Son of Beast To Be Partly Rebuilt

[Guest kwindshawne]

I'd expect a similar situation as happened with Flight Commander. Adter the Flight Commander incident that ride reopened to almost walk-on waits. The park did let it operate there for a few more years but when it became clear that it wasn't going to regain its popularity, it was yanked.

Thanks in part to how today's news media works, Son of Beast has been murdered in the news outlets (possibly with merit, perhaps not, too early to tell) and my small window into public opinion on the ride is not good.

I'm still on the fence in the demolish it/reopen it camp, I think though that if it does reopen it will never play to a large queue, then again I don't often recall seeing large queues for the ride before the incident. For myself, I have already passed judgement on the ride, I didn't really like the ride before the incident, so just speaking for myself, I have taken my last ride on it.

Oh, and you suggested giving the ride an overhaul and removing the SOB name before reopening it, legend has it that the late great famed Riverview park in Chicago did that when they had coaster incidents. Let the coaster sit SBNO a couple season, then give it a new paint scheme and a new name and reopen it as a new ride!

I never liked it either really, but I thought maybe it was because I was getting older and just not able to handle the roughness. I remember thinking I wouldn't ride it anymore when i was on it the week before. Me being the daredevil I am, I kept at it even though it wasn't one of my favorite rides. But, the design just isn't that great-one of the measurements must be wrong and the whole thing is off. Who knows. Unless they do something totally different with an overhaul, i probably won't ride it again.

[Browntggrr]

I went on June 6th and that coaster was packed!

If you can remember just one specific day that it actually had a line, does that not tell you something?

And you also have to remember that SoB was only open for just over two weeks (it opened 5/20/06) and after the extended downtime to make the modifications everyone was excited to see if the changes worked.

[Scooby_Doo]

I went on June 6th and that coaster was packed!

If you can remember just one specific day that it actually had a line, does that not tell you something?

And you also have to remember that SoB was only open for just over two weeks (it opened 5/20/06) and after the extended downtime to make the modifications everyone was excited to see if the changes worked.

Yeah I remember that day because that was my last visit to the park I rode it in the moring when I got at the park it was my first coaster of the day it was closed up in the afternoon however.

I honestly am sick of hearing ''SoB is gonna get torn down'' for crying out loud people NO ONE knows whats to come yet.

[marlfox_21]

I have a feeling that Cedar Fair knows all too well what they are doing.

When I came to visit the park last week for the first and due to WinterFest's cancellation ( now my only time ) this season, I could not help but to notice an all too familiar site. The Son of Beast stuck up on a lifthill. I've got pictures of this thing being stuck up there before.

And despite the fact that Cedar Fair knows better than most, my opinion still differs from their current actions taken. Let's assume that this ride IS actually fixed in the immediate area involving the incident with the ride this year. If the coasters history says anything, it is very simply put "history repeats itself"

The ride will faulter again. Maybe not in the same area. But next year, by this point in the year, the ride will most likely ( for some reason or another ) be sitting on that lifthill, AGAIN, like it has a long sad history of doing each and every year.

I hate deforestation. After all, I am a naturalist. And I know that this is virtually impossible, but tear the thing down, and use the salvagable wood to construct a slightly smaller ( but more dependable ) wooden coaster that would not necessarily be shooting for records, but be aiming instead at being both safe and fun.

Or more realistically, just tear the thing down, and let it join beetle, bat, scooby's ghoster coaster, King Cobra, and demon in the parks hall of shame.

[Scooby_Doo]

^ SoB is fun thats why I love it so much because its fun! Not to metion the ugh..Records I mean going upside down on SoB is insanely fun

[vortex31]

I have to agree. Tear SOB down and rebuild a tamer woodie. Look at Holiday World, they don't have the biggest woodies around but they do have great ones. KI doesn't need the poor reputation that SOB has given the park forshadowing its future growth and popularity. SOB is dead wether it reopens or not. The polls on PKI Central prove it.

