Cedar Point's new ride ain't Whyte Lightning, it's 'Shoot the Rapids'

September 3, 2009 at 7:58 AM · I could be wrong, but I could swear that Cedar Point used to have a water ride called "Shoot the Rapids" back in the late 70s, early 80s?

Anyone else remember this?

September 3, 2009 at 8:05 AM · Nice redirection on the ride's name there, Cedar Point. Well played.

Looks like a decent mid-summer soaker. Two NASCAR rides and a moonshine still for 2010, though. What does this say about Cedar Fair's mindset these days? ;-)

September 3, 2009 at 9:43 AM · Whats with all these short water rides everybody is making?

September 3, 2009 at 11:10 AM · Why not do a good old fashioned 10 minute experience with animatronics and drops (ala splash mountain or Ripsaw) which would bring the guests in even more?

September 3, 2009 at 11:23 AM · Story-driven animatronic rides aren't what Cedar Fair does.

We can argue over whether they should or not, or whether that would bring in more people, but the fact remains that Cedar Fair hasn't done that type of attraction, and has shown no sign of starting.

September 3, 2009 at 11:43 AM · Sounds like the Yankees up at Cedar Point are targeting us Southern Folk. I wonder if they realize most of us now wear shoes, I said most of us.

September 3, 2009 at 12:58 PM · Very disappointing, and after the first year, the ridership on it will be very, very low. Just like the other soakers at the park.

September 3, 2009 at 3:11 PM · ^^Agreed.

17 coasters and NOT climbing. Watch out, if CP takes three more years to add another attraction, Magic Mountain is gonna make a real push to steal the Coaster King crown...

September 3, 2009 at 4:00 PM · I really don't believe that Magic Mountain wants anything to do with that "crown" anymore. Six Flags management has been preaching family value, not coaster geekdom. I see one-to-one exchanges for any future SFMM coasters (e.g. Psyclone for Terminator).

September 3, 2009 at 4:31 PM · Yes, "Shoot the Rapids" was a wonderful water ride from CP's past. It was located in Frontier Town, and was the first (and only) major ride there when that area was first created. It stood where Maverick now is. The layout was nothing like the new ride will be, but it did give you a great splash. The unproven rumor was that some of the boats were designed to completely drench the riders, while others just got you a little wet. We all prayed to get one of the "soakers". The name "Crystal Rock" was a local brewery in Sandusky (where CP is located) and they had a beer garden-type building at CP for many years in the early and mid 1900's. It looks like the new ride will be located in the Frontier Trail or Frontier Town area, which is the only reason I can think of for the silly hillbilly references. Most of the historic buildings along Frontier Trail are original log cabins from northern Ohio, which is about as hilly as central Florida (minus the Disney mountains). I was really excited to hear the old name being used, and I think that the new ride in the location I think it will be in will have lots of natural theming. The area is one of the last areas of CP that is still woodland.

September 3, 2009 at 5:14 PM · lame

September 3, 2009 at 7:08 PM · You may be right, Robert, but with 16 coasters already at Magic Mt, and a rumored 2010 addition, I have yet to hear about anything being removed. Six Flags may not covet the Coaster Crown the way they used to, but I am sure they would not be too upset if they wrested a share of it from CP's now-watery clutches...

September 3, 2009 at 7:51 PM · I appreciate the nod to Cedar Point's rich history. Shoot the Rapids is an old school CP ride from years ago, and the Crystal Rock Brewery is an old local fare. About a hundred years ago (literally), there was a building at Cedar Point called the Crystal Rock Castle, whose sole purpose was to serve beer.

Now on to the ride....I'm glad that they are bringing another water attraction for next year. This one has a little story, which gives it a chance to be dressed up and themed a little. I hope that Cedar Point decides to deck this ride out more than the renderings show. If they don't, then it will very closely resemble a ride they tore down 3 years ago to make way for Maverick. Nothing against White Water Landing part 2, just hoping they will do a little more with this one.

Side note for those into this sort of thing...There is a great book about the history of Cedar Point called "Cedar Point, Queen of American Watering Places". It tells the whole story of the park and it's 125 year history. It sort of turns into mush at the very end when covering the past few years, but for the most part is a fascinating read.

September 4, 2009 at 9:45 AM · Do we really have to count the kiddie coasters in the coaster count? I'll give you the junior coasters, but kiddie coasters such as Percy at SFMM are basically track rides that are elevated so they can undulate a bit.

