Will there ever be another large-scale coaster?

I can't help being intrigued about the future of Cedar Point. I was just staring at the park map the other day and came to a realization. I just don't see enough space available to build another roller coaster of epic proportions like Magnum, Mean Streak, or Millennium Force. These rides not only cover large areas, but they offer lengthy ride times.

Will CP build future coasters that break records such as height, speed, etc.? Somehow most definitely. But will we ever board another new roller coaster that has a huge lift hill, covers a massive amount of area, and offers a lengthy 2.5 or even 3-minute ride time? What do you think?

Keep in mind what I'm trying to convey. Rides like Mantis and Raptor have pretty long ride times, but they are comparatively compact (vs. Magnum). Top Thrill Dragster and Wicked Twister are record-breaking in terms of height, but they are short and also somewhat compact.

There are definitely areas of land left that could accommodate compact roller coasters. There are also some larger sites (Remove Antique Cars in Frontier Town, narrow walkways; or expand into Camper Village); but, using those larger sites would be invasive (especially to the historic Frontier Town). I can only imagine how CP must be battling between conserving the park and adding new thrill rides. Regardless, I'm doubtful we'll ever see another large-scale coaster.

You are not going to get a lot of love with that post but I can tell you that I never thought they would go bigger than Magnum and they did. Then, I never thought they would go bigger than Millenium Force and they did. Then, I never ever would have believe they would top MF in only two years...and they did.

Take it for what it is worth.

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No matter where you go, there you are.

Magnum may be long, but the way it was placed it takes up virtually no park real estate and interacts well with both the beach and soak city. Pure genius.
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It's not war, famine, or pestilence; it's only downtime.

I think we will see more large-scale coasters, remember, if need be they can expand southward into the main parking lot, cedar point is no where near out of room.
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Arms down.....Arms down.....Arms down.......Arms down.....Arms down....Arms down...(you think they would get it the first time?!)

TTD-9 Rollbacks-1

yeah, the only room magnum really takes up is at the station and at the turnaround. and the good part is that it is on the very edge of the park so they wont have to worry about working around or through it.

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Guess what? I got a fever! And the only prescription... is more cowbell!

But they do have to worry about it sinking. ;)

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The best part of riding an arrow is getting off!:)

See my sig.

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http://said.uc.edu/students/oakleysd/cp/CP.jpg
Now tell me Cedar Point is running out of space.

Yeah, that aerial picture is great, but I'm not sure how much longer it'll be at that address. I just graduated from UC and I'm not sure when they purge accounts of students who are not returning. I am currently on dialup, so it'll be awhile before I find a new place for that picture. If someone wants to host, drop me a line.

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--Seth

wow that is a nice shot. Looks like it's about a 4mb picture or more. I think exactly like the Chief on this one.
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If there's bugs on your shirt, you had a good ride.

Ugh...people like Chief Wahoo are taking this thread in the exact same direction I tried to avoid. Re-read the original post in its entirety; don't look at the title and think you'll know exactly what the thread is about.

This post is not about going higher, as I clearly stated that Cedar Point would definitely do that. I never doubted CP would surpass Magnum, MF, and someday TTD; it's just a matter of time and developing technology.

And again, the Magnum taking up small amount of real estate was not what I wanted to talk about. Do me a favor...open up the CP park map on the website. Look at Magnum, Meanstreak, MF...compare those to Wild Cat, Wicked Twister, Dragster, Mantis, and Raptor. I think you'll notice they are three stand-outs in terms of sheer size (and the lengths they cover).

What I'm trying to say is that, for me, part of the appeal for Magnum, MF, and Mean Streak is that you actually go somewhere and return to that same initial location. Think about Magnum for a moment...let's say it had to be contained in a rectangular area the size of Gemini. It went up and down in this rectangle, weaving through supports. Would it have the same appeal as the journey along the coast of Lake Erie? I don't think so, IMO. So will we ever acquire another roller coaster like Magnum, Mean Streak, or MF? Or will the future bring launch coasters to conserve space, flying coasters that are mangled into a small plot of land like Mantis, etc...

The aerial picture is nice to look at, but as I stated, that's all invasive space (which is why CP hasn't invaded it yet). CP has always left that area pure, natual, and scenic. There is no denying there is a space problem and there will be moreso in the future, but I only want to talk about space if it relates to another large-scale coaster.

If anyone understands what I'm talking about, I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you don't understand what I'm trying to pinpoint, ignore the topic altogether.

