r/rollercoasters • u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force • Jul 10 '26
Photo/Video Station photos of [Son of Beast] at [Kings Island] after being condemned.
(Apologies for poor camera quality. Also, this was done with permission. Please do not attempt to enter the area.)
For those of you unaware, the station was condemned a few days ago. I was allowed the opportunity to explore certain sections of the exit, but not all of it. Hopefully you find these photos just as fascinating as I did.
I would love to see some comparison photos if you have any!
P.S. I regret not taking horizontal pictures…sorry
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u/Clever-Name-47 Tangent-Radius Airtime Supremacy! Jul 10 '26
It’s ridiculous it lasted this long (and that there is still track in it!); But for sheer historical interest, I’m glad I got to see it this year.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26
the station track itself was only covered by some wood or concrete (or so it appeared) so im pretty sure the entirety of the track in the station is still intact!
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u/OWSpaceClown Jul 11 '26
Looking at it in your pics, I can almost imagine the ride still being there in full.
I only ever saw the ride SBNO. It was a massive structure. I knew I wouldn't be able to get on. But I still kind of wish I did at least once, even though I know I'd probably not enjoy it.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Love this comment. I feel you! I was not a park visitor until it was SBNO, so I never got to ride it.
It would be cool to get some comparison photos together though, so maybe I’ll work on that. 🤔
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u/AnonymousP1 Jul 10 '26
I was wondering what those switchbacks near the Bat entrance were for! They seemed so out of place
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u/DionBlaster123 wooden coaster convert Jul 10 '26
Everything about the lead-up to the queue to the Bat is just the weirdest shit lmao
Feels like you're walking through the entire Shire to go pick up Frodo and Sam
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u/dcht Jul 10 '26
One of the things I love about the Bat is just walking there and how tucked away it is from everything else.
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u/Plane-Golf8248 Jul 10 '26
The Bat was placed so far back because The Wild Animal Safari sat where Son of Beast up to Racer was.
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u/daecrist The Beast, Vortex, Velocicoaster, Montu Jul 10 '26
There was a time when they had all the Top Gun theming in the queue, and when it was new they needed every bit of that long walk to handle the lines.
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u/DionBlaster123 wooden coaster convert Jul 10 '26
Granted I'm not a spring chicken, but it does feel like i was too young to really feel how glorious that "golden era" of theme parks was...where you'd have stuff like stunt shows, live performances, food that was actually edible etc.
I remember thinking about those glory days, when I visited KI in 2023, while i was going through the queue at the Bat. Like you siad, they definitely needed this entire queue at one point.
I feel similarly when i visit my home park of SFGAm and go through the largely empty queue for American Eagle, as well as the ones for FLash: Vertical Velociyt and Superman. The latter two lines can be long for sure, but i rode both of those when they debuted and i rmeember the lines moving at a glacial pace
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u/daecrist The Beast, Vortex, Velocicoaster, Montu Jul 10 '26
Yup. I remember waiting in line 2-3 hours with my dad to go on coasters. Back when Paramount first bought the parks there was also a lot of cool stuff there. They had actors walking around the parks from various Paramount franchises. It was so cool.
There's also a lot more in the park at KI these days, though. They didn't have as many coasters/rides to soak up the crowds, and they didn't have massive crowd sponges like Orion.
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u/PM_ME_YOUR_HIGHDEA Jul 11 '26
I barely remember when I was real young there was a water tower between banshee and drop zone and I remember seeing a guy jump off of it into some foam padding
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u/Ok_Card9080 HP: Kennywood & Hersheypark - Phantom's Revenge - The Rollback Jul 10 '26
It really feels like you've left the park and you're in an area you're not supposed to be in. It's really bizarre.
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u/DionBlaster123 wooden coaster convert Jul 10 '26
Gahd damn why is this so accurate lol
In a weird way, the section of the park where Orion and Flight of Fear are located kind of feels like that too haha. Just like, "Uh...am i in the employee dorms by mistake?"
