New Kiddieland

Just look at past MO's at Cedar Point. Management let the Kid Arthur's Court go to pot and then removed it. The Aquarium went to hell and was used for a couple of years as a very poor arcade with old, junk machines. Those two buildings and the long abandoned Bathhouse were then replaced by WT. Look how the Dodgem 1 (actually newer than Dodgem "2" which is the only one left) went to crap on the Gemini Midway the last 2 years. You could see it's demise coming.

Now we see the Kiddieland not being updated for the past several years and Camp Snoopy and the 3 Gemini area kiddy rides all concentrated in one area. Actually, the existing Kiddieland (32 years old) has been downgraded with the removal of Kid Arthur's Court.

I think that Kiddieland is going to be relocated to "Area 51" and that the current Kiddieland will be replaced by a new thrill ride. Who knows, The Collesium Arcade could be removed (almost 100 years old with a historical ballroom upstairs but the old convention center alongwith the meeting rooms in Breakers East could be used for the Big Band events) and even the Peanuts Playground could get relocated to Area 51 allowing a huge thrill ride.

I'm probably way off base but if I'm even partly correct; Kinzel will go nuts trying to figure out who leaked the news.

You are so far off he will probably go nuts laughing if he ever saw that...no offense, but why would you defend someting as common as Kid Arthur's Court? You can get those in any McDonald's or Burger Kings??? They are a high liability in that you cannot control what the kids do inside it, and that's something to think about in today's lawsuit happy society. Sealand was fine until they took it out. I heard back when they converted it, that it had something to do with local animal regualtions changing. The bath house was removed in the early 80's. The Dodgems didn't "go to crap!" They're running better than ever at Michigan's Adventure. Why should you have 2 rides of the same in one park? It never had a "demise." Kiddy Kingdom has been updated with the addition of the Big Foot Trucks. The rides there are vintage. They are rare, that means, they are worth more for that reason alone. Just the same as the Cedar Downs, or a classic wood coaster for that matter. It's great to be able to take your kids on rides that you actually rode when you were their age. The kids even prefer those older rides to the newer ones in Camp Snoopy.

You would berate CP for removing Kid Arthur's Court, and then suggest they take out a building as beautiful and historical as the Coliseum / Ballroom? Have you ever been to a "Big Band Event?" The ballroom is beautiful, and I'm sure there are hardly any left in the country from that art deco era. Which makes it once again, more priceless. You should grab a copy of the "Cedar Point Queen of American Watering Places" from a gift shop, and read up on the park's history so that you might appreciate it better. It is a good read.

The one thing I do agree with you on is removing the Peanuts Playground. You can get this in your neighborhood park minus the exhaust spewing train. I wouldn't care if they were expanding Camp Snoopy with another attraction, or adding a 425 foot rocket coaster. Whatever they do is always excellent and well thought out. There is plenty of room to expand for many years, without removing anything historical, or vintage.
*** This post was edited by deanne 7/15/2002 12:45:30 AM ***

Amy, I think that makes a lot of sense, your theory has put together everybody's ideas. It also goes along with the whole boardwalk rumor a few years back. However, those footers tell a different story if they are as large as some people have reported them to be. I don't know what in Kiddieland is large enough to require footings that big.

deanne,

I did not mean to berate the Collesium Arcade and the ballroom upstairs. I did see the Glenn Miller Orchestra there 8 or so years ago. I actually remember playing the old Williams PALOOKA pinball machines in the arcade as well (manual ball lifts and all). I love that building and hope that it stays forever. I also hope those historic kiddie rides remain somewhere in the park should my theory be correct and Kiddieland be moved to Area 51. I hope that that building is constantly restored as It houses what I feel is the largest arcade there is. The Cedar Point owned games are not being kept up but many replacement parts are becoming difficult to acquire. The new stuff is owned by Alpha-Omega Amusement of New Jersey. They could care less about the building. You and I appreciate it.

I would also think the sucker games would be moved as the back of house of those building are not in the best shape. However, replacing Fascination with Johnny Rockets last year kind of puts that theory in the ashcan!

