Kings Island GM: Son of Beast will not open

Acoustic Viscosity said:
Like Andy would get ANY enjoyment out of SoB.

In some ways, I'm relieved it won't be open so I don't have to ride it "to see how bad it was" and ruin the rest of my day at the park.

http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/oxford-new...and-603110.html

Here's another article about SOB reopening. Here are some highlight quotes:

Scheid said he has asked three engineering firms to submit proposals for a long-term fix. One firm’s proposal was unsatisfactory he said, and he is waiting for the others.

Kings Island officials said at the time they would decide the ride’s future during the off-season. Scheid said the park hasn’t talked about tearing down the ride.

I hope the Texas Giant retro-fit works for all of the hype it's getting. If it's as good as it seems it could save so many good roller coasters. But without the loop SOB is run of the mill average in my opinion. I say bring the rectangular steel track and the loop back. It will be better than it was the day it opened.

The artical says they have spent 30 million on repairs to son of beast.

Woulden't it have chaeper and have gave them better press if they were just to tear it down and build a new coaster in it's place?

How much did el toro and vayage cost?

Voyage cost 8.5 million to build.

El toro cost 12 million to build.

Keep in mind the article says $30 million for both construction and repairs.

"MASON — It’s unlikely the Son of Beast will open at Kings Island's opening day in April, but it could open sometime in 2010, park officials said"

Notice the article says "could," not would. Not getting my hopes up.

"Scheid said he’s not ready to give up on the major investment just yet."

Doesn't mean a suitable solution will be found and the ride may never reopen. I'm not a doom-sayer, just trying to see the whole story.

crazy horse said:
The artical says they have spent 30 million on repairs to son of beast.

Woulden't it have chaeper and have gave them better press if they were just to tear it down and build a new coaster in it's place?

How much did el toro and vayage cost?

Voyage cost 8.5 million to build.

El toro cost 12 million to build.

Dude... At the risk of further entrenching my reputation as a jerk-face, I have to say something. While I truly appreciate the positives you bring to the community, especially your photos, your total disregard for reasonably effective communication is getting very old. It wouldn't be so bad if you were to choose to completely ignore grammar, capitalization or spelling, but all freaking three?!? I mean, I can forgive the grammar stuff, but don't all browsers automatically check spelling? And how hard is it to capitalize once in a while?

Also, I'm pretty sure it's spelled "TAER" it down.

Eh, he's probably posting from one of those iPhone virtual keyboards or something...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

If there was ever a wooden coaster that needed the Texas Giant treatment, it's SOB. Put wooden rails on it, put the loop back in, and it might actually be okay. Honestly, it's not my least favorite coaster ever, in fact, at this point I rate the Coney Island Cyclone and Psyclone worse, but SOB, while to me re-ridable, was pretty rough. I could have liked it, though.

I'm super curious about who the engineering groups being considered are. It says they already turned one offer down. Hopefully it wasn't GG and the Timberliner option? Or maybe a plan involving a reprofile from first drop to MCBR?

If it's costing $10M to retrofit Texas Giant, unless something miraculous happens, I can't imagine a retrofit on SoB would be worth the cost. I mean, you're talking the price of a brand new Intamin Plug n' Play.

Also involved in the cost would be tearing down SOB and land clearing all over again. Of course I know Dave had something posted before about keeping the lift hill and a few other sections and making it an out and back, that way it can stay the tallest and possibly add some other 'est to it!

Call it revenge of the Beast, or the step-son of beast

RideMan said:
Eh, he's probably posting from one of those iPhone virtual keyboards or something...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

My Droid has Spell Check.

As does my iPhone.

I think if you're Gravity Group, you avoid getting involved entirely so as not to put your reputation at risk.

I always Loved Son of Beast. I understand others hating it but to me I loved the ride. I also understand them keeping it closed for part of the season for hopefully treatment. I think they should fix it and also readd the loo----- no.. add a Barrel Roll in it (first wooden coaster with a barrel roll? I like it!). Putting the loop back in is fine.. Hopefully they open it up later in 2010. Its still a Must ride in my book (also ride it 5+ a day).

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. the rosebowl and the track bending on the second hill is the major problem with that thing. The Trains could use padding, too.

Looks like a no go for 2010.. Shocker...

http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/oxford-news/son-of-beast-wont-open-...07408.html

So apparently at this point they're not considering destroying it but trying to fix it.

In my opinion, 'fixing' something that has been total garbage for its entire decade-long existence is pointless. Give up already...