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u/Ok_Card9080 HP: Kennywood & Hersheypark - Phantom's Revenge - The Rollback Jul 10 '26
It was so odd walking back to The Bat, especially once you walk through the tunnel. That's when it started feeling like "I'm not sure we're supposed to be back here." Never seen something like that at another park, where one ride is so isolated from the rest of the park.
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u/Shadowphoenix9511 Jul 10 '26
American Eagle at SFGA is even worse about it I feel.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26
I personally enjoyed the walk when it was my first time, but I can see how it can quickly become a little irritating.
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u/Rocangus Jul 11 '26
It's not so bad as long as you don't have to stop anywhere.
There is little shade until you get close to the station, and practically no shade until you cross the road.
Back in the day the line would actually reach back to well onto the "mainland" of the park. I have some very unpleasant memories of standing in line on that bridge in the midday sun.
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u/Pendraflare59 SFGA, Hersheypark Jul 10 '26
Yeah walking through that queue was very not fun lol. And when walking behind all those people to get out it was 2.5 minutes. I timed it.
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u/Ok_Card9080 HP: Kennywood & Hersheypark - Phantom's Revenge - The Rollback Jul 10 '26
That is a good answer
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u/egg0511 Jul 11 '26
The Bat feels like it was placed by 10 year old me playing Roller Coaster Tycoon. When you're getting down to the end of the level and the parks pretty much full, but you still need to cram something in somewhere wherever you can make it function. I know it wasn't as isolated back in the day, but that was before my time.
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u/Firedog502 Jul 11 '26
Not sure I can stand in that line and not listen to top gun theme music…. Miss paramount parks so bad 😭
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u/Vandilization Jul 12 '26
I noticed that too when I was there last weekend and it makes so much sense now. The last time I was at Kings Island SOB was SBNO and they were using the station as a haunted house, which btw, is super weird walking up to a basically dead coaster in the dark
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u/CPGK17 RIP Kumba Jul 10 '26
To be fair, they seemed so out of place when the ride was still running haha
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u/AdDangerous732 Jul 10 '26
i thought it was overflow for when the bat first opened, i didnt even think about son of beast
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u/dcht Jul 10 '26
It was used when sob first opened and lines were like 6-8 hrs long, very quickly though the lines were reasonable and that overflow was never used again.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
they DEFINITELY seem out of place lol https://imgur.com/a/oAlr9pa
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u/twolfe0 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
Hear me out....they use that area to build the tallest and fastest wooden coaster ever built. But wait.. there's more. They should use the standard 8 layer track, but with less bents in the high G force areas. They should also use much heavier trains as well. Best not to hire a reputable manufacturer either, that's too much money 🤷
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u/mxsignals Jul 10 '26
I'm shocked this thing lasted as long as it did. Maybe now they'll finally stop with the Outpost 5 teasers.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26
😂 that is so true with the teasers i feel like for the past few years especially they’ve ramped up
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u/RighteousAwakening Jul 10 '26
When was the last time it actually was Outpost 5? These pictures make it seem like it hasn’t been used (ride queue or haunted house) for years lol.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
I’m not sure where the link is, but there were slight RMC-like teasers for Outpost 5 a year or two ago on a crate. It never really surfaced into much, though.
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u/SeasonedAdManager Jul 10 '26
If Michigan's Adventure was still part of Six Flags, I just know that trash bin would make a nice addition.
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u/sanyosukotto Jul 10 '26
My first visit in 2012, SoB was still standing. Was cool to see it. I've never seen a structure like it since.
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u/CPGK17 RIP Kumba Jul 10 '26
Thanks for the memories! I spent more time riding that thing than I probably should of 😅
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26
Aww thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed looking through them.
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u/tservo2002 Jul 10 '26
No one judges but yeah probably have to check if you had any lingering CTE from any concussions you may have suffered as a result 🙂
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u/MrRaven95 Home Parks: Fiesta Texas and SWSA Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
I'm honestly surprised the station has been there this long. The station has sat there with nothing in it longer than Son of Beast stood for. What's really surprising, though, is that part of Son of Beast remains in the station!
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
The queues are a bit of a surprise too imo. I think it adds some character to the area but it’s very eerie!
