An Idea for Disaster Transport

I still love the ride, though admittedly the theming has seen better days. Here's an idea for what to do with DT: turn it into an E ticket kid's coaster. Presenting Snoopy's Great Adventure:

(1) Turn the lights on. Rip out the lame space theming. Replace with Peanuts theming (or Nickelodeon, depending on which way they swing). Heavy on the use of large wooden displays and splashy with color. Riders would experience an immersive event with Snoopy and all his friends. Like It's A Small World, the idea is to surround the kids in wonder. Unlike Disney rides, the accent would be on mostly static displays that don't require intense maintenance. A little bit of simple animatronics and special effects would be nice -- after all, this is the company that inherits all the Paramount themed rides, but maybe that would be asking too much.

(2) Modify the cars to accomodate smaller riders. This might be as simple as adding seat belts. DT is a fairly gentle ride, so it probably wouldn't take much to lower height requirements to 42 inches or even lower.

(3) Retheme the queues to match the Peanuts theme. Kids will love this! CP could even keep the 3-D concept for added fun and a revenue source.

There are all sorts of other things CP could do in conjunction with this concept. They could use part of the building to house an indoor, heavily themed, Playplace-type playground, for example.

I believe that all of this could be done for a relatively small amount by CF standards, maybe $2 to 3 million, 5 tops. As Garfield's Nightmare at Kennywood attests, this type of thing can be done fairly economically. For this investment CP could market an entirely new coaster (number 18!), one guaranteed to bring in families but which would also entice teens and adults for its 'coolness' factor. I know I would ride it in a heartbeat.

It occurred me after I posted -- duh! -- it would still be 17 coasters. Guess I got too excited.
*** Edited 9/13/2006 5:37:39 PM UTC by Ensign Smith***

That sounds like a really cool idea, and would bring new life to a great ride (hey, I love the darn thing).

Question is, what do you do with the outside? I've got one idea, but it might be a little over the top.

Turn the outside into a giant version of Snoopy's Doghouse (even if only 2 dimensional)

(I Love your idea Ensign)

That was exactly what I thought would be over the top.....but really freakin cool.

Even better, turn it into the doghouse, but with Red Baron Snoopy sitting on top. Make the ride themed to his Red Baron story line.

Since it seems we may never get a PEANUTS dark ride, I think that would be an awesome alternative.

Great idea ensign, this sure would be a great way to draw more people back to that corner of the park. I'm not saying Wicked Twister and maXair dont pull in the crowds, but I always get frustrated hearing my friends talk about every other ride but the few in that area. As for the doghouse, NOTHING is over the top when it represents Peanuts.

As long as Snoopy stays, I'm all for it. Make it a Rugrats ride, I'll want to vomit.

It's a great, great idea, and I <3 Snoopy. :)

I agree. I would much prefer Snoopy over Nickelodeon. The long-standing association between CF and Peanuts supports that preference, and the corresponding nostalgia factor. But even Nick theming might be okay, if done right.

This is the best idea I have heard in a long time.

Only one problem. You're getting on a ride named Disaster Transport which isn't exactly fitting for a Peanuts-themed ride...unless you want guests to be under the impression that they're about to get on a Peanuts-themed ride that is about to go horribly wrong.

^Ummm.... They could just change the name. Its not that hard.

I thought a name change was implied in the original post. :-\

Very nice idea. I really like it, and it is actually one I hope CP uses! The only thing is getting the height requirement down. The kids that like Snoopy the most, are probably a little less than 46". But seatbelts would be good. Again, great idea.

The height requirement may have more to do with being able to touch the floor and brace your self than with the restraints not working. So it may be a harder solution than just adding seatbelts (which are a secondary system anyway).

While I think the idea is great, I think the coaster is still going too fast to see any of that cool theming you described. And, as much as we think its a tame ride, for little kids, I think that's a pretty scary ride. Its not slow like jr gemini or woodstock. Do little kids ride Wildcat? Kids that like Snoopy that is.

My guess is they made it dark and themed it around space to to make the coaster seem faster and gear it towards the kids just above the Snoopy generation.

BTW, I don't think it would qualify as an "E-ticket" attraction. :)

Great idea nonetheless.

Ew Ew-
I got even a better idea. We take disaster Transport and a stick of dynomite, Blow it off the CP map, and build a flying costaer in that area.

Good idea, I'll place the dynamite for you.

*sneaks off toward Dragster*

I'm with hall on this one - the ride itself would still be a little too wild for that demo, as tame as it may seem to you and I. I would love to see a nice refresh on this ride. I've said before, CP needs to do something about this monstrosity. DT is quickly becoming the redheaded stepchild of the park. Let's get a freshened up DT soon!

great idea!! Perhaps the CF marketing department will be lurking among us and take that into consideration!!

It would be great to see DT get a different theme or a different home!! The ride was cool twenty years ago, time for change!

The idea is very good and I think that CP should do that, BUT CP would not wast the millions of dollars that they invested in it for a kid ride but i do like the idea. Every time I get in line for it it is at least 15 min.