Beast is the longest
wooden roller coaster in the world. Designed by Dinn Corp. and built by
Paramount’s Kings Island (PKI) for $4,000,000, Beast opened in PKI on April 14, 1979. Beast was built using 650,000 board feet of Southern pine lumber and was stained with a redwood finish. The total track length is an astounding 7400’ with a ride time somewhere between 3:40 and 4:20 depending on a variety of factors (including who is doing the timing).
Riders are in for a treat right off the bat as they stand in line. Beast was designed for the terrain that exists behind the park’s property. In fact, much of Beast is on
rented land and in such a creation the ride is hidden from view. Easily 90% of the ride is invisible from a person waiting with growing anticipation in line. Throughout the first stretch of the coaster from the first
lift hill until the second, there are three natural tunnels that give the ride an even more natural feeling, as they are partially underground. After the second lift hill, and 141’ drop, riders experience “the
helix”, one of the most famous features of Beast. This giant double helix is taken at such great speeds and angles, coupled with the wooden structure surrounding the helix; it creates a runaway train feeling and makes the rider feel certain they are about to meet their demise. This, in my opinion, is one of the single greatest coaster effects out there.
Statistics of Beast
- Height: 105’
- Drop: First drop 135’, Second lift hill drop 141’
- Max Speed: 64.8 mph
- Duration: Debatable, between 3:40 and 4:20
- Angle of Drop: 45 degrees
- Length: 7400’
Resources include roller coaster database and enough ride experiences to give me nightmares of the helix to last a lifetime.