From steve lee on May 8, 2007 at 3:23 PM
Amazing. Who'd have thought that there could be any problems with (oh wait a minute. Cedar Point + Intamin = delayed openings and operational problems for at least two years).

If you were planning a Memorial Day trip to the point, it's not too late to catch a different flight to Busch Gardens Williamsburg for the official opening of Griffon...

From Scottland Jacobson on May 8, 2007 at 4:35 PM
Urgh. And I'm heading there May 20 - 22. It looks like an amazing coaster. A bit scary that they want to replace three sections of track!

From David Kirby on May 8, 2007 at 4:52 PM
That seems a bit odd. I wonder exactly what is the problem.

From steve lee on May 8, 2007 at 5:07 PM
I'm hearing that it has to do with the heartline roll. The rumor is that it's hitting that element with too much speed, which is going to reek havoc on riders and in the long-term put way too much stress on the trains.

Wasn't this supposed to be a "family coaster" anyways?

Oh, and I can't believe they waited until this late in the game to announce it. I'm sure there's a lot of people who had made reservations and travel arrangements to be there for the media day, which was supposed to be, oh, the day after tomorrow. It's entirely possible they just figured this out, but WOW is that short notice.

From Derek Potter on May 8, 2007 at 9:45 PM
Improving guest experience on the ride and to eliminate exccessive stress on the trains...that's what was said in the press statement. Obviously there has to be a good reason for the modification. You don't delay opening of a brand new roller coaster without something being wrong.

There were a few rumors swirling around a few weeks ago about Maverick not being ready. Perhaps the track pieces that they are replacing were delayed somehow in manufacturing? Or maybe they couldn't decide on specs? There were supposed to be employee preview rides Monday night...perhaps the ride wasn't the greatest on that section and they made the call then. When it gets there, track should conceivably go up in a day or two, and testing wouldn't take that long, so something must be up on the manufacturing side. In any event, early June is the new date, so Cedar Point will be without the coaster for the few weekends in May that they are open.

From Becky Conat on May 9, 2007 at 6:18 AM
I am not sure if it was ever considered a "family coaster". At least I never saw anything that gave me that impression. Not when you hit that first hill at 50 some mph, the heartline roll (which looks wicked in person) and the 0-70 relaunch. Anyone familiar with Cedar Point knows this happens. (how long did it take to work the kinks out of Top Thrill?) I am still going May 20th, its not rollercoaster season with out a trip or two to Cedar Point. Firehawk is still on track right? If you need a new coaster hit up King's Island. :-)

From David Kirby on May 9, 2007 at 12:18 PM
Becky, it actually is considered a family coaster for some reason or another.

From Becky Conat on May 9, 2007 at 12:57 PM
Oh! Sorry!!!

From Barbara Boyer on May 9, 2007 at 4:49 PM
If it is a heartline problem with too much stress, better to find out before it opens. We certainly don't want another Drachen Fire experience (Busch Gardens Williamsburg). I loved that coaster, but the general public said it was way too stressful on the body. Oh well. I'll have to wait for Griffon - it looks really awesome during the trial runs they are doing.

From Jeff Sohns on May 10, 2007 at 3:14 PM
I was heading to CP this Memorial weekend. Mainly to check out Maverick with the kids. I may rethink that. The coaster was the driving force of going. We were then going to go to PKI for a day or two as well. If any park needs a coaster, it's PKI.

Jeff Sohns

From Roy Taylor on May 10, 2007 at 5:56 PM
Well that happens to stink, still going to be there opening day! See you there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!