dr_humor

Really? Obviously we are all entitled to our opinion, but I thought Paramount ran Kings Island into the ground. They had some good ideas initially, but clearly a lot was left to be desired. No company is perfect, but Cedar Fair is easily the best "major chain" in my opinion. But I guess it all matters what is important to you. How do your kids not know Snoopy, by the way? Our 4 year old adores Snoopy and all the characters.

^^ And both very successful models.

Wow...not even close. They are decent, but pale in comparison to Beast, Diamonback, MF, TTD, Magnum....the list goes on. I personally think the coaster collection at HW is the most overrated in the industry. A very fun park for what it is, but I would put it on par with Dollywood and other smaller parks. I don't even consider it to be in the same league with the "big boys" of the industry. Now, do I adore those parks? Yes...give me some Dollywood and HW any day, but certainly not for the coasters. All that said, I wish (and hope) that Cedar Fair exercised about 10% of the care and creativity that parks like HW do. A smaller park like that has so much going for it outside a world-class coaster collection.

I meant a coaster, or course. I like how the word addition(s) (plural) was announced. The future looks bright.

^ I stand corrected. It's an interesting question though; would Cedar Fair install something that is the "biggest" in another park other than CP? I doubt it.

I don't think a coaster is out of the question, but my gut tells me the only park in the chain that would ever have a chance at such a coaster is CP. You realize this would require a coaster of about 430 feet and 150 mph? There has obviously been a concerted effort to keep the new gigas just below the height of MF at CP.

If you did not know, Kinzel said at this year's Coastermania that Cedar Point is in store for a huge announcement at next year's event....I would say that a coaster is looming. We just have to wait until C-Mania to find out.

I've had some time to reflect a little bit on a run and spending some time with my daughter. I tried to forget how I felt, and asked her... "Kylah, would you like to see Dinosaurs at Cedar Point?" "SUUUUUURE!!!" Very excited...and then she did a little dance (Dinosaur Train was playing on TV in the background), and went on about T-Rex and made some growling noises. Then, I asked her... "Kylah, would you miss the big boat ride with mommy and daddy if it went bye bye?" "Wellll....maybe it will come back" "No sweety, it was fun to ride together, but it won't be there next time we go after your birthday" Tears. Now mind you, she was excited about it. She's nearly 4, and this was the first year she really "marked" rides that were her favorite, etc. She loved the boat, and loved interacting with the captain, etc...and to be honest, she was so excited to ride something with mommy and daddy beside her. Yes, the old boat from my youth was not there, but she still loved it, and you parents out there know how easy it is to get misty eyed about looking down and seeing your kid smile when you see them enjoying something you did as a little tike. Priceless. So even my daughter is torn, as am I as I reflect on this. Part of what I love about Cedar Point is it's constant change. It's always adapting, growing, expanding...changing...and needless to say not all of us agree with some of the changes all the time (this one in particular). This is a tough change for me to swallow, but I will swallow it with one hope in mind... Ouimet. I hope he's listening to the reaction, and keeping it in mind as he lays down plans for the future. I hope the end of PWE means the beginning of a new chapter in Cedar Point's history as a turn towards a much-needed focus onto high quality family focused attractions for the next decade or so (with maybe 1 record breaking coaster thrown in just for fun of course). So that's where I stand. Hard to take, but I'll take it, as long as the next few years show me why I took it.

Yes, PWE is gone. I am quite ticked, actually. I am happy that KI seems happy with DA, but IMO they have no place at CP, and removing a quality family ride (which CP is already lacking) to put this in its place is a near-sighted move. If you can't tell, CP is my home park.

I certainly respect your thoughts on this as well. I can assure you, while there may indeed be people associated with NAMI or any other organization that do not have those who need help as their number one priority, I have never been made aware of any such person. Perhaps we each come to the table with different overall goals. My personal overall goal, as you put it, has always been to extend some type of help to families who may not know that help is available to them. But that's just one tiny brick in a very large wall.