Ok, so you want to know if there will ever be another out-n-back? Well, there certainly could be, even without a traditional lift hill. The lift takes up a good majority of the space on a coaster.

Dodonpa goes somewhere even though it is a launched coaster. It looks like the new Hershey Park coaster will too.

The question is, is there space at Cedar Point to build a big out and back? Presumably they could put a station in the confines of the park and run a coaster out into the parking lot. However, if I want to ride a coaster in a parking lot I will go to a Six Flags park.

You could do another Magnum style coaster but you would infringe on the campground.

The other option is to go up and put coasters over existing rides like they did with Jaguar out at Knott's. What I am getting at is that the possibilities exist.
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No matter where you go, there you are.

Chief Wahoo, that's exactly what I'm talking about and better-worded.... will there ever be another large-scale out-n-back coaster?

I agree that possibilites do exist, but I wonder what trade-offs CP will make to accommodate another large out-n-back, if they choose to have another.

As for lift hills, like you said, it'd probably be a launched out-and-back to conserve space. I would truly miss another 400+ lift hill, as I think the anticipation would be awesome. But realistically, that'd take a great amount of space, create more costs, and it could be dangerous.

well the bueaty of steel is that they can cover large amounts of land, and not take up a lot of space. I mean MF doesnt exactly take up a lot of room although it is one of the longer rides in the park. So i think thre is still a lot of room to build large steel coasters.

I do not believe however that we will see another large wooden coaster such as Mean Streak, wood coaster do take up huige amounts of land, and i just dont see another fitting in at CP.

I believe it's already been developed by Vekoma, but you could save space on the lift by having a vertical lift. Train pulls out onto a section of track, that section is lifted elevator style to the top, train rolls off down the hill.

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-Chris Woodard
"We got pop and Gatorade over here for $100 a bottle, so have your credit card ready. Seriously, the food here is so expensive, I just eat the condiments because I can't afford a meal." - MF que DJ 6/16/03

It seems there is definitely room for more large-scale steel coasters. Possibly not another large woodie (they should their last woodie worth riding before thinking about that).

In looking at Fury's photo, it seems there are plenty of open areas without having to resort to the parking lot. The area next to WT that used to be the aquarium and currently houses Oceania should go. That's an ideal spot for a compact steel coaster (not your point, I understand, just my editorial on Oceana). Plenty of areas near MS, near Gemini and Mine Ride, Millenium Island, the Millenium shoreline, doing a garage for hotel parking, etc.

I don't want this to turn into another "where should a ride go" discussion, but my point is that I believe there is space for a large scale coaster.

There are plenty of places to fit a big steel out and back because all you need is a very narrow path for it to travel (Magnum is only about 20-30 feet across for most of the ride), a turn around area, and a place for the station. Concerning the lift idea, I've thought about the elevator type thing before, but I think a steeper, say 60*-70* cable lift would be easier to pull off while still saving a ton of space. We're seeing more launched rides nowadays because I believe CP is shooting for variety, and they already have several big, long rides (i.e. MF and Magnum). If and when CP has the desire to build a 8,000+ foot long ride (which may be a while), I'm very confident that they could do it.
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CP 2K3: 15
"What are you, a dentist? Or a hippie? Or some kind of hippie dentist?" - Strongbad

Just when you think they can't do it they will. Yesterday people were talking about ditching the campgrounds and the next ride will be a thrill ride-not a coaster. Take it for what its worth but thats what i heard. Personally I agree and i think the next coaster will be a flyer through the island, nice somewhat compact BM

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D/\MN GINA!!!!!!!!

CP will NEVER ditch the campground. It makes too much money to do that.

MrScott

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

I think a lift leading into an out and back coaster could be done, but I don't think it would be done for a while. The two obvious choices for the next coaster are a flyer or floorless. Both types are known for being twisted and tangled.

The only reason I would think an out and back design would be used is if they went for a height record again.

MF is also and out and back coaster.

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http://said.uc.edu/students/oakleysd/cp/CP.jpg
Now tell me Cedar Point is running out of space.

I wouldn't consider MF an out & back.

CP has TONS of room for an out&back or whatever they want to build. If you look at WT you will see tons of open land. CP has tons of beach from WT to the end of the parking lot! They also have the edge of the parking lot on the other side of the park by Blue Streak. I personally would like to see a flyer next to WT and it could swoop down over the water.

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Race For The Sky!