^Ha! That's funny!
Yeah, I remember waiting a long time for the Diving Bell also. Not sure if I am mixing my memories but the playground with tunnels that were installed in the queue area sure helped things.
I don't think I have been on Lost River in ages. I love sitting outside of Aunt Polly's and watching the rafts go by mind you, but it just doesn't hold much fascination for me beyond that. I think it's about time for an overhaul. If they did it to Rube's then it is surely Lost River's time!
Back to Rube's though, I was always scared as well and it came from the acting and the fact that it was noisy in parts. I just didn't like being up towards the front where I could make eye contact with the "Junior" or assume the ghost could see me. What I really did like though (and I miss) was the cavernous area right before going into the Diving Bell that had a few fountains and colored lights in it. Little things like that sure stick with you as a kid and if it were still in place today, I would rank it right up there with the cold, musty darkness of Fire in the Hole and the foyer of Grandfather's Mansion.
As they say, sometimes it's not the destination, but the journey along the way and the things you see as you're getting there.