September 4, 2009 at 1:04 PM · I'm not losing any sleep over the coaster count. Cedar Point has a couple of duds that they would be ok to shed in my book. Corkscrew is pretty much taking up space and Disaster Transport is taking up valuable beachfront property. The rest of the coasters are worth keeping, except maybe Mean Streak...which needs new trains, new track, or both. I used to like that one when it first opened. It's become too rough to run at full speed, hence the trim brakes on the first hill. Even with the brakes it's not a great ride anymore.

And I agree Robert. I'll allow junior coasters, but kiddie coasters shouldn't count, especially with the big bad thrillseeking coaster nuts who ride them strictly to add to their "coaster count". Diamondback and Little Bill's Giggle coaster aren't even in the same sport.

September 4, 2009 at 1:42 PM · I'm pretty excited for this new ride, but I really hope you don't get as wet as it shows in the video... They need something white water landing -esq to get you a little damp, but not soaked, and as much as I love Maverick, I liked WWL better, because Maverick is just one coaster in 17, but WWL was something unique

No way is Cedar Point in need of another coaster, and it wasn't until I went to Dorney Park this summer that I realized how many it really already has. We can go at least a few years

September 4, 2009 at 3:56 PM · I don't make the coaster counting rules - Cedar Fair does. And I quote from the Cedar Point official website: "The park boasts an unheard of 17, yes, 17 roller coasters (more than any other park in the world)!" The only way they are getting to 17 is by counting the baby stuff too.

However, I totally agree... the baby rides should not count. In fact, I will go one step further: coasters are nice, real nice, but not requisite at a true theme park. Epcot may be the best theme park in the world and it has...uh...ZERO roller coasters...

Anyway, on a side note, who knows which North American park boasts the most ADULT (40" and above) coasters?

September 4, 2009 at 4:00 PM · Isn't this just Snake River Falls with two drops? They need to bring a log flume back, slightly themed, just like the one that existed before Maverick.

September 4, 2009 at 5:13 PM · Scottland, stop trying to get back on topic! Just write "this new ride blows" and move along! ;)

September 4, 2009 at 5:52 PM · Grownups who ride kiddie coasters, without a kid they are related to sitting next to them, are like grownups who bring gloves to baseball games. Kinda pathetic.

September 4, 2009 at 7:24 PM · Kinda? There's no kinda about it.

September 4, 2009 at 8:07 PM · What a HUGE disappointment!:( This is the ride we were asking for? Really? I thought the last quick poll I read indicated almost 70% of respondents hoped it would be a new rollercoaster. So, lets see. They tear down a water ride to build Maverick, and 3 years later they're building another water ride? They already have a water ride beside Skyhawk which nobody seems to ride! WASTE OF MONEY! Who wants to get wet and walk around the park? Blisters and chaffing?? Fun? Not in my opinion. Is this ride going to make people want to travel across the nation to ride? I don't think so... Great that they are building a new ride, but people go to Cedar Point for great rides like Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster. I was looking at all of the cool rollercoaster that Intamin has available. That's what I was hoping for and expecting.

September 5, 2009 at 12:04 AM · I think this will be a good addition to the park. However it is a very slow-moving ride.

September 5, 2009 at 4:16 PM · Sean, I'm sorry you're so disappointed in the new Shoot the Rapids. So the last "quick poll" said that 70% wanted another coaster. Those polls are not scientifically accurate or reliable. There are some of us who wanted another, less soaking water ride. Shoot the Rapids appears to be such a ride, and in my opinion it does look to be fun (I've been doing water rides at CP since 1965, and I don't remember blisters and chaffing). Millenium Force and Top Thrill Dragster are still there- adding a water ride does not eliminate people being able to enjoy them. Riding STR will not use up all the fun. Nothing will be removed to add STR to Cedar Point, other than some trees. There are lots of rides that could (and in some cases should) be removed to make room for more coasters, some of which have been mentioned in here often. Not every ride has to be a coaster. Just like not everything has to be Disney

