Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread

[ImNotOneOfYou]

Michigan's Adventure made it to 60 this year and look at what they got.

[CP Maverick]

Anniversary years advertise themselves, you don't need to add anything big...

[DoinItForTheFame]

Anniversary years advertise themselves, you don't need to add anything big...

 

Waittttt, so you mean to tell me that Cedar Point is not going to build a 1,500ft tall, 150mph, 150 inversion coaster for its 150th anniversary?

 

Guess rumor on the street was wrong this time too.

[DILinator]

Even though I am definitely "Team 2018", I have this terrible notion that maybe it will be 2017, and they're waiting to announce until AFTER the 2017 Pass prices go up, because they know sales will spike, regardless of the higher price. Given that I am not planning on renewing my pass for 2017 at present, that will definitely stink for me! Still, I'm not too worried about it being in 2017 at this point...

[MidwestThemeParks]

Michigan's Adventure made it to 60 this year and look at what they got.

 

60 isn't quite as big of a deal as 150.

[eugenecd]

Michigan's Adventure made it to 60 this year and look at what they got.

 

 

60 is not a milestone anniversary like a 50,75, 100, 150th

[coasterbill]

Just to clarify, I don't think that the fact that it's an anniversary year necessarily means a park won't get something, I just think that it doesn't play into their decision making process about what they're getting.

 

Do I think the park will take advantage of their anniversary? Absolutely. Plan on 150th anniversary banners, pins, T shirts and whatever else they can convince people to buy. Plan on cool promotions (First 150 people on opening day get in for $1.50 and get 150 minutes of ERT and whatever other thing including the number 150 we can throw at them, spend $150 in the store and get this super sweet 150th anniversary tote bag and 150 of the 150th anniversary bags will contain a special 150th anniversary prize... 150, 150, 150, 150, 150) but as far as huge new additions, they're going to do what makes sense for the company. This whole myth of parks doing huge things for anniversary years has been around since the beginning of time in the enthusiast community but there's nothing to back it up. Nothing.

 

a milestone anniversary like a 50,75, 100, 150th

 

Allow us to sing you a song about how much Cedar Fair cares...

 

[SbSteveZ]

^ I hate to say it but weren't those added for a 40th anniversary? the quote mentions 50th, 75th, 100th and 150th anniversaries. not 40th.

[coasterbill]

Actually you're right, I thought it was the 50th. But the rest of the post still stands. There's no precedent for parks caring about these types of things. None.

Edited October 12, 2016 by coasterbill

[ytterbiumanalyst]

It's not just Cedar Fair either. You know what Silver Dollar City got for their 50th in 2010? Tom and Huck's River Blast--that was delayed from its intended opening date of 2009. Parks do not build things because it's an anniversary year. They build things because it's time to build things. Whether that happens to fall on an anniversary has no bearing on it.

[Password121]

^ I hate to say it but weren't those added for a 40th anniversary? the quote mentions 50th, 75th, 100th and 150th anniversaries. not 40th.

Usually when people talk about something over and over again in herds I think there's at least some lick of truth or evidence to it... to some extent... but this is one of those things that continually amazes me that *everyone* is on board with and seems to be convinced is a thing. It's actually incredible how much I feel like I'm missing something here.

 

No, it doesn't matter that it's their 40th vs literally any other year. At all. #I'mwithBill

 

 

That said, I do think they're planning something big for 2020, but that's not because it's their 150th. I do remember reading some pamphlet Cedar Fair released in 2012/2013 about building up Cedar Point for 2013-2020 and Matt Ouimet mentioning more about their "roller coaster DNA" thing and how 2020 kind of caps off their investment plan or something like that. I don't feel like finding it though lol.

[coasterbill]

It looks like the fire department is doing some training in the park this morning. Keep an eye on Cams 1 and 2, Windseeker is going up so we might actually get to see them use the evacuation platform.

 

Based on the flag out front the winds are pretty high too. Usually when it blows straight out that means Sky Ride and Windseeker generally wouldn't be operating.

