How old is the monster at Kings Island?

The Monster is an carnival ride located in the Coney Mall section of Kings Island. It is best recognized by its black structure and yellow lights. The ride originally opened at Coney Island in 1969, before being relocated to Kings Island for opening day on April 29, 1972.



As of 2026, The Monster at Kings Island is 58 years old. This classic "Eyerly Monster" ride actually predates Kings Island itself; it originally began its life in 1968 at Coney Island in Cincinnati, which was the predecessor to the current park. When Kings Island officially opened in 1972, The Monster was one of the original attractions moved to the new location. In 2025, the ride underwent a massive mechanical restoration and was temporarily out of commission, but it has returned for the 2026 season with refurbished "spider-like" arms and updated safety systems, all while maintaining its iconic retro aesthetic. It remains a beloved "flat ride" that provides a unique spinning and undulating sensation that modern high-G-force rides often lack. Its longevity makes it one of the oldest operating attractions in the park, serving as a nostalgic bridge between the mid-century American amusement park era and the high-tech 2026 Six Flags-Kings Island landscape.

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The ride experienced its first major incident on July 9, 2006, during which a train passed over a structural track failure that severely jolted riders. Son of Beast closed for the remainder of the 2006 season while repairs were made, and Kings Island decided to replace the original trains with lighter models.

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