We need a woodie...

I don't post a whole lot anymore, mainly because I'm rarely on the internet that much. But after this weekend, I have to say it. We need a quality wood coaster.

I'm not looking for some earth-shattering, 800 ft. 90 degree drop 180 mph woodie with 9 loops. I'm talking something with some substance. I realize the powers that be feel that wood is a lot of maintenance, and they aren't keen on it. But after 50-60 laps on two of the top wood coasters, I've fallen in love with them all over again. I used to love MS when it was in top shape, but it just hasn't been the same the last few years. When I lived in Cinci, I used to ride the Beast, and it still is one of my favorites, but it lost places to Magnum and Raptor, and even MF. I see the Beast and MF in a similar category. To me (this is MY opinion, not trying to push it on others) they have the speed that make them fun, but they just don't have the substance that other rides have. Now after riding Raven and Legend, I've grown a new found respect for woodies, and wish that we had something like that a little closer to home. I did ask Will Kuch (sp?), President of Holiday World, if we could box one of them up and ship it to CP. He laughed, and jokingly replied "We'll look into it."

I'm not saying that CP doesn't have great coasters. I love all of the coasters at CP, I just would love to have a great wooden coaster. It doesn't have to break records, I just would like to see something that just goes non-stop from top to bottom, giving great g's at the bottoms, great airtime on the hills, and plenty of laterals to really give that "out-of-control feeling" a woodie is supposed to do. MS used to give that feeling, I just haven't felt it in a long time. BS gives it again, but I'd like to see more. :)

Anyways, just an opinion. Respond if you like, but don't flame me just because you disagree with what I say. I know people love MF (you know who you are, Mr. Stand-Up-On-Raven. I've got a picture we can give to her, you know, so she knows you've been cheating. ;) ), we all have our different preferences.

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Jeff Shumway
99 Mitsu GSX 13.9 @ 94 mph - whoops, wrong board...

2002 25 minute MF rides: 1
2002 45 minute waits on Raptor platform w/o riding: 1
2002 trips to the point: not near enough
2002 Raptor Crew??? Oh yeah, you know it...

Not to be rude, but to inform you, it is Bill Koch. But it is pronounced "cook," as per Mrs. Koch... I agree CP does need a wooden coaster, but we can only hope and wait. Raven and Legend are awesome, but what makes them more awesome is the environment... TREES...

If a woodie ever gets built at CP, I hope it is a Gravity Designs (formerly CCI)...

Well lets see with the way Blue Streak has been running this season I would say we have a high quality wood coaster. Too bad we can't count Magnum as a woodie then we would have two.

Since Cedar Fair is basically lining Intamin's pockets full maybe Intamin could give then a little discount on one of their woodies, and they could put it in the back of the park behind TC, and WWL.

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Dan Haverlock
"How do you own disorder?"

While I agree it would be nice, I wish more people would give Blue Streak the credit it deserves. It's running really well this year.

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Jeff
Webmaster/GTTP
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"There's nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, when it's all in your mind. You gotta let go." - Ghetto, Supreme Beings of Leisure

What I would like to see is a family cornball size woodie in the Kiddy Kingdom area. After surveying the area they could fit one in with ease and plenty of room to spare Something not huge that will scare away the kiddies but still packs a punch. PKI has had success with "family" installations and I think it would work good here.

Come to think of that whole area needs a face lift. Take out those stupid circular tented kiddy rides (move a few back by the GCA if they want to keep the count.) but keep the carousel and some of the old Hershel rides.
*** This post was edited by Joe E. 10/1/2002 12:01:01 AM ***

Oh, I'm not saying Blue Streak isn't great. Maybe I didn't make it as clear as I wanted, but I love Blue Streak this year! It's running as well as I have ever seen. The only thing it's missing in my opinion is laterals. There just aren't a whole lot of them when it comes to the out and back design like that. I like being tossed to the left then right back to the right, up and down. I just would like to see more wood at CP.
Michael, thank you for the correction. I knew the name, I just couldn't remember how to spell it. And I do agree that the surrounding area really adds to the ride.
Dan, I agree with putting one in back by TC. I think it's a prime spot for one.
Anyways, like I said, just opinions and thoughts. Thanks for the discussion/responses. :)

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Jeff Shumway
99 Mitsu GSX 13.9 @ 94 mph - whoops, wrong board...

2002 25 minute MF rides: 1
2002 45 minute waits on Raptor platform w/o riding: 1
2002 trips to the point: not near enough
2002 Raptor Crew??? Oh yeah, you know it...

Blue Streak is a coaster you can always count-on despite the fact that the awesome padded open seats are a gone. It changed how comfortable the ride used to be, not the wildness of the ride. If it wasn't for Blue Streak there would be no wood at CP. I don't count the coaster "sculpture" in the back of the park, and I don't think I am alone on that. It would be nice to have another. Funny that they own the best (Shivering Timbers) and the worst (Mean Streak). As far as the classic Hampton Umbrella rides in Kiddy Kingdom, my kids like those better than the newer rides, and they are at least classic rides from the 60's that you can't find anywhere: Motor Cycles, Corvettes, Kiddy Whip, those are awesome!

I agree with Dan. It would be great to have a woodie back in Frontier Town.

I also agree with Jeff that Blue Streak is highly underrated this year. If only the crew would realize that they don't have to sit on lapbars for the riders to be safe!
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- John
Toasted flying banana's are fun.

I have yet to have a ride op "sit" on my lapbar on Blue Streak. Although I must say my ride on Sunday wasn't nearly as fast as it was earlier in the season. Maybe I just caught it on a bad day. Opening day that coaster was flying.

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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

I was really looking forward to BS this year after hearing how great it was running. I think it was running slower on Labor Day weekend than others have described, earlier in the year.

Now, if we could move Timbers to CP......

I'd be outta a Coaster near me...never mind.

MrScott

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"If we go any faster, she'll blow apart for sure!"

I would tear out Mine ride. Build a GCI Racer around 85 -90ft.tall. M. Flyer trains.

Still call it Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Build on the frontier theme. Put in a nice wood tunnel out of the station and plenty more thoughout the ride. Maybe one of those double back lifts like Twister at Knoebles. That would save a little space for a nice turning first drop over the creek. Market it as the only racer with a double back lift in the world. Most tunnels ect.

Then tear out Oceana, Dive show, what ever you call it, and build a jr. woodie a little bigger than Zachs Zoomer there.

Order Some new Philly trains for Blue Streak. That's all she needs.

Tear Mean Streak down and replace it with a Intamin woodie. Around 150 ft. tall would be fine with me. If there has to be a market hook, make it longest in the world. I wouldn't go for tallest, ya don't want it turning into S.O.B. in a few years. And I think the longest record will stand longer than the tallest, due to the space it takes up. The Beast has been holding that record way too long.

There you have it, woodie heaven.

And while you have it Moron make it an Intamin racing/dueling woodie (See my Ben Hur Racer description in another thread)!

If I remember correctly, CCMR has done more riders a year than MS for a couple of years now. They'd probably tear down MS before they touch CCMR.

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*- Chuck Wagon - *
- The best food in the park -
formerly CP_Fan

Oh, I didn't see that Kevin. Ben Hur sounds great. As far as removing CCMR. or MS. Don't worry. Unless ya think CP will listen to a Moron.