Disappointment

I was just wondering if anyone was disappointed when SFMM put in Superman: The Escape. If not, then I really don;t see why we should be upset about #16. I know CP usually adds long and quality coasters, but they can add shorts record breakers too.

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If life is full of ups and down, you better make sure your safety restraint is locked and ENJOY the ride.

The reason people would be disapointed if #16 is a L-TH-B, is because this is CP. No one ever expected anything good from SF, and when they got something that was almost worth waiting in line for, people were happy.

I'm sure this will definately be worth waiting in line for ;)

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Semi-current Cedar Point Webcam images...
http://jaysw0rld.tripod.com/hosting/cedarpoint/cpwebcam.html

I think there will be a giant hand on top giving the "bird" to SFWoA on the tower.

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Love,
The Mole

I never have been to SFMM so I can't say if S TE is good or bad. I also wouldn't say SFMM is a bad park that adds shoty rides. It looks pretty fun to me and one day I would love to visit. But when it comes to CP, EVERYONE always expects the best and getts the best. I am one who wishes this monster would be a tad longer, but I'll ride it before I make up my mind. I think there was some grumblings when STE was installed over if it was a coaster or not. Thats all I can recall.

There is no reason to dog Magic Mountain. That park really is on par with Cedar Point in many ways. Yes, Six Flags/Premier calls the shots but the park shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as a SFWoA or a SFKK.

Superman: The Escape created a major buzz in the industry and did garner lots of deserved attention.

Some people on here, who would complain if they hit the lottery for $1 million instead of $10 million, do not represent the majority of people who will be excited about CP's new ride.

I will be disappointed with CP IF this ride turns out to only be L-TH-B. Mainly, it's because I have always thought of CP as a park that "goes one better" than than the current "best" in a particular ride. This happened when Raptor was built higher, faster and with more inversions than Batman. It happened when WT was built higher and with twists on both ends. It also happened when Gemini, Magnum and MF all debuted as the "tallest, steepest, fastest" coasters for their time.

In keeping with that tradition, I just don't see how a simple L-TH-B ride will extend the envelope. Granted, it is certainly looking like it will probably be the tallest and fastest launching circuit coaster when it opens (although I still doubt that it will exceed 400'). But it just seems like such a waste to put all that potential energy into the train only to have it screech to a halt after coming down the hill.

Someone else in a previous post emphasized the fact that a circuit "coaster" is supposed to do just that. It nearly "coasts" to a stop while going over additional hills, turns, etc to "thrill" the rider. A lot of money is being spent on a launch system to throw the train up a big hill. It just seems like a much smaller amount of money has also been expended by CP to make this ride a thrill to the end.

Just my opinion.

Oh, and I am STILL looking for a reference to a true L-TH-B coaster that currently exists in the world. I don't think that there is one and this, to me, is further proof that CP isn't building one since they generally do not build a "first of its kind" type of ride.
*** This post was edited by CoasterBob 11/1/2002 11:41:46 AM ***

Why would anyone be dissapointed with a new thrill ride at Cedar Point? I am a native of Ohio. Moved when I was 18. I now live in North Carolina. I have been to Carowinds in North Carolina and Six Flags over Georgia. Neither of these parks were like Cedar Point and I will not go back to them. I am looking forward to what they are building. I made it to the point when they opened Mellenium Force, but did not make it last year. Did everyone complain when they built Wicked Twister?

Have you stopped to think that Cedar Point lost the title for the most coasters in one park and they may be trying to get it back? If they were to build a different type of coaster, design would take longer and so would construction. Maybe they didn't have enough time and this is the only way to get the title back now. Cedar Point usually only builds big rides every two years. This one is an exception, so it makes me think they are shooting for the title again. Maybe the are working on a bigger coaster for 2004?

I deffinately want to try to make it to the Point in 2003 and will ride this new ride. To me, there is no park like Cedar Point. I would like to see them build a flying coaster.

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John Carle said:
Did everyone complain when they built Wicked Twister?

