Return of D Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 I just came across this story, thought it was interesting. In case anyone wanted to read it. Despite Economy, Ohio Theme Parks Adding New Rides PKI, Cedar Point To Include New Attractions TOLEDO, Ohio -- Despite worries about the economy, Ohio's two biggest amusement parks are not holding back on spending for new attractions this summer. Cedar Point is spending $25 million on a roller coaster that will top 400 feet, while Paramount's Kings Island is building three multimillion- dollar attractions. In general, most amusement parks have been cautious in spending during the last couple of years, said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services in Cincinnati. He said the economy or the threat of war shouldn't hurt attendance, he said. "Our business has always has done well in times of war and recession," Speigel said. "People want to escape and get away from their problems." Construction is well under way at Kings Island and Cedar Point. At Kings Island near Cincinnati, the park is adding a thrill ride and a family ride. The thrill ride, known as Delirium, is sort of like a giant pendulum that will swing riders back and forth as the seats rotate in a circle. "You're almost upside down," park spokesman Jeffrey Siebert said. The other new attraction, Scooby Doo and the Haunted Castle, will be an interactive attraction in which riders travel graveyards and a haunted mansion while zapping ghosts and ghouls with laser guns. The ride is based on the television series that debuted in 1969. "Every ride is different," Siebert said. "It looks like you're riding through an episode of Scooby Doo." A third ride being built at Kings Island will be announced before the park opens on April 12. Siebert said that even though the economy has been sluggish, the park will continue to improve. "The biggest question we ask, regardless of the economy, is what do our guests want," he said. "We are a place where you go to forget your worries." Cedar Point is finishing construction on Top Thrill Dragster, which will top out at 420 feet and reach speeds of 120 mph. Six Flags Worlds of Adventure, in Aurora, won't announce its plans for this summer until next month. While its two competitors drew more than 3 million people a year ago, attendance at the Six Flags park declined. Six Flags Chairman Kieran Burke said in August that combining Six Flags Ohio and Sea World of Ohio did not work out as hoped. He blamed the northeast Ohio economy for a decline in group sales, which provide about 30 percent of a park's revenue. The state's amusement parks may face a new tax on tickets this year. Gov. Bob Taft on Thursday set out to expand the 5 percent state sales tax on items including amusement park tickets. Cedar Point spokeswoman Janice Witherow said, "The impact would be in the millions of dollars." The amusement park already pays an admissions tax to the city of Sandusky. Later, Dank http://www.channelcincinnati.com/money/195...615/detail.html Quote
teenageninja Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Thanks for the good story Dank. So PKI is adding 3 Multi-Million Dollar attractions. Sounds promising to me. Of course we knew the first 2, but the 3rd. It's looking less and less like Sponge Bob, but I'll be the first to admit I'm wrong. Quote
Rollercoast18 Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Hello, this is my first post. Well that same article appeared in the Dayton Daily News, and I noticed that part about the building of the third ride. So maybe it isn't spongbob, but I also thought that TR:TR wasn't going to be a flat ride. I love TR:TR by the way. Quote
adam12 Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 I can not believe they would keep a 3rd ride from the public. It would sell more season passes if they would announce it. -adam12 Quote
teenageninja Posted February 3, 2003 Posted February 3, 2003 Season Passes are not where they get money my friend, they get money from individual admisions. Plus most people who have passes don't spend alot at the park, if you are a guest your bound to get more money, plus you can go on people's word if a ride is good or not. Quote
fyrfyter Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 If there is a tird ride that is actually being built, one can only hope its not Spongebob in 3D. I wouldn't consider that building a new ride either, just changing an existing one. Anyone remember what was said, way back when they filmed the discovery channel thing for TR:TR. Didn't Jeff Siebert say hmmm about some clearings noticed throughout the park. Who remembers all this? Quote
Beastfreak Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Though didn't Dave Mandt say that the new 2003 things will NOT include the land clearing mentioned by Jeff. Plus what can you put back there, only a little bit farther and that land drops almost straight down into the ravine. Quote
Dane Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 I remember it Fryfyter, I think it can still be found in the Thread, "New for 2003" Quote
PKICoasterFreek Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 I remember it too, you still can find it, I just read a couple of days ago for like the fouth of fifth time. If we are getting a new ride I hope it isn'e a spongebob ride!!!! If it is, help us all! PKI ROCKS!!!!!! Quote
PKICoasterFreek Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 Oh, yeah, welcome RollerCoast18!!!! Quote
Coasterfan Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 I think it will be a J2. PKI probably ordered the whole package. If it is a spoungebob ride then someone has lost their mind. Quote
italianchef Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 So, 6 Flags is having a hard time. I was sad when they bought Sea World because now if I want to visit a Sea Word - I have to fly to Florida, California, or Texas. I'm glad that PKI - the best park in the world - is doing okay. I know that profits were up in 2001 but have yet to read anything about 2002. Quote
Bob Dole Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 It won't be a jump 2, paramount may have bought the whole package, but distributed it. One of the other paramount parks is getting a J2 Quote
Beastfreak Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 Profits were good in food service. We beat our goals yet again. Though we always do great, so I can't really talk for the other departments. Quote
teenageninja Posted February 6, 2003 Posted February 6, 2003 A J2 is a Huss Jump 2. It's on http://www.hussrides.com under Giant rides. It looks like a ride I'd like to see. Quote
Beastfreak Posted February 6, 2003 Posted February 6, 2003 Took me a while too. I'm still kinda iffy about those rides. The drawing for the one at PCW looks scary. Not scary as in, "Huss Jump2 1 looks too intense" but it looks like an over grown scorpion or some other invertibre. Quote
missdi Posted February 6, 2003 Posted February 6, 2003 I also received the newpaper articles in my area, I have been to Cedar Point, this is a great park, but lines were too long. Everything is kept up in cleanliness and overall is an amazing park, but I hate the lines! All in all you need about 2-3 days to experience the entire park. About 3 years ago my family and I went to Six Flags/Sea World for 2 days when they were 2 separate parks, my family and I really thoroughly enjoyed Sea World. Got to see most of the shows and enjoyed the scenery. When we went to Six Flags we were rather disappointed, they had a rather decent water park, there version of a water rapid ride was very bad, and a majority of the rides were not even open, probably more than half the park wasn't even operating, I believe this was the first year of SF taking over from Geauga Lake so maybe this was why things weren't up to par. The lines were not long because they were'nt that busy, but we did alot of walking around trying to find rides that were open. And prices to eat were awful, Subway was about $9 a person for half a sub, drink and chips. Not much a variety in shows either. I don't want to entirely judge them on this experience since they were still in the works of renovating the park. We're going to try the visit again this summer so hopefully things are better. When we visit PKI the lines are usually not that long, I like it the most in the fall when the park is not that busy you can usually walk right onto the rides, otherwise I probably wouldn't have had the guts to ride some of the rides that I've riden because I would have time to think about it and then wouldn't do it. I can't wait til the season starts, you won't see me on Delirium though! Quote
Coasterfan Posted February 6, 2003 Posted February 6, 2003 Ya I really like how the lines are usually short at PKI. Quote
teenageninja Posted February 6, 2003 Posted February 6, 2003 On Mondays and Wednesdays rides like TR:TR and Face/Off are walk ons. It's because the thrills are so spread out and the capacity is so high. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.