PKI Announces Tomb Raider: The Ride

Posted | Contributed by Lynch

After much debate and speculation, Paramount's Kings Island announced today their new-for-2002 attraction, Tomb Raider: The Ride. Though not a lot of information was divulged, representatives referred to the ride as a "heavily-themed, totally immersive dark ride experience" where guests would be part of the action the entire time, including while waiting in the queue. Kings Island officials say there's nothing like it in the world. Though not a record-breaking roller coaster, the park says they're aiming for something special to celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Related parks

The only thing is that it doesn't seem like they're going to be releasing any specs until it opens. The whole ride is being kept secret, except for the name.
Tomb Raider first appeared into video game.. then toys.. then movie.. then amusement park!

-------------
----------
Kennywood is just a neighborhood from my home.
Ok...I don't understand how you guys can already not like this ride, it hasn't even been reviled...and even if it is a simulator...I dought it will be like Spiderman..again if it was PKI wouldn't be hyping this ride as much as they are...it would cause disappointment which is what no amusement park wants....so if they hype it this much, then its prob something seen before, and its prob going to be amazing...if it wasn't PKI wouldn't be this excited about it...

-------------
That ride sucked, but at least I got to see the ocean!
Actually, it HAS been REVILED quite a bit! Just not revealed... ;)
Listen, I dont care what kind of ride it is, as long as its better than the movie!!!!

-------------
MILLENIUM FORCE:
FEEL THE FORCE
Of all the above posts, the one (to me) that seems most likely is the enclosed Mondial Top Spin, as described by Coasterville Dave. Remember, that rumour has been around for a while (and was even posted as "semi-confirmed" on another, generally reliable site), and it would appear to fit both the illustration on PKI's site and the description in the press release ...
If you look hard at the ATTRACTION image posted on the PKI web page you can see a contraption on the left hand side of the picture. It shows guests sitting down with what looks to be seat belts that are like racing harnesses. I can't tell if there are lap bar restraints or not. It almost looks as if the rider car is blasting off. maybe it's some sort of drop ride.

If it is a top spin & puke creation, could there be more than one ride added inside of this building. Like four of them surrounding a large object in the center.

The possibilities are endless.

-------------
BMCOASTER

bmcoaster@wi.rr.com
If this ride is a simulater, why in the world would they clear out all of those trees. For you that have not been there, trees are being cleared in the woods were the old KeelboaT Kanal was, next to the Beast.
GOD DANR IT!! PKI gets too many god darn rides. Why don't they just get every coaster in the world!!!

-------------
Double V2 = SFMW & SFGAm
Now Im hoping for a 175 foot vertical drop that gets you a LITTLE wet(not PP style.) I could really see this being an indiana jones ride(which is better than MOST coasters to me.)
If someone could get some nice picks of PCW topspin or any Mondial topspin...where you could see the restraints....we could posssibly try to identify them with the restraints in the left of this pic...http://www.pki.com/images/tr_media_release1-RGB-72dpi.jpg

-------------
My Top 5
1)MagnumXL200 2) Kumba 3)Beast 4) Montu 5)Millenium Force
It's going to be a Mondial Splash Over.

-------------
.:| Brandon Rodriguez |:.
http://www.coasters2k.com *** This post was edited by BrandonR on 7/2/2001. ***

Anyone have any pictures of Mondial's restraint's???we may be able toi figure this out

-------------
My Top 5
1)MagnumXL200 2) Kumba 3)Beast 4) Montu 5)Millenium Force
http://pcw.coaster-network.com/cliff2own.jpg

there's a pic of CLiffhanger..

and here's a close pic of splashover restraints:
http://www.fab.lu/uk/images/products/splashover/splashover2_big.jpg *** This post was edited by Joe McNally on 7/2/2001. ***
Mind you these are all opinions and visions, but here is how I see this going down.

One, I see rivertown changing into some sort of adventure town (hence the use of the word adventure nine times in the press release).

Two, I see PKI Execs playing a game of dissapointing people by lowering their expectations in order to make the hype even bigger upon the opening of the ride.

Three, I think their vague references, pictures and information are all red herrings to keep everyone off the "track" to thwart competition from following suit with this "unique" ride. They cannot ethically use that word unique unless it is going to be quite different from anything that previously exists.

Four, I do not think PKI will ever give up on their race to be the best coaster park but at the same time they do want to lure people by turning the themeing notches up a few bars. This could be a major effort to work toward both objectives

Five, there are many inferences to this new ride having different types ride experiences using catch words such as: "multi-sensory", "one adventure after another", and more.

Six, a face first plunge sounds like a flying coaster element. You really cannot simulate face first without the body being in that position.

Seven, they have made it clear that they want this ride to retain an air of mystery which seems to me that they are warning us not to be dissapointed until we have ridden this ride.

