Cedar Point's Blog is teasing us!

Jeff also mentions that it will be "the best decision they have made in a long time".

I seriously doubt he'd say that about some 500ft, 60 million dollar deathtrap, especially when most parks are cutting back and making more rational business decisions. I say look for something big, but not in terms of height or speed, but in terms of scale. And I'd say look for a new themed section to go with it.

Maybe not a 500' looper, but how about the world's largest loop? In order to do that, they would have to build a monster coaster nearly 300' to achieve that.

World's most inversions isn't that proud of a record to hold. At least... not the current record holder. Nice coaster, but just not something that'll draw all the crowds... but if you have the world's something-or-something, it'll definately be marketable, and the world's largest (not tallest) loop along with something else that would be a "first" or record-breaker, could make Cedar Po!nt stand-out from the rest of the crowd.

I just can't see too many other manufactures than Intamin building biggie rides, and although they have a 3-coaster-in-a-row relationship with Intamin, you can't help but to wonder if that relationship was hurt with all of Dragster's problems.

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Thom25 said:
Keith, can you direct me or post Jeff's comments from the podcast? Not that I doubt your interpretation, but I'd like to form my own opinion after reading the "facts."

Tom

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Well... did you listen to the podcast? He stated it. You just have to listen, now don't ya?

Who knows if this could only be a new children's area, or family center. That would fit in. TTD wasn't a good decision, so why would they do a 500 footer so quickly if they are still having problems with TTD? So that WOULDN'T be a smart decesion.

However, I reserve the benifit of the doubt. Meaning, it CAN be anything.
*** Edited 3/1/2006 6:51:10 PM UTC by Keith2005***

I would just like to have an all-inclusive chat on which coaster-type they have chosen for '07 without wasting our time on the 500 debate anymore. Enough of us have been beyond clear as to why there is basically a 0% chance for that ride for that park for that year. For several types, there is at least an outside chance and it'll be fun to hear the reasoning from everyone.

I think "If" it were wood, I'd be curious what company everyone thinks it would come from. Do they give Intamin another shot with potentially proven concepts in their giant woodies, others can shed light. Is it Gravity Group and their steel framework as proven with Hades and hopefully The Voyage. Then I almost forgot about GCII and their Millennium Flyer trains. A GCII twister could meet the requirements for a major addition but with a family twist, no pun. For CF/CP to build wood, let alone a large one, they would have to be convinced that what happened to Hercules, Mean Streak and the Rattler (Pierce) during the Dinn/Summers years would not happen again. I'm sure they would want a top-notch ride that will last a very long time in pristine condition. With past and present debates here and at pointbuzz on Mean Streak's fate/future, that would have to be a major factor whether wood comes in '07 or not?

Then we have 4-D, floorless, dive coaster, whatever people think. I do think that we need to get out of this mindset that we were in back in 2000 where coaster wars took over the industry. It's about building a quality ride that will last long-term and is very efficient and appeals to a broad scale of the park-goers. Considering how popular Raptor is after 12 years, Magnum at 17, MF and so forth, they don't need to impress anybody with height and speed, they need quality. Dragster still impresses people, speaking of the general public, and it will for many years in whatever capacity it runs, downtime and all, it's one of the most extreme rides in the world today. I think we need to look at what "need" the park wants to fulfill next and we'll find our answer for '07. *** Edited 3/2/2006 6:08:35 AM UTC by Mantis2***

what "need" the park wants to fulfill next -

My thoughts:

Something more family oriented. Jeff eluded to a new kids/family area, that might be a great idea and if you have been to Knott's Berry Farm you would know that a great kids area can be incorporated into the theme of the area where White Water Landing used to stand.

Also a thought that was interesting to me and might just be fitting for the area.... What about a resurrected version of the Cedar Point Cyclone that used to be on the beach area. From the pics of the No Limits version on Paul Drabek's Negative G website, I would have to say that something like that would fit that area well. Especially if they were thinking of getting rid of Mean Streak.

There are a limitless ammount of options for that space.

EDIT - Spelling *** Edited 3/1/2006 11:38:16 PM UTC by beast7369*** *** Edited 3/1/2006 11:39:08 PM UTC by beast7369***

Beast, I totally agree that the options are limitless, and CP and Jeff will do what is necessary to maintain secrecy about this project.

Construction for TTD started April 2nd, and today (3/1)CP has 6 acres of prime space cleared.

I am miffed why people pounce on others for an opinion(mine being 500 feet).

If Jeff says enthusiasts will be pleased, I am psyched and honestly don't care what it is (floorless, dive, etc).

I see no reason why this couldn't be the next generation verticle lift coaster given there is only one operating in the world currently, and someone said this project would be the 2nd. I think CP could use a new looper (floorless or traditional), and believe a new woodie next to one that is well below par makes little sense unless MS days are numbered. A water coaster or Aqua trax makes sense as well imo. In fact, an Aqua trax makes the most sense, from what I've read.

I would love to see CP get a 4D, and I am sure they will. However given CP's history with new technology, I think a 4D is unlikely for 2007 and almost certain after this project, IF the new 4D works.

The people who truely know aren't talking, and I am going to hold to my opinion (500 foot aqua trax - lol - jp).

