Further decline of space spiral

Ensign Smith said:
I believe Andrew was talking about ride aesthetics. Gemini is a steel tracked coaster, but its structure and appearance are most definitely those of a woodie.

Exaxctly... thank you.

Jerreus said:
I highly doubt CP would ever dismantle or relocate BS, being the first coaster ever to go into CP its very unlikely.

I thought the switch back railway was the first coaster at Cedar Point ever. Now it (blue streak) is in fact the oldest operating coaster there.

Edit: Clarification
*** Edited 6/4/2007 8:28:29 PM UTC by cedarpoint24/7***

Since when is the Switchback Railway still operating?

Well, according to Doc, since yesterday. Says Marty.
*** Edited 6/4/2007 2:13:56 AM UTC by mk522***

Loopy said:
What's funny is that it (Disaster Transport) shuts down in rain.

Some genius thought it'd be smart to put open vents directly above the trough so when it rains the trough gets wet and the trains can't stop.

Disaster Transport does not have any braking problems due to rain anymore. The problem now is that the shuttles skid in the trough when standing water is present. The covered track sections are made of fiberglass and actually leak. The biggest problem is the drop after the large building area with the helix. Water drips down from the roof and streams along the trough past the first small room to a drain in the trough. As the shuttle passes over the standing water it splashes it around and makes the curve slippery. The shuttle's rear jerks to the right pretty hard. Often, it slips and hits the guard rail, once in a while it hits the guard rail so hard that the left side jumps up in the air.

Two other areas that cause problems sometimes but rarely cause the ride to shut down is the turn right after the lift. This jerks pretty hard. Another location is the small building before the long straight track. This one jerks pretty hard too. During consistent hard rain, the shuttle slips elsewhere.

The thing that gets the ride down and keeps it down is consistent rain. It doesn't really matter how hard as long as it keeps coming and the ride will go down. It takes a good amount of time for this to happen after the rain starts. Once the trough gets enough water in it, it requires time running and a lack of additional water to dry it out.

I wonder how complicated it would be to retrofit it into a gyro drop.

Why would CP need/want a gyro drop when it allready has 2 S&S Space Shots, 2 S&S Turbo Drops and an Intamin 1st Generation drop not to mention 3 coasters with >80 degree drops?

it seems like that whole area from the front of the park needs to be refurbished in a major way... DT, DD, and SS. Its kind of sad.

I actually have a skyline pic from space spiral that is actually pretty nice for being off of a disposable camera. I'll probably post it sometime soon here.

cplover said:
My 4 year old loves space spiral and when we rode it 2 weeks ago it was spinning. As for DT he is going to be able to ride it next year.
So unless they intend on putting something in the a 46 inch kid can ride, leave it alone. I never realized how much the park lacked for a kid that is done with kiddy land and ready for the bigger stuff. He wanted to ride Blue Streak so bad the last time we were there.

I agree with you there, there are too few intermediate rides for kids like this, that want something more thrilling than Camp Snoopy but aren't ready or tall enough to ride the bigger coasters.

I also agree that SS serves a purpose. When I was a kid, that was one of the rides I really liked. I would hate to see it removed, even if we got another coaster in that area. CP does need to keep a variety of attractions. Besides, a trip up there helps new people see the park, and can help you find your car in the parking lot when you've forgotten where you parked, in a hurry to get in line for Maverick. (Not that's ever happened to me...) ;-)

I think the location of Wicked Twister and MaxAir was Cedar Point's way of trying to bring crowds over to DT's area. I don't really mind the front of the park, but that's only because I am there for the coasters. I don't know what the folks at CP would do to make it look nicer.

Sorry to disagree with most, but I like the Space Spiral and hope its not going anywhere.

DemonUp2005 said:

* Disaster Transport would be removed to clear the view toward the lake;

* A new flume ride would be built where the DT actually is. The flume ride would go above the beach up to the lake. Once the DT removed, I think that the free space would be enough to built a flume ride.

