Tomb Raider: The Ride - Proof of Giant Top Spin

If this is an enclosed giant top spin, it is indeed and IDIOTIC addition to the park in my opinion.  This will be the type of ride that will be poplular for a little while, not timeless.   The money spent on the building and theming (out of place theming at that for its location in the park) could have been used to add a flat ride package, which in the short run would have attracted as many guests initially, and in the long run been a better investment as it would have helped alleviate some the of long lines at the park on busy days.
There are SO many great, thrilling flat rides missing from Ohio parks that a package of multiple rides would be a huge differential for one of these places.  Rides that look as thrilling and as fun as any coaster such as KMG afterburner, Nauta-Bussink evolution, Mondial top scan, Huss ranger and jump, plus family rides such as Huss magic, swing out, tri star, all missing from Ohio parks.
Its a shame they are spending so much money on one attraction that will intially have a huge wait when the same amount of money could have been used on several attractions to spread out waiting times.  The ride may be well themed intially, but usually heavy theming at a b class park like this is neglected over time and not fully maintained.

*** This post was edited by super7 on 11/13/2001. ***

One thing I have not read to any great degree is the fact that a lot of people will not ride Top Spin's or any flat ride that is similar. I won't, they are puke machines. Some people physically can not go upside down that many times in such a fast duration. So, I'm surprised PKI would spend that kind of money on a spinning ride, when a coaster is more universal.

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super7 said:
b class park

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Its this sort of remark that is just asking for trouble.  *thumbs down*

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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

Well Martling, because a) not everyone can afford a new roller coaster every year b) not everyone likes roller coasters, believe it or not c) there are plenty of coaster enthusiasts and other people who do ride spinning rides. If parks built rides based on people's sensitivity to a particular sensation, they would only have a train.

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SFA 2002-What are they building?

Chris,

According to the Screamscape plans, the overflow line will be between the queue buildings and the railroad track.

Intamin Fan,

 You are correct. I have heard the same people (not on this board mind you) complain about the lack of flat rides, complain about TR:TR.  I just don't get it. I think there is a bit of being let down from the folks who were expecting 'so much more' and just don't want to accept what a great addition TR:TR will be.  As for your PKD comment........you are getting a coaster also correct. =:^)

 As for super7's guess that the ride will only 'be popular for a little while' doesn't really hold water IMO considering  no one has even ridden the thing.  Sure, it may be 'like' something already out there, but it also is like 'nothing' out there also. It all depends on how you look at it I suppose.

   Since all of the Paramount Park choices are made right at PKI, I can assure you that they researched as hard as they could to come up with the TR plan.  Perhaps the research they did showed them that a super-duper flat ride collection wouldn't do as well in Ohio, as it would in Canada (which is what has happend the last two years.....and next year).   Their marketing makes sense to me. Instead of many flat rides, have one big emmersive one, with greater capacity. The part tested their great theming this season with the new additions, and was pleasantly surprised at how well people liked it.  TR is going to be a huge step up from that.  

 TR is supposed to have a great capacity. The way guests will experiance the attraction could very well make the waits as pleasant as possible. If TR ends up being a HUGE hit, then I could see other extremem flat rides being introduced to the park somewhere down the road.

-Sean (sorry for those that can't ride TR because it looks like it is going ot be a treat!) Flaharty

Intamin Fan:

I'm not disputing the fact that tons of people love spinning rides, that's not even an issue. That's common sense. And of course, not everyone loves coasters. Point is, if the $40 million dollar figure is true, which I doubt, but let's say it's true, why spend that much money on an attraction that a target audience will not go on? In simple terms, why have it spin? Unfortunately, myself, my wife, my two best friends, etc. will never know what this ride is like...we can't go on spinning rides without getting sick.

Spinning rides are essential in a park, but at that cost?

*** This post was edited by Martling on 11/13/2001. ***

Okay, I initially said that I would say no more, but I guess I lied. :)

What I dont understand is why? I have no problem with them putting in a well themed Tomb Raider Attraction, nor do I have a problem with a flat ride. I just wonder what encouraged them to enclose a flat ride (*IF* that is indeed what it is). Those HUSS rides are 'spectacular' rides, that is to say "eye catching". Shrouding it in a building seems to take away from that a little.

I'm sure that they already tossed this about, but I for one would be interested to know what persuasive argument was given.
jeremy
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A Nigerian Muslim sharia court sentences a pregnant woman found guilty of adultery to be stoned to death, but only after she has finished weaning her baby.
This is known in some parts of the Muslim world as compassionate conservatism

Martling, as for your comment about getting sick on spinning rides, have you or your friends ever tried a Topspin? It doesn't spin horizontally around in a tight circle, so maybe your crew could handle it. My co-worker said he couldn't handle spinning rides, but I tricked him onto Exterminator at KW and he survived two rides just fine. And to use one of your quotes "in simple terms, why should a simlulator's seats move?"

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SFA 2002-What are they building?

I'll back up Intamin Fan on this one.  Top Spins are not nearly as bad as they look.  My wife cannot ride a scrambler, octopus, tilt a whirt, etc..  but she loves Top Spins.  It doesn't get your stomach nearly as much as initially though it would, in fact it doesn't even really give me the butterflys that feel on "spin and pukes".  This is a 'flipper' not a 'spinner'.  

On another note, I am a person who definately thinks that PKI needs more flat rides but am not thrilled with TR if it turns out to be a top spin or something like a topspin.  I would have rather seen PKI invest in more than one for the amount of money that they are spending on just this one.  Don't get me wrong, whatever it is will ride it and chances are that will enjoy it.  But I also question how this rides popularity will be in a couple of years.  Also how many people will wait in a long line to ride it more than once a visit if it's a top spin (regardless of the theming).  I myself will not wait very long for any flat ride no matter how themed it is when another ride just like it exists only a couple of hours away (although not themed or as tall but with no line).  I just hope that the lines for this thing are so long that can I reride all the coasters with no wait time.

