The Beast, which currently holds the title of world's longest wooden roller coaster, is about to break its own record.
Kings Island's popular ride, built in 1979, has recently added some inches and will be debuting in the 2022 season two feet longer, per a press release from the park.
Previously, The Beast's track measured at 7,359 feet long. It has now expanded to 7,361 feet. The growth is due to regular maintenance that happened to the 43-year-old coaster in the off-season.
“When you look at roller coaster records, they’re being beat all the time,” said Kings Island Vice President and General Manager Mike Koontz in the release. “But there’s one record that no park in the world has been able to beat for more than 40 years, until now, and that’s the record for the longest wooden roller coaster.”
Kings Island officials say that over 2,000 feet of the ride's track has been replaced since last November during regular maintenance, transforming the coaster's first drop on its 137-foot hill from a 45-degree angle to a 53-degree angle.
The additional length, smoother descent and speeds up to 64.77 miles per hour further solidify the coaster's spot in amusement park history.
Kings Islands’ 50th season beings April 16, however, The Beast is not planned to open until May due to the ongoing maintenance.
To celebrate the milestone anniversary, park officials have planned a slate of special events and have been asking the public to contribute their own memories and photographs from throughout Kings Island's history.
Kings Island is located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason. Find more information at visitkingsisland.com.
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