White Water Landing: Gone!

The caves on WWL? Thats a stretch - I mean, yeah, they do technically constitute theming, but they're not what I would consider critical to the ride experience, given WWL's location.

As John pointed out above, TTD & Calypso cannot be entirely blamed on CP's lack of ability.

And DT? Of course, that is CP's most famous and humorous attempt at theming, from which they've learned lessons. The ride wasn't that great to begin with, so its not necessarily fair to blame the rides "suckiness" on the theming. If Avalanche Run was still standing, we'd all be whining about how crappy it was, that I can promise you.

the tires never spun..

And I still think DT is a great ride (with my eyes closed). The whole blacklight thing is stupid. They should just go to a lights off ride, that would be much more enjoyable.

Yes, the tires did spin. The axles were such that the tires were free to spin freely but were not motor driven. The motion of the ride made them spin, albit not at a high RPM.

If you have something massive spinning (which those tires and rims were quite heavy, I'm sure) and then you start trying to twist it around you're going to end up with a lot of torque that you didn't plan for in the axle which will over time lead to a failure such as, oh I don't know, flying off of the train and bouncing over to Iron Dragon.

Pete said:
A new path to alter and expand Frontier Town a little is an interesting idea. I doubt very much that two coasters will go in, but another water ride and that rumored Screamin' Swing would be very nice.

A nice family water ride/coaster and a Screamin' Swing would be very nice for 2006. It'd be easy to market, "Two rides that cater to the whole family". They'd cover the family ride ground and the thrill ride ground to make both happy. The thrill crowd will also find enjoyment out of a new water attraction making this a perfect decision.

That's my thought.

JuggaLotus Said: And I still think DT is a great ride (with my eyes closed). The whole blacklight thing is stupid. They should just go to a lights off ride, that would be much more enjoyable.

I agree with that. The first time I rode DT I LOVED it, because of the fact that almost the entire ride was in the dark. Last year when I went to CP, the lights were on half of the time. It was really stupid. My favorite part of the ride was I believe the second hill. When you just dropped into the darkness and you didn't even know were you were going. You just felt that feeling of free fall (that's a tounge twister. lol) With the lights on that whole effect is gone.
*** Edited 10/18/2005 8:34:23 PM UTC by Jesz***
*** Edited 10/18/2005 8:37:25 PM UTC by Jesz***

The funniest thing when it's dark is your arms don't know where to go so they fly around not knowing where to go.

I used to really enjoy Disaster Transport but now it is really crappy....I think the last time I was on it was like 3 years ago.

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Cory Marshall

The thing with WWL was that it was so old and there was so many things wrong with it. As part of the last crew on WWL I know from first hand experience. The pumps would go out, the photo sensors wouldn't work in the rain. Plus we don't even use the other side of the Flume anymore. So really it's a hunk of crap. But I loved it!!!! If they want to remove a ride it should be Chaos talk about working on a piece of crap. However, WWL was the only ride where little kids could ride on with their parents, if they put a rollercoaster in what kinds of water rides would be left for the little kids? I say put some sort of family water ride/coaster!

This is why I'm predicting a water coaster in the future. I see a watercoaster coming or a more modern Water Ride to replace White Water Landing. They may be saying they don't have any plans but wait a couple more weeks and we'll find out for sure whats coming. Maybe this swing Cedar Point is getting, the kids can ride too. I did see a lot of kids riding MaXair with their parents.

Sure, each individual element of themeing deterioration/removal has some "rational" explanation.

But, if the park considered themeing a priority, they'd be willing to spend the money to fix it when it breaks, and (better yet) maintain it so it doesn't. Park management has never (to my knowledge) shown that willingness. I can't see why any future "themed experience" would be any different, unless park management changes tack and *makes* it a priority.

Edited to add:

I did see a lot of kids riding MaXair with their parents.

None that weren't 52", which includes my five and seven year olds.

*** Edited 10/19/2005 2:22:59 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

When Snake River Falls was originally drawn up it was actually supposed to have a "mountain". That got nixed to save money.

I don't see the Point ever going down that road. You either have to dive in head first or not do it at all. If you are not fully committed you get...well...a Disaster.

