Beastie, Steel family roller coaster in Alton Towers, England
Beastie was a steel roller coaster for families at Alton Towers in England, built by the Italian manufacturer Pinfari. The track was short and compact, with several turns and a tunnel section, and trains completed two full laps per ride cycle.
The ride opened in 1983 in the Festival Park section of Alton Towers under the name Mini-Dragon and was relocated more than once as the park expanded. It took on several names over the years, including Beastie, before closing permanently in 2011.
Beastie was the ride where many children at Alton Towers had their first taste of a roller coaster, a rite of passage before moving on to bigger attractions. Families with young children often returned to it year after year as the children grew more confident.
Since the ride no longer operates, it is worth checking which family attractions are currently available in the area where it once stood before visiting. Alton Towers still has several rides aimed at younger children, and a park map will help you find them quickly.
Although the ride was only about 13 feet (4 meters) tall, it included head chopper effects, where parts of the structure passed close to riders' heads to create a moment of surprise. These small details made the experience more engaging than the modest size might suggest.
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