Thoughts and observations

It seems like they named the rides "Windseeker" at the last minute. I would have thought one or two of the rides would have been named "Startosoar". Unless, Cedar Fair is planning early for attraction in 2012.

crazy horse said:
A 300 foot ride IS a major attraction.

Wait, so height is the only thing that makes an attraction "major"? That's odd, since it doesn't seem that they do much marketing for that "major" Space Spiral ride. What a wasted opportunity.

crazy horse said:
I am really curious to see what Michigans adventure is getting next year.

Are we expecting them to add something? Aside from a complete midway loop, what is the park lacking? Based off what I read in trip reviews, they're doing incredible business as-is.

crazy horse said:
Do you have substantial proof that most people don't want a coaster? If not, don't knock people who may think otherwise weather they are right or wrong.

They (and Six Flags) already tried the let's build tons of coasters, because that will definitely keep attendance up business plan, and it failed. CP has grown their attendance about as much as they can, given that their market is only so big.

Just about everyone I know is always asking me what the next coaster is going to be at cedarpoint. I think you underestimate what people want. Cedarpoint backed themselfs into the corner by adding new coasters and not much else for the last 15 years.

Do you only talk to teenagers? I don't, and I've heard countless family members (who have families of their own), who say they haven't been to CP in years because the park is really only fun if you're a teenager. That is, CP doesn't seem to offer families enough entertainment. I realize this may be partly misconception, but rounding out the park's ride offerings goes a long way toward communicating that CP is more than just OMG coasturzzz!!!11!!1!

But I do think it's time to start looking for a new coaster as well.

Yeah, let's not even see them break ground on WindSeeker before we start whining about how the park doesn't have enough coasters.

crazy horse said:
Do you have substantial proof that most people don't want a coaster? If not, don't knock people who may think otherwise weather they are right or wrong.

Well, that they have built a water ride, a family area and now a flat ride since 2007 would all seem to be substantial proof that the people answering surveys aren't clamoring for a coaster every year.

TTD 120mph said:
Scratch what I said. The details page says 48".

Until/unless the State of Ohio changes it :)

djDaemon said:

crazy horse said:
A 300 foot ride IS a major attraction.

Wait, so height is the only thing that makes an attraction "major"? That's odd, since it doesn't seem that they do much marketing for that "major" Space Spiral ride. What a wasted opportunity.

Well, in all fairness, when Space Spiral was built it was the first amusement park ride in the world to top 300' and the tallest Von Roll Observation Tower built. It was certainly heavily marketed that year and the slogan was "New Heights In Fun!"

"Overall, Cedar Point will add more than $6 million in capital improvements to the park for 2011"

Does anyone know if this is more than usual, and wouldnt this include the scenery and quene for Windseeker?

The cost of scenery and queue is typically included in the announced cost of a new ride installation.

The remaining $1 mil is likely for other improvements around the property. Not maintenance stuff (like painting, repairs, etc.) but likely a new restaurant/food stand or some similar change.

Yeah, I can see that, Pete. But my point was that if Space Spiral were built today, it wouldn't be considered a major attraction simply based on the fact that it's tall.

Duhhhh "Overall" i was thinking 6 mil more from the wind seeker

Damn i was hoping for some Disaster Transport or Mean Streak Renovation to happen

I'm curious about loading a ride like this during off-peak times. Would it need to be relatively balanced so alternating blocks of seats would be skipped?

For example, it seems like if seats 1-16 were filled at 350 lbs each and 17-32 were empty, that would put a lot of stress on the ride. Better to break that up into halves or quarters.

While I'd bet the ride can be operated without being balanced, I would imagine they'd want to load evenly when possible.

JuggaLotus said:

The remaining $1 mil is likely for other improvements around the property.

One word. Pavers!

Just a thought - riding this during the morning in fog. THAT could be interesting. Possibly it wouldn't operate because the crew couldn't observe the ride well enough, unless they relied upon cameras mounted on top. Or, will there be a crew member stationed on that widow's walk?

Disaster transport will never be changed or re-furbished, at least the whole ride itself.

But, when I was riding Giant wheel one day, I did notice something different. They removed those ugly metel rods or whatever they were from the top, and they put white tarp over the roof. They also did this to the merchandise warehouse as well. (the roof)

Yet seagulls still make nests there and crap into holes in the new tarp............:)

Miss_Maverick07 said:
Disaster transport will never be changed or re-furbished, at least the whole ride itself.

I wouldn't put money on that.

Leaving aside the issues of functionality for a moment, I have to say that from an aesthetic standpoint, the Mondial model looks inferior to the original Starflyer. Again, I realize that there are no existing models to photograph, but while the Starflyer has a lithe, almost Art Nouveau feel to it, this looks more like Flight Commander on 'roids. Form follows function, of course, but this kind of looks like 100% function.

