Shoot the Rapids?

While walking next to Soak City today, it was very dirty, with no water, and did not see any rafts around.

AlexGillman said:
After riding the train today, I saw that STR was very dirty, with no water, and did not see any boats around.

Hmmm, wonder if it is still planning to open this weekend.

Probably. When I was at Kennywood last week, we were on Thunderbolt and the entire Raging Rapids ride was empty with no boats and no water. 2 hours later, people were riding it.

Yes, but was it very dirty?

XS NightClub said:

While walking next to Soak City today, it was very dirty, with no water, and did not see any rafts around.

I know this comment was in jest, but the area around Soak City is looking very dilapidated. So much so, that I'd be shocked if there weren't major changes in store for this area for next year.

As an example, these light posts were in terrible shape. To their credit, the light post in the foreground was being re-installed later in the day, but the method they were using was clearly a "let's just get through this season" method.

You can also see some concrete patches here and there. Normally, they'd have poured new concrete there instead. Of course they may very well do that before this weekend, but there weren't any markings indicating that was the plan.

On top of that, the new parking lot they laid down where Bon Aire was seems to be temporary as well, as they didn't pour any concrete gutter and curb surrounding it. They did pour concrete gutter and curb in other areas where they laid asphalt.

And of course, Challenge Golf has been in need of some TLC that one would expect, given the other details they've taken care of in recent years, they would have gotten around to by now.

Some of the light posts back by Sandcastle are also in pretty rough shape. It does feel like we're a season or so away from them being replaced.

I wonder if the Challenge Golf space will be absorbed into Soak City in the near future.

I doubt much will be happening to SC in the next few years. All those slides were just painted as well as Dragster H20 being added a few years back.

The challenge park on the other hand...

Also, on the webcam it looks as if water is in STR.

^ But that does not necessarily mean that they can't add more slides and attractions or repave the entire park. They have room left, not a lot, but some. Also, I would like to point out that they only repainted half of the park, who knows what the plans are with the other half.

Target date is set for Saturday.

^ If that's true wouldn't the state need to come and inspect it between now and then? And while they're in the area would it be practical to think that they might go and inspect another, twisty ride... perhaps of the wicked variety?

Hopefully I'm not being overly optimistic, lol.

I plan to go next week for Coaster Camp-out, but before I camp out, I hope to get a couple rides on Shoot the Rapids, Millennium Force, Rougarou, and Wicked Twister!

GDdashROM said:
Probably. When I was at Kennywood last week, we were on Thunderbolt and the entire Raging Rapids ride was empty with no boats and no water. 2 hours later, people were riding it.

Have you ever seen one of those rides empty out, like for an e-stop? It's a little shocking, it takes less than a minute. The water stops pumping and the boats quickly skid to a stop on the concrete bottom of the channel. To fill it takes very little time as well, they can have a raft ride up and running in just a few.

I remember the blog post from years ago about behind the scenes of Thunder Canyon and it was really interesting to learn all that goes into opening those kinds of rides.

^Sounds interesting. Anyone know where that's at?

If I remember correctly, when Cedar Point redid their website the blog posts were not able to be transferred over so they were archived. I miss the old site, it used to give all the facts about most rides,from manufacturer to height, speed, history and other fun facts, and when they changed it over to what we have now which is great, but does not have all the details the site used too.

Behind The Rides: Thunder Canyon, Tony & Tyler's OnPoint blog post from August 19, 2005, has been archived http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/fun/blog/2005/8/19/Behind_The_Ride...Canyon.cfm]here. Unfortunately, it does not appear that the pictures were captured.

Any news on any of the water rides? I'm sure they will open tomorrow with soak city.

Yes I see water! However no boats are going up yet? Where's Sam at so we can confirm testing?

I see SRF running, but not STR. Not surprising.

I just saw a boat go up the lift! Don't know If It's testing or If people are on it or not. YAY!!