Son of Beast does not get the respect it derserves

Incidentalist,

That's the shoot I was just talking about. She was sitting in the front doing a play-by-play. I believe she designed the trains or had a big part in doing so. If I remember correctly, we never saw her later in the day after her play-by-play was finished.

-Sean

I give PKI kudos for thinking outside the box with this coaster but due to various reasons SOB completely sucks.

Where shall I start. First off going with RCCA was a big mistake as practically every coaster that they're involved with ends up in court for roughness and other issues. They can't build for ****. Then there's the trains. You gotta love that nice hard seam of fiberglass at the right spot to rub on my then fresh scars from knee surgery as we went over SOB's numerous bumps. I'd rather have Kidney Stones then having my knee hurt like that for another five minutes and I'm not even going into the rest of the train made for masochists. The loop, actually that's the only good part of the ride. The tracking well the easiest way to describe how it feels is to drive 70mph over speed bumps without suspension. The layout does nothing for me. They have some nice terrain at PKI and it's a shame that it wasn't used.

In general SOB is the ONLY coaster that I will never ride again unless I personally see God show up like in Monty Python & The Holy Grail and declare that it's rideable. I seriously doubt that's going to happen so I'm one less person in line in front of those few SOB fans.

Have Fun

Paul Drabek *** Edited 3/16/2005 1:55:41 PM UTC by Paul Drabek***

All I've got to say is do not ride it with a full bladder. It was so bouncy and long that I almost had an accident (praise the ride ops who had the other train out of the station, and for having a bathroom nearby).

Now as for the Rattler, I've got to say there are some redeeming qualities to it, all except for that stupid up and down helix section (deemed the "Pain Chamber" by one of the people on our tour), which is quite possibly one of the stupidest things ever designed.

I rode it once at BeastBuzz last year and that will be my last ride on it as well, even though I do plan on going back to PKI because it's a wonderful park. I ended up dislocating my shoulder somewhere after the first drop and having it reconnect somewhere after the loop. I had shoulder pain for months afterwards. That's how rough that monster of a ride is. SOB is the only coaster I have ever vowed never to ride again.

Well, I like SOB, and will continue riding it. However, I wouldn't want to marathon on that one. You would probably need a good MRI after a marathon.

There are rides Im not a huge fan of, but I'll ride them maybe once or twice a season like Mean Streak Or Mantis or Chang. Son Of Beast however, after riding it only a few times I have given up hope and just plain hate the thing. Its a killer, I can barely walk afterward. The person who designed the trains obviously has never ridden a coaster.

SOB definately a rough ride! I'm 6'2" and my legs definately do get banged up. But, if I sit in the middle seat of the car and lean forward off the seatback I'm fine. I lean forward on Mean Streak and it makes it tolerable.

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Paul Drabek said:
In general SOB is the ONLY coaster that I will never ride again unless I personally see God show up like in Monty Python & The Holy Grail and declare that it's rideable.

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And even then, I'd be inclined to tell God he's wrong. ;)

My one and only "experience" with SoB was the Summer of 2000 where I was greeted at the park's entrance by the infamous sign that read "Son of Beast will not be operating today, sorry." Or whatever the wording was.

I was really pissed off at the time, but it almost sounds like it was for the best. Then again, I still would have wanted to ride and formulate an opinion for myself.

Intamin Fan I completely agree about Rattler "Pain Chamber." If that lame triple helix was replaced by an out-&-back run, that would make Rattler an excelent ride.

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Lord Gonchar said:

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Paul Drabek said:
In general SOB is the ONLY coaster that I will never ride again unless I personally see God show up like in Monty Python & The Holy Grail and declare that it's rideable.

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And even then, I'd be inclined to tell God he's wrong.

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Well true but out of respect I'd then take it for a ride before swearting off of it yet again.

GOD: Paul! Paul!
PAUL: Yes, my lord!
GOD: What are you doing?
PAUL: I'm averting my eyes, oh Lord!
GOD: Well, stop it! It's like those miserable psalms, they're so depressing. Now knock it off!
PAUL: Yes, my Lord.
GOD: I have chosen to give you a task to make you an example in these times.
PAUL: Good idea, oh Lord!
GOD: Course it's a good idea!

etc.