[boldikus]

#I'mwithBill

 

[prozach626]

I was #I'mwithbill, until he mocked the singing mushrooms. Back in 2014, on my only trip to KD, I was very excited to see the singing mushrooms in action. Emily and I were CRUSHED when we waited around several times and they never performed. I can no longer support Bill due to his insensitivity to people who look forward to seeing the singing mushrooms. I am calling for him to drop out of the forums.

[boldikus]

We waited for them to sing last weekend and only that freaking frog sang. In fact, he wouldn't shut the f*ck up. The mushrooms were unimpressed and kept quiet.

[michaellynn4]

I don't know, Zach. Seemed pretty clear to me that the mushroom-bashing was just some locker-room talk, something all us guys do. Though I may not support the comments, i still support the man.

 

#MakeBillGreatAgain

[prozach626]

We waited for them to sing last weekend and only that freaking frog sang. In fact, he wouldn't shut the f*ck up. The mushrooms were unimpressed and kept quiet.

Hahaha! They did nothing when we were there. I was actually a little butt hurt about it for some reason. It's the little things, I suppose. I'm sure the temperatures being in the upper 90's had something to do with it, during our visit.

[Coasters & Lamps]

It will be interesting to see exactly what Cedar Point does for their 150th. And yes, it is a major milestone anniversary, but it doesn't necessarily mean they will be getting anything major that year.

 

The whole concept of amusement park anniversaries didn't cross my mind until Six Flags Great America, another amusement park, celebrated their 40th this year. And they didn't get anything major. But next year, they will be getting coaster #14, an S&S free spin.

 

Six Flags Great America is one of the world's best parks, with one of the best assortment of roller coasters. However, Cedar Point makes them look like a local carnival. Goliath, Superman, Viper, are about the only coasters that don't loose their luster after hitting Cedar Point.

 

It will also be interesting to see if the Mean Streak RMC re-track is complete, and up and running by 2017 or 2018. Twisted Collossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain began construction about the same time. I believe it was RMC's biggest project to date? Anyway, Colossus closed in August of 2014 and it was close to June 2015 before it opened, and this construction took place in the mild California climate. Mean Streak is also going to be a big project, but the difference in climate means more potential "snow days" depending upon the severity of this coming winter. If the great lakes region has a horrible winter, it may not be ready until next August, in which case, they may not even bother to open it until 2018. But RMC is becoming more and more experienced at building these too, so IDK.

 

When Six Flags Great America built Goliath, their RMC masterpiece, the winter was severe and led to opening delays. Construction started in September and it wasn't completed until June, and it is only 3,100 feet of track, though the entire structure was build new. I'm wondering if and/or how much will shorten the length of Mean Streak, as RMC usually does. But at the same time, RMC has also been known to make a ride taller or a drop longer. Mean Streak has enough girth for RMC to potentially turn it into their best work. If they were to add 35' to the highest point, they would have the world's only official wooden hyper coaster ( I'm KI's SOB was, but no longer stands and Dollywood's Lightening Rod's height is disputed), which would also push the all-time speed record for wooden roller coasters. Or they could split the difference of 25' between the top and bottom of the first drop (dig a tunnel) to exceed The 180', drop, which is the wooden coaster record currently held by SFGAm's Goliath. It all depends on whether or not they can stay within wood's physical limits. If they kept the entire mile of track, they could easily have 4 inversions and some 0 gravity stalls. There's certainly a lot of potential to dream about.

[coasterbill]

I am calling for him to drop out of the forums.

 

You'll need to take a number.

[CP Maverick]

#MakeBillGreatAgain

Confirmed, Bill is getting the "RMC Treatment" for #2017!

[eugenecd]

It will be interesting to see exactly what Cedar Point does for their 150th. And yes, it is a major milestone anniversary, but it doesn't necessarily mean they will be getting anything major that year.

 

The whole concept of amusement park anniversaries didn't cross my mind until Six Flags Great America, another amusement park, celebrated their 40th this year. And they didn't get anything major. But next year, they will be getting coaster #14, an S&S free spin.

 

Six Flags Great America is one of the world's best parks, with one of the best assortment of roller coasters. However, Cedar Point makes them look like a local carnival. Goliath, Superman, Viper, are about the only coasters that don't loose their luster after hitting Cedar Point.

