TTD Closed Again??

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Wahtash said:
All right let's climb that mountain. It's there after all! But wait. Mountain is closed. Mountain is closed? Yeah, but hey, there’s a ton to do in the village. Lots of local color and such! Go climb some of those hills out by the lake. There just as much fun, they just don’t get the press that big one does.

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So your comparison is Cedar Point w/o TTD is JUST a village, and it costs extra to ride the "Mountain". Gemini was that "Mountain", as was Magnum, Mantis, Mean Streak, Raptor, WT, and MF.

I would think that someone with your expanded imagination would see that.

Purdue University Engineer, that $2.7M you mentioned was "non-cash" income if I recall. Those are generally things like changes in derivative fair market values. Companies could also report things like stock option expenses there. I'd have to look at FUN's annual report, but I believe the 2003 credit was due to a change in the value of their interest rate swaps. That's not where a "cash reimbursement" from Intamin would go.

Hey Brown,

...and what a WONDERFUL village it is!!! Proud to say I've climbed them all (except that really, really tall one). And I’m proud to say that all were accomplished as soon as they were open. Man, I have been to CP at least once a year since 1972! I drooled over the construction diaries of MF and TTD. There was a construction picture (the one looking down from the top into the snow, you know the one) on my desk for all to see since January of 2003. My sons and I would just "bust into talking about how cool it will be to go 420 feet in the air" for months.

It is now July 2004, some 18 months since a strategic and targeted marketing campaign let loose a shock and awe operation, promising excitement for a middle-aged thrill seeker such as myself. I can’t ride a skate board. I’m not going to buy a Harley. There’s nowhere around here to bungee jump. Skydiving, yeah right! Gotta’ have my “extreme” adventure fix man. CP is my dealer man…they got the stuff!

I JUST WANT TO RIDE THE #@$%* THING! Then it can break down, sink into the ground, get stuck by lightning and fall into a pile of ash. And then I’ll join the rest in scoffing at those who haven’t gone before. It’s just there, dangling before me, taunting, tempting, teasing… WOW, now I’m all messed up! Gotta go do some back flips on my CR250… *** Edited 7/11/2004 1:29:28 AM UTC by Wahtash***

Wahtash-

You live in Erie, just like me. It is the same 2.5 hr. trip. I get season passes to CP every year so I can go 4-5 times for the price of $100. I have been to CP 10 times in 2 years. And TTD has never been down for an entire day. Now am I lucky, or are you unlucky? TTD has more uptime than downtime in 2004, and there are an unfortunate group of people that have not been on TTD. But is CP better with or without TTD? We are privleged that CP is willing to put up $25 million for a ride that is redefining coaster rideing, and that the best park 6 years running is 150 miles from your home. Hershey Park has had issues with Storm Runner this year. Is that CP's fault also? Would it be better if CP was like SFMM where there is not enough $$ to actually keep the rides operating? Heck no! They are doing their best to keep everyone happy. I want you to ride it. It is the best ride that I have been on, but the best coaster is still MF, but unfortunatly the rollercoaster gods have not given you the day you need to ride TTD.

Waldameer does have that new spinning coaster though...

Even though i have been on TTD 15 some times this season, I am still very disappointed in the operation of TTD. I mean the ride was running amazingly when i went in early june. Hopefully i can get a few more rides when i trip back up from NYC for my 2nd trip in august. Looks like the ride shut down yet again today. I feel really bad for the people that wait for hours and don't get a chance to ride. Although i think it is VERY stupid to wait more then 2 hours for this ride, Not knowing if you will get a chance to ride or not.

Looks like its back to where it was last season. Down almost everyday. Any news on what might be the problem? Definatly the hydraulics if the train before it breaks down only goes half way up.

The thing I don't get is why so many people think that the ride is running acceptably. If the other rides at the park ran like this, you can bet CP would quickly lose it claim to fame as "best amusement park on the planet".

CP is fortunate that they do have their other rides running well. At least they can point their fingers at those rides and tell disappointed guests that they COULD have had a good day if they hadn't bothered to wait in line for this really great ride that they advertised heavily, but which doesn't work properly.

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Big D said:Looks like its back to where it was last season. Down almost everyday. Any news on what might be the problem? Definatly the hydraulics if the train before it breaks down only goes half way up.

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Dragster is nowhere near where it was last year. It's performance is 10x better than last year's. Down everyday? No, not really. I would venture to say Dragster has been up more than 80% of the days this season. It was up just about every day all of May and most of June. You people should really stop berating CP for Dragster's less than perfect operation. You have no idea how hard that maintenance crew works to get that ride up and running each day.

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Panman said:
The thing I don't get is why so many people think that the ride is running acceptably.

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I don't think that it is accecptable that TTD operates sporadically. But I also do not blame CP for the problems either. If CP designed, and built the coaster then they would get the blame, but they paid $25 million to a company for those things. I also do not think that having TTD down should ruin your day. There are other options other than TTD that were around WAY before TTD.

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If the other rides at the park ran like this, you can bet CP would quickly lose it claim to fame as "best amusement park on the planet".

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But the other rides don't run like this, nor have they.

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Jordan Isenberg said:

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Big D said:Looks like its back to where it was last season. Down almost everyday. Any news on what might be the problem? Definatly the hydraulics if the train before it breaks down only goes half way up.