[Kenban]

I have to agree. Tear SOB down and rebuild a tamer woodie. Look at Holiday World, they don't have the biggest woodies around but they do have great ones. KI doesn't need the poor reputation that SOB has given the park forshadowing its future growth and popularity. SOB is dead wether it reopens or not. The polls on PKI Central prove it.

I have been wondering if they could reuse the wood... Have gravity group come in and build dueling wooden coasters. You could still go with the animal names calling it The Pack or The Hunt.

[King Bowser]

I have to agree. Tear SOB down and rebuild a tamer woodie. Look at Holiday World, they don't have the biggest woodies around but they do have great ones. KI doesn't need the poor reputation that SOB has given the park forshadowing its future growth and popularity. SOB is dead wether it reopens or not. The polls on PKI Central prove it.

Those polls have nothing to do with the general public those are for Kings Island Fans.And how in the world did SoB give PKI a bad rep? I always see teens and adults flocking to SoB .I say keep SoB but re-build the parts that need fixed the most.Also Holiday Worlds coasters arent all that I still perfer SoB and The Beast than the Voyage and Raven.

look all rides have problems for instance Stitch's Great Escape broke down and 20 people got hurt recently but Disney World has hidden that from the general public crap happens.

[vortex31]

I think if PKI continues to band-aid SOB and any more problems/accidents occur as a result of it's continued problems it would definately hurt PKI's reputation. Why would anyone want to go to an amusement park if they were to continue to operate an unsafe ride. If SOB does resume operation ,PKI had better have done their homework and got it wright. If not I smell trouble brewing.

[screamslikeagirl]

One thing that concerns me is, will this happen to other sections of the ride? What caused it in this very section? I know this isn't something that they can predict or explain, but I do think people will want to be reassured that this was an isolated incident.

[The Interpreter]

One thing that concerns me is, will this happen to other sections of the ride? What caused it in this very section? I know this isn't something that they can predict or explain, but I do think people will want to be reassured that this was an isolated incident.

Hence the state's request that they repair the one section and allow testing of the entire ride...along with the parts removed as a part of that process...The investigation is not complete.

[screamslikeagirl]

One thing that concerns me is, will this happen to other sections of the ride? What caused it in this very section?  I know this isn't something that they can predict or explain, but I do think people will want to be reassured that this was an isolated incident.

Hence the state's request that they repair the one section and allow testing of the entire ride...along with the parts removed as a part of that process...The investigation is not complete.

Oh I understand that. I just mean, people are going to be skeptical and want to be assured it won't happen again. However, I don't think that is a reassurance ANYONE can give.

I mean, they can test the ride until the end of time, but that doesn't guarantee it won't happen again. Which may make people apprehensive about getting back on it.

[Flight Of The Dead]

I think if PKI continues to band-aid SOB and any more problems/accidents occur as a result of it's continued problems it would definately hurt PKI's reputation. Why would anyone want to go to an amusement park if they were to continue to operate an unsafe ride. If SOB does resume operation ,PKI had better have done their homework and got it wright. If not I smell trouble brewing.

Umm fairs arnt safe but people always go to them and nothing really is wrong with sob, always say, the jerkyer the better! I have a feeling that your scared to ride the ride and have never rode it, what im tryin to say is,

!!shut up Kong fu guy!!

[The Interpreter]

Umm fairs arnt safe but people always go to them    and nothing really is wrong with sob, always say, the jerkyer the better! I have a feeling that your scared to ride the ride and have never rode it, what im tryin to say is,

!!shut up Kong fu guy!!

a. The Outdoor Amusement Business Association would no doubt like a word with you. The number one cause of injury at fairs is falls, usually caused by tripping. The number one cause of injury at amusement parks and permanent attractions is falls, usually caused by tripping. What is the basis for your statement that fairs aren't safe? Well??

b. Nothing really is wrong with SOB? Silly State of Ohio. Silly insurance companies. Silly Cedar Fair. Silly CBS. Silly injured people. Silly lawyers.

