Mean streak is not closing in July

He's using the aproximate cost of a GCI. Prowler, for example, cost $8 million, Apocalypse was $10 million, and American Thunder was $8 million.

Prowler (and this is generally true for the others) is also a 2-train coaster with a capacity of 850pph, not to mention a drop height of 85' and a top speed of 52mph. In other words, not exactly something CP would install given their history.

Since we're talking money figures....how much did Rougarou transformation cost?

3 Trains, plus paint, plus station and system upgrades. I'm thinking less than $5 million.

MS likely costs upwards of millions, annually. I propose that on the last operating day of the current architecture, WHEN that arrives - giant red $ $ $ balloons shall be released at random. #RCTFL #RMCFTW

No one ever thought it was closing in July. It will likely close in August if it does.

As others have pointed out recently, the original rumor was July would be the last month it is operating this season. Tony saying it won't close next month doesn't preclude that. However, if MS is closing even at the end of the month, or in early August, you would think they'd announce that at least two weeks early, so people could get their last rides in. So if we haven't heard anything about it closing in the next couple of weeks or so, I'd begin to believe that it's unlikely to be closing that early this season... Disaster Transport's closing was announced July 13th of 2012, and was closed on the 29th. So that was just over two week's notice. So if July 31 is its last day of operation, a similar time-frame would place the announcement on July 15...

And again... As far as ROI for Cedar Point, as well as being able to make a world class, record breaking coaster, as cheaply as possible, RMCing MS is like an Ace in the hole. There is no way it's not going to be a great coaster, based on RMC's track record, and it takes one of the least popular coasters at The Point, and makes it one of the most popular, if not THE most popular. This is literally a no-lose situation for CP, and the only surprising thing is that it's taken them so long to do it! For this reason, I would be truly shocked, if this isn't in the cards by 2018 at the latest.

djDaemon said:

Prowler (and this is generally true for the others) is also a 2-train coaster with a capacity of 850pph, not to mention a drop height of 85' and a top speed of 52mph. In other words, not exactly something CP would install given their history.

It's not, but I wish it was. The midsized wooden coasters give such a good ride compared with the ones that are made tall just for the sake of being tall. White Lightning here in Orlando looks almost like a junior wooden coaster from the street with its small size and short trains, but it is one of the best wooden coasters I have ridden. That's all I want when it comes to Cedar Point building a new wooden coaster, something that is fun and gives a good ride. Like Maverick, regardless of appearance, once the reputation is out there, folks will line up for it. At least I would hope so.

I don't think CP would install anything crazy (one would hope they learned their lesson with MS), but at the very least a GCI at CP would almost certainly be longer, and run 3 trains, likely with an MCBR. The last two factors alone would drive the cost up significantly.

Mean Streak was faster, smoother, and less aggressive early on in its operating history. As the ride aged, it got bumpier and more aggressive, which brought about the trim brake on the first hill. Mantis fell into the same trap with the aggressiveness of the ride. As Rougarou, the ride no longer needs the first hill trim brake.

A complete and well done GCI makeover of Mean Streak can restore it to its former glory. The first two steeply banked turns are less fun at 50 MPH than they were at about 65 or 70 MPH. My sincere hope is that this is the case and that the old PTC trains take a hike, as well.

I remember many days in my youth where Mean Streak was a substantial wait if you wanted to ride. This can happen again with a good makeover and help balance out wait times on other rides.

I like being able to walk on to MS, but, the allure that once was there is not what it once was. It would be cool if it were popular enough again to reopen the photo feature of the ride.

Just my 2¢.

I thought the trim brake on Mantis was added to help with capacity, not because of the roughness of the ride.

I guess that would make sense that its some kind of electrical conduit survey, because from what people told me that the survey markings on the parking lot next to soak city are electrical.

Mantis did suffer from the trains stacking at the end of the ride, but it was incredibly strenuous before the trim brake was added. I can't say what the cause was for sure, but the ride, ultimately, met an untimely end. Rougarou is an excellent ride and very fun.

So, I'm to understand that you don't think the rest of the ride has layout problems? The high, slow, meandering curves through the structure don't bore you?

Sure, the first two curves are fun. The problem comes with the rest of the ride. That's where GCI is out in my opinion. They can reprofile all they want. It's not going to change the dynamics of a truly boring ride. That's where RMC can come in and really make something dynamic and thrilling.

Besides, as has been mentioned before GCI doesn't have experience with a ride this size. RMC now has a track record of success with these conversions. That's a huge factor in my mind.

wingsenforcer said:

A complete and well done GCI makeover of Mean Streak can restore it to its former glory.

What Sparty said. MS was never glorious. Big, sure. Fast, yeah. But little-to-no air time, and an uninspired layout. The amount of "reprofile" work required by GCI to make MS "glorious" would be so excessive - and therefore expensive - that they may as well just build a new ride from the ground up, thereby being unconstrained from the existing ride's design.

Or, you know, CP just call in RMC who can turn MS into something worth riding, at a fraction of the cost.

Sparty42 said:

So, I'm to understand that you don't think the rest of the ride has layout problems? The high, slow, meandering curves through the structure don't bore you?

Not to speak for wingsenforcer, I too enjoyed Mean Streak when it first arrived. All of the wood beams and head choppers flying by made for some great visuals. There is a reason you call them "slow, meandering curves". They weren't designed to be that way on purpose.

The curves and drops inside the structure are much more of a thrill at 60+ as opposed to 50. Headchoppers FTW.

Head down to KK and take a spin or two on Storm Chaser.

Believe me... GCI isn't the answer to the Mean Streak situation.

~Rob

wingsenforcer said:

The curves and drops inside the structure are much more of a thrill at 60+ as opposed to 50. Headchoppers FTW.

Only more thrilling due to the fear of a dislocated disk and/or concussion.

I agree. If Mean Streak were reprofiled by GCI and became glass smooth, the drop and first two large curves would be fun, then it would just be a boring jaunt around a couple of circles. There really isn't much to the layout. This is why I would rather see GCI come and do a small or medium sized new wooden coaster that plays to their strengths. A polished turd is still a turd at the end of the day.