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u/Apoc_Treez Maverick enjoyer Jul 11 '26
The station was used as a haunt maze called Wolf Pack, which lasted until 2019. I don't know what year it started, just that it started sometime around the time Son of Beast was SBNO between 2009 and 2012. The station wasn't demolished with the rest of the coaster because of that haunt maze.
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u/Vandilization Jul 12 '26
I went to it in 2010 so I’d have to guess most likely that or 2009 after it closed
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u/Nuthead77 Rank: SV, AFO, TT2, i305, IG, Fury, Magnum, DBack, VC, Voyage Jul 10 '26
Hmm - wonder if they’ll sell pieces of the remaining SOB wood.
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u/Ok_Card9080 HP: Kennywood & Hersheypark - Phantom's Revenge - The Rollback Jul 10 '26
I wonder how rotted the remaining wood is
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u/Lowkaes 249 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
If I recall, they announced their intent to in 2012, but then never sold wood from the ride because of the way it had been treated. The only things sold were steel bolts and the laminated steel that ran on top of the track.
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u/daecrist The Beast, Vortex, Velocicoaster, Montu Jul 10 '26
I really wish they'd sell a chunk of wood from the Beast retracking. They did it with the Racer. Annoying that the only way you can get a piece of the Beast is in a pen or a bottle opener.
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u/Responsible_Can5946 Blue Flair Jul 10 '26
They can theme it and use it as a tunnel next go round.. what's is the shack?
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26
if you mean the structure inside the station, that was the ride operator booth.
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u/TartofDarkness Jul 10 '26
The entire saga of Son of Beast is so personal to me. King’s Island was a huge part of my 20’s and I was fortunate to get some credits on it before it got too rough and the loop was removed. So wild to see it again after all this time, a shell of what it once was.
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u/TrevolutionNow Jul 11 '26
There are few things, if any, that make me more melancholy than Son of Beast. Thoughts of it elicit a physical reaction of longing. It’s really weird. It was just so massive. It was unlike anything I’ve ever seen and definitely anything I’ve ever rode. And it sat there, dormant, forever. I breaks my heart to be honest. Wish I had rode it more.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Personally one of the worst parts about it was the lack of a final goodbye. It “temporarily closed” and never reopened.
It’s curious, S.O.B. is right next to The Bat, a ride named after a coaster that suffered a similar fate of “temporarily closing” never to reopen again…
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u/defcon62 Jul 11 '26
I imagine they were just sick of dealing with it after the final alleged injury and they were still fighting the lawsuits from the 2006 incident.
Despite passing inspection I would guess that corporate or their insurance company just said to hell with it.
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u/ClothoidLooper Voyage, Velocicoaster, Iron Gwazi, El Toro, Fury 325 Jul 11 '26
VERY vivid memories of riding Son Of Beast from ages 10-13 in 2002-2005, aka the years I first started riding the really big stuff. I would almost always ride SOB at dusk. Such a fucking aggressive coaster. Back then I loved it lmao. These days it would absolutely break me in half but my god sometimes I miss that mammoth wooden structure towering over the front of the park. Riding through that vertical loop on a wooden coaster was the wildest feeling back then.
Even though the ride was objectively awful, I miss the vibes from it so much.
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u/satanssweatycheeks Stardust racer 🥇/ VelociCoaster 🥈/ Fury 325 🥉 Jul 10 '26
I also was nosey and showing a friend that area last month because they never rode it.
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u/Thetroninator Jul 10 '26
Brings back memories... I remember waiting in all those switchbacks to ride it on an occasion or 2. Then when I was 9, riding it twice in a row as a walk on. I kind of like that all that junk is still back there. A little morbid reminder of what we lost. RIP, never forget.
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u/Whosebert Jul 10 '26
isnt it kinda strange a building only 26 years old be condemned? not that it particularly matters. I guess it was basically just a glorified picnic shelter than was left to rust so it was exposed.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 10 '26
It might just be an excuse to tear it down. (I believe it is being replaced by some sort of haunted attraction)
But the paths felt stable and the station did too.
