Cedar Point 1972

Do you think Jumbo Jet actually went 60mph as CP always boasted?

I haven't been to a Tigers game in... I don't even know how long. It's been at least five years, I'd say, but likely more.

"The" Henry Ford is definitely fun. Yeah, I don't like the name either. My sister went on a field trip there last year in second grade and had a blast. That would be something to do again since it's been awhile for me. It's a nice place, I remember that much.

"The Henry Ford" or "Greenfield Village" as us locals still call it even after the name change is a really neat place. I only live 15 minutes from it and things have changed quite a bit due to a recent upgrade to everything 2 years ago. The place has a village with old historic homes and lots of great area history. The museum is really great and the exhibits and things they have on display are incredible. They also have an Imax theater which gets quite full but stays open later. The Village and Museum both close at 5 p.m so it is hard to do them both in one day and you need to get an early start if you are coming from a long distance. It is definately worth a stop and a great family trip.

That was my little rant about the place and hopefully it helps out those who have never been there or are unsure if things have changed. Now, back to Cedar Point.

Dutchman - where did you work at CP?

I worked on the last Shoot the Rapids crew in '81. In fact, they allowed the crew to take the last ride on Labor Day. I happened to be in the last seat for the last ride in the monster boat. During bonus weekends in September, I was assigned to work with the all female crew on the Mine Ride. We were running all five trains most of the day. There was a crew member assigned to each car to release and lock the bars.

One of my very close friends worked the Mine Ride in '80 and told one of the crew last summer that they used to run 5 trains. She was told abruptly that this was impossible.

Times certainly change!

The sun hat on Mom is totally hot.

As much as we all miss the old Cedar Point, it, like everything else, must change with the times, whether we like it or not...someday someone will have a video on YouTube of today's Cedar Point, and the next generation of people will say what we're saying now: how different it really was.

That was a great video. I only rode the Jumbo Jet once. My recollection is that you had to be taller than with any other ride in the park to ride and there were no seat belts/restraints. I also seem to remember that the ride broke down pretty much daily.

Was that the double ferris wheel in the midway in the first part of the video? It shows the big ferris wheel and then another one. I remember a double ferris wheel but not another single wheel other than the big ferris wheel. I remember riding the double ferris wheel with my older cousin who apparently was totally petrified by ferris wheels. Never seen anyone hold on so tight to a non-roller coaster ride.

Too bad they didn't catch a video of the Blue Streak crew with the old manual lever brakes or the fun house.

Great memories.

Superday - nice to see another Rapids alumnus posting on this site!

That was the double ferris wheel in the video. Boy could you swing the seats on that ride!

Anyone have a fond memory of the Funhouse (the rundown DT of its day)?

I certainly remember the Funhouse. Loved it, especially sliding out at the end.

Lots of neat footage that brings back memories.

I had to stop the video when it showed the clock tower though just to make sure it was the same one at Greenfield Vill...um...The Henry Ford (I'll never get used to the name change!).

Yeah, its still Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum to me. I hate that name change.

I remember the fun house. The upside down room with the old lady in the rocking chair on the 'ceiling' with the chandellier standing up from the 'floor'. I also remember the slides at the end. I never liked the one that spun in the tight circles. Did the fun house also have chairs that spun and moved you along during a part of the ride?

No, there were no moving chairs. It was a walk thru attraction.

Those metal slides at the end were the best part, but if you were wearing shorts on a hot day your sweaty skin would stick to the slide. Being stuck halfway down the slide and hearing another person starting down after you made for some tense moments!

Where did I work , Rapids 77-78? Lets just say all around Zone 4. Check out my post in your "Bring Back the Albert" thread.