Could they really retire the Paddlewheel Excursions?

The problem with throttling down on the boat speed is that, for any given number of boats, throughput is reduced. Which means that to keep an equivalent throughput, you have to run more boats, which means more money. This is probably why they sped up the circuit to begin with. It's the same thing as cutting the ride cycle on a flat.

How many boats do they run now, and how often is there a wait lasting more than one cycle?

1. I'm not sure, but tentatively I want to say 4 or 5.*

2. Does it matter? How often does Scrambler have a wait lasting more than one cycle? It hasn't impacted the park's decision to cut the ride cycle down to about seven seconds. (I kid, I kid -- it's really more like ten seconds.)

*Edit: I believe that's the total number of boats, but very seldom do they run more than two these days, that I've seen.

Yeah, I was wondering how many they run most of the time, as I've only been on PWE once in the last few years.

And the reason I'm curious about the wait time is because waiting one cycle for a relaxing, non-full throttle ride would seem worth it. Even though PWE doesn't ultimately take you anywhere, I liken the wait to waiting for the RR, which is very much worth the 10 minute wait or whatever, because the ride isn't over in 3 minutes.

Ironically, when I was there on Sunday they seemed to be running Myron at a slower speed than I can remember.

PWE is definitely more relaxing when you can actually settle into the ride and savor it.

At least when I was a kid (70's and 80's), this ride had appeal. With all the trees at the time, and the old paddlewheel boat design, it felt like an adventure separated from the park. Now, it's just a tour of coasters that I can see from the midways anyway. The ride as zero appeal. If CP feels like they can gain value in filling in that land, and the ridership on the paddlewheels is suffering, why not take advantage of the real estate? It would be cool to see a larger/longer Sierra Sidewinder coaster structured in the back of Camp Snoopy (where the water currently is)....this is just an example gang...I'm not starting any Lemon Chill Guy rumors here.

Interesting, Mike... I wonder if that was an anomaly, or if it has something to do with who's running things now.

They could be running PWE at breakneck speed because of running one boat (something I've seen done on weekdays), I would hope that the boats would run at a slower pace on the weekends if they are running 2. It's been a long time since I've seen 3 run, then again it's been a long time since I've gone to the park when it was crazy busy and notice what PWE was doing.

I barely remember the Western Cruise, I pretty much grew up with PWE and I distinctly remember the change in the boats, which I can't believe was 12 seasons ago already.

I'm okay with the changes around the ride, I'm still willing to take a spin on it with the family. I think it would be a huge loss for the park if it were to go.

~Rob

I agree with many who remember the Western Cruise and say that it is now (PWE) a ghost of its former self. Back then, it was a cruise into the wilderness where wild animals, hunters, Indians, and canon shots awaited you. Trees were all around, and you could hear the whistle of the steam train adding to the atmosphere. The boats looked like Mississippi river boats and the captains wore red vests.

Oh well. That was then. Time to move on, and, considering the amount of trees that have just recently been removed from animation island, time to retire the PWE as currently envisioned. Now, change up the theme and maybe it can be reborn as some other type of river cruise. But, the frontier theme - gone.

Western Cruise was the best. I remember when it was a featured attraction at Cedar Point and attracted as many riders as Raptor or Maverick.

It really felt like you were in a different place out in the wilderness, as a little kid it was a very exciting ride.

I tend to think the ride will stick around, it still is a nice ride even though it is not what it was, and it is perfect for everyone from infants to seniors. In addition, the canvas on the boats, and possibly other parts of the boats, were refurbished over the winter at Venetian Marina. If the ride was going away new canvas would be a waste, the old canvas was not that bad.

Here is a shot in the dark. What if the starlight experience becomes a huge hit and they can somehow incorperate that into something to be used in PDE to breathe new life into it?

In 2007 I was running 4 boats quite a bit. It is sad to see all the complaints about the last ride I worked at CP. The thought of Bucky the beaver being gone is very very sad.

PWE was never a Jungle Cruise, but it was a cool iride before all of the development surounding it today. I can remember the park once had part of a wrecked boat sunk into the water near the rail road tressels, adding a great enhancement for two rides. It's exactly what someone posted earlier about guest expectations for ride experience, and higher standards.

Opening day this year was two boats, and despite the enormous crowd, virtually a walk-on.

I echo Western Cruiser's lonely wolf cry...

They won't remove Paddle Wheel, but for a second, lets pretend they do take it down. It would be awesome to build a bridge to the island from the Paddle Wheel entrance and another from the island to Frontier Trail. Easier access to the Force from the Soak City lot.

Well they could still build a bridge to go over there; but maybe they could make the bridge rise up like you see on the Cuyahoga River when the big Oil Rigs go through. That would work out well for Paddlewheel. I mean yeah people would have to wait for the bridge to lower back down, but you have to wait anyway for the train to go through on Frontier Trail and Frontier Town.

I think if they removed PWE, they'd fill in what's left of the lagoons.

I've only been on PWE a few times since they removed the old boats. Every time I've been on it it's been worse than the time before. I still remember the Western Cruise being really cool, with its secluding tree-lined banks and abundant animatronics. I don't know if that's because it was a good ride, or because as a kid it was easy to think it was neat.

Pete,

Though I am not saying PEW should go or stay, you need to remember that just because an attraction has new canvas, wood, bolts, screws, or even a new paint job, does not mean its staying. WWL is a perfect example, when there was new wood throughout the structure, only for it to be torn down.

Jeremy Sell said:
I think if they removed PWE, they'd fill in what's left of the lagoons.

I don't think they'd be able to. Despite the fact that the lagoons were largely man-made 100 years ago, they are now protected wetlands and would not be easily filled in. This is just what I've heard, so take it as you will (but it wouldn't surprise me in the least).