Our comment about "Thinking oustside the box" has nothing really to do with what the actual ride may be. We are just trying to explain to others that we think there will be much more to the ride than 'just a ride in a box' or whatever. At least, that is what I think. Those that are looking at 'just the ride' are missing the whole potnt IMO. You have to look past that.
As for the park mentioning the attraction 'will change the face of thrill ride history', you have to look at that in a different way. Yes, it technically will be a world's first. Yes, I am sure it will be quite an adventure, and yes, I know many people that could very well love it (including myself). Let's just say for the sake of this discussion that Tomb Raider ends up being a larger version of.........a inverted swinging ship. While we may have seen something like it before, there might be many things different than the original version. So, therefore, it would be something we have never seen before.
Now, that is not where this ends though. Add the most theming Ohio has ever seen period, enclose the large ship, put on one heck of a show around the ride, and there you will get a entire emersive experiance. Nothing like it has been done before, anywhere, so technically, it could change the face of thrill ride history, as far as that type of ride is concered.
-Sean
Yes, I understand that Charlie may not be wanting anything specific for Tomb Raider, but he did prove my point in a earlier post to this thread by stating "he doesnt' want PKI guests to get mad at the park" for installing a ride they might not want.
If those guests are going to be mad for whatever Tomb Raider ends up being, they were probably wishing for something they didn't get. They have no reason to be mad at the park for installing something they may not want IMO. The way I look at it, Charlie doesn't know what is good for the park, nor do I. Nobody on here does to be quite honest. The only people that know what they need to put into the park is the people who run the park. The park felt it was time to put in a attraction that no one has ever experianced before. I find nothing wrong with that in the slightest.
So, for all those people that are going to be possibly whinning about Tomb Raider being something it isn't, they need to take a deep breath, accept the attraction for what it is once it opens, instead of for what it isn't, and realize that there may be a very good reason for the installation. The park hasn't exactly been working on this overnight.
I will fully admit that when I was starting to really get into this whole coaster/ride hobby back in 1990, I sometimes would be picky about certain rides. I would compare rides to other rides that were better among other things. Then one day at a coaster event, something hit me (mentally) that changed the way I look at this hobby. Why don't I enjoy a ride for what it has to offer, instead for what it doesn't?
As soon as I went into that way of thinking, I started to enjoy rides in a way that I have never enjoyed them before. With each new ride announcement, I would look at it as a "Cool! This is going to be fun" way instead of " Well, it looks rather lame if you ask me" way. Now, I have no problem with hearing an opinion on something ( as long as it is backed up with a valid reason), but I really don't care for those individuals that try to force their negative opinion on me. I try to avoid these people like a Coaster Bob.
I am not saying anyone in this thread is guilty of forcing a negative opinion on me, but I think there will be those that will be doing just that once Tomb Raider opens. To them, I say, "Well then, don't ride!". It's a simple as that. What I find even worse is those that trash the ride verbally, yet where there is any type of perk regarding the ride, suddenly the ride becomes their favorite. I have a very good feeling that those people who have trashed TR:TR in the past (once again, no one on here) will be the first ones to take advantage of any possible future perk regarding the ride. Who knows? Perhaps actually riding it will change their mind about it? After all, anything is possible.
Correct
Sean F.
Your last post has summed up me feelings completely.
I think, no matter what attraction PKI (or any park for that matter) is installing this year, it should be looked upon favorably. Following a season where dismal attendance records were reported, very few parks are sinking capitol into new attractions for 2002.
Think back 2 years ago when 99.9% of parks installed a major coaster or ride. Then think of the attendance numbers we have all seen from just this past season. 2001 proved to be a bit of a downer across the board for parks. In the past, a park could easily thrive for two, or three or even four seasons off of the interest generated by a coaster installation. This past year proved that theory wrong. This next season looks to have even less new product, and even 2003 is gearing up to be a very small year.
Why, general word is that Six Flags is in horrible shape financially. Even though attendance was down, they continued to sink millions into coasters that have not generated the attendance they thought. I can name at least one SF park in particular that cancelled it's 2002 addition at the last minute because of the inability to justify the expenditure. It's attendace during the last 3 months of operation was so bad that even the drive for new hires was concluded. They didn't need them, even though they could not staff half the rides. The small amount of guests, did not justify it.
But by comparison, PKI is adding the "biggest" and most elaborate attraction in North America this season. No matter what the ride is composed of, the experience is one no other park will dare compare to. In a time when most parks are reserving capitol, PKI is spending it. How? They had a really good year attendance-wise and they know their niche.
Ironically, PKI attendance was up (I don't know official numbers, but it was obvious whenever you went to PKI this past season. Also, AB - which is the closest you can get wihtout accurate totals posted recent tallys confirming this) in a year when they concentrated on a totally different niche than a "bigger" "taller" "faster" etc. coaster. This past season's draw proves that parks must look to unique or different attractions to gain interest.
I think parks are figuring it out. Years ago, a park could automatically guarantee a huge increase in attendance by adding a rollercoaster. But, today's guests are jaded and it takes much more than that to keep them coming back. Adding a rollercoaster only guarantees a park one thing.... that many enthusiasts will complain about it.
Thus I have a prediction. I personally think that the general public is going to go crazy over Tomb Raider: The Ride. I think we will see people get off and rave about how incredible it is. I then think we will see other parks start to look at the effect that TR:TR had on the park and they will begin to look at unique attractions themselves. Why? Because it is different... it is unprecidented... it is unique. Isn't that what everyone wants? I know I sure do!
Unfortunately, I don't see a whole lot of huge rollercoasters being built in the very near future at any park. I think parks are feeling the heat to become much more sophisticated than that. After all, their guests have.
