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, owned and operated by Six Flags. It opened in 1870 and is considered the second-oldest operating amusement park in the US behind Lake Compounce. Prior to the merger with Six Flags in 2024, Cedar Point served as the "flagship park" of the Cedar Fair amusement park chain and hosted the corporate headquarters. Known as "America's Roller Coast", the park features 17 roller coasters, which ranks third among amusement parks in North America behind sister parks Canada's Wonderland (18) and Six Flags Magic Mountain (20).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Valleyfair</span> Amusement park in Minnesota, United States

Valleyfair is a 125-acre (51 ha) amusement park in Shakopee, Minnesota, United States. Owned by Six Flags, the park opened in 1976 and now features over 75 rides and attractions including eight roller coasters. Valleyfair also has a water park called Soak City which is included with the price of admission. Cedar Point and Valleyfair were the first two parks in the Cedar Fair chain and a combination of the park names – "cedar" and "fair" – were used to name the original company.

Carowinds is a 407-acre (165 ha) amusement park primarily located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the park first opened to the public on March 31, 1973. Carowinds straddles the state line between North and South Carolina, adjacent to Interstate 77, with a portion of the park located in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The park has a sign telling guests where the state line lies. It was constructed at a cost of $70 million following a four-year planning period led by Charlotte businessman Earl Patterson Hall. Carowinds also features Carolina Harbor, a 27-acre (11 ha) water park that is included with park admission. Annual events include the Halloween-themed S-Carowinds and the Christmas-themed WinterFest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jungle Cruise</span> Boat ride at Disney theme parks

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dutch Wonderland</span> Amusement park in Pennsylvania

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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

Paultons Park is an amusement park located in the New Forest National Park, near the village of Ower, in Hampshire, England, with over 70 rides and attractions. The Peppa Pig World themed area is based on the children's animated television series Peppa Pig. The Lost Kingdom themed area includes 27 animatronic dinosaurs. The park name is derived from the former Paultons Estate, on which the park is situated. The park covers 140 acres of land and features a collection of around 80 species of birds and animals, in addition to the rides. Most of the theme park rides are designed for children and families, which is why the park considers itself a family theme park. The nearest railway station is Totton which is 5.64 km away from the attraction.

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

Cedar Point Shores is a water park located adjacent to Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It is owned and operated by Six Flags.

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

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is an American amusement and water park located in Dorneyville, Pennsylvania, outside Allentown. Owned and operated by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the park features 64 rides, including eight roller coasters, several thrill rides and kiddie rides, and a waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom, with 19 water rides.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Water Landing (Cedar Point)</span> Defunct log flume ride

White Water Landing was a log flume water ride at Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. It opened in 1982 and was located in the Frontier Town section of the park near Mean Streak adjacent to the Cedar Point & Lake Erie Railroad. The water ride last operated on October 30, 2005, and it was replaced by Maverick in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shoot the Rapids</span> Current log flume ride at Cedar Point

Shoot the Rapids was a log flume water ride located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. The ride was built and designed by IntaRide and opened to the public on June 26, 2010. Based on a Western theme, Shoot the Rapids featured two drops with the second one crossing under the first.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snake River Falls</span> Water ride at Cedar Point

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 Six Flags 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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