Official E-mail response from PKI about TR
After the press release about TR, I sent PKI a message saying how frustrated I was. They responded and here I am cutting and pasting the entire message for everyone to see. This is real, not a rumor, not made up.
At the top is the official response. Then you see a small message from a person forwarding my e-mail to the manager. Then you'll see my message below. At least we know the park got my message, even if I did make them mad at me. What can I say? I was let down. They must have gotten a bunch of messages as you can see from the middle response. I'm glad they wrote back and I thank them for this.
Dear Robert,
I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed by our Tomb Raider: The Ride
announcement. It sounds like you may have heard some bad information on what
it is. You may want to visit our website at www.pki.com and click on Tomb
Raider: The Ride. As you may know Paramount's Kings Island has opened 5
coasters in just 6 years including the world's tallest, fastest and only
looping wooden roller coaster.... Son of Beast!!!! For our 30th anniversary
season in 2002.. we decided to take the thrill experience to the next
level..... it is not a roller coaster...nor is it a stationery simulator
ride.... it is a ride perfect for anyone who likes adventure.
Tomb Raider: The Ride can best be described as a heavily themed, totally
immersive, dark ride adventure. From the moment you enter the catacombs of
the Tomb... to the very end of the ride's finally (which includes rocketing
toward razor sharp stalactites... and a face first plunge toward red hot
boiling lava)Tomb Raider will be unlike anything anyone has ever experienced
before.
I hope this answers some of your questions... the only way to find out what
the ride is actually like..is to experience it for yourself in 2002.
Have a great day,
Jeffrey Siebert
Marketing Communications Area Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: Weber, Taryn
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 1:54 PM
To: Siebert, Jeffrey
Subject: FW: Viands, Robert
Jeff
Here is another one. I'm starting to dislike these people, we haven't even
built the ride yet how can you possibly determine that it's not going to be
good? Geez some people. Please give me some direction...GRRRRRRRRrrrrr
Taryn
-----Original Message-----
From: robvia@aent.com [mailto:robvia@aent.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 10:54 AM
To: pkiguest@paramountparks.com
Subject: Customer Service Request
Question or Comment:
Please forward this to your executives.
The announcement of Tomb Raider was a joke. You didn't tell us what kind of
ride it is. Now all the coaster fans are still speculating on what it is.
We don't like being Teased.
I'm not excited about the ride, you didn't tell us anything. This top
secret attitude parks have is a joke. I hope it's not a simulator ride,
we're all hoping there is a coaster on the end of it.
Build a GIGA coaster next. I know it takes years to plan and design these
rides. A GIGA or a B&M full length Inverted would be cool. The full length
B&M inverteds are better than their new speed coaster or floorless.
The people want GIGA coasters, not simulators or adventure rides.
What was the #1 coaster last year? Millennium Force. What will be the #1
coaster this year? Millennium Force. What does that tell you?
Watch coaster shows. What coasters get all the publicity? The GIGA
coasters do.
Leak some more details and give us something to talk about on the message
boards. Otherwise we're going to talk about the next Cedar Point
announcement, because they will give us details and something to talk about.
And don't tell me about the family stuff or that I can visit CP to ride MF.
We want GIGA coasters in all the parks.
-------------
Robin Fox - "I see Stars, Can You See Them Too?"
At the top is the official response. Then you see a small message from a person forwarding my e-mail to the manager. Then you'll see my message below. At least we know the park got my message, even if I did make them mad at me. What can I say? I was let down. They must have gotten a bunch of messages as you can see from the middle response. I'm glad they wrote back and I thank them for this.
Dear Robert,
I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed by our Tomb Raider: The Ride
announcement. It sounds like you may have heard some bad information on what
it is. You may want to visit our website at www.pki.com and click on Tomb
Raider: The Ride. As you may know Paramount's Kings Island has opened 5
coasters in just 6 years including the world's tallest, fastest and only
looping wooden roller coaster.... Son of Beast!!!! For our 30th anniversary
season in 2002.. we decided to take the thrill experience to the next
level..... it is not a roller coaster...nor is it a stationery simulator
ride.... it is a ride perfect for anyone who likes adventure.
