STR Site - Observations, Ideas, and Speculation

This is just a thread to discuss the Shoot the Rapids site, it's current status, and what CP might want to do with it...

First of all, the site is very strangely prepared. That is to say, most of the ride at ground level is still there.

• The concrete troughs and water basins are still there (complete with guide rails in some sections, particularly the back) and the bottoms of the lift hills are still there (just the part with the drive tires.)
• The station and queue are all still there, and are lit up at night.
• The canyon, buildings, and tunnel scenery are also still there and the canyon and nearby scenery is lit up at night
• There is an unmarked wooden construction-style fence between the railroad and the STR site - there are no teasers on the fence
  • If you go onto the platform that the water cannons formerly were on and jump or hold your camera up, you can clearly see the gap in the rocks that formerly contained the second lift hill - you can see all the way back to the canyons.
• The gift shop is still there. Looking in the front door windows, there is still a lot of STR merchandise on the counter, and the door was unlocked (I did not go inside, obviously.)
• While the lockers and the family dryer are gone, the entrance is mostly still there
  • The construction wall and train crossing gatse block off the queue past the train tracks
  • The water tower sign is still there, but without the Shoot the Rapids logo on it
  • The white post that once had the ride info sign is still there, but the sign is removed
• The wood and stone "platform" area and the area in front of the entrance are both fully accessible from the Frontier Trail, and the water cannon controls have been remove

Honestly, if they built a new ride, I'd like to see the reuse of as much of the old queue and scenery as possible. STR was one of the best-themed rides at CP. Another idea would be to continue to use the small waterfalls out front as a fountain (the part where the second drop went through with all the boulders.)

A coaster would probably need a higher station, but I'd still think they could use the current STR station as a small final section of a queue. Alternatively, if they used the ground-level station, they could use the tunnel and path of STR to the first lift hill as a slow themed section.

i wouldn't expect the STR site to be transformed until a later date.

^Valravn's site was only empty for one season. What do you mean by "later date" and "transformed?" Transformed as in removing the remains of STR or adding something new?

I agree with Augustmueller. While it's inevitable that Cedar Point is planning something for the STR site, I wouldn't expect to see a new ride there until 2018 at the earliest. After all, they just invested ~$15 million on Valravn. Instead, I'm looking to see the park expand the water park and transform Mean Streak.

It certainly looks like the station and other parts of STR maybe reused. I'm hoping for a new and better water ride.

Was thinking the same thing, especially after knowing what happened in years past with the WWL/ Maverick transformation of the old loading station. Yes, I checked out that area also yesterday and would agree w/Pete.

If it happens to be another water ride taking it's place, please name it White Water Landing. A little throwback!

Remember, they now have 2 empty land lots. It's just the matter of which one they will tackle first.

What's the other one? Are you counting the former Challenge Park area?

I was thinking a nice RMC coaster would fit in that space, but I checked out the area yesterday and noticed the water channels, scenery and station are still standing. I'm not sure if they will still keep that around and reuse it or if more demolition will be taking place over time. .

I just hope they don't plop Ripcord in that space, that would be a huge waste of nice land. And speaking of Ripcord, it does look out of place back there by itself now since the rest of Challenge Park was removed. I just hope this isn't the future site of it. It would be actually be more out of place there.

And when I was taking this photo, Shawn had to grieve for a moment.

I just thought of this, until permanent plans are made for that area, it might be the perfect place for a haunt zone.

Not exactly speculation, but I will say what i HOPE goes in that area. I hope we see a Mack Spinner (Cobra's Curse @ BGT) or a family launched coaster (FireChaser Express @ Dollywood) take up residence in this location if it ends up being a coaster. Either one of these attractions I believe would really help to round out the coaster collection at the park. Offering a additional attraction that families can enjoy together with the lower height restrictions.

I know! I know! I know!

Show off. lol

I have an idea for a "throwback" that I would prefer over White Water Landing; in my dream of dreams, they bring back the Pirate Ride. One of the biggest flaws of STR was it's agonizing lack of any momentum in the troughs. This, however, would be an advantage for a boat ride navigating past scenery, etc.

Why not a double throw back:

The Pirate Ride

On

White Water Landing

:)

I wonder what percentage of the park guests even know what the pirate ride was.

While walking in the line to Valravn past the Pirate Ride building yesterday morning I made a wistful comment about it, and just got a blank stare from the guy I was talking to.

Having made my first visit to The Point in 2011, I was completely unaware of the Pirate Ride and literally had to look it up just now to know what you guys were talking about, lol. I would be very surprised if more than 5% of the public would appreciate a Pirate Ride throwback. White Water Landing, on the other hand, would be recognized by a much larger percentage of guests, since it just closed less than ten years ago.

There is a pretty massive amount of concrete out on the island from the big "pool" that comprised the 2nd half of Shoot the Rapids. It's sad to think of how much land clearing they did there, which was all for nothing at this point.

I'd prefer to see Paddlewheel return rather than White Water Landing, but that's really a separate issue which is more related to how long the Dinosaurs stay around.