Saturday, October 23, 1999
'Son of Beast' coaster aims to set records
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Son of Beast is taking shape at Kings Island.
(Michael Snyder photo)
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Parents usually want their children to achieve more than they have in life.
And so it will be with the Beast's offspring — the newest roller coaster at Paramount's Kings Island, Son of Beast.
While Dad will retain the title as longest wooden roller coaster in the world, Son of Beast is being groomed to set records as the tallest and fastest wooden coaster in the world — and the only wooden coaster with a loop.
The park's 13th coaster “is continuing the legend of the Beast,” spokesman David Mandt said.
While both the 20-year-old Beast and its progeny will offer enthusiasts an element of surprise and the classic wooden roller coaster ride, Son of Beast will up the ante with its speed, height and steel coaster-like loop, Mr. Mandt said.
Construction started in April on the 12-acre Son of Beast site behind the King Cobra and Outer Limits coasters. It is scheduled to open in April, the culmination of a $40 million project that started with the Drop Zone and Face/Off this year. Son of Beast, estimated at more than $15 million, is the largest single investment in the history of the park, which opened in 1972.
The 315-foot-tall Drop Zone hit a glitch in August, when park officials closed the ride after a 12-year-old boy was killed on a similar coaster in Santa Clara, Calif. Mr. Mandt said that ride will remain closed until the investigation of that incident is completed.
The park, which draws an annual 3.3 million visitors, is open this weekend and next. Its month-long Kids Howl-O-Fest will close with trick-or-treating on International Street Oct. 30 and 31.
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