Cedar Point Games

While the games aren't impossible, they are certainly designed to be heavily in the park's interest. Rules are created and enforced so as to not give an advantage to the guest or negate the advantage to the park. Like the "no throwing more than one ring at a time at the bottles" for ring the bottle. Although I will conceed that there are some games that are more skill oriented than others. Like the rope climb.

In the end i don't play to often. Although i would play Fascination all the time. And better still "Past time" at Kennywood. Ot maybe a little Skee-Ball. But the "games of skill" on the midway are for the birds. And obnoxious game hosts will always be an accurate description. It takes a certain personality type to feel good about taking peoples money for no return.

All that said, I still think that they are an ESSENTIAL part to any amusement park. Atmosphere enhancing and revenue production are two big pieces to the puzzle.

I can't say I like the games, but we always seem to drop many dollars into them when we are there. What I don't like, is being yelled at at to play them.

Oh well, it's just their job.

MrScott

And then there are those games of skill with no callers, like the Zippo carousel. I have sunk many-o-dollar into those machines....Ahh to no avail i seem to never catch one. But I have been just- this-close to sinking one! I could have bought about twenty Zippos + by now. They get me every time...man over machine syndrome.

As a Cedar Point games (arcade) employee, I would agree that it is very hard to win most of the outside games. It is not uncommon for there to be one or two winners all day at a Bank-A-Ball. I would recommend skeeball in one of the arcades. Good prizes, easy to win, and only 50 cents.

Sorry about the fascination comment. I have only been to CP in the last few years. I didn't know any park still had the game. They probably took it out because they couldn't buy parts anymore. Any comments from some former games employees? How hard are they? What kind of % do they give out? Lets tell it like it is!!!!!!11

The dart game was awesome last year, I ended up with two of those giant Cedar Point pillows.

By some amazing fluke opening day my fiance won a giant monkey from the ring around the bottle game near Gemini on opening day, boy was that fun to try and shove into the backseat, and carry all the way to the front of the park.

Frank Sinatra said:

Gee Walt, thanks for the wake up call, I remember riding SRF its opening year.

Yeah, I remember riding Congo Falls before CP even had SRF. :)

Does anyone know the name of the game where you have to move a metal wand down a spiral metal thingy? I know thats a horrible description, but anyone who's played it will know what I'm talking about.

Wacky Wire

Ohhhh, yes.

That game has given me fits on several occasions. It seems so simple, yet (for me anyway) its quite a challenge. And, that's probably why I end up playing it at least once every trip.

Wacky Wire!!!

I've gotten it so close it isn't funny, but I always choke at the end. Still a fun game though.

The race games are fair, Top glo for instance.

2006- Top Glo Games Host

The race games are fair, Top glo for instance.

2006- Top Glo Games Host

Bill Horvath said:
games are NOT rigged so you can not win.. it takes skill to win.. hence the gamesof skill notation. In ohio there are laws in place that do not allow games that are impossible to win.. I see people every visit walking around with big prizes. thay are all aimed at having a great time

That being said, the ball does have to fit into whatever you are throwing it into (say the milk jug toss). However, the clearance between the ball and the rim of the jug is just barely big enough to let it pass so you really have to hit it just right. Some of the games could qualify as games of luck rather than skill.

I know places (not saying CP does this that I know of) will over-inflate the basketball, use a smaller than regulation rim and loosen the springs on the rim to make it harder to score. Not illegal as the ball still fits through the hoop, but it certainly tips the coffers in the operators favor.

All that being said, I love playing the games (especially skee-ball) and when I need a break from the rides, I can usually be found in one of the arcades just having fun.

*** Edited 3/23/2006 4:03:55 PM UTC by JuggaLotus***

Don't get me wrong, I like playing games while I am in the park...BUT, something has to be done about the mini-basketballs. During my three days in the park last summer I saw at least four people get beaned by out-of-control mini basketball winners dribbling the balls uncontrollably. I even saw one ball whack into the side of a baby stroller. Who are these people trying to impress while walking around the park, bouncing the ball, and taking fake jump shots? Seriously, it looks ridiculous and I think think they are annoying to most guests.

The mini-basketballs are a fine prize, but I think it would be for the best if they were out given deflated.

*** Edited 3/23/2006 4:25:31 PM UTC by Rotunda_Chillin***

You just answered your own question or I guess solution. It will never happen for all the reasons you mentioned. And to answer your question, "What will happen if a basketball goes flying in the parth of a train", I think its safe to say the train would win!!!!!

Ok, so what about the people in that train? Imagine hitting a basketball with your face at 57 mph as you hit the bottom of Raptor's hill. What about 120 on the Dragster launch? I think your face might have a harder time winning the battle than the train does.

First of all, what are the chances of that. About the same chance Barry Bonds has in admitting he used steroids. But if someone threw a ball at a ride on the off chance that the ride and the ball met at the same time I guess it would hurt. What about the fences around the rides. Do you think they are tall enough. What if someone jumped over the little 3 foot rail and ran in front of the ride. I guess that would hurt too. So ask them to put up 6 foot fences with wire on top. Any one idiot can do anything but reasonable people do not. You can't have a rule for every idiot in the world.
*** Edited 3/23/2006 6:41:54 PM UTC by Joe P***

Why don't you go ask Six Flags the chances of that. I think their lawyers can point you to the judgment that has them paying out because idiots were throwing stones at coasters.

I think that its certainly possible for an errant basketball to bounce its way into someone's face while on a coaster. However, it is pretty unlikely. That said, John's right - CP would be emptying their pockets if that ever does happen, which, I'm sure, will be followed immediately by a sudden lack of basketballs in the park. Well, at least inflated basketballs.

Hopefully that never happens.