New for 2014

Oh, count on it. (if they're smart, that is.)

Look for commercials. For themselves. And family oriented music videos, which will cover any worry about queue entertainment.

My worry (if there's even a reason to worry) is about whether the tvs will be able to be seen and/or heard.

I'm not sure what I'm seeing on the construction cam today, but it appears that the Eagles are starting to go up today.

Unless I'm confused and they're just re-assembling Monster.

You would be correct! It looks like a fresh coating of white stuff came with it.

https://twitter.com/cedarpoint/status/448803287488561152

I'm wondering what they're doing to Monster's platform. They appear to be cutting a channel into the concrete.

I think that has been there before, but did you notice they took out the rest of the round fence on Monster?

Also, does anyone think the Lake Erie Eagles Paint colors look like Maxair's paint colors?

No, you can see the white concrete dust (remnant from cutting performed yesterday), and can also clearly see they're breaking up some concrete (starting from approximately the top of the circle (from webcam perspective), continuing clockwise to near the bottom).

And yes, they presumably removed the fence because it was in the way for whatever they're doing now. And perhaps also to paint it, though I suspect they could have done that without removing it.

Yes, they are cutting the platform all the way around on the red line that they marked, to make it smaller in diameter. Presumably for aesthetic reasons, they will have more green space and landscaping to dress up the ride.

That was my first thought when I saw the remnants from the cutting yesterday.

But that doesn't match what we're seeing now. If they were simply making the platform smaller, they would not have gone through the considerable trouble of making two concentric cuts (one smaller than the other) and removing the material between them.

It looks like they have a Bobcat clearing out the channel right now.

It looks like there will be a significant narrowing of the Midway based on where the restaurant and Pipe Scream are at.

Oh, I don't think it'll be that much more narrow. Appearing today are concrete borders, that will delineate the areas around the patio and the rides, and will allow for landscaping along the midway, too. Hopefully. I think Monster will still butt right up to the midway, though.

I thought they removed "Bobcat" last year!

How far are they removing the blacktop? All the way to the railroad tracks or just to where it is now (end of Pipe Scream)?

I'd say all the way up to the tracks because the Slingshot ride is going in right by Gemini.

I think the refresh will go to the snoopy bouncy house and stop. Could be wrong...

djDaemon said:
I'm wondering what they're doing to Monster's platform. They appear to be cutting a channel into the concrete.

If you're talking about the channeled/trenched cut starting at the 9oclock position going to the center of Monster, I'm pretty sure I know what that's for just doing a similar job myself. I'm pretty certain that the underground wiring (placed there years ago when Monster was removed from the Million Dollar midway and put on the Gemini midway) didn't meet today's modern electrical code. Alot of that underground wiring (webcam:power source to right of new refreshment area, leading to control booth, to middle of Monster platform) was just recently uncovered when the blacktop was taken out, and was trenched down. Today's electrical code states that some wiring has to now be placed in grade 80 or higher conduit (as to not be cut/prevent water moisture,etc) and in 3 separate strands not 1 piece wiring wrapped together. Pretty sure an inspector might have made them replace it, unless someone asks...we'll never know.

But if they were just laying new conduit/wiring, why not go around the ride platform?

I was wondering if it might be a trench for some dramatic up lighting. Note the new trench along the face of the Gemini structure as well.

For what I understood that trough carries the cables and electric for controls to the ride. At controls you have the switches to turn on the hydraulic pumps/ride motors, the controls, and gate controls. Below on the one side is a big breaker box for the ride and the light package on it. All of that went to the ride, if there's anything else it's new to me and not sure what it would be.

I looked at the google map which appears to be from 2 seasons ago, and Monster has always had that covered trench from the dog house to the ride.

Sorry - I misread CPfan's comment. I'm talking about the circular trench running just inside the outside edge of the platform.