Would you ride a coaster in the winter, in snow?

I don't know about the rest of you, but coaster withdrawel can get to me during the off season and have always felt that the parks close too early and open too late. Then I saw this review on the TPR web site. Is this for real or was this just a promo? Would you ride coasters in the winter? You bet! Sure beats standing in line in 95 degree heat and humidity. I've been on MF when it was up in the upper 30's last fall and it didn't seem to bother anyone, they were packed. Would you go to Cedar Point or any other park in the midwest if it was open in December? I realize some rides can't ride under inclement weather conditions, but Magnum, Mantis, Raptor and MF (among others) seem to run in most weather. Did you see the debut of Xtreme Swing at VF last December, it was in the teens then?

Nasu Highland Park

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21216&start=294

Xtreme Swing Video Clip

http://wcco.com/local/local_story_353231619.html

Only 85 days 'til the midway!

May is my favorite month for multiple reasons. School comes to a close soon after, the weather gets warmer, and of course CP opens.

hells yes

i always think about this when i'm walking to my bus to school in the morning. i'd wait in line for 4 hours in 10 degree weather with winds to get on millennium force. hell, i live in minnesota and i'd walk to cedar point right now just to get on a millennium force. crazy? yes.

i wouldn't walk for dragster though. . .okay yes yes i would.

I would so go to Cedar Point Right Now if the park was open. Isn't the only real reason that they are not open during the winter months is first of all the weather and its affects it has on the rides and plus not that many people would come, which would mean small income for Cedar Point?

Doesn't seem to stop Nasu Highland Park coasters. And VF's version of Shyhawk debuted in December '05 with temp's in the teens. We operate plains, trains and automobiles in all conditions, me thinks it's the perception that no one would show up and thus not economically feasible. I'm sure it depends upon the ride, I know Gemini shuts down when someone says the word rain. As far as the cold goes, what about the ski slopes, toboggan and tubing runs, they are packed on weekends? So I don't see the cold stopping a true coaster lover. How many rides operate at winterfest at PKI? CP used to have a similar event, christmas in the park, though I don't remember it myself. Maybe time to revive it again. Heck, halloweekends has only been around for 10 years, I'm sure they were pretty skeptical about fall weather before that started. Charge $10 a person and open Millenium, Magnum and Raptor and I'd bet the enthusiasts would flock to CP in teh thousands(or walk if your from Mn). I would!

Ya, I live In Michigan two Hours away and I would for sure make a trip to Cedar Point in the winter if they opened the park During the winter for some time.

I just think some things are meant for warmer weather and going on a roller coaster in the harsh weather elements doesn't sound fun. The 50 degree weather in October can be a bit much. I wouldn't even begin to think about the tempertures we have now.

Gomez said:
I just think some things are meant for warmer weather and going on a roller coaster in the harsh weather elements doesn't sound fun. The 50 degree weather in October can be a bit much. I wouldn't even begin to think about the tempertures we have now.

I felt the same way until I spent the weekend at Camper Village during the last Halloweekend of 2005. The days were pretty mild but the nights were down right cold (I believe it got down to 37 F Saturday). But walking around, riding, the atmosphere, although we could see our breath, we didn't really feel cold. It was actually a blast and my how crowded it was!

In the winter, riding the toboggan run at Pokagan SP in Angola, Indiana is the closest thing to a coaster that I can find, and that place gets pretty crowded. You have to get there by opening time to beat the crowds, just like we do for MF. 35-40 mph sliding down an ice chute on a board is pretty thrilling. I don't see how this is different than a coaster in cold weather. But some people just don't like to be cold, and I don't blame them. I'd rather be colder than stand in sweltering heat for a coaster ride. You can always warm up with clothing, but you can't cool down without eventually offending someone.

See ya on the midway in May!

I went in October (the saturday Dragster was open after its downtime) and it was 47°. And I don't know about you, but going 120mph in 4 seconds in 47° temperatures took my breath away.
But, as always, it was an amazing ride.:)

*** Edited 2/11/2006 3:38:44 AM UTC by TTD 120mph***

Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?! Of course I would ride a coaster in the snow!!!!! There would be like a 20 minute wait for TTD, because people can be SO influenced by bad weather. If your a true coaster fanatic, you will ride it.

coasterguy24 said:
Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!?! Of course I would ride a coaster in the snow!!!!! There would be like a 20 minute wait for TTD, because people can be SO influenced by bad weather. If your a true coaster fanatic, you will ride it.

Coasterguy, I couldn't agree more. I have a feeling that there are plenty more coaster riders out there with the same opinion. By the way, did I mention that I hate winter, no I meant the off season!

Cold temps are one thing, but I wonder how many rides would be affected by snow? TTD shuts down for any precip whatsoever, and I don't know what the operating manuals say for the other rides. Snow, being semi-solid, would probably affect rides more severely than rain.

Staffing would be a concern, too. Most of the other parks mentioned in this thread, aside from having warmer climates, also are close to larger urban areas than CP/Sandusky. CP has enough difficulty as it is in trying to pull employees back from school for Halloweekends.

If you've been following the OnPoint blog, much maintenance work is done in the off-season. When else would such work be done? Aside from rotating each ride down for a couple of weeks (which would be a hassle), it would be impossible.

Finally, cost must be considered. Do you really, honestly think enough people (think like GP and not enthusiasts) would show up to make operating the park year-round profitable? I highly doubt it.

CP this time of year? Don't be ridiculous if you like CP enough to read/post messages on a CP fan website in the middle of winter I think everyone here would be up for it... not to many others tho... oh well.

Please go back to my original post. My inquiry was would you ride, not will they let us? Just a simple question, not intended as a debate. Please check out the TPR web site. I thought it was cool and wondered if I was alone. No intention to cause a stir nor a debate, just a thought. I have no problem with riding coasters in the winter or in the snow. I have no way of knowing if this is feasible though. Again, just a thought.

Hey, don't forget to have fun!

No desire to whatsoever. Cedar Point is a fun summer time event. When I think about Cedar Point i think about warm days with the sun shining, wearing shorts and a t-shirt... not Lake Erie winds swirling the snow around wearing 8 sweaters and 13 pairs of pants.

The only reason to go to Cedar Point in the winter that would appeal to me would be to get a tour of the park during the off season and seeing the park dormant.

There's no way I'd ride a coaster in the winter, I'd like to keep my ears on my head...

Actually, it's been like 10 degrees here for the past week, then it dipped down to like, -15 overnight yesterday morning...

Why don't You apply to work at Cedar Point for the 2006 Season Screamomatic?

I found out that I got the job not too long ago and I can't wait until I start work at Cedar Point.

*** Edited 2/11/2006 3:12:56 PM UTC by wickeddragster88***

No.

If I need a winter coaster ride, I get on an airplane that takes me somewhere warm.

Speaking of which, two weeks from RIGHT NOW I'll be entereing Epcot's gates...

TTD4Life said:
hells yes

Yes, I would agree with your answer TTD4Life