Burgtoad67 Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Caution: This post is filled with opinions. All things considered, one can't help but feel a sense of pity and, dare I say, shame for our Giant Top Spin. It's like, yes, it's a laughing stock. But unlike famous flubs (Drachen Fire), mismarketed attractions (Th13teen), good ideas with poor execution (Son of Beast), and rides that seemed unnecessary and boring from the start (Shoot the Rapids 2), the ride we have today really did once operate as a sort of "pinnacle" for seasonal parks. It used to be intense. It used to be without a question the best-themed ride in Ohio. It used to be the most expensive ride at Paramount's Kings Island (tied with that good idea with poor execution). In my opinion, if it were to be built from scratch as it is today, it might top off at half of it's original cost (probably less, what with the lack of musical score, lack of pre-show, lack of lighting, lack of fog, lack of water, etc). It's the ultimate example of a ride that fails almost entirely because of its owner's lack of interest in keeping it maintained. If it were a priority, or if they had seen how it used to be, they might say it's worth it to invest in it - even with it's lame cycle, it is an intense, unique, one-of-a-kind, mysterious ride. Even adding one more flip would make it better from a "thrill" point of view. But as a whole, it's as much as testament to Cedar Fair's operating style as its 200 foot neighbor. The two rides, despite coming within inches of each other, demonstrate the best and the worst of Cedar Fair's commitment to Kings Island, and the direction in which they wish to take the park in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if The Crypt is quietly closed this off-season. I don't know that anyone would deny that it's more trouble than it's worth. I doubt that many would give more than a cursory glance to the shuttered entrance, and those who did make note would probably just go "Oh, The Crypt is finally closed. About time." I personally enjoy the ride, even as it is today. But it's over-hyped with the thrill rating of 5, it's upstaged by it's two neighbors (both of whom are enourmous, record-breaking, signature rides for the park) and worst of all, it will always be compared to the ride that it once was. And as the years post-Tomb-Raider become greater and greater, the former ride is more and more romanticized. It rarely opened, most of its effects were shuttered by year 3, and it was uncomfortable to say the least. But it's remembered fondly because of what has replaced it, and as the years pass, people will remember more and more of the good about it, and less and less of the bad. It's what's happening with Son of Beast right now, to an extent. Suddenly people are coming out of the woodwork to say they enjoyed it. And it wasn't even that great to begin with. Tomb Raider, though... As a Son of Beast fan, no one sympathizes with you more than I do. It's sad to see great attractions of the past fall by the wayside of Cedar Fair, especially ones we have personal connections to. Here's to hopin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browntggrr Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 As a Son of Beast fan, no one sympathizes with you more than I do. It's sad to see great attractions of the past fall by the wayside of Cedar Fair, especially ones we have personal connections to. Here's to hopin... I don't see how either SoB or TR could be considered a "great" attraction unless these are to be included: Great Hype? Yes. Great Expense? Yes. Great Downtime? Yes. Great Headache? Yes. Great Attraction? I suppose that is a matter of opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 Ask a certain Ms. Cooper how much she liked it. Or a certain Mr. Focke, just to name two who no longer work where they did, at least in part because of..... On the other hand, given where those two are today, perhaps the fact it threw their careers for a loop was in reality a good thing....sometimes it is best to get out of a comfortable rut... Terp, who will find out for himself soon enough, hopefully in a predictable way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lopan Posted October 26, 2010 Author Share Posted October 26, 2010 One has to wonder if the fate Hercules suffered from will eventually be the same fate of Son of Beast. Only time will tell for certain. You might also read about it in Newsweek.... Terpy, who likes groaners They talk about it in newsweek? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 After Time tells for certain! Ba ba boom! (Sadly, he will be here all week, folks!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burgtoad67 Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 As a Son of Beast fan, no one sympathizes with you more than I do. It's sad to see great attractions of the past fall by the wayside of Cedar Fair, especially ones we have personal connections to. Here's to hopin... I don't see how either SoB or TR could be considered a "great" attraction unless these are to be included: Great Hype? Yes. Great Expense? Yes. Great Downtime? Yes. Great Headache? Yes. Great Attraction? I suppose that is a matter of opinion. Yes, actually, it is. Despite what you think, some people actually enjoyed these two rides. Some of us are still hanging on to them, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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