The Beast Rider

^^ I know that Gemini and Magnum XL200, the trims are controlled by the operator at the control panel. SOB has an override button on its control panel that the ride ops can use if they know how. I am not sure if there is a switch on FOF, but maintenance can change the program if needed. I hope someone else that was at Fall Freakout chimes in and lets us know if that did or did not happen last year.

I'm not positive about this, because I was not there. I heard from a fairly reliable source that Kings Island ran Flight of Fear with the midcourse brake completely off during last years Fall Freakout. If there was a safety issue with the ride running trimless, would they have allowed that to happen? Just wondering.

I understand. But, the layout is identical. Our FOF only runs two trains, even though it was designed for three. The midcourse should be used for its intended purpose, and not a standing trim brake. I must say, Cedar Fair has a nasty habit of using all their midcourse brakes as trims.

^^ There are clones to our Flight of Fear out there that do not even have brakes in the mid-course, let alone use them. Jokers Jinx comes to mind for one. So rider safety is obviously not an issue, or any coaster that is the same as FOF would also be stopped in the midcourse. FOF did not stop in the midcourse during Paramount days, even with the OTSRs that were known for knocking peoples ears off. Shark, it has nothing to do with being older, wiser, or anything like that. It is all about where your priorities lie. My take on the situation is the same as Beast1979, even though I am more than twice his age. It might cost a little more to run the coasters AS DESIGNED, but that is the way they are supposed to be. Beast has always had the trims since it was open to the public, but I'm not convinced that it was designed that way, as they were installed after testing. RCFreak, yes there is a trim on Racer. It is at the front of the turn around, right at the top of the hill. A completely pointless trim, no less.

I, for one, absolutely agree with CedarPointer. Cedar Fair always has had an obsession with trim brakes. It has nothing to do with maturity level, or the ability to understand a business decision. Yes, sometimes a trim brake is a necessary evil (never though you'd hear me say that did you?). However, when you put four sets of trim brakes on one coaster it might be a just little excessive, especially since the first two drops are trimmed. It is a lot of fun without the trims too, but it has been an awfully long time since that happened last. Diamondback is a brand new coaster, and it gets trimmed in not one but two different locations. Flight of Fear completely stops, which I have heard countless people on the ride ask why did we stop. The trim on Racer and Fairly Odd Coaster? Give me a break. Son of Beast gets trimmed in the midcourse, and why? The last half of the ride is slow enough. It's much more enjoyable without being trimmed. Vortex, I'm not too sure even I would like that completely trimless. I would like to try it once then decide. OK? There is no doubt that it takes a considerable amount of money to maintain these rides. But, maintenance is also a cost of doing business. Slowing your star coaster to 7MPH in the brake shed is just a little silly. Now, you do have a very valid argument for enjoying what we have. At least we can still ride all these coasters, even if they are trimmed. We should be thankful for that. All the coasters at Kings Island still give good rides, and I am happy every time I get to go for a ride on one. If you hear someone swearing at the trims as the train hits it, it's probably me.

I really enjoy seeing pictures like these, even though it saddens me to think about all the wonderful times that were had at these parks, and the many memories that were created. It really is a shame that these old parks are fading away. Thank you for posting this.

Amusement park nears record Sounds like they had a very good year in spite of the shaky economy. Way to go Holiday World!

Not as much as you think! It's not noticably rougher without them, but there is a lot more airtime to be had. Ask dare-to-fly how I know this! Mean Streak is quite possibly the roughest coaster I have ever ridden too, but not the worst. I absolutely do not like Mantis. It is the only coaster that I have ever said "never again" to.

I'd have to say The Beast easily wins, followed closely by Racer and Screechin' Eagle at LeSourdsville Lake. I've ridden many a marathon on all three of those woodies, and miss one of them very much.

You mean actually PAY EXTRA to ride SoB? That is like going up to someone and saying: "I will pay you to kick me in the nuts." Oh, come on now. We are talking about SOB here not The Crypt! I'm glad they were running the trains. Maybe it is a good sign that SOB will re-open one day. Here's hoping anyway!!

^^ FOF hasn't actually ran 3 trains for several seasons. Edit: Something else about Jokers Jinx: doesn't it still launch to 60MPH? I know KI has FOF listed as 0-54.

