The Star Press from Muncie, Indiana • Page 27

Travel Sunday The Muncie Star Air Force Museum Passport Pointers The Viking Fury Comparing Hotels Sunday, Aug. 8, 1982 Page Seven, Section The Viking Fury Sets Sail at Kings Island Tenth Anniversary Season Busiest Ever According to Mrs. Lamirand, she said she experienced the sensation of being pushed as high as possible on a park swing "or even the same feeling one has during a dream of falling off a cliff." Mrs. Lamirand added, "It was very funny when I passed by the area of this ride and listened to the people screaming in unison each time the ship swung downward from either side. Conversely, they were totally quiet in unison each time the ship was swinging upward.

However, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone who has a weak stomach! Activity at Kings Island is by no means nearing an end. The park is open daily through Labor Day and the weekend of Oct. 2-3. Operating hours are 10 a.m -10 p.m. Sunday-Friday and 10 a.m.-ll p.m.

Saturday. As a reminder, Kings Island clocks are on Ohio time, which is one hour ahead of Muncie. General admission is $11.95 for everyone seven and older, $5.95 for children four-six and free for children under four. Appearing at the TimberWolf Amphitheater in the next few weeks are three of the country's top musical acts. The groups and concert dates are: .38 Special, Aug.

15; Beach Boys, Aug. 17, and The Go-Go's, Sept. 6. All concerts have a 7 p.m. start time.

Reserved tickets are $13.50 and entitle the purchaser to an entire day at Kings Island, plus the concert. Phone (513) 241-5600 for additional concert information. Of interest to area tennis fans is the Association of Tennis Professionals Championship, which will be conducted Aug. 16-22 at Kings Island's Jack Nicklaus Sports Center. Headlining the fourth annual ATP Championship are defending champion John McEnroe, the U.S.

Open champion and No. 1-ranked player in the world; Jimmy Connors (2), The Wimbledon champion; Ivan Lend! (4); Jose-Luis Clerc (5); Vitas Gerulaitis (6); Gene Mayer (8); Gene's brother, Sandy Mayer (9), and 17-year-old Mats Wilander(lO). By BRUCE A. DOUGLAS The Stv'i Travel Editor Excitement is the key word at Kings Island this summer. Thus far, during the theme park's 10th anniversary season, the following attractions have been unveiled A new $2.1 million Hanna-Barbera Land for children, parents and grandparents; The backwards Racer, the world's only full length backwards-racing wooden roller coaster; A new line-up of live shows; A redesigned International Street; A new 10,000 seat TimberWolf Amphitheater, which has been the site of several big-name concerts; Plus, a new winter festival is planned between Thanksgiving and Christmas, in addition to the grand opening of a $2.5 million Festhaus.

If that were not enough, on July 18 Kings Island premiered its Viking Fury swinging ship. The 53-foot by 9-foot ship swings in giant forward and backward 80-foot arcs above the waters of the lake in the park's Oktoberfest theme area. Suspended from a 60-foot metal A-frame structure, the Viking Fury gives riders "an unforgettable adventure combining speed, a rocking motion and weightlessness," as they are carried in an 80-foot arc upwards, then suddenly are plummeted downward again before climbing 80-feet in the opposite direction. Viking Fury accommodates 80 people per load and a total of 1,550 riders per hour. The world's largest swinging ship cost $650,000, and was manufactured by Intamin Inc.

of Zurich, Switzerland. Elapsed ride time is approximately two minutes. Initial reports from area residents who have taken a voyage on the Viking Fury have been enthusiastic. Filling in for this writer during the Viking Fury's inaugural opening ceremonies was Becky Lamirand, an executive secretary at Muncie Newspapers Inc. Island.

The Viking Fury sails over the lake in Oktoberfest. (Kings Island Illustration) Another major thrill ride, the world's largest swinging ship, has opened at Kings Wanderlust Comparing Hotels Hospitality Expert Contends Biggest Is Not Always Best The cost of a night's lodging in New York is approaching, and breaking through, the $200-a-night level. The effect of these skyrocketing prices has given birth to a new pastime: Comparing hotels. Everyone seems to have his particular favorites. made the list, and the Hotel Carlton in Cannes, France, gets his rating as the finest resort hotel in Europe.

Only one entry from Asia is included, the Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong. The "World Wide Guide 82" top-20 hotel list includes the Rio Palace in Rio de Janeiro, which offers a new service for business travelers called "Executive's Rio." In addition to your room, the package (three nights for $345, single; $90 supplement for double) permits the use of the Kontik executive lounge at Rio's airport on arrival. You also receive a complimentary private car transfer to and from the airport. Executive's Kio guests also will have their rooms upgraded when possible and receive a number of other VIP services at the hotel. This package is available only to those flying to Rio on Varig Airlines and can be booked by calling Varig toll free at 800-223-5720 or through your travel agent.

