Cedar Point's Valravn

I would be very surprised if the name is changed.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't. The fact that a name of a mythical creature supersticiously related to death was about to be revealed only 1 week after an actual death at the park is an unfortunate coincidence. However, people are so easily offended, that a knee-jerk reaction like this is probably necessary to avoid all the instigators just *looking* for a reason to be offended by something.

Tragic accidents happen all the time, but people get over them. Tornadoes, Twisters, Typhoons, Tidal Waves, Great Whites, Drag racing cars, Grizzlies, Magnums, Scorpions, Vipers, Hurricanes. All these things have killed people and all are names of popular rides. Banshee, Dragon, Rougarou, Demon, Diablo etc. All names of mythical creatures related to death, all still popular rides.

I'd bet Josh's life that if the Raptor death had occurred last year Valravn would still be a go this year. Timing is everything.

Without looking up the word, I recall that a Valravn is a mythical creature heard in traditional folk songs, who sweeps down and collects and eats the dead bodies after war.

The raptor roller coaster swooped down and killed a guy.

So I can see why they may want to change the name before they announce it.

I'm not going to get offended or mad or whatever if they keep the name. I think it's a pretty cool name. They could save it for another day, I suppose.

There is still that chance that the ride was never going to be called Valravn in the first place anyways. :p

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

I'm still going with Valravn will fly into the park next year:

• The focus of the park's announcement will still be: a new type of coaster* named Valravn cementing Cedar Point's status as the Roller Coaster Capitol of the World (tm) -- not a new type of coaster* that carries the name of an obscure Danish legend of a bird that feeds on dead bodies

• When the announcement is made, few people are going to connect the coaster and the legend; why would they? There may be an ambitious reporter or two who will Google Valravn; most media reports will simply regurgitate the park's press package

• It's almost September, likely late in the game to completely overhaul coaster-related merchandise. It takes time to design, manufacture, ship by sea from whichever country the goods are manufactured in, truck to the park, process in and store tens of thousands of T-shirts, hats, shot glasses, key chains, magnets, beach towels, fanny packs and so on.

*As in new to the vast majority of the park's guests

I suppose I could say I've actually learned from Cedar Point the last couple years, because I had never heard the terms Rougarou or Valravn in my life. However, even if I had, I'm not a fan of either name for a roller coaster (putting it mildly).

Tommytheduck said:

I'd bet Josh's life that if the Raptor death had occurred last year Valravn would still be a go this year. Timing is everything.

Why, I never!!! I'm offended!

LostKause said:

There is some talk on Facebook about a name change because of the Raptor accident. Josh (Raven-Phile) said that they could use the same bird logo and just change the name to "Dive Hawk." LOL

Valthndrhwk

Vater said:

However, even if I had, I'm not a fan of either name for a roller coaster (putting it mildly).

At least Valravn has a relatively sensible meaning in English....Ravens are birds and Val gives it that vaguely Eastern European ominous tone to it that is immediately evocative phonetically.

Rougarou still just sounds like someone should say "God bless you" after you say it.

I can't read Rougarou without hearing Scooby-Doo's voice.

Rouga-rouga-rooou!

I wonder how they're planning to pronounce it. Will it be "vel-roun" as in Danish, or the incorrect-but-easier "val-raven"? (I probably just answered my own question, but to me that's a reason it's not a good name choice.)

Sucks.

Guys, they're clearly going to rename it grasshopper.

I seriously doubt that they'd scrap tons of merch and signage and promotional materials and park maps and such to change the name, *if* they'd already settled on it. We're not entirely sure how much of that was "done done" already and how much could still be changed.

We all know about Banshee/Mantis, but I'm not really clear on the timelines on that....

Lastly, wasn't Lightning Rod at Dollywood *supposed* to be named "Shot Rod?"

Kumba, Montu, Rougarou, Valravn. As long as they explain the name during the queue line it'll be fine.

I just checked, and "Nicey Nice Rainbow Unicorn Coaster" is not yet trademarked.

Neither is "Happy Fun Time Sparkle Coaster"

"Majestic Unicorn" is also available. For now.

Are you all checking the American or the Japanese patents/trademarks office?

"Jellybean Dream Express" is still up for grabs.