Cedar Point Announces Shoot The Rapids Flume Ride

Sandusky, OH — After weeks of dropping hints on their Facebook page, Cedar Point amusement park surprised fans, when they announced they would be building a $10.5 million family water ride instead of a roller coaster.

Cedar Point announced plans to build Shoot the Rapids, a $10.5 million family water ride, for the 2010 season. The 85-foot tall ride will be located in the park's Frontier Trail. Enlarge

Located on the park's Frontier Trail, Shoot the Rapids will take Cedar Point guests on an adventure around an illegal still used for brewing sweet-tasting elixir. The 2,100-foot long flume ride will feature two drops, surprise water elements and special effects.

Shoot the Rapids will begin with the largest of two drops, an 85-foot descent that will drop onto Millennium Island at a 45-degree angle. The second, a 49-foot drop, will come in the second half of the ride and feature a dramatic shoot through water rapids and rockwork.

Shoot the Rapids will have two drops, surprise water elements and special effects. The second, 49-foot drop above will shoot through water rapids and rockwork. Enlarge

"Shoot the Rapids will instantly become a family favorite," said John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. "Our guests wanted another option to cool off on warm summer days. We listened, and Shoot the Rapids will deliver the perfect combination of refreshment, thrills and new memories at Cedar Point."

Ten fiberglass boats seating two abreast in five rows will navigate the flume. Riders will be safely secured by over-the-head lap bars.

Cedar Point says that new ride will be visible from the Frontier Trail for those who prefer to stand on the sidelines and remain dry.

Shoot the Rapids is estimated to cost more than $10.5 million, making it the most expensive water ride ever built at Cedar Point. It will also fill a void left in the park's ride lineup after the removal of the White Water Landing hydro-flume in 2005. Cedar Point also has two additional water rides Thunder Canyon and Pepsi Plunge.

Shoot the Rapids designed by IntaRide LLC (Intamin) will last three minutes and has an hourly capacity of 1,200. The new ride is slated to be ready for opening day of Cedar Point's 2010 season.

See related: Cedar Point, www.cedarpoint.com