From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Crypt (Kings Island)
The Crypt (Kings Island)
The Crypt In 2007, after the sale of Paramount Parks to Cedar
Fair Entertainment Company, references to the film were
technically removed from the sister rides, which were re-
Crypt.
named The Crypt However, many are still present in the
Kings Dominion ride, as it is outdoors and many of its
special effects are not film related (water fountains, wa-
ter blasts, flames, etc.). Meanwhile, Kings Island’s is a ful-
ly enclosed Giant Top Spin thrill ride built by HUSS Rides.
It opened at Kings Island in 2002 and is the world’s only
Giant Top Spin.
This article is focused on Kings Island’s The Crypt. For
information on Kings Dominion’s Crypt, see Kings Domin-
ion’s The Crypt, below.
The sign outside The Crypt at Kings Island. The Crypt is a higher-capacity version of the highly
popular smaller Top Spin located at many amusement
Location Kings Island parks. Initially, The Crypt accommodated 77 riders.
Area Rivertown When it was transformed into The Crypt, its capacity was
reduced to 47 (by removing the first row of the gondo-
Coordinates 39°20′24″N 84°16′01″W / 39.3401351°N la) so the ride could perform more acrobatic and thrilling
84.2670625°W / 39.3401351;
-84.2670625Coordinates: 39°20′24″N
movements. The Top Spins installed at other former
84°16′01″W / 39.3401351°N 84.2670625°W / Paramount Parks (including The Crypt, formerly known
39.3401351; -84.2670625 as Tomb Raider: Firefall at Kings Dominion and Firefall
at California’s Great America) are newer, floorless models
Status Operating
with a more standard Top Spin capacity of 38-40 riders.[1]
Cost Approx $20,000,000 For the 2001 season, Kenton’s Cove Keelboat Canal, a
Opening date April 2002
log-flume water ride, gave its last ride. On April 24, 2001,
the area around Kenton’s Cove Keelboat Canal was fenced
Attraction Top Spin Thrill Ride in, with the phrase, "An exciting new adventure is com-
Type
ing in 2002" written along the fence. Kings Island offi-
Manufacturer HUSS Maschinenfabrik cially announced Tomb Raider: The Ride on July 2, 2001
by placing the 17-foot-tall (5.2 m) Hindu goddess Brah-
Height 80 ft (24 m)
ma prop used in the first movie (and later, in the ride’s
Drop 70 ft (21 m) preshow) in front of the park’s Eiffel Tower and Royal
Fountains. After the Paramount Parks were sold to Cedar
G force 4.3
Fair and all licencing rights were dropped, the rides with-
Participants 77 (2002-06) in the park continued to operate with the Paramount
per group 47 (2007–) movie names for the 2007 season. However, on January
Duration 2:00 21, 2008, Kings Island’s main web site replaced the name
Tomb Raider: The Ride, with the new Cedar Fair name
Height 4 ft 6 in (137 cm)
restriction
"The Crypt".
As "The Crypt", all Tomb Raider references have been
The Crypt is the name of two separate HUSS Top Spins removed from the attraction. The altar chamber (the
operating at Kings Island and Kings Dominion theme room in which the ride actually takes place) which for-
parks. Both were constructed while the parks were merly contained the temple walls, engraving of the god-
owned by Paramount, and were themed to the film Lara dess Durga, the stalagmites, lava pool, and volcano, is
Croft: Tomb Raider, and were originally named (and still now devoid of all effects. While the 60-foot (18 m) relief
commonly referred to) as Tomb Raider: The Ride and of the Hindu goddess is still hanging on the wall, its light
Tomb Raider: FireFall respectively.
FireFall, up eyes and its light up fire and ice emblems are not used.
The volcano structure on the ground of the chamber and
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Crypt (Kings Island)
reaching up the back wall is still present, but is not filled cle. When she spots the riders, she utters something in an
with water (which was illuminated to create the lava ef- ancient language and in her right and left hands, fire and
fect.) Instead of theme lighting and effects, the cham- ice begin to illuminate and light up the darkness, reveal-
ber is kept in complete darkness for a more disorienting ing the sheer size and magnitude of the enormous tem-
experience. Tomb Raider: The Ride’s old, specially-com- ple, covered in vines and ancient hieroglyphics.
