Cedar Point open for the Winter

When you said some rollercoasters would operate, I was thinking more along the lines of Jr. Gemini and maybe even the slim chance of Mine Ride. I doubt Wicked Twister would run that well and Corkscrew for that matter. I still think a christmas themed midway with maybe Christmas plays going on in the park like scrooge and stuff like that would be cool. Maybe not a huge attraction magnet, but it would pull in nearby cities.

-Eagle

cedar point can't be enjoyed in the winter. the only way to make it tolerable would be if the park gave away free whiskey shots. in today's world, that can't be done. if someone needs a park fix that bad, go to southern california.

I have to wonder if the folks asking if Cedar Point could open in the winter have ever been either on the pinnensula or anywhere near the Bay when it's really cold and breezy.

Not my idea of a good time. Not at all.

Even if Cedar Point were open year-round and I had an annual pass there's no way in heck I'd go to the park in January.

Pete: I never mentioned any ride company.... what are you talking about? A good example of a purpose-built cold ride would be a constructed toboggan chute or snow-coaster. I don't know your location Pete, if they are still there, you can see vintage dual wooden toboggan chutes in Ohio at Kendall Hills Park on Quick Road in southern Boston Twp.(just north of Cuyahoga falls) or view them from the bottom at Kendall Lake (beyond the lodge to the west) near Virginia Kendall Park on Truxell road. These chutes could only be used during extended cold weather- often not possible during our milder Akron winters. Our savvy Akron Metropolitan Parks System made that investment! Believe me, they get way more ghost hunters out there than tobogganists! (Top of The World @ Adams Farm and Botzum cemeteries are nearby) I did get a ride when I was about 10. Very memorable, but I couldn't get another- there were hundreds of people there! (Xmas day) A day or two later a heat wave did it for the season %^(

Pete, ski-lift drives have a much easier life than a coaster. Unlike most rollercoasters, ski-lift engines, drives and safety vitals reside in steel boxes. When I was working at Brandywine, they had me put in an interlock system that prohibited starting with the engine block heater off, so even ski-lifts need protection from mother nature (and forgetful operators)%^) rob

Cory: IF George R. (ex-Carbon Limestone #34) could haul tons and tons of limestone shale 24/7/365 from Hillsville, Pa. to Carbon for nearly TEN years without being shopped (no major breakdowns), then I think she can handle a few tons of frozen CP guest! Believe it, the CP & LE Railroad's fleet of motive power is one of the most prized and most valuable steam locomotive collections IN THE WORLD and we are very lucky to have them. Thank you, CP!

• PS: Thanks for taking such good care of #34, grandpa! I think you would be happy to know she is still making moola! (and many young smiles %^) rc

Just but a big dome over the park, heat it,

I wonder how much that would cost to build & heat?

Just think about that for a minute and you'll understand why it hasn't been done.

MrScott

Yeah, that would be a really huge, really tall, really ugly dome.
And then when we get our 500+ footer what would you expect them to do with it?

Like many great things in life... you love it because you can't have it all the time.

You guys seem to forget that CP's off-season is just as important as the on-season. The maintenance staff does a full inspection of every ride, having practically ever moving vehicle (roller coaster trains, etc.) off of every ride in just a few weeks. Then, cars move to the rides shops one by one and are fully inspected down to every last ball-bearing and receive preventative maintenance. At the same time, crews are inspecting drive machinery, breaks, etc. at each location. Once opening day rolls closer, rides start to get reassembled. Even if global warming or a giant eco dome permitted CP to be open 365 days a year, the safety record and the quality of all of the rides would probably not be as incredible.

Well I am sure that Jr. Gemini could run during the winter but the Mine Ride definitly could not. Have you ever seen them testing it during a cold morning they have to help it get over the hill sometimes by standing there and being ready to push it. I was thinking that the Disaster Transport could because it is indoors and the building is heated. Wicked Twister because we don't have to worry about rollbacks because it is not a complete circuit roller coaster. Last Corkscrew because it seems like it would beable too it has enough speed to make it over the hills and I have never heard of it rolling back. Now that I think of it Iron Dragon could also probally run ok in the cold.

And for the dome idea would you really like to see Cedar Point Covered in a huge dome. I mean I love the atmosphere of the open park. And also do you understand how much that would cost. You also have to factor in how much it would cost to either heat or air condition the dome all year long.

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Cory Marshall

I've often joked that I would love to go to the park for my birthday (Jan. 5) and I'd ride the coasters bundled up with long johns, a snowmobile suit, ski mask, etc. but in all seriousness, i'm not sure i would really want to turn my self into a 215 pound pop sickle...maybe if they'd open the park just for me?

Rob,

I wasn't thinking of toboggan chutes rides, I would say they fall under the winter sports/snow sports category. When you said rides designed for winter use, I took that to be rides of the type found at an amusement park.

As for ski lifts, many parts are exposed. Sheave trains, derailment sensor switches, bull wheels, cable tensioning hydraulics or counter weights, skier safety gates, haul cable, cable grips, converyors on detchable grip lifts, etc. are all mechanical pieces that are exposed to the elements. Some lifts, like the old Hall double at Boston Mills, even has a bullwheel brake exposed to the elements. It's interesting though that at BMBW they use photo eyes for the skier safety gate. I always wondered how they get those to work in heavy snow, but they don't seem to cause false shutdowns.

Don't forget that if there was some way for CP to remain open year round they would have to close down various rides for refurbishment like the other year round parks do. Do you know how frustrating it would be to have your favorite ride closed for several months for necessary off-season maintenance?

Power tower would be unable to operate as well as Top Thrill Dragster. If the cylinders get too cold the Launch is not strong. You should have ridden Scream at Six Flags New England when it was 25 degrees out. It was pathetic.

Maybe CP can construct a holiday drive-thru in the park. My county fairgrounds (The Canfield Fair) holds an event called "Holiday of Lights" every year. They charge $10 per car, $25 -15 passenger van, $45 - 25 passenger van, and $75 - busses.

This would bring in some extra revenue for CP if it were successful. They can charge the automobiles as they pass through the toll booths. Just picture a huge CP Holiday Light Display: Thousands of lights, lighted trees, lighted fixtures, and decorated coasters & buildings. Imagine an illuminated Santa in his sleigh with the reindeer on the TTD launch track!

Having had quite some experience on the Peninsula during the winter I can tell you that being open year 'round is the WORST idea ever. I didn't even want to walk the 15 feet from my car to my office in the winter time.

Yes, a holiday event was tried at the Point in the 90's but noone cared for it, particularly the employees who were freezing their chestnuts off.

Driving on the peninsula during winter is not picnic either. While large amounts of snow are generally not a problem, the wind wreaks havoc even with a little snow. There have been countless times over the years that employees have been sent home early due to approaching storms because the Causeway can be treacherous during the winter.

Really, enjoy the park 5-6 months out of the year and let the employees have a little peak at a normal life the rest of the year, ok?