Kings Island (KI) Discussion Thread

[Woodie Warrior]

Am I the only one who thinks Beast is a bad ride? I prefer Racer over it. Beast was just slow and boring IMO.

[willthegolfer]

Am I the only one who thinks Beast is a bad ride? I prefer Racer over it. Beast was just slow and boring IMO.

I have not ridden it, but watching Robb's last POV of it, it did look over-trimmed and the first half just seemed to be a lot of straightaways and drawn out turns, which would be great at high speed, but not so much at a slow pace. Again, I have not ridden it so I cannot comment on whether it is a bad ride or not, I just think based on the POV it doesn't look like the coaster it once was.

[MagnumFreak25]

I just watched that POV again, and I never realized how trimmed to death it was. Right now it just looks boring but without those trims it would be insane.

[B&MBoy1982]

The Beast travels the same speed it always has. It seems more trimmed because of the magnetic brakes.

 

When it had skid brakes, it took longer to slow the trains down. Now with the magnetic brakes, it is more abrupt.

 

Do not judge if you have not ridden.

 

On a side note, the park has put a lot of work into the Beast over the last few seasons. I have gotten some of my BEST rides on it within the last 3 years.

 

Never base your "opinion" of a ride on a video. When Banshee videos started popping up, people expected it to be

just "another force-less B&M" and they were proven wrong.

[SFOGdude25]

Robb's POV of The Beast looks to be an early morning test run with the train empty. Less weight means less momentum. Less momentum means a slower ride. I can attest that The Beast runs MUCH faster than that on an average summer day with a fully loaded train. Love it or not, it's a very special ride for Kings Island and a milestone in coaster history. I've always loved it. It was one of my first big coasters, and I've probably clocked more rides on it than any other wood coaster in my count.

[JRice92]

Also note, the POV Robb took of The Beast was in the morning on a cold day with an empty train before the park was open for the season, so the ride was nowhere near full speed. When the ride catches the 2nd lift hill, you can see a landing up to the right. During normal operation the train makes it well past that landing when engaging the 2nd lift, during any of the times I've ridden the train has never engaged lower than that landing on the 2nd lift. Also the huge thing about The Beast is riding at night. No lights out in the woods along with a layout you can't see, That's when The Beast truly shines. Like both posters above me, don't knock it 'till you try it!

[willthegolfer]

Thank you all for the clarification and explanation. I didn't say that the ride was bad, but that pov just made it look slow. After hearing what you guys have to say, it clears things up a bit. I hope I can get to ride it soon to see what it really feels like.

[ajfelice]

The Beast used to be what I thought one of the most intense roller coasters out there until I broadened my horizons. Nowadays, it simply just feels like a buzzkill when you look down that first drop only to be trimmed, and only to be sent into another set of trims a few seconds later after the first tunnel. The mid-course yet again shaves off what could be a very intense second tunnel. Fortunately, the drop into the helix feels the least trimmed and it is fairly intense, but there is simply other stuff out there that is better.

 

Unfortunately, minor re-profiling and new trains that could eliminate the need for most trims while retaining the original concept/layout would simply not have a high enough ROI to justify the cost, as the typical guest is virtually blind to the concept of trims and how trims affect a coaster. As much as I try not to let it get in the way, my coaster nerd knowledge and experience simply prevents me from holding The Beast to such a high standard because I feel like something is being held back from the ride experience. I'm glad The Beast is still considered by most to be a Kings Island legend, but for me it is simply not "The Beast" of a coaster as it could be.

 

Still a great coaster to see in pictures and in video due to its stellar location, but unfortunately the ride experience leaves an enthusiast wanting a little more.

[MagnumFreak25]

Maybe they could market it as The Beast: Untamed. The GP generally isn't that dumb they'll notice if a brake slows them down and they then go super slowly through an element.

[thrillrider]

This is exactly why enthusiasts get the stigma of being a bunch of whiners.

 

There is nothing wrong with the beast as it is.As a matter of fact, it still has one of (if not the) longest lines in the park.

[DarienLaker]

Did Kings Island ever had a suspended coaster that was on a single rail called "Scooby-Doo Ghoster Coaster" or something?

[SFOGdude25]

^They sure did! I rode it a bunch when I was a kid! You rode in what was basically a twin bicycle seat with handles and a floor. It was a little on the rough side. The car would rock side to side going through the turns. Not very comfortable for the crotch!

I'm guessing the park took it out because of its awful capacity and quirky ride system. The line moved painfully slow. The Surf Dog ride now sits in its place.

 

After a quick research trip on Youtube, I found this clip. Skip to 25 seconds in, and you'll see the coaster.

[DarienLaker]

^I assumed that the Scooby-Doo Roller Ghoster suspended kiddie coaster was a "kids only" kiddie coaster if. From looks of it in the video, it didn't look like any adults were riding it.

Edited February 20, 2015 by DarienLaker

[nicman]

^^I never though there was, it looks painful though!

[SFOGdude25]

^I assumed that the Scooby-Doo Roller Ghoster suspended kiddie coaster was a "kids only" kiddie coaster if. From looks of it in the video, it didn't look like any adults were riding it.

I think the video showed it cycling empty cars actually. The way the seating was arranged, one kid could ride up front, and an adult (or larger/older kid) could ride in the back.

Edited February 20, 2015 by SFOGdude25

[thrillrider]

It "was" painful.

 

Let's just say that it was not male friendly.

[Patrick B8men]

I assumed that the Scooby-Doo Roller Ghoster suspended kiddie coaster was a "kids only" kiddie coaster if. from the video it didn't look like any adults were riding it.

No, adults could ride it too. I got stuck riding it by myself the year it opened because of the odd number in the group I was with. I felt like a total dork lol the line was two hours long too.

[DarienLaker]

I would imagine that if King Island still had that coaster, not only would no longer have Scooby-Doo, They wouldn't have Surf Dog and Cedar Fair would have made it so that no one taller than 54" can ride it.

[Geauga Dog]

Yes, they did have one called Scooby's Ghoster Coaster. Following photos taken October 2003.

[jonskinny12]

How busy is King's Island usually on Sundays? I'm planning a trip for HoliWood Nights and want to hit King's Island and Cedar Point as well and I'm trying to plan out dates. I'm thinking of going May 31. I could go the Wednesday or Thursday before instead, but it would mean some backtracking so I'd rather not do that unless Sunday would be painfully busy. I've been to King's Island once, but it was in 2002 or something. Any tips?

[adamico2]

On Sundays, the crowds tend to arrive later. If you're there at opening, you'll be one step ahead of the masses and not have to worry about long lines. Just hit FoF, Firehawk, and Diamondback early and you'll be fine.

[jonskinny12]

Thanks! I'm surprised FoF is still that popular. What about Banshee? Is there a time of day that's better?

[foss123]

Thanks! I'm surprised FoF is still that popular. What about Banshee? Is there a time of day that's better?

 

Banshee continues to baffle me. On opening day last year, the line was over 8 hours long, but otherwise I've never waited more than 30 minutes for it. Usually it's a walk-on, 15 minutes at most. The thing's a capacity monster.

[CanobieFan]

That Ghoster Coaster looked jerky and uncomfortable.

 

Banshee looks fantastic. Making my first trip to the park this summer. How's the forces on this thing?

[B&MBoy1982]

 

Banshee continues to baffle me. On opening day last year, the line was over 8 hours long, but otherwise I've never waited more than 30 minutes for it. Usually it's a walk-on, 15 minutes at most. The thing's a capacity monster.

 

The line was never at any point 8 hours. 4 at the most, but that was due to some down time.