Possible records that will be broken:

• Most bird-themed attractions at one park
   
  

 

LOL :)

Mean Streak has been terrible for decades now. They need to do something, I was always thinking that it should just be torn down. Can it be renovated into a decent ride?

Yep. Its sibling, Texas Giant, was turned into an amazing steel coaster by Rocky Mountain Construction. For other examples of bad wooden coasters being turned into significantly better rides by them, look up Wicked Cyclone at Six Flags New England, Twisted Collosus at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Medusa Steel Coaster at Six Flags Mexico, and Storm Chaser at Kentucky Kingdom.

 

This company has two products. Iron horse which is steel track that's shaped like wood coaster track. Using it on a ride like Mean Streak would mean it would no longer be a wooden coaster but could be a great ride. Their other product is Topper Track. This is similar to traditional wood coaster track and classifies as a wooden coaster, but is smoother and more capable of handling extreme g-forces. That's how you wind up with wooden coasters like Outlaw Run, Lightning Rod, and Goliath at Six Flags Great America.

 

This company builds knock out rides that are basically universally praised.

Agreed.  Cedar Fair shoud've kept Thunder Road at Carowinds and used Rocky Mountain Construction ala Twisted Colossus.  Quite honestly, if they had kept Son of a B*tch at Kings Island and RMC'd it, Christ almighty it would've been awesome.  Mean Streak going RMC would be a dream but who knows what Cedar Fair is thinking.

Son of Beast had issues structurally though. It's what caused the incident in 2007. The wood was a lot lower grade than spec'd and a lot of it just wasn't capable of handling the sustained forces put out by such a massive, heavy train. That's when they switched to the Gerstlauer trains which were significantly lighter, but as such carried less momentum meaning the loop was no longer possible. This all could have been fixed with some serious work but I think at that point they had put something like 30 million into building and operating that ride and were just ready to cut their losses and put it in the past.

 

Such a massive opportunity wasted with SoB. They should have just hired Intamin from the get go and built the most badass plug and play wooden coaster and they would have had extreme success. Instead they went with literally the worst wooden coaster company available at the time and built a pile of firewood.

 

Thunder Road definitely could have become a great dueling coaster. Using the "barrel rolling over each other" tactic Twisted Colossus uses would have been great for a side by side racer. Oh well.

 

Sometimes I think Cedar Fair is just scared of wooden coasters. They don't have a good track record with them so I think they're hesitant to try something new. Despite the obvious success of RMC's product.

Sometimes I think Cedar Fair is just scared of wooden coasters.

 

That and TOGO Stand-Ups (which I prefer over the B&M ones).  R.I.P. Shockwave.

I rode Shockwave a few years ago and remember trying my damnedest to brace for the transition into the downward helix but for the life of me was unable to. Those restraint were torture devices. I've never particularly enjoyed stand-up coasters but I think Shockwave is my least favorite of the ones I've been on. Granted that list isn't long and I dislike them all almost equally. I rarely dislike a coaster but stand-ups have a way of making me hate them.

 

I have been a terrible Ohioan coaster enthusiast and haven't been to Cedar Point since the end of 2011. I need to still ride Gatekeeper, Rougarou (I'm curious how it rides vs. Mantis) and now this gigantic dive coaster.

 

I've been gallivanting all around the eastern half of the US riding coasters though. Since 2011 I've been to Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens Williamsburgh, Universal Orlando, Mt. Olympus, Six Flags Great America, Holiday World, Kennywood, Six Flags New England, Knoebel's, Hersheypark, Lake Compounce, Dollywood, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Luna Park in Brooklyn. My coaster count has tripled in the last two years. Thinking of hitting Carowinds at some point towards the end of the season.

has anyone ever been to valleyfair in minnesota? its run by cedar fair - worth a visit? it has the high roller, excalibur & steel venom. thoughts?

Sometimes I think Cedar Fair is just scared of wooden coasters.

 

That and TOGO Stand-Ups (which I prefer over the B&M ones).  R.I.P. Shockwave.

 

I'm a bit biased from working at Mantis back in the day, everyone hated it but I guess when you spend 13 hours a day around a ride you grow to love it.

 

For anyone who might be curious as to what could be done to make Mean Streak more palatable, here's what was done to the very similar Texas Giant a few years back:

 

 

 

 

I rode Shockwave a few years ago and remember trying my damnedest to brace for the transition into the downward helix but for the life of me was unable to. Those restraint were torture devices. I've never particularly enjoyed stand-up coasters but I think Shockwave is my least favorite of the ones I've been on. Granted that list isn't long and I dislike them all almost equally. I rarely dislike a coaster but stand-ups have a way of making me hate them.

