PKI to remove Phantom Theater
Posted
Phantom Theater, PKI's haunted dark ride attraction, will be closed for good early next week. The ride, which opened in 1992, is housed in a show building formerly occupied by "The Smurfs Enchanted Voyage," and "Hanna-Barbera's Enchanted Voyage."
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Super7, let me give you a scenario:
a park somehow manages 68,000 people in one day. How do you expect the lines for their major attractions? 3-4 hrs at least. Well, if PKI has such a bad capacity how come last sunday when 68000 were in the park, how come the major attractions were 2-3 hrs? Solve that one for me.
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http://www.islandguide.8m.com
SOB crew in twenty 02
82 SOB laps, and not tired of it yet!
And by family rides, i don't mean the various KIDDIE rides that are in Hanna Barbera Land. I mean rides that the family can ride together (kids, parents, grandparents) without getting the crap beat out of them.
Yes it is Paramount that does this worse. Carowinds, Kings Island, Kings Dominion have virtually the same number of rides they had 20 years ago. They are too cheap to maintain their flat rides, so they just get rid of them. While admission continues to increase. All 3 of these parks were wonderfully themed parks with various rides and shows and something to do for everyone whatever age they are in. Now they are parks that have coasters, water slides and kiddie rides.
Gone: King Kobra, Screamin Demon, Bat, Barvarian Beetle, Keelboat Canal, Turnpike, Gullivers Rub a Dub, Winnie Witches Cauldrons, Zodiac, Flight Commander, Halley's Comet, Cuddle Up, Flying Carpet, Skylab, Tumble Bug, Bayern Kurve, Flying Dutchman, Spinnen Kegger, Rotor, Ferris Wheel, Monorail, Auto Livery, Wheel of Fortune. Thats almost as many adult rides that are operating now. And most of these were tamer rides that non-thrill seekers could ride together. I am shocked they continue to operate Flying Eagles, considering its age and its a good ride.
Why do you rip out an attraction halfway through the season? Winters are milder here now, construction is much quicker than it used to be, whatever they are doing could be done off season. *** This post was edited by super7 on 7/10/2002. ***
**pkifanatic -It is sad to see this ride go. No more make out session :-(**
You know, there are cameras in every room of that ride. My cousin works there and she sees about one or two people a day making out:)
I never realy liked the ride, perhaps because I go to PKI basicaly every weekend and have ridden it about a billion times in my life. But still, it seems kind of nostalgic now that it's reached its demise. No doubt we'll see a Scooby Doo something in the future, even if the movie did fail horribly in every aspect of movie making (you know how PKI is about this, TR:TR. But hey, its a great ride).
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One important fact that Super 7 is missing....
Screamin Demon, Bat, Barvarian Beetle, Turnpike, Gullivers Rub a Dub, Winnie Witches Cauldrons, Zodiac, Halley's Comet, Cuddle Up, Flying Carpet, Tumble Bug, Bayern Kurve, Flying Dutchman, Spinnen Kegger, Rotor, Ferris Wheel, and Wheel of Fortune were all removed under KECO/Carl Linder ownership not Paramount.
The Linder ownership/managment days, late 80's early 90's, were among the darkest days of the park IMO. Yes, large rides were added, however upkeep wained and the choice in manufacturers was poor. By the time Paramount came along the park was suffering finacially and esthetically. Those that do not recognize the fact that Paramount actually turned the downward spiral that the park was headed do not know the facts. I appreciate Paramount's saving my favorite park. Blind love? Not hardly. I think the park looks and operates MUCH better than during the affore-mentioned era.
You know, rides DO age... especially flat rides. And when they are neglected for a time period, then they often get removed. That is true of any park.
Shaggy
Neither one of them has any kiddie lumber...or a kiddie suspended (much less two) or play areas half as good as Nicktoons or HB.
My five year-old had more to do at PKI when she was three than she would at CP right now.
Grownups aren't gonna get 'beat up' on PKI's family attractions unless they're grossly overweight...in which case it will happen on half the 'grownup' attractions anyway.
