Snake River Expedition

Last updated

Snake River Expedition
Snake River Expedition logo.png
Snake River Expedition 1.jpg
Cedar Point
AreaGemini Midway
Coordinates 41°29′05″N82°41′15″W / 41.484831°N 82.687613°W / 41.484831; -82.687613
StatusClosed
Opening dateMay 29, 2021 (2021-05-29)
Closing dateSeptember 4, 2023 (2023-09-04)
ReplacedPaddlewheel Excursions
Ride statistics
Vehicle typeRiverboat
Vehicles4
Rows6
Riders per row1–2
SupervisionRequired if under 46 inches (120 cm)
Wheelchair symbol.svg Wheelchair accessible

Snake River Expedition was a riverboat attraction at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The attraction took guests on a tour around the Cedar Point lagoon, and the experience combined live actors and animatronics. Snake River Expedition was scheduled to open for the 2020 season. However, it was postponed to 2021 by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] The attraction opened to the public on May 29, 2021, and operated on a seasonal basis through Labor Day.

Contents

History

Cedar Point's Western Cruise, later renamed to the Paddlewheel Excursions, and the Giant Wheel in the early 1970s. Cedar Point Western Cruise in early 1970s (cropped).jpg
Cedar Point's Western Cruise, later renamed to the Paddlewheel Excursions, and the Giant Wheel in the early 1970s.

The Riverboat Cruises paddleboat attraction originally opened at Cedar Point in 1961, where guests were taken on a relaxing voyage around the lagoons in the center of the Cedar Point peninsula, and scenes depicting early, rural Americana. The journey was often humorously narrated by the boat's captain. [2] It was renamed to Western Cruise in 1964, then Paddlewheel Excursions in 1986, and the ride course was significantly altered for the 2003 season to accommodate Top Thrill Dragster. [3] Paddlewheel Excursions was retired after the 2011 season, due to rising fuel and maintenance costs, and the attraction's docking area was re-used for Dinosaurs Alive! in 2012. [4] [5]

At the end of the 2010s, Cedar Point began preparing to celebrate their 150th anniversary in 2020. In addition to the festivities, the park planned to bring an older attraction back into commission, and the former Paddlewheel Excursions fit the bill. On December 11, 2019 – 150 days from the park's planned opening date of May 9, 2020 – Cedar Point announced their full offerings for the 150th anniversary celebration, including Snake River Expedition, a themed reincarnation of the Paddlewheel Excursions. [6] [7] Snake River Expedition would take riders around the Cedar Point lagoons in live riverboats under the guidance of the charismatic Trapper Dan, smuggling unknown cargo to safer waters. [8] [9]

Snake River Expedition would have begun public operations alongside the 150th anniversary celebrations on May 9, 2020, if not for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the planned date, instead of the ideal park opening, Cedar Point postponed the debut of Snake River Expedition and all 150th festivities likewise, pushing them back to the 2021 season amid an uncertain reopening timeline. [10] Banking on a successful joint lawsuit against the state of Ohio, Cedar Point reopened for the 2020 season on July 8 with new COVID restrictions and capacity limits in place, while the completed Snake River Expedition remained dormant for the year. [11] [12] The boats were first lowered and tested in the water in September 2020. [13]

In 2021, the ride was scheduled to open on May 28, 2021. However, it did not open on that date due to severe weather conditions that later closed the park early. [14] Snake River Expedition managed to successfully open the next day.[ citation needed ]

Ride description

Much like its predecessor, Snake River Expedition took riders on a tour through the lagoon, and navigated much of the same route. Guests accompanied Trapper Dan, who was smuggling unknown cargo through risky waters. The experience contained a mix of live actors, animatronics, and physical sets. The boats were driven manually by a ride operator (in character with the setting) instead of being guided by an underwater track. Hence, the nature of the attraction was much different than Disney's Jungle Cruise or Universal Studio's Jaws: The Ride.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

Cedar Point is a 364-acre (147 ha) amusement park located on a Lake Erie peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. It opened in 1870 and is considered the second-oldest operating amusement park in the US behind Lake Compounce. Cedar Point, which is owned and operated by Cedar Fair, is the flagship of the company's amusement park chain. Known as "America's Roller Coast", the park features 16 roller coasters, which ranks third among amusement parks in North America behind Six Flags Magic Mountain (20) and Canada's Wonderland (18). Cedar Point's normal operating season runs from early May until Labor Day in September, which is followed by weekend-only operation through Halloween during an annual event known as HalloWeekends. Other amenities and attractions featured within the park include a one-mile-long (1.6 km) beach, an outdoor water park named Cedar Point Shores, an indoor water park named Castaway Bay, two marinas, and an outdoor sports complex called Cedar Point Sports Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kings Dominion</span> Amusement park in Virginia