Tom *** Edited 3/2/2006 9:47:37 PM UTC by Thom25*** *** Edited 3/2/2006 9:51:05 PM UTC by Thom25***

I dont want to say that they or anyone is getting a 500 footer anytime soon. But I would like to weigh in on the "500' would be problematic because TTD is 400+ feet and it has problems" argument. I have yet to hear of TTD or KK having a problem on the way down. The only problem it has is getting up. There are more ways to get up 500' than just launching. Steel Dragon used a traditional chain to get up higher than MF. (That ride is SBNO but that was a bad engineering issue). Ok, so it wouldnt be as fast to get to the top but what ever happened to building anticipation? The beast takes longer to get up its lifts than most coasters twice its height! Just think outside of what HAS been done. There are other forms of launching a coaster that does not involve a cable whatsoever, You can use LIM's to make a train travel up a lift without it having to launch you at a high speed. You can use permanant magnets to propel a train as well as slow it down (as on mf's brakes and intamin drop towers). There is plenty of proven technology that would work just as well on a 500 footer as any other coaster. *** Edited 3/3/2006 2:48:34 PM UTC by GothamJ***

Maybe a CP-sized California Screamin' dubbed "Cedar Scream"

I hope they get a 300ft 4D with a duration of 3:00 min. It would be nice, as some have mentioned a more family targeted area, as last time I was there my younger ones ran out of things to do. Except bring me on the old fashion cars a hundred times. :)

I was at a Cocktail Party during Mr. Cleveland Leather last weekend and met a guy who has worked for Cedar Point's Planning & Development for 20 years. And I kinda half joking asked, "So what's Maverick," and without even cracking a smile he gave the canned official answer, "Its a name Cedar Fair has the rights to for an attraction at one of our parks." I know this doesn't bring any news to the forum, but it was the 1st time I have talked with a theme park industry designer and I thought it was cool!

Enthusiasts will be pleased = Mean Streak turned into toothpicks for sale on eBay

Seriously, though... why does anyone still believe bigger coasters or faster coasters or loopier coasters are better? Doesn't SFMM prove all of those concepts to be not necessarily true? It's not going out on a limb to suggest that the general public is generally clueless as to these records. If a large percent of Americans can't find Indiana on a map, how many do you think will know or care what park or ride has which record?

Records are an overrated marketing tool. Word-of-mouth from great experiences is an underrated marketing tool. Do you see Disney touting any records? Nope. See them pulling in 16 million+ guests per year? Yep.

If I were Dick Kinzel, I would want to make Cedar Point so jam-packed with quality rides and experiences that people start viewing the park the same way they view Disney, i.e., you need to spend more than one day there (or two or three days) to do it all. Blowing my wad on one spectacular ride (unless, of course, it is some magical ride that appeals to absolutely all age demographics and is viewed as definitively the best ride ever in the history of entertainment) does not accomplish that.

I think a good coaster in that area, regardless of what it is, will really even out the park. They need a good coaster back there to bring more people in that area. Well, maybe not NEED, but cmon it'd be great ;>).

Well put Gotham, going up is the issue. And I too agree that great coasters come in ALL sizes. Why do I and many other focus on height, because all G forces are the same (3 Gs on Raptor is the same as 3Gs on TTD). A G is a G (imo). Height however is unique, especially when you get as high as we are now. I feel exposed and vulnerable on some rides, and that is a thrill in and of itself. I also think visability from the causeway is desirable as you drive into the park.

Can't wait for the announcement.
*** Edited 3/5/2006 9:24:02 PM UTC by Thom25***

Thom...to me, a 3g force applied over a .5 second duration is TOTALLY unlike the same AMOUNT of force applied over a longer period of time....IMO. Car accidents often have forces on the order of 50g or more, and people survive. Goliath/Titan may not have the force of, say, Wildcat (LOL, love that), but they maintain their force over a considerable duration...result: some people gray/black out...

Also, of note, body position is importnat....the Pretzel Loop on the B&M flyers FEELS insanely intense. The force is actually less than on some other B&M rides, but the fact that riders are PRONE makes a huge difference.

On to CP though...how about "The Golden Kingdom", a new themed area with a whole bunch of kiddie rides, some animals, and an Intamin rocket of say, 457 feet? ;)

:)

*** Edited 3/3/2006 9:12:03 PM UTC by rollergator***

I agree a g is a g as well.....but the length of time you are exposed to the g is what you gain from going higher. The amount of float time you get on MF's first hill is incredible. Now imagine doubling that. Personally I would LOVE a traditional style layout on a 500 footer but I would probably rather have a coaster with a longer ride length (timewise). Imagine if MF lasted as long or longer than the beast! I think the trend we are seeing is that the higher the ride is built, the shorter the track length is. I love MF but it could have done so much more with all that momentum. I think the limiting factor there was cost. Then you have TTD and KK and those both could have obviously done more. I guess my point is the ONLY thing that limits designers and parks as to what they build is cost. The higher you go, the more energy you have to expell. You can either use that energy over a long track length, or a brake run.

Sure looks like a footer...

Yup, the new blog just posted within the last half an hour is showing a series of footers..... let the fun begin...

The question is...what is it that is on top of the footer?????

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?

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SVLFever said:The question is...what is it that is on top of the footer?????

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A: A header... :)

Have a great weekend! :)