PKI to add family interactive Scooby ride (updated)
Posted
[Here's the official press release:]
Paramount's Kings Island today unveiled plans to build the first interactive family ride in the park's history, "Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle." The new adventure ride is based on the timeless antics of the classic Hanna-Barbera™ character Scooby-Doo, who recently made his live action debut in the Warner Brothers release Scooby-Doo. Park guests join Scooby-Doo and the entire Mystery, Inc. gang of Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy on the case to explain the mysterious activity of a green ghost haunting an ancient castle.
The animated adventure begins as guests board their very own Mystery Machine that travels through ghostly graveyards, creepy corridors, and down into dingy dungeons. While winding through the castle, riders are equipped with Fright Light ghost blasters to zap ghosts and collect points. Points are tallied at the end of the experience to see who has the best ghost-zapping ability.
"Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle" will change the look of the award-winning Hanna-Barbera Land forever. Guests will enter the attraction through the front gates of a huge castle," said Craig Ross, executive vice president and general manger. "Riders zapping targets trigger a variety of ghostly gags which makes each ride a different experience. This is an attraction kids, parents, and grandparents will enjoy riding over and over again."
"Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle" premieres in 2003 and replaces the Phantom Theater attraction that closed in mid July to make way for the new attraction construction
Scooby-Doo first aired on the CBS television network Saturday morning, September 13, 1969 and has earned the distinction of being the longest-running cartoon on television. The mystery-solving Great Dane has starred in more than 310 animated episodes and now stars in his first live action movie.
"Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle" will be the newest attraction in the Golden Ticket award-winning Hanna-Barbera land at Paramount's Kings Island. The Golden Ticket award results are determined by a pre-selected group of experienced theme park enthusiasts considered well-traveled park guests. The 400 judges ride, eat, observe and enjoy the best of the best that theme parks have to offer. The best kid's area in the world encompasses the Nickelodeon™ Central area as well as the classic antics of Hanna-Barbera™ Land. Judges noted that between these two areas, Paramount's Kings Island has the greatest variety of childrens' attractions including: four kids coasters, more than any park in the world crowning Paramount's Kings Island the kids coaster capitol of the world; a collection of more than 20 rides; and two stage shows with daily performances.
