John Peck Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Forgive me if this was brought up in the past, but I have been noticing a pattern the last couple of years and didn't think to mention it until now. I suppose it started in the late part of 2012 as Kings Island was rumored to be removing their tiny and unimpressive track (in my opinion) for an unknown project (Banshee). Then other rides began disappearing as construction started in other parks... Michigan's Adventure removed theirs for their Flyers and Beer Garden... Now going into the 2014 season, we see Valleyfair removing theirs and Worlds of Fun as well. I have yet to see construction photos of Carowinds, but could they eventually as well, since theirs sit directly in front of the now moved Skycoaster? Are operational costs just getting out of control or is it because 3 of the mentioned parks have lower attendance compared to their sisters? Or are Go Carts just not pulling in the bucks like they used to? Edited February 6, 2014 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 If this is a trend, it wouldn't bother me in the least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zem Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I never ride the go karts at amusement parks. Often they seem slow and the tracks tend not to be very interesting. I love go karts but if I'm going to spend money on them I'm going to go to an actual go kart track. I tend to find there are often much better ways to spend time at a park and I don't feel I'm alone. I don't usually see the go karts at most parks being very crowded and at some they are just abondoned and never seem to even have operators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike541x Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 ^Agreed, it's not worth the upcharge imo. Last time I did go karts was at Mt Olympus and the damn thing broke before I even left the starting line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raptor6 Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The go-carts also seem to be over-priced for the track and cars. The tracks at amusement parks are uninspired and the cars generally run slow. If I recall correctly, the tracks at Kings Island and Michigan's Adventure were simple ovals and look to be made for children. The tracks at Cedar Point had a great Platinum Pass deal last season, as they were buy one get one free! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arby Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 This isn't a loss to me at all. I found these Go Cart tracks a waste of resources for the parks. They should leave this to places that specialize in Go Carts. There are numerous family friendly Go Cart tracks around if that is your thing. If you really love speed, then I recommend paying a bit more and trying a more realistic go cart racing experience. In my region of the country there is Victory Lane Karting in Charlotte, and Andretti Karting in Atlanta. Both are indoor facilities with racing style Go Carts with a top speed of 35 mph. You have to have a driver's license to drive and also have to wear a helmet and flame-retardant racing suit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triggernel Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 After Valleyfair dropped their Challenge Park Upgrade for Season Passes, I never rode the go-karts again. It was always fun to go for a few cycles when the park got really busy, but they're not fast enough to warrant actually paying for each run. That being said, the track was pretty interesting, it just took up to much prime real estate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Nothing about the go-karts at Cedar Fair parks is unique or worth saving. They could bulldoze all of them, for all I care. The Cedar Point ones though are probably sticking around a long while since they're part of a full service FEC the place operates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XYZ Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I'm all for removing every go kart at a Cedar Fair park. They can be easily used for a nice new addition, like we have seen with Route 76. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myself Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Just FYI, Dorney Park also closed their go-karts this past season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Not seeing any great loss here. I can't think of a corporate park chain that offered up any sort of amazing Go Kart experience. dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zem Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 From the footage Robb showed, it seems Fun Spot has an interesting layout to the tracks even though the go karts aren't the fastest. Unless other parks have something interesting to offer I say get rid of them and use the space for something else. The go karts at Fiesta Texas seem to never be used and the track just takes up a bunch of space. They could really take out that old water ride and the go kart track to open up a lot more room for new attractions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I don't think I have ever been on Go Karts at any big park. Usually there is too much to do and I can't see paying the up charge. If I want to do them I will go to an FEC. No loss if they all disappear at the bigger parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerstlaueringvar Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) Not a big loss for me But it would be sad if Go Karts are disappearing and finally only available at Wisconsin Dells Edited February 5, 2014 by gerstlaueringvar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Not a big loose for me But it would be sad if Go Karts are disappearing and finally only available at Wisconsin Dells What is not "tight" for you?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 ^Hey Bob, how's your Mandarin!?!? I like to give our non-native English speakers a little more leeway, but I will use this as a teaching case for Yin and others. You meant to say big 'loss'. Lose = to forget something, have something taken away Loose = not tight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerstlaueringvar Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 ^Hey Bob, how's your Mandarin!?!? I like to give our non-native English speakers a little more leeway, but I will use this as a teaching case for Yin and others. You meant to say big 'loss'. Lose = to forget something, have something taken away Loose = not tight Thank you! Now I think I've remembered it very well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gisco Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 ^ About as good as my eye sight. I need a bigger monitor so I can read that small type. Sucks getting old! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FeelTheFORCE Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The ROI probably isn't enough to keep them around. I'm sure the cost of fuel alone is probably enough to consider removing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Do we know they're run/managed/owned by Cedar Fair? I thought most of these in park Go-Karts at the larger chain parks were actually a separate company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 The land is more valuable as space for future attractions now. Go Karts seem to be a thing of the past for theme parks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCjunkie Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 ^ Exactly. A prime example is VF replacing the up-charge Go Carts by bringing back the Antique Auto's in it's place for Route 76 which I am sure will attract more riders than the Go Carts ever did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yay101 Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 I am glad go-karts are being removed! I would rather ride a good coaster than pay money to ride go-karts. Plus I never got into them anyways, but even if I as, roller coasters and good rides are much better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Peck Posted February 5, 2014 Author Share Posted February 5, 2014 Now with these comments, I've got to ask: will we be seeing Cedar Fair be the only one removing them or will an equally big chain like Six Flags begin doing that as well? Time will tell, I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPDave Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 ^I'd assume it a calculated move and as such there's probably good financial reasoning for it. In that case we could see Six Flags do something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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