bkroz Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 You bring up many good points - I too assumed that it was a Cedar Fair thing. And please don't get me wrong, in many ways it is. Not only are they poor at maintaining theme, but their installation of theme on new rides is minimal at best. Is Diamondback themed? Sure. But most every superhero-themed ride at your friendly neighborhood Six Flags looks better from a theme point of view. Then take into consideration Kings Dominion (and yes, I'm about to start repeating myself). Kings Dominion's Backlot Stunt Coaster had its splashdown returned this year. It's Crypt still uses its original Tomb Raider musical score, flames, fountains, even the monkey-warrior statue props surround the ride. Their entire Congo area plays, track-by-track, the score to the film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Their Flight of Fear still plays the synchronized music each and every time, and the bass, lighting, and queue video still work inside their spaceship. So did Mr. Kinzel's word come from on high that Kings Dominion could have its original lighting, flames, music, movie props, and fog? Doubtful. As Terpy has said, Kings Dominion must compete directly with Busch Gardens Williamsburg and its "Most Beautiful Park on Earth" award, its landscaping, its music, its theme. As such, I imagine (thinking out loud here) that Kings Dominion simply allots x amount of money each season towards theme - the flames, the fog, the lights. It's not cheap, but it's all factored into the budget beforehand. Kings Island? What do we compete with? Directly, no other theme parks. Indirectly, we used to compete with Kentucky Kingdom and Cedar Point... Enough said, right? Our Crypt is still better themed than anything at those two parks, and our Cedar Point market doesn't necessarily search for theme the way visitors to Busch Gardens / Kings Dominion would. They come to Cedar Point for thrills, and if they hear about a little park three hours away with a really well themed, but 40 foot tall Backlot Stunt Coaster, they may be less than inclined to visit... But when Diamondback is three hours away, it might be worth it to hop down for the day! That's just what I've gathered so far. Look at the Crypt - the building is filled with fountains, Hollywood lighting, lasers, fog machines, and more. If they thought it would improve the park's visitation to turn them on, than they would. And if Universal Studios built a park in Ohio, you better believe those fountains and lights would get turned on pretty fast... (Or better yet, if Universal bought a park in Ohio... I think you know which one I'm talking about). When it's all said and done, I would take 2006's on-its-last-leg Tomb Raider over our current Crypt any day of the week... Who wouldn't? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Millennium Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 ^ I disagree on one point. TTD is much better themed than anything at KI imo. The music plays, all the lighting, sound effects, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster_junky Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 ^not to step on toes, but i can't see how you consider top thrill's christmas tree lights and "finish line" flag better themeing than that on backlot, Adventure Express, or Planet Snoopy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I wouldn't agree that that's well-themed, really... But even so, it doesn't hold a candle to the entrance and queue of the Crypt. That queue combined with the ride chamber's goddess, volcano, and flashing lights is better themed than most rides at many corporate-owned seasonal amusement parks in the United States... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongliveKingsCobra Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 Well, as for the crypt entrance, at least they haven't torn down the cave entrance, and just made a hole to enter through. I mean I do miss the fire they used to have at the entrance, but...hey, you win some, you lose most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coaster_junky Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 ... and when things are loose, it typically makes it easier to lose them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongliveKingsCobra Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 haha aren't you cute. /sarcasm But it's fixed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I usually let that one go, along with rediculous. Sometimes even breaks for brakes. Besides, I was asleep! Terpy, who could care less about good English, because he cares a great deal...and who sometimes thinks texting (by execs, not kids) is contributing to the ruination of this nation, and to car crashes! (And I don't totally want to be known solely for being Mrs. Grundy, or as is said in another place I frequent, Arping people!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 I wonder if the reason for it being off is the projector "flashing" the guests when something goes wrong with the smoke screen. (anyone who's ridden it with the projector on and smoke screen off would know what I mean) Maybe they are trying to figure out a way to automagically turn off the projector when the smoke stops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted July 4, 2010 Share Posted July 4, 2010 Well the effect has been working at Elitch Gardens for years without anyone worrying about that. Suppose we should ask folks at the other Paramount Parks if theirs are working (here's a wild guess: I bet they are). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIBOB Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 I haven't been able to go to the park for a while, any word from anyone that the smoke screen is operational again? I hope... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
