Son Of Beast

Opening in 2000, Son of Beast was a monumental yet controversial addition to the Action Zone, designed as the world’s first and only wooden hypercoaster and the record-breaking “sequel” to the park’s legendary Beast. Standing a massive 218 feet tall and reaching a top speed of 78 mph, it shattered world records for height, speed, and drop length for wooden coasters, and most famously featured a 118-foot vertical steel loop—the first of its kind on a wooden structure. However, the ride’s history was plagued by structural issues and a rough ride experience, leading to its closure in 2006 for significant modifications, including the removal of the loop to accommodate lighter trains. Despite these efforts, the ride closed permanently in 2009 following a second major incident, and it sat dormant for three years before being demolished in 2012. Today, the world-class inverted coaster Banshee stands in its place, though the park still pays homage to the “Son” through various Easter eggs and its iconic station structure.