Dark Ride Possibilities

And I think the change of direction is a good thing. The CP of the modern era, which I would define as starting around 1960, built its reputation by being a park that had a lot of very family friendly rides and attractions that everyone could enjoy. While the Blue Streak was a fantastic new coaster in its day, most of the big rides and attractions were family oriented. Western Cruise, CP&LE RR, Safari Island, Sky Ride, Space Spiral, Earthquake Ride, Pirate Ride, Frontier Lift, Mill Race, Shoot The Rapids, Cadillac Cars, Turnpike Cars. Even the Mine Ride did not have a height restriction, just a sign that said "No hand held infants please".

It is because of the great success of CP in the 60's and 70's that all the coasters came in the 80's, 90's and 2000's. Fantastic, fun rides to be sure, and certainly something I really enjoy. But, the park did lose some of it's balance and universal appeal.

Seems like Ouimet is going in the direction of family friendly attractions that allows the entire family to participate, while at the same time renovating the resorts and adding some excitement over there to make them want to stay a few days. I think Legross and Roose would be pleased with what the new CEO is doing.

I welcome the breath of fresh air.

What Pete said is so critically important for the leadership of CP to remember: the steel monsters we all love was built on the reputation and success of a much more balanced park.

But I don't think for a second that they are not keenly aware of this. Some have been for quite some time.

I would love to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for the next 5 years, just to share it with my girls. Something tells me they wouldn't be disappointed in what they get to ride with mommy and daddy in the near future.

It is about balance. Looking at the line up that Pete presented it seems out of balance in the other direction. Looks like a wonderful park for little kids. But not much for bigger kids and nothing for adults at least by today's standards. That lineup apparently worked in the 60's but open a new park with those attractions today and I don't see it lasting very long.

Family friendly is fine, but remember families with little kids turn into families with older kids. There has to be something for the older kids and adults othewise once they get older the kids will not want to go there.

I could not disagree with you more. Now, I'm not sure if you're a parent or not, but actually the line-up Pete mentioned is certainly for adults...with their kids, specifically.

What Cedar Point has today is a collection of wonderful little "little kids" section. They do not need to add one more ride for little kids.

They need more that everyone can do together...the mom, dad, teenage, and 8 year old.

I have a 14 and an 8 year old.

Back in the day when those were the best rides that the world offered everyone was happy. We didn't know any better. In todays world that is an incredibly boring park. How many 8 year olds in todays world think that a skyride or railroad or space spiral (RIP) is fun?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU88Bw_ivT8

djDaemon said:

Picklesthedrummer said:
Cedar Fair would be unlikely chose a ride like this because they can get just as an effective of a ride for getting people in the gate for 1/4th the cost.

Where are you getting your data from? It's fairly common (and easily-attainable) knowledge that the per cap for families (the target of family friendly rides) is higher than that of teens (the target of high-thrill rides).

So, no, CP would not get the same bang for 1/4 of the buck as Disney. That's not even a logical assumption.

My point is that Cedar Point spent $25 million on Millennium Force which is a coaster that people that gets people into the park. Just as Mission Space is an attraction that gets people into Epcot. Without Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster, I wouldn't have traveled 650 miles to get to the park. Much like how without Mission Space I would be a lot less likely to fork over $80 to enter Epcot.

The coaster wars are over. Get over it. The days of Cedar Fair or Six Flags dumping massive amounts on new high rides every other season are behind us. Yes they got lots of attention. Yes they got a lot of free publicity from the various shows on the Discovery Network channels. But like what was pointed out the parks are back to looking at the total family experience, not the teen, early twenties enthusiasts that will drive ten hours or more to get to a park. All you have to do is read the posts on this site and others to see that as a group enthusiasts spending habits put them at about the bottom of the list. This isn't what the corporations are looking for. They want the people that spend several times the gate admission every time the enter the park, not the ones that bring their own water and food (eating their cars in the parking lot, yeah I've done that in my youth) and buy little if any souveniers during the course of their visit. If you have enjoyed the results of the insanity of the coaster wars, good, but it wasn't going to last forever. Consider yourself lucky.

Shades, I do get that as well...I don't think anyone is suggesting bringing back what they had...no thanks.

What they need is today's modern equivalent of Pirate Ride, Earthquake, etc...in other words, they need to at at least 2 - 3 high quality, immersive attractions that appeal to a range of ages and that the family can enjoy together.

I have a feeling we agree on that.

Yes we do.

Kevin, you hit the nail directly on the head. 'Nuff said.

Yes, perfectly said Kevin.

The trick is to figure out what attraction can appeal across the age range. Make it too immersive (like Dark Kastle) and it scares the kids away. Make it too tame (like ???) and the older kids will be bored.

Picklesthedrummer said:
My point is that Cedar Point spent $25 million on Millennium Force which is a coaster that people that gets people into the park. Just as Mission Space is an attraction that gets people into Epcot.

Your original comment was the CP wouldn't choose a dark ride because the ROI isn't as appealing as the ROI for a coaster. The data indicates otherwise.

That isn't at all what I ment. My point is that it is more cost efficient to build a high caliber roller coaster than a high caliber dark ride. Now if Cedar Point could build a non-coaster attraction the level of Mission Space, etc, I believe they defiantly would, and should. It just cost a lot more to do that.

okay I know you said Mission Space was to much when i suggested it, but I was thinking. How much of the $100 million went to the research?
According to the video on the making of Mission space, it was the very first of its kind. They had to do a lot of research and development of new Technology before they could start building the ride.
How much of the $100 million went to the extras?
Remember that Mission: Space comprises four separate centrifuges, each with 10 capsules holding four riders, Cedar Point would not need that many. Disney also built a big play zone, and an interactive Mission control set up, that is all part of the cost. We would not need that, or the huge amount of theming in the queue.
It was also built in 2003, would it be the same price for the Technology now?
I just do not think if Cedar Point did a Mission Space type ride it would be $100 million.

If you drop all the theming from around it then you don't get a comparable ride, and I am pretty sure you are talking about having a comparable ride.

But yes the technology would most likely be cheaper, the components at least. Though there would still be a lot of R&D still needed, I don't think there is a company that does this as a product so placing a system like that in a park would take a lot of extra work.

No I am not talking about removing all the theming, but would we need a huge Gravity Wheel or an interactive Mission control center or play zone to go with a ride at Cedar Point.

Dragsterwiz said:
okay I know you said Mission Space was to much when i suggested it, but I was thinking. How much of the $100 million went to the research?

Hmmm that is actually a really good point that I did not consider. As far as I am aware it is the first of it's kind as well. I bet a good chunk of the cost was research.

I miss the days of Earthquake and Pirate Ride personally and was thrilled when Matt Ouimet hinted at the possibility of a future one at the off season tour 3/16. I love coasters as much as anyone and can't wait for GK but like others stated, there needs to be a balance in all types of attractions including ones that are in between the Kiddie Kingdom rides but smaller than the 48"-52" height requirements for kids not tall enough for Mine Ride, MF, and GK. One of the reasons I'm going to Kennywood in May.
Anyhow, I think a good area for a new one would be somewhere different like by the Marina if that area's ever utilized in the future park expansion with the removal of the Cedars Dorms (hint hint CP).