GigaG

The ride ran for 30 years with the original helix. I believe it opened with extra padding on the trains. In addition, I think it opened with seat dividers if I have my facts right. The 40-passenger trains were unusual 4-bench PTC trains, which had issues (probably tearing up the track as large PTC trains sometimes do.) The station is still configured for 4-bench trains, which is why the gates are in groups of 4. As for the 4th train, I've been told that it is impractical in the ride's current state due to the lack of a block brake before Lift 2. I believe that the 4th train was a maintenance spare and was rotated off every year, but I could be wrong. (I've only been going to KI since 2008, so I'm not an old-timer. I've just read a lot of info that I probably don't totally remember.)

Personally, I think the seatbelt should be modified to be less "buried" in. Right now, you have to reach way behind you compared to other rides, in my opinion. Another option would be a FoF-style "backup lock" belt, but that wouldn't stop an ejection caused by a misplaced lap bar/larger rider.

I don't recall them ever being so strict as they were... maybe I'm confusing one and two clicks? Either way, I don't remember them doing that the last few years. And either way, the "new" restraints are a tragedy. #BringBackBuzzBars Perhaps. Although not all PTC bars "click" at the same spot, IMO. Racer seems to be tighter than Beast to me.

I fully understand that. I'm pointing out that the pre-opening video has skids (implying that it had skids there from the start) but the "1981" picture has none. Just because it's always had trims doesn't mean that they can't remove some during a renovation. Thanks Terpy, I actually didn't know that! Probably because the ride hadn't warmed up yet. I heard once that the tires were there as brakes to use the brake shed as an MCBR, though I find it hard to believe that it could stop there and then not valley - that hill going into the second/third tunnel is pretty high compared to the shed, or maybe I'm just imagining things.

Some observations from my recent visit a few days ago: Racer and Beast both are not allowing '1 click' rides anymore. For myself (a larger rider), I can still fit in, but it's definitely a bit more cramped. One of the two (Racer, if memory serves) has the bars "placed" slightly different and is a bit tighter. Both of these rides were designed with buzz bars (and no seatbelts, correct me if I'm wrong), which are similar to about 1 to 1.5 clicks of a PTC bar. In addition, I haven't seen this rule at Cedar Point. I'm not happy about this new "stapling", and I really don't see a reason why it would be implemented now. Banshee's crew is still lightning-fast, with a few exceptions. They count down to when they are able to dispatch, and sometimes even go so quick they have to wait. Diamondback still has seatbelts, sadly, and they are still buried deep in the seat (they really could be implemented better if they REALLY need them.) It doesn't always stack, and when it does, it's usually stacked a fairly short time, but its capacity is much lower than Banshee IMO. Diamondback still has its trim brake and MCBR going off. I'd really like them to let up on that, considering that the third hill could be turned into a semi-ejector airtime hill and the last two hills are completely forceless in their current state. Speaking of Banshee, you can barely hear the music going up the lift. I really miss that, it provided a great buildup to the scream (still one of my favorite parts of the ride ) FoF's new lighting package in the queue that syncs with the pre-show is awesome, as is the dramatic music in the spaghetti bowl and brake run, which I haven't heard in a few years. It could be a bit louder, particularly in the brake run. The MCBR still nearly stops you, but I could have sworn it doesn't stop you quite as bad as it did last year. Vortex was closed for the last 2 days of my visit. Has it re-opened yet? Land clearing is underway near the last stretch of the train on the right side. I'm sure this has been discussed in the 2017 thread.

