Calypso

Where did the center piece go? I miss all the lights at night, it really added excitement to the ride. Now we just have a board over the center to walk over. Any word if they are going to bring it back?

They took off the center? I thought it was bad when they removed the "palm tree" and the car roofs. Then they removed the scenery panels when they moved the ride. Now the center is gone? How did I miss that?

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

It wasn't there last weekend. Or opening weekend if I recall.

Do you have a pic of the before and after?

There is a pic on this site from last year, but I don't have one from this year.

It's funny how I noticed the center piece missing after exiting the ride. I walked right over the bored in the middle too. I guess I didn't miss it that much.

it looks stupid without a center.

How sad - after I went and named my daughter after this ride.

Someone told me this ride used to be called "Calapso" (a name made up by an employee) because back in the 1980's the platform that spins fell onto the main floor. Is this true? Was anyone injured? *** Edited 5/25/2004 4:51:02 AM UTC by tmatch311***

Nothing ever happened to the main platform, but I remember something about some of the theming coming off and falling over. I recall a picture in the Plain Dealer that showed one of the palm tree like things tilted over to the side. No injuries. *** Edited 5/25/2004 1:27:02 PM UTC by Pete***

That would explain why all of the palm tree lighting elements were reversed so that they didn't hang out over the ride anymore.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

This used to be a beautiful ride. I remember when it was in its last location(where raptors loop is now) and it had a background and a coverd q line.

I have also seen a few pics of the ride from the past, and it used to be loaded with scenery and lights before cp striped the ride down.

I wish that they would add some of the lights/deco back to this ride, it used to be a great looking ride........now its just anether ride.

They used to have TWO of these rides back in the 70's. There was the Calypso, then there was then Tiki Twirl, which was grouped wiht the Trabant and the Scrambler. *** Edited 5/25/2004 5:23:42 PM UTC by Dutchman***

Meh, what is wrong with CP these days. They strip all the themeing out of everything.

I agree!!!

Unlike some other peeps, I enjoy the theaming on rides.

CP has never ben a fan of theming rides. Their attempt with DT didn't last too long as they pretty much abandoned keeping the theming up.

Even on TTD, they got rid of the wheels and engines. But they had reasons for that.

I miss all the lights, backgrounds, and theming of the older European type flat rides.

Himilaya, Music Express (loved going in the covered back area), Bayern Kurve (the spectators), and of course Schwabinchen with its beautiful lighting and spinning girl. Those images stay with you on a ride. It adds to the visual enjoyment by adding character.

You should have seen the original lighting package on the Giant Wheel.At one time there was more lights on this than any other ride in the park (32,608). It was only on the side that faced the midway, but there was several flower patterns that sequenced every thirty seconds.

The current light pattern on the Wheel is actually similar to the original, it's just that the curved elements have been made straight.

I liked the original version better. Walt posted a link to a photo of the original Giant Wheel appearance in the thread about the Wheel's original location.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Yeah, Calypso really looks good all dressed up, with the hoods, backdrop, pineapple, and palm trees. Now, it just looks like a platform with little spinning things. I really wish they'd bring back everything that made it such a kick-arse ride. The ride is, I must say, good anyways, but it looks much better with stuff on it.

The wheel was nice, too, and I'd like to see the original lights on it.

The original lighting package was one of many offered by Schwarzkopf. I assume that it was replaced because that it was shot and/or didn't meet NEC specs. The straight strips were probably less expensive (i.e. stock) than having the original reproduced,