What has become of the Beast?

I know exactly what your saying Dexter.

I don't get the Beast either. The design is like your first Roller Coaster Tycoon ride where you can't figure out how to get the train back into the station, and you have to make another lift, or a really straight piece of track at the end cause you can't afford anymore hills. :)

Now, its even more weird because of the trim brakes that squeeze off the speed right when its starting to get crazy.

All these "enthusiasts" and we can't think of any coaster built via 1979-1989 that deserves a top billing?

Methinks...The Beast...as bad as it has become...may have aged better than any wooden coaster from this era...

P.S. I'm pretty sure The Beast design was cost related...the ground-hugging had to cost a lot less than building something that long with a bunch of air...

*** Edited 6/19/2007 8:57:05 PM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

I like Phoenix better.

As far as coasters built during that era which still get great praise:
How about Big Bad Wolf? The GP still digs Vortex at Kings Island, right? Great American Scream Machine at SFGAdv?

Timber Wolf is the only woodie I can think of that was built during that time and was regarded by many as the best woodie ever, but it's far from being *that ride* these days. Oh wait, Riverside Cyclone is another.

I like Phoenix better too (hard to say when it truly was built though)...used to like TW a lot (have not ridden in over ten years).

Frankly...the best lesson learned (should have been learned) from that era is that behemoth woodies are not the route to go. You have to wonder how long some of these will be around. Hercules has already bit it. Rattler would seem to be a prime candidate for future considerations…specifically if that park ever gets another small woodie.

Anyhow it is all opinion…but The Beast and its deteriorating status among the enthusiast community basically parallels most woodies from that era. I would argue The Beast is actually holding up better…but that is my opinion of course. Suffice to say…should other woodies from that era hit the chopping block, I’m guessing The Beast will get a stay much longer than most.

I’m actually amazed at how many “young ones” still hold a fond place for The Beast in their hearts. As far as I can tell…there are not too many old farts (like me) who rode this thing in pristine 4-bench condition. I would have thought the haters would have out-numbered us fanboys by a lot... but that does not seem to be the case.

My last dozen or so rides over the past decade have been a disheartening slap to memory lane. I too have suffered through some tough shuffling…or even worse…an apathetic drag through the woods with nary a g-force to be found. It baffles me that there are new school supporters of the ride. I can only guess the setting and night-time atmosphere has served to mask a lot of flaws.

With such a premium placed on real-estate and a decreased probability of appropriate terrain…The Beast will probably always be a “one-of-a-kind.” There are very few (any?) modern coaster rides that could not easily be cloned given appropriate motivation and resources. But The Beast would be a monumental challenge for anybody. I’m guessing this simple “originality factor” might get the coaster another 30 years.

*** Edited 6/19/2007 10:02:40 PM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

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Jeffrey R Smith said:
I would have thought the haters would have out-numbered us fanboys by a lot... but that does not seem to be the case.

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I think among enthusiasts at least that is the case. Otherwise the ride would rank a lot better on Mitch's poll. Maybe "haters" isn't the right word, I think there are a lot of people who don't hate the ride, but can just kinda take it or leave it.

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dexter said:
I'm not attacking anyone (not directly anyways), not even my least favorite poster (of whom I never named).

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Right, you've never named him. But you've brought him up three times in this thread alone. We get it. *** Edited 6/19/2007 10:44:16 PM UTC by matt.***

You're right. I did bring his name up, but I seriously am not attacking him. I even respect HIS opinion.

Is that a fact? ;)

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The hallmark of a bad coaster: you have to avoid certain rows in order to get a good ride.

*** Edited 6/18/2007 3:53:48 AM UTC by Mamoosh***

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I would say the hallmark of a bad coaster is not getting a good ride on any seat!

I like the Beast. Yes, this is still in my top 5 wooden coasters. Then again, I thought some of the wooden coasters that people almost worship such as Legend and Georgia Cyclone were horrible.

Whether you like it or not, the Beast is one of the most original rides ever.

Just look at these pictures. I can't think of anything that looks this massive and secluded out in the woods.

http://www.rcdb.com/ig67.htm?picture=4
http://www.rcdb.com/ig67.htm?picture=1

How a ride with almost nothing but straight track and a few wide turns gained so much national attention for so long is genius.

I've only had one ride on it, and it made my elbow bleed after multiple hits on the side of the train , but I have to give it merit for being such a classic. Nothing is like the beast.

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Jeffrey R Smith said:

I’m actually amazed at how many “young ones” still hold a fond place for The Beast in their hearts. As far as I can tell…there are not too many old farts (like me) who rode this thing in pristine 4-bench condition. I would have thought the haters would have out-numbered us fanboys by a lot... but that does not seem to be the case.

