If I was going to paint one for my park I'd try to make that huge structure disappear, maybe a light sky blue/grey. It might lend to the illusion that riders are flying. And if nothing else it would sure look a lot less erector set-y.
The rides take up a lot of space for as sleek as they are. The minimal structures and the way they seem to float unsupported is interesting design, but they're so long if they have any height at all. It's possible to cut that footprint by bringing the viewing area as close to the arch as possible, allowing just enough space for the flyers to clear everybody's head. Safely, of course. Kings Island already does a pretty good job with that. It's in a good spot, there's nothing but trees and nature visible behind it.
Speaking of Kings Island, a freaky thing is the view you get of their sky coaster from Drop Tower, which is right next door. If your seat is on that side you eventually see that enormous arch from above. It really adds to the sensation of being very high in the air.
After being at the park yesterday, I can say most of the places that seemed useful were along the NE/Erie side of the park.
From the perspective of the midway, I think the area behind Tofts, next to Pinks, is probably the best.
As ugly as some of you make RipCord out to be, IMO the arch Skycoasters (like RipCord) are downright elegant in comparison to the far more utilitarian-looking monopole Skycoasters; for example, here's Six Flags America's Skycoaster (shudder),
and here's the world's tallest Skycoaster in Kissimmee.
CP_Obsessed_Freak1987 said:
This is a perfect opportunity to finally get rid of the small sized Skycoaster and go extreme.
I'm going to have to disagree for three major reasons: first, it could very well be possible that the Kissimmee Skycoaster requires the monopole construction in order to reach that height, and if so, I think the obtrusive aesthetics would outweigh the benefit of having the world's tallest Skycoaster at Cedar Point. Second, considering Cedar Point's location on the lakeshore, a 300+ ft. Skycoaster could have very long downtimes due to excessive wind or poor weather, resulting in lost revenue for the park. Finally, I've heard before that Kissimmee's Skycoaster is definitely not a walk in the park; on that note, having an even taller Skycoaster at Cedar Point could generate less revenue than RipCord because many guests may be too afraid to even buy a ticket for the new Skycoaster. I guess market research would definitely help figure out if such a market would exist, and whether the new tallest Skycoaster in the world could turn a profit reliably and successfully at Cedar Point. Overall, I think RipCord is the perfect balance of fear vs. fun, and a new Skycoaster could throw that balance out of whack. Just my $.02 though.
The Kissimmee Fun Spot Skycoaster is the only one I've ever been on, and I don't ever need to go on another one. It was a thrilling experience, especially the initial drop where the cable isn't exactly taut. However, that was terrifying enough that I'm good forever. A taller version would not be as reliable as bootymix describes above. It just wouldn't make sense to do the giant model.
They should put it next to Mean Streak temporarily, and use people as battering rams to help knock it down.
bootymix96 said:
IMO the arch Skycoasters (like RipCord) are downright elegant
I very much agree! Walking up to the ride every morning, I can't help but admire it.
I'm going to have to disagree for three major reasons: first, it could very well be possible that the Kissimmee Skycoaster requires the monopole construction in order to reach that height
Although I don't know a for sure answer about this, I know the Orlando Skycoaster, world's second tallest at 250 feet, is an arch structure that looks amazing. It seems that the monopole structure can be made in almost any height they want, while it's possible that the lattice arch has a limit.
Pretty sure the arch structure becomes too wide as it gets taller, while the pole structure can stay relatively narrow.
What if they put it on Millennium Island inside the first overbank in that part, where the Dino's are now. I don't know how safe it would be to fly in that area, but it seems big enough
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An interesting observation about the suggested Pinks Ripcord Location. The stores (lotsapalooza? etc) behind it have been closed and fenced off for a majority of the season. It looks like they stores were painted though, so I'm sure they plan on keeping them around.
All I can say is I really, really hope it doesn't go away. I loved Challenge Park and it's quite a shame it is disappearing.
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Absolutely, Skyscraper was my favorite flat too. It seems so odd it was removed, there was almost always one person on it and it took up little space. It could have been moved.
^It took up a lot of space, but in a narrow area.
Sorry for the bump, but my mom who is at CP today for MS' last day reports that Ripcord has been dismantled and is sitting in its spot in pieces, and that the Challenge Park ticket booth is stripped down completely. Also, more demolition on mini golf.
Thanks for that update GigaG. Very interesting Ripcord has been dismantled already. I know CP had plans for its future, but I would have guessed they would disassemble it in the mid offseason, not during operating season. Thanks for sharing!
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It could be hanging around then in a new location. If it were being dismantled and scrapped, I'd have thought it would have gone directly into a truck and hauled away as it was being taken down.
From what I could see from Magnum last night, RipCord's arch pieces were laid down in Challenge Raceway's former location extremely carefully and in straight lines, very much like track pieces are before a new roller coaster is to be built. It's definitely being relocated, though where it will be next season is the $64,000 question to say the least.
Cesar Point History's Facebook page claims that they've heard a rumor that a ride is being built part way on the lake. They claim they saw pylons in the water. If this is true, I'd be willing to bet that Ripcord will swing riders over the water next year.
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