Son of Beast closes

The Beast was not an out and back, and SoB was meant to emulate and/or be similar to Papa Beast.

As for why there are 2, I'm not sure. But it is not hard to argue that the best part of Beast is the double helix tunnel, especially at night. Maybe they thought by adding 2 of those...plus a loop and a big drop, they would have a winner.

It is also still questioned why they didn't use any tunnels on SoB. Some claim track maintenance concerns.

The best part of The Beast is the final brake run...because it means the torture is over.

Mamoosh said:
The best part of The Beast is the final brake run...because it means the torture is over.

You expected to ride a beast unscathed? Sheesh

^^^SOB to emulate Beast? There aren't enough brakes on SOB...

Beast has a drop of 45, 32 and 18 degrees. I dunno, SOB is a big mess.

As for riding Beast now, I haven't ridden it since 2005. But the last time I did, being pinned to my seat with a wonderful (sarcasm) PTC 'ratchet bar' for 5 minutes is not my idea of fun. At least before those bars were installed, you were much more comfortable for the nice scenery.

I expected a ride named "The Beast" wouldn't be a total snoozefest.

^It used to not be, a snoozefest :)

It wasn't meant to be one. Is now though. The track is still under all the brakes; not to mention the silly train modifications over the years.

It wasn't when I got my first ride the year it opened.

Gosh Moosh.....your old ;)

45 as of this past June :)

Crazy world we live in. The Beast is still my second favorite woodie right behind El Toro. The first drop into the tunnel still gets me, and the speed after the second hill in the tunnels feels amazing.

Then again, I'm only 33. What does a baby like me know? ;)

Mamoosh said:
45 as of this past June :)

Whippersnapper. I'm 46 next month. September 12. Trying to decide if I can hit my 275th coaster that weekend. Don't know if I'll be financially capable, but the candidates are:

Sky Rocket....Griffon...Intimidator

Any thoughts? I've been to all three parks before.

Swamp Fox.

Good choice Tekwardo :)

dan smith said:
Who had the great idea about putting two helix's in the ride layout?

I think the logic was that since the helix is the best element of The Beast, why not have TWO helixes? The obvious oversight being that just because it's the best element on the Beast, doesn't mean it's actually any good.

;)

I think it was to add length

^That's what she said!

I can see the design meeting now...

drop - rose bowl - MCBR - loop - ?

What to do? Another double helix! Yes, that's it! Then we can have 3 train operation!

Tekwardo said:
Swamp Fox.

Was that for me? Thanks, Tek (and Jason, who agreed) The park is still open then, and I tried to go when I was in SC in '08...but it was only open at night that day. Myrtle Beach is a little further than I wanted to travel this time, but SF looks like a pretty nice ride.

The layout isn't that bad really. My only complaint is the length of the mcbr. However, as seen on the Beast and Twister at Knoebel's, helices are intense crowd pleasers. My first ride on SoB back in 2003 was (hold onto your seat) smooth as any of the best woodies. The loop actually seemed dull in comparison to the sheer intensity of the rose bowl and the concluding two helices. The Beast at night was better, but SoB was very intense if not one of the most intense rides I have ridden. Of course the ride in its current state is virtually unrideable, but I would rather see the ride stay as a twister, because Racer and Diamonback fill the park's need for out and back air. Finally, change the name, because it's insulting to the legacy of The Beast to attempt to mock it.

You're confusing "intensity" with "roughness." They are not the same.