posed musical score is gone. "The Crypt" utilizes a sim- The vehicle’s axle unlocks, leaving the rows of seats
ple howling wind track during the load sequence, and a to dangle as it is tossed backwards over the arc of the
light, drum-driven "jungle" sounding score for the ride ride’s arms. Lara Croft’s voice resonates, "You’re making
portion. (See below for more information.) a big mistake!" The vehicle is hurtled backwards away
A behind the scenes and on-ride video of the old from the goddess’ engraving as her laughter fills the
Tomb Raider: The Ride incarnation can be found on var- chamber. It circles back to in front of the goddess’ face
ious video websites by searching, the former a Travel and this time, only the ice is illuminated. The temple is
Channel special dedicated to the mechanics and story of illuminated in blue and mist fills the room. The vehicle
the ride. There are also numerous Facebook groups dedi- rockets skyward and the guests are pointed directly into
cated to the attraction and its return. Additionally, there the spikes of icy cold stalagmites. As the goddess’ ancient
are a few petitions to return the ride to this incarnation. language fills the chamber yet again, the icicles turn blaz-
The rides interior was designed by Technifex, a com- ing red and begin to melt, splattering water onto the rid-
pany specializing in themeing rides such that smaller, re- ers. Just before they crash down, the vehicles spins back
gional theme parks can achieve the same rich and thor- to the ground. The poles have shifted, and fire is now the
ough ride themeing as a destination park, such as Disney- ruling element. The vehicle finds itself placed directly
land. over a pit of shimmering, hypnotizing molten lava. Fac-
ing completely downwards staring into the water, the ve-
Tomb Raider: The Ride hicle slowly lowers itself towards the bubbling lava as
fountains of it begin to leap upwards and towards the rid-
(2002-2007) ers.
At the last possible second, the vehicle swoops for-
In the attraction’s Tomb Raider: The Ride incarnation,
ward, pulling guests to the rear of the temple and holding
the experience begins as guests enter into the mouth of a
them completely and utterly upside down staring into
jagged cavern that has appeared in the forests of "River-
the active, smoking holes in the side of a volcano. Just
town", one of the themed areas at Kings Island. Entering
when the vehicle feels as if it may fall into the lava, it
the cavern, darkness covers the crowd and eerie sense
swings upwards to the top arc of the ride, staring down at
of foreboding ensues with loud creepy music setting the
the goddess engraving. She screams as a white piercing
theme that is about to occur. As the guests enter into the
strobe light fills the temple. Her fire and ice emblems be-
ante-chamber of the ride, there is a rather large vicious
gin to flicker on and off. The ride’s effects go crazy as
looking bat looking over the guests. In front of the guests
smoke, fire, icicles and lava surround guests. Then, held
there is a circular door is illuminated with the symbol
at the top of the arc, the vehicle free falls the complete 70
of the "Triangle of Light" that is inscribed on the door.
feet (21 m) through the smoke clouds to the base of the
The door rolls away and guests enter into a huge, dark
statue where it began just as the effects accumulate. The
cathedral-like chamber, where they are separated into
voice of Lara’s father fills the chamber. "No one gets the
the two rows to fills up the ride vehicle’s two rows. Drum
best of Lara Croft! Unless she lets them... But I didn’t raise
beats resound through the hollow altar room, and just in
that kind of girl!" The music crescendos and the lights
front of the vehicle, construction lamps illuminate exca-
all turn back off for one solitary moment as the goddess’
vation equipment used to uncover the secrets hiding in
eyes light up one last time and her laugh fades away.
the tomb.
Then, the construction lights come back onto the exca-
The drum beats come to an abrupt and echoing halt
vation equipment in front of you and peace is restored to
as strange music fills the chamber. The construction
the temple.
lights go dark, leaving the vehicle in darkness. There is
a sound of an object moving, as if dislodging itself from
stone for the first time in centuries, and the vehicle be- Transformation to The Crypt
gins to move forward and up. It falls back down and then
swings forward with greater force, this time scaling to
(2008)
a height enough that when the vehicles headlights turn When Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. bought the former
on, a huge 60-foot-tall (18 m) engraving of the goddess Paramount Parks, all of the rights and licensing to Para-
Durga appears on the wall. Awakened from her sleep by mount Pictures films were granted to the parks for a
the intrusive noises, her eyes illuminate a piercing blue, 10-year span, giving the parks enough time to phase out
and lasers shoot from them, scanning through the vehi- the themeing or to purchase the rights permanently
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Crypt (Kings Island)
(with this "trial period" ending in 2017). For the first sea- Crypt’s program spins riders upside down nine times
son operating under the Cedar Fair name, Kings Island (more than any other ride in the park).
continued to use the Tomb Raider theme. During the off- • The ride (which opened as the world’s only Giant
season between 2007 and 2008, all references to any Para- Top Spin -77 person capacity-) had its third row
mount movies within the park were removed, including removed for the 2008 season, lowering the capacity
that of Tomb Raider. to a more traditional size of 48. This could be because
Significant Changes were made to the queue and the three rows were tiered to create a "theater"
theme: effect so that all riders could see the effects. Since
• The ride was renamed from "Tomb Raider: The Ride" there are no effects, the third row was removed so
to "The Crypt" that the ride could perform more thrilling dives and
• The "Triangle of Light" in the queue was removed. spins, which the old ride was simply too large to do.)