Kings Dominion is an amusement park in the eastern United States, located in Doswell, Virginia, twenty miles (30 km) north of Richmond and 75 miles (120 km) south of Washington, D.C. Owned and operated by Cedar Fair, the 280-acre (1.1 km2) park opened to the public on May 3, 1975, and features more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including 13 roller coasters and a 20-acre (8.1 ha) water park. Its name is derived from the name of its sister park, Kings Island near Cincinnati, and the nickname for the state of Virginia, "Old Dominion."

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster Transport</span> Defunct roller coaster at Cedar Point

Disaster Transport was an enclosed steel bobsled roller coaster built by Intamin at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, United States. It was notable as being the only indoor roller coaster at Cedar Point, the only bobsled roller coaster in the Midwestern United States, and the only enclosed bobsled roller coaster in the world at its debut. The name of the ride stems from a rearrangement of the letters "Dispatch MasterTransport", which could still be seen in the ride's logo in its later years. Before the ride was enclosed, the supports and outer sides of the track were painted blue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iron Dragon (roller coaster)</span> Suspended coaster at Cedar Point

Iron Dragon is a suspended roller coaster located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Built in 1987 by Arrow Dynamics, it is located in the Celebration Plaza section of the park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paultons Park</span> Theme park in Hampshire, England

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cedar Point Shores</span> Water park near Cedar Point

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom</span> Amusement park in Pennsylvania

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Snake River Falls is a shoot-the-chutes water ride attraction located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Designed by Arrow Dynamics, the ride opened to the public on May 8, 1993. Its theme is loosely based on a wood packing company, and it is one of two water rides at Cedar Point, the other being Thunder Canyon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HalloWeekends</span> Annual amusement park promotion in Ohio

HalloWeekends is an annual Halloween event at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It was introduced in 1997, and takes place during the Halloween season, usually from the second Friday after Labor Day until the Sunday before Halloween, or sometimes into early November. The event is open on Thursday Nights, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. It is included free with park admission. As of 2021, HalloWeekends features 11 haunted houses and nighttime scare zones, and there are several children's attractions. It is advised that children under 13 years old be accompanied by an adult. HalloWeekend's yearly slogan is "All You Fear is Here!". Other Cedar Fair parks including Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Valley Fair, and Worlds of Fun all have formerly used the HalloWeekends name. The name has changed to Halloween Haunt at all 3 parks. Cedar Point is the only Cedar Fair park that still uses the HalloWeekends name.

This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2021. These various lists are not exhaustive.

References

  1. ↑ Charles E. Ramirez (February 19, 2021). "Cedar Point's 2021 season to feature new boat ride, 150th anniversary celebration". The Detroit News. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Paddlewheel Excursions". www.mycpguide.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Paddlewheel Excursions". www.thepointol.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  4. ↑ ronannarbor (August 23, 2011). "Cedar Point – Paddlewheel Excursions closing forever as of Labor Day". a2view.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ Grant, Alison (August 19, 2011). "Cedar Point to open dinosaur exhibit next summer". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  6. ↑ McClure, Jason (November 8, 2019). "Looking Ahead to 2020". Cedar Point . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  7. ↑ Glaser, Susan (December 11, 2019). "Cedar Point announces 150th anniversary details: Snake River Expedition, Celebrate 150 Spectacular, admission for life". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ Kleiman, Joe (December 12, 2019). "Cedar Point announces additions for 150th anniversary celebration". Inpark Magazine. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  9. ↑ Haidet, Ryan (November 8, 2019). "Cedar Point reveals new ride, lifetime ticket for 2020 season". WKYC . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  10. ↑ Glaser, Susan (June 5, 2020). "Cedar Point postpones 150th anniversary celebration until 2021". cleveland.com. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  11. ↑ Brownfield, Andy (May 9, 2020). "Cedar Point postpones 150th anniversary celebration until 2021". Columbus Business First . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  12. ↑ DeGiulio, Kim; Kelly, Dane (July 8, 2020). "Cedar Point reopens today with changes: What to know". WKYC . Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Cedar Point Nation". Facebook. September 7, 2020. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  14. ↑ @cedarpoint (May 28, 2021). "Due to current weather conditions, Snake River ..." (Tweet). Retrieved May 28, 2021– via Twitter.
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