Mantis removal or transformation?

magdrag95 said:
@TonyClarkCP:

Btw, u have 13 operating days left to ride Mantis before it leaves our ride lineup forever. #CPMantis #LastStand

-Still sounds an awful lot like a complete removal. Seriously.

I think the opposite actually. By pushing the "leaving our lineup forever" line, I think he's just teasing the speculation out there and trying to throw us off the track. Mantis as it stands is technically leaving the lineup forever, but a coaster with a new identity (but old track) could take its place.

Maybe they're going to try and squash the Mantis by dropping the Mean Streak on top of it.

Or maybe they're going to make a new coaster out of Mantis and Mean Streak parts.

Erikjc said:

magdrag95 said:
@TonyClarkCP:

Btw, u have 13 operating days left to ride Mantis before it leaves our ride lineup forever. #CPMantis #LastStand

-Still sounds an awful lot like a complete removal. Seriously.

I think the opposite actually. By pushing the "leaving our lineup forever" line, I think he's just teasing the speculation out there and trying to throw us off the track. Mantis as it stands is technically leaving the lineup forever, but a coaster with a new identity (but old track) could take its place.

How about a third option, "leaving our lineup forever" sure leaves the door open for Mantis to be in someone else's lineup eh?

I think one thing that can be agreed on is that the existing Mantis track (which cost $12 million back in 1996) will not be trashed/scrapped all together.

Here's 4 scenarios that I can think of:
1. Keep at park & convert to a floorless w/new name.
2. Relocate Mantis as-is inside of CP to free up real estate in that part of park for future attraction.
3. Relocate to another CF park (just need new footers)and free up future real estate. Would be a permanent removal at CP.
4. Scrap all together (losing investment,least likely IMO).

A thought that I had: is it possible that the green "test" paint that was spotted might be marking where future track could be added onto Mantis, extending its layout? Mantis is currently at 3900 feet.

***1 title that CP has NEVER claimed: coaster with the longest amount of track (current title holder: Steel Dragon's 8133 ft. in Japan). It could be done if they incorporated the entire unused lagoon area. That would be something different.
BTW, what is this thrill ride aimed at teens for 2015? Will this incorporate the existing Mantis structure or be something totally new?

NWLB said:

eefeene said:

or maybe the tab labelled floorless?

http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com/product/floorless-coaster

Donno, I think the hyper trains match better with what they would be replacing. Floorless, floored, just a sit-down to me in either case.

Of course if they torn it down and sold the scraps in the stores I'd consider it an improvement. I liked the ride when it opened but after the scarf break was inserted into the first hill and just from the let-down the ride turns into after the first loop I didn't bother going back.

I was merely pointing out that you had completely overlooked the page on their site that is actually about floorless coasters.

since you are pushing the issue, I actually think the hypercoaster trains would be nicer

This coaster is not being added on to. You can't just add more track and call it good. you need a bigger lift hill, more structural support, etc. This coaster is being taken out and put at another CF park. This is a great ride for some of the more mid-size parks. It will be painted green (the color of the test paint). It MAY be made floorless at its new home, but either way it will live on.

DRE420 said:
Those 2 tweets from Tony yesterday have me wondering, the first tweet said "LOT going on today, A LOT", then he tweets that hilarious to do list, but the thing on that list that hasn't been mentioned is relocating Mantis. What if, and this is a big if, they move, re-theme, and rename Mantis to some other area in the park? Say maybe the old dorm area that was removed a year or so ago? The words LOT and A LOT screams parking lot to me for some reason. Thoughts?

Parking lot = Cars... The cars by Bluestreak.. Could it be relocated to there?

Coloradocoaster said:
This coaster is not being added on to. This coaster is being taken out and put at another CF park. This is a great ride for some of the more mid-size parks. It will be painted green (the color of the test paint).

You seem so sure of yourself. I am of the belief that it is going to be converted, but even I don't speak it like its gospel. Nobody knows for sure what is happening. Its best to not speak like you know, because you run the risk of looking stupid once the announcement is made.

Hahaha i like that ^

Wouldn't everyone want a nice, brand new, state of the art ride rather than an 18 year old coaster with new trains? I don't see what the fascination is in converting Mantis at CP. it would make a fine ride at a smaller park, either stand-up or sit-down. But, by modern standards, it is a relatively short, older coaster that is all strong, positive G's because of the stand-up design. Half of you will still complain because of the strong positive G forces. Don't expect to create a Dominator just by putting new trains on the ride.

^^ He isn't speaking like "it's the gospel". He is simply referencing basic physics.

Speed is created by a drop, and he is simply saying that the train will not have enough energy to travel the addition you suggest (albeit a launch is not added, but now we are really off track).

The layout definitely won't be added to.

magdrag95 said:
^^ He isn't speaking like "it's the gospel". He is simply referencing basic physics.

Speed is created by a drop, and he is simply saying that the train will not have enough energy to travel the addition you suggest (albeit a launch is not added, but now we are really off track).

The layout definitely won't be added to.

Not at all true, taking out and adding or otherwise changing elements of the ride while keeping other parts the same is just as likely as adding new trains to the existing layout. Physics in general tells me that they can alter weights on the train, along with track elements while still only needing the energy supplied by the current height of the lift hill.

Pete said:
Wouldn't everyone want a nice, brand new, state of the art ride rather than an 18 year old coaster with new trains? I don't see what the fascination is in converting Mantis at CP. it would make a fine ride at a smaller park, either stand-up or sit-down. But, by modern standards, it is a relatively short, older coaster that is all strong, positive G's because of the stand-up design. Half of you will still complain because of the strong positive G forces. Don't expect to create a Dominator just by putting new trains on the ride.