Why on earth are they doing an INVESTIGATION when they could have simply gone to YOU, who no doubt will guarantee the safety of all riders with your massive assets. Why, if something happens to someone afterwards, they could own your....uh, dog?

NO ONE KNOWS, including you, what really is wrong with SOB. And something sure was. Or there would nothing to investigate. Posts that say nothing is really wrong with SOB do not help the park you seem to love so much.

In closing, I have one question. Could you look the woman whose chest bone was broken...look her right in the eye and tell her, perhaps while she is crying remembering the incident and the day she went to Kings Island to have fun, that nothing is really wrong with Son of Beast? If you can, you really ought to stop and think. What is life about? An inanimate wooden roller coaster is more important than people? Your little less than five minute ride experience is more important than someone's life? (And it could have come to that, if something is really, really wrong with Son of Beast). What if it were YOUR Mom, YOUR Dad, or YOU?

[Browntggrr]

Umm fairs arnt safe but people always go to them and nothing really is wrong with sob, always say, the jerkyer the better!

So are you actually saying that this is a fluke accident and it should be ignored?

[vortex31]

Flight Of The Dead......

As a matter of fact I have ridden SOB many times and find it very rough and unenjoyable. Therfore I won't ride again if it reopens.

[king_cobra_27]

I think if PKI continues to band-aid SOB and any more problems/accidents occur as a result of it's continued problems it would definately hurt PKI's reputation. Why would anyone want to go to an amusement park if they were to continue to operate an unsafe ride. If SOB does resume operation ,PKI had better have done their homework and got it wright. If not I smell trouble brewing.

Umm fairs arnt safe but people always go to them and nothing really is wrong with sob, always say, the jerkyer the better! I have a feeling that your scared to ride the ride and have never rode it, what im tryin to say is,

!!shut up Kong fu guy!!

The jerkyer the better. And on top of this, you are telling someone to shut up simply because you do not like what it is that they have to say.

I am not telling you to shut up. BUT I DO ASK THAT YOU KEEP READING

To begin with, that was an incredibly immature statement. What you need to realize is that when certain things happen, like say someone goes to an amusement park and obeys all rules set forth to have a safe and fulfilling day.

This person is sober. They are not doing anything to hurt themselves or others.

And yet, as a result of doing something as simple as sitting down on a roller coaster, a ride that people have been getting on and off of safely all day, right before your eyes, you return to the station and the next thing that you know, you are being sent to the hospital with a broken bone. An actual physical injury caused by what was advertised to you to be safe. Now, any other plans that you may have had are gone. You are seperated from your family. And you might be on vacation far from your home, with no idea how to tell anyone directions to your hospital, or anything. And chances are that this injury will weaken her for the rest of her life, even after it heals. And all that you can worry about is when this ride that can be replaced is going to reopen. For that matter, who even cares if it is replaced. I personally don't care if it reopens. If you do, I can understand clinging onto good memories. I have great memories of riding the Son of Beast. But I also feel that it is unforgivable when someone gets hurt. It is a blessing that nobody was killed. If they rebuild the track, I pray for peoples safety that they do it correctly. If they decide at some point to destroy the ride, I am all for that decision. Moreso than the 1st.

Imagine yourself being behind what you consider to be the nicest car that you have ever seen. One that you would love to have. And then, suddenly the car goes out of control and wrecks. Would you stop and think to yourself, Oh I hope that the car is alright. or would you think, Oh, I hope that those people are alright.

This sounds kinda goofy right. Well, your statement about the Son of Beast incident makes you seem like you are the kind of person that would be more worried about the car.

[CoastersRZ]

I agree to a point. Yes, the park has a serious issue that they have to look at. How to fix Son of Beast so that it doesn`t result in similar injuries in the future. I think the bottom line is clear. The state of Ohio, Cedar Fair or Kings Island will not open the ride until they are 100% confident that it will run safely. And yes, as a guest at the park, you do not expect to get injured by a ride when you ride it.

