BeeastFarmer

Imagine the product placement opportunities: "Big K, the official soft drink of Kings Dominion!" or "Potato Works, topped with Nice-N-Cheesy, only at Kings Dominion!" They could have had live shows with the Scissor Ladies. I think they would have had problems integrating the Cost Cutter brand, however.

Makes me feel better about living out west during the Paramount years. See also, decision to place The Italian Stunt Job coaster in the horrible location its in, and TR:TR in Rivertown. Never rode TR:TR or The Crypt, but it and BLSC are terribly misplaced. But then again, Cedar Fair has either directed, or allowed, the removal of the Coney Mall sign. (sigh) edited to remove text of a previous poster.

I don't see the logic of advertising $79.95 season passes at Kroger, yet charging $59.95. I mean, yes I did buy it at this price and I am not complaining, but if you are trying to push sales, why advertise it for more than the actual price? I wonder how much of a take Kroger gets? And finally, this fascinates me....I had read that Kings Dominion was a joint venture between Taft Broadcasting and Kroger. Neither is the same company anymore, but now Kroger is selling competitor passes againa former partner (sort of!) Did Kroger ever have an financial interest in Kings Island as well?

Thanks, Silver2005! This gives me a greater insight. I have never been emotionally attached to the coaster, but I have to admit the Banshee teaser did make me a little sad for it.

Who was the original contractor? Why were they bumped? Too bad they did not do the stellar job they did when they acted as their own contractor/design firm for The Beast....

I never got to ride Son of Beast. I've heard bits and pieces of the story: The contractors used cheap, inferior wood; the former owner of KI pressured the contractor with deadlines and tight budgets and so on. It certainly was a ride to behold! I would love to see another wooden coaster that breaks records at Kings Island, but I think the next "big" coaster will be steel. One ride, besides Les Taxis, I would like to see returh is Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal. While they are at it, put the water back around The Beast. (dreamer, aren't I?)

Well, the consumer saga continues...but it benefited me. As I said earlier, I was going to wait until 2016 when TT is supposed to reopen. According to KK's website, the presesaon season pass sale is over, but you can still get season passes for $79.95 at Louisville area Kroger stores (Lexington area Kroger stores, too!) So when I went Krogering a little while ago, I looked for the passes near the gift care kiosk. None to be found. I went to customer service, he said, oh yeah, take this laminated sheet to the cashier. Instead of $79.95, the voucher rang up for $59.95. Now I have to go online to process my pass, so we will see. Louisville is just a little over an hour away, so I am sure I will use it some this season. Won't keep me from KI, but it will give me a chance to ride Thunder Run and try out the 2014 Lightning Run.

I was thinking about buying a pass for KK next year, since they are supposed to re-open Twisted Twins. Sounds like maybe I should do that this year, in order to get some rides in on Thunder Run and Lightning Run? KK will never be anything of . the magnitude of KI, but I do want it to suceed. But it sounds like it is destined for failure. Which really sucks, because I WANTED it to suceed after what happened with the previous operator.

The Coney Mall entrance sign and pillars are gone. Tower Gardens is still there, but reduced in size. The Beast only has the vocal warnings on the first lift hill, and now that is repeated, proceeded by "Welcome to The Beast!" The small waterfall near the entrance to the KIMVR was not on. The KIMVR speakers are not working properly for the music, but are for the Emcee. This was my first preview event and opening day, but I thought it was cool that they opened the park Saturday morning at the front gate with the National Anthem, had a rope blocking Rivertown past the Diamondback and made it an event to actually open the park for the morning. Friday night's fireworks show was preceded by an announcement that it was a guests' birthday, and she was allowed to count down to the fireworks. Lastly, there are two new rides in Planet Snoopy, some renovations on I-Street, and food service is slow.

Where did they have $1.00 sodas? I had to pay $4.00 for my Coke at the diner outlet by SRR.

I went today and had a great time! Diamondback went down once just as I was coming up to the entrance to the que line. Was fixed fairly quickly. The maintenance man who rode alone looked like he had a blast! The second time I rode, it went down for about 30 minutes while I was in line. Was down about 30 minutes this time, but he fixed it and had a great time on the train again. The Beast went down while I was in line, but I waited it out. Then, they had to pause operations for fireworks, so another wait. The waits were no big deal. I was able to talk to several enthusiasts. Lastly, on the way out, the Blue Ice Cream stand was closed, but an employee told myself and two other guys he would get cones if he had the exact cash needed. ($3.00). I only had a $10.00 bill and one of the other guys bought me an ice cream cone! I hope I run into him again, I'd like to return the favor!

The Beast did not disappoint today. Changes I noticed: First lift hill, no music, but the "announcment" plays three times and now includes: "Welcome to The Beast!" before the "Remain seated at all times. Please keep hands and legs inside the car at all times." On the second lift hill, music is included, and I think I heard a faint growl, reminiscent of the "old" The Beast music. Ride ops were great, crowd was great and lines went through very quickly.