Pete brings up a good point. Here's what I think.

All rides, especially B&M roller coasters, pretty much have the same elements (cobra rolls, corkscrews, half loops, helix turns, large loops, air time hills, etc.) Compare almost every B&M sit-down looper, standup and floor less, and to some degree they are pretty much all the same ride except put together in a different order.

As a Floridian, I've had my share of rides on Kumba, Kraken and Hulk, as well as been on Dominator, Hydra, Wildfire and others. There really isn't that big of a difference in them. Even look at Gatekeeper. They all have the same or similar elements put together in a different order.

When I look at Mantis' layout, I see a great combination of elements. The problem is the standing. It's like driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway--- a beautifully scenic, winding highway. If you drive the Blue Ridge Parkway with a bicycle seat between your legs, I'm sure it will suck. You drive the Parkway on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in a convertible, you will have a memorable experience.

What about Mantis' layout is flawed? I think its an awesome layout. What does it have or lack that is present on other famous B&M sit-down/floorless coasters ?

So even if we did get a brand new shiny B&M sit-down looper.... what would it have that Mantis doesn't? A cobra roll? There are only a limited number of elements that a coaster can have and Mantis has a good bunch of those.

My somewhat plausible pipe dream:
1. Relocate Mantis to a different park
2. In the space occupied by Mantis on the railroad side of the lagoon, put a mouse in a box (or dark ride intense enough for teens). The entrance would be in same location as Mantis entrance. This would keep the big building hidden behind trees and not obstructing any views. But still allow a showy front facade visible from causeway.
3. Convert onride photo building and surrounding area to dining with view down the lagoon (pretty it up a bit perhaps).
4. (really dreaming here) On the other side of the lagoon in the space occupied by transfer tracks and station, relocate Dinosaurs Alive. Enter it via bridge over lagoon on the "Mantis" causeway and wander around former Mantis lift hill area and in amongst Iron Dragon. Then might even be able to bring back PWE.

Some thoughts on Tony's supposedly fake to-do list:
Steps 7 & 8 are coaster tunnel & boardwalk. In the done column, you can't see if they're checked off or not! They could be :) a coaster tunnel would fit with the boardwalk too, makes sense ya know.

Also kinda disappointed/bummed when I said this and people called me out, saying they hope I'm being sarcastic. So this time I'll lay it out better.
The list:
1. Call RMC
2. Purchase Aquatrax
3. Relocate Mantis
4. Build Dark Ride
5. Go over 500 ft.
6. Coaster tunnel into Lake Erie
7. Build boardwalk

Ok I will lay this out one step at a time do you can see how obvious it just can't be a coincidence.
First letters of each line/step: CPRBGCB

ok if the first two are CP, that can't mean cedar point, what are the chances?
Next two letters: CPRB. Cedar point is not record breaking, how absurd to think the fort four letters are cedar point record breaking.

Skip the 5th letter for a moment.

The last two words are "Coaster" and "Build", which stand for their letters.
So we go back to add line #5, which is a g, and what else could this stand for but "Cedar Point Record Breaking Giga Coaster Build".

Not sarcastic, I know it's absurd to think that CP does any form of marketing, guerrilla marketing, tricks, hints, no, they don't do that!
It's absurd to not even consider that they would do something like that. and please don't disrespect me! (And say I hope that was sarcasm.

CF park carowinds claims tallest fastest giga for 2015, so we know CP wouldn't just suddenly outdo them but who knows. I think CP could do this 2016 or go after another giga record like steepest or longest.

Come on where's all my engrammers???

Another thing worth mentioning is that all words are capitalized except 5: over, feet, tunnel, into, boardwalk. And something else kinda weird is that where he wrote the day, he wrote "MonDay". Maybe that's just how he always writes it but I think there's something to notice in the capital letters, or words with caps & vice versa.

Also the words he uses to say things seem a little off, like there would be a secret message. Like "go over 500 feet" I thought like move over, 500 ft from here. Not up.

Pete said:
Wouldn't everyone want a nice, brand new, state of the art ride rather than an 18 year old coaster with new trains? I don't see what the fascination is in converting Mantis at CP. it would make a fine ride at a smaller park, either stand-up or sit-down. But, by modern standards, it is a relatively short, older coaster that is all strong, positive G's because of the stand-up design. Half of you will still complain because of the strong positive G forces. Don't expect to create a Dominator just by putting new trains on the ride.

You don't see the fascination but you have probably felt it in your legs/blood vessels unless you ride in the back. All those positive g's ya speak of.

I think the coaster will be completely removed and relocated to another park. Why convert it to a sit down and follow the same 18 year old course of track? Remember the last time the park tried to take a "dog ride" and change it? An ugly warehouse that blocked the beach for 22 years.

Oh yeah and of they do usually "break ground" for he next years coasts before that season ends, I think they could use the old footers from mantis and mate they even poured footers at night back there in the swamp where nobody goes anyway so we wouldn't notice. And this guess would finally explain why they have to close mantis earlier than park closes.

The mouse in a box idea is such a good Idea.. Ive been saying that for a while..

But a new unique wild mouse type ride indoors (cheaper for this type of coaster due to size) and then THEME IT LIKE CRAZY.. random 90 degree drops in the dark.. slow portions.. fast portions.. hairpin turns.. That would be great.

This is getting brutal. Pages and pages of the same thing. Ensign Smith, you've made this thread worth reading. Stand up comedian... classic ;)