Celebration Plaza work?

Thabto said:

After doing a little searching, this article says it could take 7 to 15 years for solar panels to pay for themselves: http://pureenergies.com/us/home-solar/solar-basics/solar-myths/.

I doubt the park would invest that kind of money into installing them when it would take that long to get a return on the investment.

And how long do you think the ROI of a $30 million roller coaster project is amortized over?

Mystical Matthew said:

Again... Is it practical? Probably not. Is it a cool idea? Totally.

Yes, it's a cool idea, in theory. :-)

If you read the article, you will see mentioned that they are cutting down the trees because putting the solar farm in the parking lot would cause safety issues. The parking lot at CP would also be a no-go.

One other big factor that isn't immediately noticeable regarding the expense of green energy initiatives is all of the cable laying/wire infrastructure that needs to be built in order to get the electricity into the main utility grid. I came aware of this aspect of energy creation due to a 160+ windmill farm that was built about a mile away from my parents' house in the Thumb of Michigan about two years ago.

We took several drives through the 50 square mile area in which the windmills were being erected and I couldn't believe the number of spools of cable wire that were laying throughout the project area. These cables ended up being buried near the windmills themselves (imagine that) and then strung up on steel array towers at the southern end of the windmill farm. Each of these array towers were built with steel and concrete foundations (not cheap) and there was one tower constructed every quarter mile or so between the windmill farm and the main DTE Energy grid in Flint 60 miles to the south.

To bring the topic back to Cedar Point, the set up of solar panels on station/building roofs would be the easiest part of the installation process if a green initiative like this were ever launched. It would be all of the cable burying and connecting to the existing utilities on the mainland that would be the more costly and time-consuming burden. Considering CP's location on the open water of Lake Erie and Sandusky Bay, wind energy would probably be the choice alternative energy source anyway.

Wind energy of course makes sense, but I wouldn't want to see the natural beauty of Sandusky Bay or the view of the beach spoiled with a bunch of Wind Mills sticking up from the water.

What if we replaced all of the queue lines with electricity generating treadmills?

Like... For Dragster... Figure out how much electricity it costs to launch the train over the hill. Divide that by 16 (or however many seats are in the train). That's how much you have to run to get on the ride...

This solves numerous problems...

1.) No More Walks of Shame! - If you're too fat to fit in the ride, chances are you can't run long enough to be elgible to ride anyway!

2.) Shorter Lines! - How badly do you really want that end of the day Dragster run? Prove it!

3.) A 100% Green Park! - Forget expensive solar panels and ugly windmills! We can create all the power we need from humans!

4.) Increased Drink Sales! - The cost of the treadmills would pay for themselves overnight with the extra soft drinks they'd sell everyone!

5.) Healthier Kids! - Today's kids spend too much time playing with their iPads. This idea makes excercise exciting!

6.) Less Fast Pass / Exit Pass Abuse! - Sure, you can cut in line... But you still have to generate your share of electricity just like everyone else!

7.) Lower Ticket Prices! - Now that the guests are generating all the electricity, Cedar Fair can pass that savings back to us!

8.) Stay Warm in Line for Halloweekends! - Let's face it... Halloweekends can be a bit... Intense when it comes to the lines! Nothing keeps you warm more than a nice treadmill!

9.) FUN TV keeps you motivated! - All that great EDM CP played on it's TV's? Now it keeps your cardio up! You'll get on Mean Streak that much faster!

Imagine... Row after row of health conscious people... Running for 60-90 minutes per ride... Powering world-class rides like Rougarou with every step!

Someone from Cedar Fair needs to put me on the payroll... This is the kind of "outside the box" thinking that will win back that award from Amusement Today!

I don't think replacing the pavement with solar panels would be cost effective. I could however, see them over the queues. They could provide shade and shelter while in line and offset the power draw of the park. They would not look much different than the existing shades.

As far as infrastructure goes, there are already main power lines under the perimeter road and down the midway as shown by the green transformers every 100 feet or so. All they need to do is add an inverter and match the voltages and tie right in.

I find the entire solar panel discussion crazier than anything touching on rides sinking or dark rides being built.

Absolutely, let's go back to talking about Shoot the Rapids.

Good point, talk about something the park already has that doesn't work.

It's always good to talk about Shoot the Rapids! Anyway, I hope they do something with that patch that used to be Dodgems. It would be weird passing by a big square of dirt. It also depends on how far the fence is going to go. Anybody have a rendering of what they think the closed off area will look like?

The fence is prob gonna be on 2 sides. The side where turnpike cars and calypso were and then over on the other side where dodgem and GTT were.

So we are assuming that a fence is confirmed?

Nothing is confirmed. For all we know, they could be putting a lawn in where GTT was and putting the decorative fence up again where Turnpike Cars were to keep people out of the area.

Now that every possible scenario has been covered by three or four people, I can't wait for someone to say "I was right" a few years from now.

I think they're going to move Perimeter Road, but in the other direction towards the park. Then they can make the Marina bigger!

IMO, I think that area would make a good relaxation area. Honestly, some quests might want a quick & quieter break from the hustle & bustle. Put in a covered pavilion, maybe some playground equipment for the children that don't like rides, and nice seats for the parents to relax in, if they choose. Heck, even a 'family' bathroom' (like you see in malls) could be helpful. It's just enough off the beaten path where the Turn Pike cars were, and still a few trees left to make it relaxing.

They used to have a playground about where Planet Snoopy is now. I remember thinking "Why would anyone come to Cedar Point to play on a playground?" It's amazing how much your perspective changes when you have kids... I can see the appeal now. My son thinks Snoopy's Bounce House is the star attraction at CP. Kids don't look at it as "oh I can do that back home." If it's fun, it's fun.

Janeen, I like your idea. I never thought of a quiet, relaxing, family area. There are many younger ones (tots) that do not like rides, especially spinning ones, but love playground equipment. Too bad they have already removed the trees.

Thanks! Sometimes kids(and over zealous big kids!) get over stimulated, and just need a break. I'm not suggesting a complete 'white noise' area, that will never happen. Even it's a place for a grandparent to get a breather with a young one, while others go ride. I see it needed, and very beneficial. I see a few tree's still lingering around.