Cedar Point Removing Good Times Theatre

Coasters take up alot of space so that would be the first logical thing to use that space for. Another logical use of that space would be a good dark ride.

If we were talking about some unremarkable parcel on the property, I would be more inclined to agree, though wouldn't the first logical addition be something that adds variety and diversity to the park's lineup? Regardless, in this case we're talking about a very rare opportunity to possibly improve the park's layout in a significant way.

The park's expansion from the main midway has evolved in fits and starts, and that occurred mostly when the park was drastically different from what it is now. With the opportunity to possibly improve the layout and flow of traffic, it would seem like a huge waste of an opportunity to just plop a coaster down there.

Of course, this opinion all assumes another path connecting the two midways would actually be an improvement, or even feasible.

I'm still wondering what exactly is better use of a space of land that size, and in that location outside of rides. There is nothing to say that a new ride or rides of some sort cannot co-exist in that spot with updated pathways, green areas, a more suitable spot for live entertainment etc...

I would also say that whatever CP does decide to do with that space would indeed be the best use of that land, after all they know what goals they are trying to reach each year with their new projects whereas we can only guess.

dj, how about if they were to rearrange the area with a new coaster not being the only feature but rather highlighting a new area of the park? It could then do flyovers/flyunders with new paths in this area. That's a way they could incorporate multiple uses for the area.

The park is known for it's coasters. They are known as America's Rollercoast and Rollercoaster Capital of the World. If the park sees that coasters draw in the crowd they are aiming for and reaches their goals, then they can add a coaster. If they see a need for flat rides or a dark ride, they will add one. The park did add 2 family friendly rides in 2014, which there was clearly a need for those. Whatever they do with the space is what makes most sense to the park, not what posters on a park fan site want.

What the park is known for and what they want to be in order to attract certain customers may not be the same thing.

djDaemon said:
I'm not sure that it's fair to label that position in that way. I'm also of the opinion that if CF replaces GT and Cedars with a new coaster, that would not represent anything approaching the best use of the opened up area. Plopping down another coaster, no matter how amazing, seems far more Kinzelish than Ouimetish, at least in my opinion.

I hear ya, I'm hoping for something good to come of that land myself. I'll say that I'm not really on either side since, obviously, I have no control of what the outcome is. If it is indeed a dive coaster, I will no doubt ride it. However, there's always the possibility that it could be part of some greater plan for that plot of land. If they're going the dive route, I kind of hope it turns out like Gatekeeper. Ignoring the opinions of the ride experience, there was soo much more good that came out of its installation.

With the kind of improvements we've seen over the past couple of years, I tend to have more faith in what they do......but that's just me. I'll always look at things with a critical eye but I'm a much more "lax" person when it comes to dolling out the criticism compared to some people.

But getting back to what I said, it was more meant as a jab at how there always seems to be one real negative person when the general consensus seems to be positive. I didn't really mean it as some kind of "general label" against people who are critical. There will always be a fine line between criticism and just plain negativity.

I have been converted to a disciple of the Church of Ouimet. I have no idea what the final outcome of this land use will be, but I have total faith that I will be blown away and pleased with the end result.

2013 and Gatekeeper was an amazing transformative year with not only the new, record breaking coaster, but the new entrance, and the new view of the lake.

2014 and the Gemini Midway makeover was (IMHO) better than anyone expected and transformed an area of the park long forgotten and in desperate need of attention. Meal plans, great club events - Coaster Campout! Chickie's and Pete's? Well you can't win them all, but I still give them credit for trying.

2015 brings us "The coaster they said could never happen" and who knows what other surprises. The demo of GTT was a surprise that I didn't see predicted for 2014/15 on these pages. Bringing in Quaker Steak and Lube is a brilliant idea - sad it will not be at the Breakers, but who knows how that spot (TGIF) will play out in the years to come.

2016 and forward? A big new blank sheet of paper for Mr. Ouimet to draw on? It can't come soon enough and I seriously doubt that the prognosticators here will come close to guessing 100% what will transpire. I'll be happy with a Blue Streak Midway that no longer dead ends and in some way reconnects to the entrance to the Frontier Trail (or there about). Coaster? New Flats? Refurbished Flats? Dark rides? - any combination of the above?

I'm sure that in 2016 I will be as thrill as I was for 2013 and 2014 with the forward thinking and vision of the man who is the best thing to happen to this park since George Roose.

Excuse me while I go light a candle and sacrifice a seagull at the altar of Ouimet.

To be fair, I think one of the biggest things that Matt's presence brings is empowerment for the planning and design folks, as well as the individual park general managers. I know I'm towing his standard line here, because he says it all of the time, but a lot of what is awesome about Cedar Fair was already there.

45Wheelgun said:

I have been converted to a disciple of the Church of Ouimet.

