Lack of Cedar Point TR's

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I think Holiday World has become a "icon" of sorts to people tired of overpriced, understaffed, coaster obessesed parks with shabby at best wooden coasters and poor operations.

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Switch 'people' to 'enthusiasts' and that statement rings more true with me. :)

Well we are on a coaster board, filled entirely with the opinions of..."people posting on a coaster board". ;)

I should also add that with much praise, comes the people who don't "get it", think it's "overrated" and get tired of hearing how "great it is".

Cedar Point fans should understand better than most! And sort of coming full circle with the actual topic, there have been no shortage of Holiday World TR's this year. What's up with that? ;) *** Edited 7/17/2006 8:28:44 PM UTC by DWeaver***

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I should also add that with much praise, comes the people who don't "get it" and think it's overrated.

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Are you talking about Holiday World? Cedar Point? Six Flags Magic Mountain? Epcot? That statement could be applied to a lot of places. :)

I love Holiday World. I love Islands of Adventure. Why do I not visit them more often? Because one is a six hour drive and the other requires airfare. The comparisons to Cedar Point are nearly irrelevant for most people because you're still going to go to the park closest to you (unless you're 'Moosh and live close to SFMM ;)).

But back to the realm of Cedar Point, a lot of people dis it for no reason other than it's huge and has a history of building huge rides. All of that hugeness, in some opinions, equates to a lesser experience. For me at least, I think of it as different, not better or worse.

Since I'm "stuck" with Cedar Point as the nearest park, I go there frequently. Food stand issues aside, I enjoy being there, and I'm still one of the park's harshest critics where I feel they need to address issues. Even though the park has no real alternative (except maybe Geauga Lake), I wouldn't go there if I didn't get something out of it.

We have to keep all this in context though. Most people who enjoy this hobby don't limit themselves to one park (unless budget requires it). So "homeparks" are almost irrelevant, at least to me. I consider amusement parks my adult playground, much as those who visit Las Vegas for vacations.

I don't go to parks just for coasters, unless the park in question makes it difficult to go for any other reason. *** Edited 7/17/2006 8:40:34 PM UTC by DWeaver***

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SLFAKE said:

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you see what you want to see.

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That is so, and it goes both ways. And it is like I said in another thread... Certain parks that have gained a "reputation" for beign horrible are a lot closer to "Average" than many people are willing to admit... and certain parks that have earned a reputation for being "spectacular" are also a lot closer to average than many people are willing to admit.

People tend to nail SF for things that they would let slide at other parks, while at the same time let slide things at CP that they would complain about at other parks. *** Edited 7/17/2006 4:55:31 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

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I guess I'm one of those people that tend to look for the good in most things. So if it's a choice between looking for the good or looking for the crap, I choose the good.

-Tambo
*** Edited 7/17/2006 8:34:52 PM UTC by tambo***

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Gemini said:

Are you talking about Holiday World? Cedar Point? Six Flags Magic Mountain? Epcot? That statement could be applied to a lot of places.

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Six Flags Magic Mountain? Epcot?

Bad examples. I hear nothing but the blasting of those two park, and imo, rightly so. ;)

But you were right with the first two! ;)

In an odd way, I suppose I am sort of the same way... (I know that sounds hard to believe). Read my TR's and they for the most part are positive... though I am not afraid to call a park "average to above averate" while most call it "nirvana" (i.e. CP), and I am not afraid to say that a certain coaster, while impressive, really didn't strike me as a favorite of mine (i.e. The Voyage ... [ducks and covers]).

I also don't nail parks for every little thing either... I don't go in looking for problems (like some people do with most SF parks). On the other hand, I am also objective enough to say that while most ops seemed efficient or average, the schtick of those running Magnum during my CP vist got on my nerves... other than this, no problems... I had fun, I enjoyed myself... but not really any more than at any other park, and there are a few that I enjoyed more.

On the same token, I am not going to totally write off a park like Six Flags St Louis either because of the IDIOTS that were running Screamin' Eagle (I won't even call them Gifted Idiots, because there was nothing gifted about these poor excuses for wage earning operators). Other than that, the park was fine, and I enjoyed my visit as I do at most parks... but as with CP... thre are a few that I enjoy more.

