Thursday, March 28, 2024

Cedar Fair Parks Announce 2017 Attractions

[Htab][tab title=”Cedar Point”]Sandusky, OH, USA – One of the world’s most popular amusement park destination is getting bigger with a multi-year investment to further demonstrate Cedar Point as a complete vacation choice for families and thrill seekers. The major highlight of fun to come is an extensive transformation of Soak City to the brand-new, 18-acre Cedar Point Shores Water Park.

With a nod to its lakeside surroundings, Cedar Point Shores will feature three completely new water attractions, new and upgraded food and merchandise locations and more. All-new amenities will be added for guests to enjoy the one-of-a-kind setting of beautiful Lake Erie and Cedar Point’s mile-long beach.

M01 - Point Plummet

New attractions for water lovers of all ages are coming ashore in 2017. They include:

·       Point Plummet – a six-story-tall, four-person aqua-drop body slide that will simultaneously send four guests on a nearly vertical free fall when the floor drops out from under them. The four separate 400-foot-long slides will send riders through a series of flat loops and s-curves for an amazing water rush.

·       Starboard Surge & Portside Plunge – located on the same structure as Point Plummet, these two, five-story tube slides can accommodate guests riding alone or with a friend and will send them through an enclosed tunnel before shooting them out into the sun through intense drops and turns.

·       Lakeslide Landing – a new family splashground with 12 kid-sized water slides that line the perimeter of a zero-depth-entry pool, giving kids their own mini water thrills while parents can relax under shade structures and enjoy an oversized lounge and sun deck area.

M05 - Point Plummet Close

The water park’s existing slides and attractions will receive makeovers as well, with most receiving new names highlighting the unique beachside location.

For food lovers, the new Crystal Rock Café will cook up delicious food items. The menu includes items like: fresh-baked flat breads with options such as caprese or buffalo mac & cheese; farm stand salad options like crispy chicken BLT, Asian chicken and chicken Caesar; pesto-glazed grilled chicken sandwiches; fresh-breaded chicken tenders; cheeseburgers; bratwurst; waffle fries; tater tots and more.

M02 - Lakeslide Landing

Cedar Point Shores will also boast a completely new main entrance, a new poolside bar, new family changing/showering areas, more lounge chairs, additional shade, improved landscaping and unobstructed views of Lake Erie.

Updated cabanas on either side of the massive 500,000-gallon wave pool will be the perfect place to relax for large groups or families. Upgrades include free Wi-Fi, charging stations, ceiling fans, TVs and dedicated food and beverage service.

In addition to the exciting new Cedar Point Shores Water Park, Cedar Point also announced several enhancements to its overnight accommodations.

M03 - Cedar Point's Express Hotel

In 2017, Breakers Express will transform into Cedar Point’s Express Hotel, adding 69 new rooms to the popular overnight haven. All guest rooms feature two queen beds and will be completely renovated with new bathrooms and bedding, mini fridges, microwaves and connecting family suites for additional time to spend together.

In the center of the property, a new splash pad and an outdoor courtyard featuring conversational living spaces will join the whimsical swimming pool and relaxing deck area.

Construction on Cedar Point’s Express Hotel is already in progress and will last throughout the winter.

M04 - Hotel Breakers Expansion

The Hotel Breakers, Cedar Point’s signature hotel located right next to Cedar Point Shores, is also growing. Fresh off of a complete renovation in 2015, an additional six-story tower will be added to the classic beachfront property. The new tower will match the beautiful exterior of the existing hotel and will house 158 guest rooms with many of them configured as connecting family suites. A new outdoor pool area will also make its debut alongside the tower.

Construction on the addition will begin after Labor Day and will continue through the 2017 season. It will open to new guests in time for the summer of 2018.

With the new tower, Hotel Breakers will have a total of 669 rooms, making it one of the largest hotels on the Great Lakes – and the love for the property keeps growing. Hotel Breakers has been voted one of the “Top 25 Hotels for Families” by readers of TripAdvisor and is just steps away from both Cedar Point and the new Cedar Point Shores Water Park.

Guests who stay at Cedar Point’s Express Hotel, Hotel Breakers and the park’s three additional properties receive the best benefits – Early Entry, allowing access to Cedar Point one hour before the general public to ride some of the biggest attractions, the best deal on park admission tickets (tickets that include free admission to Cedar Point Shores for the length of their chosen 1-day, 2-day or 3-day ticket) and the closest rooms to the world’s greatest collection of rides.