Tomb Raider: The Ride can best be described as a heavily themed, totally
immersive, dark ride adventure. From the moment you enter the catacombs of
the Tomb... to the very end of the ride's finally (which includes rocketing
toward razor sharp stalactites... and a face first plunge toward red hot
boiling lava)Tomb Raider will be unlike anything anyone has ever experienced
before.
I hope this answers some of your questions... the only way to find out what
the ride is actually like..is to experience it for yourself in 2002.
Have a great day,
Jeffrey Siebert
Marketing Communications Area Manager
-----Original Message-----
From: Weber, Taryn
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 1:54 PM
To: Siebert, Jeffrey
Subject: FW: Viands, Robert
Jeff
Here is another one. I'm starting to dislike these people, we haven't even
built the ride yet how can you possibly determine that it's not going to be
good? Geez some people. Please give me some direction...GRRRRRRRRrrrrr
Taryn
-----Original Message-----
From: robvia@aent.com [mailto:robvia@aent.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 10:54 AM
To: pkiguest@paramountparks.com
Subject: Customer Service Request
Question or Comment:
Please forward this to your executives.
The announcement of Tomb Raider was a joke. You didn't tell us what kind of
ride it is. Now all the coaster fans are still speculating on what it is.
We don't like being Teased.
I'm not excited about the ride, you didn't tell us anything. This top
secret attitude parks have is a joke. I hope it's not a simulator ride,
we're all hoping there is a coaster on the end of it.
Build a GIGA coaster next. I know it takes years to plan and design these
rides. A GIGA or a B&M full length Inverted would be cool. The full length
B&M inverteds are better than their new speed coaster or floorless.
The people want GIGA coasters, not simulators or adventure rides.
What was the #1 coaster last year? Millennium Force. What will be the #1
coaster this year? Millennium Force. What does that tell you?
Watch coaster shows. What coasters get all the publicity? The GIGA
coasters do.
Leak some more details and give us something to talk about on the message
boards. Otherwise we're going to talk about the next Cedar Point
announcement, because they will give us details and something to talk about.
And don't tell me about the family stuff or that I can visit CP to ride MF.
We want GIGA coasters in all the parks.
-------------
Robin Fox - "I see Stars, Can You See Them Too?"
Ha! "Heavily themed, totally immersive, dark ride adventure." If I had a dollar for every time I heard him say that to the press... ;)
Seriously though, what did you expect to accomplish? Would they scratch all of their plans because you don't approve? You say that, "The people want GIGA coasters, not simulators or adventure rides." And what market research is that based on? That just sounds like your wants and needs, not those of the general public. I'd bet that, based on the success of a certain new park in Orlando, that a broader audience is served by such rides. Broader audiences attract families, families spend more money. I'm sure they've got the research to prove they're doing the right thing.
I say the marketing is pure genius. People are talking about it, and most of us will want to see what it's all about as soon as we humanly possibly can. Building big coasters doesn't differentiate you anymore. There's a 200+ foot coaster in most major parks now.
Also, keep in mind that Jeffrey Siebert is a coaster enthusiast (which might explain why they're not claiming Racer as two coasters anymore). Sure, it's his job to be excited about the new attraction, but his enthusiasm is legit, so I think it's a safe bet that they've got something cool in store for us.
I guess we'll know in May.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
*** This post was edited by Jeff on 7/9/2001. ***
Seriously though, what did you expect to accomplish? Would they scratch all of their plans because you don't approve? You say that, "The people want GIGA coasters, not simulators or adventure rides." And what market research is that based on? That just sounds like your wants and needs, not those of the general public. I'd bet that, based on the success of a certain new park in Orlando, that a broader audience is served by such rides. Broader audiences attract families, families spend more money. I'm sure they've got the research to prove they're doing the right thing.
I say the marketing is pure genius. People are talking about it, and most of us will want to see what it's all about as soon as we humanly possibly can. Building big coasters doesn't differentiate you anymore. There's a 200+ foot coaster in most major parks now.
Also, keep in mind that Jeffrey Siebert is a coaster enthusiast (which might explain why they're not claiming Racer as two coasters anymore). Sure, it's his job to be excited about the new attraction, but his enthusiasm is legit, so I think it's a safe bet that they've got something cool in store for us.
I guess we'll know in May.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
*** This post was edited by Jeff on 7/9/2001. ***
I also e-mailed Jeffrey Seibert....to APOLOGIZE for all the negative e-mails he has received from spoiled-brat coaster enthusiasts.