*** Edited 6/19/2007 10:02:40 PM UTC by Jeffrey R Smith***

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Im one of those"old farts" :)

I rode it in '79,it was much different back then.It was good but I was kinda disappointed with it.I like coasters with airtime and laterals,thats something this coaster isnt(maybe the helix a bit).This coaster is all about speed(back then).But I wont knock it,it is very unique.

Im just not a big Charlie Dinn fan.

I have not yet posted on this website, but this topic compelled me to do so. I have been riding The Beast for 17 years, my first ride was as an 8 year old back in 1990 with my grandfather. The Beast, quite simply is one of the most unique coasters ever built, I also feel that it is still one of the best coasters I have ridden. That being said, I do not feel compelled to force it onto everyone else to like it as much as I do. I rode the Beast this past Saturday June 23rd, and found it much improved over the last few years. The ride as a whole felt smoother, and got 1 car up to the observation stand on lift 2, if you watch the Discovery Channel Video on Youtube of The Beast, you will find that with the skid brakes it gets to the very same point on lift 2, as it does now with the magnetic trims. Incidentally, my father rode The Beast in 1979, it's first year of operation, and said he has yet to find a coaster that lives up to those first few rides. He said he was glad to make it back to the station alive and in one piece! How many coasters conjure up these kind of vivid memories nearly 30 years after the fact? I in fact remember every part of my first ride 17 years ago and it will be with me until the day I die as a most memorable experience. Few roller coasters have left this sort of impression on me.

J.W. Elliott

First rides for me were April 13th 1979 and you will find nobody besides construction and park personel who rode it before that.

Let me just say, The ride experience is drastically different. The coaster track and speed are basically the same as it's been since July79 tho.

No Highbacks, No Brakes, No ratchets painted custom painted trains, Signage and theming. Like a couple other people on this video. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7289711399869627611 I remember it like it was yesterday. When I returned to the park in July 79 I WAS LIKE WHAT THE HELL? with all the brakes.

Chuck, who thought it was rougher than normal back in may but it varies

It's really ashame whappen' to the Beast... I first rode in 1987, and many would probably say it was done before then. But those rides I had those first few years (until the 1989 Beast big birthday bash, got to ride it in the snow!) were outstanding.

The brakes were always there, it was a matter of how they were set that day, week or year. The obnoxious PTC "upgrade" lapbars. The headrests. The seatbelt. Now seatbelts with the housing looking silly on the outside of the trains.

The the painting.

Brown.

ugh! well, I think that mighta been '89, but why?

It was rustic looking, natural in some places, and that pretty red stain in most others. There was some big deal "look we're giving the Beast a new coat of paint!" Marketing scam.

Same park that painted away the red white and blue of the racer and painted it black and white. And took out a hill for good measure!

All that aside, it still is a good ride. And relatively in better condition than most of the 1980's woodies.

The American Eagle had a mean ass reputation for a couple years as well, but it's long gone.

Beasts reputation is still there. It's ok, still good ride. Now Sonny, that was just plain dumb.

The first time I rode the Beast......................

I was 7 years old and barely tall enough to ride, but since my ride on The Beastie (when I was 3) I wanted to ride EVERYTHING.

We went down the first drop into the tunnel. "That was fun/" I was thinking. Turned and went down the 2nd drop. "Weee!" I screamed as I popped out of my seat. "I can't wait to see what come next!"

But nothing else happened.... We got back to the station, and I didn't understand how this was the "Best Coaster ever!"

I was quite dissapointed. But I guess it still holds its share of love from others......

I rode the hell out of it last week at Con and IMO its the best coaster in the park.I did not care for the dividers in the seats though I think they should take those out and it would make it even better. A lot better than Vortex what a piece of crap that ride is.

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DantheCoasterman said:
The first time I rode the Beast......................

I was 7 years old and barely tall enough to ride, but since my ride on The Beastie (when I was 3) I wanted to ride EVERYTHING.

We went down the first drop into the tunnel. "That was fun/" I was thinking. Turned and went down the 2nd drop. "Weee!" I screamed as I popped out of my seat. "I can't wait to see what come next!"

But nothing else happened.... We got back to the station, and I didn't understand how this was the "Best Coaster ever!"

I was quite dissapointed. But I guess it still holds its share of love from others......

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I guess it was so boring you fell asleep after the second drop and missed the helix that even I admitt is one of the best elements and endings to any woodie.

Chuck

^I'll admit, it is pretty intense, but two years after my first ride (I was now 9), as soon as we made that first turn into the tunneled helix my head jerked over and slammed into the side of the train :(. That's why I no longer hold my hands up on it.

But if you happen to be feeling sorry for me ;), don't worry, I only left the park after that ride with a minor concusion.....