Rare Cedar Point Thing ...

Since I love Mantis I feel really dumb that I didn't find this out until today, but I had no idea about its original name being Banshee. Does anyone here still have a picture of the original logo? Or better yet, anyone have any merch from before they changed the name to Mantis? I checked some of the older threads on this, but the links to supposed picture sites no longer existed (GTTP at least).

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Steel - #1 Kumba, #2 Millie, #3 Mantis ||| Wood - #1 Thunderbolt, #2 Villain, #3 Gwazi
"The key to a happy life is moderation" -- Jon Stewart

It was never named Banshee, well it was but not when the public was there. Banshee was thought to not be politically incorrect and the name was Changed to Mantis before the ride opened.

If you want to see the Logo look at Steel Force's Logo. Take out the Steel Force and put in Banshee and that is what teh logo was.

I think some people do have some Banshee merchandise that was made before the season opened. But don't quote me on that.

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All I need is 4.5 million bucks and a half a mile long sliver of land and maybe someone could build me my very own Shivering Timbers.

*** This post was edited by MagnumForce on 8/12/2002. ***

I have the an original Banshee press release, I have 2 Banshee shirts (one w/the Mantis logo on the back, the other without-brand new-wont wear that one) and 3 Banshee pins. CP sold the Banshee shirts in the end of the '95 season, the pins (for the press and employees) were out then too.

Jo
2000 Raptor Crew
Gemini 100 "Survivor"
2002 Raptor Crew ?
(did I say that??)

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Cowboys dig cowgirls in trucks
Cowgirls dig cowboys in Wranglers! ;)

I too have a Banshee pin. One of my favorite Cedar Point items. There's a brief history and the official explanation on GTTP.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM

I used to see Banshee stuff on e-bay all the time. It's been less and less lately - keep an eye out.

There's a pin there right now!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2129767400

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park visits in 2002: 15

About two years ago or so, when Cedar Point had on their website auctions for raising money for some group (I think the Red Cross), they had a bunch of "banshee" stuff on auction. I believe it was at the beginning of the 2002 season, because if memory serves me correctly, they were also auctioning off rides on MF. MagnumForce, what was thought to be politically incorrect with banshee? I didn't realize that was the reason for the name change.

Something about a Banshee being a wailing female or something along those lines. The link that Jeff posted has a very good explanation.

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1989, 9 years old bawling my eyes out because I didn't want to ride Magnum. I did anyway and look at me now. Why did ya make me do it Dave?

*** This post was edited by MagnumForce on 8/12/2002. ***

From my trusty Random House College Dictionary,

Banshee - (In Irish folklore) a spirt in the form of a woman whose appearence or wailing is a sign that a loved one will soon die.

It also says that it can just mean "woman of the fairies" although that logo does not leave me to believe that was the meaning they were going by.

The ironic part is that I believe at Holiday World there is a 1001 Nauhts/Flying Carpet ride that is called Banshee and Holiday World is one of the most family oriented parks around.

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The Other Siebert

'wailing female spirit warning upon impending death.' ....quote directly taken....I don't think more explanation is necessary as to WHY this name was changed.....;)

I understand why the name of banshee was changed, but has anyone ever thought about the names of other coasters?

The Beast is another name for the devil, and no one made a fuss about that name.

The Beast is also a wild animal, Demon on the other hand LOL but the themeing was tamed down a bit on it.

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1989, 9 years old bawling my eyes out because I didn't want to ride Magnum. I did anyway and look at me now. Why did ya make me do it Dave? ;)

rollergator said:
'wailing female spirit warning upon impending death.'

True, but this is exactly why I think the name shouldn't have been changed. It has edge, something many coaster names are sorely missing these days. Has society really gotten to the point where this name would cause a problem for potential guests to the park? Besides it's a mythical creature. How about the many parks that have the popular flat ride called "Tornado"? What about the feelings of potential guests who've had homes and lives destroyed due to actual tornados ripping through their towns and cities? That seems much more insensitive to me and I still don't think a name change is warranted. Shouldn't the name/theme of a coaster induce fear. These are thrill machines after all and part of the thrill is fear.

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www.coasterimage.com
Dorney Park visits in 2002: 15

*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar on 8/12/2002. ***

Banshee shirts were give to people who bought season passes for a brief time, maybe less than a couple of weeks. I have several shirts including one with the Banshee logo crossed out (ala Ghostbusters) and the new Mantis name.

Hotel employees wore the pins when the announcement was made but had to turn them in when the Banshee name was dropped. Oddly enough, many people had already "lost" their Banshee pins.

They sold a few shirts at the 96 Coastermania. I managed to snag 2.

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- Peabody

Jeff - you are mistaken about Mantis.

On my visit to the park just last weekend, I FELT (and heard) the trims on both rides I had on it.

The trims are still very much in use.

I also spent quite an amount of time watching the ride from the midway and after watching cycle after cycle, I was sure the trims were at work. The trains sort of give a slight jolt halfway down the drop and you hear a phhhsstt phsst sound along with a skidding sound.

Kraxelridah, at the begining of the year they were indeed off, After about a month they were back on. No big deal anyway, I can't tell the difference one way or another.

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The Beast and Night, They go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly

MagnumForce -

Holy crap I could. I was sent forward into my restraint when the brakes went off. I didn't even expect them to trim so hard. How can you all convince yourselves that you don't feel it. It's impossible not to feel it. The rest of the ride is good though, although it is a bit shaky.

As for me, I wish they would have kept the Banshee name. "Mantis"??? Where did they get that one from? Not a terrible name, but I hear way too many people call it the "Praying Mantis..." (Pet Peeve No. 16......)

Other dumb coaster names: Big Bad Wolf, Laser, Montezooma's Revenge (that means "diarrhea", folks...), Wicked Twister, Air, Rock'n'Rollercoaster (I guess it works though), Son of Beast.

VERY cool names: Chang, Raptor, X, Oblivion, Nemesis, Drachen Fire.

Names that sound cool but don't match the ride intensity: Iron Dragon, Big Bad Wolf's "speed of fright" verbage (give me a break....), Disaster Transport (also fits into the "dumb" category).

OK, that was my little coaster exercise for the night....

ophthodoc, open up a history book and come back when you can tell me who Montezooma was.

Kraxel you feel the brakes but it makes absolutely no difference in the ride for me. Its just as intense with them as without if you ask me. I mean I am sure the forces are higher but I don't notice a difference. If you plopped me on the thing immediately after the trims I could not tell you if they were on or off.

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All I need is 4.5 million bucks and a half a mile long sliver of land and maybe someone could build me my very own Shivering Timbers. ;)