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Yes - and some people complained about Millennium Force, too. Of course, if Cedar Point built a 18 looper mega woodie, then everyone would be happy.

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

*** This post was edited by Gemini 11/1/2002 12:06:48 PM ***

Ok, I've just about had it up to here with everyone complaining about the layout of CP2003. I really shouldn't be to upset about this since it happens every year, but nontheless, it's getting pretty bad. What part of a 400' coaster or a 100mph launch in around 4 seconds doesn't sound exciting? Last time I checked, there weren't many of these things around so I'm still trying to figure out how all those people who says that this thing "sux" got an early ride. Everyone out there raving about this thing gets the same argument as well. There are do definites about this ride until someone rides. Other than that it's pure speculation.

Am I disappointed by the layout? A little, but having ridden Xcelerator, I can say that the highlights of the ride are the launch and tophat. I certainly can do without more overbanks, especially at CP.

Appreciate the ride for what it is (and will proabably be) not what it isn't.

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Scott W. Short, Rail Junkie
mailto:scott@midwestcoastercentral.com
http://www.midwestcoastercentral.com

You mean an 18 looper mega woodie flyer. That goes uder the lagoon. In a clear tunnel so you can see the carp.

Please notice that I said that I would be disappointed WITH CP if it turns out to be a L-TH-B. Don't get me wrong. I will be just as excited as anyone to try this thing whatever the layout. I am pretty sure, however, that after checking it out once, I won't be waiting multiple times in a 2+ hour long line for a 10-15 second L-TH-B. How many of you coaster enthusiasts still wait 45-60 minutes for a ride on Demon Drop? Sure it was fun in its time, but you move on.

I'll cite a more recent example: WT. Now, unfortunately, I was not able to ride it since Intimin has seen in their infinite wisdom to make the seats on this ride SMALLER in the wake of us Americans getting more couch-potatoey each year. However, my kids and my neighbor and his kids all DID get to ride it and while they said it was exciting, they certainly did not want to ride it over and over again, all day. We have those kinds of feelings for rides like Raptor, Mantis, Magnum, MF and even Gemini. WT simply doesn't go anywhere like a nice circuit coaster does.

And I'll say it again - WHY WASTE ALL THAT POTENTIAL ENERGY???

And I'll ask it again - WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THERE AN L-TH-B (ONLY) COASTER? (and don't come back with "#16 at CP")

As someone who went to California this past summer to go to SFMM and KBF, I have opinions about both and the way their respective corporations run them. I have nothing against the quality of rides at any SF park. Goliath, S:TE, Viper, etc. were all quality rides in my opinion. KBF also had its own quality rides. Though there were better rides at SFMM, I enjoyed my time at KBF much better. The difference between the two is the atmosphere and attitude that is presented to the customer. At SFMM, line jumping is a sport. There must have been 50 people on Goliath that just walked right up to the front of the line and didn't give a crap about anyone they were cutting. Also, SFMM was a lot dirtier than KBF.

I got season passes with both SF and CF this year just for the economic advantages, but after my trip this summer, I will never get a SF season pass again.

I applaud INTAMIN for encouraging Americans to slim down!

I don't see how this new ride's length will hinder its appeal. Doesn't Power Tower get a good crowd for it's very short up and down ride? This ride will give you such a rush the short length will not matter.

Speaking of Wicked Twister, it doesn't really have that short of a ride. You go back and forth five times, so it is not a short ride. Does it make much difference if you go over the same track? It doesn't to me.

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Florida may have Disneyworld and Key West,
but Ohio has Cedar Point and Put-In-Bay.
It's great to live in Ohio!

I think everyone is pleased that CP is building number 16 - I think the disapointment comes on two levels: 1) Project 2003 was originally predicted to be a bigger version of Xcelerator. 2) Project 2003 could be (looks like) a terra version of WT not MF.

