Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[Spideyfreak]

Nighttime rides on the Beast with rain/fog/and after running on a hot day are awesome! It had to be hitting close to 70 mph on some parts. That alone makes it my #2.

[Hilltopper39]

I was kind of joking about the where ya from and where does it rank thing, but thanks for all the feed back! I've always just found it interesting much of a love/hate relationship a lot of enthusiasts have with the Beast. Everyone I know from Ohio are Beast fanatics but most enthusiasts I know have it as either a top 3 or no where near the top 20 kind of ride.

 

While it's personally one of my favorite coasters for nostalgic reasons it's no where near as good as it once was, and I'd be all for some type of extensive overhaul with additional ride features, new trains maybe even an extended layout to make the longest coaster in the world again. Not that it's a bad ride now, I just think with some of the advances in modern design it could be an incredible experience once again.

[adamico2]

^Although modern advances (read: "magnetic trims") are the main reason the ride is a shadow of what it once was.

[Hilltopper39]

^I agree, but I have a feeling the magnetic trims help to significantly reduce maintenance costs and off season repairs that are necessary to keep that thing half way ride able year in and year out.

[tylercolby83]

I'm from Kentucky and I love the Beast for the dramatic finale, the history, and the nostalgia, but with all the trims it doesn't really "do" anything for me anymore. It definitely had a lot more bite some 10-15 years ago.

[Philrad71]

Other than the night ERT on Leviathon at the CW bash, the night ride I had on Beast a few weeks ago was the most fun I've had on a coaster this year. I guess we might have just caught it on a good night, but it sure seemed to be flying and out of control like it's old self while not totally kicking your ass like SoB. While I won't rank it in my top three wooden coasters, it's definitely in my top ten.

 

I couldn't imagine how fun it might be to do night ERT on the Beast during a TPR visit...might even be epic! Water challenge? Although that's an awful long time to try and hold a cup of water!

[Schrecken]

I'm from Maryland and when I visited KI for the first time a few years ago (back when SOB was running and still had the loop) I had a positive impression of the Beast. I really don't know where it would rank in my faves list for woodies (or coasters in general) as I have a tough time ranking them, but suffice to say I'm not sure it would make my top 10. What I really did like about it was the great use of the terrain and the way that most of the coaster is hidden by the woods (and that it's pitch black back there at night and that adds to the ride immensely for night riding). I wasn't real keen on the rough spots, as I also remember looking like someone kicked me in the ribs over and over again when I got back home a couple of days later.

 

IMO in this case it's like real estate (and likewise layout) - location, location, location - is what makes this ride. I'd imagine the Beast wouldn't be anywhere near as legendary had it been built next to a parking lot on a flat, open field.

[3Mutts]

The Beast IMO was not too great when I rode it (2007) it could be because it was before the retracking. Also I think some modern advancements could help the ride be better like Rocky Mountain Topper Track so they can remove or lessen the trims and new trains from GCI, Gravity Group, or Rocky Mountain.

[XYZ]

The Beast IMO was not too great when I rode it (2007) it could be because it was before the retracking. Also I think some modern advancements could help the ride be better like Rocky Mountain Topper Track so they can remove or lessen the trims and new trains from GCI, Gravity Group, or Rocky Mountain.

 

Our Millennium Flyer trains may be available for existing wooden roller coasters that meet Great Coasters' strict standards for track and structure condition, as well as acceptable dynamic profiles. We are available to assess these conditions and help you with any necessary improvements that may be required in order to make your coaster fly.

 

I doubt Beast can be re-constructed in GCI's strict standards as it would be too expensive for the length of the Beast. Also, I never seen a non-GCI coaster get Millennium Flyer trains, so I wouldn't expect Beast to ever get GCI trains.

[rollercoasterfreak99]

I just realized that two rides at two Cedar Fair parks that both opened in 2000 are being torn down in 2012. RIP Son of Beast and Perilous Plunge.

[Guy T. Koepp]

I just realized that two rides at two Cedar Fair parks that both opened in 2000 are being torn down in 2012. RIP Son of Beast and Perilous Plunge.

 

Rest In Peace? Both of these attractions were maintenance nightmares. I think the ones that are resting in peace are the Cedar Fair Management team & and the people that had to do the upkeep on the rides.

[DRACHEN_FIRE_FAN-BOY]

I just realized that two rides at two Cedar Fair parks that both opened in 2000 are being torn down in 2012. RIP Son of Beast and Perilous Plunge.

 

^ Dear Guy,

 

NICE!!

 

What I find funny about that is the fact that every time I went to Knotts or KI those attractions were always closed..... ....blessing in disguise?

[therollercoasterblog]

These are pictures of the demolition.

 

 

[SFOGdude25]

^Thanks, but those pictures were posted a few pages back.

[stashua123]

i just came back from haunt and here it is.

 

Sob's whole half of the "rose bowl" is completely removed(the side closest to the 162ft drop in to the "rose bowl".)

 

I tried to take pics but i had no flash. and the whole entire brake run was removed

[Spideyfreak]

^It's such a tragedy.

[theonetheonlyJT]

Yeah, it's sad to see such a monstrosity go (see what I did there)

 

Anyways the name for the next ride that will replace SOB will be Iron Beast of course

[rollin_n_coastin]

As long as they don't replace it with something along the lines of Vortex = Bat replacement, it should be awesome

[Lareson]

Greg Scheid just posted a new demolition video to his Twitter account.

 

www.telly.com/I2BGW?fromtwitvid=1

 

All I gotta say is, wow. All came down in just a few seconds. Now I understand how they're taking this giant structure down so quickly and cleanly. The lift and 1st drop are going to be fun to watch (as long as there's a video for it!)

[Guy T. Koepp]

That video makes me very happy. It's almost retribution for the for the poor ride I received on it several years ago. Almost.

[coasterbill]

It's great watching this coaster get ripped apart.

[SFOGdude25]

That thing collapsed like a pile of tooth pics! I guess they cut the structure in some strategic places, otherwise it would not have fallen as fast. Then again, it is Son of Beast, with its "less-than-ideal" structure that's been sitting dormant for 3 years.

 

Edit: It also looks like the rumors of a large coaster taking SoB's spot are persisting.

From Screamscape

2014 - New Coaster - Rumor - (10/2/12) While we really haven’t heard much at all regarding plans for Kings Island in 2013, the early rumors suggest that the park will be getting a very large and expensive new coaster experience for the 2014 season.

[cfc]

It's great watching this coaster get ripped apart.

 

It's as though it were sucked into a great vortex--possibly into Hell itself.

[GayCoasterGuy]

Are there cables pulling the ride down? I didn't hear any explosions.

 

That video is great, but there is something a little sad about it. But the good outweighs the sad, by a landslide. (Watched it again, looks like there are cables...)

[3Mutts]

YES!!! Die SOB Die!