August 24th, 2010 was a day for Cedar Fair’s 2011 season announcement. As we all know by now, Cedar Point and Kings Island , as well as Knott’s Berry Farm and Canada
There was a buzz started around July about a new ride at Cedar Point when they posted on the now obsolete blog on CP’s website, a picture of a stake in the sand. Mid-July buzz had grown when Cedar Fair trademarked the name Stratosoar. Nearly a month later, Mondial announced a new ride under the name WindSeeker. Rumors started to grow that WindSeeker or Stratosoar would replace Ocean Motion (Cedar Point’s Swinging Ship). Things only started to get heated when ride manufacturer Funtime Group, spilled the beans about Cedar Point’s new ride when they entered a patent war.
In short, Funtime has fought with Mondial over a patent for Starflyer, a more simplistic version on the WindSeeker. Funtime was angry with Cedar Fair after executives visited a park to look at a Starflyer for a possible ride in 2011. Cedar Fair neither confirmed nor denied that they were going to go with Starflyer for the ride in 2011. Funtime then learned that Cedar Fair was buying a similar ride from Mondial.
Following that leak of the new ride, Cedar Point announced that they would be building the Mondial WindSeeker for the 2011 season, ditching the Stratosoar name. On the same day as mentioned before 3 other Cedar Fair parks, Kings Island , Canada
Kings Island’s WindSeeker has also went through the same sort of rumor mill, however there wasn’t much outside “knowledge” about the ride, mainly rumors were fueled through enthusiasts and those who worked at the park. Once the park made the announcement on August 24th, they stated that WindSeeker would be located in Coney Mall. The exact location was yet to be determined and often rumored about. Would it go at the former Flight Commander area? Would it go in the woods by Vortex? Once the offseason started, Kings Island
There hasn’t been an exact confirmation of the WindSeeker location, however there have been pictures posted from Kings Island that have suggested where it is, including this one.
The picture can be a little bit deceiving due to perspective. However, most have concluded that it is located at the exit of Action Theater. Thus, rumors were created that Windseeker will be replacing Action Theater. Kings Island
I am excited to see what the WindSeeker will do for these two parks. I do share fear with some enthusiasts that since this ride is a prototype that there will be tons of down time and that if one WindSeeker goes down for a while, the others will as well. It is my hope that they do not have a ton of down time and that they will be able to give some amazing rides for the 2011 season and many seasons after that! I do know that with WindSeeker coming to Kings Island
Leave a comment below about your opinions on WindSeeker and any of the background information above.
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