Nothing beats the Beast at night. If you time it correctly, when the do the fireworks at the end of the night, they stop the train mid ride.

This video is perhaps the best, comprehensive and visually complete documentary about The Beast. I've watched many, being a charter-rider on the day it opened. I'm 65 now, and still enjoy riding; albeit the occasional bruises. It has gotten rougher through the years, but it's still the best terrain coaster I've ever ridden. Thanks for creating this video! It's stunning!!!

I live 5 minutes from Kings Island and was 10 years old when the Beast opened. This was a HUGE deal for Cincinnati! All the news stations were there, people coming from all over the world to ride it. Made us very proud. I have ridden this every year since 1979. It's a little rougher now ( but maybe that's because I'm 50 now) but still a great ride. This ride is worth keeping original and running forever!

I have always credited The Beast as being THE coaster to break my fear of coasters. Love it or hate it, you can't deny it's importance in the coaster world. Great video, once again!

I worked at Kings Island and was part of The Beast crew back in the early 1990’s. Back before the crappy restraints were added. Nothing beats riding all by yourself in the morning with fog hovering around the track. Well, nothing besides the “night rides” after the park closed when the mechanics would “drop the brakes” on the hills and Beast would hit about 80 mph coming down the first hill. Beat the living crap out of us but, man, it was awesome.

I never get tired of hearing the story of The Beast and Son of Beast.

The sounds The Beast makes screaming through the tunnels after the second lift hill are unlike any other ride and, especially at night, it's in a league all of its own.

this is my home park! the beast is my fathers and my favorite ride to go on together , he doesn't do many rollercoasters but he doesn't hesitate to ride this one .. this one never disapoints ( if your not from cincy i 10/10 recommend this ride)

And it's *STILL* one of the best wooden coasters ever built. Definitely still the best night ride.

Grew up in Kings Island, my Grandpa helped move/build it and my mom and dad (and siblings at different points) worked there from '76 to '06 and as a result I've spent hundreds of hours in the park over my life. Great video, info and footage. Gonna share this with my Cincinnati buds.

My favorite wooden roller coaster even if it isn't airtime fillied.

the Beast is the CITIZEN KANE of roller coasters. it did things a roller coaster had never done before. it used technology in a way it had never been used before in the design and building of a roller coaster. a roller coaster had never looked like THE BEAST before-the stained wood, the simplicity of the structure, the way it blended in with the surroundings. The Beast had its own marketing campaign and PR machine. It was given a character, as it were, and it was marketed as an experience one needed to have. I was lucky enough to ride the Beast in 1979 less than a month after it opened, and I have never forgotten that first ride. all the roller coasters of today, and the roller coaster enthusiasts owe the Beast and Kings Island a big debt of gratitude, as well as total respect. modern roller coasters would not be where they are today if it had not been for the Beast. wonderful video! a lovely tribute. I love your channel. thanks for posting.

I rode the Beast at night, front row and it is the BEST roller coaster experience of my life. Less rough than many recent rides.The lack of lighting along the track just makes so wild and unexpected.

It's cool to see footage of the helix before it was enclosed. Great video, excited to see the next one! I actually enjoyed Son of Beast when I rode it (2004).

The Beast is the best night ride! Very front seat or very back seat late at night, full moon out, last few rides of the night--nothing better!

And after retracting work it's going to be 2 feet longer. The Beast keeps growing!

Anytime I visit KI, I purposely wait until night to ride beast. KI was my home park growing up in the 90s so I've ridden it hundreds of times. Each night ride feels like a new experience. So awesome!

The Beast is a very unique coaster. Cresting the first lift you are treated to this frightening vista of the helix. Instead of giving it to you right away, you turn away and fly through the woods for another 2 minutes before it finally gives you that shattering helix. KI is my home park. I was there a few years ago for Haunt and happened to be on one of the last few trains of the night. It was absolutely magical in those valleys that the evening fog was just right. Even if you don't think The Beast is a good ride, it is worth a night ride.

