What should Cedar Point do to improve the mean Streak or should they just give up?

Ensign Smith said:
The Beast isn't remotely a top 5 coaster anymore. Not even top 5 wood. Or even further, not even top 5 modern woodie.

Well what I meant was a top 5 roller coaster for Kings Island. Like their fearsome five. It would be similar to how Cedar Point considers, Millennium Force, Magnum, Maverick, Raptor, and Top Thrill Dragster

The Beast is still in my top 10 coasters of any kind. A coaster does not have to be the tallest, fastest, or smoothest to have a special place on someone's "list".

Ensign Smith said:
Why does it have to be record-breaking? Without a doubt, I'd much rather ride a 70 - 95' tall GCI than some 210' monstrosity that will shake your teeth out of your face regardless of the track or the trains.

I've been saying this on these forums for months, we all know the coaster wars are over. I HOPE HOPE HOPE that amusement parks, Cedar Fair in particular, starts to see that record breaking rides are not always the most fun.

As far as MS goes I don't think its in as bad of shape as everyone here seems too, I actually still enjoy it. Sure its rough, but if you sit toward the middle, brace with your leg's and hold your posture (butt as far back in the seat as it goes, and back straight) its not that bad. I would love to see CP totally re track MS (totally wood, not like Texas giant) brand new modern trains and give it new life.

I've been saying this on these forums for months, we all know the coaster wars are over. I HOPE HOPE HOPE that amusement parks, Cedar Fair in particular, starts to see that record breaking rides are not always the most fun.

AMEN.

Kevinj said:
The Beast is still in my top 10 coasters of any kind. A coaster does not have to be the tallest, fastest, or smoothest to have a special place on someone's "list".

The fact that Beast isn't the tallest, fastest, or even smoothest, has little to do with it not being on my "list". The fact that it's been trimmed the hell out of (including the cardinal sin of first drop) has much more to do with it, for me.

KevinL332 said:
As far as MS goes I don't think its in as bad of shape as everyone here seems too, I actually still enjoy it. Sure its rough, but if you sit toward the middle, brace with your leg's and hold your posture (butt as far back in the seat as it goes, and back straight) its not that bad. I would love to see CP totally re track MS (totally wood, not like Texas giant) brand new modern trains and give it new life.

A ride that takes that much work and knowledge to even get a okay result, should tell you something about the ride itself... That it's a bad ride!

pointperson said:

KevinL332 said:
As far as MS goes I don't think its in as bad of shape as everyone here seems too, I actually still enjoy it. Sure its rough, but if you sit toward the middle, brace with your leg's and hold your posture (butt as far back in the seat as it goes, and back straight) its not that bad. I would love to see CP totally re track MS (totally wood, not like Texas giant) brand new modern trains and give it new life.

A ride that takes that much work and knowledge to even get a okay result, should tell you something about the ride itself... That it's a bad ride!

all I said is don't slouch and have good posture! most people I see riding it don't.. just be aware of the fact your on a Roller Coaster not sitting in your car seat. Keep your back in proper alignment and the ride is still rough, but still fun, and you wont get hurt riding it. That's no secreat knowlage lol just common sense to me!

I understand what you were saying and agree upon it. But your post made me think of all the crazy "ride techniques" coaster nerds come up with. The people that have step by step instructions of turn leaning, head forward, head back, lapbar position, etc. Your post doesn't represent this but it reminded me of all the crazy instructions people have to ride.

Ensign Smith said:The fact that it's been trimmed the hell out of (including the cardinal sin of first drop) has much more to do with it, for me.

I've been on it only a few times but I cant imagine the intensity of those turns without those trims. The drop didn't bother me too much and it's understandable why they're there. But it does feel like I missed out on an insane ride.

I think we all did. My first ride ever was "trimmed", and I still loved it. It doesn't ruin the whole experience like it does on MS for me. Then again, I don't have any pre-Cedar Fair experience with the ride.

From discussions I have had, however, the myth of a "trimless" Beast that just runs wild through the woods is simply that; a myth. The magnetic trims may be more noticeable, but it has always been trimmed in the shed portion on the ride. The brake on the first hill, however, may be a different story.

If you didn't ride Mean Streak within the first two months of opening, you missed out on a descent ride. It has been said by other people that Mean Streaks layout besically prevents it from being a great ride. But, when it was brand spanking new it was semi-smooth and fast. I rode it a bunch in may and June of it's opening year, and then didn't ride it again untill September and it had changed quite a bit.

And the trims on the top of the hill made me stop ridding this. I haven't ridden it for at least 5 yrs. And I never had a untrimmed ride from the MCBR on Mean Streak.

That's a really cool video of the beast! its changed a lot since 79. more tunnels were added after the first season and fifth season I believe. The tires placed on the side of the track threw me off. At first I thought they were boosters, and was really upset that i missed out on that.. but I assume they were slowing the train down? When were they replaced? I know from the Disney channel special in 85 that there we gone than.

The Beast will always have a special place in my heart, I grew up reading R.L. Stine (yes I know) but didn't get to ride the best until years after reading The Beast and The Beast 2, But the kid in my always imagines going back in time while flying through the woods :)

I had 4 or 5 precious rides in Beast's opening season before they trimmed the first drop. It was altogether a magnificent experience. If only they could add those much-vaunted Timberliners and get rid of that first trim, it might reclaim its former glory. And as far as the shed trim, back then I remember it being seldom more than the slightest touch, a brake-kiss if you will, not the velocity-stealing hog it later became.

That's what I have heard, Ensign. That is, the magnetic brakes are so much more noticeable than the old ones.

Still sits at number 7 on my personal "poll". :)

I rank it at #52 out of 177 coasters ridden to date (per my Track Record over at Coasterbuzz).

Which is another part of the equation. In relation to most people (I assume) who frequent these boards, I "haven't gotten out much". My coaster count would be somewhere around 100.

Trust me, you and I are both in the lower percentages, as compared to some folks over at C'Buzz and other sites.

::cough cough:: TPR ::cough cough::

PointofView said:
You can't determine it to be a lost cause before SoB is declared a lost cause and torn down.

Sure I can. The ride is terrible. End of story. There is so many better things that could occupy that large parcel of land that would be much more fun to ride.

The people that defend mean streak are usually ones that haven't ridden very many real wooden coasters.

You should get that nasty cough checked out, Adam. ;)