announcement date 8/18/15

We were at the park from Saturday until today. Before we left home I checked my youngest daughter's height and she just barely hit the 48" mark. When we got there on Saturday she was able to ride Gemini, CCMR, and Wave Swinger but she was turned away from Iron Dragon and Blue Streak. On Sunday we stopped and had her height checked near the front gate and she was able to get the 48" band. We then rode Iron Dragon, Blue Streak, and Cedar Downs. Had she been ready to tackle them she also could have also went on Mean Streak, Magnum, Corkscrew, Millennium Force, SkyHawk, and Snake River Falls.

There's always going to be a cutoff that will affect families with younger kids on individual attractions. The 48" requirement applies to a fairly significant amount of Cedar Point's offerings though and if you're under that height a huge chunk of the park is off limits. The 48" height also covers a fairly wide range of thrill and intensity. The moment you're able to ride the CCMR you can also experience Millennium Force? I know I've seen some kids that height in line but generally children who are 7 years old aren't ready.

I know that in time the height limitations won't be an issue for our family but they will always affect a certain segment of their guests. Some improvements could be made, whether adjusting the height restriction or building new family friendly rides, to enhance the "best day ever" experience for a lot of folks.

Wow. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm with 90% of the posts here. Where's the creative edge? Where's the innovation? Where's the plot twist? Valravn looks like the mediocre sequel to Gatekeeper. (Same elements, different trains). "...And our historical announcement is a B&M dive coaster!!!" (symbol dropping on the floor).

I too was hoping for something more family friendly after ripping out two family friendly attractions. (Three if you count Paddlewheel) For those who said the park knows what it's doing only have to look at White Water Landing to see that the park does, in fact, make mistakes and under-estimates the public, which is why they had to build Shoot the Rapids as a replacement.

What concerns me about this thread so far is that COASTER ENTHUSIASTS are recognizing the family friendly attractions gap at Cedar Point and are wondering why we're getting another steel monster. If we're whining about the addition of a coaster, what is the general public thinking?

GP: "Cedar Point is getting another coaster? Oh, I didn't know that. Val....Val what? Eh, looks cool I guess............HEY! Did you see Fantastic 4!?"

Or maybe cyclone you are disappointed that gci didn't come in and build your ride this year. Maybe next year..

CPcyclone said:

Wow. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm with 90% of the posts here. Where's the creative edge? Where's the innovation? Where's the plot twist? Valravn looks like the mediocre sequel to Gatekeeper. (Same elements, different trains).

60-70 feet taller? 10 mph faster? Two 90 degree drops, one with a holding break? Plus, having been on both Gatekeeper and Sheikra, I can verify a very different experience. The only similarities in elements are the immelmann and dive loop, although the dive loop is angled differently too.

CPcyclone said:

If we're whining about the addition of a coaster, what is the general public thinking?

Judging from the GP that I know, they're thinking "Oh cool, a really tall and fast coaster is coming. That sounds pretty epic, I'm going to have to make a trip out there."

topthrilldragster4lyf said:

And I didn't say what I would like to see was feasible. Just that I'd have a blast on that ride. :)

Now that I think about it, an RMC where Mean Streak stands could have some flexibility terrain wise if they desired to build up some hills with dirt. There's a lot of land there.

CPcyclone said:

Valravn looks like the mediocre sequel to Gatekeeper. (Same elements, different trains).

Doesn't that make GateKeeper itself a "sequel" to Mantis, and that a "sequel" of Raptor? What if they had B&M build a giga coaster in that spot? that would be the "sequel" to MF? I find it difficult to dismiss a ride that hasn't even been announced as mediocre. I understand the need for family rides and wish B&M would consider a restraint design for this (assuming a dive coaster) that was more accommodating for passengers below 54". The appeal to the general public opinion though is hard to prove. I expect the majority of the general public who visits the park semi-annually will make the trip for the new coaster more than they would for a new family ride, despite the approval a new family ride would receive from passholders with or without families. Maybe not to the extent that Kinzel had expected when he built 3 record breakers in 4 years, but having a new coaster at the park is a definite attendance draw. The 2014 Gemini Midway project was a successful renovation, and along with the Breakers renovation came more family activities on the beach (Beach Blast, Arts and Crafts, Movies, a full sized pool and new children's pool with slides for children) Even with these additions the family atmosphere is certainly not where it will be once the dark ride is installed in the coming years. If this is indeed a new coaster coming for 2016, I guarantee the general public will still be sprinting to get in line - getting their legs caught in the gates as they board the train...

WolfBobs said:

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if in the next 3 years (2017-2019) we see the dark ride and more projects like the Gemini Midway. I would love an amazing family style coaster like Firechaser at Dollywood or the new Seven Dwarfs ride at Disney. Who knows we may get that very shortly, I have a lot of faith in a man from Disney to know how to build this park.

Couldn't agree more. I absolutely love the Seven Dwarf's Mine Train at Disney world and feel like CP could benefit from something similar (it could even please everyone that's ranting about a family attraction!!11!!1!1!)... I'm sure CP could find some room in the park to create something like that, however I'm not sure they could pull off something quite that nice... since they really aren't into theming. Not saying it's impossible, but if their idea of some half working fog for Rougarou is "theming", I feel like they might have an issue creating something that makes you feel like you're in a totally different world. In this instance, a dwarven world.