Additionally, while the rigid arms might have been a necessity, part of my personal excitement for this ride was the free-swinging nature of the seats. This rigidity, combined with what certainly looks like a reduced angle of tilt, just doesn't excite me as much..

And in an effort to contain all my griping in one post, the height just doesn't excite me in the same way that 400' would. That may prove to be something that was never a realistic possibility, but it sure would have been nice..

My 5 year old was not happy to hear about Ocean Motion. Several people on this site are saying how Cedar Point needs more non-coaster rides to make the park better for families. I understand that opinion and I for the most part agree with it. However, that only works if they don't remove an existing family ride, which by the way my entire family can ride. I can't say that for WS.

In terms of bringing families into the park I am not understanding the difference between a coaster and WS. If a family is fortunate to be tall enough (and brave enough) to ride WS don't you think they would be more excited for the park to get a coaster? I understand that a park cannot continue to live by simply adding coaster after coaster. But if the opinion is that the park needs more non-coaster oriented families to come through the gates I don't see WS as the type of ride that is going to bring non-coaster loving people into the park.

JuggaLotus said:
I wouldn't put money on that.

And neither would CP.;)

djDaemon said:

crazy horse said:
A 300 foot ride IS a major attraction.

Wait, so height is the only thing that makes an attraction "major"? That's odd, since it doesn't seem that they do much marketing for that "major" Space Spiral ride. What a wasted opportunity.

crazy horse said:
I am really curious to see what Michigans adventure is getting next year.

Are we expecting them to add something? Aside from a complete midway loop, what is the park lacking? Based off what I read in trip reviews, they're doing incredible business as-is.

crazy horse said:
Do you have substantial proof that most people don't want a coaster? If not, don't knock people who may think otherwise weather they are right or wrong.

They (and Six Flags) already tried the let's build tons of coasters, because that will definitely keep attendance up business plan, and it failed. CP has grown their attendance about as much as they can, given that their market is only so big.

Just about everyone I know is always asking me what the next coaster is going to be at cedarpoint. I think you underestimate what people want. Cedarpoint backed themselfs into the corner by adding new coasters and not much else for the last 15 years.

Do you only talk to teenagers? I don't, and I've heard countless family members (who have families of their own), who say they haven't been to CP in years because the park is really only fun if you're a teenager. That is, CP doesn't seem to offer families enough entertainment. I realize this may be partly misconception, but rounding out the park's ride offerings goes a long way toward communicating that CP is more than just OMG coasturzzz!!!11!!1!

But I do think it's time to start looking for a new coaster as well.

Yeah, let's not even see them break ground on WindSeeker before we start whining about how the park doesn't have enough coasters.

1. It's not JUST because of the height. It's the height and thrill of the ride. Did they miss that opportunity with power tower?

2.Yes, maybe they could loop the park, or even add a flat or two. No new coaster needed for a while at michigans adventure. You have too add things every so often, otherwise the product becomes stagment. It does not have to be a coaster EVERYTIME, but maybe small additions here and there.

3. When did I say that they needed do dump a bunch of coasters down? I said that they are do for one (1). What's that slogan they have?...Oh yea, Americas roller coast.

You mentiond that six flags did it. The only instance I know of that they did that, was at geauga lake. I think everyone learned a lesson from that.

4.Everyone at work, family, friends..ect..ect are always asking me what the next coaster is going to be. Cedarpoint is more of a thrill ride park. It used to be a family park, but over the years thay have removed almost all traces of family rides and replaced them with coasters and thrill rides.

5. Not whining, just saying that it's time. Just because I think it's time they add another, does not mean that I am whining about it.

6. Like I said(and how you left it out of my quotes) I am looking forword to windseeker and can't wait to ride it. And by the way, winseeker looks far from a family ride, so your argument about adding family rides fails. The only real family additions there have been in a while was planet snoopy. Let's see here... Str...48" height requirement...windseeker...48" height requirement, maverick...52" height requirement, maxair 52" height requirement, skyhawk...48" height requirement. So yea, it does not look like they are aiming for the familys here.

Here is the "family rides" section on the website.

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/park/rides/family/index.cfm

With the exception of planet snoopy, when was the last "true" family ride built in the park? You know what a "family" ride is right? It's a ride that mom, dad, and jr can ride together. And even with planet snoopy, most of the rides are doubles of rides that were already in the park.

I don't like it. We could have had a StarFlyer for Cedar Point that would be 400 feet tall, but cedar point went with a 300 foot tall what looks to be a cigaret.