There's really nothing that compares to a night ride on The Beast! Amazing video

Imagine if one of the designers / builders of this coaster came across this video, and saw that to this day their work is still appreciated and impacting the modern coaster world that they helped pioneer.

The beast is my all time favorite rollercoaster. It's got the perfect amount of roughness for a woodie.

I love this ride. I know it’s not technically great, but for me, it’s wonderful. Riding this at night in the cool fall air with my friends in my early teens.. no rollercoaster will ever recreate that.

I agree 100%. Out of every park and coaster I've riden in the past 40 years, the Beast is still my favorite night ride period! Nothing tops it IMO.

My mother use to drive my sister and I up from Alabama to Pennsylvania to see our Grandmother who live in Pennsylvania. We drive through Ohio and finally in 1979, we got mom to stop and let us go to King Island . We rode the Beast , three times that day and wanted to ride it again at night but Mom wanted to go to the Motel and get some sleep. After that , our trips to see Grandma always included a stop at King Island and as many rides on the Beast as we could fit in. It was the second or third time at King Island that I got that night ride. I still love the Beast to this day and have taken my own kids on it.

My favorite amusement park memories are of riding the Beast in the dark as a teen. The best.

I always loved that it was built in the woods and you didn’t know what was coming up!!!! I remember riding it with my dad when I was a little kid, I remember the 1st drop being higher but I guess after riding Magnum, Millennium Force, and Top Thrill Dragster would make other coasters look small in comparison!!!!

I operated GASM in 2005. I will always appreciate John Allen for paving the way for me to live one of my childhood dreams. Rest in peace sir. I have to get out to Kings Island one day so I can experience this machine!

Just rode this mother 5 times in a row the other day, felt like I'd been in a car crash the next morning, EPIC

Night rides on the Beast are awesome.

I've been riding it for years and is still my favorite coaster! If you ride in the second seat of each car it's less rough in my opinion. But those night rides, especially during Halloween with the fog machines, can't be beat!!

I just rode the beast last weekend and Oh. My. God. it is soooooooooo good~ I even got a coveted NIGHT RIDE on the beast, it was one of the best experiences I had on a Roller coaster

The Beast is to roller coasters as Black Sabbath is to metal.

The beast is truly greater than the sum of its parts, as you point out in the video. It really is a one-of-a-kind ride.

The trim brakes took the bite out of this beauty, but it's still a top tier coaster. Especially if you're a nostalgia junkie and love when coasters have a history. It's such a rugged ride, which is exactly what you want from a wooden coaster, and it contrasts so well with some of the smoother metal coasters like diamondback. My advice? Ride at night, in the back.

Damn that hand drawn ad they made for the beast is so cool

Yay Sam's back!! This makes me want to ride this so much - let's go!!!!

Ive had so many crazy experiences doing LOROTNOB. (Last ride of the night on Beast) The only coaster I've ever had such a relationship with. The real deal!

I rode The Beast last year, and it’s a well deserved reputation, it’s still fun. And one of my favorite roller coaster ever.

Kings Island is my home park! I love that you do stories on the rides there. It's such a great park with so much history and personality.

I haven't ridden this yet. But it's very high on my bucket list. I LOVE older attractions. Especially roller coasters. Even if it's relatively forceless, the ride looks phenomenal. The size, the speed, and the forest that it runs through make it look to be a really memorable and unique experience. I think some roller coaster enthusiasts focus too much on certain elements as opposed to the overall experience that such an attraction offers. Plus I love the history of it too. I've seen a bunch of videos on The Beast and this one by far is the most informative of the bunch.

Can not wait for S.O.B. Good video of the Beast.

I’ve done all the rides in the park, and the beast continues to be my number 1 spot!

The Beast is basically the only backyard roller coaster built in an amusement park and huge! Built by head of maintenance with John Allens equatiions written on napkins,,it was longest,tallest,fastest wooden coaster when it opened! It's like a bullet train through the woods! I love the janky lift chain,smell of wood and oil! Nightrides are epic! Its my home park,so I'm a little biased! But it still is very unique and beloved by many!!