September 5, 2009 at 11:04 PM · I agree with some of James Koehl's comments. I recognize that some people will like this ride. They are entitled to their opinion, just like I am. I never stated that the poll was statistically accurate, but I bet it's not far off. If a scientific poll was conducted, I bet more people would vote for a new rollercoaster versus a water ride. I never implied that any rides are being removed to build this ride. I do agree that a few rides are past their prime and COULD be replaced. In fact, I don't ride half of the coasters because I think they are quite rough and not particularly exciting. Rides I rarely ride include Demon Drop, Corkscrew, Magnum, Mantis, Mean Streak and Gemini. Not that I dislike them, but they are rough and hard on the body. Iron Dragon isn't thrilling either, but it's okay. Disaster Transport is a welcome respite from the sun and heat, but is somewhat lame otherwise. As for my take on water rides, I don't mind them, but I don't want to waste time drying off, changing clothes, having wet shoes and socks, etc. As for blisters and chaffing, I stand by that comment. My nephew rode Snake River Falls. After walking the park in wet clothes, we ended up in the first aid office because he had some significant chaffing. I've had blisters from walking in wet socks. What would I like to see built? Check out the Wing Rider Launch Coaster at www.intaminworldwide.com That looks like a lot of fun to me! Maybe their LSM Ball Coaster. How about a coaster like Millennium Force that tops 500 feet? How about Intamin's Suspended Twin Hammer? How about S&S Worldwide's 4th dimension coaster (like X2 @ SFMM), or their High-Thrill Speed Coaster(Called F1? New fastest coaster in the world at Nürburgring?) With theme park attendance an issue these days, I'll bet these rides would do a lot more to boost attendance than a water ride that doesn't seem to bring anything new to the table. Anyone agree with me, or am I alone in my views? As for the new ride being "a less soaking ride", it sure doesn't look like it in the POV video. It looks like you go underneath a waterfall!! That equals soaked to the bone to me!

September 6, 2009 at 3:00 AM · The video on the CP site has Tony and Tyler talking with a CP exec (sorry, forgot which one) about STR. He says that you will get soaked, but that they will consider the weather, temp., etc., and can turn down the extra water effects in cooler weather. Sorry about your nephew- I think they have some kind of body dryer installed near the other water rides. Don't know how it works (or if it works). When we plan on riding the water rides we wear light-weight stuff that will dry fast, we leave our shoes etc in lockers or with non-riding friends/family, and only ride early afternoon to give us time to dry off during the warmest part of the day. If we didn't dress right for the water rides, we will skip them.

September 6, 2009 at 6:53 AM · Sean, most folks DO agree with you: it is a lame addition, and a disappointing announcement. For good or for ill, for richer or for poorer, Cedar Point is all about coasters, and when the company is spending $10.5m to add an attraction, you would expect it to be a lot more than an updated shoot-the-chutes ride.

September 7, 2009 at 2:59 AM · When I first read Mr. Rao's comment I posted a snarky response- if anyone did read it, I apologize. Sean's earlier response was well-written and polite, and I was tired after spending the day at a renaissance festival- with NO roller coasters. As far as Mr. Rao's comment about CP being "all about coasters", you seem to have heard the "America's roller coast-rock on!" jingle too often. Of course, CP is dominated with them, both physically and perceptionally, but there is no way coaster riders alone could support such a massive park as Cedar Point. You have to have attractions to please all demographics, and that includes families with young children, older children who like both roller coasters AND merry-go-rounds, adults who just don't feel like riding a coaster that day, grandma and grandpa who came along and paid for the trip...it goes on. If Cedar Point just built a new coaster every year to the exclusion of all else, it would die. Unless CP decides to move its parking lot to the mainland, shuttle visitors over on trains or monorails, and build new rides on the parking lot, it only has a limited amount of space. It can't just keep tearing down more family-oriented rides to build another coaster. It has to provide experiences for everyone, even those who don't, won't or can't ride coasters. Do I want more and better coasters? Yes. Do I want them at the exclusion of families with young children, or grandma and grandpa? No. The last amusement park ride my father rode before he died was White Water Landing. I want CP to offer choices for everyone. If we have to go three years between coasters and offer a complete experience for everyone, then I can wait.

September 7, 2009 at 10:33 PM · Cedar Point is a destination for seventeen reasons: its coasters (even though half of them blow). If Cedar Point was not the self proclaimed Coaster Capital of the World, it would be just another above average stationary carnival, like most Cedar Fair parks. No one cares about its scrambler, octopus, or merry-go-round attractions. It is silly to think someone would choose Cedar Point as a vacation destination because of common midway rides found at every country fair and carnival across the nation.

If one wants to ride uber coasters, one goes to Ohio. If one wants to visit parks with immersive theming, family friendly attractions, and experiences not rides, one travels to Florida or California.

And sadly, other than the two Busch Gardens theme parks, never the twain shall meet.

