PointBuzz posts off-season photos from Cedar Point, gets sneak peak at Luminosity

I like that they are removing that big ugly screen and control booths from the Iron Dragon midway.

Speaking of which, the screen is now down.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/27981961/Pagoda%20%2815%29.jpg

I agree, and I also think that the new lighting packages for MF, PT and GW are overdue as well. Just repairing the old lights on those rides would have been fine with me. New lights instead are a bonus.

Here's an interesting question. The area informally known as Iron Dragon midway is now going to be called "Celebration Plaza". In addition to the stage, will there be any specific theming to differentiate this zone from other parts of the park? And if so, could this be the beginning of more theming and individual themed areas at the Point? I, for one, am 110% in favor of such an idea.

Well the edges will all be curvy and pretty. Does that count for something?

Actually, yes. I should think that if you differentiate that sort of thing from the styles seen in the rest of the park, that's part way there. Throw in unique lamps/lighting, pavers, landscaping, decor, and...voila! You might just have a separately themed area. Maybe it wouldn't be as obvious or distinct as, say, walking from Hanna-Barbera Land to Rivertown, but in my book it counts.

Well, you know what they say, Mike... hope springs eternal. :)

...said the optimist. ;)

Luminosity sounds pretty cool. So does the new improved lighting. I'm thinking that I will definitely have to find the time to get to the park this summer. Night time lighting has always been one of my favorite parts of visiting an amusement park.

After talking to Lee a bit after lunch, it occurred to me that what they're doing actually reminds me a great deal of City Walk in Orlando. I think that place has great atmosphere (when it's busy, but not too busy). Granted, much of my time there was spend intoxicated to various levels, so my opinion could be fuzzy.

No, it isn't too affected by the alcohol. ;)

I love just hanging out in CityWalk on the weekends after the parks close in the evening when they have a local cover/up-and-coming band playing on the CityWalk stage next to the Universal store (which is most every weekend except for the slowest of times). The atmosphere is great, even as someone who doesn't really drink.

I really like the view of Millennium Force with the screen down.

The other comparison that a few of us were making was to "ElecTRONica", the nightly dance party that has been used lately to fill space at California Adventure.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Is the wicked twister train already back on the track? I know they strip them down and put them all back together, but geez thats a bit early for cedar point.

Anyhow, i also have been following kings island on twitter and they have most of their trains back on the track already. Maybe we wont have to wait until opening day to have all the rides certified by the state this year.

"ElecTRONica", the nightly dance party that has been used lately to fill space at California Adventure.

My understanding is that it was quite a bit better than a space-filler; guests liked it, and it generated a LOT of beverage sales.

Excited about installment plans for season passes. Shelling out 300 bucks or more depending on family size at one time can be a stretch for some, myself included.

Didn't I read somewhere that ElecTRONica was going to change to something else with a different theme soon?

Yep: New Alice.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/01/fall-into-the-rabbit-...ture-park/