Cedar Point's Blog is teasing us!
Respectively (and I do mean that) no, I nor probably the rest of the "No 500 for CP in '07" people will change unless some really forward information is known regardless of what activity goes on back there. Most of the anti-500 opinions have already come after that large open land appeared 14 months before the new ride/area will debut. It could be anything, that's just the one thing I believe it's not. It could be a redeveloped section, multiple rides, work before the season then pause during the season like Hershey is doing. If CP was so obsessed to try yet another prototype of that height so soon AND deal with the countless problems, I will eat crow more than anytime I can remember in my life, and yes I realize CP is capable of anything. Hersheypark has giant holes in the ground and Midway America is apparently a mess as we speak for 2007 water attractions. Obviously, more than just 500 foot coasters can be started more than a year ahead of time. Heck, little ol' Hydra at Dorney had groundwork going on this time in 2004, as did Holiday World last year. There's no such thing as too early when you want to get something right. It could be a world-record breaking woodie too if something is happening to Mean Streak. That would be a time consuming project. Not trying to be stubborn, it's just what I believe. *** Edited 3/4/2006 1:13:38 AM UTC by Mantis2***
CPgenius said:
When was the last time footers had been poured for a ride in early March at CP a whole 14 months in advance? I'll answer that with a big NEVER!So, anyone want reconsider bashing the 500 footer rumor yet?
Actually I answer that with a big YOU'RE WRONG!
Top Thrill Dragster.
Shaun Rajewski
Founder, Lead Developer
Epic Web Studios, LLC
First, these do not look like woodie footers to me at all. Unless there is more than one project coming, I think we are looking at a steel coaster. Second, this footer looks big to me. All the footers that bobthecoasterguy linked too seem much closer to the width of the support than this one does. In addition, it looks like the base of this footer is burried if you look at bottom of the photo. With all the dirt that has obviously just been pushed around, I would not be surprised at all if the footer in the foreground was part of the one in the upper left.
Well, it clearly appears at least two (2) footers are already in place in early March! Another poster on a different board further claims there are multiple footers not shown in the picture already in place.
Mantis, I certainly respect your "no 500 foot" point of view, but I don't make the connection between height and unproven technology. I accept it could be anything, but I suspect some manufacturer could hit 500 with a cable, while Hydra was built on a MUCH different piece of real estate.
Work is starting VERY early - and it's hard not to think this project will yeild something VERY special. At least that's what I hope. *** Edited 3/5/2006 9:25:10 PM UTC by Thom25***
Tom
I agree with Mantis. If this is a new coaster, I would like Cedar Point to maybe reignite their relationship with B&M. I keep hearing "dueling flyers" but I seriously doubt there will be TWO flyers. 500 feet is a pretty stupid idea right now. If they built one, it would look the same as TTD and people wouldn't tell the 100' difference when they ride it.
By the way, this is my first post. Ever. Forgive me if I came off as cliche. I love coasters, I just NEVER post and a wild thought occured today and I told myself to perservere Coasterbuzz.
By the way, this is my first post. Ever. Forgive me if I came off as cliche. I love coasters, I just NEVER post and a wild thought occured today and I told myself to perservere Coasterbuzz.
I'm no cost analysis expert but if just a tower and launch costs $30 million at 400 feet, then they build it higher with more of a layout, CP just dropped it's admission $5 a head, are they looking at dropping $40-50 million on a ride right now? It has been suggested cost is not an issue, ok, but this isn't making sense. This is all just wishful thinking. They could build a tremendous ride for half that, and it has maximum operational uptime, and all the guests come to the park knowing it'll be operating. What would you choose? As Hatham said, B&M at CP again, it's about that time people. CP could use one of their incredibly dependable rides right now and I'm no B&M diehard. I believe a 500 foot cable lift could definitely be done with a strong enough cable and get people up there in under a minute but one major point why I believe it will never happen, and this was brought to serious light for the proposed 400 foot lift Vekoma in Europe a few years ago: stranded passengers. Now, to many enthusiasts, this would be great, but can you imagine trying to explain to some kid or mom why they were stuck 440 feet in the air for 20 minutes while the E-stop was corrected? I understand this happened once on TTD with people, I can only imagine. And for the Stratosphere, they're getting sued out the wazzoo for that mishap. It's one thing to get stranded on Raptor's lift. Again, we're talking of a common occurrence on every operating coaster every season. Think how management would think, that's one of many questions they're asking with all this talk of going to heights never attempted before. And yet they're entering TTD's fourth season still wondering what headaches lie ahead. I'm sure they want another one. B&M sure isn't building it and they're the only people I would trust.
Mantis, both TTD and MF were around $25m, and I too would LOVE to see a Beemer at CP. I also know Magnum and MF were two of CP's best decisions. Construction starting this early leads me to believe the ride will be huge. Possibly a floorless the size of MF, though GL has one already. Given the problems with TTD, I would not be surprised if Itamin gave CP a HUGE discount, leading me to think of an Intamin looper, that possibly could break 500 feet.
After TTD, CP needs a sucess just like Magnum or MF. IMO.
Tom
Tom
For the record, as I throw around numbers, they're just general numbers. I'm saying construction costs are escalating. SFOG's Goliath is $21 mil. for example, but my mentioning of cost is far from a main point. If the ride's going to work 95% + of the time, I'm sure cost doesn't matter. I bring it up for something that is problematic, are they ready for that so soon. A 4-D is very much a possibility (if S&S convinces them of the operations) in all of this and would explain the early construction so they would have months to check the operational systems and months to run the ride before opening day '07. And to Tom, all good points, you're point on the older rides is the root point of all the rambling I've been doing. They need a ride so that when average Joe family goes once a year or twice a year, the ride is open at the time of the day that they want to go on it. The families and such plan their days and may not live so close nor afford to come back the same season in cases like with TTD or Kingda Ka. I know so many p-oed people. All rides have downtime but when the Raptor's and Magnum's are operating all day, including inclement weather, and the new ones are shut down, it just does not look good. I also think a BIG floorless is a strong possibility. I don't think this time around they're looking at an outrageous ride but it will push the limits in some regard. One would think CP/CF management has said enough's enough, Walter and Claude, please build us something groundbreaking that works from opening to closing.
Mforce, from the parks point of view, there are no small malfunctions - period. 300 feet, 500 feet it's all the same. Mantis, I love your style - lol. I think CP/CF management are just as likely to say, come on Intamin, give me another MF. You make a very valid point about a 4D, however given all the problems with X, and the lack of time to see the new one in Japan operate, I am still skeptical, since CPs would have to be bigger or bolder than X. Don't know, would LOVE to see one at CP (for sure).
Tom
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