While your car analagy is a nice point, there are some major differences. Since this is a multi-million dollar attraction, people are going to want to see it reopened as it is a fixture at the park. Yes, it is sad and unfortunate that people were injured on it, but just because there were injuries on it does not mean the ride should be scrapped. Injuries happen all the time at amusement parks (although more often than not they are rider misconduct). I think that Kings Island and Cedar Fair are evaluating what to do exactly with Son of Beast. They are probably deciding if rebuilding it and coping with the high maintenance costs is worth the questionable ride experience. Personally, I have my doubts whether the ride will reopen, or whether it will become the next Bat. I think though, that they will try to make it work, since they have sunk a lot of money into the ride.

[King Bowser]

^^I dunno about you ..I would say I hope the car is alright.

Yeah people got hurt and they are pointing the finger to which they have no clue how well KI inspects the rides every morning ...let me just say coasters are safe,rides are safe but.. sh*t happens.

Yeah I'm sorry that someone got hurt but these things happen look at disney for crying out loud!!!

CoastersRZ I agree with you whole Heartly.

[Browntggrr]

Yeah I'm sorry that someone got hurt but these things happen look at disney for crying out loud!!!

The issues at Disney were not because the ride malfunctioned, but because of pre-existing health problems with each person.

The poblems with SoB and the issues at Disney are completely different.

[Kenban]

Yeah I'm sorry that someone got hurt but these things happen look at disney for crying out loud!!!

Walt Disney World has over 42 million guests a year between the 4 parks. When you have that many guests there is bound to be people who have medical problems.

[TheKlockster]

This was taken July 16th... Turns out it was just broken. Still funny though.

[flightoffear1996]

You should take it off and use it. LOL or just use the zoom on the camera.

Hey does anyone know if those free things are still up there?

[Scooby_Doo]

Yeah I'm sorry that someone got hurt but these things happen look at disney for crying out loud!!!

The issues at Disney were not because the ride malfunctioned, but because of pre-existing health problems with each person.

The poblems with SoB and the issues at Disney are completely different.

No I think he is talking about on Screamscape it was reported that during the Stitch show the animatronic apparently exploded and hydraulic fluid flew all over the audience. Disney kept it from the news by giving them more comps than a Vegas casino probably, I guess they don't really need anymore injuries on the news that happened at WDW.

[The Interpreter]

And to be fair, most of the problems with Thunder Mountain Railway at Disneyland have had nothing to do with guests' medical problems....

[Gordon Bombay]

Doesnt that ride wanna make you cut loose liek foot loose?

CombatStupendous89, an awful person.

[The Interpreter]

That isn't what the reference in the Nick parade was to?

[Kenban]

Yeah I'm sorry that someone got hurt but these things happen look at disney for crying out loud!!!

The issues at Disney were not because the ride malfunctioned, but because of pre-existing health problems with each person.

The poblems with SoB and the issues at Disney are completely different.

No I think he is talking about on Screamscape it was reported that during the Stitch show the animatronic apparently exploded and hydraulic fluid flew all over the audience. Disney kept it from the news by giving them more comps than a Vegas casino probably, I guess they don't really need anymore injuries on the news that happened at WDW.

This has been discussed and someone who was there has even posted on a Disney forum. It was not the stitch AA but Sarge who is part of the preshow. Second no one was actually hurt. There is not enough hydraulic fluid to spray over the entire audience. A line burst or came loose which ruined some clothing but thats it. Unless your allergic to hydraulic fluid which is VERY rare the only way it could hurt you is if it is heated (which is common with hydraulics), you get it in your eyes, or you swallow some.

How the story got blown up from replacing clothes to hush money I have no idea. Also where screamscape got the idea there was injuries I have no idea about either.

[The Interpreter]

Screamscape is SOOOO reliable. Not.

[Kenban]

And to be fair, most of the problems with Thunder Mountain Railway at Disneyland have had nothing to do with guests' medical problems....

Now there is a ride that has had problems. 3 accidents in less then a year. The first had one death and 10 people injured. The other two were minor.