On a less serious note, maybe they can use the boneville animatronics and create a Firechaser out of them. I mean, the boneville skeletons have been trying to put that pesky fire out for years!

Anybody know what this means

https://twitter.com/tonyclarkcp/status/630926406327894021

I'm not quite sure what the height requirements are for cheetah hunt but that would be a nice edition, still may be seen as a little intense though

^^

Avid Pro is professional digital Audio software, as is Logic.

Bouncing, if I remember correctly, is Saving a session in real time.

Could be the audio for the Valravn announcement!

^^^Regarding Cheetah Hunt, it has a 48 inch height limit, but I don't see the park doing anything with Intamin anytime soon lol. If Mack Rides could get a way to lower the 48 inch height limits on their launched coasters I could see a ride similar to Manta at Sea World San Diego being a fantastic family type roller coaster.

I agree ttd6262 something like that would be cool for all ages

Minus the part where Cheetah hunt is faster and has inversions.

Am I the only one that thinks B&M is the best type of coaster for CEDAR POINT?! The main complaint I see from families, GP, enthusiasts, etc. is Fast Pass / line length, and with an early mid course break run, I see this Dive Coaster being at 1200+ people per hour throughput. Not the tops at the park, but certainly better than Maverick or Dragster (despite claimed numbers). It's also better than most RMC's out there. Add in high up time, an impressive structure to look at, and you have happy guests!

Don't give Dollywood your money, they have added 3 major coasters in 5 years. That will just give Cedar Point the wrong idea.

I always thought CP missed the mark with Woodstock express. Maybe it could be replaced by one of these newer coasters.

I don't understand the GP sometimes. They were dissappointed with Windseeker. I read a comment somewhere saying "we asked for a coaster, this thing is a waste of money!" So then CP adds Gatekeeper. "Oh that ride was lame! I almost fell asleep on that ride!" So then CP adds Valravn. "Ugh!!! CP has too many coasters! How about something for the family!" MAKE UP YOUR MIND PEOPLE!

There will always be people disappointed in anything that any company or person does.

That's okay. We're all different. If you don't like something, move on with your life. No need to dwell on it.

Some don't like GateKeeper. I think it's awesome. Those people will go do something else while I have fun riding GateKeeper. Simple.

I don't know why everyone seems to be complaining. I'm pretty sure we all adore Cedar Point for the adrenaline-packed thrill rides that gave the park its tremendous reputation. It seems to me that everyone is forgetting the measures Cedar Point is placing to maintain its overall balance. If I recall, last year two great family rides were installed and a number of others were renovated. This year, the park took it upon itself to maintain many nostalgic and family-based rides, despite needing to clear land for an upcoming project i.e. Valravn/Project 2016. This included the relocation of Dodgem and Calypso and the investment placed into reshaping a midway which had been deteriorating since the installation of Wicked Twister. Not only that, management realized that Turnpike Cars was a ride that was not unique in the park. In fact, two other rides at the park offer nearly the same experience. Cedar Point seems to be ALL ABOUT expanding the overall Cedar Point experience, finding places where it can invest and improve, while also recognizing rides and equipment which must either be transformed (Mantis, Calypso) or removed altogether (Wildcat, Turnpike Cars). This dive coaster, if true, will be a major investment for the park, which should please most of the General Public and the meticulous coaster geeks which have been spoiled with Intamin wonders over the years. B&M seems to be the route Cedar Fair as a company is taking. Anyone on this site who complains about this 223ft tall Goliath needs to rethink why they enjoy Cedar Point. I agree that many classic family rides have been removed in past years and this may be cause for concern to many, but the fact is Cedar Point is an evolving peninsula. The people in charge of Cedar Point are looking to make rides and attractions which will help them MAKE MONEY and please their guests. Dive coasters are amazing roller coaster experiences and having ridden both Griffon and Sheikra, I can tell you firsthand that most of you will not be disappointed. This ride, if it comes to fruition will please guests of all sizes, and a coaster riding family of 8 will now be able to ride together :D hand in hand. Is this the type of "family-ride" you guys and gals are referring to, obviously not, but the fact remains. We can criticize the decisions of the park all we want to. We can bicker and complain and threaten to never return to the park again, but when all is said and done, Cedar Point will undoubtably stand and continue to be one of the greatest amusement parks on the face of the Earth. So please, lets stop this arguing and complaining and realize that we have 8 days until all the speculation is over. After the announcement, nobody will be able to cling to the belief that this is all just a scheme by the park to throw us off. If a dive coaster isn't built this year, I will never be heard from again and all of you that keep thinking a dark ride will be built in that HUGE area of land will be able to use these words against me. However, the chances that a Valravn™ doesn't take to the skies over Cedar Point is extremely, terrifically, highly unlikely ;)

PS: Dinosaurs Alive is a clear example of a family-based attraction. Now I'm not sure how popular or how good it is, but it just provides another example of efforts by management to improve the family experience at the park. Yes, I know the Paddlewheel Excursions were removed, a very nostalgic and pleasant item at the park, but to me, 50 life-sized dinosaurs sounds like a lot of fun for both kids and their parents who can enjoy the journey with them.

Just my two cents, and then some.

Cedar Point could build a super family friendly dark ride experience AND do an RMC makeover of Mean Streak in 2018 and there would still be enthusiasts complaining. I'm just getting a kick on how fake some people on the various forums think all of this stuff is. Like this is SOOO not something Cedar Point would do.