Mantis known as banshee???

If memory serves me correctly, I believe the logo included a hooded, faceless head and shoulders with primary colors being yellow and red??

I remember all the hoopla about Banshee before construction. We knew where it was to be constructed, and I'd asked one of the Paddlewheel captains where the entrance would be. He asked if I was "one of those internet people" and I played innocent, but I don't think he believed me.

Regardless, as we rounded the bend he made a quick pointing gesture and winked. The original entrance was on the MF side of the railroad tracks, and was later moved.

I was surprised when the announcement called the ride Mantis. I actually preferred Banshee.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
http://www.webtechnik.com/ebony/CPLady.htm
*** This post was edited by CPLady 5/21/2003 9:26:37 AM ***

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Gemini said:
The official reason for the name change (from GTTP):

"a local newspaper printed several definitions of the word 'banshee' and one included a 'wailing female spirit warning upon impending death.'"

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That's the part I don't get. "one of the definitions included"? That's what a banshee IS! (Ok, in modern times I've heard it used to refer to a shrill female individual, but that's a direct derivation of the banshee of myth.)

If I find time I'll scan the logo. Yes, it looks much like the Steel Force logo -- a spirit. Certainly SOMEONE at Cedar Point knew full well what it was beforehand, so why the change of heart? "Oh, we were hoping people wouldn't know..."?

As for the religious groups thought, perhaps some very strict group took the Devil interpretation to heart? Or even just opposed the use of a "pagan being" at all. *shrug*

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"I can't believe I just left a nuclear weapon in an elevator." -- Farscape

*** This post was edited by GregLeg 5/21/2003 9:51:30 AM ***

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MagnumForce said:
I have always thought Raptor and Mantis need their colors switched.

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God bless Intamin, Company that I love. Stand beside her, and ride her, from the opening to the closing of the day.

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I always thought the same thing too!

As a strong Christian, I never thought banshee was offending at all.

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YOUNGSTOWN 2010

If you want to see what the banshee logo looked like, look for the "Banshee Beach" setup at CP on Halloweekends (usually skeletons frolicing on a beach with a sleleton in a lifeguard chair). The logo is a black and white version on the sign. Otherwise think of Steel Force with ghostlike hands in place of the metallic hands, red hood and cowl replaced by gray, with yellow and orangeish red highlights.

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Goccvp1

SFGAm...When you need a good example of a SF park, this is where you look.

Banshee Shirt

Glad to help but wondering if anyone actually attempts to find anything on their own anymore. :)

Keep an eye on e-bay - it seems to go in cycles. Last summer there seemed to constantly be Banshee pins and shirts for auction.

So does anyone know if the Steel Force thing is actually true?

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park Visits in 2003: 4

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MagnumForce said: Heck Pat Koch was a Nun and now has a Doctrate in Divinity.

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Actually, she has a Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University.

I've been here 12 years and never had a complaint about the name Banshee.

Paula
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Paula Werne
Holiday World PR
www.holidayworld.com/srm

That's not surprising. The whole deal was someone at Cedar Point overreacting.

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"I can't believe I just left a nuclear weapon in an elevator." -- Farscape

Hmm... Banshee, an imaginary spirit that wails before a death... and Magnum, one of the most horrid hand-held instuments of actual death the world has ever seen...

Either CP managment has got to get its priorities straightened out, or there's more to this story.

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I hear America screaming...

Paula, I think Mrs. Koch should take advantage of her official degree and refer to herself as "Pat Koch, M. D."... :)

As Greg pointed out, anybody who thinks the real problem with the name, "Banshee" was the connotation of impending death is clearly unfamiliar with the mating habits of the female preying mantis!

We will never know the real story. But at the time I concocted an interesting theory. It seems that the trademark on the word, "Banshee" was held at that time by (among others) Landmark Entertainment Group in at least two of the classes which Cedar Fair, L. P. would have sought their own trademark. That would not necessarily have prevented Cedar Point from using the name, but it might have prevented them from obtaining a trademark on that name. Again, it is only a theory.

I have an equally strange theory that suggests that Magnum XL-200 and Mean Streak were both named by someone in Planning and Design who wasn't feeling terribly creative until he took a glance at his pencil can. :)

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Actually I prefer Banshee so much better than some long legged insect. Also the color of the track would of been black, orange, and red I believe. Also Banshee was going to have tunnels but some budget slicing got rid of them very early in development. I believe some time down the road they could repaint, build the tunnels and make the ride way better. Plus put Banshee wailing as your roar through the tunnels.

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Raven Maven said:

Actually, she has a Masters Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Loyola University.

And here I have been thinking she was a Dr. all this time. Thanks for the clarification Paula.
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God bless Intamin, Company that I love. Stand beside her, and ride her, from the opening to the closing of the day.

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It wasn't any Christian groups that thwarted the Banshee moniker from the ride now known as Mantis. It was a bunch of feminist activist groups that protested against it.

Here is the logo close-up.

As for eBay, there is actually Banshee stuff there right now.

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

*** This post was edited by Gemini 5/22/2003 8:49:28 AM ***