-'Playa
(the 'family attraction' authority-check my info photos here and at GTTP)
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The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.
*** This post was edited by CoastaPlaya on 7/10/2002. ***
I'm sorry, but its NOT the facts. It's your opinion and with what Shaggy was explaining about the differences of the park in earlier years proves that your so-called facts are wrong for the most part after Kings Island became Paramount. We have two A-Class theme parks here in Ohio and the third one should be showing its true colors come next year(SFWOA). PKI is probably one of the most successful seasonal theme parks in the World and the second most visited in the US after SFGAdv.
Don't you understand the park is trying to give the best quality experience possible? When KC can't run well all the time due to mechanical problems and several people have problems with the restraints and comfort, why not close it? It was likely the least favorite coaster in the park at the time.
With Keelboat Canals, I've not seen a line for the ride in at least five years. It was taking up a lot of space and the KMLF was generally more popular when I rode the two. I think this is another one that makes perfect sense to remove for a higher capacity, better themed ride.
Now with Phantom Theatre, I've heard that the ride costs a lot more than its worth for the number of people riding, the park has changed this attraction once every decade, and some might consider it outdated compared to the likes of TRTR and what people have seen at Disney. I would think the park wants a ride people will not only enjoy on a visit, but that they would reride. Several buzzers even claimed they didn't know the ride even existed. I see the point with this removal too.
The point? Change is good and there for a reason. The rides served their purpose and now the park is on to bigger and better things to keep the guests happy. I haven't heard many complaints yet! Don't be blind at why something is happening and... Open Your Eyes!!
The park added over 5 new rides and experiences in 2001 alone!
So you don't get lost in all the kiddie rides at the park next visit, here's a list of "family" rides for you: The Racer, The Recar, The Beastie, Adventure Express, Runaway Reptar, Wild Thornberries, Congo Falls, White Water Canyon, KI&MV Railroad, Zephyr, Dodgem, 7th Portal, Meteor Attack, Scrambler, the Tower, Carousel, Flying Eagles, Shake Rattle & Roll, Antique Cars, and even Top Gun to an extent and maybe even more. That's not even counting Waterworks. Wow, that's even more "family" rides than I imagined!! You've been to the park, right? Now, just for fun, what are the ones at Hershey? *** This post was edited by Koaster King on 7/10/2002. ***
You have to look at both sides of the coin.
Super 7 does raise a valid point that (P)KI is no longer home to many of the rides it once offered. They have an immense amount of space left to develop, and can seem ridiculous that attractions are removed with so much undeveloped land. There are MANY rides now missing at PKI that make me cringe when I think of how neglect and non interest led to their demise. Trust me when I say that no one is as aware of the large amount of removals that have taken place at the park than the park officials themselves.
But a park can max out on space they want to develop. One of the complaints that PKI gets is that it is too spread out. That it takes a very long time to walk across the park. People are lazy, and parks recognize the fact that although expanding boundries are necessary from time to time, they also need to strive to keep the eyes and ears filled throughout the existing park.
It is obvious that PKI strives very hard to be fresh, new, ever-changing and up to date. I think perhaps the mentality is sort of like a home remodelling project. The lovely new bathroom may look great but the crappy kitchen you pass on the way there distracts from it.
Also, the park weighs investment decisions on every attraction heavily. After a while, a ride just isn't popular enough to warrant the extensive cost of maintaining it. Throughput capacities often drop as interest in the attraction drops. Any and every park that has existed for 10 or more years has had attractions removed due to such reasons. No park is immune to removals. And said removals do not make them a B-park.
Phantom Theatre never has a wait. It is a capacity gem. So it makes perfect sense that PKI says "Hey, here we have a ride that just devours capacity, yet no one is really interested in it's theme any longer. Why don't we spend the money to re-furbish it and theme it to something new, exciting and inviting." That to me is an incredible and admirable thing.
