were times I was too afraid to keep my hands up on the ride. When I got back to the station the person in charge asked me what I thought about the ride without brakes? It may have just been from the rush of riding it without the brakes but I believe that day it was traveling over 75 MPH let alone the written 68 MPH…
August 1, 2010 at 00:09
I am just starting as a ride associate of The Beast next week. I really hope I get this same opportunity to ride it in the morning mist and air. Can't wait!!!
June 27, 2009 at 14:21
going over the summer. july 15 for my birthday, then cedar point next day. first ride. BEAST!!!!!!!!!!!!
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July 21, 2009 at 12:18
The beast has had some new, unwelcome "additions" recently. brakes have been added all over the place, causing a slower, non-thrilling ride that compares with the scenic railways found at other parks. I used to love it before they put in the brakes, now i just find it sort of dull.
July 21, 2009 at 13:31
I asked a couple of people about this ride since ive never been on it. I asked them hey describe this ride in 1 word. And you know what all 5 said…boring and it kinda looks boring. Well you have a pretty good drop but then your just going around turns. But ive never been on it so dont take my word for it
September 27, 2009 at 13:22
My favorite part of this ride was the 18 degree drop into the helix. That moment was unforgettable. I hated how since everyone loves the helixes they thought it would be good to put 2 on SoB but those aren't nearly as good. In fact i highly disliked SoB's helixes. Kings island needs to rip down SoB and build another world class wooden terrain coaster. I know they just got Diamondback but thats what I think they should do for the next coaster they get.
September 28, 2009 at 16:36
I would love to see an arial shot of The Beast. I've gotta get out to this park sometime. Hope they have some fun things for the kids too.
October 12, 2009 at 21:03
How can I describe what I feel for a ride I've been riding for seventeen years? Classic. Historical. Legendary. Memories of the days of my youth. I remember back in the day waiting up to four hours to ride this. Note: You know where Diamondback dips into the pond at the end? Yeah. I remember when The Beast line used to go back there when it was just a lake. Surprisingly, The Beast doesn't seem as rough as it used to be, probably because of the added brake stops, but its still rough and my torso always takes a beating. Never got to ride the Son of Beast, never will. It's done. When riding The Beast, I often wonder how long is this going to stay up? Certainly a roller coaster can't last forever. It will be torn down one day, but I hope that I never see that in my lifetime. One of the all-time greats. Great atmosphere in the woods. Even the loading station alone has a great atmosphere bringing back a ton of memories. Glad they didn't have to cut down as many trees as they did with Diamondback. Wish I could've seen this ride when it was on top of a lake.
October 16, 2009 at 07:50
General comment to the C.C. I look forward to your reviews of 2010. Please go back to Cedar Point. I think a review of these coasters would be paramount to this blog. Top Thrill will get a 9 id bet. And so will Maverick. Now you the expert can decide which strata coaster is bettes. Also Diamondback should be reviewed. But that one bet gets only an 8 because of its weak ending. Ofcourse a trip to Kings Dominion and the 305 will also get a 9 id bet. I am not an expert but my predicions on your reviews are fun to guess.
October 16, 2009 at 12:42
Nate, try the next to the last seat for a great ride. You get the speed associated with the back of the train, but without the beating from sitting directly above a set of wheels.
October 24, 2009 at 22:21
i was wondering if they were really taki down the best i know they are takin down son of best but not beast..?
February 11, 2010 at 15:35
No, I don't think they're taking down beast for a couple of more years. I mean, it's starting to get old, and I think in this decade it's going to 'reach it's expiration date' like the BBW.
June 8, 2012 at 01:01
they wont be any plans anytime soon, the ride is has been retracked in multiple areas every year. the only 1979 beast left is the lifthills.