September 8, 2009 at 3:05 AM · Mr. Rao, I think we are looking at Cedar Point as two different parks. You are looking at it as a destination theme park, while I look at it as our local amusement park. Cedar Point calls itself an amusement park, not a theme park, and since so many in here insist that it doesn't, won't, can't (fill in your favorite contraction) theme anything, then why is it even being discussed in "Theme Park Insider"? Cedar Point could not survive if it had to rely on people coming from around the country/world to ride the roller coasters- it has to provide experiences for the majority of its guests who live within a several hour drive and who make an annual pilgrimage to Cedar Point. It also has to provide them for the thousands of us who have been getting season passes for years, who like to come to Cedar Point on a summer evening, ride a few less-stimulating rides that we don't have to stand in line for an hour to ride, and just enjoy the beautiful park that Cedar Point is. Yes, people do care about the Scrambler, Octopus and Merry-Go-Round attractions. NOT EVERYONE RIDES ROLLER COASTERS, AND MANY PEOPLE DON'T RIDE THEM ALL THE TIME, TO THE EXCLUSION OF ALL ELSE! Yes, Cedar Point's coasters are its major draw, but it is not the only thing there. Saying that the remainder of CP is nothing but a carnival is as closed-minded and insulting as my saying that Magic Kingdom is nothing but a heavily-decorated advertisement for Disney cartoons. Neither is true. If you want to live on roller coasters to the exclusion of everything else, do so. You will miss out on lots of other great rides, and will keep the lines on them shorter.

September 8, 2009 at 4:33 AM · At least you finally admitted that the roller coasters are indeed the main draw at Cedar Point. I've made progress. ;)

Now, if you re-read my comments you'll find that I have never complained about Cedar Point, but instead have set it above all other AMUSEMENT PARKS because of its (mostly) fine coaster collection. Furthermore, I believe it is impossible to compare CP and Magic Kingdom because the two parks are worlds apart in what they are trying to accomplish. One is designed to make you lose yourself in fantasy (Magic Kingdom), the other is designed to make you lose your lunch (Cedar Point). There is room in this world for both types of parks. And the competition they bring to the table rewards us all as park designers scramble to make better and better attractions.

However, to say that adding a shoot-the-chutes ride to the number one iron ride park in the world is not a disappointment, is akin to saying that all the Magic Kingdom needs another carousel. No matter who Cedar Fair was trying to please (local visitors or destination coaster junkies), this new attraction falls way short of MOST everyone's expectations. When you are the best iron ride park in the business, you have to set new standards for thrills with each addition. Whether you are adding coaster junkie thrills or whole-family attractions makes no difference, but whatever you are adding must be bleeding edge, not some cut-rate variation on last year's update to Indiana's Holiday World.

I am a fan of Cedar Point. I think that for an iron ride park it gets a lot of things right. And it does indeed set a standard for amusement excellence that raises expectations. Are my expectations too high? Maybe. But I am sure Cedar Point would not want it any other way. No park in Sandusky, Ohio can expect to pull 3.5 million visitors annually from the local population. So it is imperative that their new rides be the type of additions that will prompt families like mine to make the 12 hour excursion to the Point. Shoot The Rapids is not that type of attraction. IMHO, Cedar Point can do a lot better, even when it is not building coasters.

It has been a stimulating discussion, and while I agree with your argument for the addition of more whole family attractions to Cedar Point, it does not change the fact that I believe Shoot The Rapids is a B-level update to an A-list park.

September 8, 2009 at 4:01 PM · And at least you are finally admitting that Cedar Point needs more whole family attractions ;+) Now how about waiting until you have actually ridden Shoot the Rapids in real life, and not just via watching a computer simulation? Perhaps you might enjoy it. Perhaps I will think it sucks. So it might be a "B-list" ride. Give it a chance. Not everything at Disneyland is an "E-ticket" attraction. I was getting the feeling that you want everything at CP that was not a coaster bulldozed to make way for more coasters. I didn't intend to imply that I wasn't aware of the importance of coasters to CP. Driving across the causeway to the Point is always an inspiring and exciting sight. But CP is more than just coasters. Our family's joint favorite ride is Cedar Downs, my 14yo daughter lives to ride Witch's Wheel, and my 10yo son loves Chaos. Me, give me Blue Streak.

September 8, 2009 at 7:52 PM · I love whole family attractions! Check out my first post regarding this new ride in the TPI discussion forums dated September 3rd: "Despite the fact that I am totally in favor of more whole-family attractions at Cedar Point, I have to admit that I am very disappointed in this announcement. However, I will hold out hope that the final product will surprise me."

September 8, 2009 at 9:32 PM · Continuing...

The only thing left for you and I to decide is whether this new water ride is A-list or B-list (or C-list for that matter). And as you correctly stated, we'll just have to wait until the ride is complete to make that determination.

In the meantime, I maintain that I am disappointed by what Cedar Point has presented to us so far. Shoot The Rapids looks underwhelming at best, and down right lame at worst. It certainly does not inspire me to plan a trip to Ohio next summer.

However, I will anxiously await your review next year when the ride is complete, James!

September 9, 2009 at 2:47 AM · I'm also awaiting the time when I can review STR. I'll include my kids' comments, too. It will be a long winter until CP reopens(not counting Halloweekends).