New toy breaks on first day

Monday, 08 May 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point's newest ride, Skyhawk, is broken, while the usually temperamental Top Thrill Dragster is working.

Park spokesman Tony Clark said Sunday afternoon the $6 million ride, which debuted to the public during Cedar Point's opening day Saturday, has a "mechanical problem," and that is all that is known.

The giant swing went down Saturday night and has been under repair since. Guests were on the ride when the mechanical problem developed, but no one was injured, he said.

Cedar Point doesn't know when Skyhawk will be ready for riders again. Guests at the park gathered around the down ride Sunday, taking pictures or just observing. Signs indicating the ride was closed were posted at the toll booth and outside the park's entrance, Clark said.


Register photo.
"Guests are disappointed they can't experience the new ride, but safety comes first," he said.

Skyhawk features two giant swinging arms, each 84 feet in length, with 20 seats on each arm.

During Thursday's Media Day, Skyhawk ran consistently and successfully as journalists, ride enthusiasts and community leaders got some of the first swings.

The giant swing, the largest in the world, soars to more 12 stories high and in excess of 60 mph.

Clark said there are smaller versions of the ride, but useage of the pneumatic technology for this large of ride is new.

For the past three years, Cedar Point has struggled to get the $25 million Top Thrill Dragster working. The 420-foot tall, 120 mph hydraulic roller coaster debuted in 2003 and has had mechanical problems since. Last week, Cedar Point said the coaster was "good to go" after a winter of repairs.

Clark said Sunday the Top Thrill Dragster has been open all weekend with minor delays. Cedar Point's new ride from last year, maXair, was closed Sunday as well because of a mechanical problem.

"We are currently working to have the ride up as soon as possible," Clark said.

Ride enthusiasts have compared maXair to Skyhawk, both considered mid-sized thrill rides.

Skyhawk goes back and forth like a child would on a swing, while maXair swings in a pendulum-like motion.

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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