New for 2015

Sorry to double post... but that said, I suspect that Knott's Berry Farm would not have a "high quality traditional dark ride" had that ride not already existed, for over five decades, at the park.

^I believe Matt called them "legacy attractions" and said Cedar Fair could never afford to make something like Timber Mountain Log Ride or Calico Mine Ride today. Not to undermine the millions they spent sprucing the rides up to Disney standards and making them live up to the term "high quality". Hopefully the new dark ride next year lives up to the legacy of the two previous rides to occupy that building, Knott's Beary Tales and Kingdom of the Dinosaurs.

As for Cedar Point, is it even a rumor at this point that they're getting a dark ride? I've heard speculation but I'm not sure I've even heard a single rumor.

I'm sure whatever goes down for next season will be great!
The blue streak area does need a fresh look to it. Maybe a phase 1 of a 2-3 year plan that could include a new midway running from blue streak to the railroad station area. Demolish the dorms and move the road over which I believe has been brought up in the past. Can open up the area to add another coaster and/or a couple nice flats. Might also be a nice place to build a new tower/space needle. 😎
I'll just happy that by next season breakers rooms will finally be revamped 😜

Not sure if belongs in this topic but I feel it's it is for 2015 it fits. I would like to see a new restaurant at breakers that's open late. Not sure what franchise but something fresh to the point would be nice.

But I think a dark ride is a must since most other parks have at least one.

Skippy said:
As for Cedar Point, is it even a rumor at this point that they're getting a dark ride? I've heard speculation but I'm not sure I've even heard a single rumor.

Funny you say this, the first mention of this was brought up (that I know of) at the Pointbuzz off-season tour back in March 2013 and it didn't happen for 2014. I've been noticing the utility markings by Point Pavilion BUT...heard from a very reliable source almost two years ago to possibly look for a Blue Streak midway revamp for 2015. Which one is correct? I'd probably go with the revamp since there's always that five year plan (known ahead of time). I'd be happy with either though. Guess we'll find out the real answer next month.

Psst.

Cedar Point is getting a dark ride next year.

There.

Now it's a rumor! :)

Depending on who you ask, a dark ride has been the biggest glaring hole in Cedar Point's lineup for over a decade. Whether or not that translates into a need is also subjective.

^Now thats what I'm talking about!!! There you go folks, you heard it hear first: NEW DARK RIDE A CEDAR POINT 2015 lol

You know what I would love to see someday? A documentary about how a ride comes to be from start to finish with rare behind the scenes access.

Literally.

For example...let's all pretend next year we get a dark ride. The documentary would start years ago when the conversations began...from early designs to the ordeal the park goes through to plot it, keep it secret, market it, etc...

I suppose the audience would be somewhat limited, but a good documentary can almost be about anything and, if done well, can be a really good viewing experience. Then again, I'm sort of a documentary enthusiast.

Jeff & Walt, you both have nice cameras, don't you? :)

Yeah, we'd love to see that too. :)

A little tidbit for 2015 on the Sandusky Register website this morning:

Cedar Point's new ride in 2015 will be thrill ride aimed at teens and other hard core thrillsters, rather than a family-oriented ride, said Jason McClure, the park's general manager.

Well at least that rules out Peanuts, thankfully.

Well that's exciting! I was thinking Dark Ride like most but that article changes my thoughts now! :)

Cedar Point's new ride in 2015 will be thrill ride aimed at teens and other hard core thrillsters, rather than a family-oriented ride, said Jason McClure, the park's general manager.

Is this sentence supposed to say "... in 2015 will be *A* thrill ride...." or is "thrill ride" being somehow used as an adjective.

Also, I know Jason McClure and Dick Kinzel are two different people, but if I remember correctly, Kinzel said in 2010 that same type of thing about Windseeker (being aimed at teenagers/thrill seekers).

Does anyone have a guess about what this means?
https://twitter.com/TonyClarkCP/status/485167836143177728

That's a photo hint for one of Tony's "Tweetups".

700-foot-tall AquaTrax. Just sayin'.

Yessssssssssssssss. *fist pump*

You heard it first here, folks! Thanks for the exclusive, Tony. Now to dig up those plans conveniently tossed in the trash...

Kevinj said:
You know what I would love to see someday? A documentary about how a ride comes to be from start to finish with rare behind the scenes access.

I would too. Knott's has been doing some cool behind the scenes videos for their Garner Holt collaborations but I'd like to see that expanded into something much more elaborate. Really interested to see what changes at the development stages Matt implemented and how Cedar Fair has adapted. Unfortunately, collaborative efforts like these have many people and many companies involved and it would be quite an undertaking to catch it all with no financial gain. Still, there are an incredible amount of Disney and Universal attractions that I'd love to know the history on. Luckily fansites like Jim Hill Media, Mice Chat, inside the magic, inside universal, etc. have exhaustive coverage with interviews and editorials that give us a good idea at how it came about.

Kevinj said:
Not too long before Disaster Transport came down, I had a chance to have a nice conversation with John Hildebrandt on the midway.
Somewhere in our conversation I simply asked him if Cedar Point ever considered a family dark ride, and his face lit up and started talking about how much he loved the interactive dark rides that were popping up, and that this idea had been brought to the table.

Someone pointed out on a different thread a Gatekeeper video and he talked of the maintenance and low ridership of SS and DT. SS was an oven without A/C and DT wasn't maintained. Which brings me to think they'll go the cheap route of the low maintenance video screens. I'd like to know why a dark ride is not considered as maintenance worthy as one of their high maintenance coasters?

Skippy said:
Since Cedar Point hasn't had any dark rides in a LONG time, I assume they're going to play it safe and test the waters with a light investment (i.e. TrioTech). If it ends up being successful, then we may see future investments on a much larger scale. For now, I see TrioTech setting up shop at Cedar Point in the not to distant future.

That's what I'm afraid of, they will gauge the response to this cheap video screen investment shooter ride and therefore not put in something better and universally appreciated.

As for those pointing out the wonderful kiddie sections, that's the point of wanting a universal attraction where families can ride together. It would be nice to have a major universal attraction again somehow like the old dark rides, funhouse, or PW or even a nice flume that doesn't get you soaking wet.

! said:

Cedar Point's new ride in 2015 will be thrill ride aimed at teens and other hard core thrillsters, rather than a family-oriented ride, said Jason McClure, the park's general manager.

And this is why CP is known as an adult thrill seeker's playground and why many families put off taking their kids to the park until they are at least 48 inches (not unlike a visiting family who asked to us about our passes and how it wouldn't be worth it to them at this point). There are cheaper kiddie parks to watch your kids ride or parks to ride most rides together.

OnPointTony said:
700-foot-tall AquaTrax. Just sayin'.

I thought that rumor was vanquished with Maverick's official announcement lol.