I am a die-hard roller coaster fan. About 14-15 years ago, my husband took me to Busch Gardens, just to see how I would handle riding a big coaster. It scared me to death even as I fell in love with the thrill. Hundreds of coasters later, I still enjoy it.
That is why the following news saddened me:
On October 4, destruction began on this record breaking coaster at King's Island:
From the Dayton Daily News:
Wikipedia Photo
Wikipedia Photo
I was fortunate enough to ride this coaster the summer of 2005 and before the loop was removed. Like any twisting wood coaster, it was rough, but far less rough than The Beast itself. I remember the loop, as it was a surreal feeling to enter a loop on a wooden coaster. I enjoyed it and road Son of Beast several times.
Now it is gone. And all I have is this t-shirt:
Any ride or park from your memory now wiped from existance?
At least you have the tee-shirt! You're a lot braver than I am with the roller coasters. :)
ReplyDeleteI miss the Pavilion at Myrtle Beach. :)
What a waste of money.
ReplyDeleteIf you rode the Beast, I bet you've ridden the Magnum and Millennium at Cedar Point, no?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I don't mind height and speed, but I'm to the point where intense shaking is not my thing.
ReplyDeleteEm-Musing, I've ridden both and have a t-short for Millennium Force. I preferred Magnum though. Funner ride. However, did NOT like Cedar Point. Too busy. I didn't even ride five of the coasters and spent most of my day standing in line.
I no longer ride coasters of any kind. But many years ago I rode the one at the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. I assume its still there. Today it would probably be considered tame, but for me, plunging into dark tunnels was very scary. I rode it twice.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Kings Island but before Son of Beast opned so I missed that one.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not a coaster fan, my kids love the coasters at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, VA. Haven't been there in a long time. Sorry about the Beast!
ReplyDeleteJo, I checked their website, and all of the coasters are recent, so the one you rode probably isn't there anymore.
ReplyDeleteStephen, now you'll never ride it.
Karen, Busch Gardens is my favorite and I LOVE Apollo's Chariot.
Karen, I landed at LaGuardia airport in NY, and that's it!
That's cool you have the t-shirt! I love roller coasters too! There's nothing like that thrill. I haven't been to an amusement park in a couple years, though. Dorney Park and Hershey Park are two of my favorites! It's too hard to pick a favorite roller coaster. I love them all!
ReplyDeleteNever thought of doing that Diane. How sad, it has great memories for me.
ReplyDeleteI went to Busch Gradens (eons ago) but when I went, it was Lochness Monster, The Big Bad Wolf, and some other roller coaster. I remember it was light blue...No Son of Beast though. :(
ReplyDeleteThat's a scary ride just to look at. I'm not a huge coaster fan, but I've ridden my share. The things we do and call it fun :)
ReplyDeleteI can jog to Hershey Park if I want to, which I never do. Not a ride park fan, mostly because I hate crowds.
ReplyDeleteThe park seems to put up a new coaster about every three years.
Jennifer, Son of Beast was at King's Island in Ohio. However, The Loch Ness Monster is still at Busch Gardens. The Big Bad Wolf and Drachen Fire (the blue one you remember) have since been torn down.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I would love to go to Hershey Park. I'd be the only guest not tempted by the chocolate.
I used to like roller coasters as a kid. The older I get though, the less adventurous I am.
ReplyDeleteYou know; people JUMP from tall buildings and bridges and I don't see those coming down.
.......dhole
End of an era.
ReplyDeleteI can't do roller coasters. I get that whirly feeling inside like I'm dropping from the sky. *shudder* Love the t-shirt!
ReplyDeleteI think I've been on a rollercoaster ride ONCE in my entire lifetime... and certainly not one as magnificent as Son Of Beast...
ReplyDeleteCool t-shirt but unfortunate about the ride. The Canadian National Exhibition grounds has/had my first 'grown up' wooden rollercoaster I rode called The Flyer. I am not sure if it is still there but definitely, like yours, in my memory.
ReplyDeleteBummer. I use to live close to an amusement park and and seen many roller coasters come and go.
ReplyDeleteI remember driving with my dad when I was younger in one of those old Minis - the original ones, not the bigger Coopers you see today.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's the end of my story.
It was just terrifying to get on the road in a tiny, tiny car and have 18-wheelers miss you by a slice of lemon...
Pheww... breaking out in a sweat :)
I don't think I can even remember riding a wooden rollercoaster. I'm not sure there are any in the UK! It would be a very different experience, I'm sure. A great shame for the Son of Beast.
ReplyDeleteAt Alton Towers, part of one of the dismantled rollercoaster's tracks is preserved as a sort of monument at the entrance to the park. I thought that was pretty cool.
This looks like a great coaster. I haven't been on a roller coaster in a long time, but I used to love 'em.
ReplyDeleteThe park from my childhood that is long gone is Puritas Springs in Cleveland, Ohio. They had a wild old wooden coaster (the only kind back then) that went through the trees and looked very scary to me as a child. I never rode it though my mother did and confirmed its scariness. There are some great stories and pics on line about this classic old park and the roller coaster, parts of which still remain as a relic to the past.
Lee
Tossing It Out
If people were injured then it makes sense that they got rid of it although I understand your sadness. Big hug, hon.
ReplyDeleteJai
Donna, good point.
ReplyDeleteLynn, you can always do a search to see if it's still there.
Mark, that sounds scarier than a coaster.
Nick, the rcdb has a whole list of UK parks and many do have wooden coasters - http://www.rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=3&ol=26828
Lee, there's a site called Defunct Amusement Parks - I bet it's listed there - http://www.defunctparks.com/
Jai, only one injury was blamed on the ride, which is sad.
I'm a huge roller-coaster fan, but not in love with wooden ones. They always hurt me. It's is sad to think of the waste of money, though.
ReplyDeleteAwww, RIP SOB.
ReplyDeleteI don't really care for roller coasters, but I do enjoy seeing other people enjoying them:)
I'll give you $45 for this Son Of Beast shirt because I'm a die hard Son Of Beast fan:):):)!!!
ReplyDelete