The British Tourist Authority would contend that a London hotel does not have to break the traveler's budget. The BTA's brochure "London is Good Value Hotels" lists 81 hotels with 3,962 rooms that cost from $10 to $25 a night a person including continental breakfast service and VAT. Rates during the April to October period are slightly higher, between $13 and $25 a person. The free brochure is available from the BTA, 680 Fifth New York, N.Y. 10019.

By CHRISTOPHER LOFTING Journal ol Commerce Somehow the hotel business seems less exciting than airlines. Assuming the hotel is not a flea-bag, most travelers, particularly the once-a-year vacationers, don't care too much about where they stay. However, many travelers who have not booked a hotel recently in heavily visited cities are shocked when their travel agent gives them the bad news. Hotel prices have escalated at a rate almost as steep as airline tickets. According to Stephen Brener, an expert in the hospitality industry and president of Stephen W.

Brener Associates, the cost of a night's lodging in New York is approaching, and breaking through, the $200-a-night level. Brener, who does a yearly survey of the New York hotel business, determined that luxury hotels in New York ranged from $150 to $230 a night for a single and $165 to $250 for a double. The effect of these skyrocketing prices has given birth to a new pastime: Comparing hotels. Everyone seems to have his particular favorites. Arthuro Belsere may be better qualified than most to put together such a list.

Belsere is an executive with Doral Hotels in New York, having previously worked at the George and Ritz Carlton in Paris, the King David in Jerusalem and Shephard's in Cairo. In a recent interview he compiled his list of the 15 top hotels worldwide. Belsere contends biggest is not always best. One of his favorites is the La Reserve in Beaulieu-sur-Mer on the French Riviera. It has only 50 rooms with a staff ratio of two employees for each guest.

At the top his list is Paris' venerable George V. Parisian hotels, the Bristo and the Ritz. London has the next three best: the Dorchester, Brown's another example of an excellent small hotel and the Savoy. In New York, the Waldorf-Astoria still rates tops in Belsere's opinion. While New York has many excellent hotels equal to the best in Europe, the Waldorf-Astoria has the most consistent tradition of top service.

Venice's Gritti Palace is followed by Vienna's Imperial Hotel ultra The next two entries are the best in Germany in his opinion. In Berlin it is the Four Seasons and in Munich the Bayerischer Hof. Rome's Excelsior elegance and Going Abroad? Then Follow These Timely Passport Tips By MURRAY J. BROWN UPI Travel Editor Some 3 million Americans applied for passports in 1981 and what with the stronger U.S. dollar, expectations are that more will be heading abroad this year.

First on their list of priorities should be obtaining a valid passport. Next to money, a passport is considered the most valuable possession of the American traveler in foreign lands. As an official U.S. document, it is accepted as proof of identity and nationality in earthquakes, floods, accidents, wars and other natural and man-made disasters. It also comes in handy when converting currencies, checking into hotels, making major purchases with credit cards, getting into gambling casinos barred to the natives or seeking help or protection from U.S.

embassies and consulates in emergencies. Federal law makes it illegal for an American to leave or enter the United States without a valid passport. But there are exceptions, including Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Caribbean islands, where passports are not required. None is needed, either, for visits to U.S. island possessions, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa and the Virgin Islands.

According to U.S. archives, the first American passport was issued overseas on Oct. 27, 1795. The first recorded passport issued in the United States itself was dated July 8, 1796, and was in the form of a letter signed by Timothy Pickering, secretary of state under President Washington. Passports were issued free until July 1862 when the government began charging $3 which was raised to $5 two years later but reduced to $1 in 1878.

They now cost $15, including a $5 execution fee. All that is usually needed is a completed application and two recent photographs. The application forms are available free of charge at, and may be submitted to, U.S. Passport Agency offices, authorized county, state and federal district courts and designated post offices. First-time applicants must appear in person and are required to establish proof of identity through documentary evidence or the sworn testimony of a U.S.

citizen who has known the applicant for at least two years. Completed applications must be accompanied by two duplicate full-face 2x2 inch (black-and-white or color) photographs taken within the preceding six months, a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate if native born or naturalization papers if foreign born. Joint husband-and-wife and family passports are no longer issued. Now each member of the family, regardless of age, must obtain an individual passport. Passports are valid for 5 years and are not renewable.

