Cedar Point and Darkrides

Does anyone have any insight into what the possibility is of CP adding a darkride anytime soon? I first visited CP in 1976 and fondly remember the Pirate Ride, Earthquake Ride and the Funhouse. It seems like since the removal of the Pirate Ride that there is a void in CP's ride selection. Most parks still have one or two operating darkrides, making for a total "traditional" amusment park experience.

This year, during the week of the 4th of July, we (my wife and two children) took an 8 day vacation visiting several parks, Indiana Beach being one of them. This was my third trip to IB and reinforced my opinion that darkrides really add to a park's experience and atmosphere. IB's "Den of Lost Theives" (an interactive shoot-em-up Pirate Ride by Sally Corp.) and Frankenstein's Castle were wonderful and proved to be the icing on the cake.

The bottom line is: "What is CP's philosophy regarding darkrides?" Also, do any of the other Cedar Fair properties operate darkrides?

Thanks for any information regarding this topic.

*** This post was edited by Scott A. Stoll 7/17/2002 10:37:05 PM ***

Dark rides, though popular, do have some problems. Not the least of which is kids screwing around (not literally) inside the building. Disney has sensors on Mansion and Pirates to detect if someone gets out of a vehicle.

With Cedar Point's clientele (lots of kids running around on their own) dark rides could be the source of hijinks and inadvertent injuries. Of course, many parks have them and have few reported problems but maybe it is a headache that the Point just doesn't want to bother with.

Cedar Point tried a dark ride with Disaster Transport and pretty much let the ride die. No 3-D paint is going to fix that.

Disaster Transport is totally different. The Dark Rides people are talking about are rides like the Pirate Ride and Earthquake Ride. Disaster Transport is a themed indoor roller coaster, not a dark ride.

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It's very hard to drink all day...
Unless you start first thing in the morning.

I have never considered Disaster Transport to be a darkride, rather an enclosed roller coaster with some theming.

Maybe the footers in Area 51 are for the world's biggest darkride...."The Great Pumpkin Ride."

Seriously, I think Frontier Town or the Frontier Trail would be greatly enhanced with the addition of a "Haunted Mansion" type ride . . . something family friendly along the lines of PKI's "Phantom Theater" or Knobels "Haunted Mansion." Nothing super high tech, just classic and simple.(Although state-of-the-art and world record setting would be good too)

My 2 cents

Scott, that is a great idea. A perfect place for a fun dark ride to go. I have missed Pirates and Earthquake since their demise. Its time for a dark ride.

I think that a dark ride themed to the different different adventures of the Peanuts gang would be fun and would be a great family attraction.

Just imagine, you could ride in Snoopy's dog house through famous scenes like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, losing another baseball game, the wimpy tree from A Charlie Brown Christmas, etc...

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...and enjoy the rest of your day at Cedar Point, The Am-aaaa-zement park!

Whatever theming it is, I dont care. Just as long as it isnt along the lines of that horribly troublesome Tomb Raider ride at PKI.

I tried 3 times in one day, waited 2 hours, 20 minutes and 30 minutes and the darn thing kept breaking down. They say it happens everyday to the ride. What a dissappointment.

Oh my gawd, Pirate Ride was one of the most interesting rides I have ever been on. I really wish they hadn't taken it out but you gotta do what ya gotta do. I would love to see a haunted ride be added to the park. I mean something really scary.

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You are the Weakest Link, Goodbye.

Scott, nice idea.

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BTS Cedar Point
http://www.cedarpoint.tk

Turn the "Undertaker U" building into a haunted dark ride! What a great idea! While they're at it, they should put in a ride similar to the Cat in the Hat ride into Camp Snoopy.

I like that idea of yours, Scott. I also like the family friendly dark ride in Camp Snoopy.

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Andrew L. of Waterville, OH
Cedar Point, the cure for the Summertime blues!

Dark rides are great and are an excellent way for families to have fun together... but, they're not exactly hotel/restaurant/gift shop/park-fillers. The bottom line is what dictates Cp's current non-commitment to such a ride.

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TPFKAV
MF Count - 39
WT Count - 4

CoasterMonkey wrote:

"Dark rides are great and are an excellent way for families to have fun together... but, they're not exactly hotel/restaurant/gift shop/park-fillers."

Don't tell Disney or Univeral that. (smile)

I understand what you are saying, the addition of a good dark ride may not sway someone's decision to visit CP, but I think it would make a nice addition to their overall ride offerings. I'm probably unique in the fact that after a good coaster, a dark ride is my second favorite type of attraction.

This brings up a good question. If a coaster is your favorite type of ride at a park, then what is your second favorite type of attraction?

*** This post was edited by Scott A. Stoll 7/23/2002 4:44:45 PM ***
*** This post was edited by Scott A. Stoll 7/23/2002 4:53:57 PM ***

My second favorite type of "attraction" is the overwhelming of the senses. The sights. The sounds. The smells.

I may be missin' one or two, but tis a family site lad...

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"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"
*** This post was edited by MrScott 7/23/2002 6:03:20 PM ***

My second favorite type of attraction could be almost anything...Maybe a water ride?

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Andrew L. of Waterville, OH
Cedar Point, the cure for the Summertime blues!