• The "Triangle of Light" carving on the cave entrance Notably, when the capacity was reduced from 77 to
was covered. 56, the official HUSS website lowered the capacity of
• The queue line began being lit with red flood lights. Giant Top Spins from 77 to 56, apparently having
• Skeletons were scattered throughout the queue. concluded tha the larger gondola truly was too much
• The rolling circular door no longer separates the for the consistently maintenance-failing attraction
queue from antechamber, as it has a permanent type, meaning that any Giant Top Spins built in the
"Triangle of Light" engraving. Instead, the future will start off with 56 seats instead of 77.
antechamber is part of the queue line. Generally, most Kings Island fans and visitors reported
• The monkey warrior statues (still remaining in being "disappointed" by the changes to the ride. They re-
King’s Dominion) were removed from the ported a desire for a return to "Tomb Raider: The Ride"
antechamber, replaced with skeletons and rubber or at least an incarnation of the ride that is more cen-
tarantulas. tered on themeing. After all, the ride opened as undoubt-
• The giant Brahma goddess statue featured in the edly the most highly-themed ride in the state, and has
preshow room was removed and replaced with an been reduced to a mish-mash of themes and a visually
equally sized "bat demon" previously used for Kings uninteresting ride with a non-existent storyline. Fans do
Islands Halloween event. applaud, though, the changes that have been made even
• The stone walls that were illuminated to match the during the 2008 season which prove that the ride has not
preshow video were covered in a camouflage mesh. been "given up on." New ride programs are introduced
• The pre-show video is not shown. occasionally to try to change the experience, some more
Changes on the Ride: intense and some less intense, and from time to time, the
• The themeing on the lower half of the ride chamber ride does operate with effect lights, a slight musical score
was removed (The Triangle of Light, the altar, the (drums and flutes), and the goddess carving on the wall
excavation equipment). is illuminated. This is an undeniable step up from the
• The Durga goddess engraving on the wall and the statistics at the beginning of the summer in which the
vine-covered columns on either side of her are still ride was in complete pitch-black darkness and techno
present, but are not lit or featured in the ride. Often music played during the ride (later, howling wind noises
they’re invisible due to the darkness of the ride. accompanied it). Occasionally, the ride operates with all
• Few lights are used. The "loading lights" (previously lights on the whole ride.
themed to excavation equipment) remain on
through the ride cycle.
• The icicles and lava pit have been removed. The lava
The Updated Crypt (2009 -
pit is replaced with stones, but the cement floor is 2010)
visible all throughout the ride.
During the off season between 2008 and 2009. Many
• There is no soundtrack. Generally the ride takes
changes to the area and the ride were added to The Crypt.
place with a "howling wind" audio loop or no sounds
The changes made to the entrance, queue, and exit likely
at all.
came about because the rides close proximity to Dia-
• There are no special effects or lighting. The ride
mondback. For the 2009 season, a dramatic change to the
takes place in pitch black darkness.
entrance resulted in the lockers being removed and the
• There is a new ride system. (Tomb Raider: The Ride
queue and exit paths placed side by side. Part of the orig-
was often criticized for not doing any "Top Spin"
inal queue is now used as the exit and only one switch-
moves. The ride system was utilized more to feature
back in the queue remains. The queue itself is filled with
the special effects than to do any flips or swoops, and
dramatic, haunting music reminiscent of Tomb Raider:
as such wasn’t seen as operating as the intense
The Ride’s atmosphere-setting musical scores (an ele-
"thrill" ride it could’ve been, but more as a dark ride
ment whose loss was much-maligned by repeat visitors).
that goes upside down three or four times. The
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Crypt (Kings Island)
Additionally, the "vault door" which had separated the
pre-show room from the ride chamber was locked in the
The Crypt (2011)
open position on May 15, thus allowing riders waiting in In February of 2011, a Facebook group posted a photo of
line to watch the ride cycle. This change has also been ill- what appeared to be new themeing for the ride. Later
received by fans of the park, nearly eliminating the sense that month Kings Islands official Twitter announced that
of mystery surrounding exactly what type of ride The there would be changes to the ride in 2011. This had
Crypt actually is. One of the most highly celebrated as- many believing that the ride would go back to its highly
pects of Tomb Raider: The Ride was a guest’s inability to themed/high thrill status it had as TRTR. Changes includ-
fully describe it, even after riding it. With the removal of ed-
the vault door, guests are left no element of surprise once • New music: Outdoor, indoor, and main ride now play
they board the ride, and know exactly what’s in store. music from the Inception movie soundtrack
Though the ride began the 2009 season with its 8 in- • Themeing: The Ante-chamber has new lights and
version ride cycle (which it had used since its re-opening strobes eliminating skeletons.
