Farewell, Wildcat.

Judging by the number of emotional comments posted here, I am suprised that management isn't auctioning off some of the key parts of Wildcat (operator console, cars, signs, heck, even the individual lights) as part of a fundraiser for a charity. They could still get the scrap $ for the metal, and a lot of good PR spin off the whole process - plus get free news mention of what is replacing it.

I thought I heard something about Cedar Point saving the WildCat cars, controls, and the chain lift? It might have been a rumor though.

When I examined it from the midway last spring, I realized that Wildcat had one of the most elaborate control systems in the park, just to operate the unload station brakes.

I expect they will keep and probably repurpose every working part of that control system. It would be very un-Cedar Point-like of them not to. Come to think of it, (thinking about what they did at Geauga Lake when they took down Mr. Hyde), I could see some of the other mechanical components having a second life at Cedar Point.

Not sure what the cars would be good for at this point, though....

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

Certainly they'll keep a car or two for Halloweekends. They would look pretty cool painted black or something

Motorize them and rent them out to people to get around the park. :-)

For an extra charge, I'm sure. :)

I think I was most saddened to read that they are sending the parts "to a recycling plant" i.e. scrapyard? I would think CP could have auctioned it off to somewhere (even a private collector-esp. since it IS easily moved). Guessing that had they made this decision earlier, they may have tried this; again so sad to see it go to the trash heap. It wasn't a huge thrill, but a lot of fun (a great "giggle coaster"), and I have many fond memories of it. I hope Luminosity lives up to the hype.

I am someone who has long thought Cedar Point needs to focus more on family (not kiddie) attractions and as much as they are going to tout this year as adding new things for the family, I was happier with last years attractions. We lost Paddlewheel, which was something absolutely everyone could ride and a coaster that is smaller and easier to get people on (I know growing up it was a lot less intimidating looking than Iron Dragon even though riding it probably wasn't; meanwhile we Disaster Transport seemed like kind of an unknown being covered up).

What did we get in their place? An upcharge (I don't count that as added attraction if I'm paying extra for it) and a new show (which might be good and I'm not unhappy about, but doesn't come close to make up for the rides gone). They really need to focus on a few decent family rides going forward (maybe a dark one).

The ruination of Cedar Point is nearly complete.

You know, I found it annoying that because Jeff pointed out the post about feeling betrayed, several posters jumped on the bandwagon to point that out, even questioning tcgolfer’s sanity/ability as a ride operator.

Are you guys really serious? Do you think tcgolfer brought Wild Cat a cup of coffee every morning and talked about the latest sports game with it? Or said “Hey Wild Cat, there’s a sweet party this weekend that you’re invited to; I hear there’s going to be a Wild Mouse there.” ;)

Maybe it wasn’t the best possible word choice or wording, but I don’t think anyone should have gotten hung up on that. Step back and take a look at what the post was really about…someone very familiar to a ride, where the ride had a surprise failure. Of course you’re going to build trust in the functioning of the ride and lose some of that after the failure. He didn’t trust the ride in a personifiable way but had expectations based on his 100’s of thousands of past ride experiences.

Betray - to disappoint the hopes or expectations of

Wild Cat disappointed the hopes or expectations of tcgolfer.

Anyway, if you wouldn’t say something in person, don’t post it online. Anyone has the right to feel saddened by and question the loss of a ride/attraction or the style it was lost in. Most of the people making posts about how Wild Cat was just a stupid ride would be hypocrites themselves when one of their favorites was lost.

I cannot believe what i'm reading here. People talking about their loss of a ride. I swear that if i didn't know any better I'd think some of you had a family member pass away. Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought we were talking about a coaster here. A machine! If you are really that torn apart by it go and have a funeral service at the recycling center, grieve and get over it!

For the record, yes I did ride Wildcat and yes, I did enjoy it. However, there are many more rides at the park for me to ride! I'm pretty certain that life will go on and I'll still have a damn good time at the park.

Ffej said:
because Jeff pointed out the post

I don't understand what you're trying to get at. Was the original post invisible until Jeff quoted it?

I wonder what the comments would be if the Internet existed when they took Jumbo Jet out?

I don't believe the park made an announcement, at least I didn't hear it if they did. What I remember is going over by Jumbo Jet and seeing Wildcat in its place.

I don't remember anyone really bothered by it. I got in line for Wildcat and wondered about Jumbo Jet not being there, but didn't really make a big deal about it. I just shrugged my shoulders and enjoyed the rest of the day. I think the Internet really brings out a lot of drama and over exaggeration.

