The Beast, the world-famous wooden roller coaster at Kings Island, was a massive undertaking for its time, costing approximately $3.2 million to $4 million to construct in 1979. When adjusted for 2026 inflation, this investment is equivalent to roughly $15 million to $18 million. Designed and manufactured largely in-house by the Kings Island engineering team, the ride was intended to be the ultimate wooden coaster, featuring 7,359 feet of track across 35 acres of rugged, wooded terrain. The construction was notoriously difficult due to the natural topography, requiring a customized design that includes two massive lift hills and a signature 540-degree helix. This strategic in-house approach allowed the park to build a world-record-breaking attraction at a lower cost than if they had hired an outside firm, solidifying its place as a legendary engineering feat in the amusement park industry that still thrills riders decades later.