The Beast at night was so dark going through the woods is a good ride!!! It kind of beats you up but it’s worth it!!!!

This ride is 17 days younger than me, having opened shortly after I was born. I remember when I was growing up, at first I was terrified of The Beast, preferring to ride The Beastie (now Woodstock Express) but ultimately I was coerced into riding the roller coaster. And I loved it. The last time I rode the Beast was in 2005, and I came away from it with a headache but I had also put on weight and it just shook me too much. But the ride is a classic, the standard that so many have been set to and it’s beloved. This year, the Gravity Group is set to begin work on refining the legendary Beast, smoothing out many of the major bumpier parts of the ride. But sacrifice nothing that has made this ride so legendary. Update: I returned to Kings Island in 2023 and took my first ride in 18 years and I was happy to be on it, although those PTC trains are just torture. I’m going back in 2024 and I intend on not only ride it once more but this time, at night for the first time in decades. Fast lane included. The Beast is a legendary rollercoaster and the fact is, it remains one of the best rollercoasters ever made, as well as remains the longest wooden rollercoaster ever built. Its story is a very humble one, thank you for telling it for us, Sam.

Good to hear that you love and appreciate the Beast as well. Not only are it's night rides unlike anything else, but I really enjoy it during the day as well. I don't understand how many view it as boring and completely tame. It's not incredibly intense, but does feel wild and out of control. I am a big fan of the Beast 😎

I remember being fascinated by a picture of The Beast in the Guinness Book of Records (1983). I think the most unique aspect of the rollercoaster is the helix.

Now this is one theme park that’s been on my bucket list, and the BEAST looks like a great ride. Because you don’t see alot of of coaster’s that are have a layout through the woods and a long ride like this one has and I definitely want to get up to King’s Island 🏝 either this year or next year and the BEAST is definitely on my bucket list,thanks for a great video.!!🇺🇸💪💥🍾

My favorite coaster in my favorite park! This made my Monday!!

Props to those ride engineers who were literally the first people to test these coasters! No computer simulators or test dummies, just faith in your math and workmen to not kill you.

Kings Island is my home and I love it. The beast was my very first ride as a kid. The Beast will always hold a special place in my heart and also my 8 year old son 🥰

Vortex will always remain my favorite coaster at Kings Island, even if it is gone, but the Beast will always be that special coaster that holds so much history, has so many stories and will always be a special ride. Unmatched by anything else

Very nice comprehensive look at such a classic ride. I started on The Beastie aka Scooby-Doo Roller Coaster, moved onto The Beast, and then got to enjoy Son of Beast. Loved all 3, as well as many other coasters at KI. The Bat, Vortex, Screamin Demon, Racer, King Kobra, Top Gun etc etc. Great memories.

I'm so excited to see this video! The Beast remains my favorite roller coaster since I first rode it on its 30th anniversary, and I've ridden Fury 325 and Steel Veangence. On paper the Beast seems like a dull ride(and sometimes it is if you ride it at the wrong time), but if you ride it at the right time, in the right wheather, or in the right spot it gives a ride like no other. I still remember the first time a rode it while it rained and when I rode it with my niece(It was her first time) in the front seat. And the last night ride I got on it was during the fireworks. Love the video and all the old footage in it. Keep up the good work.

I rode the beast on it's anniversary last year. Definitely one of my favorite coasters I've ever went on.

Just rode it for my first time the other day on my 40th birthday!! 🎢 Amazing coaster!!!❤ more than a coaster...it's a Wooden sculpture..a thing of beauty

I rode The Beast for the first time in 1980 and have ridden it an uncountable number of times since. Today it's a rough ride, but still is world class. I'll probably never stop riding this coaster.

Never knew this amazing coaster had such an interesting history! Thank you for making this video, now I appreciate this coaster a lot more.

