I'm sure glad that you posted this topic this week, instead of last. Went to KI for the first time since 7th grade last Wednesday. Actually rode The Beast three times, once in the front car. I absolutely love that ride, it didn't seem to shaky to me. I do wonder how those cars stay on that wooden track, just doesn't make sense to me when I look at how the others are made.

 

I'd imagine they close it some during the year too in order to make sure that it is being properly maintained. Diamondback was closed all of last week, so I'm sure if they needed too, they would do the same for the Beast. Also, I think they test them every single morning, don't they?

I can't ride wooden roller coasters anymore.

 

I'm not even that old but they beat the crap out of me now!

 

Vortex as the Diamondback are awesome though.

 

I didn't care for the Vortex much last week, but I guess that is because I'm a pansy and don't like not having something in front of my I can grab. I didn't like the handles up by my chest. Absolutely loved FireHawk and Flight of Fear though.

 

Unfortunately, as I said last post, Diamondback was closed, so I didn't get to experience it.

I didn't care for the Vortex much last week, but I guess that is because I'm a pansy and don't like not having something in front of my I can grab. I didn't like the handles up by my chest. Absolutely loved FireHawk and Flight of Fear though.

 

Unfortunately, as I said last post, Diamondback was closed, so I didn't get to experience it.

Firehawk ended it for me last time. Cool concept for a ride, but my equilibrium was off after riding it for a couple hours. I like Flight of Fear, but I have never gotten the obsession with it that some have. That line is always the longest.

 

The Racers were only going frontwards on both tracks when I was there. Not sure why they were not going backwards any longer.

 

Also, I hate Paramount no longer owns it because I am still stuck with the previous names of rides. Drop Zone, Top Gun, Face Off, etc. Good thing they never came out with The Firm.

My friend's father was the GM there for a time, as well as at a theme park in San Jose. I've heard him complain about how extensive and expensive repairs are on wooden coasters (I'm recalling from one conversation in particular when he was saying "why on earth would they build Son Of Beast"). They apparently undergo a LOT of off-season work.

I would think that any significant maintenance is what happens usually from November to April while the park is closed to the public.

 

Bingo! All the rides are extensivey checked and maintained during the off season from what I've been told (and I know some folks very involved at KI). Amber, you have a much greater chance of getting killed driving to KI than while at KI riding the Beast.

 

...and it would appear that I should have read down a few more posts. :lol:

The Racers were only going frontwards on both tracks when I was there. Not sure why they were not going backwards any longer.

 

I knew they used to run backwards! When I asked why it wasn't running backwards, the girl I was with looked at me like I was stupid.

They replace the important structural wood on coasters like the beast every couple years or so or whenever it needs it...They also go under more intense testing in the offseason and daily since the problems with son of beast...Cedar Point has a coaster called Mean Streak just like the Beast and I just rode it a few weeks ago, Apparently they replaced about 75% of the wood in the offseason to keep in maintained...

They replace the important structural wood on coasters like the beast every couple years or so or whenever it needs it...They also go under more intense testing in the offseason and daily since the problems with son of beast...Cedar Point has a coaster called Mean Streak just like the Beast and I just rode it a few weeks ago, Apparently they replaced about 75% of the wood in the offseason to keep in maintained...

 

In my opinion, the Mean Streak beats on you more than The Beast does.

 

Another side note, Yahoo had an article on its homepage within the last handful of days that listed the top ten roller coasters you should ride within your lifetime. It included roller coasters from parks worldwide, and The Beast made the list.

Not that I'm some roller coaster tycoon (even though I used to love the computer game) but I would like to add that you should definitely try get a ride in the Beast at night. Even better, get you a ride on the Beast at night, in the front car. We did it Wednesday and it was awesome. It probably doesn't, but seems so much quicker in the evening.

Not that I'm some roller coaster tycoon (even though I used to love the computer game) but I would like to add that you should definitely try get a ride in the Beast at night. Even better, get you a ride on the Beast at night, in the front car. We did it Wednesday and it was awesome. It probably doesn't, but seems so much quicker in the evening.

 

When I was 22 my buddy and I drove up from Lexington and went to Kings Island until close. About 9:50 at night a 6th tooth biker guy with a bandana approaching mid-40s and 7 Natural Light's in explained to us there was no other way to experience the Beast at night except to ride in the front cart. At least I think that is what he told me. We opted to sit at the front line line and get on the last ride of the night in the head cart. Best Beast ride of my life. This guy must have been the Oracle of Roller Coasters. Given the genetics of a lot of the crowd, it would seem appropriate. True story.

This is a coaster I used to love when I was younger. I still enjoy coasters and The Beast is a classic. But, over the years, I have started to get sorta paranoid when riding it. :eek:After all, it is a wooden coaster. Wood deteriorates. Bolts loosen. Now, the cars shake and rattle like never before. Is it me or will it be anytime soon that a major catastrophe happens?

 

I know they have maintenance personel walk the track every morning, but can they seriously see everything?

 

I, too, have started having weird thoughts about the dangers of The Beast. I mean, even if they send it on a few test runs every morning, who's to say that a beam hasn't come loose on one side in the tunnel, or a tree didn't fall across the side rails, therefore decapitating everyone when they ride thru it!!!! I always duck my head in the tunnel anymore. Yep, getting older!

I, too, have started having weird thoughts about the dangers of The Beast. I mean, even if they send it on a few test runs every morning, who's to say that a beam hasn't come loose on one side in the tunnel, or a tree didn't fall across the side rails, therefore decapitating everyone when they ride thru it!!!! I always duck my head in the tunnel anymore. Yep, getting older!

 

:lol: :lol:

 

It was weird growing up, because the taller I got the more I noticed I was becoming inches away from my arms getting ripped off through the tunnel if I raised my hands. I duck as well now, because I swear if I don't my head would slam the wall. I'm not even that tall, but still!

In my opinion, the Mean Streak beats on you more than The Beast does.

 

Another side note, Yahoo had an article on its homepage within the last handful of days that listed the top ten roller coasters you should ride within your lifetime. It included roller coasters from parks worldwide, and The Beast made the list.

 

Mean Streak definitely beats the crap out of you more than the Beast however it is smoother now that they replaced a lot of the wood...That being said it was still rougher than the Beast, I rode it twice consecutively and after the second time a vain had popped out of my neck and my GF said it looked like it was getting ready to pop :lol: ...I love the Wooden Coasters

Funny how your body changes over the years. That ride now beats the crap out of me. Probably my biggest mistake this year was riding The Diamondback twice before riding the Beast. Diamondback is as smooth as a coaster can be and by comparative standards is like riding on a pillow compared to a 4 minute long mechanical bull ride. I too have always wondered about the long term maintenance of the ride.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

I loved the Beast back in the day but won't ride it anymore because it beats the living snot out of me. And after riding Diamondback I really don't have much interest in other rides at KI.

Exactly my thoughts.

 

I loved the Beast back in the day but won't ride it anymore because it beats the living snot out of me. And after riding Diamondback I really don't have much interest in other rides at KI.

It is amazing how smooth that ride is. If every coaster could be retro-fitted to be that smooth I would never leave the park. This year was my shortest stint only making it from 10:00-2:30. We normally close down the joint.