 

I have been a terrible Ohioan coaster enthusiast and haven't been to Cedar Point since the end of 2011. I need to still ride Gatekeeper, Rougarou (I'm curious how it rides vs. Mantis) and now this gigantic dive coaster.

 

I've been gallivanting all around the eastern half of the US riding coasters though. Since 2011 I've been to Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens Williamsburgh, Universal Orlando, Mt. Olympus, Six Flags Great America, Holiday World, Kennywood, Six Flags New England, Knoebel's, Hersheypark, Lake Compounce, Dollywood, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Luna Park in Brooklyn. My coaster count has tripled in the last two years. Thinking of hitting Carowinds at some point towards the end of the season.

 

I actually like the TOGO Stand-Ups (versus the B&M snoozefests) probably because they seem more "tight" in design layout, versus the sprawling B&M dives.  I agree Shockwave was the worst of the TOGOs (King Cobra was the best) but I still preferred it over, say, Mantis or Riddler's Revenge.  I'd also like to hit up Carowinds (I went years ago but not since Cedar Fair bought it) just to ride Fury 325.  I was once an ACE Member back in the day...now I'm lucky to even go to Kentucky Kingdom or Holiday World!

has anyone ever been to valleyfair in minnesota? its run by cedar fair - worth a visit? it has the high roller, excalibur & steel venom. thoughts?

 

I've been.  Don't waste your time since you're used to the Ohio parks + SFGAdv.

What is right now the tallest dive coaster?  I'm trying to get an idea of the height for this new ride.

 

As for the Mean Streak, I'm still two years later susceptible to re-aggravating the neck injury I sustained on that S.O.B.

Griffon which is 205 feet tall. This appears to be in the 230-250 foot tall range. So a pretty substantial increase.

 

The trick with Mean Streak is to sit just far enough forward that your back isn't touching the back of the seat. That way all the vibrations are being transferred into your spine.

What is right now the tallest dive coaster?  I'm trying to get an idea of the height for this new ride.

 

As for the Mean Streak, I'm still two years later susceptible to re-aggravating the neck injury I sustained on that S.O.B.

 

I don't know if it's the tallest, but I rode Griffon last summer at Bush Gardens Williamsburg and it was a lot of fun. It is 205 feet tall. The first drop is pretty intense. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffon_(roller_coaster)

I think the tallest is maybe 205 feet? Hopefully they try and best that number by a comfortable margin with this new one.

BREAKING: Sandusky police investigating accident at @cedarpoint near Raptor http://t.co/I5QrYq71FV via @PeggySinkovich

 

More...

 

Death reported at Cedar Point; man climbed into restricted area near coaster - Airtime - Ohio http://t.co/euaG401bOM

This has happened so many times with various inverted coasters around the world. Are people completely void of intelligence?

 

"Hey, look at that fence blocking the midway from 15 tons of steel moving at 57 mph, I should go in there"

 

This sucks, but I have very little sympathy for people who run into restricted ride areas. Those fences aren't there just for show. I feel bad for his family since this is terrible. But come on.

^Pretty much.

The family will still sue and probably collect a few million.  The fence wasn't high enough, there weren't enough signs warning him, etc.

Unlikely. Parks have won cases in the US against people breaking the rules in basically this exact type of situation. Six Flags has had I believe two deaths where people jumped the fence and were struck by an inverted coaster. They weren't successfully sued for either incident. When an employee at Six Flags Magic Mountain went into the ride area and was run over by Scream! and died the family wasn't awarded with anything.

 

Parks are held to a super high safety standard but when the park is legitimately not at fault they often win these cases and don't have to settle to make them go away.

Of course, a professional "Expert Witness" is jumping into the fray:

Expert says Cedar Point, not roller coaster rider, bears much of the blame in park death

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/08/expert_says_cedar_point_not_ro.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

Of course, a professional "Expert Witness" is jumping into the fray:

Expert says Cedar Point, not roller coaster rider, bears much of the blame in park death

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2015/08/expert_says_cedar_point_not_ro.html#incart_m-rpt-1

 

 

I'm sure there's a well-funded personal injury lawyer behind that "expert".

And why is the main headline on Cleveland.com about this one so called "expert" denouncing Cedar Point? (It's a rhetorical question)

 

EDIT: In other news, it looks like track for the new coaster has started arriving to Sandusky: http://pointbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/track-has-arrived-

I'm curious how 15 tons of metal that has no ability to stop once it leaves the chain lift and is therefore placed in a highly restricted area with warnings plastered all over the large fence that surrounds it would ever be at fault for this.