 

It will also be interesting to see if the Mean Streak RMC re-track is complete, and up and running by 2017 or 2018. Twisted Collossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain began construction about the same time. I believe it was RMC's biggest project to date? Anyway, Colossus closed in August of 2014 and it was close to June 2015 before it opened, and this construction took place in the mild California climate. Mean Streak is also going to be a big project, but the difference in climate means more potential "snow days" depending upon the severity of this coming winter. If the great lakes region has a horrible winter, it may not be ready until next August, in which case, they may not even bother to open it until 2018. But RMC is becoming more and more experienced at building these too, so IDK.

 

When Six Flags Great America built Goliath, their RMC masterpiece, the winter was severe and led to opening delays. Construction started in September and it wasn't completed until June, and it is only 3,100 feet of track, though the entire structure was build new. I'm wondering if and/or how much will shorten the length of Mean Streak, as RMC usually does. But at the same time, RMC has also been known to make a ride taller or a drop longer. Mean Streak has enough girth for RMC to potentially turn it into their best work. If they were to add 35' to the highest point, they would have the world's only official wooden hyper coaster ( I'm KI's SOB was, but no longer stands and Dollywood's Lightening Rod's height is disputed), which would also push the all-time speed record for wooden roller coasters. Or they could split the difference of 25' between the top and bottom of the first drop (dig a tunnel) to exceed The 180', drop, which is the wooden coaster record currently held by SFGAm's Goliath. It all depends on whether or not they can stay within wood's physical limits. If they kept the entire mile of track, they could easily have 4 inversions and some 0 gravity stalls. There's certainly a lot of potential to dream about.

 

40th Anniversary is not a marquee milestone, like 25, 50th, 75th, 100, 150. Btw, what did GAm get for their 25th? They got V2 and Deja Vu.

 

Calling GAm "one of the world's best parks" is pure hyperbolic nonsense.

 

On Mean Streak, I expect some kind of record, CP loves to set records. Biggest hybrid drop and fastest are what I expect. On the time frame I'm going by the logic.."under promise and over deliver". They maybe aren't sure they can get it done by opening 2017 so don't announce it till you get a progress report late december. Then people won't be lambasting them if it's late.

Edited October 12, 2016 by eugenecd

[coasterbill]

Like I said, you can find examples of parks that just so happen to get major new rides during anniversary years but it's not a trend. Parks make investments based on what makes financial sense, not because they decided to pitch in and get the park an anniversary present.

[grsupercity]

MIA got goats for there 60th

[WOFanatic]

MIA got goats for there 60th

Well, that was a big investment for Michigan's Adventure.

[JT325]

Six Flags Great America is one of the world's best parks, with one of the best assortment of roller coasters. However, Cedar Point makes them look like a local carnival.

 

As Great America is my home park, I would agree with part of "one of the world's best parks" part of what you said; we have an excellent lineup of coasters and rides (and flumes, thank you very much!), but the park loses HUGE points when it comes to operations. Offering a super-cheap season pass isn't necessarily a good thing - you pay for that cheap pass with the park's operations.

 

Goliath, Superman, Viper, are about the only coasters that don't loose their luster after hitting Cedar Point.

 

I would argue Goliath and Superman are good for a few rides, then totally lose their luster. Whizzer, Eagle and Raging Bull (let go of the trim brake complaint; the layout is unique and offers PLENTY of forces) are where it's at. I would even add Demon, after you "learn how to ride it." Whizzer is a treasure and seems to get better every year while the newbies lose their novelty after a few years. I've been riding Whizzer since 1981... I wish Cedar Point had something that cool!

 

When Six Flags Great America built Goliath, their RMC masterpiece

 

Well... to me, Goliath is a sort of RMC "test track" or "sampling" of what they can do. A full roller coaster it is not. And remember, the problem was NOT lack of space (as the park says) but rather the unwillingness to spend more on a "full" roller coaster. This is where I hope Cedar Point really goes all-out with RMC Mean Streak... A nice double loading station, a VERY long ride that doesn't end too fast. I predict they will do it right. Even if it takes them until 2018. I would rather wait and get a truly full and world-class ride.