He e-mailed back right away, thanking me.
He e-mailed back right away, thanking me.
robvia said:
"What was the #1 coaster last year? Millennium Force. What will be the #1
coaster this year? Millennium Force. What does that tell you?
Watch coaster shows. What coasters get all the publicity? The GIGA
coasters do."
If you had watched the coaster show you would have known that Magnum XL-200 was the so-called #1 coaster. There are only 2 so-called giga coasters and I see coasters like Hypersonic getting as much pub as Millie.
I'm just saying that to be saying that.
Thank you for sharing your email response though.
later,
jeremy
--CoasterBuzz Cancer Boy
Dude, this is the lamest thing I have seen in my life. This is why:
1. PKI doesn't give a damn what you think.
2. You are poorly representing coaster enthusiasts. It makes the rest of us look like petty morons that have nothing better to do with our time then whine and complain about parks not putting in coasters, when in fact, most ACErs, at least, love dark rides just as much as coasters. Really, PKI doesn't need to be bothered by your opinion.
3. The best point that can be made about this has been made. PKI has built 5 coaster in the past 6 years. Please, for the love of coasters, get over yourself.
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The day that I spend more time analyzing the rides than screaming my head off like a moron is the day that I hope someone will kick my in the love sausage and tell me not to be a moron. - Jeff
*** This post was edited by ravenguy98 on 7/9/2001. ***
1. PKI doesn't give a damn what you think.
2. You are poorly representing coaster enthusiasts. It makes the rest of us look like petty morons that have nothing better to do with our time then whine and complain about parks not putting in coasters, when in fact, most ACErs, at least, love dark rides just as much as coasters. Really, PKI doesn't need to be bothered by your opinion.
3. The best point that can be made about this has been made. PKI has built 5 coaster in the past 6 years. Please, for the love of coasters, get over yourself.
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The day that I spend more time analyzing the rides than screaming my head off like a moron is the day that I hope someone will kick my in the love sausage and tell me not to be a moron. - Jeff
*** This post was edited by ravenguy98 on 7/9/2001. ***
Some people's perceptions over something that does not yet exist make me nauseous sometimes. This is a ride that could blow all other thrill rides out of the water, or it could be (as robvia eludes,) a joke. We won't know until opening day next year. And did you ever stop to think that there may be a reason that they did not reveal every aspect of the ride?
I feel for Taryn, having to field all the pointless, self-centered responses to their website.
I feel for Taryn, having to field all the pointless, self-centered responses to their website.
Let's not be too hard on the guy, he was expressing his disappointment at PKI's decision, certainly his right if he's spending his hard earned money to go to PKI every year.
But I must agree with some of the points made above. Why would PKI want to build the exact same type of attraction as the competition? If every park had the same attractions, what would make parks special. What would give them their distinction?
If you want to ride a *GIGA*, go ride the best at CP. Otherwise, we in time where diversity and variety is RARE. Appreciate it. ;)
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The trolls shall remain under the bridge, hidden, and without food to grow. *** This post was edited by DWeaver on 7/9/2001. ***
But I must agree with some of the points made above. Why would PKI want to build the exact same type of attraction as the competition? If every park had the same attractions, what would make parks special. What would give them their distinction?
If you want to ride a *GIGA*, go ride the best at CP. Otherwise, we in time where diversity and variety is RARE. Appreciate it. ;)
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The trolls shall remain under the bridge, hidden, and without food to grow. *** This post was edited by DWeaver on 7/9/2001. ***
Robvia: I don't think too many parks can afford a Giga. Mill. Force cost around $25 million, and PKI is not going to copy CP, nor would CP copy PKI. I give PKI credit. If Tomb Raiser turns out to be a "Wow" experience like Spiderman at IOA, no one will be complaining.
I understand your disappointment, but let's give it some time and see what the ride is like. I'm sure it will be killer with their anniversary being that year.
I understand your disappointment, but let's give it some time and see what the ride is like. I'm sure it will be killer with their anniversary being that year.
I bet you Tomb Raider will cost way over 25 million. Spiderman cost what, around 200 million I think?
