KINGS ISLAND, Ohio -- Lara Croft, the heroine of video games and
her own movie, is the basis for the newest attraction at
Paramount's Kings Island here.
Tomb Raider: The Ride is described as a "multisensory
adventure," leading visitors on an expedition in search of ancient
treasure through various themes, each with its own danger and
"extreme adventure."
According to a park spokesman, clients can think of it as a ride
in four sections: the tunnel, the antechamber, the shrine and the
heart of the tomb.
In the first three phases, clients walk through sections of an
ancient temple, where they are greeted with a variety of tasks. In
search of an escape, they emerge onto a platform, the heart of the
tomb, and the "ride" portion begins.
Harnessed into seats, the riders race through a variety of
menacing adventures, including a visit by a six-armed Brahma
statue, known as the Warrior Goddess Durga, an actual prop from the
motion picture.
"Guests experience Durga's wrath of fire and ice, get flipped
upside down four times, shoot 70 feet up in the air and are
suspended over a boiling lava pit," the spokesman said.
In conjunction with the launch of Tomb
Raider: The Ride and Paramount's Kings Island's 30th anniversary,
guests at the park through June 16 receive a scratch-off ticket as
part of an Unlock the Tomb sweepstakes.
All receive a prize, ranging from free posters and soft drinks
to DVD players and stereos. In addition, a Norwegian Cruise Line
voyage for two is awarded each day. Also, one visitor a day wins a
chance to take home a 2002 Ford Escape. Each daily "winner" is
presented with a key to the car, but, at the end of the promotion,
only one of the keys will open the door.
Also this year, Paramount's Kings Island added two new faces to
the lineup of costumed characters available to meet and greet kids
in the Nickelodeon Central area of the park.
Kids can play with Jimmy Neutron, the "boy genius" character
from a movie and soon-to-be-released animated television series,
and Dora the Explorer, star of the interactive preschool cartoon
program on Nickelodeon.
Other new additions to the park are Meteor Attack, a
motion-simulator, rocket-training mission at Action F/X Theatre in
Coney Mall; and Graveyard Shift, a music and dance revue on stage
at Paramount Theater beginning June 14.
The theme park is open daily through Aug. 25 and weekends and
holidays through Nov. 2. WaterWorks closes for the season Aug. 25.
Gates open at 9 a.m., rides at 10 a.m., and WaterWorks at 11 a.m.
Closing time varies from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Admission for visitors ages 7 to 59 is $41.99 for one day and
$59.99 for a two-day pass. Admission for ages 3 to 6 or 60 and
older and those under 48 inches tall is $24.99 for one day or
$32.99 for a two-day pass. Parking is $10. Admission to WaterWorks
is covered in the park admission. Discounts are available for
groups of 15 or more.
In addition, Paramount's Kings Island has a tour operator
program in the development stages, the spokesman said. "We saw an
increase in interest in tours geared for families with children,"
he said. "We want to build that business."
Area hotels offer deals
KINGS ISLAND, Ohio -- Clients spending a day or two at
Paramount's Kings Island have a choice of hotels in the area. The
following are some options:
• Cincinnati Marriott North, West Chester. Rates at the property
start at $159 per room, double, and cover deluxe accommodations,
two adult one-day passes and breakfast. For details, call (800)
MARRIOTT or (513) 874-7335, or visit the Web site at www.marriott.com.
• Holiday Inn Express, Kings Island. Located across from the
park, the hotel offers rates from $357 per couple for two nights,
which includes taxes, breakfast and a pair of two-day adult tickets
to Kings Island. One-night packages begin at $199. For information,
call (800) HOLIDAY or (513) 398-8075. Details are on the Web at www.hiexpress.com.
• Kings Island Resort and Conference Center, Kings Island. Rates
start at $189 per night, double, including overnight accommodations
and two adult one-day passes. For two-night stays and two-day
passes for two, rates are from $359 per room, double. To book, call
(800) 727-3050 or (513) 398-0115.
For a complete listing of hotels offering packages with
admission to the theme park, visit www.pki.com/visit_planner_accom.jsp. --
K.S.
Contacts: Paramount's Kings Island, By the
Numbers
Phone: (800) 288-0808 or (513) 754-5700
Web:www.pki.com