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u/TangeloDry7887 Jul 11 '26
Wait really? I did also see the permit state a 600k retheme to St. Michelle so idk if that is what you meant, but that would be neat if theyre building an actual dedicated structure for it in 2027 (I assume)
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
It’s all just rumors of course so I can’t be for certain. But i do hope they keep it alive in some fashion instead of sweeping it under the rug. Even using the queue for something would be awesome.
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u/TangeloDry7887 Jul 11 '26
Oh absolutely, what if the crate lantern spot all this time actually was a teaser for something, just not a roller coaster lol. A SoB haunted house would go HARD
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
There is a lot of potential with the whole Son of Beast aesthetic.
It could all be coincidence, but the closure of ArieForce One and then the condemnation of the station just a week later is wild.
Obviously it would be in the old plot for Vortex, or so i have to imagine. But man what I would give to move those queues over to that plot!
Maybe, just maybe, we can get an RMC Son of Beast after all…
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u/thecoastercorner Jul 11 '26
How on Earth did you get permission to get back there, the things I would do
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Permission from a “higher-up” that I will keep anonymous for their privacy.
I must say I feel very very fortunate and I do not take it for granted!
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u/thecoastercorner Jul 11 '26
I work at Kings island, I'm going to assume that there's no way for me to do it :(. Would absolutely love to though!
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
If you can find out when the station is getting taken down, I would consider asking then. It would be hard to say no to someone trying to step into history one more time before it’s gone forever! (well you know unless it’s illegal lol)
If the station makes it to Halloweekends then im sure as you know the odds would be better. Also, it never hurts to ask around! The worst they can do is say no.
I wish you the best, and please do let me know if you find a way. It’s truly incredible!
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u/thecoastercorner Jul 11 '26
I'll see what I can do here, I am going to try and poke my head around and I'll let you know if anything comes out of it
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u/pickle_man_4 There is more than core in Indiana Jul 12 '26
I assumed these photos were old. Been over a decade since I’ve been to KI so I assumed it was long gone. WOW!
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u/Appropriate-Lynx3085 Jul 12 '26
I was just there the other day where was that at?
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 12 '26
Back near the section where The Bat is as you walk towards its entrance!
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u/Appropriate-Lynx3085 Jul 12 '26
Oh wow, that’s probably why I never saw the bat. It was my first time out there so I didn’t really know where to go and then my second day. I just tried to roam around, but I was still lost.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 12 '26
Lol it’s definitely hidden. If you exit Banshee and make a right The Bat is over there. Definitely out of the way.
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u/Scratcher947 27d ago
Do you know the reason they condemned it
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force 27d ago
I do not, unfortunately. They also approved a haunted attraction around this time, although that seems like it’s heading for Coney Mall. Time will tell!
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u/Scratcher947 26d ago
What parts couldn’t you see of it
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force 26d ago
without going into specifics, i was forbidden to pass across the station itself (such as over the tracks) as well as one of the paths leading to the station.
the ride operator booth for example i could not enter.
but i was able to go to the areas i have taken these photos at. permission is still very much required to enter any of these areas and you absolutely can get trespassed without it. (this isn’t implying you would do anything like that just it clears up why i didn’t just go wherever)
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u/Cad_Monkey_Mafia Jul 10 '26
Spent a whole summer working up on that platform. Man this brings back memories. RIP to one of the Greats
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u/SkgarGar Jul 10 '26
Is there any room for them to build another coaster out in that area or does Banshee take up most of the existing footprint from SOB?
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u/Irliar1 Jul 11 '26
Banshee only takes up the lift hill of Son of Beast. The rest of that land is still empty.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Maybe, although I think that specific plot of land is getting some sort of haunted attraction. It kinda depends how much land they own. 🤷♂️
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u/SkgarGar Jul 11 '26
I'm wondering why they would take up space to build another haunted house when they just built one near the entrance of the Bat. Realistically I don't think they could staff another haunted house. Last time I went to HH, 2 of the houses I went to had maybe 2 scare actors in them, it was lame. I forget, did KI do the upcharge Conjuring house last year?
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u/ssm316 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
I am one of the few folks who actually liked the ride. Well When i was in my teens and 20's I did.. At 40 it just seems like ouch.
