Hey guys,

Just DB with a question reguarding the history of KI. I know that The Beast at one point in time had water beneath the station and first turn of the ride back in the 80s. But why and when did they drain the water? And is this the same water from the lake with the canoe ride?

Thanks,

DBI

They drained it because it was a stagnant pool with no filtration or cycling system. The water just sat without moving day in and day out. It then became more of a swamp than a lake, drawing bugs and even worse, trash.

It has been stated on these forums by KIPR that it was drained during Vortex construction if I remember correctly.

I remember the water after Vortex being there,i was a kid so i could be wrong but im pretty sure? Somebody who really knows please give the real answer to this question,ive heard several reasons but i was to young to remember.

ok i was trying to find his post about it but cant remember what topic it was under but someone recently asked this question and Don himself answered it, he stated the water was drained a few years before Vortex's construction for the reasons stated above

As said, it was being more of a pain than a great thing! Now i could see a certain use of materials to make a new version of the "lake", with a filtration system, live fish, and the use of soil and rocks. A little known fact, if you go to The Beast after a rain, you will see the old lake persay!

It is not a big deal, but.....

I still have questions when the lake was removed as I can remember vividly in the mid 90's the lake still being present.

I brought my then g/f to KI for her first trip and remeber her getting sprayed in the front train queue near the paddle wheel (it was something about her hair ).

See this thread:

http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php?/topic/25507-kid-on-beast-1985/page__fromsearch__1

^ Yeah, I've seen that.

I just really remember the lake being there much longer than 8 years.

I believe when the exit ramp modification was done is when the lake was removed.

oops...

o heres his quote i was close- "The pond was removed after the 1986 season when Vortex was being built."

I didn't start going to KI until 1988 and I remember the pond being there.

I'd love to see a return of some kind with water. Rivertown really has lost touch with the original idea it was based off of. We lost the Mining Co area, Swan Lake, Beast Lake, KCKC, Kings Mills Log Flume (when the ride was originally park of Rivertown), the Back porch stage, The old west show during the train ride, and most importantly... trees. I really don't feel that "old water town" presence it once had.

The pov of Vortex on youtube showes The Beast lake was there when Vortex was.http://youtu.be/mEcQyO77p7E

Speaking of ponds,ive always wondered why Backlot doesnt have water anymore,my only guess is people throwing coins and hitting riders???? Im sure its been posted but i havent been on here very long.

There was no lake in the POV

And the water was removed to do the erosion it was doing to the track. (Someone double check me on that please)

Thanks Cobra - I was just moving from Mobile device to Computer to check, but didn't see any water in the POV.

As for the erosion concern, not sure I buy that as the water only contacted the concrete foundation (footers/footings - I never remember which) as shown in this picture (copied from TopGun1993 - Flashback to Opening thread)

Oh, Sorry I should have clarified, I was talking about JR's question about the missing water from IJST...erm...BLSC...my bad!

My husband and I got in an argument at Kings Island yesterday about the water feature at The Beast. I said it's never been there in our lifetime (mid 90s).

I've told him you experts say it was late 80's when the water feature was removed, even if it's not true. I have to be right.

I believe The Beast lake was removed in '86 for the opening of The Vortex in '87.

This is correct.

I still remember going to Vortex opening day 1987, and riding The Beast right after an amazing first ride on Vortex.

My friends and I were surprised at the new waterless landscaping under The Beast.

Then we looked over at the nearby Vortex lift hill and first turnaround, and figured that their construction must have required some land flattening and subsequent draining of the water under The Beast line and station. 

I’ve also read that The Beast water was a collector of trash and a breeding ground for mosquitoes, so the park may have been already looking for an excuse to drain it. 
 

The water did look very cool though. I’d like to see the mill wheel turned on again and have at least a small concrete pond underneath to restore some of the original theming. 

I think a lot of the confusion on when The Beast's water was removed is due to the fact there were two halves, with water on either side of the station. Here's a photo from 1986, courtesy ODOT:

The water on the bottom right was removed with Vortex's introduction in 1987. But the water on the top left coexisted with Vortex for at least the 1987 season. 

On 8/17/2024 at 10:18 AM, TombraiderTy said:

I think a lot of the confusion on when The Beast's water was removed is due to the fact there were two halves, with water on either side of the station. Here's a photo from 1986, courtesy ODOT:

The water on the bottom right was removed with Vortex's introduction in 1987. But the water on the top left coexisted with Vortex for at least the 1987 season. 

WOW that looks amazing - Were those tables by the queue house

When I first read the subject line I thought maybe the park had started marketing bottled water themed after The Beast 

As we move ever closer to The Beast's 50th anniversary season, do you think adding the pond back under the turnaround would be a project that Kings Island (and Six Flags) would be willing to invest in? I really think it might be, especially if that section of track already needs rebuilt for any reason. They could get the mill effects back up and running while they're at it as well.

What else could they invest in for the occasion? I think a new Rivertown expansion replacing the TR:TR building would be nice. These next few years might also be a good time to figure out how to improve the ride experience going through the first brake shed. I know it slows the train down to a near halt to reduce wear and tear on the track, but is there a better solution that could involve a new section of track layout right there? The easiest rebuild solution could be adding a counterclockwise helix coming out of the brake shed and going into the second tunnel. I don't know if it would wholly solve the issue, but it would at least allow the train to use some of its energy before continuing toward the second lift hill. It'd also add more track and ensure that the length record is kept.

Why mess with a layout that has worked well, and likely exceeded any expectations that were laid for nearly 50 years?

I don't think it's needed, I was just wondering if it would allow the train to not almost completely stop in the brake shed. Every time I read someone say "they should turn off the trim brakes on The Beast [because it slows down too much]" it makes me think about what would actually make that happen. It's also a fun little thought experiment considering it's probably easier to do for wood coasters than steel coasters.

3 hours ago, Losantiville Mining Co. said:

As we move ever closer to The Beast's 50th anniversary season, do you think adding the pond back under the turnaround would be a project that Kings Island (and Six Flags) would be willing to invest in? I really think it might be, especially if that section of track already needs rebuilt for any reason. They could get the mill effects back up and running while they're at it as well.

What else could they invest in for the occasion? I think a new Rivertown expansion replacing the TR:TR building would be nice. These next few years might also be a good time to figure out how to improve the ride experience going through the first brake shed. I know it slows the train down to a near halt to reduce wear and tear on the track, but is there a better solution that could involve a new section of track layout right there? The easiest rebuild solution could be adding a counterclockwise helix coming out of the brake shed and going into the second tunnel. I don't know if it would wholly solve the issue, but it would at least allow the train to use some of its energy before continuing toward the second lift hill. It'd also add more track and ensure that the length record is kept.

Love the idea. It sounds like six flags are going too invest in more theming and immersive experiences which I’m all for so I could see bringing back the water and theming for the station/Queue but not counting on it. Love the idea of the extension after the brake shed it’s always needed something done with that just a boring straight stretch of track with major trim brakes. One could hope but also not counting on it haha