If The Beast Was New in 2000...

Would coaster enthusiasts consider The Beast to be as good as we currently do if it were new this year? The Beast has been thrilling us for over 20 years now, and it has achieved legendary status. But would we all think so highly of it if this were its first year? After all, it won that little poll we did last month. Face it, it has little to no airtime (depending on where you sit), it has only 2 steep drops, and the helix is as rough as anything. It is really long, but would people just say stuff like "The only reason it is long is because it has 2 lift hills" or "It's fast, but that's it, no air."

I have a feeling that it would be not as well received if we saw it for the first time in 2000.

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Gotta ride 'em all!

They probably wouldn't build The Beast if it was today.

As it is, it's still pretty amazing. Granted it doesn't have the advantage of the last 20 years of knowledge or the crowd of enthusiasts that have the ability to move around the world as freely as we sometimes do.

Consider the changes in technology, and someone like CCI building it with the same ambition they applied to Boulder Dash, and the knowledge that has been attained since the Beast was built.

Man, I hope someone tries to build the newer version, and we can have this discussion 20 years later about the new one.

Which one of us wouldn't be there for the first chance to ride it ???

It stands the test of time. Yes, there are only a few hills, but this coaster really gives me a rush on pure speed alone. Plus, it still surprises me because of the fact that you can't see it from the park.

It would receive what SOB is receiving today.
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DOWN WITH TRIM BRAKES!

Personally, I believe that it would be almost as well received as it was back in '79, except for the fact that in here in the '90s (2001 is the new millennium, dammit), most people are unfriendly, and wouldn't be as well received because of that, and the fact that it would only break one record.

Well, since the first time I ever rode it was last month, Yes I'd say it's would be a good choice to buid it.

I would say if they were not applying all the trim brakes they are today it would definately be a top wooden coaster if it premiered this year. The Beast is about speed and without most of the trim brakes it is flying. It would still be a record breaker it it premiered. The longest wooden coaster in the world. I think it would be very well received. The Beast at night with no trim brakes. THAT is VERY tough to top!

The Beast is a VERY unique ride...and its a one-of-a-kind ride even today, 20 years after it was built. Sure, I know the ride itself is extremely simple, but looks are deceiving. There are few hills and very little airtime, true, but the ride just has that intangible something that makes a ride great. Maybe it's the fact that it is all about going downhill. The helix is perfect...it fits my definition of the perfect coaster element. The whole ride demonstrates power that so many modern coasters lack.

If the Beast did open today, I believe it would have its share of detractors. The simple reason for this would be the fact that the Beast is a different type of ride than most people are used to. Generally, people think different is bad. Luckily, the Beast has had time to gain a reputation, and today, it is extremely popular.

Here's a question for those of you who were around in '79. What was the initial reaction of riders when the Beast first opened?

I still don't get the Beast hype. I am sorry if I crash your party, but I first rode it when I was 6 and I still don't like it. The only good part is the last helix, but I would rather be on Vortex. It's too low to the ground, the turns are too slow, and there is way to much straight track.
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"I feel like I'm stuck in Stand By Me." - The Ataris

I agree with that partially. But it is still really good, not as good as the Timbers though. I think I just have a hard time accepting it because it is so uinique and different.

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Coasters- a little slice of heaven

I've never been to PKI, but what is so "different" about it (the Beast)? From I see, its straight track.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trashing the ride! I just want to know!


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Name of Ride: Roller Coaster
Yeah, I know its a roller coaster, whats the real name? *** This post was edited by coaster0 on 9/5/2000. ***

All the "straight track" on the Beast is actually a series of speed ramps, each of which is designed to continually accelerate the train as it goes through the course, giving the ride an incredible sensation of speed and power. Yes, in recent years, PKI has decided to add brakes to some of these speed ramps, and the effect is diminished, but on those occassions when the trims are turned off, the trains feel like they want to rip from the track. It's so awesome.

As for what makes the ride unique... what other roller coaster careens through the middle of nowhere, is entirely hidden from view anywhere in its park (with exception of lift hills, of course) and ends with a tight, tunnelled helix at 65 mph?

The layout is simple, but with the right combination of tunnel placement, scenery, and of course, SPEED, everything about the Beast just seems to work perfectly, IMHO.

Can you tell I really like the Beast?
I really want to ride Boulder Dash, because that seems to be somewhat in the same category as the Beast, but from what I've seen of it, I don't think it's as unique.

Both are terrain coasters, but for the most part are completely different.

Boulder Dash has power, smoothness, airtime, and no brakes until the end.

Beast has power, roughness, tunnels, helixes, length, second lift hill, and a lot of history.

Time will tell if Boulder Dash has what it takes to challenge other coasters longterm, but it is a great ride.

The whole apeal of The Beast is somewhat similar to the appeal of Millenium Force beyound the big drop, all out speed. Once the train drops off the first lift hill, it is almost constant acceleration, or so it seems, untill you hit the seccond lift. Combine that with average speeds of around 50 mph with the incredible closeness of the trees and nthe roar of the train coming out of the big tunnel, and the greatest helix ever built IMO, and you have a truely world class coaster, even more so without the stupid breaks.
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Six Flags America IS a Six Flags park!

What do you mean straight? Your definition of straight needs to be clarified. Also if you measured the depression degree of most of those straight sections you would find that there is a decline.

If it were built today I would still love it. There is nothing like a night ride on the Beast. Speeding through the woods in pitch black darkness. You can have your GCI's and CCI's(not that I don't love them too) If I could only ride one woodie in the world it would be the Beast.

Sinker - how am I supposed to know? I said I had never been to PKI. This is just from what is said in the posts above my first.

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Name of Ride: Roller Coaster
Yeah, I know its a roller coaster, whats the real name?

All you see is straight, because everything else is hidden in the forest. I always want to make The Beast in RCT, but until I rode it, I couldn't even begin, because everything but the 2 lifts, drops and helix are hidden by the forest.

The post wasn't intended to be a response to yours. Sorry about that, I should have been more specific of what post I was answering.