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Also... Why is it that a 2 hour wait at CP on an average to busy day is "perfectly acceptable", while 2 hour waits at other parks on average to busy days would have people complaining? Sorry... but a two hour wait for any coaster (other than one I have never ridden before) at any park is will have me grumbling.

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I think it is perfectly acceptable at any park. My point was, people are way too damn impatient and think every time they visit an amusement park, every ride should be a walk-on. If that's the attitude you are going with, then you're bound to have a bad time. I remember waiting four hours for the Beast in its' heydays. Now, if the wait is past 15 minutes, it automatically means poor ride ops. I don't agree with that in the least.

One thing that has improved this year at Cedar Point: The Millennium Force Crew. They actually hit interval. A lot. Its truly a sight to behold.

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Rob Ascough said:

Wow. I'm all for the expression of an opinion, but that is just wrong.

Give a little credit. The park is home to three world-class wood coasters, an excellent waterpark, clean grounds, efficient operations and one of the friendliest staff's you'll ever find. You treat them as a small park in the middle of BF Indiana? What does that mean? To me, it sounds like you've reduced everything they've accomplished to nothing more than a whimsical sidenote. The park, located in the middle of BF Indiana, has managed to emerge as one of the premier regional parks in the country- something pretty impressive since their region has a very small population compared to other places. Maybe it sounds like I'm picking a fight but I'm not. I know that your "thing" is to come across as opinionated and all, but I think that comment was more than just for attention, it was downright cruel.

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Look at me, I'm not only attention-whoring, but I'm being mean to boot. I didnt know I was so multi-talented. (insert rolleyes thingy)

Oh and I'm glad I'm entitled to my "wrong" opinion.

Most of the things you said are all subjective at best ('world class', 'excellent','friendliest'), but let's assume en arguendo that all you said is true including the bit about being "one of the premier regional parks in the country". Guess what, I dont live in that region so what does that matter to me? All of that is only slightly more exciting than being home to the world's largest house of mud. In either case, I find it difficult to justify the costs of a trip to see either based on what they offer and their location.

(and for the record, I'm weird and actually *would* like to see the world's largest house of mud but wouldnt go too far out of my way to do so)

Until 14days ago, the fact that HW had a waterpark didnt mean squat to me. Even during the last event of theirs I attended, I didnt feel the desire to join the waterpark ERT...it just didnt interest me. Maybe, I'd feel a little differently now, but honestly, the friendly staff and rep and blah, blah, blah, didnt affect me too much one way or the other. Heck, I've thought that the employees @ SFKK were just a friendly (definitely slower, but just as nice).

And, quite frankly, while their coaster lineup is arguably great the overall rides package isnt that significant an upgrade from even my dirty-little-homepark of SFA. I dont (usually) experience employees being rude to me and common courtesy is enough for me.

And let me put this in perspective lest I be accused of being anti-small park. I'd return to Lake Compounce in a heartbeat. LC has admittedly less than HW, so why LC and not HW? Location, location, location. The expense of visiting the two is about the same (day of travel there/back, hotels, etc.), but once I get in the area of HW all I can do is HW (SFKK is *really* not a big draw for me). But near LC, there are museums, civic installations, casinos, and (most on-topic here) SFNE. So the "cost" is the same, but I get two (IMO) above average parks instead of one.

Even better example, I want to spend a week around DollyWood. Again, not much more offered than HW...except the location in the Smokey Mountains! I'd do the same for Silverwood, because the Wife and I could visit some nearby winerys. Unfortunately, there is nothing around HW to add on, and, for me, HW alone is not a strong enough draw. (Full disclosure: I've only been to HW for SRMs and a Discovery channel shooting. It never felt 'worth' a trip from DC without the special events) If they moved out of BF-I (I know impossible, but let me dream), I'd have a different opinion.

Oh and I'm not exactly against small-town areas either as I love trips to Sandusky and Hershey ;)

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DWeaver said:
Six Flags Magic Mountain? Epcot?

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Well, I've never been to Magic Mountain, so I don't know. I absolutely love Epcot, though, but I know others "don't get it." :)

I could go to CP, not ride any coasters and still have a good time. I enjoy so much more of the park than the coasters...arcade games, flat rides and people watching. There is so much to do at that park that how can you not have a good time unless you're looking for the negatives. It's not just CP that I feel this way about either. I would say the same thing about Kennywood.