Brian Noble said:
But, if the park considered themeing a priority, they'd be willing to spend the money to fix it when it breaks, and (better yet) maintain it so it doesn't. Park management has never (to my knowledge) shown that willingness. I can't see why any future "themed experience" would be any different, unless park management changes tack and *makes* it a priority

What do you call the upgrade to Diaster Transport's theming in 2002. Many may not like it as much, but it shows a commitment to keeping the theming and maintaining it. *** Edited 10/19/2005 11:02:04 PM UTC by RockingRollerFarm***

Chief Wahoo said:

You either have to dive in head first or not do it at all. If you are not fully committed you get...well...a Disaster.

lol That's pretty funny! :)

"Upgrade"? Really? I think of it as "cutting one's losses." There are hardly three effects left in that queue that still work. The dust on the overhead "parts conveyor" looks to be several seasons' worth. The thing is just embarrassing.

I'm with the Chief. I'd rather see them not bother, unless they want to really make a commitment. These half-hearted attempts are just sad. Though, the Camp Snoopy area in CP is an example where they did a good job, and have kept up the ambiance of the area nicely. It's not as cool as Knott's original, but it's pretty close. I also like the vibe that's developing by the new games/maXair/troika space. That section is starting to really spruce up.

That said, contrast CP's general attitude with the change in direction the Paramount parks have recently taken with their Thornberry log flumes (which are okay), the various Tomb Raider spin-offs, re-making kids areas into Nickzones, and the Italian Jobs. All of these are relatively new, though, so we'll see how well they are kept up.

I believe Cedar Fair would need at least that level of commitment to make any themed attraction work more than a few seasons. So far, they haven't been willing. I don't know if it's because of the poor return on investment Disaster generated, but that was the first serious attempt, and it has always been viewed as a business failure. There may be some other reason, too, but the powers that be just haven't made it a priority. Failing once in a while isn't an indictment, either. Heck, even the masters (WDI) fail once in a while---as evidence, I give you Stich's Great (sic) Escape and large swaths of DCA (I like it, but it hasn't been a rousing business success).

That's neither good nor bad, it just is. But, given the track record, I'm certainly not holding my breath for an ultra-themed experience back there.

*** Edited 10/20/2005 1:55:36 PM UTC by Brian Noble***

I am so upset about WWL leaving--reasons all covered in previous posts, so no need to repeat.
My 2¢ worth is this:
1. Yes, Ghost Town or other rustic themed ride
2. Water, but only if it's another flume-ish, not so wet thing.
3. Definitely family oriented, but not babyish.
4. Dark rides required theming and upkeep, see above posts.
5. I would LOVE to see a good, long, TALL floorless. But the best place for that would be TTD's old spot when it's gone in 2008...

Oh, and Powder Keg at Silver Dollar City is NOT a water coaster. The photos on RCDB are of both rides because the park drained and reworked Buzz Saw Falls, which had mechanical issues (CP doesn't need another ride with mechanical issues). I'm not a fan of the water coasters I've seen, because I don't see the point of combining a coaster with water. Water rides should be more sylvan, less mechanical, IMHO. Especially if they're located in Frontiertown.

peacetrain said: 5. I would LOVE to see a good, long, TALL floorless. But the best place for that would be TTD's old spot when it's gone in 2008...

are they really removing TTD? Is it still not running?

Yes.

OMG. I knew that it was having problems, but I didn't think that removal was going to be the solution. My boyfriend is going to be very dissapointed :( Is there another thread or a news article about this anywhere?

Just because its been having problems this past season, doesn't mean its going to be gone in 2008. That's like saying George Bush will resign from Office sometime in 2006. We all know that's very very very much not going to happen. And how do you know whats going to happen in the 2008? Are you reading Cedar Point managements minds? Its good to see White Water Landing go in my opinion because this gives Cedar Point the chance to bring something better in. Whether they're planning on building another water ride or a brand new water coaster, it will help stregthen that area of the park. Look what happend after we took down Mill Race. Everyone was dissapointed when that happend, I wasn't because I was still young and hadn't really been to Cedar Point at the time.