Collab Edition: Cedar Point Through The 80s (pt 1)

Being a part of the coaster loving community is fantastic. It brings with it all kinds of different enthusiasts.
Some focus on new and rumoured developments, some like to focus on the mechanics of an attraction, there are also enthusiasts, who explore forgotten times, history and various park's glory days!

It was only the other day when Max from 'Cedar Point Retro' and myself started talking about coming together, to write a joint series of articles all based around the history of 'The Rollercoaster Capital Of The World'!

We decided we would swap out, taking it in turns, to captain the helm, writing a couple articles each, all about one potential expansive period in the history of the park!

But which park? .. of course, it has to be.... Cedar Point!

Having spoken one evening, we decided to focus on the 80s, moving through the decade on a timeline, looking into some of the main attractions that arrived during this key time.

So get your sweatbands, ankle socks and GI: Joes at the ready! As @cedar_point_retro and @coastersamblog take you back to the 80s!

1982

As the 80s was in its early years, along came one of the most cherished and well remembered attractions to have exsisted in the park's long history. 

This was 'White Water Landing' 

A log flume style ride manufactured by Arrow Dynamics. 

This ride was particularly interesting, as it defied the norms within water rides at the time. 

Rather than just having one boat moving around a layout, approach a lift hill and then drop, splash and your done, this flume was actually a duel boat system.

Meaning that, with two drops side by side, this flume could have boats heading down the drop shoot on an alternative basis! 

With the attraction hitting its highest peak of 50ft with a 40 degree drop, reaching speeds of up to 35 mph. This was a white knuckle water ride for the 80s! 

The attraction did find some criticism though. 

As despite the massive drop at the end of the ride, the moments leading up to this, were said to be boring, with a few tunnels for theming and nothing much else. 

Despite this though, the ride lasted almost 3 decades! Operating from 1982 - 2005! 

1985

Moving forward to a few years later, we find ourselves at the park's next major addition. 

This was a milestone attraction and perfect for its time! 'Avalanche Run'. 

Avalanche Run made it's way to fame during the mid-80s, being the only bobsleigh style coaster in the mid-west of the USA. 

Manufactured by intamin, this 'Swiss Bob' coaster reached a hight of 63 ft, with speeds of up to 40 mph! 

This was marketed as a thrill attraction, as at the time, to have a coaster without stereotypical tracks was completely unique! 

The coaster itself was also right next to the beach, offering riders fantastic views of Lake Erie and the surrounding area! 

In the years that followed, Avalanche run, became 'Disaster Transport', a large show building was erected, surrounding the coaster and a space theme to match, the coaster was able to live on. 

The attraction, in all its forms, lasted an impressive 27 years! Spanning form 1985 - 2012! 

There we have it, the first in a series of articles to come, all about the history of this amazing park! 

Of course, there will be areas that we may have not touched on, or perhaps some depth or specifics could be missing, but this is just the start of an overview of a golden decade!

The next article in the series, will be over to our friends at Cedar Point Retro, who will delve further into the additions and excitement of the time!  

Have you been to Cedar Point? Did you ever get to visit in the 80s? What's your favourite decade? 

leave a comment below, or you can always get involved on either of our Insta's @cedar_point_retro or @coastersamblog 

Until next time, 

Sam and Max