I could think of several things to do to The Beast to improve it... while I typically am supportive of RMC, Beast is such a historic ride and shouldn't be touched by I-Box. Kings Island has plenty of land, so I'd love to see an I-Box/topper terrain coaster in the future, but not on Beast's supports. However, I do think there are a few changes that should be made. Trains- If the ride is to be renovated, the trains should seat at least 30-36 people. GCI Millenium Flyers only seat up to 24, and tend to be longer than a PTC train of the same capacity. Either way, if any new trains go on Beast, they should be longer than 24, preferably at least 36 people. Whatever trains are installed, they need to be padded a bit more than the current ones. If PTC trains are used, perhaps a buzz bar/seatbelt restraint system could be used. Also, the headrests are probably not needed - many woodies with more extreme, steel-like forces don't use headrests. Part 1 - Beginning to Shed Cut the first 2 trims. Yes, they've always been there, but I've seen pictures of Beast operating without any skids on the first drop, alledgedly in 1981. (Link to picture attached at end of post.) The first trims put a bit of a damper on the first drop, while the second trims butcher any airtime possible on the second hill. Bank the first turn - but only enough to keep the lateral G-forces the same as they are today, just for a higher (trimless) speed Either bank the second turn (again preserving the lateral G-forces) or put the magnetic trims in the bottom of the valley. I'd prefer the former. Sharpen the peak on the rise up out of the valley for some airtime. (especially if there's no trims in the bottom or rise out of the valley.) Spread the magnetic trims in the shed out to slow the ride down over the whole shed. This will be the first set of trims on the ride. Part 2 - Shed to Second Lift Upon exiting the shed, the speed should be similar to today's speed (maybe SLIGHTLY faster) The rest of the ride shouldn't really be touched until the approach to the second lift. Maybe turn one or two shallow downhills into a straightaway followed by a steeper downhill, but that's a bit too drastic. Any reprofiling should keep the ride's lateral g-forces similar to how they are today. Add a block brake run before the second lift if possible. It would not be hard to modify Beast for 4-train operation. Part 3 - Second lift to end There are 2 options for this: 1. Reduce the banking and reinforce the structure in the tunneled portions of the helix. AFAIK, Beast was reprofiled around 2009 to create a more "positive G force" based helix, but that just isn't what the helix is meant for. 2. Take off the trims and keep a higher bank angle in the helix. Either of these 2 methods should create a helix with a bit more lateral "punch" as it was designed for. Possible make the final dip a bit more intense, but that's really not a big deal. The final brake run should be redesigned to "stack" 4 trains if needed. It is plenty long enough for that, and stacking 4 trains in a breakdown is preferable to stacking a train on the second lift. Final remarks: After this, we have a Beast that keeps the same layout with a very slight amount of reprofiling, runs 4 trains for increased capacity, and is more intense where it needs more intensity. A few more notes and potential changes- Add the music to the first lift hill (this year, it seems to have disappeared and only the "keep hands and legs inside the car at all times" voice plays) The "slowdown" on the first lift will probably go away for the most part with an added block brake before the second lift. (The slowdown is currently intended to give the train on the second lift time to crest before the first lift's train crests) However, the slowdown at the top can be kept for dramatic effect. Paint The Beast red again (again, not 100% needed.) Photo reference - this picture is claimed to have been taken in 1981: https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13438907_1084021348346932_3296957665950436509_n.jpg?oh=cc60b24184aab94e1290fe57fdbc4684&oe=5836C947 Compare to this pre-opening video WITH skids on first drop

I looked it up and it seems like this statue has traveled the world, sometimes with little decorations, sometimes without. I wonder if it's all #Jonathan? I went to KI today and as I left I made sure to say goodbye, considering I probably won't see him again ...

Has anybody noticed that the orange-tinted picture in the background is Gatekeeper and not a new CGI of "Bat"?

Batman at SFMM screeches loudly on the lift. Probably worse than Raptor.

Is Interpreter an insider or something?

way too much time on your back. The point of a flyer is to fly, not lay on your back. I think that's one of the major things wrong with Firehawk. Besides the lift and brakes, the only sustained back-time is a forceful loop. Not bad for a Vekoma!

Wait - a massive, easily marketable "world record" coaster that is gimmicky? Leave this to SFMM...

Remember that Gatekeeper was leaked a few days before the announcement. Pictures of the whole layout pretty much.

Where was the Napoleon Dynamite hint? 179 could be drop height - Alpengeist's drop is only 170 feet tall.

Out of curiosity, is there a reason to ban cameras on rides besides pure safety? Like, I have a camera the size of a key chain, or what about a glasses cam? Those are no worse than any other fastened loose article, but is there any reason besides safety? By the way, I have no clue why my avatar is a Windows logo. Ignore it, I say!