Shaggy
-----------------
Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.
I was just thinking of the scene from the movie that takes place in the temple of dancing light. (IF) POSSIBLY that is what the inside will look like, I wouldn't well, almost wouldn't care about the ride at all, the temple from the movie is soooo elaborate and massive, right down to every detail. And the temple from the movie was designed as well. So hey, if they can do it for the movie, who knows if they'll do the same for the ride?!?!
Also, the outside theming means just as much as the inside theming as well. If, at one point, you are waiting in line outside, they (pki) has to make you believe you are in Cambodia or wherever and not at an amusment park in Cincinnatti-dont know if I spelled that right- Ohio. I mean, it's somwhat easy to do on the inside but on the outside your dealing with other rides (The Beast), the sidewalks, restraunts, other buildings... So I am most deffinate that TR:TR will have (TONS) of tropical foiladge, maybe some old ruins, stuff like that to separate you from the outside world.
I do wonder how the operators or other pki employees will handle out of hand/roudy guests in line for TR:TR? I remember this past summer when I went for a visit at pki with my best friend and we were in a (PACKED) line for the Beast and they shut it down becuase it started to storm. I mean everyone went CRAZY! Guys were yelling and cursing at employees, some people started fighting, and believe it or not, some people got a wet t-shirt contest started! Now hopfully nothing like this will happen with TR:TR but if they do how will they control it?
I am just praying that Tomb Raide the Ride won't have as much trouble operating as Son of Beast did. The year Sonny opended I visited the park 4 times and 3 out of the 4 Sonny was shut down.:(
How many people here think building an indoor ride was a smart idea. I know I most deffinetly think this was the wisest descicion pki could make. The park doesn't have that many dark rides and it's great seeing somthing of this scale finially arrive at PKI! Having what sounds to be a great themed ride is deffinitly somthing pki has needed for a long time as well. Besides adventure express and FOF PKI really doesn't have too many themed attractions. Tomb Raider the ride is going to be a great aspect to PKI in so many ways and I am so proud of all the people who are working hard over their at pki for loyal fans like us!
Lastly, I just wanted to say that Tomb Raider the ride is only the beggining of a wonderful and prosperous start for Kings Island. This ride is going to add so much to PKI and I'm sure Kings Island won't give up surprising,thrilling,and entertaing all of there lifelong fans and some new fans as well!
-----------------
I do have a question that a doubt can even really be answered here. I believe our classes at school with be going to PKI for Math and Science Day, but it lists several rides will be open including King Cobra thankfully, but excluding Tomb Raider. Now, I was wondering if they didn't expect it to be ready, or they just thought that if they couldn't open it, they didn't want to disappoint anyone? Anyone know why exactly? Thanks!
-----------------
I am not totally sure how those Math Days work at the park, but my guess is they only open op a few sections of the park? If The Beast isn't listed on that ride list, then perhaps that is the reason Tomb Raider isn't on there either. Also, I know a lot of people for Science Days get to bring 'tools' on rides with them at times to measure forces. Perhaps the park doesn't want anyone to take anythink like that on Tomb Raider so they just decided to not open it.
Please keep in mind that these are all guesses.
-Sean
If you were talking about the Math and Science Day dates, well I got that date from the pki's website! Sorry if I mislead you:) Hey does anyone here know when the next update will be from Jeff Seibert? I can't wait to see what the entrance looks like! I'm just as excited about the queue and landscaping as I am about the ride!
-----------------
The last update Jeffrey gave was at No Coaster Con. While I know you are talking about the e-mail updates, he did provide a nice picture of what the entrance looks like as of last week as well as a kick butt video!
If really is too bad for those that have already sworn off the ride before riding because just by looking at the entrance, Tomb Raider looks like it is going to be VERY detailed.
Sean (who thinks TR could end up being easily be the hit of the year) F.
I wish PKI would have posted it on their site but they said they had not plans to do so. The video might be shown again at East Coaster but I am not sure of it. I would think the next e-mail update from Jeffrey would include the picture or something similar, but then again, I could be wrong.
-Sean (no relation to a rooster) F.
Suuuuuuuure!....says you ;-)
I think one of the biggest kicks I got this past weekend was seeing the line of people waiting to see a picture of the TR:TR entrance after PKI's presentation. Now, if people were lining up just to oooh and ahhh over an unfinished entrance, then I say PKI just struck gold.
Shaggy... otherwise known as "big poultry John" LOL
-----------------
Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.
I could not believe the crowd to check out the picture either. I actually had to let the crowd die down for 20 minutes so I could talk to Jeffrey about the after-event. It was funny hearing people say things like, " Well, we know it's not a coaster or a simulator, so that must mean it is something different!"
Um..................yea! =:^)
It was great seeing you at the event John.....even if it was very brief.
Sean ( where the heck did my headband go?) F.
The only picture to be seen at No Coaster was the one PKI provided of the entrance. It looks very cool. But other than that, little was shown or said about TR:TR during the con.
They showed the hilariously funny spoof video that had black and white sped up "footage" of an "explorer" running through the building in progress. However that footage was filmed just a week or so after the park closed. Not much to be seen.
Sean F....
You're right, it was a quick weekend! Glad we got to spend a few moments together. Hopefully we can hook up in the future for some other crazy "adventures." I don't know about you, but looking at that photo sure got my heart pounding. Not nearly as much as "Feud" though LOL! By the way, did you also loose a small tube of....???
Shaggy
-----------------
Shaggy
A.K.A. John K.
*** This post was edited by Glenn on 1/23/2002. ***
You must be logged in to post