I'm curious how 15 tons of metal that has no ability to stop once it leaves the chain lift and is therefore placed in a highly restricted area with warnings plastered all over the large fence that surrounds it would ever be at fault for this.

 

When this country falls on it's face, lawyers will share a fair amount of the blame.....

The family will still sue and probably collect a few million.  The fence wasn't high enough, there weren't enough signs warning him, etc.

 

It's assumptions like this that lead to unnecessary tort reform laws, wherein the judgment of juries is substituted by the 'wisdom' of politicians.

 

That's not to say the family will receive nothing if they do indeed sue.  CP (via their insurer) would gladly make this go away quietly and give whatever they would be forced to pay anyways in litigation expenses.  A nuisance settlement.

Not a good month for The Point....

 

Breaking CLE News ‏@breakingclenews  29s29 seconds ago

Cedar Point Cop Assaulted, Robbed After Soliciting Sex From Prostitute: A Cedar Point police officer was assaulted… http://dlvr.it/BzYxpN

^Eh.  Non-story for Cedar Point as far as I'm concerned.  Off-duty incident, and a misdemeanor at that.  Guy still resigned.

^Eh.  Non-story for Cedar Point as far as I'm concerned.  Off-duty incident, and a misdemeanor at that.  Guy still resigned.

 

Agreed. If this happened on park grounds, it would be a far more concerning situation.

Here we go again!

Cedar Point to unveil new ride

Park expected to announce biggest-ever dive coaster

 

Held up by an unforeseen tragedy last month, Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky will unveil its newest attraction for 2016 next week, and industry experts say it will be a “dive” roller coaster.

 

And there are indications that it will be the largest of its kind, that it could cost up to $30 million, and that it will be called Valravn, which in Danish folklore is a supernatural raven that consumes the bodies of the dead on a battlefield and can shapeshift into a knight or a half-wolf, half-raven creature.

 

An announcement about the ride is planned for 9 a.m. Sept. 9. It is expected to occupy the site of the park’s former Good Time Theater.

 

 

Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2015/09/01/Cedar-Point-to-unveil-new-ride.html#8xre4AzTra8dRwUs.99

Kings Island gets new water slides for 2016, Cedar Point gets it's new biggest ever ride.  I wish Cedar Fair would have never bought Kings Island.

While I'm not the biggest fan of Cedar Fair (at all), they did just get Banshee last year.  It's rare for amusement parks to get two big-ticket roller coasters in a row.

Kings Island gets new water slides for 2016, Cedar Point gets it's new biggest ever ride.  I wish Cedar Fair would have never bought Kings Island.

 

Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island in 2006. Since then, King's Island has added 3 coasters (but lost one) so a net gain of 2. In that same time, Cedar Point has only added 2 (now it will be 3 starting next year). So, it's not like there's that huge of a disparity.

Kings Island gets new water slides for 2016, Cedar Point gets it's new biggest ever ride.  I wish Cedar Fair would have never bought Kings Island.

 

Cedar Fair purchased Kings Island in 2006. Since then, King's Island has added 3 coasters (but lost one) so a net gain of 2. In that same time, Cedar Point has only added 2 (now it will be 3 starting next year). So, it's not like there's that huge of a disparity.

 

I guess you are correct.  It just seems like Kings Island has kind of stalled in recent years, Banshee and Diamondback aside.  The 3-D 'Spongebob' ride area is huge and has sat vacant for years, same with the Tomb Raider ride. Cedar Fair also removed whatever meager theming existed from the Paramount days, and I just feel like the park feels kind of sterile now.  Idk, I just haven't been very impressed with Cedar Fair. 

The article states it will be the biggest ever dive coaster (putting it somewhere over 220') not cedar points biggest ever ride. Millenium force and top thrill dragster will still be bigger. And while I agree with some of the criticisms of cedar fair, one thing I will say is that the park is much cleaner under their regime. In the paramount days the park smelled like hot trash and vomit.

I don't think edale was saying that it would be taller than MF or TTD.  He was simply saying that it is the 'biggest ride ever' in its category, which is typical for any new CP coaster.

 

Of course CF does not want King's Island competing with it in the coaster field.  CP is a global draw and CF will always put the biggest and best at CP to continue and expand upon that effect.

So, I am watching this live stream of the new coaster. It is funny in the sense they are trying to create some sort of Apple event feel to the press conference. Anyway, I am excited about it. The closest I've been to a coaster like from only a handful of parks nationwide I've attended is the Maverick.

 

 

Cedar Point ready to reveal 2016 secrets

 

A breakdown of Cedar Point's teases to their 2016 attraction announcement.