Rattler would move up a LOT in my estimation just by letting the train RUN through that triple-helix rather than CRAWLING thru it...at worst, it'd minimize the amount of time being bored waiting for the real fun to resume...;)

Sonny would be HELPED by better trains, but I still think it suffers from *layout malaise*...

The comments about SOB being rough are expected, but I'm shocked by how many people have said they got really beaten up on it. Not that I'm doubting it, I just never realized it was that rough. I usually ride it at least once per visit, but I have never sat in anything but a middle seat. I guess I've gotten lucky that it hasn't beaten the tar out of me (yet).

As much as I hate to say it, the word that usually comes to mind when I think of Sonny is boring. The drop and loop are fun, but other than that the layout does nothing for me -- especially those two giant helices. As others have said, if it used the terrain more or had a couple of airtime hills it might be more fun. Going around in giant circles several times just isn't my cup of tea.

- Aaron K

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Den said:
GOD: Paul! Paul!
PAUL: Yes, my lord!
GOD: What are you doing?
PAUL: I'm averting my eyes, oh Lord!
GOD: Well, stop it! It's like those miserable psalms, they're so depressing. Now knock it off!
PAUL: Yes, my Lord.
GOD: I have chosen to give you a task to make you an example in these times.
PAUL: Good idea, oh Lord!
GOD: Course it's a good idea!

etc.

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LOL

But, Son of Beast is not a terrain coaster. I believe it was meant to be a giant wooden twister(rct term) ,for lack of better description. Anyway, I don't find it boring and it's the only coaster I know of that has helices that freakin' large.

I usually ride it at least once per visit, but I have never sat in anything but a middle seat. I guess I've gotten lucky that it hasn't beaten the tar out of me (yet).

You answered your own question. Try a wheel seat next time and let us know how your ride experience was.

I rode twice in the MIDDLE seats and all I have to say is WOW. I thought this was one of the best wood coasters I have ridden. I liked it a lot more than Racer and The Beast.

However, I have NOT sat in a "wheel" seat. When I went to PKI for the first time last year, I was the only one of my six friends who did not get a wheel seat at least once. They said the difference is unbelievable. They also said that if they had sat in the wheel seat the first time, there is no way they would have wanted to go on it again. I'm amazed at what a different ride the two seats give. It's really too bad.

The concept is great. Who doesn't like the idea of a looping, hyper woodie? The ride itself is beautiful. I've never seen anything like it. I guess the trains are where the ride went wrong.

If you're tall, I guess the ride is downright abusive. Personally, I love it and think it should be rated one of the best wooden coasters in the world. Still, I'm not too tall and have never sat above the wheels. ;)

*** Edited 3/16/2005 11:01:41 PM UTC by UBRhino***

One of the best? *chokes on chewing gum*

Seriously, tho...you totally made me check your track record.

I was never beaten up on SOB, but I just wasn't all that impressed. It was rough but at least interesting, which I'll never hold against a woodie. Hell, I even like Iron Wolf--as long as I'm not smacking branches with my outstretched arms!

It just surprised me how much I preferred SOB's occasional hop or two to the rest of the ride.

I don't hate it, but I wouldn't wait longer than 20 minutes tops to get on board. That's just me.

-'Playa

I went on the SOB and I hated it. Maybe I should take into consideration that I rode on the first ride of the day, and it hadn't warmed up, but I hated it so much that I would never want to go on it again. I didn't like the design, the roughness, and how people seem so enthusiastic about a ride like that.

Maybe I should ride it again.

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UBRhino said:
I rode twice in the MIDDLE seats and all I have to say is WOW. I thought this was once of the best wood coasters I have ridden. I liked it a lot more than Racer and The Beast.

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Ok UBRhino you need to make the trek about 3 hours west of PKI to where I live and I'll show you what a great wood coaster is.

Have Fun

Paul Drabek *** Edited 3/16/2005 10:58:19 PM UTC by Paul Drabek***