I have to say that perhaps the BEST new addition decision that PKI has made in years was the re-furb of the KMLF into Wild Thornberries. It held the same premise as Phantom Theatre. PKI recognized that it was a great, highly enjoyable ride with terrific capacity. However the upkeep had gotten out of hand, running costs were ever increasing and interest had begun to dry up. However they had enough faith in the rides potential that they re-invested in it and turned it into a real gem that guests are lining up for.
I think the mentality about PT's "change" needs to be viewed in the same way. I will go out on a limb and say that the "ride" isn't what is being removed.... rather the "experience" is being changed.
*ZOINKS!* Did I say too much?
When you look at a ride like KC and KC:KC, their removals really make sense. KC:KC was never a "popular" attraction from the get-go. KC showed it's age physically and visually. Their removal IMO, was welcome. You couldn't update these two, or do anything to re-generate interest in them. Their drawing power was gone.
Honestly, I think many parks fall into the trap of keeping old rides for the wrong reasons. I could name parks that are filled with old lemon rides that have extensive downtime, low throughput and spark very little interest , but they still exist just for the sake of keeping them. Just because a park may have a ride for 50 years does not necessarily make them better than one that does not.
Rating a park is a personal thing. But you have to look at it through un-educated eyes. 95% of the folks that go to PKI absolutely LOVE it, and do not look or see it's flaws unless it is service related. GP likes new and everchanging things. If they saw the same thing every time they went, they would bore of it and stop going.
But what draws me back to PKI time after time is things ARE ever changing. So my curiosity gets peaked. I am so much more fond of it than I could ever be of a traditional park such as Kennywood, because I am not good with repititon. I think I fall into the majority of the 3.5 M that return to PKI on average every year to see what is new, what is missing and what remains. It is part of the experience there.
Shaggy
Shaggster typed...
"*ZOINKS!* Did I say too much? "
Dogone it Shaggy! Look what you have done now!! You throw us giant hints as if we were chasing a frissbee. What's up with that?
I am really bummed I won't be able to get a last ride on this ride. I really enjoyed it every time I rode it.
Do me a favor John! Take one last ride for me if you get the chance. =:^(
Sean (See.....always lookin' lousy yesterday....don't ask) Flaharty
I will miss PT a lot.
About removeing rides and replaceing them with other attractions:
Look at SFWOA and SFGAdv. They are too big and right now are haveing trouble with being understaffed. This totally decreases the overall "expierance" that they offer IMHO. When SFGAdv added 30somthing rides to become a "superpark", at first I thought it was very cool. but then I visited them and nothing was open due to understaffing problems. I've heard similar things about SFWOA since they added Sea world but i have also heard that they are getting better.
On the other hand, take a look at IOA or Kennywood. They have enouge people to staff everything. Both parks have enough to do but definately not too much. Kennywood usuially takes something out when they add attractions, with the exception of Lost Kennywood.
Quallity over quantity is usuially better.
I DO see all of the opinions stated and see some truth in all of them, but this is my opinion.
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Seanboy said:
"Dogone it Shaggy! Look what you have done now!! You throw us giant hints as if we were chasing a frisbee. What's up with that?"
C'mon Sean! Don't kid with us! ;)
You know, the hints being dropped here are as subtle as a Mack truck. Thanks, Shaggy! (look, yet another hint. When does it end?? :) )
If the "change" is what I think it's going to be, I consider it a trade up. PT, although very neat for PKI, was getting a bit tired. I rode it more for the "Let's see what effect is working today" angle than anything else. Although, in the past few years, the upkeep on PT has been very good and I think the last few time I've ridden all effects have been operating. If next year brings what I think it will (based on the hints here and what other Paramount parks have), an interactive ride with a recognizable theme for that area of the park will be really, really cool.
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Scott W. Short
scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com
According to an email sent out by my ACE regional rep, the word is that PT will close sometime this weekend, and be sure to ride it Saturday. I don't know if this means that they will try to thwart last-ride holdouts by shuttering the ride at an undisclosed time on Sunday.