Expired documents, if issued within the preceding 8 years, will usually be accepted as proof of identity when submitted with a completed application and two recent photographs. Previous passport holders may apply by mail, including a money order or personal check for $10 there is no execution fee. Apply early processing an application can take from 10 days to two weeks, longer during the busy summer months. Make a record of the number, date and place of issuance as a precaution against theft or loss. Several passport offices, including Washington, D.C., and Chicago, have begun issuing a new type of machine-readable passport which should make it easier for the traveler to come and go.

Customs-immigration officials will still have to check the photographs but computers will do the rest. The key element is a two-line code restating the holder's name and date of birth at the bottom of the informatiqn page which can be read by an electronic scanner. Thus, information about the traveler can be recorded and checked against data stored in the scanner's computerized memory. The 10 European Common Market countries have agreed to issue similar passports by 1985. It is hoped all countries will switch to the machine-readable passports eventually.

Regardless of which type you have, keep it handy do not pack it in your luggage or leave it in an empty hotel room or unguarded car. About the size of a bank deposit book, the passport fits easily in a shirt pocket or purse and should be carried on the person whenever possible. Report loss or theft U.S. passports are hot items for drug smugglers, swindlers and other criminals promptly to local police and the nearest U.S. consulates.

American consulates now are authorized to issue full five-year replacements rather than the former temporary three-month document. Dayton Developments Air Force Museum Has More Planes Inside Protective Hangars Vapor Trails bad weather, the band will play inside the building, with listeners seated among the aircraft, in much the same setting as in Europe in World War II. The special Army Air Force Band under Miller's leadership was formed during World War II to entertain the military troops. According to Lt. Gen.

Jimmy Doolittle, commanding officer of the 8th Air Force in England during the war, "The Major Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band was considered as second only to letters from home as a morale booster in Europe during World War II." The Airmen of Note are based in Washington, D.C., and are known as the direct descendants of this famous wartime band. Today they perform concerts throughout the world representing the Air Force, but seldom do they get the opportunity to perform an entire program of the nostalgic Glenn Miller music. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to avoid heavy traffic. No admission will be charged for the concert or for parking. The museum, which normally closes at 6 p.m.

on Saturdays, will remain open until after the concert is completed so that visitors can have access to the building for restrooms, or for a quick tour. For those planning to drive from Muncie, we recommend they use 1-70 East from New Castle or Richmond, and follow the signs posted near Dayton directing motorists to the museum, which is located on Springfield Street, one mile from the Harshman Road exit from Ohio 4. The museum is located six miles northeast of Dayton. Persons planning to attend are also reminded that Ohio is on Eastern Daylight Saving Time one hour ahead of Indiana time. By BILL JAMIESON For The Muncie Star IF you have not visited the Air Force Museum recently at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, information received in our office last week from that facility indicates there have been some changes made.

Just how long since these changes have been completed, we do not know for we have not been there in quite some time. From the sound of things, another visit is in order soon. Some of the changes, for example, include the removal of approximately 60 aircraft from an outdoor exhibit area near the main museum to two hangars on the historic Wright Field fight line, about three-quarters of a mile from the main museum building. The display of aircraft in the museum annex is considered an interim display and is being used to protect the aircraft until a permanent facility closer to the main museum is available. The temporary display, which includes aircraft of World War II vintage and newer, is described as "austere," but it has been set up to prevent further deterioration of the aircraft until they can be restored, museum officials said.

Many are said to require major work to put them into true display condition, but they will remain on public display in the annex rather than being put in closed storage areas. Officials estimated the restoration of some of these old aircraft may require several years. Visiting hours for the annex are somewhat restricted, in comparison to visiting hours for the main museum. Visitors, however, may drive their own car from the main museum to the annex, where additional public parking is available. A roadway on the air base is used for public movement from the main museum to the annex.

You may wish to plan your next visit to the Air Force Museum to coincide with another "Tribute to the Major Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band" concert at 7 p.m. Aug. 21. The Air Force's Airmen of Note will be featured, using the original scores from the Miller AAF Band from World War II. Former Sgt.

Ray McKinley wUl lead the Air Force musicians. McKinley, a well-respected drummer in his own right, took over the leadership of the Miller band after the famous bandleader's untimely death in 1944. Also appearing on the program will be Johnny Desmond, lead vocalist with the military band during World War II, and Paula Kelly Jr. and the Modernaires. This will mark the third appearance of these performers for the museum's special Glenn Miller recognition programs.

The concert will be held outside adjacent to the museum, with guests encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating. In the event of.