KIBeast

Perhaps the brakes are pre-Cedar Fair. I'm in doubt as to whether the strength is as well. Example: I do not remember the mid-course brake on Flight of Fear ever stopping you before Cedar Fair took over, but rather more like a typical mid-course brake. There is no way you can doubt that the strength of the Son of Beast brake was turned up after loop removal, which is again post-Cedar Fair. This completely screws up the second half of the ride...but at least there's the first half. In fact, the MCBR on FOF has been causing the train to nearly stop before CF. It's been doing this for years now The Beast has seemed more sluggish for the past couple of seasons also. I've heard the spiel so many times...they didn't add any more...blah, blah, blah. (BTW, the video of The Beast testing back in 1979 that is now readily accessible on You Tube shows NO brakes on the helix, so there went that arguement.) Either way, this isn't the point. The point is the strength to which the brakes have been dialed up. Most times than not, if you find a Beast enthusiast, the first thing they complain about is how much they brake it these days. On any coaster, I will never understand the point of building a big tall hill and then slowing it down on the way to the bottom...duh...does that make a shred of sense? That one must leave. The Beast has no airhills (or even potential ones) except for the second hill, which is trimmed as well. This sends the ranking to the toilet for me, and it could be such a world-class coaster. (And is, really anyway.) I could live with the mid-course (at its current strength at max) if they would get rid of the others. I cannot see why in the world it would make that much difference maintenance-wise to a park of KI's caliber just to ditch those trims. If they leave the one in the brake shed, that will slow it enough to not get your back broken on the back curves. And pointedly, if you want to ride a slow-moving smooth coaster, ride The Beastie (which also has a completely pointless non-original trim). If you want to run with the big boys, expect big boy forces. I'd also like to see this video of The Beast testing with no brakes before the helix. Also, when The Beast was built, they didn't have the technology to compute the forces, it was human calculation, so I'm sure brakes may have been added afterwards to deal with those forces. Therefore, the coaster was already built, why shorten it? Not true. Maverick did not have a magnetic brake just out of the tunnel during last season. Actually, Maverick has always had a brake right after the launch since it first opened. Also, this is the first season I have ever seen Gemini reduced to a crawl before its spectacular final helix. Mantis' trim brake on the first drop has not been there for long. I think that appeared last season. Wrong again. I have been going to CP since 2000 and Mantis had a brake on its' first drop at least since then, more than likely since its' first couple of seasons. Mean Streak's trims were cranked up more last season as well. The others...you're probably right. Meaning, does the snapping of a vertical timber have anything to do with CF's nerve in letting coasters live to the fullest. Similarly how Magnum's accident from last year influenced the policy to close for the slightest sprinkle. (Or I'm told that's the reason.) Either way, it's a little on the dumb side, though I wouldn't be as upset if they didn't wait until the pavement was dry before re-opening. Yes I quite agree with you as long as they are kept in the off position unless needed, which is NOT the way any coaster I've ridden belonging to Cedar Fair operates. That IS however the way Voyage is running this year. (And just look at its intensity factor! You note it's #1 on the planet! Apparently not everyone is turned on by a slow running ride that plods and crawls around the track!) Also, the mid-course brake defense only works if they run enough trains to use it. I know of no coaster at KI besides Vortex that meets that requirement (unless you coun't Backlot, but it's designed differently). (Don't even try to use SOB and Beast as back up. Neither is equipped at this point to serve such a purpose. Beast does not crest the 1st lift until there are no trains on the first part of track or lift hill #2, and SOB only runs two trains. Note the kicker tires have also been removed from both.) As a final thought, I would like to respectfully disagree with any statement that trim brakes make the ride better. I quite agree with what was said by someone at the Coastermania question and answer session. "Can we get the brakes off The Beast and return it to its former glory?" Conisdering the brakes were always there, I am confused what you mean by former glory.

so would that mean that mantis at Cedar Point has only half a corkscrew? Yep, I'm confused about that one too. I would say that Vortex should be counted as two corkscrews considering that they boast six inversions...two loops, two corksrews and boomerang loop. RCDB lists it as a double corkscrew.

