Cedar Fair parks to debut Windseeker for 2011

August 24, 2010 at 1:41 PM · Why would you put the same ride in two different parks in the same state? CP and KI are only about 4 hours apart. Wander if they are getting a discount for buying in bulk? What's next, The Beast at CP and Top Thrill at KI?

August 24, 2010 at 1:47 PM · For Knott's Berry Farm, it's going to make a huge difference. For King's Island, I really have no idea, and for Cedar Point, it's really not going to make a difference at all.

August 24, 2010 at 1:55 PM · Not sure why they are building it in both Ohio parks either. There are plenty of other Cedar Fair properties that could use something like this.

They must have gotten a buy three, get one free.

August 24, 2010 at 2:19 PM · I too am a little surprised they put this at both Ohio parks, especially since they just put a new coaster at Kings Island and a new water ride at Cedar Point.

Of course, we got a new coaster this year at Kings Dominion, but it would have been cool to get one of these two fliers here in our state. Dorney could have used something new as well, as they haven't had a really NEW ride in a while, just the Voodoo from Geauga Lake.

Oh well, it's not enough to make me buy platinum passes for next year. I'm going to stick with my plan to revert back to my one-park pass, since the kids are getting tired of theme parks anyway, and if we want to do something different we could always get a six-flags pass and hit a few of their parks we've never been to.

August 24, 2010 at 2:46 PM · Although I'd rather have unique rides at the parks, this was probably a smart move for Cedar Fair. Chances are that your presumptions are correct regarding the discounted bulk buying. By putting this attraction in each park, not only do they save money, but they also can claim they're updating each of the parks with something new. It's not much, but neither is Shoot the Rapids and that attraction was packed on my recent visit to the Point. Even without a discount, the total cost for all four rides is $20 million, which is less than it cost to create Maverick. Furthermore, this attraction isn't strictly a thrill ride. It's a rather gentle swing attraction suspended from a 300-foot tower. It's "thrilling" enough to appease the adrenaline junkies but mild enough to attract those less inclined to ride the park's other attraction to give you a 300-foot view.

Clever girl, Cedar Point.

August 24, 2010 at 2:58 PM · Looks like the CP swing ride in Frontierland, only higher. Hard to believe its 5mil a piece. Disappointing.

August 24, 2010 at 4:22 PM · Not even the computer simulated riders look too excited about this.

August 24, 2010 at 4:39 PM · It is disappointing to me that Cedar Fair is installing cookie cutter rides just like Six Flags. As much as I love Cedar Point, I don't want their attractions at my home park. It diminishes the uniqueness of Cedar Point.

August 24, 2010 at 5:23 PM · After watching the animated video (I agree that they could have made the riders look a little less bored) my kids can't wait until next year to ride it. Myself, I prefer to vomit in private. I still remember the two+ hours of nausea I got from the TeaCups at Magic Kingdom when my kids decided to see how fast they could spin it, and me.

August 24, 2010 at 8:30 PM · Meh.

August 25, 2010 at 5:55 AM · I'm chalking it up to financial position. The economy is once again in a precarious position, they've spent quite a bit on coasters in the past few years, and they don't want to go into more debt. This is the first real copycat ride they've really done though, so I'm not going to call them to Six Flags. The two Intimidator coasters were completely different. They should beware making this a habit though. It leads to other bad habits.

August 25, 2010 at 10:59 AM · Someone with Powerpoint has convinced Cedar Fair that this kind of "efficiency" is what makes their unwieldy empire so awesome.

I couldn't care less. This year was the first in five years that I didn't buy a Platinum Pass--or any Cedar Fair annual pass--all because I was miffed that repeat Platinum Passholders weren't granted the same meager discounts afforded to Gold Passholders.

Cedar Fair is out of touch with its audience. It is so expansive that it's lost sight of the cool local touches that made the place special. Windstinker? So what? I'll see you guys at Holiday World and Indiana Beach next year. And Kennywood, too.

August 25, 2010 at 12:24 PM · Windstinker? Hilarious! Someone in charge of ride names at Cedar Fair should have seen that nickname coming.

August 25, 2010 at 7:15 PM · Darn, another ride I'll probably be too scared to try. (Fear of heights is one of the most common, y'know.) I realize the average waveswinger ride could use a bigger thrill, but did they have to make it 300 feet? How about a nice, family-friendly 100? ;-)

August 27, 2010 at 10:57 PM · Ahh... Here we go again. Another year, another disappointing new ride announcement for Cedar Point. Yes, I'm glad they're adding a new ride, but this looks like it will be mildly amusing at best. After the first time I ride it, it will likely be rather dull. I speculated last year that Shoot the Rapids would be a dud, and it is in my opinion. As I've admitted in conversations with some of you, I'm not a water ride person. That said, when I visited Cedar Point in July, I decided to be open-minded and ride all three of them as I'd never tried them before and it was a hot day. Yes, I see the benefit of having a ride to cool off on on painfully hot days, but really, each ride is essentially the same. The lines were huge for all of the rides. We got lucky as Shoot the Rapids was down for the umpteenth time that day and people were fed-up and left the line. We decided to join a relatively small line and hope it was going to be a brief fix which it was. We were on the ride within 15 minutes. Nothing unique. Nothing to get excited about. Many excellent comments are already posted above mine. I live near Canada's Wonderland and couldn't believe they are building the same ride. YAWN! The unique rides at Cedar Point are why I have a Platinum Pass and visit CP twice a year. Are the powers that be listening to their customers? It doesn't appear that they are. How many times can I say it? A new roller coaster please! Ideally something unique or record-breaking! How about a coaster like Millennium Force that tops 500 feet? Anyone out there like this idea? Now that I'm done my rant, I can't wait for Halloweekends!

August 30, 2010 at 11:09 AM · Cedar Fair is going the way of Six Flags and it's sad. Maybe their ownership of so many parks has dwindled their ability to be creative.
I, for one, am tired of parks adding rides to add them. The parks end up as a jumbled mess and are difficult to navigate.
Give me Busch Gardens, Kennywood, Knobels, or even smaller parks any day.