Son of Beast closes

I can't help but wonder if it is the end of SOB as well. But, have we heard any more news on the Texas Giant re-fit? Is it possible Intamin has developed a way to use the pre-fab track on an existing structure?

The employees that operate the Beast are not privy to information regarding Son of Beast. In short, they don't know anything, so take what they say with a grain of salt.

I'm still surprised so many people think that changing the trains again will "fix" it somehow. This ride is doomed. Time to start talking about something else.

Pagoda Gift Shop said:
The employees that operate the Beast are not privy to information regarding Son of Beast. In short, they don't know anything, so take what they say with a grain of salt.

I'm still surprised so many people think that changing the trains again will "fix" it somehow. This ride is doomed. Time to start talking about something else.

To recoop costs, they should sell bottles of cheap vodka with a rag in it and a lighter for $2,000 a pop, then let people have at the structure.

BRUN IT DOWN!1!!!1!!!!!

Record-breaker or not, this thing is just an albatross now. The Paramount folks were the ones who made the bad decision to build the dumb thing, so Cedar Fair should cut their losses.

Sure, there will be a few peeps who would be upset, but it all hinges on the replacement. If whatever replaces SoB is a winner from the word go, SoB will be a distant memory pretty quick.

This is kind of a bad situation for KI, since they just got Diamondback in 2009. I doubt they are slated to receive big cap ex for next year, which means SOB will probably have to stand unused for at least a season or two. Kind of sucks when it's the ride most visible from the interstate beyond the parking lot.

I think Sonny will go down as one of *those* rides...like the Bat or DF, where you'll have kids 10 years from now saying "man, you got to ride that? You are sooo lucky". Little will they know the reality...

^Except everyone who rode the Bat I know enjoyed it. Drachen Fire on the other hand (from personal experience) was horrible. SOB at its best is tolerable.

^ yea SOB was tolerable at its best. If my kids say "wow you got to ride that" Ill say yea and i did not enjoy it! I hope its the end of SOB.

Soggy said:
Sure, there will be a few peeps who would be upset, but it all hinges on the replacement. If whatever replaces SoB is a winner from the word go, SoB will be a distant memory pretty quick.

They don't even need a decent replacement for SOB for people to forget it, Hydra isn't that great of a ride, but i've never noticed anyone complaining that it replaced Hercules...man, that ride hurt...a lot!

I must be one of the only people in the world that didn't hate Drachen Fire. I rode it in what turned out to be its last year. The people i was with said it was not even worth riding, but we did anyway and it didn't bother me one bit (though it was certainly unspecatular). I was also 20 years old and my body wasn't as prone to pains from rough coaster riding. It also broke my friend's glasses, so maybe i just lucked out ;)

I suppose not. Just saying that a "good" replacement would quell the concerns of those who actually do like SoB. If for no other reason than the fact that non-enthusiasts love record smashers, quality or not.

If any of you think a major capital investment is coming KI's way next year after Diamondback this year I'll like some of what you are smoking.

Either SoB is going to reopen next year, be SBNO, or be torn down but I highly doubt a major ride replacing it.

Who said anything about it happening next year? Now excuse me while I go out for a smoke...

I think they should announce the demolition sometime in early November, then it could be gone by opening day.

I wonder if Intamin would be up for a replacement if they were approached, loop and all.

I would guess that Intamin with the plug and play technology could reach the great heights of SOB without all the abuse. Plus I doubt it would be a problem to add the loop back into the mix...

If they rebuilt with a much more amusing layout, I would love the idea. El-Toro meets SOB...

Again, you can't just assume that Intamin's track system can just be plopped on any structure. Given the solid nature of that track, it's going to behave and distribute forces much differently than laminated track. And with one structural failure already, do you really think they'd want to inherit that mess? It's not worth the risk.

Plus, for the cost involved in doing that would it be worth it?

They could build an awsome new woody in place of sob for much less than what that would cost.

Maybe build Voyage II...=)

What do you think of this idea? Keep the last bit of the track, station, lift hill and first drop. Build an out and back track somewhat due east (looking at google maps) to the river and/or property line and then return. I'm thinking that this would save costs of building an entirely new coaster, do away with the aweful helixes where I think most of the beatings take place, and yet would still give the park a tall, fast and long coaster.

Or replace the track with B&M steel on the same wooden frame. ;)