Son of Beast closes

I know for a fact that CF has contacted coaster companies over what can be done with the ride. I wouldn't count it out yet. However I wouldn't count out removal either

Interesting news, Charles. Thanks for the update!

The future of SOB has me very intrigued.

Well, given the most recent additions to CP's stable, why not just call it "Intimidating Beast?" Better yet, "Revenge of the Son of Beast!"

Beastinator.

Didn't we have this exact same discussion when they removed the loop?

Charles Nungester said: I know for a fact that CF has contacted coaster companies over what can be done with the ride. I wouldn't count it out yet. However I wouldn't count out removal either

"Hello, GCI? It's me, Cedar Fair. We have this situation with a large wooden coaster at our park north of Cincinnati and--"

"Son of Beast? We wouldn't touch that with a 10-foot bent!"

"Oh, ok...thanks." (sound of phone dialing) "Hello, Gravity Group? It's me, Cedar Fair. We have this situation with a large wooden coaster at our park north of Cincinnati and--"

"Son of Beast? Thanks, but no." (click! dial tone)

(sound of phone dialing) "Hello, Intamin? It's me, Cedar Fair. We have this situation with a large wooden coaster at our--" (click! dial tone) "...Hello? Hello? Are you there?"

Ah, but Cedar Fair isn't a lightweight anymore. It is a corporate giant with real heft in the industry. I'm sure it could go to those aforementioned companies and at least one (if not all of them) would jump at the chance to fix SoB if it were part of a multi-park, multi-ride deal.

Or another possible scenario...

"Yeah, this is Kings Island. We're wondering if you would be able to do anything with Son of Beast..."

"Hmmm...Maybe. Do you still have that loop lying around somewhere?"

Seriously, bear in mind what I said before. "Doing something" with the ride could very well mean something in the Steel Phantom sense. There's a nice piece of ground there which features a dull and unpleasant coaster that has a few rather interesting pieces. What could be done with a 218-foot lift hill built along that hillside? I could see a decent ride coming out of that place, with marketable statistics obtained at a discount over building a new ride of the same magnitude.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Wishful thinking all around but it's not going to happen.

Moosh your statment about HELLO GCII? TGG ect. Is true to a point.

When the ride was built bids were accepted and I know one company purposfully way overbid the ride as NOT TO GET THE CONTRACT!

GCII has already worked on it, G trains replacement. I bet theres been more invested in the ride than its initial cost. Who knows untill they actually demolish it or blowed it up real good?

Charles Nungester said: When the ride was built bids were accepted and I know one company purposfully way overbid the ride as NOT TO GET THE CONTRACT!

Exactly. There were some smart manufacturers who didn't want to touch this project no matter what the money. What makes you think they've changed their mind now?

Maybe someone has something to prove or a product to showcase. Like I said before the drop isn't the problem. It's already there and difficult to remove.

I agree with the fact the ride is damaged goods. It would take radical changes to be totally different. The rosebowl removal isn't negotiable.

I am thinking the station of SoB could easily be converted for construction of the tallest, fastest, longest inverted coaster by B&M in the world by 2012 : )

All it would take would be about 50 tons of dynomite and 1,000 tons of steel.

Charles Nungester said:
I agree with the fact the ride is damaged goods. It would take radical changes to be totally different. The rosebowl removal isn't negotiable.

...or at least it shouldn't be. Shouldn't have been three years ago.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Regarding Rideman's suggestion:

Just guessing of course....

Option#1
SOB total removal cost: $4,000,000
Major new coaster cost: $20,000,000
Total: $24,000,000

or...

Option #2
Rose bowl + misc track removal cost: $1,000,000
New track design and build cost: $6,000,000
New trains: $3,000,000
Total: $10,000,000

Kennywood proved twice that the public will happily accept a coaster with a modified (improved) layout as a new one.

It's possible that The Gravity Group might believe the rewards of pulling off option #2 outweigh the risks.
"Our engineers and our trains turned Son of Beast into a profitable ride loved by the public. What can TGG do for you?".

Again, the costs above are just guesses. I wonder if I am that far off though...

Charles Nungester said:
Like I said before the drop isn't the problem. It's already there and difficult to remove.

Give me a bulldozer and I'll give it a shot.

buckeye brad said: Again, the costs above are just guesses. I wonder if I am that far off though...

It's obvious you want the ride to stay and be modified as your "option 1" costs are way too high and your "option 2" costs are way too low.

Vater said:

Give me a bulldozer and I'll give it a shot.

This is like name that tune... I'll one up you and say give me a lighter and full gas can. :)

That'd work, and might be more visually appealing, but I personally feel my method would be more fun. :)