It’s the end of an era for roller coaster enthusiasts at Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. The venerable WildCat roller coaster is being removed from the amusement park and will be notably absent beginning with the 2012 season. Cedar Park notes that the WildCat roller coaster had reached the end of its useful life. Maintenance costs had become prohibitive, ridership had decreased as enthusiasts sought out newer and more exciting coasters, and collisions in recent years had injured WildCat riders.
The WildCat, which began operating at Cedar Point I 1970, once occupied a post right across from the Iron Dragon roller coaster. The WildCat was an 85 second roller coaster ride that offered riders four-passenger cars that raced along the track at 40 mph. In 2008 and 2011, riders suffered injuries when some of the Wildcat’s cars collided. The collisions shut down the ride temporarily. And careful consideration resulted in the conclusion this year to finally shut the coaster down permanently. The coaster/’s components are now heading to a recycling plant.
But Cedar Point reassures patrons that they won’t be disappointed by the loss of the WildCat. In its place, the amusement park has developed Celebration Plaza, which will feature Luminosity, a spectacular light show designed to light up the night. New paint and lighting systems throughout the park will enhance guest experiences at Cedar Point according to spokespeople for Cedar Point. And a new water slide and animatronic dinosaur exhibit complete the year’s upgrades.
Roller coaster enthusiasts respect Cedar Point as the park that once held the largest number of roller coasters at 17. Currently, Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA holds the record with 18 roller coasters. The most recent coaster opened just last summer in July 2011.
Cedar Point’s decision to remove the WildCat is a responsible step in the face of the aging coaster’s increasing propensity to malfunction and cause injuries. The injuries suffered in the 2008 and 2011 collisions on the WildCat were relatively minor. But roller coasters, with their high speeds and even higher drops can easily cause fatal injuries if not properly designed, maintained, and operated.
Aging coasters, particularly the relatively rare wooden ones, have the highest maintenance costs and issues. So our roller coaster injury attorneys realize that Cedar Point took the wisest course when it took the aging Cat coaster out of service. That action might have prevented countless further injuries and even some fatalities.
If you or a family suffers injuries on a roller coaster or other amusement park ride and you need help addressing your mounting medical costs and extended period of time out of work recovering from your injuries, contact our roller coaster injury attorneys for a complimentary legal consultation.
At Denena & Points, we are among the small handful of injury attorneys in the nation to have actual, hands-on experience successfully obtaining large financial recoveries for victims injured or killed on roller coasters. Our well-hones legal skills and practical knowledge could help you obtain the financial recovery you need to move forward after your roller coaster accident. Call us toll free at 877-307-9500 or use our online contact features to make your appointment for a free legal consultation.