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Dragster is nowhere near where it was last year. It's performance is 10x better than last year's. Down everyday? No, not really. I would venture to say Dragster has been up more than 80% of the days this season. It was up just about every day all of May and most of June. You people should really stop berating CP for Dragster's less than perfect operation. You have no idea how hard that maintenance crew works to get that ride up and running each day.

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My analesys was based on how it was running during the past few weeks. It ran really great up until 2 weeks ago. I am not going to start putting the blame one anybody, For all i know this could be a small little problem that has developed and will be fixed in the next few days. I hope its not a long term thing.

I am looking at the webcams right now and it appears like everything is running fine. Does anyone know if it have been running consistently here lately?

I was at the park yesterday (Sunday) and from the best of my knowledge there were 2 rollbacks. From opening until the time I was on (around 11-12ish) Dragster was running pretty consistently, with the occasional 5 minute breakdown.

Once I was on, though, my friend and I get into the purple train in the loading station further back, and three trains ahead of us, the train rolled back. After a 10-15 minute delay, the ops reset everything and it was running pretty well from then on. Props to the ride ops for keeping up the pace despite the occasional breakdown.

Around 1-3ish, my friends and I were in line for Mantis when I noticed the green train (which appeared to be running slow all day) rolled back. When we got back to that side of that park, Dragster was closed, and remained closed until we left at 8pm.

Oh, and if there was one thing I learned yesterday (from one of the more annoying friends with us) - nobody is an expert when it comes to coasters. You can have a million theories on why it broke down, but the likelyhood of being right is pretty low. You can comment, theorosize (sp?), and complain about it as much as you like, but it won't help the situation much...

(just had to throw that rant in there.)
*** Edited 7/12/2004 3:47:28 PM UTC by MiLLeNNiuMRiDeR***

Dragster did re-open around 9:45 last night, I got a ride in just before they closed for the night. The ride has had a fair amount of downtime these past few weeks (I do happen to know why) but it seems like they're starting to get it back to "normal." I do give the mechanics props though, they work their butts off making that ride run.

Just to let you guys know, 7/12 I was at the park and the ride went down around 8:30, and they said they were expecting VERY lengthy delays. Instantly I saw about 6 or 7 people going down towards the engine bay, and later saw them with the crane near the end of the launch. Just figured I'd let you guys know.

http://treets.newsnet5.com/svc/lnk.cfm?l=38616384&t=1

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CurrentlyDownDueTo FillInTheBlank said:
Well, I just E-mailed CP, A very nice letter hoping to get a responce, but I doubt that I will.

I asked them if they were going to be posting the daily status, if they anticipated severe problems like last year, why I couldn't use my FW stamp, if outside the entrance gate was considered a line and if cutting was permitted, and a few other q's. In the odd event I actually get a responce, I will be sure to post it.

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Well, I posted that on 6/28. After not receiving an E-mail back from them, I figured that I was just one of the thousands of those who never get a responce.

I recieved a letter from them via snail mail yesterday. They could have saved the 37 cents and E-mailed me back, but hey, I can't complain, I got a personalized letter! Here it is........

Dear Kristine,

Please accept my apologies that your visit to Cedar Point was less than you had expected.

The policy for freeway stamps at Dragster after we reopen due to mechanical reasons is that two lines will be formed one for our regular guests and one for our guests with freeway stamps, I do apologize that this procedure was not enforced or explained to you properly.

We, at Cedar Point, expect our employees to follow proper protocol and etiquette when dealing with guests. We pride ourselves in having fine seasonal staff that can handle themselves in an appropriate manner. The situation that you experienced with the Top Thrill Dragster crew was addressed. I apologize for any inconvenience or unpleasantness that this may have caused you.

Kristine, your comments do help us ensure the highest level of guest service to our guests. Your comments and continued patronage are greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

[signature]

Karrah Yerage

Area Manager

Ride Operations

I liked the letter, and I was pleased with it. The only thing that didn't make sence was "I do apologize that this procedure was not enforced or explained to you properly."

What's to "explain"? I said in my E-mail to them that they refused to let me use my freeway stamp because "all of these people have been waiting and it would not be fair."

Oh well. At least I received a response!! YEAH! :)

It sounds like the guy running the free-way entranced screwed up since their should have been a line just for people with free-way stamps. I wonder, if TTD goes down and it rolls over your time, do you get to use yours the next hour (or during the hour which it opens) or are you just assed out and can't use your free-way at all.

I had a freeway a couple of weeks ago and it went down during my hour. They told me at the entrance that they would honor it when the ride was back up even if the hour had past.

Unfortunately, the ride never went back up that day. Because of that, they allowed me to use my stamp for freeway priviledges on any other ride. So, off to Millennium Force I went.

I doubt it will be closed for the season. CP just cannot say at this moment when it will be open.

I'm going to have my palms read later and I'll ask the fortune teller when TTD will reopen!

ok, I'm going to say it once, and really loud so everyone, even those with earmuffs on can hear.

NOONE HERE KNOWS IF IT WILL BE OPEN OR NOT. IT IS CLOSED INDEFINITELY. ANYONE WHO DID KNOW FOR SURE WILL NOT POST ON HERE SAYING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER BECAUSE THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR JOB. SO STOP ASKING.