Even though I'm sure most of you get the Kings Island Newsletter, here's an article featured in it for the rest of you...

http://www.visitkingsisland.com/news/detail.cfm?item_id=742

Thanks for posting that. I actually received the e-mail, but didn't scroll down far enough to see that blurb.

I really think that if only The Beast, alone, sat in a field where Kings Island is now, I would still make the trip to ride it.

I used to work for Charles Dinn when I was in ride construction in 1974. He was a great guy and knew his stuff.

I think it's interesting that they said in the last paragraph how The Beast was "unchained." Sounds familiar

http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?...12591&st=15

(See post #17)

Sorry for the double post, but I should be serious about this. My children have always wondered what the "big deal" is about The Beast. I took them to CP for the first time this year and took them on Gemini. Then, after the ride, I gave them a little history lesson about how Gemini was the biggest thing on the planet prior to The Beast. I started that discussion by asking them how they would compare the two and they were like "are you kidding?"

For those of you who weren't around in 1979 and have ridden both Gemini and The Beast, that is how high The Beast "raised the bar." so to speak. KI and CP were rivals back then and The Beast beating Gemini, needless to say, was nothing less than (I don't know how else to put this) an a$$ whipping of monumental proportions.

At the time, it was huge, not in just in size, but as an "event." I remember the signs in the midway near Antique Photo stating that you have a 2 hour wait for The Beast, the actual drink stand where the vending machines now stand, and all of the queue lines being open and full.

Then I explained to them that The Beast was designed without computers (or Thrillville), and that the designers used pencil and paper to do it. And that it was done "in house." Not by an independent engineering firm.

I think they got it...

....or that it was done for $3.8 million dollars (1979 money), a feat that would likely cost well over $20 million today even with the new technology.

Sorry for the double post, but I should be serious about this. My children have always wondered what the "big deal" is about The Beast. I took them to CP for the first time this year and took them on Gemini. Then, after the ride, I gave them a little history lesson about how Gemini was the biggest thing on the planet prior to The Beast. I started that discussion by asking them how they would compare the two and they were like "are you kidding?"

For those of you who weren't around in 1979 and have ridden both Gemini and The Beast, that is how high The Beast "raised the bar." so to speak. KI and CP were rivals back then and The Beast beating Gemini, needless to say, was nothing less than (I don't know how else to put this) an a$$ whipping of monumental proportions.

At the time, it was huge, not in just in size, but as an "event." I remember the signs in the midway near Antique Photo stating that you have a 2 hour wait for The Beast, the actual drink stand where the vending machines now stand, and all of the queue lines being open and full.

Then I explained to them that The Beast was designed without computers (or Thrillville), and that the designers used pencil and paper to do it. And that it was done "in house." Not by an independent engineering firm.

I think they got it...

Like I said in a previous post, I believe Beast is great because it was done on pen and paper, without computers. Plus the fact the designers worked with the nature and not against it. Remember the paw prints on the way to the queue? Awesome!! I also liked it without seatbelts and headrests.

Neither the seatbelts nor the headrests bother me....what does is the rock hard high density urethane foam and the high seat dividers found at "Kings Island, where else?"

Neither the seatbelts nor the headrests bother me....what does is the rock hard high density urethane foam and the high seat dividers found at "Kings Island, where else?"

This is true. I am not a fan of that either. It is too restricting and not enough natural movement during the course of the ride.

its a great ride and interesting post, Long live The Beast:

Neither the seatbelts nor the headrests bother me....what does is the rock hard high density urethane foam and the high seat dividers found at "Kings Island, where else?"

This is true. I am not a fan of that either. It is too restricting and not enough natural movement during the course of the ride.

Not only this, but it adds to the pain factor, which then adds to the feeling of roughness, which adds to negative attention to said roughness, which adds to KI's maintenance deptartment's insistance on...oops, you've already seen my posts. I'll not let my ranting get in the way (this time). I will complement KI on something though. The new terrible seat dividers from PTC (or if not PTC, wherever they come from) that are hard foam and hollow in the middle (ride Holiday World's coasters for an example) make you very sore after a few rides. So far, KI has covered over all of their new ones, or at least they feel like the same ones only with material around the outside. BLESS YOU KI!! Please keep it that way!

And it certainly isn't just at KI, as you can find the hard, unpadded, uncomfortable seats and especially seat dividers all over the place at other parks. When I build my own coaster, I think I'll install couch cusions with lap bars that are one big pillow wrapped around a solid center. What do you think?

Actually, the only non-Ohio parks where I find lots and lots of hard, uncushioned roller coaster train seats are Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Neither Kings Dominion, Carowinds nor Six Flags Great America seem to have the problem to the same extent.

Actually, the only non-Ohio parks where I find lots and lots of hard, uncushioned roller coaster train seats are Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. Neither Kings Dominion, Carowinds nor Six Flags Great America seem to have the problem to the same extent.

I'll give you the "to the same extent" part. Upon reconsidering, it seems that it's just a one or two here or there problem, but what I have the most problem with is the afformentioned seat dividers that KI thankfully has managed to avoid.

Who moved my Cheese?

NitPicking at its finest

personally, I wish every coaster capable had restraints like BLST and FoF. I LOVE those, no pain, no shoes lost.... perfection. but that's just my opinion.

deb

personally, I wish every coaster capable had restraints like BLST and FoF. I LOVE those, no pain, no shoes lost.... perfection. but that's just my opinion.

deb

I take it you aren't an amputee and dont have a leg cast?

nope, neither. You saw me last year at the KICEvent. White shorts, white shirt with the knocked out boy by the chick with the wood with the nail in it. I just prefer to not be beaten up. that's all.

deb

Its cool to finally know the story behind Beast.