I rode The Beast many times as a younger person. But I did not go to KI at all from 1995-2006. Earlier in life, I did not appreciate the nuances of the ride. So in the many times I have ridden since 2006, there has always been music and the annoying, but at times endearing, warnings to "remain seated at all times, please keep hands and legs inside the car at all times" is part of my The Beast internalized experience. I kind of miss it when it is not on. But I do so much enjoy the "music" The Beast makes on his own.

My two cents: Put it in The Crypt building. Incorporate theming from Kings Island and Miami Valley Railroad, The Beast, and the original Bat, all themed around Rivertown. Make it its' own ride, but incorporate history. Or they could tear down The Crypt's building and rebuilt Kenton's Cove Keelboat Canal. Then put the dark ride in The Action Theater and tie Banshee into it.

I think my best The Beast experience was during Haunt in 2010. The park closed at 0100, my friend and I went to the que line just a few minutes before that. We rode, and the last train of the night had 3 or 4 folks on it and the ride ops let us ride again. When we returned to the station, someone had taken my friends backpack from the stowage box. The ride op gave him a description, so he took off. I walked from The Beast to the front gate alone...in the fog...with the various Haunt music playing, while they were cycling Diamondback (strange to hear with no screams) and various other attractions. Just a very surreal experience. My friend did find the people who had his backpack, who claimed it was a "mistake."

I had the season long plan last year, and was quite satisfied with it. I really only had two issues, and they were: 1. Sometimes the cashiers would charge for a drink refill and sometimes they didn't. Most of the meals were "combos" so if you were not on the dining plan, the drink was included. The cashiers appreciated the honesty, but I did not like to appear to tell them how to do their job. 2. Panda Express inside Festhaus was included, then taken away, then added, then taken away again. I like to eat non-chain foods while at KI, but there is no Panda Express near me, and I liked eating there when I lived in Phoenix.

Having lived in Idaho but having grown up in Kentucky, imagine my joy when I first saw a Kroger brand in a Smiths Food and Drug Store (Smiths had been acquired by Fred Meyer, which had been acquired by Kroger). There was also a very nice Fred Meyer store in town, and now, having come full circle, I enjoy the nostalgia of Fred Meyer when I visit a Kroger Marketplace...although the KroMar is much smaller and more pared down than FM was.

In 2013 (I only went once) and 2014 (ten times), The Beast was very smooth. The only rough part happened when I was in the middle of the train, in the middle car, on the "outside" seat and the lap bar and stomach got into a tumble. Granted, I can only ride in the back a few times each day, but it is a very enjoyable ride. My other favorite coaster, Diamondback, seemed a little rougher than previous year, as far as roughness could be imagined on this ride. The only jar was from the very back seat, but the experience was soooo worth it. The ride ops were outstanding in 2014 on The Beast, especially on Sundays in October. Could not have asked for better effciency or hosts/hostesses.

I would say that Les Taxis would be a cool ride to return. Not high thrill, but nostalgic. Personally, I think BLSC should have been placed elsewhere and Les Taxis left because it was such a nice, scenic section of the park.

I like the sound of going through the first tunnel. Even after riding this coaster since 1983, the feeling surprises and the noise rattles me. Then the coming out of the second tunnel, there is a distinct echo and what I call a "groan" of the train against the track. I'm really on the fence about the music. I sometimes like it, and sometime don't like it. But currently, a portion of it is set as my ringtone. One more week! I guess what I really appreciate about this coaster is that it truly engages all my senses...I love the smell of chain lube, the sound of the chain and other sounds, the "feel", the visuals--did anybody see the bucket of rusty bolts just after the second lift hill crest last year? I don't know if it was put there on purpose, or just a maintenance miss, but it added to my ride experience! (edited for the third paragraph)

silver2005, I used to think that. But after watching Coastercrutchfield vs KIPR's POVs all winter, I actually like the music. Guess reality will be coming next week, when I do not have to rely on POVs!

If the life hill music is not playing on The Beast, would it be considered rude to ask a Ride Op to check on it? Which music do you like more: The previous music that had The Beast growling, or the current music which is loud, but stops when you are about 60% up the lift hill?

I had a two day trip to Kings Island last July. The first day was Thursday, and most rides were a five minute wait (except Backlot Stunt Coaster and Flight of Fear (which I did not ride as it makes me nauseous, but my friends did.)) The next day, the park was much more crowded and my 2nd day companion and I shelled out for Fast Lane, which included The Beast. I have to admit, I loved bypassing the lines on Friday. I have noticed that since adopting Fast Lane, lines seem much longer. However, in 2014, I must have chosen perfect days because Fast Lane was not needed except the one Friday when we bought them. I even had to wait longer to get food at The Chicken Shack than friends had to wait to ride Banshee (this ride too, makes me nauseous). I am dismayed that The Beast has been added to Fast Lane Plus this year. It will make more money for Cedar Fair, but I would much rather be selfish and see Banshee, Flight of Fear and Firehawk on Fast Lane Plus. Edited to correct my typos of Fast Pass, and Fast Plus Plus. Oh and Fast Pay.

I'm looking forward to meeting other enthusiasts. It will be my first such event I have ever attended. I hope to make some new friends, so I will have some people to hang out at Kings Island with and do not have to beg friends to make the trip up there, who do not share my love of all things Kings Island.