FUN&ONLY!

I agree with this. Mystic Timbers is in between a family coaster and an extreme coaster due to its high intensity. It is far above The Racer, The Bat, and Adventure Express in terms of its aggressiveness.

It looks like they still sell the Druken Barrels ride. I would love for Cedar Fair to get over their grudge against Intamin and buy one of them for Kings Island in Oktoberfest. https://www.intaminworldwide.com/project/drunken-barrels/

GCI said they expect to put Infinity Flyers only on new installations. Maybe if we get some crazy inverting GCI to replace Vortex, we will see these trains, but I doubt the park would put these on Mystic Timbers. However, they were tested on White Lightning at Fun Spot, so they probably would be compatible with Mystic Timbers.

If attendance is higher, I can’t even imagine the wait times with reduced ride capacity.

While I agree, I don’t think I would classify even the smallest RMC as a family coaster. If the park wanted to build a family coaster, they should build something like Cobra’s Curse or Slinky Dog Dash (would be redundant with Backlot Stunt Coaster nearby). Anything above 100 feet or contains inversions really isn’t a true family coaster regardless of what some enthusiasts might say.

Steel Vengeance’s reduced capacity (mainly due to problems running three trains and slow loading processes) definitely affects its ridership numbers, but this lower capacity that it has definitely gives Cedar Fair a reason to not work with RMC on another large project. If Kings Island were to build an RMC, how does Cedar Fair know that it will not suffer the same problems as Steel Vengeance from when it comes to capacity. As far a ride popularity goes, Steel Vengeance still attracts large crowds, but it is not necessarily the GP favorite. Most GP consider it a wooden rollercoaster, and rides like GateKeeper, Valravn, and Millennium Force seem more attractive to them. The ride experience also may be a little too extreme for some guests. At Dollywood for example, the guest favorite is definitely Wild Eagle, not Lightning Rod no matter what enthusiasts say.

While Twisted Timbers and RailBlazer have had minor problems, Steel Vengeance has had and continues to have a plethora of problems. Not only were there problems running three trains, but every time the ride runs, the structure tears itself apart. Maintenance crews have to work around the clock repairing the structure and replacing up stop wheels as they constantly wear out. In addition, while this is not RMC’s fault, Cedar Fair has had a hard time with The cell phone policies on all of their RMC’s due to the nature of the rides. While this may not seem like a reason to avoid purchasing similar rides from RMC, Cedar Fair knows the cell phone policy is not popular among guests and slows down operations. Unless they can seriously rethink their cell phone policy, there is no reason to build a new ride with the same policy. Also, RMC’s are liked by enthusiasts way more than the average park guest. While Steel Vengeance, Twisted Timbers, and RailBlazer are all decently popular, the average park guests still line up for GateKeeper and Valravn over Steel Vengeance. In fact, Steel Vengeance did not even rank in Cedar Point 5 most ridden rides in its opening year. Rides like Millennium Force, Magnum XL 200, GateKeeper, and Valravn all had more riders than Steel Vengeance because these are the rides that interest most guests.

Wow! Copperhead Strike looks tiny compared to Vortex. If we were to get a Mack multi-launch, I think it should be a little larger than Copperhead Strike, so it can have the same massive look to it that Vortex had. But since a Mack multi-launch would theoretically be smaller than Vortex, it could open up new expansion possibilities. The park would probably opt to expand the tight midway if I had to guess and create a better entrance plaza. Just image walking up to that area and seeing a new coaster launch into a twisted mess of track. Mack coasters are very photogenic like Vortex, so I think it would look great!

I could see this, and I personally hope for this because rides and the whole park running at half-capacity is not something that seems fun. I still think employees will be required by Cedar Fair to wear masks and separate themselves from guests as best as possible. As far as guests tho, masks will definitely be allowed, whether people wear them or not will be up to the individual. Some guests will wear masks, others will not, but this should not take away from the theme park experience. If anything, it will be funny to look back on in future years seeing everyone waiting in line on Orion’s opening day with masks on and staring 6 feet apart! LOL!

I firmly believe that Kings Island will make careful decisions that will appeal to MOST guests. Not allowing face masks or not encouraging them will keep some people away because they will not feel as safe and will want more protection. On the other hand, requiring face masks will keep those away who don’t enjoy wearing them. A policy of recommending face masks but leaving the decision of actually wearing them up to individual guests will likely satisfy the majority of guests.

