Cedar Point 2012

I'm a coaster enthusiast, so of course I'd personally love it if they built another coaster (or more). But look: attendance has (apparently) been flat, more or less, for over a decade now. They can't keep building $10 or $25 million dollar attractions in that situation. Nobody's gonna buy $30 hamburgers to support that kind of operational budget.

I saw all of the Thunder Canyon boats next to the platform this past weekend when I rode the train, which I would think indicates some intention to open it soon. If this were for any kind of huge coaster next season, I would think that we would see clearing already starting - at this time in 2006, Maverick was well into foundation construction. Perhaps it is something decent-sized with a less time consuming construction plan, or is for something larger two years down the road. Either way, if it is for next year, they should probably start very soon, as there is already a good chance that it won't open on time. ;)

Shawn Meyer said:
Pete has Thunder Canyon opened yet for the season? Just curious? Also I was curious what you meant by having a water battle type ride to

No, Thunder Canyon has not opened yet. You can see most of the boats still in the grass from Maverick's first hill.

By water battle, I mean one of those rides where you ride around in round boats equiped with super soaker squirt guns. I think you can shoot other boats and maybe targets also. I believe Dollywood has one that is called "River Battle".

^^ They can't even get a tower ready for opening day, let alone a roller coaster... ;)

Alright Ensign Smith, you have a point. However I still think it would be cool to see a roller coaster in 2012 since we haven't seen a new roller coaster since 2007. I'm happy with the line-up Cedar Point has right now. Oh well, It's fun to dream. :)

I completely agree. Whatever they decide to build for next year, I'm sure I'll love it. Unless it's another Planet Snoopy with warmed over carnival round and rounds . ;)

I can't really see them doing away with Thunder Canyon. It's definitely possible, but we do really want to go back down to two water rides in the park? If you remember, they originally wanted to replace White Water Landing with a new flume, to keep the lineup.

Ensign Smith said:

I'm gonna go out on a limb, and I don't think a lot of people will like this: with the possible exception of a GCI woodie someday, I don't think the park needs another coaster. Period. Maybe ever.

I completely agree. For a while now it seems like money spent on one major coaster could easily translate into a dozen other improvements like family attractions, a dark ride, and sprucing up through pavers, landscaping, shade, etc. All of this would contribute to those million little details that differentiate a good park from a great one and make guests feel like they are getting a solid quality product for their admission.

Some upgrades for 2012:

Fixed lighting on both Millennium Force and Power Tower

More extensive work on Mean Streak

More paint jobs to the rides needing it (Raptor?)

Boardwalk upgrades: (Not too sure what all can be done here, maybe a new themed store instead of the little rental facility they now have, or perhaps a little 'tiki bar' on the actual beach?)

*Wish* A larger RipCord (face it, 152 feet nowadays is nothing)!

Soak City gets some new/more rides. The last upgrade has been forever ago, and the park is seriously missing some key rides. I know the water park can still pack a serious crowd, but some new/more attractions could push that even farther.

(Sorry for the double post, I just love scenarios like this). There's a good list of rides that are missing on Cedar Point's line up, but I also agree that spending 15-25 million on one ride is very steep, and a fraction of that could easily be used on park improvements that could provide more satisfaction and profits, making a "great" park become even greater.

We all know CP needs a new woodie. A dark ride return would be amazing. I'd like to see how CP would answer to the parks that has a flyer, dive, or a 4d coaster).

17 coasters is definitely a nice number of coasters to have in one park. Some could say we are spoiled, but that does not mean all 17 are top quality. Quickly thinking, one could easily say that the following are top quality (MF, Magnum, Maverick, Raptor, and TTD). TTD is top quality to some, while the rest are definitely guaranteed. Blue Streak, being a much older ride, but very smooth and powerful, could possibly be thrown into that list. However, you have two kiddie coasters, one massive wooden coaster that is hated by 95% people, and smaller/slower family-coasters that are just average.