as The Crypt in the beginning of 2008), the ride cycle was The biggest change people expected was the ride pro-
changed on May 15 after a specialist from HUSS Rides vis- gram, as of June 7th, the program has not changed and is
ited the park. Though the reasoning behind the switch is the same as 2010.
undetermined, explanations range from the park seeking
a more "tame, family-accessible" cycle, to stories that the
HUSS specialist reported that the ride mechanism was
The Crypt at Kings Dominion
tearing itself apart. A combination of both explanations Main article: The Crypt (Kings Dominion)
may be true. Because all ride cycles must be approved Kings Island’s sister park, Kings Dominion features a sim-
by local and state government health and safety depart- ilar ride built in 2005, originally named Tomb Raider:
ments, and due to the fact that Tomb Raider: The Ride is FireFall, Crypt.
FireFall now also named The Crypt While the rides are
the worlds only Giant Top Spin, only one cycle had been both HUSS Top Spins, they are different in many aspects:
approved: the relatively mild, four-inversion cycle that • While Kings Island’s Crypt is indoors, Kings
included "hangtime" over the lava pits. With the removal Dominion’s is outdoors.
of the ride’s effects during its conversion to The Crypt, • Kings Island’s The Crypt was the world’s first (and
a tame cycle with segments meant to highlight special only) Giant Top Spin, able to hold 77 riders. Kings
effects which were not there seemed rather counterpro- Dominion’s is a Suspended Top Spin, meaning that it
ductive, so the more "thrilling" 8-flip cycle was installed. is floorless and holds only 45 riders.
In order to accommodate the more quick and thrilling cy- • Both rides were synchronized to specifically made
cle, a row of seats had to be removed from the ride, re- musical scores.
ducing it to 2/3 of its original capacity and putting signif- • Kings Island’s Crypt was designed to act more as a
icant structural strain on the ride. "theater," showing various indoor scenes and
After running with a missing row and eight flip cycle performing few acrobatic moves due to its enormous
for a year, its understandable that The Crypt would de- size. Kings Dominion’s Crypt is a typical Top Spin,
teriorate slowly, operating with a completely different able to perform multiple flips from its opening.
center of gravity, speed, and cycle than the ride was de- • Kings Island’s Crypt flipped once during its inaugural
signed for. So on May 15, 2009, the ride program was season, upgrading to four flips for the remainder of
changed for the third time, featuring only two flips. Iron- its "Tomb Raider: The Ride" life. Kings Dominion’s
ically, the Tomb Raider: The Ride cycle was changed for Crypt has retained its nine flip program from the day
The Crypt in order to make the ride more "thrilling," and it opened.
the added stress of the second cycle did so much harm • While Kings Island’s Tomb Raider: The Ride was
to the ride that it is now required to operate with a cycle severely changed to accommodate its change to The
much LESS thrilling than Tomb Raider: The Ride’s based Crypt (see above), Kings Dominion’s Tomb Raider:
upon flips, spins and drops. FireFall changed its name only, retaining its Tomb
In what can only be described as a painful downgrade, Raider music, fire, water fountains, water blasts, and
what was Kings Island’s flagship attraction only seven even its Monkey Warrior statues which flank the
years ago has been reduced to having no theme, story- ride (and were removed from Kings Island’s Crypt).
line, or preshow, a considerably less thrilling ride cycle, a There is much debate in the amusement park enthusiast
severely decreased capacity, and none of its original ride community as to why Kings Dominion’s Crypt is allowed
effects. to retain it’s Tomb Raider musical score, mist, fire, water,
film statues, and cycle, while Kings Island’s Crypt lost its
water, fog, special effects lighting, synchronized musical
score, film statues, and theme lighting. In an ironic twist,
Kings Dominion was often ridiculed for receiving a down-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The Crypt (Kings Island)
graded, outdoor version of the $20,000,000 Kings Island
ride nearly three years after Kings Island’s was built. To-
External links
day, Kings Dominion’s Crypt flips nearly five times more • Kings Island Central information - Alternate source
than Kings Island’s, still features its Tomb Raider music, of details and stats.
still uses fire, and still contains fountains and effect light- • Tomb Raider: The Ride at Kings Island
ing.
References
[1] COASTER-net.com v8 > Ride Gallery > Crypt, Kings
Dominion
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Crypt_(Kings_Island)"
Categories: Amusement rides by name, Kings Island, HUSS Park Attractions rides
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