The Beast - 30 year anniversary

violakat03 · #1 01-09-2009, 05:44 AM

With all the back and forth on this board on how great or not great the Beast really is, I think it's worthwhile to take a look back at what the Beast as a ride truly is and what it means to the coaster community.

April 14, 1979, the Beast was opened to the public after a media preview day on Friday the 13th. At the time, it was the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in the world. It was designed and built by Kings Island staff rather than a coaster-specific design company. Staff members Jeffrey Gramke and Al Collins, along with Charlie Dinn, a member of a third party engineering firm, are credited as the main designers. They also received a little bit of physics and mathematical help from John Allen, the designer of the Racers, a coaster that is often credited with the revival of the wooden coaster and the beginning of the modern coaster age.

At 110 feet tall with a 135 foot first drop (the second drop, into the ending helix, is 141') and a top speed of between 65 and 70 mph (depending on whether the trim brakes on the first hill are active), the Beast, by stats alone, doesn't seem too amazing by modern standards, where coasters can be four times as tall and twice as fast. But 30 years ago, the technology wasn't advanced enough to design an entire virtual roller coaster on a computer and the Beast was designed mostly by hand.

The Beast was built into the wilderness in the southeast corner of the existing park and has remained mostly isolated, with only the lift hills and station coming anywhere near any other ride structures. It was one of the first and still one of few terrain coasters, where for most of the ride, the track hugs the ground, giving the impression of a much faster speed than you're actually going.

Upon opening, the Beast was unlike anything anyone had ever seen. It inspired coaster designers to reach for new heights and new ideas. Though many coasters have topped it's records, it is still considered one of the best wooden coasters in the world thirty years later. It is the only record-holding coaster built before 2000 and is one of only two pre-1990 coasters that holds a spot on a 'top ten' records lists, sharing this distinction with American Eagle (built in 1981, #8 tallest wooden coaster drop, #6 fastest wooden coaster) at SFGAm.

The Beast's current record, still holding strong after 30 years, is the #1 longest wooden coaster in the world at 7,440 feet. It takes 4 minutes and 10 seconds (4 minutes 50 seconds when counting the chain hills) to traverse it's track, giving it the second longest ride time of any coaster (The Ultimate, at Lightwater Valley is 5:50) and longest ride time of a wooden coaster. Current top ten records include #3 longest coaster of any type, #8 fastest wooden coaster, #9 highest drop on a wooden coaster.

Even though some may say that the Beast isn't "all it's made out to be," it's easy to see why it remains one of the most well known and popular roller coasters. It's ground breaking design and still breath-taking ride make it a "must ride" for any coaster enthusiast.

written by:
Kat K. aka violakat03

Sources:
RCDB.com (Beast stats, records)
UltimateRollerCoaster.com (coaster history)
Wikipedia.org (coaster history, records)
Kings Island/Paramount's Kings Island promotional materials (coaster history)

This post was inspired by a video that was posted on KIcentral.com. The below documentary video was made for the Beast's 25th anniversary and was shown on the queue monitors in 2004. I never watched the video in it's entirety until today. Fair warning, it's about 20 minutes long, but well worth the time to watch and includes an original 1979 television ad for the Beast.

The Beast: 25 Years of Terror

Hope you guys enjoyed the history lesson!

Carowinds 73-03 · #2 01-09-2009, 06:32 AM

Thanks for an amazing look back through history of what was and somewhat still is an amazing coaster. Happy 30th to the Beast.

**Brian F** · #3 01-09-2009, 08:51 AM

History, eh? You're skating on pretty thin ice there, considering one of your lead moderators remembers quite vividly waiting 4 hours in line to ride it in it's inaugural season.

***Katie*** · #4 01-09-2009, 08:56 AM

We will be riding The Beast on April 25th. Not quite his birthday. But, he will be thirty this year. Can't wait to have another ride on him!

markham2020 · #5 01-09-2009, 10:36 AM

I have never been to KI, let alone not have riden beast live (I have seen POV's), but I understand how amazing this coaster was and still is. There are not many, if any, wooden or steel coasters that dive deeper than their actual height twice in a row, and it must be really incredible to ride this monster at night!

