Coaster wars get wet

Friday, 29 April 2005

Waterparks, Cedar Point go head-to-head

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point brags that it strives to have the best roller coasters in the world.

Now it has to compete with its water coasters as well.


Two unidentified Castaway Bay visitors ride the Rendezvous Run Water Coaster on Sunday afternoon at the indoor water park. Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards said the ride, 35 feet tall and 520 feet long, is one of Castaway Bay's most popular. (Register photo/JASON WERLING)

When Kalahari Waterpark Resort opens May 20 it will debut an indoor water roller coaster -- something on which Cedar Point had area bragging rights before.

Kalahari also thinks its water coaster is better.

"Yes, this is better than Castaway Bay," said Kalahari spokesman Doug Boyer. "This is an original design. It is designed to create weightlessness and the thrills of any roller coaster you have ever ridden, but it is propelled by water."

With 500 feet and 30 seconds of free falls, the water is going 20 mph, Boyer said of the new Zip Coaster.

 "This is the first ever hydra-propelled water roller coaster in the world," he said. "Instead of a belt pulling you up, the water is pulling you up."

However, Cedar Point spokesman Bryan Edwards said Rendezvous Run Water Coaster is also propelled by water, and it debuted in November.

At 35 feet tall and 520 feet long, he said it is one of Castaway Bay's most popular rides.

"It is all fun, Edwards said of the competition between the two. "I think we are all in the business of bringing tourists to the area and helping Sandusky grow.

"As far as whose water roller coaster is better, I guess we will have to let guests decide," he said.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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