Cedar Point (CP) Discussion Thread

[99er]

Am I reading this right? Some of you don't actually care what kind of attitude a guest service employee has toward the guest?

[coasterlover420]

In my opinion, the greatest guest service ops can offer is making the lines for the coasters go faster. Correct me if I'm wrong, seriously.

 

Even if the employees are not in a good mood, the guests notice that the operators move fast and guests are actually in a better mood when they get to the station. Sure, a good employee can do this with a good attitude; but like was mentioned before, the employees are kids. They deal with drama, long hours, stupid people of the GP, and really hot conditions up to 115 degrees (and at some rides, constant breakdowns). Most of the ride ops are from 18 to 22 years old, and this is a job to pay for college expenses. There are very few to no people who work here because they simply want to be a ride op.

 

As a side note, the park is making it harder for employees to live here. Budget cuts, old housing dorms (some without air conditioning)...I imagine working here in past years must have been more fun. The planned changes from Matt O. are not taking effect right away. It's a process.

[Moose]

The dispatch person can also do great customer service especially if they are allowed to talk over the speakers and not just standard spiels. I will always remember an awesome guy at Mean Streak years later that actually made the ride experience enjoyable. Then of course there is always the outstanding ops on Boulder Dash that are usually, fun, funny, and quite energetic!

[JRHcoasterki]

It's official, from the park's Facebook page:

 

Something big is happening. Disaster Transport & Space Spiral will be dismantled this season to make space for @!!$!(*%%. We're sad to see them go, but are excited as we fly into the future. Stay tuned for more!

[brock_boehm]

It's official, from the park's Facebook page:

 

Something big is happening. Disaster Transport & Space Spiral will be dismantled this season to make space for @!!$!(*%%. We're sad to see them go, but are excited as we fly into the future. Stay tuned for more!

As we fly into the future? Sounds like a B&M Wing Rider or Flying Coaster. I think it'll probably be a Wing Rider, since everyone seems to be getting one. The name has 9 characters.

Edited July 13, 2012 by brock_boehm

[radiohead8989]

Disaster Transport will close on July 29. It was just announced at coastermania.

[JJLehto]

Well, this is not much more concrete but certainly sounds like this alleged wing rider is happening!

I will miss DT...it was a fun lil ride with no line and AC!

Still, if this happens like it seems I can't wait to already start booking 2013!

[SharkTums]

And looks like it will go out with a very good cause:

 

https://www.firstgiving.com/gktw/finaldispatch

 

Disaster Transport Final Dispatch: A Mission for the Kids

Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 9:00 PM

Cedar Point

Sandusky, Ohio

 

 

Disaster Transport Final Dispatch: A Mission for the Kids

 

Cedar Point and Give Kids The World are

partnering for another exciting event!

 

At Disaster Transport Final Dispatch: A Mission for the Kids, guests can become a part of history while helping children with life-threatening illnesses and their families make memories that last a lifetime.

 

Participation includes complimentary all-day park admission for non-season passholders, an hour of exclusive ride time on Disaster Transport, VIP access to a private reception, a commemorative event t-shirt, a special souvenir and eligibility for the the last ride with the lights on. The top three fundraisers will also receive prizes!

 

Here's what we have planned for Sunday, July 29:

 

9 p.m. Welcome Reception-- Enjoy light refreshments, music and a special presentation at the patio outside Disaster Transport.

 

10:30 - 11:30 p.m. Exclusive Ride Time-- Disaster Transport is officially closed to the public and open to all participants for ERT.

 

11:40 p.m. Final Lap-- Last ride with the lights on! The 50 participants who have raised the most money are guaranteed a spot. The first place fundraiser will have the privilege of choosing their seat first, followed by the second place fundraiser and so on until all seats are taken.

 

In addition to the $20 registration fee, a minimum of $50 must be raised in order to participate. Top fundraisers will be determined Friday, July 27 at Noon EST.

 

Online registration will close Friday, July 27 at Noon EST. Onsite. day-of registration will be available for $75 and includes all-day park admission for non-season passholders, an hour of exclusive ride time on Disaster Transport, VIP access to a private reception, a commemorative event t-shirt and a special souvenir. Onsite registrants are not eligible for the Final Lap.

 

Thank you for your support!

Edited July 13, 2012 by robbalvey

[SuperShawn]

So glad to see Cedar Point opting to turn a closing into an event for a good cause. Also I'm really happy I'll get the credit and experience before it becomes a part of history.

[timberskara]

Thanks, Elissa! GKTW is very honored to be part of this event. It's going to be a lot of fun .

[brock_boehm]

Thanks, Elissa! GKTW is very honored to be part of this event. It's going to be a lot of fun .

This sounds awesome, it's such a nice thing for them to do. Wish I could make it up to Ohio for this. Never been to Cedar Point before.

[11slataus]

Cool that it's going to a good cause but I'm really disappointed this rumor turned out to be true. As mediocre as DT was, I'd prefer it to a forceless wing coaster, and Space Spiral--well, I don't really care but I don't see why they couldn't either relocate it or just build around it. Sad day...

