This summer at Cedar point was a disaster in terms of them getting the rides open on time. We went in early entry and none of the rides (Maverick, MF, Skyhawk) were open when we went in. I can cut them some slack on Maverick because it was having problems the whole time we were there (only open a couple hours out of 3 days) but MF definatey should have been open, and it didn't open until 30 minutes after we came in. The next day after early entry (which btw Maverick wasn't open again) we got in line for Top Thrill about 15 minutes before the park opened to everyone so we were towards the front. But the park open at 9 and TTD didn't open until 9:20 because they were still testing.

Last week at Dollywood it was the same thing with Mystery Mine. It wasn't even testing until after we got there first thing and opened at 2:30, 30 minutes after the park opened.

Why can't parks get their rides open on time? They are charging insane prices now and they can't even do their part.

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ROLL TIDE 5-0 BAMA'S BACK!

Money.

Please note that I am not saying that that is a respectable reason, but that I am saying that that IS the reason.

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Certin rides take longer to get ready. If they see a problem with it during early morn. inspection or testing it takes longer to open. Dragster has been opening late alot. That and breakdowns and weather delays opening on time too. Have to figure this, if they feel the ride isnt safe for any riders to ride then they wont open the ride all day or delay its opening. No one thinks about safety.

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People can boo me and people can cheer for me. But when they stop making noise for me then its time to retire and hang up the gloves.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.

God-Forbid the parks not getting their coasters ready and open before the almighty coaster enthusiasses descend upon the property.

The parks might be charging inane prices...but who are the morons paying the extreme prices? GP, yes. Enthusiasses, even more so. Thank you Vekoma for proving why enthusiasts are enthusiASSES.

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Thrillnetwork Lead Moderator
Kent State Basketball (3-0, 0-0 MAC) nect vs Illinois, @ #22 Kansas, vs St. Mary's
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Stuff up on Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, stuffing and pumpkin pie!

Watch who you are talking about PAL. You are a Michigan fan and we Buckeyes did whip you.

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People can boo me and people can cheer for me. But when they stop making noise for me then its time to retire and hang up the gloves.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.

There are a variety of reasons why it may not open on time...

- Mechanical
- Weather (rain, cold, etc.)
- Technical
- Staffing
- Other (animals on the track, lots of birds in the vicinity, lack of guests in the park to justify opening the ride, etc.). Believe it or not, some have to have a minimum load in order to operate properly.

...none of which I'd get your panties in a bunch about.

Point is... they don't just open the rides and risk lives just so you can get your thrill. We don't need to be writing about your death on our front page. Having worked for two amusement parks, I have no sympathy.

Also, DaleE4lifefan, this isn't about the Buckeyes/Wolverines. After all, I stapled sore winners like you, and thus made those rides quite memorable.

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ThrillNetwork Webmaster/Systems Administrator -- My Official Fansite -- Get Firefox!

Cuz that's how CP operates.

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Valleyfairzone.com
Your guide to Valleyfair!
- MCBS ~ BCC - CACI ~ MA - CE ~ HSF - CDD ~

Don't forget Six Flags

Great Adventure had Kingda Ka and El Toro open EARLY nearly every day for Rise and Scream, and on time when there wasn't R&S. This is the same Kingda Ka that would open on average 30 minutes late the season before, and the same El Toro that was scheduled to open at Noon the season before as well. IMO, if the park wants to get the rides open with the park, and provides the resources, it can be done. Shapiro wanted that change, enabled that change, and wow, what a delivery. When guests pay to come into a park, they are expecting a complete experience from the get go (unless it's a park that schedules delayed openings to build demand and makes that public knowledge). It should not be acceptable for rides to be delayed on a daily basis, just because. If it's delayed for maintenance reasons every now and again, that's understandable. But delayed openings should be the exception, not the rule.

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Why? I'll tell you why. Because you touch yourself at night.

Or maybe one of the reasons mentioned above. But for the matter of maintenance, they should just start testing earlier. Then, the problems can get worked out before the park opens.

^But that cuts into operating costs and the costs of maintenance as a whole, and another reason for rate increases every year. I don't think those maintenance workers, nor ride ops will work an extra hour on their time just to get rides ready for the spoiled enthusiast.

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Thrillnetwork Lead Moderator
Kent State Basketball (3-0, 0-0 MAC) nect vs Illinois, @ #22 Kansas, vs St. Mary's
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Stuff up on Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, gravy, stuffing and pumpkin pie!

Its about safety. And most of us enthusiasts are not spoiled. At least we know what safety is and why they open the rides late for. Trust me, I know why most rides open late. I dont complain to the park because they dont open early for ERT or anything. Thats why Cedar Point has more then 2 to 4 rides going during morn. ERT. The only park price increase i see that makes a very big impact on the GP is Disney, Six Flags, Sea World and Universal. Cedar Fair has yet to go over a dollar every 2 years on ticket prices. I dont see however paying 68.00 to 72.00 dollars going to a theme park that is in only 2 states. Raising prices a dollar every year isnt bad. But paying that much to go to a theme park is alittle too much. All familys can afford to go to a Cedar Fair park. But very few can afford to go to Disney or Sea World in Florida. And i am not the only one who thinks this.

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People can boo me and people can cheer for me. But when they stop making noise for me then its time to retire and hang up the gloves.

Dale Earnhardt Sr.

I think this is pretty common sense on why some of these rides are not open on time. You are talking about a really sophisicated piece of equipment and some of it requires more maintenance than the other. Take for example MF and Corkscrew at CP. They both have brakes, track, footings, sensors, and trains that need to be inspected. Corkscrew is what MAYBE 80 feet off the ground tops while MF is well over 300. This takes time to cover something that high off the ground and not to mention the computer system on MF is a lot more advanced than Corkscrew and I'm sure the smallest things signal a problem too that needs to be fixed on the newer rides too. Im sure all parks try their best to get these rides open on time, but modern technology and the scale of ride prevents that. People just need to be more patient in the future and don't expect the most sought after ride to always be open when the park opens. Afterall it is all about safety too. I rather get on a 120 MPH ride AFTER it's been given the green light of inspection approval than for the inspectors to do the hurry up just to get it ready for park opening. I believe a ride in Japan is a PERFECT example of poor maintenance on a ride and rushing to please the crowd. The result? A person was killed on the ride. Now was it worth it? Of course not. Just be more patient people.

So it's not the park's job to get them ready for the GP? That's pretty much what your saying

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ROLL TIDE 5-0 BAMA'S BACK!

Dangit, that's what I was going to say.

The only experience I've ever had of that at Cedar Point is Dragster. Everything else (that matters) is open. And the park opens early for hotel guests, so stuff should be up and running by the time you get in. You may have just had bad luck.

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