I understand that this isn't univeral with huge pockets, but these types of "heavily themed, totally
immersive, dark ride adventure" s usually cost quite a bit. Personally I'm very excited by this. We don't have anything like this in Ohio anymore. Ohhhhh, Bermuda Triangle....that kicks butt, NOT.
I understand that this isn't univeral with huge pockets, but these types of "heavily themed, totally
immersive, dark ride adventure" s usually cost quite a bit. Personally I'm very excited by this. We don't have anything like this in Ohio anymore. Ohhhhh, Bermuda Triangle....that kicks butt, NOT.
I have a question for you. At IOA which ride has the longest wait, and is he favorite ride there? What's that? Spiderman?
Here is my input i think it will be a simulator/coaster/flume/dark ride
sort of like JP mixed with spidey/ MIB/ and a water coaster. Why? They will use the 80 foot building. I also think it will be 3-D
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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case
Here is my input i think it will be a simulator/coaster/flume/dark ride
sort of like JP mixed with spidey/ MIB/ and a water coaster. Why? They will use the 80 foot building. I also think it will be 3-D
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HurricaneGeauga- Just in case
Rob, dude, you aren't helping the park image of the coaster enthusiast as a 'whiney spoiled obnoixous brat'.
You have every right not to like what the park is doing, and I suppose you do have the right to state your opinion to us and the park in a civil manner.
However, your email makes it sounds like nothing short of the world's greatest rollercoaster will satisfy you, lets chill out and look at the is perspective, PKI just finished its most prolific period of adding new coaster attractions. I hate to say it, but there is more to parks than coasters, I would consider yourself lucky they just had a 4 year growth spurt, and not the 3 year gaps that were typical in the 1980's.
How times have changed now its "Aren't you building another coaster?", it used to be "When are you going to build another coaster?"
The PKI Coaster Chronology::
2002 -
2001 - Reptar
2000 - Son of Beast
1999 - Face/Off
1998 - Scooby's Ghoster Coaster
1997 - (1 Year Gap)
1996 - Flight of Fear
1995 - ( 2 Year Gap)
1994 -
1993 - Top Gun
1992 - Top Cat's Taxi Jam
1991 - Adventure Express
1990 - (3 Year Gap)
1989 -
1988 -
1987 - Vortex
1986 - (3 Year Gap)
1985 -
1984 -
1983 - King Cobra
1982 - (1 Year Gap)
1981 - Bat
1980 - (1 Year Gap)
1979 - Beast
1978 - Screamin Demon
1977 - (5 Year Gap)
1976 -
1975 -
1974 -
1973 -
1972 - Bavarian Beetle, Racer, Beastie
(Legend says Beastie may have opened in late 1971 as Scooby Doo at a sneak preview promotion)
In closing, at least ride the ride first before making judgements, I mean, as you said, we don't even know what it is yet. As a marketing move, it was great, and not unprecedented to have big marketing campagins that don't tell you anything, but get the people talking.
-------------
----
David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville
You have every right not to like what the park is doing, and I suppose you do have the right to state your opinion to us and the park in a civil manner.
However, your email makes it sounds like nothing short of the world's greatest rollercoaster will satisfy you, lets chill out and look at the is perspective, PKI just finished its most prolific period of adding new coaster attractions. I hate to say it, but there is more to parks than coasters, I would consider yourself lucky they just had a 4 year growth spurt, and not the 3 year gaps that were typical in the 1980's.
How times have changed now its "Aren't you building another coaster?", it used to be "When are you going to build another coaster?"
The PKI Coaster Chronology::
2002 -
2001 - Reptar
2000 - Son of Beast
1999 - Face/Off
1998 - Scooby's Ghoster Coaster
1997 - (1 Year Gap)
1996 - Flight of Fear
1995 - ( 2 Year Gap)
1994 -
1993 - Top Gun
1992 - Top Cat's Taxi Jam
1991 - Adventure Express
1990 - (3 Year Gap)
1989 -
1988 -
1987 - Vortex
1986 - (3 Year Gap)
1985 -
1984 -
1983 - King Cobra
1982 - (1 Year Gap)
1981 - Bat
1980 - (1 Year Gap)
1979 - Beast
1978 - Screamin Demon
1977 - (5 Year Gap)
1976 -
1975 -
1974 -
1973 -
1972 - Bavarian Beetle, Racer, Beastie
(Legend says Beastie may have opened in late 1971 as Scooby Doo at a sneak preview promotion)
In closing, at least ride the ride first before making judgements, I mean, as you said, we don't even know what it is yet. As a marketing move, it was great, and not unprecedented to have big marketing campagins that don't tell you anything, but get the people talking.