PS Not all of Beast's records have been topped: Beast still is the lopngest wooden coaster, and seems like it will be keeping this record maybe until removed (like that will ever happen)!

PANTSFREE · #6 01-09-2009, 11:32 AM

How was it the tallest coaster in the world when it opened? Gemini opened a year before in 78 and is taller.

**Wes** · #7 01-09-2009, 11:44 AM

First, Wikipedia is not something I would use as source material.

Second, Beast used to be an amazing ride, but my last rides in 2005 were anything but. Night rides are fun, but why does it need lights on???

Hopefully they will put some major work into it in the off season, but I highly doubt it.

I'm hoping to get back up there this year, and we'll see if old Beasty is better.

I have a 20th anniversary mug (my first year riding) and a 25th anniversary too, although techincally I rode it the next year.

slipknot8527 · #8 01-09-2009, 11:56 AM

Here's my impression of me riding the Beast:

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH....awwwww wwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH. ...awwwwwwwww....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH HHH......awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....AAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH IM GONNA DIE!!!....awwwwwwwww.

*Note: All the "awww" parts are all the ridiculous trim brakes grabbing hold of you and shrugging off about 50% of your speed.

**Note: The "OMG I'M GONNA DIE" part is the double helix.

**Brian F** · #9 01-09-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PANTSFREE

How was it the tallest coaster in the world when it opened? Gemini opened a year before in 78 and is taller.

Lift hill # 2 on the Beast is taller than the first one, and also taller than Gemini. Also, the first lift hill on the Beast drops below the ground into a tunnel, where Gemini's stops above the ground.

track_six · #10 01-09-2009, 08:06 PM

If you could have just one brake less ride on the Beast...you would understand many peoples opinion of it. Truly an amazing experience. The only hope of achieving anything even close to that would be to find as many 200 pound plus people to ride it with you as the heavier the riders the less effect the magnetic breaking has. It is very noticeable when you ride any empty train verses a fully loaded train, my wife found this out the hard way, the bruises were there to show it.

Anybody else have the experience of riding the 4 bench seat cars that this ride opened with. Of course with no head rest and a single bar restraint system. And the red to yellow, front to back paint scheme they featured. I miss the beast as it operated from its opening on and through the 80's.

Happy 30th Birthday there BEAST.

I remember waiting for last train night rides in a several hour long line. The station would randomly erupt with the chant...BEAST, BEAST, BEAST...feet stomping, shaking the station to it's foundation. Those were the days of this ride in all it's glory.

**Brian F** · #11 01-09-2009, 10:30 PM

^ Yeah, it was great during the glory days. My first ride was in July or August of '79, so I remember all of the things you're talking about. When I first rode it, they didn't even have the faux rocks around the opening of the first tunnel- just the uncovered utilitarian concrete.

And yes, riding it trimless at night would answer anyone who asks why people rave about it. We're mostly raving over what it used to be, when it was a better ride, and when all of the newer rides that eclipse it, ridewise did not exist.

violakat03 · #12 01-09-2009, 10:40 PM

The best ride I ever got on the Beast, the one that put it at the top of my list and still keeps it there, was pre-trims, when it only had the old fashioned skid brakes. It was very, very lightly raining still, but the track was wet, the train was full, and it was pitch black in the woods.

You want to talk about feeling like you're about to go flying off the track... wow. That was an absolutely amazing experience. The magnetic trims really do kill a lot of the fun, but if you can pretend not to notice them (hard, I know) the Beast still gives an amazing ride. As for the lights on the night ride ... there are only lights in 3 places - on the two lift hills, and on the last curve approaching the 2nd lift hill. Most of the track is dark.

And you guys may be reminiscing about the "glory days" but the first time I rode it was 1997 - when it was 18 years old - and I have experienced during my time as a coaster enthusiast both the random stomping and chanting in line, and I have waited 2 hours for it (usually at night).

Wes - everything that I got from Wikipedia I made sure was repeated at other sources too. The records I confirmed on RCDB (they're just more nicely laid out on wiki) and the history parts echoed the promotional video and things I had heard or read in the past. Wikipedia is a good source to find 'real' sources because of the linked sources on each page, which are usually news articles and things of that sort.

