The Future of Soak CIty

We finally went to Soak City a month ago. It's a nice waterpark with plenty to do. It lacks the cool looking theming of the newer parks.

I agree with RideMan about the "Magical Boundry" in the wavepool. The want you to stay 3 feet from the wall. I got whistled for being too close. I didn't know. There should be a red line with "Keep 3 Feet From Wall" painted on the bottom. I've never heard of this rule at any other wavepool.

The lockers could be larger too. We could just squeeze our "small" gymbag into one.

Soak City is one of the things I miss most about living in Sandusky. My wife and I used to go often and now that I have kids I wish I had access to it.

For those who think it is pointless you completely disregard the impact of the hotel guest on the bottom line of the company. Why would Cedar Point management take away a reason for staying overnight? Talk about foolish. And, Castaway Bay has nothing to do with Soak City. Castaway Bay was built to put heads in beds in the winter time.

I have no idea what the percentage is of day guests to Soak City vs resort guests. I assume the resort guests make up a good majority of the attendance. With that said, I'm not sure how much of an impact adding a slide or two would make. I think the last major expansion with the wave pool, kids area and slides (into what used to be Camper Village area C) took care of most needs. Would I like to see a Waveflow or Master Blaster? Sure. But, I'm not sure there would be a significant return (ie higher attendance) as a result of those additions.

As for the attractions that are there, I'm sure there are reasons for keeping you "dry" as was mentioned by Dave. Waterparks are inherently dangerous and, particularly in Ohio, there are a large number of guests using the park that may have very little experience in water. Most new wave pools are being built as the shallower versions. If people want to just swim then why not stick to the hotel pool or the lake?

I dont think SoakCity is going anywhere soon either, I just wish that they had some * today* slides like water coasters tornadoes, ect.

Michael Darling said:
It's funny that you say that tubes are mandatory in the lazy river. Personally, I think that's great. There is little I hate more than some 10 year old kid swimming through the lazy river and trying to surface right under my butt.

Head over to WWK and see what I mean. They have about 11 tubes for the entire river.

Could not agree more. I think mandatory tubes are a must. Especially the clear ones:) Get some great visuals with those.

I think Dave's complaint lied more with the fact that he had to "sit" in the tube with just his butt in the water. And that that was the only way they'd let him ride the tube. When I've done the lazy river thing, I usually switch between that and standing in the tube where I keep my lower body wet or just getting off to dunk myself in the water and re-soak and get back on.

I still haven't gone to soak city. If they offered a half-price ticket to sister park season pass holders, I might be tempted to try it once. In fact, I'd probably take a weekday trip in late August just to spend an hour or two at Soak City if I could get in cheap. Until then, I'll just stick to Michigan's Adventure and their included waterpark.

Soak City is great for the resort guests, and easy money. However, since visiting it once in, like, 1999, I haven't bothered to go back. It's not really all that great of a water park. I sure wouldn't spend the money on a combo pass, especially since I get Geauga Lake's water park. GL's park is smaller but better in a million different ways (Tornado, the really big slides, more food options). Heck, while not a participant, I thought that Michigan's Adventure had a more interesting water park when I stopped in last weekend.

I would've liked MIA's waterpark if only it weren't for them not having any kind of elevator system to bring the giant tubes back to the top.

The lack of elevators is DEFINITELY a drawback to MiAdv. They really need to consider getting them added in. Especially since there is usually a line for tubes at the bottom, and kids getting off (by kids I mean teenagers) think that since they just rode, they can just take their tube back on the ride instead of giving it to someone waiting.

Being a CP Season "combo" passholder for all but 2 of the last 10 years, I can tell you that Soak City is not going anywhere. That place does so much business they have successfully kept the admission seperate as other regional parks all added water parks for one price. (PKI for example)

Having said that, yes it desperately needs an update.

CF has a good thing going with SC for the people who stay multiple days, and as long as that continues, I dont expect any major deviation from the current plan, profit, profit and oh, more profit.
*** Edited 7/28/2006 8:51:26 PM UTC by RTurb0***

Michigan's Adventure water park is far better than Cedar Point's Soak City.

