What's new? Park patrons want to know

Sunday, 30 April 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

It's the time of year again when amusement parks are gearing up for the summer tourist season to begin.

Most will debut a major new thrill ride; or at least something new -- a prerequisite for amusement parks wanting to fill their midways these days.

Like most in the recreation business, amusement parks are vying for guests. With so many leisure activities to choose from, parks must stay fresh so guests will return year after year. If they don't, parks will lose out to the latest new thing.

Cedar Point is no exception. New attractions usually lead to larger guest turnout. For the second year in the row, Cedar Point is opening what it considers a mid-sized thrill ride. While Skyhawk -- scheduled to debut Saturday -- isn't a Top Thrill Dragster, those in the industry say it doesn't have to be the biggest and fastest to make an impact. But if it's not, it better at least be different. Some type of hook is necessary.


Construction continues on the former White Water Landing location at Cedar Point. The buzz is Cedar Point is building a ride to debut in 2007; it might be a world-breaking 500-foot-tall coaster, or at least some hope. Cedar Point isn’t commenting. Sandusky's skyline is in the background. Register photo/JASON WERLING
The 103-foot-tall Skyhawk -- a $6 million giant swing -- is being billed as the tallest ride of its kind in the world.

But it's not just breaking records that brings in guests. Cedar Point has broke much more significant records in the past, including the first coasters to go over the 200, 300 and 400-foot barrier.

Rumors are already circulating that 2007 will bring the world's first 500-foot-tall coaster to the park.

Even so, parks are focusing their attention on the overall experience with something for everyone -- Cedar Point included.

The coaster wars started in the 1990s are far from over, but parks can't always afford to keep up with breaking the next record. It's also not practical.

As soon as the first year is over, the thrill isn't new anymore. The challenge is to find a ride that will build upon the park's arsenal of attractions.

Fifteen years ago, amusement parks opened a new ride -- big or small -- every three years or so.

These days, everyone wants more -- and parks are trying to deliver.

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

Copyright 2006 the Sandusky Register. All rights reserved.

All materials contained on this site are protected by United States copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of the Sandusky Register or FunCoast.com. You may not alter or remove any trademark, copyright or other notice from copies of the content.