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David Bowers
Mayor, Coasterville
Waaaaaaaay back at the top of this thread you talked about the furnace at the end of the ride and the heat blast coming from the vent above the track.
What you seem to have forgotten is that there is a damper on that vent which is tied to the furnace door. So if the furnace door is closed, you get almost no heat blast; if the furnace door is open, you get roasted. At least that's how I remember it... :)
I do hope they are planning to have the ride open on Sunday. I don't think I can make it down there Saturday, but I'm already making plans to be there Sunday........
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
You are right shaggy, i keep thinking it was Paramount that ruined the park. They have virtually entirely ruined the theming of the sections, but a lot of good rides were removed under former management. I know Carowinds in the early 80s was one of the best themed parks anywhere. By the late 80s, it was an ugly, poorly maintained park with peeling paint everywhere.
Paramount may have added something to the parks, but they have taken away just as much. As far as KI being spread out, thats the point. There is a lot of distance inbetween rides. So much space is used for nothing (like where the empty auto liver is), and so many spaces have been filled wiht upcharge attractions, you do have to walk a long ways between rides.
I had a season pass to KI last year and will never buy one again. The park became boring after about 3 trips, especially when it was crowded. There are little options other than the coasters and the water park for adults due to the small choice of flat rides and family rides (rollercoasters and water rides with drops do not qualify for this category imo).
We usually go to a park as a family. At KI, some people get to sit on a bench all day, there is virtually nothing for them to do. At hershey, everyone had a lot more they could ride and do throughout the day and everyone had a lot better experience.
and the hershey list
slow rides for everyone: double wheel, ferris wheel, bumper cars, railroad, monorail, ski lift, antique cars/sports cars, slide, carrousel, skytower, space jets, chocolate world dark ride, this is the catergory that kings island is almost 0 on now. plus a very nice zoo, the paddle boats will cost you $2 to ride, and its one of only 2 upcharge attractions there. Rock wall is the other one, and it didnt replace a ride when they added it.
mild rides, scrambler, wave swinger, condor, tilt a whirl, whip, himalaya, mine train, trabant, roller soaker
wilder rides, pirate, rapids, log flume, enterprise, rainbow, chaos, wild mouse,
thrill rides, lightning racer, wildcat, sidewinder, comet, sooperdooperlooper, great bear, tidal force,
that park is well rounded in every category and theirs something to do for everyone, not just sit and wait for others to ride coasters.
Well, going from your descriptions:
slow rides for everyone: bumper cars, railroad, antique cars, carousel, junior carousel, junior monorail, Eiffel tower, *a family dark ride, junior woodie, junior suspended, junior invert
mild rides: scrambler, wave swinger, troika, monster, log flume, mine train, The Racer, The Recar
wilder rides: pirate ship, white water rapids, monster, flying eagles, shoot-the-chutes, 2 motion theatre films, Top Gun
thrill rides: The Beast, SOB, Vortex, Flight of Fear, Face/Off, Drop Zone, Tomb Raider
water slides and rides: lazy river, speed slides, 2 enclosed slide complexes, family raft ride, body surfing, body slide, inner-tube slide
That looks like good variety to me and the park's still growing! With 50+ rides, I don't see how you couldn't find a lot of things to do. I've not heard the best things about Trailblazer or Roller Soaker, but that's a different story. They *are* replacing Phantom Theatre and King Cobra next year with major rides that will be included with park admission. They didn't replace KC with the slingshot. It's barely on the old KC land.
I don't want to change your mind or anything, but there's plenty for me and several others to do at the park. A lot of people do love coasters and waterparks though and that's what many come for. But still, the park is trying to bring new life into each area so its more visually pleasing and more exciting for everyone. With a steel hyper and a couple more flat rides, I think their variety will be unmatched!
A sign was placed in front of Phantom Theatre today which said the ride would be closing on Sunday like Shaggy said. I have pictures if some of you nonbelievers need proof, lol!
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