Paramount's Kings Island - 4/18/04

More tyo come in a future upcoming Trip Report. But I returned to PKI on May 2nd, rode Beast and had two enjoyable rides up in the front of the train.

I suspect I just ahd the misfortune of a bad car on 4/18/04.

I also seem to remember Beast in the glory years, back when they played music while you waited. I don't know if you would class it as Dance, Party, or what, but the crowd got into the music, and it did make for a party atmosphere on the platform. It was just good upbeat peppy music.

That and there used to be shouts and cheers and whatnot both as the train left, and as the train returned to the station. It just seems like the whole Beast 'atmosphere' is gone.

I have ridden The Beast about 10 times this year, and not much of change, have been in the front and back. My most painful ride was last saturday in the front seat, but it was raining also, hence my face was red for a good 20 mintues

-rctfreak

Back in 79, and into the early 80s the atmosphere was indeed quite a bit diffferent. I have always felt that that helped to build the "legend" of the Beast. Sure, it was and still is a unique coaster. Having ridden more than a few coasters over the years, I will confess to it not being at the top of my list. However, I tend to not put coasters in exact lists, but rather almost "unique experiences" type lists, as well as how they made me feel. Same thing along the lines of the earlier SRM events, the first Shivering Timbers event, and other unique times that gave a good coaster a boost to me personally.

I have always felt it is about the experience. The time in the parks. Both with my family as well as by myself. To me, it is much more than coaster counts and top lists.(And friends and family shake their head at me when they ask me how many coasters I have ridden, and I tell them:"To be honest, I do not know. Somewhere in the hundreds.")

Seeing how the parks operate. The atmosphere of the park. The atmosphere of the rides. The rides themselves. Looking at the efficiency of the staff as well as always looking to see if things could be done differently. Oh, and trying to have fun, without searching or forcing it to happen.