I agree! The orders of partitions and make are most likely to protect employees first and foremost. I would also not be surprised if less older employees are working this season that past seasons for their own health concerns.

Strongly recommending is not requiring. Whether people listen or not to their requests is not up to them and cannot be controlled by them. Some people will wear masks, others will opt not to. It is optional unlike smoking in the midways and line cutting which are against park policy. I still think they would recommend masks over requiring masks.

https://sanduskyregister.com/news/230646/cedar-points-parent-company-argues-its-vital-to-local-economy/

I think attendance will be limited like with what Six Flags is doing, but I don’t ever see them enforcing limits due to their likely being lower attendance anyways. For the ride capacity, I could definitely see them axing their policy of “single riders will be paired” for the foreseeable future because nobody is going to want to sit inches apart from someone else during a pandemic. I am also not sure to what extent they will limit ride capacity by taking out rows and seats, but that will be interesting to watch.

I see many guests picking up a mask when they first arrive at the park, but I also see them taking their masks off later because they will get very hot! LOL!

These are my predictions for what Cedar Fair will implement across its parks once they reopen (these predictions are also heavily influenced by Six Flags’ confirmed measures): - Sanitation of benches, railings, tables, trains, etc. frequently throughout the day (they could possibly have park sweepers go around with disinfectant instead during their regular shifts) - At all food and merchandise locations there will be plexiglass partitions between the employees checking out and customers (Cedar Fair has already purchased these) - Rides will be limited in capacity, making sure guests have enough space between other riders (6 feet minimum) - Lines painted in queue lines to ensure social distancing and the introduction of some virtual queue lines (likely for Orion and other popular rides) - Park capacity will be reduced significantly below 50% - This last one is speculation, but I think all employees will be required to wear face make, and guests will be either required to or STRONGLY recommended to wear face masks For the last one (I know it is highly controversial and all guests may not want to comply) here is why: - Cedar Fair will want to protect its employees as much as possible and make guests feel as safe as possible around employees - How are employees supposed to check restraints standing 6 feet apart... they just can’t (while masks don’t replace social distancing, they will certainly help, but I still don’t know how the park is going to handle checking restraints) - It will look bad if people get Coronavirus at the park and the news blames the park for not doing more to protect its visitors (like requiring masks) - Cedar Fair has already purchased large orders of masks for use in its parks (they did this to USE them in their parks) - Last but not least, masks really do help somewhat to prevent the spread of Coronavirus, so why not? Cedar Fair can require guests to wear masks, and if guests do not comply, they have the right to kick them out. I could see Cedar Fair parks providing guests with free masks like Whole Foods is doing. In my honest opinion, I think Cedar Fair will strongly recommend masks to guests and provide them with optional masks (guests will not have to wear masks if they chose not to), but I still think employees will be required to wear masks. I think this policy on face masks will satisfy the most guests.

Call me crazy, but I am most anticipating seeing the massive ride itself as well as the newly themed Area 72. Once I take it all in, I will definitely hop in line and ride it. As far as the ride goes, I am most looking forward to the first 90 degree turn and the speed hill after the turnaround, but I am not sure which one I am most excited for.

I guess I never saw your post, but it is so funny!

For anyone following along with Mike Dewine, Amy Acton, and John Husted’s daily briefings, you may find this enjoyable!

It honestly looks like construction has stalled if you look at Heightened_Imagery’s update from a week ago. It does not look like much has changed. Many theming props, the lockers, and the landscaping all look like they have not made much progress recently. I hope construction resumes soon, but I understand that the health of the workers is more important. I also hope they repave the pathway leading underneath The Racer. It looks like it’s in really bad shape.

I sure hope so! I am looking forward to the full Orion “experience!” It is going to be great!

Since Cedar Fair is cutting some of their 2020 expenses, do you think they are going to be cutting any of the theming elements or the lighting package? We still haven’t seen the DMX lighting tested yet, and we maybe haven’t seen all of the theming. Do you think Cedar Fair is going to cut any of this from the project?

If anyone here knows, whatever happened to that spinning barrels ride Cedar Fair purchased in Europe? Because I think the park could install that, bringing back the Der Spinning Keggers.

Heightened_Imagery posted a detailed photo of The Vortex site. It appears that some parts of the plot may have been leveled off, but I don’t know if all of it is going to be leveled off.

Thanks! I certainly do see an LED light strip.