Cedar Point Removing Good Times Theatre

There is nowhere near enough space for a hotel on that site.

The Cedars was, originally, a hotel, so there is clearly enough space for a hotel.

That said I doubt a hotel will be added there.

It was also built over a century ago, a time long before building codes, setback minimums, ADA standards, access & utility easements, etc etc. Tear down the existing structure and there is no way a modern hotel built to code will fit.

No way, huh? You do know that they could use a relatively small footprint and build vertically to provide a sufficient number of rooms, right? I'm not saying they'd make a 10+ floor tower, but they could still get a couple hundred rooms in easily.

That being said, I also do not believe that Cedars will be replaced with a modern hotel. If anything, I would expect a more modern replacement of Bon Air on the existing site. That land is harder to incorporate into the park. Cedars would be relatively simple.

There are plenty of hotels built in a smaller space then Cedars. All you have to do to find one is go down the causeway and look at the construction site of the new hotel being built next to the hotel that is part of Thirsty Pony.

That said, I don't think it is remotely likely that a new hotel will be built on that side of the peninsula, all hotel properties are beach front to take advantage of the natural setting.

And the people saying in those 'couple of hundred rooms' would park... where, exactly?

This isn't Manhattan or Tokyo; they aren't going to plunk down a hotel tower on a tiny plot of land that has inestimably greater value as space for a new attraction.

Pete, the Comfort Inn isn't a good comparable; there is two or three times the space and it will share the parking and some of the facilities of the existing hotel.

The road setback alone would preclude such a project, and if one were to assume that perimeter road is going to be re-routed, then such codes would definitely come into play.

I was on the peninsula on Friday morning. Cedars has not gone anywhere yet.

^^ Again, there's a solution to everything. They could even go vertical for parking. This would take time, money, and a lot of building materials but it is certainly feasible from an engineering standpoint. Anything you can think of can likely be solved using modern technology. Again, I am not saying there is even the slightest chance of this. I'm just pointing out that the only thing preventing it from happening is that it makes no business sense to Cedar Fair. I already told you that it makes more sense to annex that land into the park for use as an attraction or set of attractions, perhaps even a new stage for a certain nighttime show, and that it would make more sense to use the to-be-demolished Bon Air land to add hotel rooms. I am unsure what you are arguing.

There are even real-world examples of entirely new land being built by man (and woman, if she wishes). CFEC could add onto the coastline to form a new parking lot for all those cars. They could build a parking garage on this new land. Is it ever going to happen? Again, no. But, please do not argue that it is impossible. Engineering and modern technology are pretty darn impressive.

http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,18496...99,00.html

Reclamated land is a completely different argument; its rather obvious that if there was more land there would be more land to build on. The point is there is not enough space on that section as is (or as it may be, since the demise of Cedars is as yet unconfirmed). Parking is required by the ADA, as is wide sidewalks, ramps and the like. A vertical parking structure requires ramps, clearances for emergency vehicles, easements, building setbacks and environmental considerations.

Is it impossible? No, I admit its not impossible for them to build a 20 room, 20 story hotel building with no lobby, pool, housekeeping or restaurant with an attached 10 story parking garage with 2 spaces per level. However, from a standpoint of practicality and logic there is not enough space for a hotel on the land currently occupied by Cedars.

In any case, having a beach front hotel is a big draw, I can't see them building a hotel overlooking the marina, where the only view guests would have is a bunch of drunken boaters staggering down the dock

Unless the selling point was a view looking into the park. Count me in the boat of those who don't think the land would be used for a hotel but the idea of a small hotel that sits about where perimeter road is now and looks into the park would be a neat concept.

Pete, are you speaking from experience or observation?

Before the Cedars comes down, there would have to be enough new employee housing on line to takes it place. Unless I've missed something that hasn't happened yet.

I'm pretty sure there were also preliminary site plans filed for additional off-point dorm facilities when the latest was built for 2014. The only thing missing is confirmation that they intend to construct additional facilities. Also, wasn't Bon Air used for employee housing? If so, those rooms definitely need replaced.

Because when management said they were going to make the park more family friendly, they promptly removed the boat rides. Now they are tearing down their best entertainment venue. Some that come to CP don't always ride the coasters. This will will probably keep us from getting season passes.

Cedar Fair may not be making the park more Birmantas family friendly, but the company doesn't invest millions in changes and additions to the park without knowing what types of rides and attractions will best appeal to their target demographic.

If Good Time Theatre was drawing a sufficient crowd with its shows to justify its existence, then you better believe a new home for those shows will be provided. If not, then they clearly are not alienating families by removing the theatre. After all, that would mean that families were indeed not stopping by the theatre to catch said shows.

Bottom line, if families are coming to the park and enjoying an attraction, it will only be replaced by another attraction that appeal to the same or similar demographic.

Bluestreaker said:
Pete, are you speaking from experience or observation?

Both. 😀

It's up to you, Allan Birmantas sr, but seriously? Nobody was more disappointed than me to see Wildcat go, but I still held on to my season pass knowing that there were other things still around and more to come that would occupy my time nicely.
I think it's been stated that entertainment, which has been a Cedar Point staple since the 60's, will still continue to be a part of the park's line up, and if they say new and exciting entertainment options will come along for everyone to enjoy, then why shouldn't we believe them?
And about the building. It's been sitting there since the early 70's, built as a seasonal movie house. Maybe the place sucks by now. Maybe after 40+ years of exposure to the elements the infrastructure is so bad that it's not worth saving. Maybe backstage, fly, dressing, restroom, and storage areas are inadequate for stage and ice shows. (I never understood why parks put ice shows in their large proscenium houses anyway, and they all did it. I think skating is better staged and observed in an arena setting, myself.)
Anyway, it's going. And as I might have stated earlier, I'd rather see that concrete monster go to make room for a dark ride or another stage than, say, a more historic structure.

I'm not exactly a proponent of the idea of having another hotel replace the Cedars, but I do see where it might be a cute and clever concept. Make a smaller, boutique hotel with a stylish tower that caters to the marina and restaurant crowd. Give them a view of the bay and/or the park. And those of you who say it just "can't" be done given the size of the area have apparently never been to Myrtle Beach!

Whatever happens to the area, whether it will involve Good Time, Cedars, perimeter road, or even Turnpike will likely take place over the next few seasons, so we've got a while to compulse over this.

I do wonder what we will see take up that space this year. A fence or just green space. Hmm...