Please use this thread to discuss anything related to Cedar Point's 2013 rumors, plans, and announcements.

I've seen a lot of info come across Twitter today about Cedar Point's 2013 plans. Of course, it's always a rumor until the park confirms it. Anyway, the Sandusky Register sparked some excitement today when they wrote an article claiming to see a memo from February mentioning a new winged B&M coaster debuting in 2013. The new project will cost around 25 million dollars and include an update to the front entrance as well as the removal of the Space Spiral and Disaster Transport (sadface).

The article mentions the rumored coaster will be 170 feet tall and break a few winged coaster records including longest, fastest, and longest drop. The layout of this coaster will feature a pass over the main entrance to the park. The article also mentioned the coaster would travel over some of the parking lot because of space constraints.

I'm not sure what I think about the news just yet. I was excited to hear about the possibility of a new coaster at Cedar Point because they always build such fun coasters, but I am very saddened to hear that Disaster Transport may go away. I realize it wasn't the best coaster on the park and that a coaster's life only lasts so long, but I have a lot of fun memories riding it with my family and will miss it.

Check out the article here: http://www.sanduskyregister.com/sandusky...aster-2013

What do you guys think? Feel free to discuss the rumors and add any of your own. I always love a good Cedar Point discussion.

I won't believe it until the Official Press Release.

Cedar Point posted the following to their Facebook page today:

Quote:Something big is happening. Disaster Transport & Space Spiral will be dismantled this season to make space for @!!$!(*%%. We're sad to see them go, but are excited as we fly into the future. Stay tuned for more!

I'm surprised that Cedar Point chose to use an expletive as a name for their new ride.

(07-13-2012 07:34 PM)Velcro Wrote:  Cedar Point posted the following to their Facebook page today:

Quote:Something big is happening. Disaster Transport & Space Spiral will be dismantled this season to make space for @!!$!(*%%. We're sad to see them go, but are excited as we fly into the future. Stay tuned for more!

I'm surprised that Cedar Point chose to use an expletive as a name for their new ride.

It spells Banshee. So far, everything Cedar Point has done in regards to ride removals are exactly in the order that was set forth by the CP Dippin' Dots Guys' Forefathers.....Demon Drop, Check, Wildcat, Check, Disaster Transport, Check, Space Spiral, Check. Next on the List? I suggest you get your last rides on Draggin' Iron, AKA The Cedar Point Monorail, while you can before it's melted down into a B&M Flying Coaster.

(07-14-2012 02:14 AM)linearinduction Wrote:  It spells Banshee. So far, everything Cedar Point has done in regards to ride removals are exactly in the order that was set forth by the CP Dippin' Dots Guys' Forefathers.....Demon Drop, Check, Wildcat, Check, Disaster Transport, Check, Space Spiral, Check. Next on the List? I suggest you get your last rides on Draggin' Iron, AKA The Cedar Point Monorail, while you can before it's melted down into a B&M Flying Coaster.

Dang I probably won't get back before Iron Dragon is removed. Its a good ride. The 2nd half is the best part. I liked it much more than Ninja.

A B&M flyer would be cool in the middle of the park though. Maybe melt down Mantis too into something better lol.

Quote:Cedar Point amusement and Cedar Point /resort, known around the globe as the leader in innovative coaster thrills and "The Best Amusement Park in the World," announced plans today to build a new world-record-breaking coaster for the park's 2013 season. Named GateKeeper, this new winged roller coaster will take guests on a ride unlike anything else at the famed park. Set to debut in May, the mammoth ride will be the longest winged roller coaster in the world and will boast the longest drop of any winged coaster on the planet!

GateKeeper, will forever change the landscape of the Cedar Point Peninsula, as the track will dramatically fly above the main entrance to the park, passing over arriving guests with rolling flyover maneuvers. Riders will twice narrowly slot through new front gate portals and slide by buildings for near miss excitement. GateKeeper will feature Sunset Gold trains with coaches that extend out sideways from the track, exposing riders to nothing above or below them, simulating the feeling of flight.

"GateKeeper's world-record-breaking statistics, incredible flying maneuvers and special elements make it a unique coaster experience," stated Cedar Point General Manager John Hildebrandt. "GateKeeper is a roller coaster only Cedar Point can build and we are proud to add it to our incredible lineup of world-class attractions."

