coasterfreak75

First my heart really goes out to her family and friends. Second I hope the government doesn't get ahold of this and use it like everything else to push for silly guidelines and restrictions on thrill rides.

I came across an interesting bit of information the other day. I read that after the first season of operation they reprofiled the helix on The Beast. Is there any truth to this, if so what did they do? Also anybody got pics of before and after? Just wanted to know my first ride didn't come until 1980.

The reason I left this post in the first place was that I went to the unlimitedrollercoaster.com outing at PKI a few years back and we were supposed to have ERT on SOB but that was when it was up and down. It never opened that day so Jeffery Seifert and crew moved out ERT to The Beast. That night it seemed like they had either reduced the trims or cut them off completly once your were past the first drop. It definetly ranked as some of the best rides I'd ever had. When I rode it with the new trims it was almost the same experience. To me it runs faster with the new trims than it did with the old friction tims. All I can really say is thank you PKI for makeing a great ride great and helping save it for future generations.

Am I the only one who thinks it's stupid that you can't buy a beer and carry it into a line? I went to SFKK earlier this year and just loved the fact I could carry a cold beer with me into the lines and around the park instead of being pinned in like cattle just because I wanted to drink a cold beer. Just wanted to know if anyone else felt the same way I do?

Last weekend I rode Vortex for the first time in two years and to me it had gotten worse. What could the park possibly do to fix it? I really like getting beat up on wood, but not steel.

What could possibly be different now from last weekend? As far as I'm concerned there was never anything wrong with SOB, except the lap bars banging your knees to death. SOB is what I look for in a wooden rollercoaster, it's rough and I can feel it for at least a day after I get off. Anyway why do people gripe about SOB being so rough and never say a word about The Beast rattling and shaking your head and body to pieces. Don't get me wrong I love both rides, and yes I'm a purist and The Beast is the greatest ride on the face of the planet. But I don't dog SOB because I got a bump on my butt or a crick in my neck from it. It too is a great ride and I hope it stands just as long as it's father has and will!!!!

When I rode SOB, I was in the back seat it seemed that at the top of the second hill the bump was gone. I noticed the cars in front of me seemed to double dip at the top. Did PKI do this to fix the bump?

Really what's wrong with the magnetic trims? Yes they do slow you down in un-natural spots but then again beyond that the ride is as wild as it was in 1979, the first year I rode it. Yes I'm giving away my age. Still how can you really gripe about this when you still hit the helix and the trains are rattling and shaking like they are going to fly apart. Really, what is the big deal. I'm standing behind PKI for the magnetic trims, I like 'em!

On 7/18/03 when I got on FOF the train left the station and the acceleration just did not happen. This was my first ride on FOF this year so I just thought they had toned it down but at the end of the take off run the brakes kicked in and we stopped. The crew came and had to push the train back to the station and then send it empty. No big deal just wanted to know if the LIM's mis-fired that often.

The absolute worst seat is the first seat, second car. For some reason is just beats the crap out of you. Still, what I don't understand is why all Arrow's, be they loopers or not, get rougher over time. Is it just poor maintenence or just poor design. Don't get me wrong, I love Vortex, but just like sobrider said, "you have to learn to ride it." Just pick the right seat for the ride your comfortable with!

When you get in the park go in a counter clockwise direction. The natural flow of the park is clockwise. Also, skip Hanna Barbara until late afternoon-early evening, until all of the little ones get tired. In other words start with The Beast and then work to Vortex, etc. If any lines look too long skip the ride and pick it up later, just leave 50 - 55 minutes before closing to hop in line for The Beast, front seat, for that last ride of the day.

I'm bringing my family to PKI in July where can I get some great hotel deals close to the park?

I'd like to see a B&M flyer or maybe the first B&M giga. That would rock. Also, Wings rethemed as TR would be great.

3 hours for The Beast in 1980, the first time I was tall enough to ride, just happened to be on a Sat. and the only time I've ever seen all of the turnstiles open. Still, well worth the wait!!!!!!!!

Vortex, with out a doubt. Especially if you ride in the second car.

Sorry guys, I've ridden SOB six times and never seen a foot brace!!!!