Son of Beast eventually reopened in 2007 but with significant modifications. The coaster’s trains were replaced with lighter trains which could not complete the loop and therefore the loop was removed. This was a huge blow to the coaster’s reputation as the loop was one of the only praised elements of the coaster. Despite these alterations, Son of Beast continued to face issues with roughness and discomfort, and it struggled to regain its popularity.

In 2009, following another injury related to Son of Beast, Kings Island closed the coaster and it would never reopen. Unfortunately, the park had put about $10 million in modifications into the coaster over the years, in addition to the initial $20 million cost. This is likely why, although Kings Island received proposals to repair Son of Beast, they ultimately decided to demolish the coaster in 2012. In its place now stands Banshee. 

A Missed Opportunity?

It is likely that Son of Beast would have had an entirely different trajectory had Paramount gone with another company to build the behemoth wooden coaster. The issues and cost-cutting that came with the Roller Coaster Corporation of America doomed the coaster from the start. If the coaster had adequate support structures, it is likely that the ride may not have been as rough, would not have deteriorated as quickly, and wouldn’t have required numerous modifications.

Popular wooden coaster manufacturers Great Coasters International and Custom Coaster International might have been better contenders. Great Coasters International was still new in the late 90s but had already built coasters like Wildcat at Hersheypark. In addition, Custom Coaster International was at its height by 1999 with 20 coasters built (18 of which are still operating today). If Son of Beast had been built by one of these manufacturers, would it have had the foundations to stand the test of time? 

Perhaps, if the support structure had been sufficient and the coaster had not soaked up so much money over the years it would have been able to operate long enough to become the perfect candidate for the “RMC treatment”. It could have been the first hyper-hybrid years before the creation of Steel Vengeance. Not to mention, if Rocky Mountain Construction had developed their I-BOX track just a few years earlier, they would have been the perfect company to manufacture Son of Beast and create a coaster that would have stood the test of time and lived up to the hype.

The rise and fall of Son of Beast at Kings Island stands as a testament to ambition and innovation. While Son of Beast may have left the amusement park industry with mixed emotions, it serves as a valuable lesson. Roller coasters require a balance between daring design and responsible engineering. If it had been built by another manufacturer, the coaster may have had an entirely different legacy.

Have you ridden Son of Beast? What are your thoughts on this infamous coaster? Let us know in a comment below or on our Facebook page.