PANTSFREE · #13 01-10-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian F

Lift hill # 2 on the Beast is taller than the first one, and also taller than Gemini. Also, the first lift hill on the Beast drops below the ground into a tunnel, where Gemini's stops above the ground.

Ah ok, I was just going by the height given on RCDB which I guess is the first lift.

Woodie4-07 · #14 01-10-2009, 12:35 AM

It is a fun coaster, but the roughness after the second lift was unbearable to me. Also, the long sections are well . . . interesting.

violakat03 · #15 01-10-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woodie4-07

It is a fun coaster, but the roughness after the second lift was unbearable to me. Also, the long sections are well . . . interesting.

Have you ridden Son of Beast? Or Vortex? Or Ninja at SFOG?

I've actually never heard someone say that the Beast was unbearably rough. Though I guess it could be in the back seat ... try the front seat next time.

slipknot8527 · #16 01-10-2009, 06:47 AM

Unbearably rough? No. Out of control awesome rough? Yes.

I mean, the Voyage beats you up more than The Beast.

I maintain to this day however, that if the entire ride was just a lift, then the double helix, it would still be one of the best rides ever made. I sill remember sitting in the back row at night, storming through that tunnel at the bottom of the helix, and when we turned, I swear to you I felt the coaster trying to rip itself apart. It's just absolute chaos. I would compare the sounds of 28 people and the train screaming and howling to what it must feel like right as you hit the ground on an airplane crash.

**Leo C** · #17 01-10-2009, 08:43 AM

The element of isolationism and the double helix are what make this ride for me. This wooden coaster makes for my top wooden snag. It's one of my favorite credit acquisitions because of how landmark it is. It is a benchmark of being an enthusiast in our game. Beat your chest after you ride this coaster at night screaming in the helix. You can't resist becoming the beast.

boiiinng · #18 04-15-2009, 02:03 PM

The Beast, a history in pictures.

Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati Photo Gallery | Cincinnati.Com

ravenrider · #19 04-24-2009, 10:05 AM

For me I have gotten quite a few brake free rides in 79- mid 90's days. I like I tell people if enthusiats could get a brake free ride they would know. One brake free ride I really remember was with the late PR lady Ruth Voss, we had our walk back for the first ride of the day and they just finshed there safety check, Ruth asked if we were going to have a great ride to the maintance people they just smiled and let the train roll out. As we creasted the first hill maintance had turned off all the brakes for the morning runs-Holy brake free ride- Lets just say when we finnally lost our momentum going up the 2nd chain lift we only needed 7 feet to the top. To give you a good refrance when you ride Beast the first car was past the 2nd E-exit stairs. My eyes were watering so bad, the helix was just plan insane for a second I thought we might fly off the track. My other favorite brake free ride was when the whole Bengles football team rode our train and the weight thur all the electronic timing off, lets just say they had to reset the whole ride after that. I have other storys but I could go on.

**Wes** · #20 04-24-2009, 04:51 PM

Well I'm going to be there for ol Beast's 30th birthday, well a few weeks late but ya know.

I was there for 20, seems appropriate I'll coming back on 30.

I'm assuming they still do the walk back for ACErs? Is there an option to pick Diamondback instead

They did that the year Italian Job opened.

Either way I'm looking forward to some more night rides on the old girl. And hopefully Cedar Fair will treat Beast with the same TLC that Carowinds woodies have been getting lately. Thunder Road has Beast by 3 years, and it's running really good these days.

violakat03 · #21 04-26-2009, 05:07 AM

Wes - because of the Gold/Platinum passholder ERT, they are not offering walkbacks on Beast this year. It opens 1/2 hr early to Gold and Platinum passholders along with Diamondback (1 hr on Saturdays).