[SharkTums]

The only thing I can think of for Space Spiral is that it must have been approaching the end of its life or something. There's no other reason to get rid of such a small footprint, no height requirement, gentle observation tower ride in a park that is losing more and more low thrill attractions like it.

 

I'll miss these both!

[Skycoastin Steve]

^I think the combination of low ridership and high maintenance costs did it in. Plus the air conditioning didn't work.

[SharkTums]

^Two of those things you mentioned support my statement of "being near the end of its life".

 

Bummer.

[DenDen]

I'll miss these both!

 

Me too, these are both the only versions of such rides I've ever been on. (Never have been on any other trackless or ob-tower.)

[RoCo]

I've always loved the novelty of a fully enclosed bobsled coaster and DT rode great last summer. Gonna miss that for sure. But I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of Winger CP gets.

[DarienLaker]

With only one family coaster (Iron Dragon) left and two kiddie coasters (Woodstock Express and Jr. Gemini) and Wing Rider on way for 2013 Cedar Point has become less "family friendly" and more "thrill seeker friendly".

 

So after Space Spiral and Disaster Transport are gone, what will be next ride for Cedar Point to get rid of in the coming years, the Skyway, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Monster, Snake River Falls, or god forbid Bluestreak?

[brock_boehm]

With only one family coaster (Iron Dragon) left and two kiddie coasters (Woodstock Express and Jr. Gemini) and Wing Rider on way for 2013 Cedar Point has become less "family friendly" and more "thrill seeker friendly".

 

So after Space Spiral and Disaster Transport are gone, what will be next ride for Cedar Point to get rid of in the coming years, the Skyway, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Monster, Snake River Falls, or god forbid Bluestreak?

Maybe they'll add some family rides after next year to keep it balanced.

[11slataus]

The only thing I can think of for Space Spiral is that it must have been approaching the end of its life or something. There's no other reason to get rid of such a small footprint, no height requirement, gentle observation tower ride in a park that is losing more and more low thrill attractions like it.

 

I'll miss these both!

 

Yes, that would make sense for Space Spiral. Really does stink to lose so many iconic CP attractions in such quick succession. First Demon Drop a few years ago, then Paddlewheel, finally WildCat and Space Spiral. My parents are running out of things they like at the park!

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited for what CP gets, but if it is a Wing Coaster I hope it's a different breed than the ones out already. I thought X-Flight at SFGAm was fun, but it was really short, seemed slow, and was quite forceless. I've always thought DT was cooler than most people thought it was (A bobsled in the DARK!), and found it always to be worth a ride. And, heck, I never even rode it when the theming was all intact!

 

I too, will miss both of these rides. Although if I was running Cedar Fair I'd relocate DT to Michigan's Adventure...just a thought.

[RAWKIN_coaster38]

I'm glad I got to ride Disaster Transport at least once before it's gone for good. I don't know why some people hate it so much, I thought it was pretty fun.

 

This event does seem like a very nice way to put it to rest. Wish I lived closer, I'd attend!

[brock_boehm]

Wonder what color it'll be. Just to remind you guys of the rumors, here is what Lance wrote on the Cedar Point page on Screamscape back in May. The rumors of removing DT and Space Spiral have come true.

 

(5/31/12) The Sandusky Register posted a very interesting news item earlier today, claiming to have seen an internal memo from Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet dated Feb. 15th regarding the 2013 attraction coming to Cedar Point, codenamed, “CP Alt.Winged”. According to comments in the memo, the new coaster is believed to be the rumored B&M Wing Coaster we’ve been talking about, and is said to feature the “longest drop, run, the fastest and be the longest ride” of its kind.

The Wing Coaster will showcase the entire front gate area, with the project cost set at $25 million, which will include the removal of two old park attractions: the Space Spiral tower and the Disaster Transport coaster. This matches up with the latest rumors about the desmise of Disaster Transport as well as the survey markings spotted in the same area. The new coaster will feature a 170 foot lift hill and will fly over the guests as they enter the park.

[DarienLaker]

I wonder if the Wing Rider coaster will have similar layout to X2 at SFMM?

[SFOGdude25]

With only one family coaster (Iron Dragon) left and two kiddie coasters (Woodstock Express and Jr. Gemini) and Wing Rider on way for 2013 Cedar Point has become less "family friendly" and more "thrill seeker friendly".

 

So after Space Spiral and Disaster Transport are gone, what will be next ride for Cedar Point to get rid of in the coming years, the Skyway, Cedar Creek Mine Ride, Monster, Snake River Falls, or god forbid Bluestreak?

 

Blue Streak is NOT going away anytime soon. It's too huge a part of Cedar Point's history, plus it's one of the best coasters there. Same with the other rides you listed. They're all a big part of the ride collection. What Cedar Point really needs is another family-friendly wood coaster. A GCI like El Toro in Germany would be perfect.

 

That being said. If the new coaster is indeed a wing rider, one thing's for sure. The GP will be all over it.

[BaMiTsPaT]

I loved Disaster Transport, as it was a nice break from the summer sun, and it was kinda fun to fly around in the dark. I never rode Space Spiral because I have no interest in observation towers, but I'm sure there are people that are going to miss that ride too! I hope CP adds a nice dark ride, (ha!) and maybe a world-class woodie too.