Cedar Point Copycats Kings Island in 2012

August 19, 2011 at 4:35 PM · It's a significant bummer to lose Paddlewheel Excursions, one of the last attractions at Cedar Point with any sort of character or theme. Admittedly it had been greatly reduced from its glory days, having lost much of its scenery to new rides. The skippers had long ago lost their unique semi-nautical costumes to generic ride operations uniforms. While it is very sad for a classic attraction to close, this can be seen as a sign of the times at Cedar Point, where the audience has been trained away from gentle family attractions like Paddlewheel and toward thrill rides.

As for Dinosaurs Alive! itself, it sort of is what it is. Something a little more imaginative would have been nice and the upcharge is unfortunate but any family attraction at a park that desperately needs them is welcome.

August 19, 2011 at 5:12 PM · I remember when they were still called the Western Cruise. Most of the scenes that I first saw as a kid are now gone (like the Fort being attacked by Indians, with cannonballs splashing into the water next to the boat). I know that a new attraction at CP is a good thing, but I'll really miss those boats and the tacky scenery that was part of it.

August 19, 2011 at 7:44 PM · I am disgusted at this move made by Cedar Fair. With the exact same attraction a three hour drive south I feel it is pointless. I never have and never will pay an up-charge to see animatronic creatures. I am a season pass holder to Cedar Fair and don't go to their parks to be educated on anything, let alone a distinct animal. I go to have quality time smiling, laughing, and screaming with my family on the rides. One of our favorite being the Paddle Wheel Excursion. Sure it may be an old attraction, but if they had kept it up better, and not taken out so many of the animatronics (may Bucky the Beaver rest in peace), it would have much better ridership. I really cannot think of any other family ride at Cedar Point where you can really sit together and see each others reactions and laugh at corny jokes that don't get stuck in your teeth!
I am sorry but I do not see any "family" side of the Dinosaur's Alive attraction. Little kids are frightened of them, and how pleasant will it be to be walking through there with the roar of water from Shoot the Rapids or the screams of Millennium Force riders?
The lagoons that the paddle wheel boats run in are a great history of Cedar Point. Before their were trucks on the peninsula, they used steam boats on the lagoons to transport coal from the docks to the power plant which was situated in the middle. They were also used to transport guests and luggage from the docks on one side to the hotels and cabins which were on the other side. People later on were able to rent a row boat to take out onto them as sort of lover's alone time or a cruise through the heavily wooded banks. But now the lagoons will sit there, serving no purpose really.
I am not impressed nor happy by such a move and hope that the attractions stays for only a short time.

August 19, 2011 at 9:00 PM · Just the same dinosaurs at zoos and other theme parks all over the country. I'm really disappointed and was hoping for something unique. I'm not sure how many other parks have paddleboat excursions...but after the Windseeker being put in several parks, I was really excited for what new thing Cedar Point would do!

August 20, 2011 at 8:05 AM · I am a little surprised that the new president of the Cedar Fair company, Matt Ouimet, a Disney veteran known for preserving the unique attractions that make parks special, would allow such a change. However, I believe this decision is from outgoing President Dick Kinzel and probably was made a year or more ago.

I am not impressed by this addition at all, and if up-charge attractions are the wave of the future at Cedar Fair parks, I expect fan feedback will continue to be mostly negative.

August 20, 2011 at 8:14 AM · I guess I won't be going to CP next year. This makes three looser new attractions in three years. Kinzel should have left five years ago.

August 20, 2011 at 5:03 PM · You've got to be kidding me!?! This is the stupidest idea yet! I was hoping this was some kind of a joke, but I guess it isn't. Is Cedar Point an amusement park or a theme park? Paddlewheel Excursions is an absolute gem! It should never be closed! This ridiculous concept is going to bring people to the park year after year? Really? This will be a seen it once and you're done with it attraction. Of course in my case, I won't be seeing it at all as I won't be wasting $5.00 for junk. There hasn't been a good addition to the park since Maverick. What happened to the rumours that they were looking to regain their title of Aemrica's Roller Coast by at least equalling SFMM? I see they've got it right at Canada's Wonderland with a new coaster. CANCEL this Dinosaur Adventure junk now before the damage is done. DON'T DO IT!

August 21, 2011 at 12:17 AM · I do agree that opening basically identical attractions at two of your themeparks that are 4 hours or less from each other is to me not the best business decision. Kind of like opening a Windseeker for what seems like every park. Apparently Windseeker's are the wave of the future and the way to bring the paying public into every park.

August 23, 2011 at 8:44 AM · Cedar Point is an Amusement Park, not a theme park, but adding a ride like this, in my opinion is a great idea. Cedar Point is going to make a lot more money if they mix coasters and family attractions in one park. The park is gradually becoming more family oriented and that is a very good business decision.
Families stay at hotels and resorts at the park and spend money on souvenirs and such for children. A coaster will come, for all you geniuses complaining that there's not a new coaster every year. Cedar Point doesn't have $15-25 million in their pockets to spend on coasters every year.
In fact, 3 of the 4 most recent coasters costed $25 million (Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, and MAverick).
Yes, it is sad to see P.E. removed but, you can't keep everything. Eventually, a lot more "gems" will have to go.
I love this addition to the park in 2012!