What should Cedar Point do to improve the mean Streak or should they just give up?

Should Cedar Point try to refurbish the ride or have a makeover like they are doing on Texas Giant or just do nothing save for the annual retracking which seems to to be becoming more and more frequent. Or should they tear the whole thing down? While I don't like the idea of removing coasters and certainly have to see any wood coaster go I wonder if it is time to call it a day and spend their money elsewhere {like a new top 10 woodie perhaps}. No one really seems to like this much anymore and it came in near the bottom or a recent wood coaster poll, even finishing lower that Darien Lake's Predator which I undersatnd has gotten really bad over the years.

I have enjoyed the ride and have been on it many times but it seems the last few years its been one trip and lets move on.

They did close it early last year to referb the entire course, so this summer it will probably the best its ever going to get since it's opening season.

If they do the Texas Giant refurb on it, then it isn't a true woodie anymore. It's a bigger Gemini without the side by side track. I personally enjoy Mean Streak, although I do feel there are better wood coasters out there. I would love to see them figure out a way to make this a better ride while maintaining it as a wood coaster. How to do that, I have no idea as I'm not a coaster engineer.

1. Fix the structure (so it can handle more)
2. Add new elements (dips and higher banks) to existing layout
3. No Trims!!
4. Timberliners!!! :)

TTD 120mph said:
1. Fix the structure (so it can handle more)
2. Add new elements (dips and higher banks) to existing layout
3. No Trims!!
4. Timberliners!!! :)

Sounds good to me!

Reprofile for added excitment and airtime and replace the track with Rocky Mountain Construction Topper Track. Topper Track is different than the I-Box track used on Texas Giant in that it is allows traditional wood coaster trains to run on it. It is an improved and more durable wooden coaster track, not steel coaster track like on Texas Giant.

Information

They did close it early last year to referb the entire course, so this summer it will probably the best its ever going to get since it's opening season.

No, they closed it early due to the fire, which should have been allowed to continue. They "referb" the course every year, which means nothing. It will still have the same crappy layout, the poorly engineered structure, and the ride-ruining brake on the first hill. It will still be rough in the same seats, and get the same complaints, and nothing will change.

Pete that was pretty interesting, and not a bad idea, but don't you think the layout itself needs changed as well? New Texas Giant's layout is very different from Texas Giant's.

Actually I think the fire happened around the same time (just after)they announced it would be closing for rehab.
If they ever did Topper Track they would probably have to add additional support to the structure considering it can barely handle what there is now as evidence to the trim on the first hill. The problem I see as the most severe would be the overbank right after the first hill. The train is not going fast enough to create a force into the staying on the outside rail, and instead slams back and forth in between the inside and out.

Kevinj said:

No, they closed it early due to the fire, which should have been allowed to continue. They "referb" the course every year, which means nothing. It will still have the same crappy layout, the poorly engineered structure, and the ride-ruining brake on the first hill. It will still be rough in the same seats, and get the same complaints, and nothing will change.

I worked the ride last year it did not close for a fire. The last weekend for the ride was the weekend before the incident. I know it seems like it was closed for that reason but trust me it wasn't.

Yeah I stand corrected. I found the old newspaper article online, and while it does seem coincidental, they were planning on shutting it down.

Even if they reprofiled it would still be a boring layout. Jeff has even said before that the ride was boring; even in its opening year. Yes, there are some people (very few) that don't think it is boring, but it is mediocre at best...

As for building a top 10 woodie at CP, I think that it would be hard with the flat ground. Most of the top woodies are built around their surroundings and that is what makes them great.

If I was Cedar Fair, I would take her down and call GCI up. Make a nice twister back there, with enough trains to handle CP's attendance.

I feel that Cedar Point needs to get The Gravity Group in there to re profile the ride. Maybe by adding a curved drop (possibly like Lightning Racer at Hershey Park), use the big empty square in the center of the structure, replace part of the structure with steel, and maybe new trains. I feel that the ride has a pretty good layout, it just lacks banked turns and airtime. The ride is really fun in the front row (especially when the trims are off).

Cedar Fair will probably have to do something with Son of Beast before Mean Streak. It has been standing dormant for 2 years and really needs some attention or possibly removal.

There's even enough room, when you think about it, for a dueling wooden GCI or Gravity Group! How cool would THAT be?

Unless you're in the very front seat, the ride is EXTREMELY boring. And no matter where you sit, its painful.

Yeah, it's a lost cause. It would be easier/cheaper to tear it down and build a ride that is actually fun.

I agree^

Why does it have to be record-breaking? Without a doubt, I'd much rather ride a 70 - 95' tall GCI than some 210' monstrosity that will shake your teeth out of your face regardless of the track or the trains.

coolkid said:
Cedar Fair will probably have to do something with Son of Beast before Mean Streak. It has been standing dormant for 2 years and really needs some attention or possibly removal.

You're right dude! If any wooden roller coaster needs attention, it would be Son of Beast. From my personal experience with the Son, I would have to say I enjoyed Mean Streak more because I didn't feel like I needed a chiropractor at the end of the ride. It would be really cool if Son Of Beast was completely torn down and rebuilt as a GG roller coaster like Voyage. That way, Kings Island would have another top 5 roller coaster to along with The Beast and Diamondback.

The Beast isn't remotely a top 5 coaster anymore. Not even top 5 wood. Or even further, not even top 5 modern woodie.

I say tear her down.... I only make it to the park a couple times a year, and seem to wind up riding MS about every other year. It is such a painful experience that I swear that I'll never get on it again, but after a little time passes I change my mind and give it a shot. Last year's ride was particularly jarring though, and actually hampered my enjoyment of the rest of the day - so I think I'm done riding MS for good.