Paddle-wheel Excursions RIP

I agree with you totally.It seems to me that they were hell bent for leather to build more and more,higher and faster roller coasters.In this they have succeeded,but they lost a lot of the old charm of the place.

But there are pros and cons to that type of focus. I doubt you would receive little argument (especially from myself) that the family focus has certainly been lost, but it's obviously the reputation that leadership had as its goal.

The problem, as I see it, has really surfaced only recently, as there clearly has been an effort to focus on the family, but they have completely missed the target.

Starlight and DA are both "shows". Planet and Camp Snoopy are not family attractions. Shoot the rapids is not a family ride, nor is Windseeker.

Their attempts at creating a family-based infrastructure has been awkwardly disappointing in my opinion, and the past decade has really shown Kinzel's weakness; appealing to families.

Hence, Ouimet has been brought in. Have some faith. I truly believe he has been brought on for this specific reason, and I think we will see some balance restored to the Universe.

Kevinj said:
But there are pros and cons to that type of focus. I doubt you would receive little argument (especially from myself) that the family focus has certainly been lost, but it's obviously the reputation that leadership had as its goal.

The problem, as I see it, has really surfaced only recently, as there clearly has been an effort to focus on the family, but they have completely missed the target.

Starlight and DA are both "shows". Planet and Camp Snoopy are not family attractions. Shoot the rapids is not a family ride, nor is Windseeker.

I will keep my fingers crossed that you are right.

Their attempts at creating a family-based infrastructure has been awkwardly disappointing in my opinion, and the past decade has really shown Kinzel's weakness; appealing to families.

Hence, Ouimet has been brought in. Have some faith. I truly believe he has been brought on for this specific reason, and I think we will see some balance restored to the Universe.

Beautiful post Bobby79, couldn't agree more. Even though Paddlewheel Excursions was(is) in shambles, it kept the powers that be from filling in the lagoons. Now they are in serious danger. It's unforgivable that this ride wasn't give a major overhaul and it's always had room for improvement. It's the kind of attraction that should see minor additions and changes every year to keep it fresh. Even with all the development around the area and chopping the ride into bits, a little TLC and some serious tree planting would be all it would take to restore the ride. As long as they would keep the shores of Cedar Creek and the lagoons lined thick with trees and brush, you can maintain the illusion of wilderness. It isn't hard or expensive, I can't figure out why it has never been done. The last few generations, (not all, but as a whole), don't appreciate this ride because it's been neglected for too long. Even though some say good riddance, all of us will miss the lagoons. They make Cedar Point more than just roller coasters and cement - even if you don't take the time to appreciate it. Take your favorite roller coaster and put it in a parking lot and see how much fun it is. Better yet, take a trip to Magic Mountain and you see what a drag a great roller coaster line-up can be in a pathetic park. Cedar Point never started out as a theme park, but the lagoons and having to carve Frontier town and Frontier Trail out of the woods gave the park the best natural theme to be found anywhere. Our frontier area was better than Disney because it was partially authentic. It isn't all destroyed and should still be protected at all cost. Hide those sheds and maintenance area and make sure every chain link fence is covered in vines. I love how Shoot the Rapids has the potential to interact with the Paddle Excursions - they just did a cheap job of it. The potential is limitless. The boats are certainly short enough to build a bridge to the island and a tunnel would help hide the eyesore that is Dragster from spoiling the ride.

As much as I love the Roller Coast, I think the Amazement Park was a superior experience. I miss it. It's very sad to watch all traces of it vanishing. I'm not yet a father and I was looking forward to sharing this experience with my kids. Grrr.

Allan Birmantas sr said:

Kevinj said:
But there are pros and cons to that type of focus. I doubt you would receive little argument (especially from myself) that the family focus has certainly been lost, but it's obviously the reputation that leadership had as its goal.

The problem, as I see it, has really surfaced only recently, as there clearly has been an effort to focus on the family, but they have completely missed the target.

Starlight and DA are both "shows". Planet and Camp Snoopy are not family attractions. Shoot the rapids is not a family ride, nor is Windseeker.

I will keep my fingers crossed that you are right.

Their attempts at creating a family-based infrastructure has been awkwardly disappointing in my opinion, and the past decade has really shown Kinzel's weakness; appealing to families.

Hence, Ouimet has been brought in. Have some faith. I truly believe he has been brought on for this specific reason, and I think we will see some balance restored to the Universe.

Somehow my reply didn't show Kevin.Sorry about that.I am keeping my fingers crossed that all of your predictions will come true.

I know you guys don't think Shoot the Rapids is a family ride, but In my personal aspect of things, I think it fits that category. Here is my reasoning. People were upset when they took out Whiter Water Landing. Cedar Point listened to the guests and now they have a more up to date version of what White Water Landing. Yes it doesn't get you wet like they hyped it up to be, but I've seen a lot of families come off with a smile on their face after riding Shoot the Rapids. If you think about it, White Water Landing didn't get you completely drenched, but people still enjoyed it. Same can be said about Shoot the Rapids. :)

The Amazement Park was an incredible place. I hope Ouimet can bring some of the character back.

Shawn Meyer said:
...now they have a more up to date version of what White Water Landing.

Well, except for the fact that StR is less accommodating, in terms of rider height requirement. Ignoring that rather enormous blunder, I do agree that StR is a successful attraction. I just don't agree that it's a successful family attraction.

I like STR as well. I think it was a great addition to the park, I think they actually gave some thought to sustainable theming (even though I would have liked to see some gun-firing animatronics after the first drop and before the canyon). I enjoy it.