They've done an extensive amount of retracking this year on Beast, including pretty much the entire ending double helix. It rides smooth as glass (or as smooth as a non-prefab woodie can!) through it. They've really put some love into Rivertown this year, not just with Diamondback. Beast got a new entrance, new sign, and a lot of retracking, and Vortex got some fresh orange paint and new wheels on the trains. It seems like possible some more work was done because Vortex no longer sounds like it's about to shake itself apart, it sounds like a brand new ride.

Too bad you're going to be there on the 2nd. That's just about the only day I'm not going for the next few weeks! I'll be at Holiday World that day, but will be at KI on the 1st and possibly the 3rd (if I don't stay for a second day at HW).

**Wes** · #22 04-26-2009, 10:27 PM

Actually I'm hoping to get there (and should have plenty of time to) get there for a few hours in the evening on 5/1.

It normally takes me about 8 hours from Charlotte, so if I get on the road by 6 then I'll be able to get to the park at latest by 3:00. Send me a PM if you want to meet up.

And thanks for the info on Walkbacks, I have a Platinum Pass this year, so I guess I'll get there 1/2 hour early on Saturday for some ride(s) on Diamonback. Beast really has to wake up, and was always kinda sluggish in the a.m. to me.

I'm also glad to see that the CF love isn't just at Carowinds, and they are taking care of KI, which desperately needed it when I was up there in 2005.

**Brian F** · #23 04-27-2009, 03:23 AM

If you haven't ridden the beast at night, then you haven't ridden the Beast

**Wes** · #24 04-27-2009, 09:07 AM

Yeah I got a night ride or two in 2005.

Ta2KX · #25 04-27-2009, 03:47 PM

Until this past weekend, my last ride on Beast was July 2004 and that was a ride during the daytime. I remember almost feeling bad for the coaster, how tamed down in felt, the numerous trims basically declawed it. And thereafter, I felt obligated to laught at anyone who claimed it was their fav wood, I didn't actually use the word n00b, but I might as well have. This time around I had an idea, since one of the people in our group had never been to KI, we thought, let's give her the best impression possible of Beast, we will only ride it once it is very dark. Best...decision...ever. Not only for her, but me and Marcus as well, we forgot how good this ride can be. Even with trims, the trains picked up speed at an alarming pace. And the lights were off in the double helix this time (they were on in the day last time in '04), and it just took me back to memories of my first ride... Slowly picking up more and more speed off that second lift, ever so carefully banking to the left, the whole trainload of riders growing louder and louder as we near the tunnel, and then that insane roar in total blackness and the screams are drowned out, and its as if it is just you there alone and the Beast.

Fastdawg07 · #26 04-27-2009, 06:11 PM

I've got a nice history with Beast. My first ride wasn't so cool because I got roughed up a bit in back. The reason it will always be significant to me, is that I started dating my girlfriend of almost 5 years in line for this ride. Well, at least that's when we first held hands (I asked her out later). I've been back once since '04 for the debut season of Firehawk and rode this coaster with her. Its still one of her favorites and its one of mine as well. And I do agree with all of the sentiments that a night ride is a MUST for this ride to truly appreciate how crazy this thing is.

**Wes** · #27 04-27-2009, 06:50 PM

^^ That's what I thought last time as well, even with a night ride in 2005, the Beast had been neutered in my opinion.

The tunnels were still fun and insane, but the rest was meh.

C64 · #28 04-29-2009, 03:44 AM

I only rode it on one visit (1998) but went on it twice. It was one of the best wooden coasters I've been on, and the only one that was hidden away in natural terrain. I also wasn't expecting the other lift hill the first time. KI started a coaster legacy with The Beast, other parks should have followed thier lead, because 30 years later The Beast is still as good if not better than the majority of coasters at some other parks.

**Wes** · #29 04-29-2009, 09:21 AM

Beast is very expensive to keep up, any wooden coaster is. But Beast is double the length of most wooden coasters, so most parks shy away from that kind of maintenance.

**Wes** · #30 05-06-2009, 05:09 AM

I finally remembered to update my comments after riding Beast 6 times this weekend! Yes, 6 times!

Kings Island I don't know what you did, but Beast is running better and faster than I can remember it ever running!

I never, ever, ever thought Beast would jump back in my top 10 woodie list, but its back in at #9. Seriously.

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