Didn't make it this past weekend, but, I will definitely be going on a Sunday now. That's one thing I never complained about with Camden Park...food prices. Gotta get me one of those Pronto Pups!

The trims are not turned up or down in any fashion. They are the same on any given day.

^To add to that, GL had to be scaled down as it had become severely over-developed. Had SF installed these coasters with some years in between as opposed to nearly all at once, they may have been able to maintain or possibly increase the attendance needed to justify the installations.

Now I have found the link in a trip report posted at CB. A user who goes by LdScotsman posted the TR and here's what was said about MD attendance.

Here's a link to the KDA report, appendix 34. KDA Report This particular section discusses the condition of the rope and possible cause of rope failure. Dave Althoff, Jr. is the original poster of the link from CB.

^Coach Bombay would know something as well about how fast The Beast travels.

Seems I remember reading on another coaster site that attendance was really low for Memorial Day weekend. Of course, now I can't find a link to the discussion.

We may be going this weekend. Not real sure. If not, it will be after the Daytona trip.

Hmmm, think they're on to something? It has only lasted five years at that park. Not sure why they would think that the coaster is just being moved to another spot at Elitch Gardens. That wouldn't make much sense.

rcfreak, that looks like an insane ride. Wouldn't mind getting one of those!

No, the banking of KIBeast where everyone deposits and no one withdraws!

1) Der Spinnin' Keggers 2) Bayern Curve 3) HB Characters 4) Clown Band 5) Loop on SOB 6)The Bat (but with banking)

And to think, next year I'll finally have my day! I know Gary Boothe personally. He is very talented and entertaining. Makes great balloon items, often times with candy inside. He is also a magician and ventriloquist.

Not necessarily any names stated here. However, the creative minds behind ride names like Dominator and anythinghawk surely could come up with something clever.

I can somewhat agree on the amusement venue attributing to higher prices. However, the quality of other amusement venues seem much higher than what CF produces, so it's not really a valid arguement.

Obviously, what Kinzel (and Shapiro) thought about attendance going up due to people vacationing closer to home is not happening. Otherwise, why would they need discounts?

Well, in a word...no. I don't see a separate charge for BB until there is somewhere to stay on KI property. And no, GWL doesn't count. I mean something owned and operated by KI. Something within walking distance(which would leave out the KI INN).

Nice vid! Didn't seem all that shaky. Jasper, I rode Dominator several times over two seasons at Geagua Lake. I rode in the front seat and never really got the chopping effect. It seemed to me to be just like a regualr sit down with the exception of the floor gone. Dominator has some excellent speed and I really liked the interlocking corkscrews.

Over at coasterbuzz, Dave Althoff may have an explanation about the cable problems. As many of you may know, Dave knows his stuff. Here's what he had to say about the situation. This stems from a conversation he had with a former controls guy for Paramount, for an aerial tramway manufacturer, and for Arrow Dynamics. He was also very familiar with Intamin.

Yeah, I figured it wasn't really a lawnmower engine, but it sure sounds like it. And moves about as fast.

Let me start by saying that all of the brakes on any KI coaster were pre-Cedar Fair and perhaps some pre-Paramount. Also, Cedar Point hasn't added any new brakes on their coasters recently that I know of either. They have been there for quite some time. How any of that could be related to the SOB accident is way beyond me. Let me also say that some of the brakes are necessary. Talking Mid Course Brake Runs (MCBR's), they help break the coaster up into sections so that no trains collide with each other.

I say change the names. I don't care for them. It has nothing to do at all with Paramount's influence. Simple, eh?

^ I would agree with that sentiment. How anyone got hit by a train operating with a lawnmower engine is beyond me.