Just to add one more thing to my original post, HW is approx. 1.5 hours away from me. CP is about 5.5. I have been to HW 3 times in my lifetime. I can't count how many times I've been to CP since I first discovered it in '96. I live in Louisville and SFKK is my home park which I hardly ever visit. My point is once again the atmosphere. Call me a fangirl also, but there is something special about a park that has as much history as CP and is also in an area where there is more to do than just visit the park.

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Most people who enjoy this hobby don't limit themselves to one park (unless budget requires it). So "homeparks" are almost irrelevant, at least to me. I consider amusement parks my adult playground, much as those who visit Las Vegas for vacations.

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Well, budget limits me, but not money. Time. I've got two small kids, and a lot of work around the house and at the office that needs done. CP is a day trip. Almost nothing else is for me---even GL and MiA are just a tad too far to get there and back in a day. So the lion's share of my admissions go to CP. Number two is the collection of Florida Disney gates.

My experience with others who visit the park: there are two kinds of CP guests. Those who only look up at lift hills, and those who notice that the place has a unique setting, and a lot of other things to it aside from a half-dozen really tall lift hills.

Maybe you have to bring a family there to look beyond the lift hills, I don't know.

In the past several years, a lot of what made the place special had been squeezed out by a draconian focus on cost, capacity, and limiting legal liability. With the new GM this year, the focus seems to be back on the guest experience, and hopefully is a sign of even better things to come in the near term.

I haven't read many TRs for Epcot, but those I do read always seem to be positive---folks looking only for thrills just don't go, but those who did go to try out, say, Mission:Space, seem to have come away with a positive impression. With the addition of Soarin (which I think may be one of Disney's best attractions ever) the place is now well worth a visit from just about anyone but the most jaded thrillseeker.

I personally loved Epcot. It is second in my affections only to Disneyland (CA) as far as Disney parks go. However, I have to go there with a competely different mindset than going to CP, HP, KW, etc. I view Epcot as less a theme park and more a very large interactive museum. For me, the exhibts and the story they are trying to tell is far more interesting than any of the rides themselves.

It's funny, after our Disney-Honeymoon last year, my wife asked if I would write TRs. Now, at that time, I wasnt in the mood for writing anything in general, but also, the visits were so absolutely, unfocused on rides that I just didnt think they'd be interesting to any others (very introspective). Perhaps in this climate of 'enthusiast-evolution' I should re-visit that assessment.

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those who did go to try out, say, Mission:Space, seem to have come away with a positive impression.

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Those that have come away under their own power that is.

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and those who notice that [Cedar Point] has a unique setting, and a lot of other things to it aside from a half-dozen really tall lift hills.

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And so do numerous other parks... no CP monopoly on that. *** Edited 7/18/2006 5:52:42 PM UTC by SLFAKE***

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Maybe you have to bring a family there to look beyond the lift hills, I don't know.

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I would most certainly agree with this satement. I am always amazed when people on variuos messageboards claim CP is just becoming a "Coaster Park".

Two years ago I had season passes for CP. My children were 4 and 6 years old at the time. Only my oldest could ride any coasters, and those were just the Iron Dragon and Disaster Transport.

We always had a great time at the park. There is easily enough to do at CP that you can spend an entire day there without stepping foot on one coaster.

With that being said, I am a little worried with the removal of WWL, and some people are saying the antique cars might go....

I hope CP dosn't lose sight of us families with smaller children, b/c I certainly spent my share of money there!!

^Yeah, 68 rides and 16 are coasters. There's nothing but coasters at Cedar Point. ;)

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And so do numerous other parks... no CP monopoly on that.

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That's certainly true. SFFT is another that comes to mind. Picking an old rock quarry was genius. Great Escape is fantastic in the fall--the vistas over upstate NY forests in full color are great.

Anyone else think of other parks with such great physical settings?

Edited to add: Kennywood's use of its terrain is fantastic, with thunderbolt and phantom alone. I suspect Indiana Beach has a lot going for it on this front, too. *** Edited 7/18/2006 7:26:20 PM UTC by Brian Noble***