Demon dropped by Cedar Point

Tuesday, 16 August 2005

Park wants to clear land for more projects.

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By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point wants to drop one of its signature rides from its lineup.

Park spokesman Bryan Edwards confirmed Monday the 131-foot-tall Demon Drop is for sale.

"By clearing out that land, it could give us additional land for improvement projects," although nothing is in the works for that property, Edwards said.

"If we can sell it, we will sell," he said. "If not, we will keep it."

Edwards didn't have the asking price for the free-fall ride, but said that wouldn't be something the park would reveal anyway. The ride is being advertised throughout the amusement park industry.

The Demon Drop, off the Main Midway in the front of the park, was built for $2.5 million in 1983. Since that year, it has given 16 million rides. Last year, it gave more than 600,000 rides.

Although Cedar Point's newer 300-foot-tall free-fall ride, Power Tower, is comparable to the Demon Drop, Edwards said the carriage on the Demon Drop is pulled down by gravity at speeds of 55 mph. The Power Tower is propelled by compressed air -- either up or down -- at 60 mph.

Last year, there were more than 2.1 million rides on the Power Tower. The Power Tower has four towers with the capacity of 12 riders on each. The Demon Drop has one tower for four riders.

"It is still a good thrill ride," Edwards said. "It is the step before the Power Tower. You start on the Demon Drop and work your way up."

Without the Demon Drop, Cedar Point will have 67 rides, including 16 roller coasters. Sandusky didn't have any record of recent building plans filed by Cedar Point, according to the city.

Edwards said the Demon Drop will continue to operate while it is for sale.

DEMON DATA

Height of Tower: 131 feet from top to bottom

Length of Drop: 99 feet (10 stories)

Free Fall Drop: 60 feet

Drop Time: 2.5 seconds

Speed of Drop: 55 mph

Ride Manufacturer: Intamin Company, Inc., Switzerland

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