I'd like to know what usually happens the first time a coaster train is sent out on its circuit after winter rehab. Do the maintenance people expect it to make it back to the station? Is there anyone riding in it the first time? If not, how long before someone rides it? What is being looked for on the test trips?

I imagine these things are thought of on a daily basis during the regular operating season, but I've never heard much about pre-season testing. Any and all information would be appreciated, but please - no guesses - only facts.

I believe the plastic people (plastic rider shaped things filled with water) are put on the ride...I know that much!

I do know that the ride has to be approved by the state before any human can ride it. So to answer the question if anyone rides on the first test run, the answer would be no.

Theres a race of people called "Test Dummies" they used to have a home at Epcot's Test Track, which now they dont know. They also live at KI but their a different part of that race . Also for your imaginations concern, the rides are infact tested during the regular season, if you ever make it up early enough at The Beast for early ride times, you could see the mechanics getting off the ride for the first ride of the day.

Every ride in the park is tested before the park opens each day. The entire ride (Wooden Roller Coasters) are scaled and inspected by mechanics each and every morning.

Every ride in the park is tested before the park opens each day. The entire ride (Wooden Roller Coasters) are scaled and inspected by mechanics each and every morning.

Man that would be painful for The Beast! How do they walk down the hill?

You know they may only doing that type of thing once a week, I'm not 100% sure....

And those little walkways one the side of the ride I'd assume...

You know they may only doing that type of thing once a week, I'm not 100% sure....

And those little walkways one the side of the ride I'd assume...

The sign in Beast's station says the track is walked every morning. I think this is because they want to make sure nothing from the fireworks is still on the track during the day.

Man that would be painful for The Beast! How do they walk down the hill?

Just think about Son of Beast, with or without the loop...shudder shudder. That gives me nightmares.

You know they may only doing that type of thing once a week, I'm not 100% sure....

And those little walkways one the side of the ride I'd assume...

The sign in Beast's station says the track is walked every morning. I think this is because they want to make sure nothing from the fireworks is still on the track during the day.

I don't think the fireworks part is true. They stop the ride during the fireworks show and then resume the ride after the fireworks have ended until the line is clear.

Several of my friends who work in the rides department (as supervisors) have posted on twitter and facebook that they've been test riding Diamondback, Racer among other rides.

And, generally, when a coaster is walked, it is walked from end to beginning. Up the big drop, not down it. Down the lift hill. Generally.

Invertigo/face off was testing as I drove home last night. I didn't notice any test dummies (or humans for that matter), though at 70 mph from 71, it could have been easily missed.

So to answer the question if anyone rides on the first test run, the answer would be no.

Only a dummy would ride a first test run of the season.

^So that's how they got the name!

And if the dummy gets stuck on the ride during the first test run of the season, they call it a wet dream.

In regards to the steel coasters, the first cycle of the season is done just like any other test cycle; empty. However, weather usually plays a part as to when that first cycle of the season is ran. There is no reason to the think it won't complete the circuit and that's really the only major concern on that first cycle of the year. Employees can ride whenever it is deemed neccesary. A state inspection is not needed for employees to ride.

Anyone know if The Beast has been put back on the track yet? The Kings Island facebook page has been posting other rides but not The Beast. 

I am sure someone knows  (calling my inner Terpy)

There was a video of the lift hill running on the IG a couple of days ago. https://www.instagram.com/p/C5EbRvKJify/ 

19 hours ago, Shawn Meyer said:

Anyone know if The Beast has been put back on the track yet? The Kings Island facebook page has been posting other rides but not The Beast. 

It almost certainly has. In fact, I'd be willing to go as far as saying that there have been several test cycles. It won't be long until the associates are there for training, and the rides need to be ready for that.