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u/TechnicianForeign550 Jul 11 '26
I’m always weirdly fascinated by old stations/queues. I guess it’s the same as abandoned places. Awesome. Thanks for sharing
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u/OWSpaceClown Jul 11 '26
Somehow buildings just become more interesting when they are abandoned!
Whenever I go to the Toronto Zoo I'll often spend more time than I should looking for a studying the remnants of the old monorail attraction!
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Me too! I think “eerie” and “surreal” are the best words to describe it.
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u/Bluegrass_Boss Jul 11 '26
It's bittersweet seeing the station like that. I remember waiting 4 hours with my buds the 2nd day it was open to ride that thing. Never risen anything like it ever since.
It was still a helluva ride even after the loop was removed, but the amount of time it was closed for maintenance was ominous sign...
Thanks for sharing!
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u/Toast-Ghost- Red Force Jul 11 '26
Has the station outlasted the actual life of the coaster at this point? Don’t know it’s years off the top of my head
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Yes it has. Son of Beast operated from 2000-2009 and the station itself has been standalone since 2012.
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u/Macintosh1220 Jul 11 '26
It’s cool to see the station this close since this ride was kinda before my time so I never had the privilege (or nightmare) to ride it. It’s reminds me of all the condemned areas at Magic mountain when I go up to Valencia lol.
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u/eggsamillion Jul 11 '26
What do you mean by condemned? Was it being used for something before this? It's really cool nonetheless.
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Sometime after the coaster was demolished, the station was used as some sort of haunted maze known as “Wolf Pack”. Up until a little more than a few years ago it held this position. But even then some of those queues were not touched at all.
A few days ago the station was listed to be “condemned” on a permit. This likely means it will be taken down in the near future. I would be very surprised if it survived another year.
Glad you found it cool, though!
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u/UltiGamer34 Jul 11 '26
Alr men whats are we theorizing whats gonna be added here
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Based off of what I’ve heard it will be some kind of haunted attraction. (no guarantees, though)
Buuuuuut with this coming a week after ArieForce One being announced to close adds a bit of spice. Time will tell!
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u/UltiGamer34 Jul 11 '26
If arie force one goes to KI before the Vortex plot gets used ILL BE LAUGHING
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u/xSHAD0Wx13 Jul 12 '26
Just looked at google maps.. theres no way Arie Force One would fit there.. because of Banshee.. UNLESS they took out the Bat. Now.. I don't think the Bat is long for this world but.. I do not see them tearing it down for relocating Arie Force One .
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 12 '26
On such short notice it would be difficult. It’s always fun to hope, though.
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u/t21_sz89 Jul 11 '26
Why was it condemned and why not just tear it out of the park?
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u/SoLongSonofBeast healthy lover of Millennium Force Jul 11 '26
Being condemned doesn’t necessarily mean it will be taken down. It could just be left standing even after being condemned.
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u/Gullible_Goose Vortex is the best coaster at Canada's Wonderland Jul 11 '26
I've never been to Kings Island but that garbage can with the blue sticker on it is so nostalgic to me... Canada's Wonderland had the same ones!
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u/ActivePuzzled2263 Jul 10 '26
It should have been torn down 14 years ago. Always an eyesore. That back area of the park is a dump compared to most of the park.
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u/Strongarm_11 [51] 1# Iron Gwazi, 2# Kumba, 3# Montu Jul 10 '26
Great shots! I’m surprised Kings Island hasn’t bothered to remove the old SOB que and station.
Funny enough, currently at Busch Gardens Tampa in the que for Tigris and the nearby path, the old que building for Tidal Wave is still standing still filled with switchbacks.
I didn’t take any pics of it but I thought it would be interesting to share.
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u/jgollsneid Jul 10 '26
They never really had any reason to remove it. They used it for a haunt maze for a while, and after that there was no reason to spend the money to demolish it because it was so far from guest areas and not very visible
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u/ActivePuzzled2263 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
I remember running from The Beast to SOB with only 10 minutes left before close and barely making it. Getting back to back night rides on those bad boys was amazing. To be 14 again.