IMO, Project 2003 is a combination hybred version of Xcelerator and WT - launch and top hat of Xcelerator with the twists of WT. My personal disapointed stems from the fact the ride will be incredibly short, given the lines CP is known for (granted they do move fast), and CPs reputation of doing things one better than existing technology.

Again, IMO, Project 16 seems to bequick fix to the problem of MM going after the most coaster record, and CPs desire to have the tallest fastest coaster in the world (which is a good thing).

I am sure I will get off this monster and go WOW. I also suspect I will get off thinking 1) why did it end so quick, and what a waste of potential energy.

Project 2003 will be similar to Demon Drop and WT over the long haul - short lines and short interest due to the short nature of the ride. I was at CP this summer and was amazed how short the lines were for WT compared to Raptor, MF, and even Magnum. We waited less than 15 minutes for WT, which was good - but I only went on it twice - I prefered waiting the hour for MF, and suspect unfortunatly I will have the same opinion of Project 2003.

IMO CP cut some corners, which is not like them.

Tom

Ok.....I have now changed my views on how I feel about the new ride and what people are saying.. As I stated before a L-TH-B would SUCK. But I have thought it over and if this thing reaches anywhere from 375-400+ Feet it won't matter how short the ride is...The drop is going to be at 90 degrees...It will be awesome....UnREAL.....I got a good rush out of Hypersonic at PKD the first few times and that's only 180 feet! We'll just have to wait and see I guess,, Either way I'll be there and I'll ride it!!

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L-TH-B IS OK WITH ME!

I guess you can say I've been converted by the L-TH-B PREACHERS!! I just was to darn stubborn I guess............

Tom, I agree whole-heartedly with what you're saying. Now, I don't wanna get off on a rant here, but not a single short ride in the park boasts the lines of the long rides in the park. Demon Drop, great thrill, but only one thrill, short lines. Wicked Twister, very unique and fun, only been in for two seasons and the lines are short. Power Tower, one of my favorite rides due to the short lines and the great air time you get when you don't close the OTSH all the way and leave about a 2 inch gap between it and your legs. All these rides are great rides, nobody is saying they aren't, and noone is saying that #16 won't be.

My personal love for roller coasters comes from the ability to scream from the top of my lungs throughout the entire ride to keep the adrenaline flowing. On the short rides I don't get to scream as long so I think that takes away from the rides. I know this prolly sounds stupid and all but it's true for me.

Chief Wahoo Said

"Some people on here, who would complain if they hit the lottery for $1 million instead of $10 million, do not represent the majority of people who will be excited about CP's new ride"

So are you telling me that you would take $1 million over $10 million. Nobody here is saying they won't take the money, or not ride the ride. They're saying that they would much rather have $10 million that $1 million, and I would have a hard time believing that anyone would take $1 million if they could have $10 million.

As for CP trying to keep the most coasters record. If that's the case then I've lost some respect for them. They have always been about quality. There has never been a real challenger to most coasters until MM went on a rampage. I think the title of most coasters is ridiculous. How many of CP's classics, Raptor, Mantis, Magnum, Millie, have been in the top 10 for coasters? How many of MM's have been in the top 10? Who gives a crap if MM has more rides. CP's selling point should be the number of QUALITY coasters they have. Screw quantity. I don't go to CP because they have a lot of roller coasters. I go because they have the most quality coasters in one park. You can't find that in many other places. I'm not trying to diss MM I'm just saying that CP should focus on what it's fan's are saying. I want quality before quantity any day. If they want the tallest and fastest, then that's all it will be, the tallest and fastest. Will it be the best? I'll find out when I ride it. CP is about innovation. They always have been, which is why expectations from some park goers are high.

Just understand that when people complain about wanting more, it's because CP has always given us more. Are we ungreatful? Heck no! Does wanting more mean we won't accept less? Heck no! We agree that this ride is going to kick ass. Could it kick more ass? Most definitely.

Peace, I'm out!

CP and SFMM are on a totally different level than any other park in the world. But CP is still the best, not by much through. I love CP, and I have never been to SFMM, but it will also have 16 coasters, so their right there with CP.