Cedar Point 2012

SSL488 said:
Dumb cookies

Cookies are cool. Especially chocolate chip cookies. And oreos and...... never mind.

Sounds like a nice thing for the kids. We'll see what the 2012 plans are soon enough.

Ensign Smith said:But how would you know that article was speculative without reading it first?

If the title of said article - Dinosaurs to roam at Cedar Point? Websites say so - were any more indicative of speculation, it would have simply been titled Speculation.

What else are you going to write about when you live in Sandusky?

I just found the SS reference a little funny...then again, someone not familiar with the industry rumor-websites have no idea what that is.

I would not say "dumb cookies"....what did you expect? This is for kids...I was just sad my daughter missed it this year, so I was wondering what was in there.

We missed it by a few minutes. We walked by just before 2 on the way to Famous Dave's. We figured it happenes much earlier. Nope, it was at 2. :-)

To me it seems like the rumors of the Dino exhibit started because of the path and construction going on in the woods that we now know is Blood on the Bayou. I would say there is nothing behind this rumor at all if they were going to do this they would by hyping it like crazy just like KI did. I don't even remotely think its going to happen.

I guess I should cut the Register some slack. It's true that Sandusky really is all about Cedar Point. I shouldn't blame them for writing something that locals will read and find interesting.

The dinosaur thing could resurface again in a while. Remember that KI didn't even announce theirs until March 18th. Now, granted it didn't open until Memorial Day, but you don't have to pour a lot of footers to haul in some dinos. ;)

KevinL332 said:
To me it seems like the rumors of the Dino exhibit started because of the path and construction going on in the woods that we now know is Blood on the Bayou. I would say there is nothing behind this rumor at all if they were going to do this they would by hyping it like crazy just like KI did. I don't even remotely think its going to happen.

I agree. I think we need to start looking else where in the park if we are looking for 2012 clues.

I could start a whole thread on journalism today but I'll save my fingers. Suffice it to say, I think newspaper reporters have to find a balance between traditional journalism and internet journalism and I don't fault this writer for bringing up the speculation about the dinsosaurs. Ironically, he is a dinosuar reporting on dinosaurs since the newspapers are, by and large, nearing extinction.

Be that as it may, I really take issue with the possible closure of the Paddlewheel. First, those boats aren't ALL that old...are they? When were they replaced? (Ok, maybe it has been a decade or so.) Second, I'll throw in my obligatory complaint that there are less and less attractions at the point that a young family can do together. And third...can we possibly keep ANY of the attractions that actually give Cedar Point some character and delineate it from just another amusement park?

Now, I recognize that the lagoon island is an obvious piece of land ripe for expansion but can they not get creative about it so as to save the Paddlewheel and still utilize that space? How about an homage to Cleveland with a pedestrian "swing bridge" that can be moved into place after a boat goes by? It would serve the same function as a railroad grade crossing.

Yes, the easy decision is to eliminate the Paddlewheel. But, it isn't the right decision and it certainly isn't a creative decision.

They wouldn't even need something as complex as a swing bridge. They could simply build a larger clone of the StR bridge, and add an elevator on either side.

By the time you start putting elevators in you start getting into some big bucks anway. Again, I was just thinking something like a swing bridge could really be a neat element from an architectual/engineering perspective. If there really was something "family friendly" on the island you would have so many strollers and wheelchairs eager to get over there that a simple elevator might not cut it.

I know, I open up a Pandora's box when I bring up Disney but the Tom Sawyer Island rafts were a pretty neat way of getting folks back and forth over to TSI and the kinetic energy in Frontierland is one of my favorite elements of WDW (and DL for that matter). If Ouimet is not just paying lip service to the idea of respecting the history of the parks while embracing the future then I think the way he addresses this will really be telling.

Who needs elevators when God created stairs and ramps?

Well, the American's With Disabilities Act of 1992 might have some thoughts about that.

In other words, the guidelines for ADA-approved ramps would make it onerously large?

Well, I missed his "and ramps" and thought he only mentioned stairs. But yes, that would have to be a pretty significant ramp structure to clear the boats. I have no idea what their height is but let's say they are 10'high and the smokestacks make them 12' tall. (Again, no idea.) Now, you probably then want, to be comfortable, a 14" clearance. So, you have to get from the ground and up to 14' using ramps.

The ADA calls for a 1:12 slope when building ramps. In other words, for every 1 foot of "rise" you have to travel 12' horizontally. That is a minimum of 168' of horizontal travel (on both sides of the river) not to mention the necessary landings and the superstructure to accommodate it all. Not impossible, but not particularly inspiring either.

In addition, any run of a ramp can only rise 30", if I'm reading the ADA doc correctly (am I?). So, to rise your estimated 168" height, they'd need 6 runs, and 5 landings on each side.

No, I'm not saying the bridge would need to be 168' high. (Though, if it were, someone in a wheelchair could get to the top of many of the coasters with no problem.) I'm guessing the bridge would be 14' high requiring a minimum of 168' of ramp length. Obviously, they could utilize switchbacks, landings and so forth but that would still be a significant structure, not to mention obtrusive.

I wasn't reading any of the specifics in the guidelines. I'm just going off of memory of some of the projects I have been involved with.

Is there some type of temporary bridge to the island that can be put into place if, say, the water in the Shoot the Rapids drained and riders had to get from the island back to the "main midway" area? I haven't seen that area yet and I was curious what they would do in the event of an emergency evacuation.

New for 2012, the world's largest handicap ramp?

Chief Wahoo said:
No, I'm not saying the bridge would need to be 168' high.

Nor was I. :)

14' high = 14' x 12" = 168"

The ADA specs indicate that any "run" can only rise 30", I'm guessing to avoid runaway wheelchairs in the event someone loses control of theirs. Which would make for an interesting thrill ride in itself, but I digress...

Is there some type of temporary bridge to the island that can be put into place if, say, the water in the Shoot the Rapids drained and riders had to get from the island back to the "main midway" area? I haven't seen that area yet and I was curious what they would do in the event of an emergency evacuation.

StR has a permanent bridge to the island, which uses a simple set of stairs on either side.

Aha, so if there is someone with a mobility issue they would likely have to carry that person over the bridge or bring in some type of service boat perhaps.

Either way..I'd like to see them preserve the Paddlewheel as one of a last generation of attractions that the entire family can enjoy which also adds some character to the park. Ouimet knows the history of the Rivers of America and Walt's vision of keeping that area of the park alive and bustling with activity. I think the lagoon should have a function other than drainage.

Whether the speculation is right or wrong, Paddlewheel is a shell of its former self. If the speculation is correct, I'd say that a dinosaur attraction has at least as much family appeal, and likely more. Lose one family attraction, gain one family attraction. Obviously the goal is to grow family appeal, but there isn't a "loss" in this scenario.

As far as Outmet's family vision, I'd have to think what happens next year is largely out of his control -- at least as far as the attraction itself is concerned. Still, there are a lot of other ways for him to make an impact right away.

And if Paddlewheel survives, I'd wholeheartedly support an upgrade.