New for 2015

OK then... couldn't find the mfg anywhere in the story, which didn't help. Damn the general public for not caring about that kind of stuff!

Hersheypark's coaster (which looks terribly fun, by the way) is being built by Maurer Sohne from Germany.

Keep on stoking this fire, Kevin. ;)

It's an interesting concept from them, and would certainly fit the few actual clues we have about what is coming. I think many thought this would be what's coming to Hershey.

*stoke stoke*

Tony just tweeted this:

Co-hosting our employee Big Bash tonight with the man, the myth, the secret-keeper, @JasonMcClureCP. Think we will have any surprises?

I think Tony is just having fun playing with us. The cameras have been pointed at Mean Streak and the closed pirate ride building since about 1130 today.

This tweet? Going to make some major announcement at a private employee event? Seems far fetched to me.

Clues? I guess maybe, but I would lean more to Tony having fun at our expense.

OK what's Tony telling us... Get to the point!!! Ha! Cedar Point!

I find it a little strange that they would actually made an announcement that way; what might happen is a little teaser along with an announcement of when the announcement will happen.

Then again, some people around here think that the Mantis ride-ops have been in the know for months.

:)

I think mantis will receive new colors for the track and a new name

Jason replied to Tony's tweet: "@TonyClarkCP - Oh, we definitely have some surprises..."

In my opinion, most of the clues to this date are too vague to draw any strong conclusions. With that being said, I think the best clues thus far have been the pictures tweeted a month or so ago by Tony. He stated that these may or may not mean anything. From that, I think only some of the pictures mean anything. Here is my humble opinion.
*The arcade and building stay the same for the time being. The building is fairly iconic to the park but I could see it be reinvented to something later.
*Mantis is obviously going to get a new paint job. Test paint was not used on a portion of track for no reason. I think this is done to recreate/refreshen it's image for when the new floorless trains are added. Yes, I do believe the trains will be added next year. We the fans have cried and the powers to be have paid attention. Mantis is a great stand-up coaster, but is somewhat painful depending on the person's physical build. I tolerate rough coasters very well, but Mantis hurts me. Yes, I have ridden other stand up coasters without the pain.
*Mean streak is revamped with GCI or Rocky Mountain track. It would be the ultimate hybrid coaster of this type due to its size, length, height and layout. Lets face it, the Mean Streak has not aged too well over the years. With the added trims that slow it down, it loses so much momentum and still causes discomfort with that annoying squeal. With this reinvention, I believe it get is renamed "King James." To me, this would be the better coaster to rename vs Mantis.
*The plot of swampy land tweeted could be used as a new attraction site for a Aquatrax ride from Intamin as hinted by Tony. However, I wonder if this would be next year? Or, could it be part of a plan for the future of Cedar Point over the next few years? Could this be the future site of the trademarked "Rougarou?"
*Also, there is the markings around Point Pavilion to be considered.
Again, this is my complete humble speculation. I do believe that Tony and the gang have listened closely to the public considering Mantis and Mean Streak. They want Cedar Point to remain #1 and the public is responsible for that ranking. Please chime in.

^ Either we are getting teased badly, or something (big) is about to go down. I am still seeing the Pirate Ride building going for some reason though, but then again, I don't think anybody saw the 2014 plans coming (PS and LEE). I remember that a large speculation for last year was a dark ride in the Colisium.;)
Anyways, what about 2012, the dinos didn't get a huge announcement, did they? All I can remember from it was a poster on the Marina bathrooms/Famous Dave's bulliten boards.
And then there was 2013, can someone explain the Banshee thing on top of the entrance? I never understood it, unless it was supposed to tie in with Banshee at KI. I'll have to rewatch that footage.
But really, at this point, I'm just going to forget the whole MS and Mantis thing and focus on that PR building. There's gotta be something going in there. I can almost feel it…

Yep, the PR building is interesting too. Especially with all the Point pavilion markings and utility markings close to Raptor. A lot to speculate on. Yeah, I think the Mantis and Mean Streak ideas are pretty obvious. We can just move on and wait for those to be revealed. The Pirate Ride building is very intriguing. Also, I forgot to mention the "spel rite" clue Tony had posted. "Reptiles" makes sense to me. Could they be removing the dinosaurs to make more room for something else? As I said, so much we can guess at.

So when is this employee bash taking place?

Hypothetically speaking, what if CP were to give Mean Streak the RMC treatment? It makes sense but it would also be the first CF coaster to get the treatment, so it seems unlikely but who knows! Makes you wonder what would be altered as far as it's specs? How would it's current layout effect the makeover?

Looking at the current live cams https://www.cedarpoint.com/online-fun/live-video-cam you will notice one on MS... If it were to get the RMC treatment, I would believe that the first drop would be altered drastically in height and steepness in the drop, due to the steepness of the lift/drop. MS's first lift is not very steep compared to the lifts on all the new coasters and it's drop is barely a drop! I dunno?

IMO If MS was the culprit for 2015, I can see CP starting from scratch! If there is to be a ne woodie in CP's future, IMO can see them going with a long GCI.... Either way can't wait for 2015's announcement!

I could see that. Most of the RMC treatments have altered the rides quite a bit such as the New Texas Giant. I agree with you about the steeper first drop. They could do so much with it. I think we will hear an announcement fairly soon considering the employee bash. If the cat is let out of the bag with the employees, then the announcement would have to be just around the corner. No way it would remain a secret.

I haven't worked there in 6 years.. but does anyone remember if we sign a non-disclosure agreement when hired?

Kevinj said:
So when is this employee bash taking place?

Sometime tonight I think. Or at least that's what it sounded like in his tweet.

Yes, it's this evening, going on now. There are food, games, and ERT, but this looks like the likely time for a potential announcement:

"The Big Bash Celebration, Contests, Prize Drawings, and Snacks will be near the Luminosity stage from 11:15 PM - 12:00 midnight.

A DJ and Dance Party will wrap up the evening from 12:00 midnight - 1:00 AM."

Kevinj said:
Then again, some people around here think that the Mantis ride-ops have been in the know for months.

Like someone suggested about mantis closing early in the season, wouldn't the ride ops need to know at least some time ahead if their ride won't be open the duration of the season?