 

What's up their scream-inducing sleeve?

 

After months of speculation, Cedar Point is preparing to unleash their big plans for 2016.

 

Could it be a new roller coaster? Is it the much-desired dark ride many die hard theme park fans have been hoping for?

 

The official announcement is expected at 9 a.m. Wednesday, which we will be streaming live.

 

Despite the 2016 ride debate, signs are strongly pointing at the addition of Valravn -- a heavily rumored record-breaking Dive Coaster.

 

News of a potential Dive Coaster coming to Cedar Point surfaced back in January after a leaked memo obtained by the Sandusky Register revealed plans that showed the record-breaking attraction would be built in the space once held by the now-demolished Good Time Theatre and Turnpike Cars.

 

The rumored mean machine is said to reach a height of 223 feet with a vertical drop that will plummet thrill seekers through a tunnel. If the memo is accurate, the ride's total length would be 3,625 feet with speeds up to 80 mph....

 

...In late August, the 2016 plans took a fresh twist when a vague "work in progress" proposal was found filed with the FAA indicating the park's plans to construct a "tower" at a height of 230 feet tall between Oct. 12 and Feb. 28.

 

http://www.wkyc.com/story/news/features/2015/09/08/cedar-point-ready--reveal-2016-secrets/71874120/?source=nletter-

 

 

 

 

Oh... there's an app for that:

 

 

https://www.cedarpoint.com/online-fun/vr-app-download?mobile=0/2016

Looks like Cedarpoint.com/valravn just became its own victim

 

"Unable to load the webpage because the server sent no data."

 

 

 

 

 

EDIT: It is up now

 

 

https://valravn.cedarpoint.com

POV:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birdseye:

 

https://youtu.be/ZEWkK0WJZjc

 

Cedar Point 2016: Valravn Construction Time Lapse (Week 14: 12/7/15 - 12/13/15)

 

 

 

Cedar Point reportedly removing its Shoot the Rapids water ride

 

The Sandusky Register is reporting that Cedar Point is removing its Shoot the Rapids water ride.

 

The newspaper reports workers began dismantling the large ride this week. See the full story here: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Business/2016/02/11/Shoot-The-Rapids-coming-down.html?ci=breaking&lp=1

 

Cedar Point officials have not commented on the removal rumor.

 

“Our focus is on the construction of Valravn, our record-breaking dive coaster,” said park spokesman Tony Clark. “We have not announced any changes regarding our current ride lineup.”

 

Clark said the park plans to disclose its 2016 plans at its Winter Chill event Feb. 20 where park enthusiasts get a behind-the-scenes walking tour of attractions. This year’s ticket-only event is already sold out.

 

The $10.5 million ride located along the park’s Frontier Trail opened to much fanfare in 2010.

Several guests were injured on the attraction in 2013 when one of its boats traveled backward down a lift hill and struck another boat and flipped over.

 

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/airtime/airtime-1.489637/cedar-point-reportedly-removing-its-shoot-the-rapids-water-ride-1.661378

Meh, no surprise.

Nat at all surprising. Intamin's foray into these shoot-the-chute rides doesn't seem like it was that great of a decision. This closing, Perilous Plunge being removed, Hydro requiring over the shoulder restraints to be added, Pilgrim's Plunge biting the dust at Holiday World, etc. I wonder if Divertical in Italy has problems as well.

 

They just never worked well as water rides. The splash on Pilgrim's Plunge, for being the water ride with the largest drop, was lame. The Arrow shoot-the-chutes are so much better in their simplicity and the fact they create a gigantic splash while not necessarily soaking riders anymore than any other water ride.

I wish CP had just gotten a more traditional flume in the first place. A few of my ride host buddies have told me about the amount of work that went into actually making sure the StR boats were balanced evenly just so that they wouldn't sink. No water ride should have to have the ride operator making decisions about where guests should sit just so that the boats actually float.

http://www.ohio.com/blogs/airtime/airtime-1.489637/cedar-point-reportedly-removing-its-shoot-the-rapids-water-ride-1.661378

 

Another familiar popular spot at Cedar Point will also be missing when the park opens for the season. The park has ended its partnership with Chick-fil-A.

 

I think this news is worse.

Meh. having a restaurant that's not even open one of the two weekend days is silly at an amusement park anyway.

Cedar Point building $23.5 million youth sports complex

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20160411/NEWS/160419951/cedar-point-building-23-5-million-youth-sports-complex

Cedar Point ferryboat service returning to Sandusky

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Business/2016/04/28/Cedar-Point-ferryboat-service-returning-to-Sandusky.html?ci=breaking&lp=1