AUSTELL - "It was awesome!" exclaimed Justin Osofisan, a third-grade student at Mount Paran Christian School, after he rode Six Flags' Monster Mansion.
The third-grade chorus from Mount Paran Christian School in Marietta was part of a group of about 100 people who got a sneak peek at Six Flags' Monster Mansion, formerly known as Monster Plantation, on Thursday afternoon. The chorus serenaded the group with the ride's infectious theme song before people climbed aboard the six-person boats to travel through the monster family picnic.
The newly "re-furred" Monster Mansion reopens to the public on Saturday.
"Reopening Monster Mansion is very special for us because it's the tried and true location in the park that families can enjoy together," said Park President Melinda Ashcraft. "It was important to preserve something we thought was history. Millions of people have ridden this as a family."
To give the monsters a makeover and spruce up the ride, the park brought back Gary Goddard and Phil Mendez with Gary Goddard Entertainment, the original creators of the ride.
"We tried to keep the best of the best - the things people grew up loving - and there are some new discoveries," Goddard said. "There are very few rides where you have the parents, who rode it as kids, taking their kids on it now. And I think with this renovation, we'll get to the grandkid level."
The ride opened at Six Flags 27 years ago. It was the first ride outside of Disney's theme parks to use animatronics, the mechanism that makes the monsters move.
The ride includes loveable reminders of Georgia's history including Mizzy Scarlett, modeled after "Gone with the Wind" character Scarlett O'Hara, and Buzby, the monster with the spinning hat who is named for former Gov. George Busbee. Some of the monsters are even fashioned after some of the creators.
"It was easy to advertise the ride because everybody loves monsters," Mendez said.
Since it first opened, the ride has needed only minor repairs. But park officials agreed it was time to give the entire ride a facelift. Officials declined to say how much the renovations cost.
Many of the same characters are there, including Marshall Billy Bob who tries, to no avail, to warn humans to stay at the picnic and avoid venturing into the marsh.
But new characters have joined the cast of more than 100 monsters.
Riders are greeted by a photographer named Pappa Razzi at the beginning of the ride. Pay close attention as he snaps riders' picture as they first enter the picnic.
Ride enthusiast Robert Ulrich of Marietta said the new ride "easily" exceeded his expectations, saying all the things he loved about the ride were there "and more." Ulrich is also a regional representative for the American Coaster Enthusiast, a national group for roller-coaster fans.
"I was expecting a little paints, some touch ups, but what we got was a complete renovation," he said. "It's really unbelievable."
The ride also features new 4-D elements such as bubbles, heat from the chili cook off and fog in the dark, deep marsh. There are also a few surprises the Journal doesn't want to spoil.
"I liked this one better (than the original) because it's more fun and exciting," said Libby McKee, a Mount Paran third-grade student.
Classmate Stuart McKay, who never rode the original ride, said he loved all the "creepy stuff" in the marsh.
"I liked the humongous dragon head and all that dust blowing on me," he said. "It was great."
So, as the song says, come join the monsters at the mansion for a monster picnic.
"They are ready for their spotlight," Goddard said.