I really miss the excursion boats

Tilt-a-Whirl said:

Jeff said:
Judging by the number of people doing Paddlewheel on its last few days (read: very few), I don't think it was widely heralded as an essential ride.

I would say this is because the demographic that enjoy these types of rides has stopped going to the park in the last 10-15 years. The 1980's had so much more for older folks to enjoy. I think the park is heading back in this direction, but it will take awhile for word to spread that Cedar Point isn't just about Coasters.

Being one of those older folks, I would like to see this ride back. We are not always up to the Millenium, or the TTD. I am now 78 and my wife, a young 70 who loves coasters.Me, not as much.

I don't think its just older folks -- I'm in my early 50's and LOVED both Western Cruise and the Paddlewheel Excursion, going on them every single triip (10 or 12 times a summer on my season pass)...there isn't a single coaster I need to ride every trip, or even most trips...

Western Cruise was significantly different in theming from Paddlewheel excursion -- there are plenty of YouTube videos you can check out --

THe boats were different (you often got wet from the paddlewheel if you sat toward the sides in the back)...there was an entire Fort Sandusky you went past, and a "sunken" Western Cruise ship that was on fire...and more importantly, you did not see any other rides or hear them while you were on it, until you reached Frontiertown and saw a bit of the Mine Ride in the background (at that time one of the longest lines in the park) -- but it wasn't all exposed the way it was with the Paddlewheel Excursion --- Little Squirt was still there, as was the lighthouse and some of the other theming, but there was much much more of it...

That all disappeared in 87. Quite frankly, I think getting rid of it had more to do with the expense of the boats, the long period of training needed for staff (the ride was untracked and free floating, meaning there is much higher liability for Cedar Fair)...it wasn't cost effective.

Now I miss Western Cruise! Dang!

No kidding!

*wipes a tear*

Gone forever.

I'd forgotten about the burning boat! WC was a great ride.

It was the Delta Queen. I remember!! Although there may have been more than one over the years.

Back in the 60's the Western Cruise ride was not for the older demographic, everyone enjoyed it and it was a major attraction. They actually had two lines going and loaded two boats at the dock simultaneously all day long. Those were the original big boats. The ride was extremely popular and always packed. The boat captains had the same sometimes serious, sometimes funny banter that they had during Paddlewheel Excursions, but the ride was much longer and more detailed. Back then, it really approached a Disney family ride in scope and entertainment value.

I did Jungle Cruise last week, which in practical terms is a similar experience. Sure, people lined up for it and lots of folks used Fastpass, but I wonder how much of that was just the Fastpass system suggesting it. It's only the third time I've bothered lifetime. Meh, it's OK. My kid was more interested in the Tiki Room.

Hey, them's fightin' words.

Ok, Jungle Cruise isn't exactly a B&M looper but I think the immersive experience, the fact that it is rather unique, etc all make it a classic. Oh, and the skippers can be funny too.

It's more fun at night, in my opinion, and while they may not get away with R-rated versions of the ride anymore those were really the best.

Pretty close to the Western Cruise experience I remember as a kid, better than PWE in my opinion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utb-yvX9AeA

Since it is extremely unlikely the Point will ever have a piloted inland boat ride again, I think something like the following would make a nice replacement:
http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/WaterRides/Tow+Boat+Ride/...fault.aspx

Before anyone else mentions it, yes that is a link to Intamin's web site. There are other manufactures that make similar rides if the manufacture is an issue.

A partial list of items which would make this ride type a good choice for Cedar Point to add includes:
1. Very good capacity
2. The ride, with a little bit of place-making, can draw all age ranges, including the ability for families to ride together.
3. Ride type does not require any higher staffing levels than similar capacity rides.

It looks like it might work as a replacement, but it would have to be themed. I'm still not sure why they got rid of the excursion ride anyway.

The only problem with this is that it's made or marketed by Intamin.

Dutchman said:
The only problem with this is that it's made or marketed by Intamin.

Why is that bad?

Some people have issues with Intamin because of the variety of problems many of their attractions have.

Anyway, looks interesting, but doubt we'll ever get anything like it. I'd like to be proven wrong though.

Nobody "loves to hate Intamin". It's just that nobody feels the love for Intamin anymore after their recent streak of.. issues.

Edited my comment to eliminate the generalization.

I had no idea that Intamin had a bad reputation. I guess you guys know more than I do. I just wait in line, ride the ride, and go looking for something else to do.(usually eat)I am really impressed by the technical knowledge I find here.

By the way -- Jungle Cruise at WDW has ALWAYS had long waits, even without fastpass...even on a non-peak day it is not surprising to have a 40 minute wait all day long for Jungle Cruise

People love boats -- and they love corny jokes -- and they love the classic Disney theming for JC....

Unlike The Paddlewheel Excursion at CP, though, the Jungle Cruise boats are tracked.