MrScott

Busch Gardens Water Country USA is the best Waterpark no question. THE BEST!

I didn't care for KI's waterpark, as you couldn't go on any body slides with rivets, buttons, or anything else on the sides or bottom of your swimsuit. Since at least 50% of the swimsuits sold have those rivets, I don't know why this isn't made more clear before people come. Many were complaining.

MA does look like it has a nice waterpark, although I can't even contemplate carrying those heavy tubes up to the top...

The thing I don't understand is that GL, MiA, Dorney, Knott's, all are getting somewhat substantial upgrades that are needed to their waterparks, and they're all really nice, as well as being being better than Soak City. But CP is the flagship park, so you'd think Soak City would get with the program. Oh well, it's not a lost cause, but just like everyone's been saying, it really could use some updating.

I can't think of any swimsuit I've owned or seen that has rivets.

bobthecoasterguy said:But CP is the flagship park, so you'd think Soak City would get with the program.

Think about this, what has been getting all the attention while Soak City just sits idly by? CEDAR POINT! They have been updating Cedar Point, adding new rides, attractions etc. They have set Soak City on the back burner for right now because there is not an immediate need to update Soak City, it still packs in the crowds! I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a nice update in 2008, Soak City’s 20th Anniversary. Its in need of it, so it will be nice to see something new. But even if there is no update, its not going to affect the attendance one bit. Bottom line is, Soak City serves the resort guest and locals. So as long as Cedar Point is there, there will be a need for Soak City.

*** Edited 7/29/2006 7:49:31 AM UTC by 99er***

In short, the park brings the people in, SC makes them stay for another day. One day's money, just turned to two, simple. :)

I have lots of bathing suits, being a chick and all, and none of them have rivets. But I guess one can never be too careful.

I dig Soak City, but over the last ten years, I have only gone there if we were staying the night in Sandusky. The park just has so many rides now that you cant do both in a day. BUT, I seldome stay the night there anymore because I am sick of getting raped for a tiny, dirty room that costs top dollar.

So...usualy a day trip with no Soak City. Water parks are everywhere, coasters are not.

Probably half of the swimsuits don't have the rivets, and in that case your fine. But many times a swimsuit will have a rivet by a pocket or something. If it does have even one, you won't be doing half the things in their waterpark. The lifeguards said it was so you won't scratch up the slide which will cut someone else, but I find it odd that no other water park has this in effect. I know I'm not imagining things because I saw many other people with rivets, and many others that were walking back down the body slides warning others. I found it funny how the lifeguards at the top made people put up their arms and turn around for swimsuit inspection.

Anyways, I think the problem with SC was that it was built much before these other waterparks. I SC was built like other waterparks back in its day, before the "tropical" themeing really took off. I just hope that CP will bring it back up to date before long. Unfortunately however, I don't think CP will fix something that isn't broken.

Edited for incoherency. *** Edited 7/29/2006 12:55:55 PM UTC by Top Thrill 182***

Yeah, it may not be state-of-the-art, but it is a nice place to chill if you have the time and the $.

I still have no idea what you are talking about with the rivets. Assuming you are a guy, it must be a guy-bathing suit thing. Try wearing a cute string-bikini and you should be fine...or kicked right out of the park depending on who's working. They might even make you extend your arms for a super-long time. JOKE! Just JOKING!

Seriously though, I did see some guy at the water park by my house cut himself on something, somehow, on the slide and get escorted away bleeding like a stuck pig. So, I am all for safety. Rules are there for a reason, or by a lawyer's recommendation.

And I kinda liked Soak City last time I was there (years ago!). I had a great time, but maybe I'm not hip to the advances in water-park technology. (I don't know how to add the smileys, but if I did there would be one here)

I don't think any girl swimsuits have it, I think its just on Guy ones (near pockets etc). SC does have some great attractions, and I never tried the wave pool which looks great. Their action river was superbly done.