World’s longest wooden roller coaster is getting longer

The Beast apparently is not going to relaxation on its laurels although. The park introduced in a information launch Wednesday that it is going to lengthen the monitor by 2 toes, solidifying its grip on the document by 24 inches.

How lengthy is The Beast precisely?

The Beast has been a size of three,759 toes (or 1,146 meters) in its lengthy life. However when it opens in Might, riders will get pleasure from these 2 further toes due to “offseason retracking and reprofiling work,” the discharge stated.

Clearly, these 2 further toes (.6 meters) are going to fly by fairly darn quick. Maybe extra vital and extra noticeable to the thrill-seekers on the journey shall be a steeper first drop.

Kings Island stated it “has been reprofiled from 45 levels to 53 levels in order that it will possibly come into the tunnel decrease and ship a buttery-smooth transition by way of the primary tunnel and onto the second drop.”

Crews started refurbishing 2,000 toes (610 meters) of the coaster’s monitor again in November.

Different options of the coaster

The Beast options two fairly severe drops of 137 toes and 141 toes.

Kings Island/Cedar Honest Leisure

So how a lot time will it take to cowl the brand new 3,761-foot monitor? That is 4 minutes and 10 seconds of journey time. Another hair-raising, yell-inducing Beast stats from Kings Island:

• Vertical drops of 137 toes (41.8 meters) and 141 toes. That latter drop is at an 18-degree angle.

• An underground tunnel on the backside of that 137-foot drop is 125 toes lengthy.

• That is simply the primary tunnel — there are two extra.

• Eight banked turns and a 540-degree helix tunnel close to the tip.

• Speeds as much as 64.77 miles per hour (about 105 kmh).

Kings Island stated it value $3.5 million to construct The Beast from 1977 to 1979 and that it might value greater than $20 million to recreate it at this time.

What it is like driving The Beast

The Beast has earned its title in response to Martin Lewison (aka Professor Curler Coaster).

Kings Island/Cedar Honest Leisure

“I’ve ridden it many occasions. It is undoubtedly a must-ride in the event you go to Kings Island. It is iconic,” Lewison stated.

“For years and years, it was my No. 1 wood coaster. It is actually an expertise.”

Lewison stated the design makes it a journey like no different coaster.

“It virtually has chapters to it. It is mainly two large halves,” he stated. “It really has two raise hills — for a wood coaster, that’s fairly uncommon.”

His favourite half is when practice flies by way of the encircling woods.

“It is wonderful at night time. A part of the joy is working over the terrain. You are simply kind of careening by way of the darkish.”

He gave particular point out to the 540-degree helix.

“The second raise hill goes in an enormous helix. It is simply so intense. Each time I journey this, I take a look at my spouse and say, ‘That is insane.’ “

Lewison stated a part of the joy of a wood coaster is that it’s speculated to really feel rickety. “Whenever you hit that helix, you are feeling just like the coaster desires to tear itself aside.”

The Brady Bunch didn’t journey this coaster

A part of the enjoyable of The Beast is the way it weaves by way of woodlands and makes use of the lay of the land to boost the journey.

Kings Island/Cedar Honest Leisure

Kings Island Amusement Park will rejoice its fiftieth anniversary this yr, and it now has 15 curler coasters.

High picture: This view of The Beast reveals simply how a lot territory the coaster covers. (Kings Island/Cedar Honest Leisure)