Designed by world-renown coaster manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, Monthey, Switzerland, a ride along the 4,164 feet of dark and light blue steel tubular track on GateKeeper will take approximately 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

Once riders crest the top of the 170-foot-tall lift hill, the coaster train will rotate 180 degrees to the right, turning riders upside down before plummeting a record 164 feet toward the ground at speeds reaching 67 mph! Then the train will enter a half loop, go through a half twist and curve out in the opposite direction from which it came. A towering 105-foot-tall camelback hill awaits just before riders glide through a 360-degree giant flat spin. The train will then fly through the middle of two support towers that will dominate Cedar Point's new Main Entrance. The coaster will then make a tight, 180-degree turnaround which pushes riders through an overbanked turn and rockets them back towards the station. A 360-degree in-line roll, camelback drop and spiral round out the amazing elements that GateKeeper will treat its passengers to next summer.

GateKeeper will feature three 32-passenger trains and will be able to accommodate approximately 1,710 riders per hour. Riders will be secured with over-the-shoulder restraints and interlocking seat belts. With the addition of GateKeeper and the redesign to the park's main entrance, Cedar Point will invest approximately $30 million on improvements for the 2013 season.

Thrill-seekers can view more statistics and photos about the new world-record-breaking coaster, GateKeeper, and follow the progress http://www.cedarpoint.com all winter long. GateKeeper will be Cedar Point's 16th roller coaster and is scheduled to open with the rest of the park in May of 2013.

THE RIDE - FACTS AND FIGURES

It’s the announcement you have been waiting for! Cedar Point amusement park/resort, known around the globe as the leader in innovative coaster thrills, will take guests on a winged ride unlike anything else at the famed park when it debuts its newest roller coaster, GateKeeper, in 2013.

Located at the front of the park, GateKeeper, will forever change the landscape of the Cedar Point Peninsula. This mammoth ride will be the longest winged roller coaster and boast the longest drop of any winged roller coaster on the planet!

Scheduled Debut: May 2013

Physical Dimensions
Track Length: 4,164 feet
Lift Height: 170 feet
Angle of Lift Hill: 40 degrees
Vertical Drop: 163 feet
Time, Speed, Capacity
Time: Approximately 2 minutes, 40 seconds
Maximum Speed: Approximately 67 mph
Capacity: Approximately 1,710 riders per hour

Design
Ride Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), Monthey, Switzerland
Model: Full-circuit winged coaster
Structure: Steel tubular track

Vehicles
Trains: Three (3) 32-passenger trains
Coaches: Eight coaches, with four seats per coach, per train
Design: Fiberglass and steel coaches with over-the-shoulder restraints and interlocking seat belts
Color Scheme
Supports: White columns
Track: Azure Blue (dark blue) and Strata Blue (light blue) track
Train colors: Sunset Gold, with Zenith Gold, Meteor Gold and Orion Gold accents

Additional Facts
Ride Site: 3.5 Acres
Total 2013 Investment: Approx. $30 million

Features
The ride layout is specially designed for Cedar Point, featuring a track that dramatically flies above the main entrance of the park, passing over arriving guests with rolling flyover maneuvers – twice, sliding by buildings and narrowly slotting through new front gate portals for near miss excitement. Elements of the ride include:

Wing Over Drop – once riders crest the top of the lift hill, the coaster train will rotate 180 degrees to the right, turning riders upside down before plummeting toward the ground at speeds of more than 65 mph!
Immelmann – a maneuver where riders enter a half loop, go through a half twist and curve out in the opposite direction from which they came.
Camelback – riders will fly over a giant, 105-foot-tall camelback hill that will be filled with “airtime!”
Giant Flat Spin – a hair-raising 360-degree flip that will provide two different ride experiences for guests on each side of the train.
Zero-G-Roll – a flying element that takes riders through two support towers that will dominate Cedar Point’s new Main Entrance.
Inclined Dive Loop – a tight, 180-degree turnaround pushes riders through an overbanked turn and rockets them back towards the station.
360° In-Line-Roll – an element that will take riders extremely close to the new massive support towers while flying over guests entering the park below.
Camelback Drop – a quick drop that will help propel the train and its guests through the rides final thrilling element, the spiral.
Spiral – GateKeeper’s track rotates a wicked 360 degrees before bringing the coasters train back to the ride station.






















http://www.cedarpoint.com/gatekeeper/the-ride

Spectacular! Wow!!!

I love the look of this coaster, and the near miss elements over the towers at the front gate are awesome!

That teaser where it cuts out a large portion of the ride, then reverses through the whole circuit was awesome.

Wooooow! The video alone was thrilling.