I like Beastie ALOT better!

^For me, it will always be the Scooby Doo Coaster. ( And did you catch some of those 70's fashions?)

My very first coaster. I came off of my first ride "white as a sheet" (my mom's words). I was so terrified of coasters after that ride that it was 7 years before I got on one again. My how things have changed.

My very first coaster. I came off of my first ride "white as a sheet" (my mom's words). I was so terrified of coasters after that ride that it was 7 years before I got on one again. My how things have changed.

So funny I had the exact same experience in 1983 when I was 8, and I didn't ride another coster until the second season of Vortex, a pretty big jump from Beastie to Vortex!

Many enthusiasts claim that Beastie...err whatever it is called now, is the best maintained wood coaster in the park. It probably helps that it is much smaller than the others.

It was my first coaster as well. I loved it and cried when I wasn't tall enough to ride The Racer.....

Everytime I check back to this thread my jaw drops farther and farther. Keep up the amazing, stellar work Paul!

Thanks for all the comments, keep em coming.

Photo 79

(Carl E. the man who has rode The Beast more times then anyone, more interesting is that the train says "4", does that mean Beast "had" 4 trains on the track at once?)

(If you look closely at this photo at the que lines at the top, you'll see the "old" beast que house that once stood parrel to "que house 1". Remnants of this que house is small but still behind the fence next to the current on ride photo.)

(The concrete pad to my believes once extended longer then what it currently left.

(The Ride opened with a helix not in-closed)

(Old control panels to rides always looked so cool.)

Really cool pictures Paul!

i <3 this photo here!

Actually, speaking of that picture... was it originally planned to enclose the helix completely, or just leave it was it is in that picture? (I know it operated for some time without it being enclosed like it is today.)

I think it was planned to enclose the helix all along, but winter weather prevented it from getting finished before the ride opened. Hence the helix tunnel was completed during the winter before the 1980 season.

I have never noticed or even knew about the old queue house. I will have to look more closely next time I visit the park.

I loved The Beastie, I wish they still could have kept that name. But I love those pictures of The Beast.

I would imagine The Beast could have run 4 trains, but whether it ever did is the real question. I can see them rotating the 4 trains so that wear and tear was less.

I would imagine The Beast could have run 4 trains, but whether it ever did is the real question. I can see them rotating the 4 trains so that wear and tear was less.

But they are all used the same, one train leaves and the next one loads?

I would imagine The Beast could have run 4 trains, but whether it ever did is the real question. I can see them rotating the 4 trains so that wear and tear was less.

But they are all used the same, one train leaves and the next one loads?

i think he means 1 & 3 on one day, and then 2 & 4 on the next. to save wear & tear on the trains.

Well, Flight of Fear at Kings Island has three trains with the lap bars. Only two are ever on the track operating at any time. The reason is, the third one under goes its complete tear down during the summer months. That way, when winter rolls around (the busy time of year for the rides mechanics), they only have to completely inspect one Flight of Fear train, since the other train was already done. Not exactly the same thing, but kind of in the same manner.

And no, The Beast never ran with four trains. Originally, the trains were four rows of seats per car. Now, the trend is one row of seats per car, so that the trains can better handle the tight turns (aka, the twisted and very enjoyable incarnations that Great Coasters International has crafted.

How can you be positive, it never ran with 4?

Photo 78

I can't be the only one who noticed the little flag over the "i" in Kings, not unlike today's logo...

that's not a flag, it's an old english font dot. it looks kind of like this symbol ~

Here's a look at the logo in 1972 at the grand opening.

I'm not exactly sure it's old english lettering.

It could be there are some variations depending on location.

If you look below the "dot" above the lower case I look like an accent mark, ' for music. When looking at the picture at the beginning of my post and the picture from TOPGUN1993 I see a flag...not because I'm used to seeing the Cedar Fair Logos, but because flags come in all shapes and sizes.

Just my input.

I'm pretty sure it's not a flag. But I have some pictures of that bus when it would roll around, I always liked when Amusement Parks got their own form of transportation.

From that angle I thought it looked like a flag kinda. Guess not.

Which Hanna Barbara character is that? I should know, but the name slips my mind. Looks pretty creepy for a kids character. I used to think Captain Caveman was scary as a costumed character.

Bingo is the name from the Hanna Barbera Banana Splits. From today standards most characters from back then would seem to scare the kids, but the kids seen them every Saturday morning and knew who they were.

Which Hanna Barbara character is that? I should know, but the name slips my mind. Looks pretty creepy for a kids character. I used to think Captain Caveman was scary as a costumed character.

I guess that's supposed to be Yogi Bear. Kind of scary though.

Which Hanna Barbara character is that? I should know, but the name slips my mind. Looks pretty creepy for a kids character. I used to think Captain Caveman was scary as a costumed character.

I guess that's supposed to be Yogi Bear. Kind of scary though.

Banana Splits yo:

Bingo is the name from the Hanna Barbera Banana Splits. From today standards most characters from back then would seem to scare the kids, but the kids seen them every Saturday morning and knew who they were.

I remember watching the Bananna Splits every Saturday morning when I was a kid. There were 3 other Bananna Splits in addition to Bingo-Flago ( the dog), Snorkie ( the elephant ) and I forgot the name of the third one. ( Help Jesse, Terpie, Hank or anyone else of a "certain age" like me.) I also remember how they had cartoon shorts on the show ( The Arabian Nights and The Three Musketeers) as well as a serial ( Danger Island-oh, oh, Chongo!!!!!)

Drooper (lion). Markr I remember those Saturdays as well and even goofing around with them at KI too.