I have no idea what this means. Think about it a little. I'm sure it will come to you. You can never determine a ride's popularity by how long the line is. There are too many variables that go into why a line is long. And even at that, comparing SoB's line to that of Beast is certainly comparing apples to oranges. SoB has 2 trains @ 24 ppl/ train. Beast has 3 trains @ 36 ppl/ train. You most certainly can get an idea of a ride's popularity by the length of the line. If no one likes the ride, then no one will be in line. I'm sorry, but people don't just ride a ride because it is there. If they don't like it, they won't be in line. You are correct on the capacity differences between the two coasters. However, one thing you failed to remember, The Beast is 4:50 long, and SOB is 3:00. Trim brakes are there for a reason. You may not like tham, or understand them, but just watch the CET video and observe what park employees said about Beast before the ride was slowed down. I very well understand trim brakes; what they do, how they work, and what reason they are placed where they are. Cedar Fair has an obsession with them, and they use them for reasons that I do not believe in. I do not like them and make no effort to hide the fact. I am also not going to be drawn into an argument about them as that is pointless.

^ They did a fine job of "re-engineering". Take look at what is just past the chain. If that doesn't take out some of the "go" I don't know what would. Cedar Fair engineering doing what they do. As far as SOB, if everyone hates it, why did it always have a line? Most times, the line was longer than for the father, at least on days I was there. Over last summer (2008), the line was consistantly 30-40 minutes. It was never that long that I remember this year, but when I was there, it was never a walk-on. By the way, SOB was my favorite ride at KI, because it was not trimmed to death every ten feet. It had the mid-course set to trim brake mode, but at least the first and second drop were not trimmed.

^ I wish they would put it back the way it was. It used to play every 30 seconds or so. By the way, it's "Welcome to The Beast. Remain seated throughout the entire ride. Please keep hands and legs inside the car at all times. Thank you."

That's cool that you found that song. I would like to know why they guy doesn't spiel anymore. I miss his "Welcome to The Beast . . ."

^ I don't really see them tearing it down. Like you said, it is unique. More what I see is them doing is re-profiling the rosebowl and trimming it all to pieces. It'll be a shell of its former self if it does re-open. I do hope that it opens. I hope they do an outstanding job on the theming for the former Nick Universe. The theme matters much more to kids than it does to adults in my opinion. I could be wrong, but I kind of see them doing it halfway.

Sometimes, it is just the finality of seeing it in black and white that makes it really hit home. The rumors have been going around for a while, and now they aren't a rumor. Some people's fear for Nick has been realized with that one announcement. It is sad that KI is ditching Scooby at the same time. You'll see the same type of thing when the fate for SOB is finally officially announced.

It has sounded that way as long as I remember. It always has been seriously loud. I really like the crashing noise it makes when the train hits the chain.

^ Sure it's possible, but not likely. SOB was inspected by the ODA and given the green light to re-open from them a few weeks ago. The park decided not to re-open it. I'm still hoping that they will open it up next year, but if they do it probably won't be the same SOB that some of us know and love.

^ In other words, park officials are not happy because SOB doesn't have trim brakes, only the midcourse set to trim brake mode. If it opens up again, you can bet it will be just like The Beast and Mean Streak. Trimmed absolutely to death.

I couldn't agree more. There will be some guests that will see that it is approaching closing time and leave just a little bit early so they can get out before the rush. Then, they will drive up the road a little and have a good meal for a reasonable price at a local restaurant instead of in the park. Then, they will be able to get back to the park in plenty of time to line up for haunt and beat the mad rush once again. I think they should think this over. It seems like they are just begging the guests to go "where else" for food, drinks, or whatever.

coaster_junky, I agree. I don't get it either. I have had many, many enjoyable rides on Son of Beast, the vast majority of them from the back seat. Yes, the back seat. There are times on slow days where there is no line, and I would gladly re-ride if they would let me. I have made many a trip from the exit to the entrance to get right back on in the back seat and have never had a problem. Yes, SOB is a little rough. There is no doubt about that. I have never came off the ride feeling like I've been trampled. But remember, it's a wooden roller coaster (a big one at that), not a Cadillac.

Dear CedarPointer, There are many of us that very much enjoy Haunt. If you don't, stay home. Beast Rider, who also loves Haunt rides on The Beast and hopes for many, many Haunt rides on Son of Beast too.

^ It's still a great idea! I may well try that the next time I'm there. I usually only take my pass and a small amount of cash with me anyway. I may just take a spare key and lock everything else in the trunk.

That's a really good idea! I can't imagine anything would happen to the key then. I would put the door key on my shoe string instead of the ignition key, but that's just me.