How Cedar Honest Is Going Huge on Extra Than Simply Coasters for 2023

If we’re being sincere, Cedar Honest and theme not often appeared to overlap. The Ohio-based park operator (finest recognized for its flagship, Cedar Level) tended to function parks that have been clear, secure, and pleasant, however overwhelmingly coaster parks. Actually, between its legacy gates (Cedar Level, Valleyfair, Dorney Park, Worlds of Enjoyable, and Michigan’s Journey) Cedar Honest parks boasted a cumulative zero darkish rides, as an alternative peddling solely in sun-drenched midways, pizza stands, self-contained Snoopy children areas, and different classically-“amusement park” requirements.

That turned a significant problem for followers when, in 2007, Cedar Honest bought the Paramount Parks chain for $1.24 billion. In a single day, the joys park firm acquired a portfolio that included Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Carowinds, and Canada’s Wonderland. Whereas every counted coasters as its high attracts, these parks have been additionally greater than midways. By their origin within the ’70s and ’80s (“post-Disneyland”), all got here geared up with themed areas, historic environments, hub-and-spokes layouts, park icons, particular results, and sure, darkish rides {that a} theming-averse Cedar Honest wanted to take care of. Early outcomes have been considerably tough, with behemoth metal coasters dropped in quiet areas, generic experience re-namings, and several other gut-wrenching closures.

However even when Cedar Honest was sluggish to embrace the world of theming (little doubt nonetheless using the declining excessive of the Coaster Wars again in 2007), in recent times, Cedar Honest parks have shifted superbly to have thrills and theme comingle. Not too long ago, the corporate has weened off of its dependence on off-the-shelf B&M coasters in favor of personality-filled, personalized creations like Mystic Timbers, Copperhead Strike, and Surprise Mountain’s Guardian. More and more, coasters appeared to suit into the bigger environments of the park, with tales and even scores all their very own…

Now, in a post-Wizarding-World trade, that gradual bend towards theming and storytelling is resulting in a brand new period at Cedar Honest’s parks. As a substitute of combating towards the themed areas inherent of their acquired parks, the parks have embraced and even enhanced them! And why not? As confirmed by the Butterbeer mannequin, per capita income can improve by exponents when company can choose into “in-universe” eating, distinctive snacks, must-have collectibles, and merchandise that lets them be a part of a narrative in progress. It isn’t simply about rides anymore; it is about lands.

Perhaps as proof-of-concept, final yr, Kings Dominion re-launched certainly one of its authentic “lands,” main us to dive deep into Jungle X-Pedition and the way we thought the family-focused, story-based build-out might function a mannequin for regional parks to go large on theming.

Seems, we have been proper! Subsequent yr, 4 Cedar Honest parks will launch new or reimagined “lands,” bringing extra than simply large, off-the-shelf coasters to their thrill-focused parks. These 4 lands all carry new flat rides and family-ready capability, certain. However in addition they carry refreshed environments, new decorations, authentic eating places, and sure, even storytelling that guarantees to proceed Cedar Honest’s sluggish wade into the world of theming. We won’t wait for these immersive areas to carry a bit of theme again into our native, regional parks. Do you want this mannequin, or do you want these parks would keep on with coasters?

1. Fiesta Village at Knott’s Berry Farm

Knott’s Berry Farm is a Southern Californian treasure. Situated only a few metropolis blocks from Disneyland, the historic park counts itself as the primary theme park within the nation, relationship again to Walter Knott and his spouse Cordelia opening an immersive Californian “Ghost City” subsequent to their fabled rooster restaurant. Knott’s has lengthy been a showcase of Californian historical past and tradition, with the unique “Ghost City” as its core and extra themed lands (just like the Boardwalk, Calico, the Roarin’ ’20s, and Camp Snoopy) rising round it.

Although Cedar Honest acquired the park within the ’90s, it nonetheless seems like one thing totally different with three substantial darkish rides and spectacular historical past and theming. In fact coasters have been the secret since Cedar Honest’s buy, however Knott’s has additionally tended to care extra about its themed “lands” than some other park within the chain.

That continues in 2023 with the revitalization of the park’s Fiesta Village (above) – a celebration of Southern California’s Latin tradition and meals. Positive that is “simply” a colourful, artistic, and much-needed visible “plussing” to an current space, however the reimagining of Fiesta Village can also be the type of important reinvestment that it is too simple for parks to neglect about.

The “new” model of the land will see every little thing refreshed, with “shiny, colourful alebrijes and vibrant landscaping” spreading all through the Fiesta Mercado. Flowers will develop throughout new arbors; flags strung down the streetscape; a brand new stage will take form within the sq.; new lighting and paint schemes will overtake current flat rides; new retailers will arrive to promote their genuine wares all through {the marketplace}. It is all constructed across the Casa California – a full-service restaurant becoming a member of the park’s legendary Mrs. Knott’s Hen Dinner Restaurant.

The “anchor” of the mission is the modernization of Montezooma’s Revenge – the basic 1978 Schwarzkopf shuttle loop coaster. Shuttered in February 2022, the historic experience might’ve been scrapped. As a substitute, it is being relaunched (pun supposed) as Montezooma: The Forbidden Fortress, allegedly retracking the basic and putting in new launch {hardware} that may randomize the experience’s signature launch between ahead and backward begins. Whereas a nicely-themed space will not be groundbreaking for Knott’s, this refresh seems to be like a significant present of look after the park.

2. Aeronautica Touchdown at Carowinds

Situated proper on the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina, Carowinds treats the historic areas of the Carolinas as materials fo lightly-themed and slightly-differentiated lands like Carolina Boardwalk, County Honest, and Blue Ridge Junction. In 2023, nonetheless, the park will lose certainly one of its lands (the sparsely-themed Crossroads) in favor of Aeronautica Touchdown.

Billed as a celebration of the Carolinas’ position within the start of aviation (that is the place the Wright Brothers made their well-known flight, in spite of everything), Aeronautica Touchdown is a type of post-modern testing grounds for brand new flight applied sciences. Absorbing the park’s B&M inverted coaster (previously High Gun: The Jet Coaster, now referred to as Afterburn however retaining its navy flight decorations), the land will likely be a dynamic assortment of leading edge flat rides, household fare, and steampunk stylization. (See the fly-through video, above.)

The land will come stocked with current rides (with the park’s Dodgem bumper vehicles and Yo-Yo swings anticipated to stay with new wraps) and two new flat rides: the inverting Air Racers (a Zamperla Air Race) and the mesmerizing Gear Spin (a Zampera NebulaZ; the brand new sizzling flat experience for many parks attributable to its near-miss visuals that make it as enjoyable to look at as to experience). 

Plus, in fact, the entire land will likely be decked out in steampunk props, aviation-themed halfway video games (offered as coaching alternative for up-and-coming pilots), and vibrant colours and textures devised simply to create a master-planned fashionable oasis within the park. It will additionally include Terminal A – a brand new eatery and bar. So despite the fact that thrill followers could clamor for coasters, take into consideration what this land will carry! That is the ability of those “smaller scale” initiatives and themed “lands” that add a lot richness to a park, to not point out a lot capability. Aeronautica Touchdown will likely be a wonderful new addition to Cedar Honest’s lineup…

And that is not all…