technicolorgirl Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Yesterday was my first time on Boo Blasters, I got over 1300...(woot!).....but I didn't see any smoke.......hope that answers your question. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTCO Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Kings Island fail with the smokescreen. I called it... Not on these forums, but to myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted July 8, 2010 Share Posted July 8, 2010 Well the effect has been working at Elitch Gardens for years without anyone worrying about that. Suppose we should ask folks at the other Paramount Parks if theirs are working (here's a wild guess: I bet they are). Do the fire effects work on their BLSCs? Not to say we have better theming on every single ride *coughcough*, but we have some... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 has anyone heard anything about the fogscreen with boocifer projected on it? that was a cool feature i enjoyed. & it seems that about the time they fix one light, another one goes out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Near the end with all the dark skelotons I can see how It can really scare little kids. When I first saw those I was actually a little spooked for a second cuz I wasn't expecting that. IMO, Cedar Fair should've just kept it Scooby-Doo themed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 That was not an option.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightoffear1996 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It might have been an option of they had the budget to liensce the ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rotag Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 Near the end with all the dark skelotons I can see how It can really scare little kids. When I first saw those I was actually a little spooked for a second cuz I wasn't expecting that. IMO, Cedar Fair should've just kept it Scooby-Doo themed. i remember the first time i road phantom theater, it scared me so bad that i never rode it again until the last 3yrs of operation. & i kick myself everyday for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It might have been an option of they had the budget to liensce the ride. You assume that the license to the ride in question was the issue. It was not. Terp, who has said all he can or will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I was surprised by 2 things: 1. How little had actually changed 2. How the little changes added up to a much scarier ride. Pull out Scooby and replace him with scarier creatures, and the ride no longer appeals to the same demo. I liked Boo Blasters. It's a fine dark ride. KI needs more like it. I just wish the only family-friendly dark ride on property was less scary. I was also surprised how little the ride changed. I didn't like how CF marketed it as a "new interactive dark ride" even though all they did was remove Scooby-Doo characters and references and replace them with generic Haunted House references and characters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It might have been an option of they had the budget to liensce the ride. You assume that the license to the ride in question was the issue. It was not. Terp, who has said all he can or will How come you always say "that's all I can say as I've already said too much"? Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I don't. But when I have, then I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I guess I won't ask any more questions. I don't want you to reveal your identity, well, not that I know your identity. EDIT: 300th post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 And not that I would anyway.... It's just that some things can be said, others are best left unsaid.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerRider Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It might have been an option of they had the budget to liensce the ride. Snoopy and Scooby both park mascots? That would be stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeastForever Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It might have been an option of they had the budget to liensce the ride. Snoopy and Scooby both park mascots? That would be stupid. I honestly wouldn't give a darn AT ALL. Yeah that would be considered, "stupid" I guess. But would the GP care? At all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseltech20 Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I've never really cared for Scooby personally, or most any other thing done by HB. Trying to sit through most of those cartoons nowadays, is almost painful. As for Boo Blasters, My 8 year old daughter is mortified by it and refuses to ride it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingMaster Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 I was also surprised how little the ride changed. I didn't like how CF marketed it as a "new interactive dark ride" even though all they did was remove Scooby-Doo characters and references and replace them with generic Haunted House references and characters. This is coming from a company that marketed the Halloween Haunt as an event "unlike anything you've ever seen before" and with "more blood, terror, and gore than ever before", even though all they did was rename several attractions and dump a couple of bathtubs of blood everywhere (minus three, every one of the attractions at the event are from the Paramount/CBS era, even if they are a simple re-theme). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted August 6, 2010 Share Posted August 6, 2010 It might have been an option of they had the budget to liensce the ride. Snoopy and Scooby both park mascots? That would be stupid. I honestly wouldn't give a darn AT ALL. Yeah that would be considered, "stupid" I guess. But would the GP care? At all? So, you wouldn't care. You think the general public wouldn't care. Gee, I wonder who would... Think about that for a while, then you might very well interpret something correctly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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