“There’s so much more to Cedar Point than most realize,” said Jason McClure, Cedar Point’s vice president and general manager. “No other amusement park can claim a mile-long beach and fresh water lake just steps away from the largest collection of rides on Earth. With the transformation of our water park and investment in our hotel properties, we invite families and friends to make Cedar Point their choice for thrills next summer and beyond.”

Also making its debut in 2017 will be the previously-announced Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center. Located approximately three miles from Cedar Point, the state-of-the-art youth sporting complex will feature multiple fields for soccer, baseball and lacrosse. It will also provide fun for families who attend tournaments, like miniature golf, a ropes challenge course, trampoline structures, food & merchandise options and more.[/tab]
[tab title=”Kings Dominion”]Doswell, VA, USA – The world’s largest PEANUTS™-themed children’s area is growing again. Kings Dominion has announced plans to expand the Planet Snoopy area of the park in 2017. Additions include three family rides, a new event space, and upgraded food and beverage locations.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company Area Rendering

Brand new family-friendly rides include:

  • Kite Eating Tree – Charlie Brown’s kite is stuck in a tree again, can you help get it down? On this family ride, guests will be propelled to the top of the tower and bounce down to the platform as they experience sensations of weightlessness.
  • Sally’s Sea Plane – Join Sally as she soars through the air high above the sea! Kids and their parents are in store for an adventure with a trip on Sally’s airplane. Take a trip round-and-round on this giant plane as it rotates and rises into the air.
  • Peanuts™500 – Pick your car and rev up the engine with the Peanuts™ crew on this fun car ride that is the perfect size for your little racers. Start your engines and hit the track in race cars designed for parents and children to ride together as they move in a circle and whip around the corner on a closed track.

This latest expansion to the 14-acre kid’s area brings the total number of rides in Planet Snoopy to 20. All of the rides are designed for families to experience together.[/tab]
[tab title=”Worlds of Fun”]Kansas City, MO, USA — Worlds of Fun has announced that it will be adding two new unique and thrilling rides in 2017, as well as a completely redesigned front gate to enhance the guest experience next season.

  • Falcon’s Flight – A hair-raising thrill at nearly 100 feet above the ground.  This ride spins and rises at the same time and holds more than 50 riders at a time.
  • Mustang Runner – Three arms with seven gondolas per arm turn one way while the base of the ride spins the other direction.

FalconsFlight_300dpi_6x9

“We couldn’t be more pleased to add two new rides for guests to enjoy.  These classic amusement park rides will add thrills unlike anything in the Midwest,” said Worlds of Fun General Manager, Frank Wilburn.

But that’s not all.  Families will be able to ring in the holidays next season and enjoy what is sure to be a new family tradition.  WinterFest is coming to Worlds of Fun, showcasing 16 favorite holiday characters, spectacular light displays, ice skating, and festive live entertainment.  The park will be transformed into a winter wonderland for six weeks beginning November 24, 2017.

(PRNewsFoto/Worlds of Fun)

“While rides and water slides are the focus for the summer, we pride ourselves on creating memories for families.  What better way to create more memories than during Winterfest by starting a new holiday family tradition in Kansas City,” Wilburn added.[/tab]

[tab title=”California’s Great America”]Santa Clara, CA, USA – California’s Great America has announced that for the 2017 season, it will introduce Patriot, the first floorless coaster in the park’s 41-year history. Patriot will emerge from the soon to be retired Vortex coaster, the oldest stand up roller coaster in the United States.

Patriot will take riders to a 91-foot height before plummeting them into a 360-degree loop at 45 miles per hour. Patriot’s position in the park makes it a dynamic visual from three different sections of Great America.

Patriot1_300dpi_6x9

The inspiration for the coaster’s name was taken from the fact that the ride is nestled adjacent to All American Corners within a park whose name celebrates America.

The transition from a stand up to floorless ride will include state-of-the-art blue and white trains positioning guests with their feet dangling above the blue and white track.

“With the track visible beneath their fee, Patriot will create unique and exciting new perspectives throughout the ride,” said California’s Great America Vice President and General Manager Raul Rehnborg.

Patriot2_300dpi_6x9

Guests can take their “Last Stand” on Vortex through September 5. Then work will begin to ready Patriot for the 2017 season.

