7/28/2000 The truth is out there . . . or is it?

July 28,2000 -- A park employee told me that Worlds of Fun is adding a 300 foot, 8 inversion B&M next year! Is that true? No, but that's how rumors usually get started. A very ""reliable"" source gives the latest rumor that he probably heard from his manager who probably heard it from a grounds crew, who heard it from.... Basically speaking rumors are not reliable. So what exactly is a rumor? A rumor as defined by Webster's Dictionary is a statement or report current without know authority for its truth. Sometimes there is some truth to be found in a rumor; sometimes they represent a secret that was leaked. Usually however they are created purely out of fiction with no intention in becoming reality. Based almost totally on fiction why have they become so popular across Internet channels, is there any truth in them whatsoever and if there is not why do people believe them?

In the Amusement industry there are typically two types of rumors. The rumors that are based in some fact and the rumors that come completely out of thin air which not fact basis whatsoever.

First lets look at the first type of rumor, the rumor based with some sort of factual account to back it up. Sometimes these rumors are more then rumors and are actual established fact that has been leaked to the general public. The least numerous of rumors, a few do exist. Lets take for example the rumor last year that a Wild Mouse was rumored to be added to Worlds of Fun. Was it a fact? Yes, it was, Worlds of Fun had every intention of adding a Wild Mouse last season. However, it was also a rumor. Few and far between there are rumors that where original plans of the company but where dumped for some unknown reason, usually having to do with the budget as in this case. Another rumor that was also a fact for a short period was the Mamba tunnels. Yes, the truth does come out finally. Worlds of Fun had every intention of building the Mamba with tunnels similar to Steel Force. Even after 1998 they had plans to add them the next season. Well then what happened? The budget was to high so they where cut. So, as with the new attraction for 2000, rides and additions are never set in stone until they are officially released. A few rumors might have become reality but ended up in the trash can due to unforeseen changes such as budget restraints or just a change of the mind. The truth is, yes it can be the TRUTH, it can come from a reputable source, but the truth of the matter is that until the park publicly releases their additions for the next year, anything said about what the park is adding is A RUMOR, subject to change.

Then there is the second type of rumor. These usually start with the ""I have a VERY reliable source that says they are building..."". If they are such a reliable source then why don't their predictions become reality more often? The truth is that usually the reliable source is usually a first season Dippin' Dots employee that has heard the daily gossip and declared himself (or herself you can never be to sure about the anonymous sources) completely in the know about something they really know absolutely nothing about. The truth is the only people out their who really know what is going to be added for next year are the people with the money who run the park and I really doubt Dan Keller has of late started up a conversation with a 16 year old food service employee about their plans for next year.

Lets take another example, the ""Purple supports"" that showed up suspiciously in lot K of Worlds of Fun. Or how about the land clearing that was noticed up at Cedar Point near the River cruise just a month ago? What about what Dan Keller said in the newspaper about a roller coaster with a different experience? Oh my gosh they must be adding a new B&M! Cedar Point must be adding a new floorless roller coaster! Another example is the ""source"" that reported that Six Flags St. Louis was planning to add a new B&M Floorless. He jumped to this conclusion after witnessing what he believed was the General Manager pointing out the site of the ""new roller coaster"". When in truth, the General Manager was only pointing out locations in the park that needed to be painted or cleaned! These are all true examples that exemplify another problem steaming from rumors. People jumping to conclusions to fast based on ""facts"" that usually after a more intense look, can and usually will have a completely different interpretation.

Lets look at those purple ""supports"" again. Yes, it is possible that these might be supports for a new Worlds of Fun roller coaster. It is doubtful that they where sent to the wrong park, what is Joyland adding a new B&M? Or else did the driver actually confuse Allentown, Pennsylvania with Kansas City, Missouri? Come on give me a break. It is however, possible that a truck driver decided to stop at Worlds of Fun to spend time with his family. Remember truck drivers have a life just like everybody else they do go to amusement parks too.

Another problem that is becoming a larger problem with every year, is not so much that the truth is leaking, but that rumors are becoming more widespread and also being more believed as if they are the absolute truth. Sixteen year olds are getting bigger egos and pretending that THEY where shown the blue prints for the new roller coaster, that THEY have all the inside information and that everybody else is wrong. Because of this people are being hurt, and the real truth, is getting lost beneath a war between people who both think they are right when both are usually wrong. No wonder parks seem no longer as excited to release information on the upcoming attraction, No wonder the amusement industry looks on most on the internet sites with disdain. Who could blame them? The truth is a rumor (also known as a semi-confirmed ""truth"") is just a rumor based completely in fiction. Unless you are Dan Keller (or other park General Manager) what you are saying Worlds of Fun or any other park is adding is a RUMOR, no more no less.

The sad state the Internet amusement community is in over the case of rumors is not one to be solved easily. Rumors, are an inevitable evil that comes with a community of roller coaster and amusement park aficionados (sorry couldn't help it). Rumors are meant to be fun and entertaining but they are far from the truth, and in a community filled with rumors that is the only truth there is.