Cedar Point announces Shoot The Rapids for 2010
Posted
[Ed. note: The following is an unedited press release. -J]
Grab your paddles and climb aboard the newest river-ride adventure this side of the Appalachians! Shoot the Rapids, an all-new family water ride, will rise above Cedar Point’s rustic Frontier Trail when it makes a splash on Opening Day 2010.
During the 2,100-foot-long journey, adventurers will travel through a wooded area and around an illegal still used for brewing sweet-tasting elixir, all while encountering surprise water elements and special effects. Guests will navigate the waters aboard a 10-passenger boat. Riders will be seated in five rows of two and will be secured by individual over-the-head lap bars.
The excitement builds when the boats ascend one of two lift hills. The first and largest hill will be 85 feet tall and will drop riders down onto Millennium Island at a 45-degree angle. The second hill will be 49 feet tall and will end with a dramatic “shoot” through water rapids and rockwork.
Guests on the Frontier Trail can keep their feet planted on dry land and watch as riders complete their wet and wild trek down the final drop.
“Shoot the Rapids will instantly become a family favorite,” said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “Our guests wanted another option to cool off on warm summer days. We listened, and Shoot the Rapids will deliver the perfect combination of refreshment, thrills and new memories at Cedar Point.”
Shoot the Rapids will cost more than $10.5 million to build and will be the most expensive water ride ever built at Cedar Point. It will have a capacity of approximately 1,200 riders per hour. The ride will last three minutes. A rider height requirement has not yet been determined and will be released at a later date. The ride was designed and manufactured by IntaRide LLC of Glen Burnie, Md., the same company that built the Maverick, Top Thrill Dragster and Millennium Force roller coasters and the Thunder Canyon river-rafting ride.
Visit the official Cedar Point site.
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Excellent! Losing WWL was a disappointment to me, although Maverick certainly made it worth it. The replacement is definitely worth the wait.
I'm probably one of the few who is actually looking forward to riding this come May.
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
I guess I'll start the negativity...
With all the hype I was expecting a little more theming. A plywood tunnel doesn't really do it for me.
I agree Linda. CP needed a new flume type ride. The families will eat it up. Great addition in a cool location. Looking forward to riding it next year.
You mean the waterfall soaking you get in the mid course canyon, the wooded section and the rocks/rapids soaking isn't enough for you?
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
There were promotional videos. Promotional packages. Constant Twitter and Facebook updates. Much of it hinting at a theme. I see none of that now. Its an off-the-shelf log flume.
The park needed it. So that's good. And I will enjoy it. Was just expecting that "little extra" from Cedar Fair. My mistake.
From the facts and stats page:
The real thrill begins when the boats climb one of two lift hills and "shoot" through whitewater rapids and rockwork. Guests will get wet as they encounter numberous water features and special effects throughout the 3-minute ride.
They even invented a new word for this ride!
Da Bears
I have one minor complaint and one question. Unless they just didn't take the time for the detail in the video the boats look too modern, not themed to the old west. Are there other flumes where the BIG drop isn't the last one? I'm not complaining. I've just never been on a flume ride that has the HUGE drop at the beginning. I understand the removal of WWL was due to age, but I really enjoyed it and was sad to see its removal. I am really looking forward to riding STR next year, it looks like a fun ride.
In regards to the theming, the press release led me to believe there will be some interaction with PWE animatronics - specifically the Canfield and McGee shootout. I'm just wondering how they are going to have both rides float by that scene, or if PWE is going to be rerouted and eliminate that scene from its voyage.
It'll hopefully add to some of MF's views while traversing the Island...plus, this should hopefully subtract some people from Maverick's queue, two pro's right there!
On one of my Soak City days I'll probably waltz over to give it a whirl, but it's nothing special to this late 20's-something. I think kids will dig it as the Rivertown water rides at KI are probably my most vivid family memories as a kid when we went there!
I've known about this for quite awhile, and the reaction is exactly what I expected. Enthusiasts can be too predictable.
The park had a new ride to market, and somehow you guys will complain because the marketing of it was "just" for a flume. Sounds like a problem with your expectations, not anything the park did.
Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog
It looks like a good ride to me, without a doubt something the park could use. We'll see what theme or story line materializes, the park isn't commiting to a whole lot. Which is fine.
No shooting. That surprises me, but maybe there will be a .25 "cannonball" opportunity for on lookers to further soak the riders on that last little stretch into the station. I'll have to look closer, but I'm not seeing what access the GP will have to the ride without getting in queue. It seems to have a logical spot, though- way to squeeze 'em in .
I listened to the interviews and everyone, including Jim Futrell, fails to mention that Shoot the Rapids was the name of a former, and well remembered, water ride at Cedar Point. It's not necessary, but I think it would be an interesting angle.
I LOVE the name... very retro.
The original 1930's Shoot the Rapids ride was retired some years later and a second "Shoot the Rapids" (and a very tame one at that) was built in 1969. The '69 Shoot the Rapids was removed when Cedar Point decided to build the larger, more exciting White Water Landing.
With this, History again mixes with modern times.
StLCPfan said
"Unless they just didn't take the time for the detail in the video the boats look too modern, not themed to the old west."
I am guessing the animation isn't EXACT as it also says there will be individual OTSRs and those aren't in the video/animation either. I am sure CP will have boats/logs themed to the ride.
Wow! I can't wait to get on this! I'm so glad that Cedar Point spent all that money marketing this and making us think it was something great! It's a spectacular addition to the park and I think they made a very wise investment (end sarcasm).
Seriously... log flume? Come on! The park needs to drop this whole "family park" idea. Cedar Point is as much a family park as Disney Land is a thrill park. It's a joke. IMO this is an absolute waste of that space and money. What are always the least popular rides for most of the season? WATER RIDES!!!!
So here's to you CP. An applause for making a seasonal park that much more seasonal by putting in a ride that will only really get a couple people on it in July and maybe August. What a joke!
Closed topic.