-------------
----
David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville
And people wonder why Paramount parks barely have any ACE events? Its because of people like rob here...
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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com
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.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com
Robvia, very bad move man.
First off, please don't speak on the behalf of anyone but yourself, that was really dumb. You don't know what we want. Second look at what you are, a coaster enthusiast. Parks are NOT made for us only, they are made for everyone. PKI built SOB last year and you are already complaining because they aren't getting something that only you want to ride. Every park is a family park. I thank gawd that you didn't mention coasterbuzz, because that would have been an even bigger mistake. Before you do, or write something please think because the letter you wrote was out right rude. You're downing a ride that isn't even built yet. You sound like the people who dissed Millennium Force and now look at it. Ride it, get a lay out atleast, before you start putting it down. Okay I am finished
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You are the Weakest Link, Goodbye.
First off, please don't speak on the behalf of anyone but yourself, that was really dumb. You don't know what we want. Second look at what you are, a coaster enthusiast. Parks are NOT made for us only, they are made for everyone. PKI built SOB last year and you are already complaining because they aren't getting something that only you want to ride. Every park is a family park. I thank gawd that you didn't mention coasterbuzz, because that would have been an even bigger mistake. Before you do, or write something please think because the letter you wrote was out right rude. You're downing a ride that isn't even built yet. You sound like the people who dissed Millennium Force and now look at it. Ride it, get a lay out atleast, before you start putting it down. Okay I am finished
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You are the Weakest Link, Goodbye.
Coasterville Dave is right coasters arn't everything. My home park is SFMM and all they have is coasters. Don't get me wrong I love coasters and I am happy with their additions evey year. Although there is nothing to do at that park besides coasters. They have coasters, a few water rides and a couple shows. They havn't recieved some decent flat rides in years. They just remodle the ones from the 70's. I'd love to see SFMM get a dark ride. Like Indiana Jones or Spiderman. I'd add TR:TR to the list, but I don't know to much about it.
As you mentioned in your e-mail robvia, a giga coaster (or any coaster for that matter) takes years to design...what makes you think this attraction is any different, that it can be made in a few months. Truth is, whatever this attraction is, it was probably being designed right alongside SOB. Or even earlier.
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A New World. A New Technology. One Last Hope for Salvation. Neon Genesis Evangelion
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A New World. A New Technology. One Last Hope for Salvation. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Not to start any kind of flame war (although I believe that has already begun…) I have to question the validity of robvia’s original post. Are we to believe that this Jeffrey Siebert guy “accidentally” left his co-worker’s very insulting message in his response to rob??? Seems rather fishy to me…
Anyway, I think we all knew this was not going to be a coaster from the beginning – PKI stated that they were not going to enter the Ohio “Coaster Wars”, so why would they follow up a statement like that by building a coaster???
Anyway, I think we all knew this was not going to be a coaster from the beginning – PKI stated that they were not going to enter the Ohio “Coaster Wars”, so why would they follow up a statement like that by building a coaster???
Arrowfreak said:
"Coasterville Dave is right coasters arn't everything. My home park is SFMM and all they have is coasters".
And you know what will happen when SFMM adds a flat ride next year? People will complain that we didn't get yet another coaster. It's really immature thinking.
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The trolls shall remain under the bridge, hidden, and without food to grow. *** This post was edited by DWeaver on 7/9/2001. ***
"Coasterville Dave is right coasters arn't everything. My home park is SFMM and all they have is coasters".
And you know what will happen when SFMM adds a flat ride next year? People will complain that we didn't get yet another coaster. It's really immature thinking.
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The trolls shall remain under the bridge, hidden, and without food to grow. *** This post was edited by DWeaver on 7/9/2001. ***
All I've got to say is that I'm gonna be laughing at all you people whining about how you didn't want a "stupid dark ride" when the ride turns out to be an amazing experience and many of you end up loving it and considering it a more enjoyable ride than the SoB.
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Word to your mothers
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Word to your mothers
Closed topic.