But I am hard-pressed to consider it a true family ride because of the height. I really, really do not understand how that is something that is an unknown variable. I'm not pretending to know the first thing about what goes into that equation, but really? You can't purposely design a ride with a height in mind?

Trust me, when you have children, the importance of height requirements becomes all too-apparent.

To me...Familly Rides....does not mean just rides for children.It means things to do for older folks who are not able to do the Coasters or other thrill rides.That includes shows as well as a nice places to eat at a fair price.After all we all pay just to get into the park.To me,the best thing about the blessed CP is the ambiance,otherwise I would be going to 6 Flags Great America,which is less than half as far a drive.

Pete said:
The Amazement Park was an incredible place. I hope Ouimet can bring some of the character back.

I completely agree. Much of the love many of us feel for Cedar Point is from the park we knew in the 70s and 80s, before large thrill rides became more of the focus. It was exciting to see our "home" grow through the 90s and get all that attention from around the world as they added big record-breaking rides. Unfortunately the park almost seemed to be hooked on that excitement and kept adding rides when they probably really didn't need to. Gradually a lot of what we knew from The Amazement Park days faded into memory.

I'd like to think Cedar Point can be a park again and not just a collection of rides. That's not to say we don't love the place, many of us have so much history with the park, it's just that the Cedar Point we all knew has changed considerably and not always for the better.

+1 Extremely well put.

TimChat2 said:

Pete said:
The Amazement Park was an incredible place. I hope Ouimet can bring some of the character back.

I completely agree. Much of the love many of us feel for Cedar Point is from the park we knew in the 70s and 80s, before large thrill rides became more of the focus. It was exciting to see our "home" grow through the 90s and get all that attention from around the world as they added big record-breaking rides. Unfortunately the park almost seemed to be hooked on that excitement and kept adding rides when they probably really didn't need to. Gradually a lot of what we knew from The Amazement Park days faded into memory.

I'd like to think Cedar Point can be a park again and not just a collection of rides. That's not to say we don't love the place, many of us have so much history with the park, it's just that the Cedar Point we all knew has changed considerably and not always for the better.

I agree 100%. The park back in the 70's & 80's was full of charm and character. I remember Jungle Larry's, Oceana, the aquarium and, of course, the Western Cruise was exciting when I was younger. I still love the park and hate I cant visit more ofter, but does not have the charm it did 25-30 years ago.

The Red Cross is doing a Final Rider auction

http://www.firelandsredcross.org/

Dick Kinzel will pilot the last boat.

The top 49 bidders will be seated in the two boats available. Last boat can take only 24 bidders.

Two boats available? Makes me wonder if this is because they will only be running 2 boats, want to limit the number of participants to only 2 boats, or if they've just let the other 2 boats go into disrepair since it's being removed... I don't think I've seen more than 1 or 2 boats run all season.

Though to be fair, two-boat operation does a pretty good of handling all but the busiest crowds the ride experiences these days.

Restless Bohemian said:
It's unforgivable that this ride wasn't give a major overhaul and it's always had room for improvement. It's the kind of attraction that should see minor additions and changes every year to keep it fresh. Even with all the development around the area and chopping the ride into bits, a little TLC and some serious tree planting would be all it would take to restore the ride. As long as they would keep the shores of Cedar Creek and the lagoons lined thick with trees and brush, you can maintain the illusion of wilderness. It isn't hard or expensive, I can't figure out why it has never been done.

Well Said Restless, Well Said.

At the risk of getting flamed, I'll convey this here too. We can continue to share our feelings and opinions in this forum until our fingers go numb.

Or, if you really would like to see a bridge over “troubled waters” (Chief Wahoo had a great suggestion with an ADA compatible drawbridge to Adventure Island. After all, there are now how many C.P. & L.E. R.R. Gatehouses? I haven't visited CP in three seasons) we need to contact the man who can make it happen.

See him listening intently here (Luke Wark's 3rd photo on the right):
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/2011/jul/09/ouimetcedarpoint070811tjxml

It's refreshing to behold an executive so intent on sharing their time or lending an ear, as captured in the photo above. He's down on one knee! Illustrated beautifully is the new President chatting with somebody who looks like they would ride Paddlewheel Excursions with their entire family. These are Cedar Fair's unit holders and Matt Ouimet knows it.

Pick up a pen. Grab a piece of paper.
Share your thoughts, suggestions and praise for Paddlewheel exhibited in the forum above with Matt now. It doesn't have to be as profound as the Gettysburg Address, just share the same remarks you've posted above. Don't judge your position as just an Amazement Park fan/guest/pass holder. You thoughts matter (just proof read it before licking the envelope).

Send it here, soon:
Mr. Matt Ouimet
President
Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.
One Cedar Point Drive
Sandusky OH 44870

After all, plans change. Anyone care to rewind the clock 10 months? Look no further than CP's Facebook page for an example:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=454210096462&set=a.319129566...2&comments

Something tells me the man who restored Disneyland would like to hear from you.

^ im gonna write him a note!

Here's my new conspiracy theory. Mr. Kinzel always had it planned to close Paddlewheel when he retired. Since he didn't retire in 2005 but instead stayed with the company after the Paramount merger, PWE was saved for a few more years. However, now Mr. Kinzel can finally live out his dream of captaining the final Paddlewheel boat, riding it right into retirement.

Eh? Any takers? ;)

Chuck Wagon said:
Eh? Any takers? ;)

*BANG*

You're dead, PWE!

It all makes sense now. :)