I rode The Beast the first year it opened in 1979 and I loved it. Riding it a number of years later I noted it seemed rougher than I remembered but I rode in the last car which gives the best sensation on the lift hill but generally tends to be violent for the rest of the ride. I hope to visit again sometime soon and choose the front car. Though I’m sure there are better coasters now, this one will always have a place in my heart and I hope Kings Island keeps this around. It is one of a kind and truly irreplaceable!

The Beast was the first “real” roller coaster I ever rode, I was 10 and scarred for life. But now I love roller coasters and ride the beast every summer that I go ❤️

This is such a magnificent ride. Young whipper-snappers just don't understand. This was THE MONSTER ride. Still love it. Nothing else like it.

I was about 7 years old when saw it in the theater in National Lampoons vacation. I didn't know roller coasters existed and still remember by excitement and asking my mom all about it.

What a great video! Thanks for sharing all this information! I go to Kings Island all the time and never knew half of this!

Top 10 coaster with that epic night ride!! That helix is BRUTAL! 👌🏼

Been waiting for this!! Awesome episode and can't wait for SON OF BEASSTT

I grew up riding this roller coaster! I still love it when I go to King's Island!

This is now one of my all time favorite Kings Island rides. It's history and it's records just add to the awesomeness of this ride

my dad used to live in Ohio for work and we used to go to Kings Island all the time. My dad actually went there as a child and tells me he remembers when The Beast opened. it’s a really fun ride, it definitely lives up to the name.

Yay! A UK guy recognise a mid west coaster. Cheers!!

This made my day! KI is my home park, and I'm glad to see you enjoyed the classic. It's gotten quite the reputation of being very rough, but I can tell you that it's given many long time theme park goes of the area a love of semi-rough rides. Obviously not for everyone, but many people you'll hear "eh if it doesn't beat you up some it doesn't feel as wild and out of control". Thanks again for the video!

Awesome video! I grew up going to KI a couple of times a year and the Beast was ALWAYS my favorite and worth the long lines to ride at night! I learned so much about it's history!

I’m so glad this is my home park

This is my all-time favorite coaster and Kings Island is my homepark !!! Thank you for an awesome video- just like always ! ! ! - Can't wait for the next video !!

10:25 Just a casual stroll, 150 feet in the air with no harness....

As a yearly visitor to King’s Island as a kid in the 70’s, the Racer was my first ‘big’ coaster {my dad bribed me and I was terrified... tho soon the Racer became a favorite} I experienced the Beast the first year it opened as well at age 12. No other ride in my 53 years has yet to thrill me the same way that coaster did. It was and is sheer awesomeness! Thanks for the video... brought back super fun memories! {found you via super enthused who is just THE CUTEST.}

The Beast is fantastic and especially at night.

Love the videos! The theme music is perfect, it always gets me so excited I cant explain it

Ive been going to kings island since i was a little kid and i always loved the Beast!!! 6 night rides in a row was dope!

Easily my favorite. And that second drop into the helix just.....*kiss*mwah. Just constant acceleration. Really feels like you're an out-of-control beast tearing through the woods.

I always love coaster expeditions! Bravo sam, this is my new favorite expedition!

I love this ride these guys did a great job with this coaster this is my favorite ride especially at night it seems faster at night and now my kids ride when we get to Kings Island we ride in the day and then wait for the night then this ride comes to life absolutely love this coaster!!!!

I enjoyed this so much, been to kings island so many times with it being an hour from me... fanatic video brotha...I grew up with Americana my self...but love kings island still and cant wait for Orion to open.. hopefully ya will be able to make it out here to ride it as soon as the virus is all gone... Keep up the good work.. loved the channel for a long time now...

Awe the beast was my first "big kid" coaster I was 4. Rode the son of beast several times I miss that ride.

The beast melted faces in 1979.. It remains a legend even to this day..

