How did they knock it down without crushing anything with in its radius?
From Mike Gallagher
Posted September 12, 2012 at 11:46 AM
Beach landing, I assume.
*EDIT* After watching a few times, it doesn't look like it landed on the beach. But based on my visual of where the tower was, it would have had to.
From Mike Gallagher
Posted September 12, 2012 at 12:05 PM
And:
I know it's just me, and it's an entirely different thing..but it felt a little weird watching that video the day after 9/11.
From Tim Chatlos
Posted September 12, 2012 at 1:53 PM
Growing up with Cedar Point it is definitely sad to see an iconic (literally, it was the center of park logos for years) attraction like this go. Between this and Paddlwheel Excursions last year it is unfortunate to see so many slower-paced family attractions be removed, but apparently Cedar Point just isn't that kind of park anymore.
From Derek Potter
Posted September 12, 2012 at 3:10 PM
That is indeed an icon. In the late 50s, Cedar Point was in bad shape. It was so bad off that the new owners wanted to turn it into a housing development. The public outcry was so loud that the State of Ohio intervened and threatened to annex the land if that happened. In response, the new owners made the decision to invest heavily in a modern Cedar Point, thus beginning it's resurrection into what it is today. The Space Spiral was one of the first things they built. I never really rode it that much, but it's kind of sad that a piece of history is coming down.
At least there's still a fantastic observation ride in that section of the park. The Giant Wheel is on the eastern lake shore and it offers some of the best views of the lake on the island. Windseeker is also in that area.
BTW that had to land on the beach near the former location of Disaster Transport. It's the only place to go without crushing some building or killing the parking lot.
From Ryan Spann
Posted September 12, 2012 at 3:17 PM
I grew up in Ohio, and remember riding this when it first opened. It was a 'must do' for our family every time we visited, and I'm sorry for its demise.
From Bradley Keith
Posted September 15, 2012 at 5:44 PM
Sad to see a classic go, but it'll be great to see Gatekeeper go up. I was also really suprised to see it go down that way. I wish somehow they could have built around it, but that would be pretty hard, and maybe it's time has come. I hope the other skytowers last longer. There's a new generation of rides coming in, and I guess you just have to understand the fact that they don't last forever.
From James Koehl
Posted September 15, 2012 at 6:01 PM
Space Spiral was built in 1965, making it 48 years old and one of the oldest attractions at Cedar Point. As loved as it was by so many guests, it hasn't had many riders for quite some time. The top level was only used one day last year, and the lower level often ran at less than half capacity. There was no operating air conditioning, and the plexiglass windows had become so cloudy over time that it was nearly impossible to see through them. I also wished that it could have been either saved or moved to a better, more central location, but I suspect that many factors made this impossible. At least it will be replaced with a major and much-needed new coaster, and hopefully this will be the first of many new additions to Cedar Point.
From Zack McDonald
Posted September 15, 2012 at 6:26 PM
The ride needed major repairs including a new Cabin that was going to cost a few million.
I guess it was faster than dismantling. I wonder if they considered selling it first to another park...guess it's to much of a rubble to sell now. Too bad I never got to Cedar Point to experience it. I personally love observation towers. For one, it's a slow relaxing ride plus, I can see the entire park from high up, not to mention the view! and also, I can get some really great photos of the park high up in a safer environment than on a cable car or Ferris Wheel which either doesn't allow me the time or position to take such photos as the towers do. I wonder if they're going to put in another tower elsewhere in the park.
From James Koehl
Posted September 17, 2012 at 5:06 AM
^Adrienne, there are several places I could see them putting an observation tower in, such as across from Gemini where the Jr. Gemini and a handful of childrens rides are located (CP already has 3 other areas for kids- this one wouldn't be missed). It would be just about as centrally located as possible, but that is just my suggestion and I'm not holding my breath. Rumors that I have heard is that Cedar Point is going to be developing and opening up the beachfront area more, and my money is on removing the former Oceana stadium and replacing it with ?. It might be just wishful thinking, but I really think that Cedar Point is going to be seeing a lot of new development as long as Gatekeeper lives up to the excitement it is creating and the crowds show up to support it.
