Cedar Downs!

Pleased to report that on today's visit we found Cedar Downs open for the first time this season.

Not pleased to report that they no longer were playing the call of the Belmont Stakes that has been in use for maybe 10 years or so, the one where War Emblem is toiling as they turn for home. Rather it was music that sounded familiar as possibly the track used previous to the race call one. Also pleased to report that the ride operator wasted no time at all walking a quick lap around and starting the ride.

As I sat on the grey steed, the four middle school girls in the row in front of us were taking selfies. One handed a phon to the other and she dropped it. It teetered on the edge of that slot that the pole comes from beneath the ride, maybe 2" or 3" slot. Almost went down.

Absolutely love this ride. It’s by no means the most thrilling ride at CP but just plain fun. A must do wherever at the park. I hope it’s never taken away in the name of “progress”.

Cedar Downs is my favorite non-coaster ride in the park.

Cedar Point's opening often coincides with the Kentucky Derby, and I have often thought there was potential marketing-money left on the table with this. Also embarrassing that Derby Dogs (which was a hit it's first year) is seemingly never open.

It's a rare ride....I think one of only two left operating in the United States.

jimmyburke:

Rather it was music that sounded familiar as possibly the track used previous to the race call one. Also pleased to report that the ride operator wasted no time at all walking a quick lap around and starting the ride.

It is what played before Belmont Stakes. I actually missed it when they switched to B.S. (lol).

The ride was once at Euclid Beach Park in Cleveland until about 1965. It was floated on a barge to its current location.
I rode it in the 50s and still enjoyed it at CP.

A great ride. Wish my body could still enjoy a day at the Point

Cedar Downs opened at the Point for the 1967 season. (I would’ve sworn it was ‘68, but maybe I’m wrong.) And Euclid Beach’s misfortune turned out to be lucky for CP. The Beach was trying to stay afloat during tough times and needed money desperately. After the ‘65 season they sold one of their star attractions (and arguably one of the most maintenance-heavy) to CP who was deep in the process of dressing up their main midway. So it was a win-win but only of sorts. I visited Euclid Beach only once and it was during what turned out to be their last season, which I believe was in ‘69. I had one of the best park days of my entire little life, and I noticed the big space left by Racing Derby’s removal.
I wouldn’t worry about CP’s commitment to one of the oldest (1921) attractions they have. They’re well aware of its value and its well-maintained. I’ve been to the park only once this year and I was dismayed that it was down, that’s unusual to see. They had a small number of flats closed the weekday I went so I chalked it up to that.

RCMAC, the first few weeks of this season it was not open whatsoever, so I believe not just unique to the day of your visit. Once it opened it has been operating very nicely. You mentioned the maintenance-heavy aspect, whichich I was pondering today as my son and I road it. It dawned on me as we waited for others to load that it is not powered by an engine in the center, or infield of the ride. I was wondering what marvel of 1921 engineering is used to propel that thing at such high velocity. And then there is the whole moving horses aspect. I was thinking perhaps a series of motors propelling it, but then again, I don'hear any motors.

I will have to look and see if "Ride Man" has done one of his nice reports on it.

"Dave!"

Info I found with a quick online search.

https://euclidbeach.org/rac...by-history

Cedar Downs is a can't miss ride every visit. Have the Cedar Downs ornament. Helps that my daughter is hugely into horses. Rode it this past Saturday. Miss the Belmont audio. Seeing who wins in your group is fun.

One of my late buddies bought a copy of Rolling Through the Years https://1870publishinggroup.com/about-the-atlas, and that book has a very detailed description of the Cedar Downs mechanism. It's pretty darn neat. As an aside, that book is more of a cinder block than a novel. Massive, and very impressive.

I know it actually has/had the ability to run even faster than it currently does. I remember at a Winter Chill Out it was mentioned that by not running it at top speed it has allowed the ride to stay in much better condition which in turn has allowed the horses to continue moving, which has not been the case with the ride in New York.