* The roller coaster count would remain at 17 with the addition of new family spin coaster, where the empty Aquatic Stadium actually is.

I agree with all that. That would be an excellent location for a slow ride like a log flume where you have time to enjoy the view. I've never been on the get rid of DT bandwagon, but that does sound like a better alternative.
*** Edited 6/4/2007 2:49:17 PM UTC by decil76***

Gomez said:
Ask some guest at the park, "Why don't you ride Space Spiral"?

I can guarantee that you won't hear someone say, "Because the windows are dirty, there's no A/C, and the auto spiel is annoying". What they'll probably say is "What's Space Spiral?".

Wow, you really underestimate the GP. You really think they would be oblivious to the second tallest structure in the park and one of first things you see coming in from the parking lot? Hmm... I don't think so.

Not just that, but if CP builds a ride, its their responsibility to maintain the ride in good condition. Just because it's not popular it doesn't mean it should be disregarded and allowed to degrade into a giant hunk of junk. Just like DT, even though people will ride the thing anyways, the theming and whatever else should be properly maintained in order to make the experience better, in order to give the rider something to remember. It doesn't reflect well on the park when people notice that the "theming" on DT sucks and the Space Spiral cabin is a non-spinning, annoying spiel blaring oven whose windows you can't even see out of. When everything is up to snuff, then guest satisfaction will improve dramatically.

Quite frankly, I think improving overall customer happiness is what CP needs to focus on the next couple of years rather than building expensive new rides. It will have a much bigger long-term impact on guests and likely bring more people to the park.
*** Edited 6/4/2007 4:46:36 PM UTC by ramboozle***

Ever since I was a child, the Space Spiral has always put the Point into Cedar Point, in my mind. I don't think I could even imagine Cedar Point without this ride, or something similar to it in the years to come.

Unfortunately, the addition of MaXair and WT worked for about one season, and now that area of the park is no more busy than it used to be..WT is a walk-on in a lot of cases.

This is where CP doesn't see the bigger picture. Adding a new ride or two doesn't increase traffic to an area of a park over time, it increases short-term. Building up the entire area, adding good quality restaurants, maybe a new stage for outdoor shows, a boardwalk with up-to-date games, in addition to adding very unique flat rides would really bring back the WT midway area.

Granted, MaXair is a great ride, but that alone doesn't do a whole lot. CP also has a lot of space available in the Ballroom, maybe someday that could be brought back. Currently, I believe thats where the Payroll offices are located.

That's just IMO.

I was under the impression that the Ballroom is fully restored and used for special gatherings and such. Is this correct?

Yes you are correct. An example is physics day, they have a lecture and q&a session up there.

cedarpointlover said:
Since when is the Switchback Railway still operating?

Sorry for my lack of proof reading... I was in a hurry...I meant to say blue streak was the oldest operating... which I'm sure you knew ;)
*** Edited 6/4/2007 8:32:31 PM UTC by cedarpoint24/7***

mk522 said:
Unfortunately, the addition of MaXair and WT worked for about one season, and now that area of the park is no more busy than it used to be..WT is a walk-on in a lot of cases.

This is where CP doesn't see the bigger picture. Adding a new ride or two doesn't increase traffic to an area of a park over time, it increases short-term. Building up the entire area, adding good quality restaurants, maybe a new stage for outdoor shows, a boardwalk with up-to-date games, in addition to adding very unique flat rides would really bring back the WT midway area.

Granted, MaXair is a great ride, but that alone doesn't do a whole lot. CP also has a lot of space available in the Ballroom, maybe someday that could be brought back. Currently, I believe thats where the Payroll offices are located.

That's just IMO.

Yes like with Maverick going in the back over the years hopefully more people will be attracted back there and more attractions in Frontiertown will get more recognition..I think thats what CP is trying to do with the last two years being attractions added back there with Skyhawk and Maverick.

I stand corrected on the ballroom, I think I was going for a more public use of the overall space, meaning the gaming section underneath...but I know I'll start a war if I even begin to mention renovating that building to its glory days...