I don't really know what I want for 2012. I'll never say no to a new coaster, but I also don't believe we should just plug one in just because the last one came in 2007. Park upgrades could be very useful and show that the park does care about its look, and guests will remember this and appreciate it. It's possible that they do install a new coaster, and a bunch of upgrades, but I don't see this happening because pretty much all new rides are too expensive nowadays, for anything big/great.

Decisions, decisions.

CP_Obsessed_Freak1987 said:

Boardwalk upgrades: (Not too sure what all can be done here, maybe a new themed store instead of the little rental facility they now have, or perhaps a little 'tiki bar' on the actual beach?)

*Wish* A larger RipCord (face it, 152 feet nowadays is nothing)!

Yes to both of these! I've always thought a tiki bar sort of thing on the beach would be perfect. For anyone who's ever been to Kalahari, something like the outdoor bar they have would be excellent on the beach.

You can throw a 500 foot Skycoaster in there for good measure. :)

IMO the screamscape rumor is just something someone made up because i cant see anything big in the turnpike car area because raptor would ruin the feel in that area imo. I do think Thunder canyon will be removed but i think it will be for 2013 due to its simalarites with WWL.

Here's some food for thought. I finally finished the potential ride area photos, and here they are:

The Screamscape Rumored Potential Ride Area: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x112/LetsGoTribe/2012-1.png

The PointBuzz Rumored Potential Ride Area: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x112/LetsGoTribe/2012-2.png

The last one that I did came from a bit of inspiration. Consider this: what if StR was actually built to replace SRF? I know we've had these discussions on here before, so just for kicks, I drew up a map on that too: http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x112/LetsGoTribe/2012-3.png

I drew these to the closest I could to fit the rumors/photos, as well as adding free areas that could possibly be occupied. Let me know what you think.

The second one looks more likely than the rest.

If we did get a dark ride do you think they would just add a BooBlasters on Boo Hill? The other CF parks have it so they would probablykeep it consistent. However, I would love some Darkastle from BuschGardens. :)

I think both areas are possible sites for new rides/coaster.

Frontier trail- I dont think they would wanna remove Thunder Canyon but what if they re routed it somehow and or built a coaster over parts of it? It could be done either way id say.

Turnpike car area- well it would be alot of work,they could remove turnpike cars,snoopy on ice building,calipso,and wild cat. moving wild cat and calipso somewhere else in the park and even turnpike. that would be a big area and could also move the road for the resorts over some and take out those red nasty looking buildings"at least they didnt look great last year"making even more room for a coaster or anything. just thinking out loud lol

Having been at the park for two days, none of the Frontier area markings appear to be nothing more than prep for Starlight. There is also now a dashed-yellow trail along the main path as well. I had some down time to stroll around, and didn't see one marking of significance.

Wake me up when someone starts seeing some wooden stakes. :)

I have to echo Ensign, especially now that we have a 3 year old daughter and another one on the way (and now that we are a family with kids we are the most sought-after demographic)...a high-quality dark ride would be so wonderful for the park. The Pirate Ride article that is posted in the forum makes me so distraught that those types of experiences are simply absent from the park.

Unfortunately, I have zero faith that a dark ride is even on the drawing board. And I would not exactly call Boo Hill high quality. Now would I complain if something like that came? Of course not, but it is of the same quality as Pirate Ride. Fun, but forgettable.

Kevinj said:
Wake me up when someone starts seeing some wooden stakes. :)
.

...There was two on the inner side of Thunder Canyon; viewable from the observation deck. The brush has been pretty well cleared out in that area too.

Also, the dashed line appears to be orange to me, which would indicate communication lines. Could be data lines for Starlight, but I know many of the communication lines for the park run right under the midways as well.

Doesn't sound like a new ride to me.

I think the safer bet is the portion of the park between Blue Streak and Raptor. It's obviously an area they've been holding onto for many years, perhaps with something up their sleeve.

I'd love to see a new coaster, as much as the next guy. But i dont know if they'll be one. I do think they should do smaller improvements.