Definitely a coaster before its time. Voyage is really a good modern version of this

AWESOME VIDEO BRO. THE BEAST WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY TOP 10. IF SON OF BEAST WAS STILL OPEN IT WOULD OF BEEN IN MY TOP 5. BEST WODDEN COASTER EVER BUILT

I rode the beast in 1984 as my very first coaster ever. Got me hooked for life.

I first rode it back in 1983. Its still just as thrilling today. Its tunnels and being low to the ground give the sensation of greater speed.

From a Cincinnati resident this is my home park and my favorite roller coaster! Thanks for the video!

The Beast is my fav woody in the US, I have a fav in UK called The Ultimate which is another long woody.. I'm in Blackpool and we had The Beast simulator ride just to show you how popular that ride was in the 80s.... erm and yes I did ride SOB without the loop, I still bought a SOB tshirt lol

Love the Efteling music at the end. It is one of the best theme parks in the world with amazing music.

Another really good video mate, Also I love that ypu played the Efteling music at the end givingthe hint abot your next video :-)

Really well done, love the history and very well researched information

I love these videos. You do an amazing job! Keep 'em comin'!!

Thanks for your coverage of The Beast. When I first braved it as a ten year old, it was the most intimidating ride I had ever seen. I'll never forget the feeling of going up what (at the time) was the tallest. It was such a badge of honor as a teenybopper to ride it. To think that 36 years later it is still celebrated (and scorned) means it deserves the legendary status it has. I rode it for the first time in decades this year. It was great to be back on it and I still love it, but it was intensely rough. If you rode The Racer this year, you know that they can make an old coaster run wonderfully smooth after at least a partial rebuild of track. Wish they could do that same treatment to ol' Beastie. Though I wonder if the roughness is indeed what endears it to some people?

My first Rollercoaster, 1987.

I absolutely love this coaster. Being at my second closest home park (since the closure of Geauga Lake, Cedar Point is one hour and KI is second) I visit it annually. The late Summer and early Fall night rides are exceptional. Nothing beats a coaster flying through the dark, cool mist of the valleys in southern Ohio. I've ridden some impressive wooden coasters, but this one is still my favorite. Even after a freak incident that happened last year (2019) on it's 40th anniversary year when my hand was severely severed open during the ride due to something being in the path of the train on the right side before entering the back run in the "shed" tunnel. The park played stupid, and Cedar Fair management didn't take it nearly as seriously as I feel they should have. They were quick to get me out of the general visitor area and push me off on the closest local ER. It caused a deep, yet perfect 3 corner tear in my hand that required 14 sutures and some nerve damage. Likely a piece of angle iron or something that had become loose and moved near the track due to vibration. The irony being Carowinds had also had a significant injury the same exact week as I but it got news coverage due to it being on Copperhead. I can only joke now that I got "bit" by Beast as a reminder of it's 4 decade anniversary but the park's poor readiness to address what actually happen still disappoints me to this day and probably will for quite some time. I still love the park and it's collection but heed the warning about freak injuries. They will wash their hands of it and you'll be lucky if you get as much as medical bill coverage.

Finally having the time to watch your older videos and loving them all. Even though I have not been to Kings Island since 1989, The Beast is still my favorite wooden coaster. When I moved to VA and went to Kings Dominion, I was disappointed in the Grizzly. It wasn't The Beast. I guess I was hoping for a duplicate at KD. I like the footage of John Allen. He's standing in the old parking lot at Dorney Park. I remember that view from my Pennsylvania childhood.

My family moved to Indianapolis in 1972 the same year that Kings Island opened. It was a yearly family vacation since the drive was only 2 hours away. The year the Beast opened it was the only thing I rode in 1979 on our yearly trip to Kings Island. It scared the heck out of me as I barely made the height requirement at the time. When I was old enough to drive i had my first night ride on the Beast a decade later. The night ride is a whole different experience. It is still a favorite of mine and I am proud to have been one of the riders the first year the ride opened at the park. 😁😁 Thanks for posting this.

I love the beast! I first rode it in 1983. Last time I rode it was 2004. Love it!