...

2013 and Gatekeeper was an amazing...

2014 and the Gemini Midway makeover was (IMHO) better than anyone expected...

I notice you conveniently left out Celebration Plaza. ;-)

That addition, in my opinion at least, seems like the easy choice for worst idea under Ouimet. The area is still a slight improvement over the vast expanse of concrete that was there, mainly because it makes better use of the area and gives the park a much-needed venue. But as much as I try to like it (and I've really, really tried), that area is mess.

So, good as he and his team may be, they're certainly capable of making bad choices. I suppose my faith isn't as strong as yours. :-)

I've never considered Celebration Plaza as an addition as much as an evolution of the laser light show from before. The place and purpose it serves now is basically the same. At this point it needs a layout change however, which brings us back to the multi-year moves starting with GTT coming down. Or at least that is the line of thought I side with.

I really think the best long-term traffic flow would be to push a new third pipeline past the current site of Calypso/Turnpike Cars to the entrace of whatever coaster is built, take down Cedars and push the road out to the edge more, and have the new pipeline exit near the bathrooms next to the CP&LE RR. With another accesspoint along the current walkway from the Marina entrance. That allows for improvements to Celebration Plaza and an easier way around for people not wanting to run between the show and crowds.

Time will tell.

I suppose I was assuming that if the Gemini Midway makeover was considered a project, so too was the Celebration Plaza makeover.

Regardless, I fully agree with what you're saying about a third pipeline/midway in that area. To be clear, when I've referred to "plopping a coaster down", I mean pretty much exactly that - taking the land where GT used to and Cedars still does exist, and putting in a coaster that uses that land, without connecting the Blue Streak Midway to Celebration Plaza. If they do only that, that would be a huge waste of an opportunity.

After the massive change that the front of the park experienced with the addition of Gatekeeper, I am optimistic that if a new coaster or ride is to occupy the land around where the GTT once stood it will include updates to the surrounding area. I agree that this is a great opportunity to make some changes on that side of the park, and after seeing the Gemini Midway upgrade, and the GK area I am hopeful they have some great ideas for that area.

I'm a sucker for little detail stuff, like the projections they have on the midway during Luminosity, the new lighting on the Gemini Midway, at KI the lighting/effects/minor theme elements of Banshee etc... Things like that can really add to an overall experience and it seems recently CF in general has been paying more attention to some of those little details that may have been completely overlooked or left out in the past.

I am very pro connecting the Blue Streak midway to Celebration Plaza...that being said it could also be a negitive for the park from a business stand point as it would decrease foot traffic somewhat past the main arcade, Snoopy Boutique, Pagoda, and various food stands. A basic premise of retail is higher traffic (foot or car) should equal higher sales. So it could be looked at as a negitive in reducing sales in those locations.

But the park will certainly line the new midway with various food stands, shops and games. It's not like they're routing the guests outside the park.

Jeff this is true but that would increase overhead and spread out sales cutting margins.

Celebration Plaza isn't really my cup of tea, but it did get a couple things right. It removed the production building from the old laser light show from the middle of the midway. It also made the hideous screen needed for the laser light show irrelevant, which allowed them to dispose of it.

Removing those two eyesores completely opened up that midway and created one of the better views in the park. I love walking that path and seeing Millenium Force in the distance and the trees and such. Sure beats looking at a huge screen and a shack on stilts.

Sometimes the secondary results that come from a decision are better than the intitial intent.

^ I am pretty sure opening up the area was part of the intent. I seriously can't believe people are complaing about Celebration palaza in such a way. The shows are nice, the views are improved, and it is a better utilization of space. the only thing it needs is more space! I would be willing to bet money that regardless of what gets added to the GTT area that the midway will be widended and further improved. It doesn't take an engineer to see that that midway causes bottlenecks.

Other than the control booth being moved over and the big screen being removed, (only good things done to that area) that is still a major eyesore area. Very cluttered, ugly stage area, horrible "s" shaped seating, etc. The entire area screams afterthought. This is My least favorite part of the park.

Hopefully fixing these issues will be part of the 2016 plan!

I think the initial intent was to create a new show in that area where people/families can hangout. An offshoot of that was opening up the airspace by removing some eyesores. I agree, put more money/space into Celebration Plaza so it realizes it's maximum potential. Spread the wealth, it's just not for me.

I feel sorry for you JW. Take a look upwards next time you walk in that area. It is a great view. My least favorite area,..TTD midway. Absolutely nothing there to draw me in (the bleachers have lost their luster), one of the worst traffic areas in the park, the I'm-going-to-stop-in-the-middle-of-the-midway TTD gawkers in that area are plentiful, and how the entrance path to TTD deadends at the lockers never made sense to me. There are also much more interesting views of TTD than in that midway.