can we go back to the old school Disaster Transport?

Just because we are commenting that the theming is bad doesn't mean we are demanding that the ride be torn down. It just needs to be maintained properly to be up to par with the appearance of the rest of the rides in the park. Plenty of "regular" park guests think the theming is crap too...

The RIDE is good for a mid-range coaster. The entire REST of the ride is awful and an embarrassment to the park. It would be the same as say Magnum's track have peeling, faded paint, gum all over the station, garbage all over the queue and foam on the seats coming apart. Things like that just aren't acceptable. I don't mind if they leave the coaster. But, they need to clean up the queue and either fix or remove the theming on the ride.

I totally agree about keeping it as a ride because it is enjoyed by many. But lets go a year with out a 25 million dollar ride and see what even a couple million could do to renovations for DT. New theming, new effects, maybe a building that doesn't leak?

Like HallTD said above...even if you absolutely love this ride, you cannot tell me with a straight face that the thing is not in a state of complete disarray.

It's a mess.

I'm not a fan of the ride itself, but I can agree that if they sunk some money into updating it, it could be cool.

The problem is, the queue line, the theming of the building, the theming of the ride- it looks like rejects from the local Good Will.

While people will point out that millions were sunk in renovating it and theming it, that was back in the early 90's, almost 20 years ago.

If they plan to keep the ride, why do they keep removing more and more of the theming, while leaving a half-done theme that's broken down and busted looking?

When you look at a park that sinks billions of dollars into rides, why is THIS coaster so neglected? Where are the lights? It's not like CP can't afford the electricity cost of running the lights, the sounds, and replacing the bulbs when they burn out.

Instead, they ignore it, like an unwanted puppy being kicked to the corner.

It's not a new development, either. It's been busted down and broken looking for many years, and while CP sinks money into fixing up other stuff, they just turn the lights out on this one, and hope no one notices the way it was torn apart, and how the stuff remaining looks like a kindergarten craft hour explosion.

I think if they renovated the theming, and actually gave it a theme, it would be 100% better. While the whole "Going to Alaska" is a theme, it's not executed with ANY sort of competancy. My high school prom was planned by 4 16 & 17 year old girls, and was executed with a lot better theming, a lot more class, and on much less money than CP has at it's disposal.

The ride DOES fill a void- it lets smaller kids ride, it's gentle, and it's easy on the body. However, that doesn't mean that the ride should be allowed to fall into the disgraceful state that it has over the past decade or more.

Imagine if they slowly stripped the theming from TTD. Removed the lights, took out the racing colors, never repainted it, removed the race flags, took down the shelter- you'd be stuck with a fun ride, but it'd be an eyesore, correct?

So, why is DT left looking like an eyesore year after year? If Cedar Fair wanted the coaster, it would have been updated and re-done long before it became such an eyesore.

I used to think the same thing about Batman at Great Adventure. They had themed the queue with a crashed police car, graffiti, a bunch of random "street alley" props and then you walked through a sewer to get to the ride. When it was relatively new, the place looked great. But, over the years, they let it go. Weeds were growing up between all the theme, the sewer tunnel was just AWFUL and it detracted from the whole ride. We stopped riding it for a while just because the queue was nasty.

However, I think it was last year, they removed ALL the theme, lit up the "sewer", cleaned up the entire station and now the ride looks great. I guess they did this the same time they painted the coaster. Regardless, it looks 500% better than it did with the rundown queue. That's all Disaster Transport needs. Clean up the queue and get rid of the "3D" effects. Just make it a coaster inside.

MillenniumMan1287 said:
Just because we are commenting that the theming is bad doesn't mean we are demanding that the ride be torn down.

Actually, the person I was responding to (note carrot), was implying it should be tore down.

And to quote myself, "yes, I see quite a few things that need work with the theming" means I do agree that it is in a certain state of disrepair/chaos. But it seems to have become a target for coaster enthusists to rag on & it is an important part of the big picture at CP. I agree with how Tim ( oh my, I'm agreeing with Tim ;)) put it, that the ride is good for a mid range family ride. Kevin, when your soon to be little one gets older, you will see how important it is when you see the delight in his/her eyes. I love the indoor coaster thing, I love the darkness/blacklight feel, & although it has a certain, well ummm, chessiness to it, I still throughly enjoy the whole ride!!

(Where's Ensign when I need him ;))

I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but with Cedar Fair's new 10(?)-year Paramount license, is it outside the realm of possibility that it could be re-themed as a Star Trek ride? Or does the license only cover existing attractions? Or will Cedar Fair never put another dime in DT and just let it degrade?

Didn't someone get killed by one of the props on DT a whle back? Mabe this is a rumor, but this would explain some of their reluctance to hang a bunch of new props in that junky box they put DT in.

While everyone has an opinion (which should be respected) -I personally love the ride. I just returned from a week long trip there and got my 623 rd ride in 5 yrs. I love Mllennium and TTD too -But my feeling is I love the tallest fastest coasters just like anyone else and if someone doesnt like a ride dont ride it so the line will be shorter for the rest of us that do. B

The prop fell, but it didn't kill anyone.

I didn't know Alaska was all about colorful handprints.

To me its a very short ride, but is fun that it is a bobsled coaster. Not everything has to be a 200ft+tall rollercoaster.

It's a good ride in disrepair. Clean up the queue, fix at least most of the ride's themeing and things would be good.

...And, for crying out loud, PLEASE get rid of the stupid "In 3D!" moniker. Last I checked, the ride had dimension, so yes, it is in 3D. Just like the other 16 coasters.

I agree with you, the ride could use some fixing up. In my opinion, the ride sucks now. Even a few years ago it was a hundred times better then what it is now. I think one the only things it's good for is when you're at the park in the summer and you go in line for DT because it had air conditioning...

I rode DT several times with my kids last year. I think it is a good intermediate family ride. I also really like dark rides, and I think there is a lot of potential for DT, but probably requires totally retheme the ride. I think they could do something like MGM's rockin coaster. What would even be more fun is if they had a playlist of songs they went through that changed each time you ride. I believe a good dark ride of the future will have a slightly different experience each ride, but still follows a central theme.

As a pass holder, my girlfriend and I make fun of the ride every time we enter the queue line. We joke of the fools that actually are spending money to buy the 3-D glasses. My father reminds me of the time when he worked at cedar point back in the late 70's of how cool the ride was. I have also seen many effects dwindle over the last few years. Every time I go to ride DT, I always imagine if Kinsel came to me and asked me to re-design the ride, what improvements would I make.

My first change would be the wait itself. Have someone getting the crowed pumped about a journey through space and delivering the 'stuff' to Alaska and then be notified of problems with the 'transporter'. Using fog machines, dry ice, a few intelligent lights, and some under paid actors i believe the ride could really come to life.

P.S. My favorite current effect is self initiated. When waiting in-line in the metal-walled room where the black lights are; when its quiet... SMACK your hand against the metal wall (stings a little) but it will make everyone jump. Its great, ya'll gotta try it!

NoSoup4U said:My father reminds me of the time when he worked at cedar point back in the late 70's of how cool the ride was.

You might want to tell your dad Disaster Transport didn't open until 1990. Avalanche Run opened in 1985. So, neither ride was around in the late 70's.

NoSoup4U said:When waiting in-line...SMACK your hand against the metal wall...Its great

Yet another reason why I don't ride Disaster Transport. That's also a good reason to require kids to be accompanied by an responsible adult at all times while in the park - key word being responsible.

well whenever it opened.... and for your information im in my twenties...

You might want to act like it then.