How long before another coaster pops up in Sandusky?

With the news of another waterpark going up across the street from the new Kalahari, a question popped into my semi-empty head.

When does one of the waterparks drop in a few flats along with a coaster? The Dells has a couple of places with coasters, why not Sandusky?

Discuss...

There might be some zoning issues with regard to rides. Castaway Bay and Great Wolf Lodge aren't too far from some neighborhoods.

I suppose nothing is impossible but I would guess it is one thing to spring a business that compliments a Cedar Point visit and another thing to spring a business that competes against a Cedar Point visit.

If there is any concern at all that CP draws guests awary from Geauga Lake then I can't imagine a coaster out on 250 would do enough business to be worth while. Go down to Orlando. With the exception of Olde Town (a tourist attraction in and of itself) you don't find any stand alone coasters outside of gated attractions.

Kalahari has already announced plans to add an additional 100,000 square feet of indoor waterpark facilities in 2006-2007, which will make it the largest in the United States (the resort is already a small city).

They're projecting one million guests during their first year. Plus they're far enough out on Rt. 250 where they'd likely have the easiest path of the three with zoning issues.

If anyone could support adding a few rides, it'd be Kalahari. They're already offering day passes to non-hotel guests. But if they do, it'll probably be an afterthought. I think their waterpark and resort will remain the focus.

Kalahari has already planned to get larger?

Are there any other water parks planned? I know that in a Plain Dealer artcle, they mentioned a fourth indoor waterpark was in the workds. but thats the PD, consider the source (caugh..the magnum is sinking)

Apparently there is another waterpark in the works, and the rumour is that it will be bigger than Kalahari.

Maybe not a full fledged 'big' coaster, but something smaller like a kiddie coaster or a Zyklon or Wildcat or Mouse style/sized ride.

I think it's an interesting idea and almost makes too much sense.

I can't really see any coasters existing in Sandusky unless it was incorporated into one of the indoor waterparks. A custom super soaker like coaster could be built within one of the indoor waterparks and could provide plenty of interaction between rides. You could 'bomb' people in lines or even people on other rides. I doubt a coaster like that could justify its expense, but I think that would be about the extent of what could feasibly be built in Sandusky.

This thread isn't about what/when CP will be adding a new coaster. This thread is about whether or not a coaster could exist at one of the many indoor waterparks or one of the go-cart/miniature golf establishments in Sandusky. Huge difference.

While I agree with Gonch that nothing bigger than a mouse or Zyklon style coaster would be feasible, I don't see something like that being a prudent business decision. A mouse or zyklon style coaster would almost have to be built outside as an addition to one of the fun centers (go-carts, mini-golf, arcade type places). It would most likely end up being a pay per ride type coaster and would have to rely on itself to produce its' ROI. Such an investment for a small business doesn't make sense to me, but then again I'm not in business.

Now if something were built within the workings of one of the waterparks (like a suspended setpoint water coaster), it could work. It would be unique and could help sustain the crowds that these places are going to need to profit. But they wouldn't have to solely rely on it to recoup their expenses. It would just add to an already decent list of attractions that are already bringing the people to the park. Would it be fiscally sound, I don't know, but it appears to be more so than adding a mouse to an amusement center.

Now a small kiddie coaster could most definately pop up somewhere in Sandusky and I'm surprised that one doesn't already exist.

Perhaps I'm putting the cart before the horse here, but since this is all about speculation anyway... aren't the Setpoint coasters VERY expensive? I seem to remember the one Carowinds installed was at or around the 10 million mark.

True, Brian, *prohibitively* expensive for most waterparks, IMO. The only two I can think of offhand that COULD afford one are Schlitterbahn and Noah's Ark. Can't speak for the WI park, but the one in TX doesn't NEED to spend that kind of money.

They WOULD be fantastic additions for waterparks...if they ran about $2-3M...and had better capacity...;)

edit: Orlando also has the Fun Spot right off I-Drive, and a couple other mini-golf/FEC-type places that sport a flat or two. I seriously doubt anyone wants to "go head-to-head" against the Po!nt, but a smallish place with rides for LITTLE kids and B-day parties (a la American Adventures in Atlanta), maybe that could work.
*** Edited 5/25/2005 10:53:08 PM UTC by rollergator***

I know that they aren't cheap, but how much of that was infrastructure for all of the water features? I would think cost could be cut a little in that respect if it was built in a waterpark, but I don't know for sure.

But I still think it makes sense that the best place for a coaster in Sandusky (other than a small kiddie oval type) would be integrated into one of the waterparks. How about a spinning mouse getting drenched by geysers and water cannons? Sounds fun to me!

I'm merely speculating on the topic at hand and sincerely doubt anything bigger than an oval or powered coaster will ever spring up in Sandusky.

Edit: Gator, sure it's prohibitively expensive for most water parks, especially the stand alone parks. But they aren't too expensive for SFI and CF waterparks. That still doesn't make it a great business decision, but that does open up quite a few 'waterparks' that could afford one. *** Edited 5/25/2005 11:04:40 PM UTC by Incidentalist***

Good point, hadn't considered that aspect. That would seem to make it MUCH more viable.

Now, would that be a better option for those parks with a single gate, or for those with a sepately-gated waterpark...my vote is for option (A). ;)

i can see competition coming on now in sandusky between CP and Kalahari. CP might begin a mega Resort improvement program

Sandusky's like this, Your there for CP or your there for the lake.

Everything else is doomed unless it revolves around either.

Chuck

i would love to see a Schlitterbahn owned water park in Sandusky, but i know...it wont happen

Is the new water park near the other ones in the area of the shopping and restaurant area of Sandusky.

Cause if it is this then would NEVER support a Rollercoaster in a business district.

Wait until 2007 or so for a new coaster in Sandusky where it should be, at Cedar Point. There are a few rumors that surfaced last year that they were gonna put one in that time. They also have plans to put it in the frontiertown area. The rumor is that White Water Landing was gonna be removed and then it was gonna be a number of different kinds of coasters. A Fourth Dimension was rumored, a dual flyer was also rumored, but i would love to see a good woodie back there, because Mean Streak just isnt cutting it. Thats my thoughts, remember these are rumors so dont think these to be true!