Eight, to say "This attraction will change the face of thrill ride history and become one of the greatest adventure rides in the world" is a pretty big boast if it is only going to be a big coaster, or just a simple simulation. This ride is more than likely going to blow many amusement park's socks off, and we in Cincinnati are going to be the lucky test subjects for this new type of expereince that will more than likely be copied all over amusement parks.

Nine, I see this being possibly a ride that is not on a train of cars but maybe one or two cars like space mountain. Just enough to get a small group together.

Ten, reading this not only gives me the obvious impression of heavy theming, but theatrical work on the part of the ride operators and following strict scripts and attitude/emotion checks like the haunted house at disney operators are required to follow.

Eleven, my impression by their statement that it will be "the greatest adventure ride in the world" , makes me think that it will be set up in such a way as to be changed later to not so heavily depend on the actual movie once it is no longer so popular. Somehow it will need to be universally great and you cannot theme a ride that is going to be loved for that long a time on a passing fad or movie. Many video games today are set up in such a way that they are never the same exact game each time you play. Maybe this ride will not always be the same exact ride everytime you get on it?

I am kind of surprised how many people have fallen victim to what PKI's smoke screen, but its all for good. If this does exactly like they are saying it will do, then this ride will generate enough added interest and money to creat any kind of wild coasters they want, or we may all love this Tomb Rader so much that it becomes the new standard everyone tries to achieve for coasters.

But hey we are all on the same side so I wish you all peace and hope to be in line with you next Spring for Tomb Raider!

Kenny
john peck's avatar
******READ THIS******

I applude the effort Kings Island and Paramount are making to debut this attraction. A new interative dark ride was one of the things the park was missing.

I am pleased that after FOUR straight years of coaster additions, they are building something a little different. I also like the fact that Kings Island is the first regional amusement park to attempt such an extrodanary leap into new dark ride technology.

It is also nice to see a ride like this appear away from Disney and Universal giveing the "small" theme parks a chance to operate a ride of epic proportions. Until now, NO seasonal park has built a ride quite like this.

Congratulations PKI, I am very happy to be a guest in your park.
But how about a giant Ferris Wheel and Swan boats for 2003?
Jeff's avatar
I suspected there might be some backlash. No, it's not a coaster. So what. Everything I've seen indicates that this will not be some cheeseball simulator ride. This is something very Orlando style, and the single biggest capital expenditure they've done at the park.

This I do know: There will be a great deal of effects on this ride that will be nothing short of amazing.

The ride is still a little unclear, but from what I could gather listening to various interviews, this won't be some kind of stock motion base. It's not a Topspin either as so many people are "sure."

I do speculate that someone above has it right, but I'm not going to go there.

I think this will be a very cool ride.

-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"
to whoever said earlier that PKI built the first indoor LIM coaster, that was a lie. PKD built the flight of fear FIRST!!! anyway, whatever tomb raider is, im sure it will be awesome. hey, paramount has put out some pretty sweet sim rides, so chill.

-------------
ROLLERCOASTERS....BETTER THAN OXYGEN BABY!!!!!!
You know, a lot of people called Spider-Man a stupid simulator when it was announced and it turned out to be one of if not THE best ride in the world. If Tomb Raider is ANYTHING like Spider-Man I'll be glad to say I was one of the first to experience it (just like I was one of the first to experience Spider-Man ~_^)

-------------
Matt - Skull Man of the Elite Eight Cedar Point Fanatics
I stay crunchy...even in milk!
I've gotta agree with Jeff and john.... we have to applaud PKi with installing TR. I know we all are coaster enthusiasts here, but keep in mind that most of the GP are not big coaster buffs. Look at PKI's addition history since 95'.... OL:FOF in 96; Hanna-Barbara Land revamp in 97-98(?); transformation of Adv Village to Action Zone adding the world's tallest gyro-drop and the midwest's only WORKING invertigo ;) ; SOB in 2000; and Nick Central revamp in 2001.
Paramount knows it audience, folks. They have been targeting different groups the past 7-8 yrs, now they're going after something more elusive... the GP as a whole. Heavily themed, "multi-sensory" attractions do the trick. Look how USF has done with their non-coaster attractions? I haven't ridden Back to the Future, but it's one of the most popular rides of all time. PKi wants a share of that pie and be innovative at the same time.
Do applaud and not bash PKI for not installing a coaster. Trust me folks, PKI will be adding a coaster in the future, just not now. Be patient, danielson. Wait and see what the future holds.... ;)

-------------
1 SRM 2001 t-shirt, $12; 1 used Gerstlauer lapbar, $50; Getting bruised kidkeys from the Legend, Priceless

You must be logged in to post

POP Forums - ©2024, POP World Media, LLC
Loading...