*** This post was edited by Incidentalist on 11/13/2001. ***

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ravenguy98 said:

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super7 said:
b class park

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Its this sort of remark that is just asking for trouble.  *thumbs down*
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An "A" class park in my opinion keeps their rides maintained, and KEEPS their rides in general, not remove them without replacement (nice pay-per play rock wall where skylab was, nice pay per play trampoline where Zodiac and Flight Commander stood,  nice chunk of asphalt where Wheel of Fortune was, nice big building restaurant where Barvarian Beetle was.......etc lol).

If keeping rides in general is your criteria for an "A" class park (whatever that is), then it must be next-to-impossible for any park to get your 5 star rating.

The fact is that the park's additions, although they may not be to your liking, are what the public wants.  Otherwise they wouldn't be there.  According to statistics, PKI is one of the top seasonal parks in the country - some years it's the top park.

So ignore the fact that it's the best park for kids outside of WDW.  Ignore the fact that it's got a great collection of coasters.  Pay no attention to the fact that they've promised us a great experience with Tomb Raider.  Turn a blind eye to the way the park treats enthusiasts.  Only then will your logic fly.

Jacob

Topspins are pretty intense and fun .... I ride Texas Twister a SFWOA all the time. all you folks at PKI   will enjoy it very much .  This inclosed ride sounds really cool !    

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You really need to get some more BRAN in your diet

super7,

 What I think you are forgetting to mention is the fact that it may not be the parks fault because those rides are gone. Skylab was a maintence nightmare. So was Flight Commander if I am not mistaken.  Yea, they didn't put in new flat rides at those locations, but they did add 'something' didn't they? Given they are added cost attractions, but IMO, I would rather see 'something' there then a vacant concrete stub or something of that nature.

-Sean

I just think it would have been really neat to have either two of the giant rides(maybe a top spin and a frisbee or something?), kind of like a 'choose your own adventure' for which one you would end up on(like Cambodia or Iceland type thing) or they could have made it something for the entire family, one side the top spin for people who like the spin-and-puke type ride and then put another side used for younger kids, families, and people who aren't into that 'spinny' thing, even a well themed 'box' similators would have been nice just so everyone could do something with it and see all the theming., etc. The cost would probobly be driven up a lot more but just a suggestion. At least we might be a guided tours from Lara herself. Mmmm.

BTW, Lara Croft:Tomb Raider is out today for rent on VHS and DVD and for purchase on DVD usually around $19.99 though I know Best Buy has it for $17.99. The movie isn't perfect, but it's one of those really fun 'summer' movies which it was meant for with lots of action and comedic moments, but I do hope the sequel is an improvement in plot or I don't believe the public will be very interested. Angelina is Lara to perfection though. No problems whatsoever with her part. The movie does show that the ride's potential for theming is incredibly endless. I'm sure Paramount will be  hoping for another Mission: Impossible 2 for those who keep up with box office although I don't believe its success will affect the ride much. What did the movies do for Face/Off and Drop Zone? Who knows?  
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Danny, who when he grows up, wants to be on the design and development team at PKI...Hey, I can dream! :)

I've always felt the programming schemes of the Top Spin were underutilized and I can imagine a lot of cool ways to combine programming and theming.  Just like motion simulators like Back to the Future and Spiderman use motion timed to screened events to trick your brain into believing you are moving more than you are, I think the Top Spin can be used in this way, too. 

Remember that the Top Spin doesn't have to just keep rocking and flipping you, it can just be used at times as a movable bench to postion you in front of a projection screen or fire or water effect.  Imagine you are rotated to the top and stopped on your back looking at a ceiling projection screen.  The screen shows a realistic CGI boulder heading straight for you, but you are suddenly thrown forward and upside down as a fake (but real-enough looking) paper-mache boulder falls from the ceiling, just missing the riders.  The boulders land in water, while a water cannon simulates a splash aimed right at the riders.  The ride flips you out of harm's way and rotates you upside down to the other side, where real fire effects await.  Combine three dimensional props with good lighting, images projected on screens, plus the motion of the Top Spin well-coordinated with the events happening on all sides, and you could have a very immersive ride that could have more of a plot than that lame movie.  Much more than just a ride in a box.

Now if they don't take the ride to that extreme and they just have a couple of motionless statues and walls that look like rocks, then it's just a ride in a box and I would be disappointed.  I am giving them the benefit of the doubt, though until I ride the thing and I am hoping for the best.

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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

 

AMAZING quote! I just thought I'd point that out. Oh, and of course, excellent selection in your name...

Just so I can keep this on topic, I don't care what it is, I'm just excited to see the theming. I'll quote Jeff S. and what he said to me closing weekend here..."Just wait till the doors open and the people can't see that they're about to step into a....Nevermind, you think I'm gonna give this away, don't you?"

hehe..

-Josh
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-*as seen on a sign at PKI:
All packages are subject to search
No weapons or illegal substances may be brought into the park.
Sorry for the inconveinience.*-

I think Skittlebrau may have the right idea. 

 

And thanks raven-phile.  Its a quote by Hawkeye from mash. 

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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.

Does anybody know for sure what this ride is costing PKI (cough, shaggy, cough)?  I've heard anywhere from 4 million to 40 million.

The $40 million figure is doubtful, and rideman has tried to debunk it.  But it is definately more than $4 million.  So you got it right, between $4 and $40 million. :)