Kings Island removing Son of Beast

They don't need it. ;)

sws said:

Regulus said:

Any bets on CP's Mean Streak?

Moving to Michigan's Adventure??

No, Michigan's Adventure is getting an admission increase. Mean Streak is going to Dorney.

What's with the crazy short witty jokes lately, sws. Are you practicing to be a stand up comic? lol

I would LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! to see Mean Streak become The New Mean Streak!

I actually enjoyed it the few times I was able to ride it (once in 2000, twice after the loop was gone), so will miss it in the sense I'll never get another ride, but otherwise am very "meh" about it leaving.

There aren't too many woodies that I can think of that get that kind of speed, height, and length.



There's a reason for that.

That's what she said...

I also kinda liked the ride, although I'm pretty good at riding woodies defensively. I disagree the loop was the only good part - the first drop was quite exhilarating! Awesome view from the front seat, and the back had some decent air going over. If the valley wasn't washboarding at the time, it and the ascent/right turn were good. The rosebowls sucked... the first was jarring at the bottom and slow at the top (too big), and the 2nd was just slow and boring. The rest just kinda meandered around. Overall the ride was average, but that first drop was worth the (usually) short wait.

This is the only ride I have ever bought the on-ride photo for, back when it had the loop. Glad my buddy/ridemate talked me into purchasing it (it was his first -- and only - ride :) Neat collector item now...

Son of Beast, $20M

Tomb Raider: The Ride, $20M

Stupid Paramount.

Curious if that price tag for SoB includes all of the renovations? I suspect the total far exceeds that amount.

LostKause said:

What's with the crazy short witty jokes lately, sws. Are you practicing to be a stand up comic? lol

Nah, just early onset dementia.

I've noticed for the most part, most Wooden Coasters over 15 stories high become maintenance headaches after the first year or two. From all accounts KI's Son of Beast and SFFT's Rattler became "Credit and Forget it" Rides that you only rode ONCE because of the Painful, Bone-Jarring Rides they produced. Naturally the parks got complaints, and the number of riders who rode it decreased with every passing year. Finally the decision came to remove them, and replace them with something different. I have not heard anything good about CP's "Mean Squeak", so I am wondering if it's days are numbered as well.

I'm very saddened by this news. SoB, Drachen Fire, and Steel Phantom are my favorite fun, non-headache-inducing coasters ever.As long as I still have Gwazi.

According to this article, about $30 million has gone into SOB. At least going into 2010.

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2010/03/kings_island_hop...r_not.html

Wooden roller coasters have gotten awesome lately. They are able to twist and turn in a way in band new ways that make some of the larger woodies uninteresting. You can just do more thrills for less money and a smaller space and building these epically large rides aren't necessary anymore.

It will probably take somebody getting hurt on Mean Streak for them to consider removing it, as bad as that sounds.

I get hurt on Mean Streak every time I ride it...does that count?

I think Mean Streak is nearing the end too. When you think about it, all of the other huge, poorly-engineered wooden coasters that plagued roughly the 90's are all pretty much gone or renovated.

-Hercules, Son of Beast, and Psyclone were torn down.

-Texas Giant was renovated.

-Rattler is being closed.

Really at this point the only huge dud still around is Mean Streak. The time is ripe for change.

I am happy I had a front seat ride when SOB(still had the loop) during Beastbuzz 2003. Sure it was rough, but the loop was the best part(as others had said.) It was just a matter of time before it would be taken down.

Well, as of tomorrow, Cedar Point will have closed 2 coasters this year, something that would have been blasphemy just a few years ago. I'd say MS is safe for another 3-4 years minimum.

I was thinking now they are taking down Sob and Raging wolfbobs at Geauga Lake, Mabe they are going to add them to Dorney as "Raging son of wolf beast". Just a thought.

Son of Bob.

A parent should never have to bury their child. In this case however, I'm ok with it.