Date Ridden: Four different occasions since 2006. Times Ridden: Six total with three of those being in the front seat.
The Beast is one temperamental thrill ride. Of our six rides, 4 of them have been among our most memorable rides of all time (in a good way) while the other two have been absolutely horrible. First let's discuss the bad.
Last fall on our way back from Cedar Point, we stopped in on Sunday to get a quick ride on the Beast before heading home. What occurred can best be described as torture. The ride itself is world's longest wooden coaster both in length (well over a mile) and in ride time (over 5 minutes). The ride was so rough that at one point Guy and myself crashed heads. I was actually hoping the ride would break down and we could walk back to the station through the dense forest the track takes you through.
Also, on our first trip to Cedar Point, we caught a back seat ride that was almost as bad. These two rides are probably the two worst rides I have ever had on a wooden coaster. However, the Beast also delivers the goods in a mighty way.
When riding in the front car (approximately an extra 15 minute wait), there are very few wooden coasters that can match it. The ride itself takes you out through the woods, through numerous pitch black tunnels, traverses two separate lift hills, and finishes with a 720 degree double helix that seems to be among the fastest elements ever placed on a wooden coaster of this size. If you go back and read our Magnum review, you will find that we had much better rides on the 200 foot steel monster when we avoided riding above the wheels. That is a theory that we have yet to test on the Beast but will try out on our next trip up there. There has to be some reason for the drastic differences in the half-dozen rides we have had.
A few days ago, we worked it out where we would be at KI for one of the famous night rides on this creature. We waited the extra time for the front and it was definitely worth it. It was on this ride that the Beast proved its top ten status as the 8th ranked wooden coaster in the world. There were areas of the track back in the wilderness that were completely dark with the riders having no clue which direction the train was going to go next. The ride itself is totally devoid of any airtime, but the speed, laterals, and intensity more than make up for it. The train (despite the presence of numerous trim brakes) seems to move really fast and take the few turns at breakneck speeds.
The total experience is an absolute must for any coaster enthusiast. I would really like to give the Beast a 10 based on the outstanding rides I have had, but am going to keep it at a 9 due to the fact that two rides were horrible. I am also debating on whether this deserves a spot back in the Coaster Reviews Top 20. Based on our last ride (or probably any ride it night) it probably does. Do not be surprised if you log on one day to find the Beast sitting proudly around the # 15 overall position in our rankings. It is a great ride and deserves all of the acclaim that it receives.
Overall Rating - 9
Ride the Beast below.
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