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What`s next for Son of Beast?


fighting31irish

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Maybe we should look at Meanstreak as an indication of things to come (insert sincere wink emoticaon).

David who heard full trains of excitedly cheering riders coming into Meanstreaks station. Seriously, every train. I had to re-ride. Yes, I said "I had to re-ride." I'll also say I'm actually really looking forward to riding it again. Heard Blue Streaks trains were rebuilt at the manufacturer, to the point that some enthusiasts thought they were new.

Now for those in the know to discuss how long the improvements will last.

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I heard from a KI employee that SOB was going to be torn down and a giant 500 ft Top Spin was going in...no wait....it is being replaced by the next rocket shp going to the moon...no wait.....a prototype coaster that will run sideways...no wait....it will be turned into the "How Not to Build a Coaster" museum...no wait....it won't have to be torn down because it is actually sinking....no wait....it has been donated to the Smithsonian...no wait....Evil Kenevil will jump it at the end of the season....no wait.....

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From what I heard, 74Gibson, the train on Blue Streak actually is a brand new train. I'll see for myself on Wednesday with our first trip. Mean Streak did indeed get some serious work done in the offseason, so I am looking forward to giving it a go. I'm most impressed with what they did for our dear old Ocean Motion! :P

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Oh man, I just wish they'd get it back up and running; there has to be something they could do to be able to keep it and run it. I've only ridden SoB once and I'd really love to ride it again.

Yeah it was a rough ride when I rode it in '09 but I think it has the potential to be one of the greatest around.

And I hate that I missed the ride when it had the loop; man that would've been awesome.

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I think we're all blind as bats when it comes to Son of Beast. We don't know who's been asked, or what's been asked for, or what those asked parties have said, or if they've offered anything at all, or how much it would cost, or what the cost of reconstruction vs. demolition would be, or when it would happen, or what year that budget would be added into...

This is so true. I just wonder if KI isn't "blind" as well about what to do. Considering what it took to build and get the ride open, then to later have to make the decision to use new trains and demolish the signature element, they have had a lot of tough decisions to make. I can only imagine that they would be second guessing any approach to "fix it" considering past events.

I think the Gravity Group vs. B&M comparison is a little different. GG and B&M would have both loved to build rides at KI many years ago, but this situation concerns the fixing of a ride which happens to be GG's specialty. Although everything is speculation on our part, I have to believe that GG (and probably Intamin) submitted some sort of recommedations/proposals. It seems only probable that KI would reach out to any and all wood coaster manufacturers to submit a plan. We probably won't ever know what most of those plans were.

To be clear, I sympathize with the park's situation. The fact that it is still standing indicates that they trying to save it if possible. But at this point, the ride it reminds me the most of is Drachen Fire.

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Personally, I think that the Iron Horse treatment would make it a really enjoyable, breathtaking ride. But then there are those variables: Would the company behind the New Texas Giant want to work on Son of Beast? Would Kings Island be willing to pay for their services? And I certainly can't speak to the engineering aspects of any potential conversion to the Iron Horse track... That is, would it even be possible or safe?

I highly doubt it. They already took their big gamble... taking one of the "roughest" coasters around, and making it what it is today. I'm sure they'll have so many offers for years to come, they won't need to take another big gamble, on a ride like Son of Beast, a ride which, according to an engineer, has too much give. But, according to the same engineer, fixing that may result in other problems.

As much as I love the ride, there is simply too much wrong with it. I'm not sure they'll find anyone (besides another start up company), who would be willing to risk their reputation over this ride.

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Why do so many people think KI and CF management know what they plan to do with SOB?

I've heard it explained to me by some very knowledgeable individuals that the Amusement industry is a fly by the seat of your pants one.

SOB is like my non-healing broken leg. We're consulting with multiple orthopedic specialists and some other Docs. with a nitch for problematic fractures. We'll look at what other people have done with similar injuries and consider my past health and ability to heal broken bones. With SOB, we know they've consulted many of the main players in woodies and not gotten the answers they hoped for. It's safe to assume that they are looking at the performance of other coasters in similar situations and hoping for something to surface as a good possibility. I would bet money that they have never had a sure idea of what will happen to SOB and doubt that they are sure now...even if they have made a decision that could change in a week... or another lawsuit...or the praise Meanstreak is getting ;)

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I believed the same thing as you Gibson, until I went to the park two Saturday's ago, and saw a good amount of Sonny's line removed. That was the moment I told myself I'll never get to ride it again. I sure hope I'm wrong, but removing the line "temporarily" just doesn't make sense.

And in case anyone doesn't know, Son of Beast is my favorite coaster.

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The queue rails were removed for a haunt

Many things that don't make sense often do with a little bit of information

Perfect example of an overly common problem on these here fori :)

When I went to the park this year, the que rails were there. If I remember correctly, the rails were used for haunt.

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I thought it was very odd that they removed the queue rails. I thought it was even more interesting how they added that new entrance to FD though....

New entrance to FD is there from Club Blood. During haunt, FD's entrance is used for both, and they split the line up using that sign. Apparently they decided to leave it up this year.

But as you'll notice, not much that was done for Haunt in that area has been undone.

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  • 3 weeks later...

first of all, i'm off on my abbreviations- could someone enlighten me of what "TG treatment" is.

also- the removal of queue rails doesn't mean much. Those were constructed when SOB was "new" and atune to 3 hour wait lines. Even if it reopens and is hugely popular, it is doubtful that they will ever have 3-hour long lines again. The Beast is VERY popular, but even on crowded days the line rarely reaches the 1 hour mark.... and queue rails have been subsequently removed from The Beast over the years and it is still standing.

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Rumor has it that during the Coastermania Q&A at CP with Dick Kinzel, the topic of SOB was brought up. Reportedly, DK said they were considering the TG treatment but were waiting to see how it held up, price of steel, etc.

Can I ask where you read that at? It seems to "predictable" to be true. I mean, that's been my guess for the last year and a half. I just want to make sure the source is somewhat reputable.

Elmer- Texas Giant. If your still not sure, do a bit of searching. Shouldn't be too hard to find. And from what I've read, a 3 hour wait for Texas Giant isn't too uncommon now.

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