I know I might get quoted on here, but it's alright. My thought is what's the big deal? I mean for most people, they skipped Wildcat just for the fact that the line was very slow moving. Another thing in my opinion that I will bring up is that even though it's a family ride, more people were in line line for Iron Dragon than Wildcat. This is from what I seen last year from 2011.

collchris2003 said:
I think I was most saddened to read that they are sending the parts "to a recycling plant" i.e. scrapyard? I would think CP could have auctioned it off to somewhere (even a private collector-esp. since it IS easily moved).

Easily moved, are you sure? I am thinking that over the years they more than likely welded the track together to give it added stability therefore making it immovable.

I talked to two people today that have been to Cedar Point a couple different times, one as a coaster enthusiast and the other lives in Cleveland and goes every couple years.

I told the enthusiast that Wild Cat was being taken down, her reply "Oh that crappy carnival coaster, good"

And the reply from the one who lives in Cleveland, "Good I haven't taken my family on that ride in a few years due to the safety issues."

So these two comments tell me that the general public overall won't notice and if they do won't care that the Wild Cat is gone.

Walt said:

I don't understand what you're trying to get at. Was the original post invisible until Jeff quoted it?

Walt, I'd bet you a large sum of money that if Jeff hadn't posted that, we wouldn't have seen people confidently attacking how stupid and worrisome the word betrayed was when discussing a ride, when this person was sad about losing one of their favorites (it was not even Jeff's original intent of the post the way I understood his). It was if the flood gates opened for a free shot to attack something; a little more respect would have been nice to see considering tcgolfer's attachment to the ride - I doubt people would have acted that way in person.

Pete, yes, the Internet has changed things dramatically. The difference back then is that people still had those thoughts, but there was nowhere to connect with a pool of hardcore fans to vent with. I can't tell you how many times I've heard my Dad mention Jumbo Jet, the Trabant, the double ferris wheel, etc. Had he been younger and had the Internet at his hands, maybe he'd be a forum member...or maybe venting / reminiscing about old rides just runs in the blood line. :)

I just think that some people here aren't taking into account that others may be fond of WildCat and need to show a little sensitivity when discussing the topic of it's removal. That doesn't mean you can't state your opinion or even be glad it's gone (I am) but it does mean you should consider the situation and how what you say may come across as antagonistic to some. Having spent 20 years of my life at Geauga Lake, I can sympathize with what some here are going through. The natural reaction is to search for answers and to lash out. They'll eventually accept what's going on but in the meantime, I suggest not fanning the flames as many here are doing. Feel free to correct them if they're wrong but please be respectful.

That said, there really isn't anything at Cedar Point outside Millennium Force that would upset me if it left. I get more upset when something at Disney or Universal is removed, as I get more attached to those attractions and was pretty upset that I didn't get to say goodbye to Jaws. Those kind of attractions have characters and stories and when they're removed, it's like finding out the last remaining negative of your favorite movie has been burned and that no copies survive (digital or otherwise), just still photographs (I miss JII and Horizons, thank god for virtual recreations).

bobby79 said:
The ruination of Cedar Point is nearly complete.

I'm not quite sure how the removal of this ride would qualify as ruining the park. I'm curious as to if you could explain this more.

Rides come and go and after 40 some years of going to parks I have seen a lot come and go. I remember coming to the park as a teenager and found the Sky Wheel gone. In my preteen years that was my favorite ride. But life goes on. The Wild Cat certainly won't be the last ride CP removes and probably not the last coaster they remove. Like I said before if this ride was at any other park it probably would have been removed years ago. KI had a galaxy in the 1970s called Baravian Beetle and that was removed about the time the Beast opened.
I think the strong reaction here and on facebook and other places is one it was a coaster and Cedar Point just doesn't remove coasters. Probably any park fan under the age of 40 doesn't remember the last time the did that. Removing coasters is what other parks did not Cedar Point. And secondly the timing of it. I don't recall them ever announcing a retirement of the ride just days before it opened.

Ffej said:
Are you guys really serious? Do you think tcgolfer brought Wild Cat a cup of coffee every morning and talked about the latest sports game with it?

He could. Makes me think back to a girl that worked on Mantis, she gave the ride a hug every morning and seriously considered it HER ride. She had a creepy attachment to it and hearing some of the things tcgolfer has said reminds me of her. I actually wondred what she would do when they remove Mantis. I have a feeling a candle light vigil would be hosted by her along with a lot of crying. There are Ride Hosts out there that are like that, its not uncommon at Cedar Point.