Great America’s season continues weekend operations through Oct. 30, with Halloween Haunt running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 24-Oct. 30.

WinterFest debuts and takes center stage Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 25-Dec. 30, with daily operations Dec. 19-23and 26-30. Guests can ice skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia, admire magnificent displays of lights and décor, view spectacular live holiday shows, experience 18 rides, see Santa’s workshop and Mrs. Claus’ kitchen, and enjoy scrumptious holiday foods around the park.[/tab]

[tab title=”Dorney Park”]Allentown, PA, USA — Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, the center of summer fun and family entertainment in the Lehigh Valley, will be making several new additions to enhance the guest experience in 2017. Plans include two new rides, new live entertainment, a new catering pavilion, as well as enhancements to Wildwater Kingdom.

Kaleidoscope and Dodgem will make their debut in the spring, adding more thrills to your visit!

  • Kaleidoscope Manufactured by HUSS, it is a circular ride with three arms of seven gondolas moving counterclockwise against the ride’s main clockwise direction. Riders will experience weightlessness, strong accelerations, and side-to-side movement.
  • Dodgem– Back by the popular demand of Dorney Park guests…bumper cars! Just when you think you’ve got a clear path, BAM!–there’s someone you didn’t dodge. Get behind the wheel of this midway classic and take a crash course in family fun.

Cedar Fair Kaleidoscope-Image

“We are always looking for ways to give our guests the ‘best day’ experience and the addition of these two new rides will complement our already impressive collection of family rides and slides,” said Mike Fehnel, Vice President and General Manager of Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom. “We are particularly excited to announce the return of bumper cars, as our guests have been asking for this particular addition!”

Back by the popular demand of Dorney Park guests...bumper cars! Just when you think you've got a clear path, BAM!--there's someone you didn't dodge. Get behind the wheel of this midway classic and take a crash course in family fun. (PRNewsFoto/Cedar Fair Entertainment Company)

Guests will be mesmerized as they witness the breathtaking stunts and aerial performances of Cirque Imagine– which is included in the price of admission to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom! This thrilling 30-minute live show, perfect for families and guests of all ages, features acts including Trampolines, Cyr wheel, Aerialists, Hand Balancing and Bikes.

Adding these classic amusement park rides and an exciting live show will give guests more family entertainment options, but that’s not all. A new dining experience will be available in the 2017 season.  The addition of Parkside Pavilion will provide a catering facility for corporate, school, church and other group outings. Parkside Pavilion will have a chef’s kitchen offering extensive new culinary options and will comfortably accommodate over 2,000 guests.

Wildwater Kingdom will also receive enhancements for the 2017 season including 17 new cabanas for guests who want to add some privacy and luxury to their day. Cabana rentals provide the perfect amount of R&R and include private seating/lounge chairs, cabana-side food and beverage service and numerous other amenities. Wildwater Kingdom guests can enjoy new food and beverage offerings at the Sunset Beach Bar including outdoor seating space and a full-service bar for adults.[/tab]

[tab title=”Knott’s Berry Farm”]Buena Park, CA, USA — Knott’s Berry Farm announces an exciting expansion, renovations and new additions coming to Knott’s Soak City Water Park next summer.

Soak-City-Rendering-with-logos-website

Orange County’s largest water park will debut two water slide towers featuring exhilarating attractions geared for families and thrill seekers. Shore Break will tower over seven stories and offer six different thrilling water slide experiences. Four of the slides on the 60-foot tall tower will start with guests climbing inside an Aqua-Launch chamber where they will wait anxiously for the floor to drop out from underneath their feet, sending them into a high-speed, almost vertical free fall through a series of flat loops and S-curves in a translucent flume. Shore Break will also feature dueling tube slides that will zip riders through an enchanting series of drops and turns. The height requirements for Shore Break slides are 48 inches. The Wedge slide tower will take the location of the current Pacific Spin and will be an open air family raft ride. Up to six guests at a time will descend down navigating twists and turns and surprise drops. Height requirement for The Wedge is 48 inches or 40 inches when accompanied by a supervising companion. Guests will be able to experience both water slide towers when Knott’s Soak City Water Park opens for the summer season in May 2017.

The expansion project will also include updated shaded seating areas, cabanas and a remodeled Longboard’s Grill to the water park. Construction is set to begin on September 12 and a grand-reopening is scheduled for summer 2017[/tab]
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Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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