Let me put it this way. Most of what NAMI does goes unseen and unspoken. It touches millions, literally, every year with help and support that is in dire need. The thing is, many people at NAMI (not everyone, by the way), feels that educating people, organizations, and other entities about stigma and the things in our society that perpetuate it are very, very key issues. I am actually not sure what "resources" you are talking about. I picked up the phone and spoke with John (Hildebrandt). I wrote a letter. Tens of thousands of other individuals simply write a letter. That's it. Those are the "resources" that were used. That's all it takes. Most of the time, though, I can tell you that a corporation just shrugs it off...I was actually pleasantly surprised when I heard about the change. No resource that could have helped someone was shifted away from a child or family for this. Everyone has an issue (or should) that they are passionate about. This happens to be someone's issue, and that passion made an impact, regardless of how small or insignificant others think it may be. What available resources were used? My time? Other's time? We are all just professionals and/or those who care about mental health issues, and quite frankly, it's our choice to use our time (again, it's all volunteer work above and beyond our careers) how we see fit. If there were thousands of dollars spent on a campaign to get rid of asylum, or whatever else, then I would agree...that money could be put elsewhere. The only resource that was used was spare time. Who is to say how I can best utilize my spare time other than myself?

I would argue that social stigma and the need to educate about it is a very real issue.

^^ No money was spent "fighting" the "Asylum". Letters were written and phone calls were made out of people's own time/pockets. I volunteer all my time and resources that I use with that organization. No one gets paid.

I'm not sure I understand the question, but I'll try. What NAMI is trying to accomplish in highlighting the offensiveness of a skit/presentation of this nature is just how offensive it is, and why. The tip of the iceberg has to do with the stigma of violence associated with someone who has a mental illness. Most people assume that those who suffer from a mental illness are more likely to be violent, which is simply false (yes, even those with schizophrenia). Presentations like this promote, albeit unintentionally, ignorance, and do nothing but support misguided beliefs and stereotypes of people with a mental illness; in fact, some would argue that it is exploitative. Sorry you were turned off by the request for donations. As you probably know, mental health is completely underfunded, and the money goes directly to families and individuals in need. I don't think that should be the front page either, though, incidentally. It's like saying, "welcome...but can I have 3.50" (south park reference)

Our whole point was, and is, the following: 1) No one believes that it was intentionally offensive. 2) It is offensive to millions of people 3) Why not change it, now that you have been made aware that it is offensive to millions of people, when you can simply choose another theme that is not. I applaud Cedar Fair for recognizing it. If they did not change that, life goes on, it's their choice. We just spoke or mind, and they listened. There was no yelling, no pointing fingers, just a lot of good, quality discussion, and RailRider, you are correct...a lot of people did get educated, which is exactly what was intended. I don't expect everyone to agree with it.

I am a therapist and psychology professor, and I work with a colleague who, together with my help, started the letter writing campaign to change the Asylum haunt at Cedar Point. Very happy to hear it paid off. If you do not understand why this is offensive, then educate yourself (www.nami.org). The stigma against mental health issues in this country, not to mention seeing a therapist, is tremendous. Pray you never have to realize that first-hand.

Well maybe B & M changed their mind about the 300 foot thing. That was a long time ago when that was stated. Maybe, maybe not.

Expect the mosh pit and pray for a light day. It's August, so everyone (including the locals and us semi-locals) is cramming in as many visits as they can before school starts in a couple weeks. August is certainly very, very busy, and CP has been absolutely crammed all season-long. There's no predictable light day in July or August like there is in the earlier part of the season. The good news is that everything is up and running.

We need to adopt you. In our family, we're the coaster-nut parents. I can see how Platinum Passes may not be at the top of the totem poll if your parents don't even like amusement parks. Our kids are going to be raised to like them......or else!

I don't see what hotels have to do with anything. Of course doing stuff costs money. Again, this all boils down to everyone's average trips. We stay in hotels close to CP just for convenience sometimes, but we could easily drive back and forth the same day as we live about 2 hours away. I'm still not sure what hotel costs have to do with the price of a Platinum Pass.

Then buy them at the sale price. 150 for access to each park plus parking unreasonable? I have long been in the camp that feels the PP is way underpriced. Not that I am complaining, but it's well worth around 200 dollars. It all boils down to how often you go. Cedar Point is our "home" park, and in a good year it is not unreasonable that we go 10+ times a year; not to mention a road trip to Kings Dominion or Kings Island or Dorney.

I love me some bad puns

I feel like I'm having a Flashback...

Everyone knows that Gemini is really two coasters anyway.

Is that cousin Eddie?