By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Scenic artist Randy Rhodes works on a skeleton figure in one of the themed rooms of the new Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle at Paramount's Kings Island in Mason. (Michael Snyder photo) | ZOOM |

MASON - Despite the cold, snowy winter, construction of two multimillion-dollar attractions is on schedule and should be ready for Paramount's Kings Island's April 12 season opening.

Nearly 90 percent of the sets - which use ultraviolet paint so they stand out under black lights - are complete for Scooby-Doo and the Haunted Castle. The five-minute interactive ride, on which visitors ride through graveyards and a haunted mansion, takes the place of Phantom Theater, which closed last summer, in Hanna-Barbera Land.

Also premiering this season is Delirium, a thrill ride that sends 50 outward-facing passengers spinning on a continuous ring. The ride is being assembled in the park's snow-covered parking lot and started going up in the Action Zone this week.

"It's the first time in Paramount's Kings Island history that we're really building something for everyone," park spokesman Jeffrey Siebert said during a park tour with the Enquirer. . "It's a one-stop shop for families."

Visitors on the Scooby-Doo ride, based on the television series that debuted in 1969 and last summer's movie, will investigate a green ghost that is haunting the castle. Workers have placed nearly all the ghouls that pop out; mummy and suits of armors that lean toward passengers; swinging and blinking chandeliers; and several boxes of Scooby Snacks that complete the ride.

The 27 mini Mystery Machines, painted to match Shaggy's van, have been installed on the moving track. Each car is equipped with three Fright Light ghost blasters that passengers use to shoot at targets on ghosts, tombstones and other objects to rack up points.

RECENT CHANGES

1997: WaterWorks expands to 30 acres. 1998: The park expands Hanna-Barbera Land, including Yogi Sky Tours, and adds Wipeout Beach to the water park. 1999: Two thrill rides - Drop Zone and Face/Off - as well as Paramount Action Zone open. 2000: Son of Beast opens for thrill seekers. 2001: The park adds a Nickelodeon area, with more rides for young children. 2002: During the park's 30th anniversary celebration, Tomb Raider: The Ride opens and Rivertown gets a makeover.

"Everything will look like it's floating," Mr. Siebert said. "There's a lot of stuff coming at you and over you. It really fells like you're driving through an episode of Scooby-Doo."

The outside of the ride, a 50-foot castle facade and drawbridge, is being made in Franklin and will be installed in coming weeks.

Delirium, on the other hand, was developed by Huss Rides of Germany. Standing 137 feet tall, it has a giant arm that swings thrill-seekers back and forth and shoots them up more than 13 stories.

Speeds will reach 70 mph, Mr. Siebert said.

"At the peak, you'll be at a 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock angle - it's nearly upside down," he said. "You'll be on your back one moment, then facing the ground another moment."

Much of the construction and prep work to the land was done in the fall. Workers started erecting the ride this week, a process that will takes about two weeks.

They then will focus on connecting all the electronic elements and conducting checks.

For Kings Island regulars like the Teyke family of Deerfield Township, the new rides are a welcome addition.

"Everybody knows Scooby-Doo," said Michelle Teyke, a mother of two daughters. "And kids just love that kind of stuff. They need to have the fun and the entertainment."

As for Delirium, she says, "We'll see. I have to take a look at it first."

Kings Island still has something more in store for this year's season. A yet-to-be announced third attraction will open in 2003, but Mr. Siebert has declined to release any details about it except to say, "it will be extremely popular from the get-go."

Having new attractions each year is vital to attendance and marketing, says Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services in Cincinnati.

"New rides and attractions are really the lifeblood of a theme park," he said.

E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com