Звериный размах: История строительства легендарных американских горок "The Beast"

Wooden roller coaster at Kings Island
Original plans focused on building a replica of the iconic Shooting Star, a popular roller coaster which once stood at Coney Island in Cincinnati. For the 1979 coaster, Kings Island set its sights on an attraction that would transcend the Shooting Star's nostalgia and appeal to a wider audience.

A wooded area in the southeast corner of the park spanning was selected as the site for the new project. Among his important contributions were the design of several components, including a tire driven launch system that increased capacity above 1,000 riders per hour. Primary design and construction was handled internally by Kings Island Engineering and Construction under the direction of Dinn. Part of the design work was subcontracted to Curtis D. Summers, Inc., a structural engineering and architecture firm located in Cincinnati. – as well as a cable system for the coaster's helix finale. The initial land grading prep work began in May 1978. The ride cost at least $3.2 million,efn|Some sources cite an alternate figure of $3.8 million. The Beast's final design featured two vertical drops of , Allen's employer, who also implemented their "buzz bar" restraints. Early testing revealed issues in the design of the final helix track element. The amount of side acceleration the trains experienced was more than the design intended, so the entire helix was reconstructed with a wider diameter. The delay forced Kings Island to forego the enclosing of the helix, which would eventually happen the following off season. Also at the first tunnel's exit, it was discovered that additional banking was needed to reduce stress on the structure. Engineers managed to complete the feat overnight, considering most of the coaster's track was relatively close to the ground and large cranes were not needed. In the late 1970s, engineers didn't have the benefit of computerized devices that could measure force, and they didn't use test dummies which are common in modern day construction. Instead, crew members of The Beast's construction team had to board the ride for test runs and push the train back to the station whenever it stalled. To promote the new ride, an animated commercial was released, along with a number of radio contests that granted winners the opportunity to be among the first to ride. At the time, The Beast was the tallest, fastest, and longest wooden roller coaster in the world. Within a few years of the ride's opening, the layout of the original trains were modified. They originally consisted of five cars with four rows each, but engineers determined early on that the longer cars weren't allowing proper navigation along the track. The ride also originally featured three underground tunnels, but the second and third were joined together by the second season of operation.

Kings Island unveiled Son of Beast in 2000, marketed as a "sequel" to The Beast, located in another area of the park. It became the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world, as well as the first modern day wooden coaster to feature an inversion. Although Son of Beast set several new records, The Beast retained its wooden coaster records for length and ride duration. Son of Beast was demolished in 2012 following a series of incidents that halted operation in 2009. In 2019, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the ride, each of the three trains were restored to their original "flame themed" paint scheme, and the painted paw prints that lead up to the ride's entrance were restored. Following the 2021 season, approximately 2000 feet (610 m) of track on The Beast was refurbished by The Gravity Group. Two of the ride's signature elements were reprofiled to provide a smoother ride. The first drop was increased from 45 to 53 degrees, affecting the transition from the first tunnel into the second drop, and the helix finale was modified to improve the distribution of force. 1090 feet (332 m) was completely re tracked, and the overall length of the ride was slightly increased by 2 feet (1 m) to 7361 feet (2244 m).

After entering through the main entrance, guests proceed down a walkway that winds left. One or two smaller queue areas may be active depending on the number of guests waiting to ride. Eventually, the path leads up a ramp, in which signs are on display containing historical facts about The Beast, and into the station, which resembles an old mining facility. Warning signs to secure loose articles are on display, along with promotional material with ominous warnings about the upcoming Beast encounter. Guests proceed through one last sub queue within the station before boarding.

The ride begins with the train making a 180 degree turn out of the station, traveling through a switch track, which provides the option of diverting trains to a covered storage area. A small mineshaft can be seen on the right side. Riders take a slight left turn and slowly climb 110 feet (34 m) up the first lift hill. Dramatic music can be heard on the speaker as an announcer tells guests to remain seated throughout the entire ride. and passing an on ride camera. The train then climbs upward, makes a right turn, and speeds into a covered brake shed. Once through the magnetic trim brakes, the track turns to the right and continues through a heavily wooded area. Veering left, the track enters the second tunnel, which is 269 feet (82 m) long. At the top of this lift, the train turns left and begins a gradual, 18.5 degree drop.