The Dodgem 1 building was falling apart last year. The cars themselves were the newest in the park and obviously they would have been transferred to Dodgem 2 (now Dodgem) or sold, or, as you said transferred to another Cedar Fair park.

Those monster trucks at Kiddieland (see, I continue to use the old lingo!) have been there for at least 6 or more years. I believe every ride there (as well as in the whole park) is maintained in top condition. Even the Calypso has nary a burnt-out bulb (remember the Tiki-Twirl?).

I have two editions of the "Queen of American Watering Places" that you mentioned. Great reference and history. Hopefully, my kids will read the cover to cover as I have many times over.

Speaking of Sealand, the first dose of "change is inevitable" struck me in my younger years around 1979 when the "upside down house" was replaced with Oceana. At least Oceana has been reused after sitting dormant for one year. I would have bet that it was going to be torn down when it sat empty and the entrances were boarded off a few years ago. On that same day I found the Funhouse gone, I was worried sick that my beloved Wildcat was gone. Luckily, it was found later that day! I don't miss the Jumbo Jets but I did like it's neat, motorized "death-trap" cars. I wonder if anyone was killed on it as ther ewere no lap bars or belts on it.

I thought the bathouse was closed only when the new one at Soak City opened 11 or so years ago. It then sat empty and was used for storage until it was torn down to make way for Wicked Twister.

I'm amazed that Disaster Transport is still there. It does get riders at least once! Avalanche Run was neat to look at but I only rode it once or twice.

I have held stock in the old Cedar Point, Inc. Stock from the Bob Munger days as well as I now have the limited partnership units traded the past several years. A great investment. (NYSE: FUN)

I have been to many parks in North America and like most on this site can say that Cedar Point is THE BEST.

Ya know DT may not have lines but I have never once went out with anywhere close to an empty train. Plenty of people still ride DT.

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Welcome back Magnum riders how was your ride?

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around 1979 when the "upside down house" was replaced with Oceana.

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The Fun House was removed after the 1981 season to make room for Kid Arthur's Court in 1982. The Fun House and Oceana actually coexisted for 2 seasons.

The bathhouse wasn't removed for Wicked Twister. It's been gone for several years ... around 1995, I think.

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Virtual Midway
http://www.virtualmidway.com

*** This post was edited by Gemini 7/16/2002 6:15:42 AM ***

Very cool Amy! I'm jealous you got to see Glenn Miller. Sorry I misunderstood you about your views on the Coliseum. I'm glad there's someone else who appreciates the "old CP," even the "Tiki Twirl!" I miss that upside down funhouse. I guess insurance companies views on dark rides & walk throughs are reflected in it's removal, along with "Earthquake" and "Pirate Ride." Miss those. I wasn't aware of the games situation with the vendors. I spend my time on "Dino Bonk" with my Godson. It's nice to talk to someone who appreciates these things....especially the old kiddy rides. Did you ever hear of the fountain rumour? It was from 1999 I think: That they would move Kiddy Kingdom, and replace it with a big animated musical fountain of some sort. I could see them moving Kiddy Kingdom, I would like it all to stay, because that area is so 60's, love the neons on the games housing. But, it does make sense to put it closer to Camp Snoopy. Maybe that's where the new restaurant rumours come in too. Speculating is fun. I loved the Jumbo Jets with the big radar light on top. Just remember it closing a lot to have the big helix welded in the middle of the day. I liked the old Wildcat sign. There isn't one on the new one. Always loved the way Cedar Point maintained the lights on the rides. Wonder why they took the umbreallas off the seats of the Calypso and the Schwabinchen. What happened to all of the Calypso's hearts and the backdrop? Was this your big family trip every year when you were a kid? It was mine........great memories, and it's great carrying on the tradition with a new generation. It really is great to sit and watch all the changes and growth over the years since I first went (1974). Smart move with the stock too.....It is a very special park. P.S. I miss the Rotor too!

Amy, you may be right about that. I was thinking that too.

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BTS Cedar Point
http://www.cedarpoint.tk