Save Paddlewheel Excursions!

You all undoubtedly heard the rumor that this may be the last year for Paddlewheel Excursions due to the possible addition of the dino upcharge attraction in 2012. While I'm all for new additions @ the Point, I think the removal of one of the most beloved, classic rides in the park goes against the 'family appeal' factor the park has been moving toward in recent years.

As I've heard in other Point Buzz forums, maybe the powers that be incorporate the dino attraction into a rejuvenated Paddlewheel Excursions, creating a unique "Jurassic Park"-style attraction for the flagship park that differs from the "walk thru" attraction that is going into other Cedar Fair parks. Green the ride with natural gas or electric powered boats, maybe. Improve the entrance location if numbers are an issue. It would be a shame to lose such an iconic ride!

Ok, so I'm a bit biased, having been a Paddlewheel captain in '88/'89. But Paddlewheel has survived some of the biggest rides ever created at Cedar Point, don't kill it for an upcharge attraction.

If you are a fan of Paddlewheel Excusions, visit and "like" the "Save Paddlewheel Excursions Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Paddlewheel-Excursions/216037128440191 and share your memories of the ride.

"Like" a page for an ole captain, would ya!?

We don't even know that it's leaving.

Besides, if the park has decided to remove or retheme the ride, a few die hard enthusiasts aren't going to change their mind. When has a "save the ride" page ever actually saved a ride.

Maybe not, but that's the rumor that is circulating so this is a "gathering of the troops", if you will. I know quite a few people that would be very sad if it were true. If it doesn't happen, happy day! At least we can let the new guy in charge know how iconic the ride was and is and how many will mourn its demise.

I "friended" the FB page Captain Crunch. I'm with you. This problem is this is not the place you will gain sympathy for your argument (coasters, coasters, coasters) but I agree that it is an attraction worth hanging on to.

There isn't any proof that Paddlewheel Excursions is leaving yet. Screamscape and its "sources" like ThePointOl are just trying to stir rumors around. Everything until August 19 is just speculation.

Well, since the Sandusky Register ran the story and, as of yet, there has been no response from the park, I have to think there might be some legitimacy to the rumor.

Also, there have been no contradictions by those who tend to have inside info about this sort of thing.

I would have to say that it doesn't bode well.

@ Chief Wahoo...thanks, man...that was simple, wasn't it! :) @ Jason Hammond...I guess you're right, Facebook fanpages and public opinion have never had any influence on anything, especially on rides @ CP. Betty White told me that right after she rode Banshee! :)

A more effective "Save the Paddlewheel" method might be to carry around a metal can in which donations can be placed. I recommend rudely interrupting any high school-age couples who may be kissing in public - you never know how that might work out.

;)

I'm all for fans trying to save whatever it is they choose to. Several television shows have been given extended life over the years because of fan backlash, for instance. America's Most Wanted got two or three pardons because of police association's who made their case to the network.

I think it is important for Cedar Fair to hear when folks are not happy just as it is important for them to hear from folks when they are extremely happy.

Jason Hammond said:

When has a "save the ride" page ever actually saved a ride.

Great America responded to the "Save the Whizzer" campaign that took place in 2002. Due to public outcry, Shockwave ended up being removed instead.

As a former PWE Captain, it saddens me to hear rumors about the removal of the ride (especially if it would be for an upcharge dino attraction). PWE has been dying a long slow death for years now. The disappearance of Buck Skinner still has me wondering what the price of fur is.

I wouldn't be opposed to a compromise. They could add the Dinos to PWE with a retheme of the boats and spiel. All of the current Paddlewheel animation could be strewn along Shoot the Rapids for added appeal of that ride. It'd be a win-win.

Or just add the dino's to STR. ;)

djDaemon said:
A more effective "Save the Paddlewheel" method might be to carry around a metal can in which donations can be placed. I recommend rudely interrupting any high school-age couples who may be kissing in public - you never know how that might work out.

;)

It may end up unraveling the space time continuum! Granted, that's the worst case scenerio. The consequences may just be limited to our own galaxy.

I think it's AWESOME that a bunch of coaster geeks can rally around the possible removal of a family boat ride. I think it says alot about the actual value of PWE and that it's worth saving.

I think we're all fans of Cedar Point period. As sad as I am that the bigger, better, higher, faster days are gone, I still love the park and it's mix of new and old. I was very disappointed when Cedar Fair put the same exact ride (Windseeker) in 4 parks in 2011. It's a great ride, but the move seemed a bit old-school Six Flags and look where it got them. I understand the financial benefit of it, but I think what CF has going for it is a portfolio of unique parks. The dino attraction is Windseeker all over again. If you're gonna put the same attraction in multiple parks, at least give it a unique flavor for each park. I think PWE can do that @ CP. Take the uniqueness out of Cedar Point and it's no longer Cedar Point.

Even if Paddlewheel goes, the likelihood of them changing their minds over any "outcry" is slim to none. They are not going to be sensitive to little Billy or Sally's favorite ride.

By the way, this "outcry" would be coming from a very small group of people and not the masses.

On another note, I still think the Whizzer closure was staged and planned...and it likely wasn't even on the chopping block.

If you check back to my post on Nov.12th, 2006, I brought up the point that CP decided to use parking decals on our windshield for Platinum Pass holders. Everyone was against the idea but said there was nothing we could do about it. After 246 replies and 16,489 views from Nov. 12th to March 23, 2007, they decided to keep the parking pass on our pass. I'm not saying they listened at all to us, but just maybe? Good luck, Captain Crunch!!!

Do you think Front Office goes on these kinds of sites? If so woodyyyyyy please!!! Even if it's like Twister at Grona, maybe a little bigger.

Back then, Tony and Tyler, from On Point- The Blog, posted comments frequently. Haven't seen anything from Becca. You're right, Coaster23. I doubt they read this forum any more.

Which is unfortunate. For despite the collective shortcoming of the online community, and the outstanding flaws of a few individuals (we know who we are!), there is still a good bit of useful feedback and insight to be found here. It just takes a little bit of patience to sift through it. :)