SANDUSKY, Ohio – Forbidden Frontier at Journey Island, the family-friendly interactive attraction that debuted at Cedar Level in 2019, received’t return to the park this yr.
Half scavenger hunt, half pleasant competitors, the realm featured greater than a dozen actors interacting with younger friends as they participated in quite a few role-playing actions.
The attraction took up a number of acres close to the again of the park, adjoining to Iron Dragon and High Thrill Dragster curler coasters.
Cedar Level Director of Communications Tony Clark stated friends who skilled Forbidden Frontier loved it. “Simply as we consider our different sights, together with how well-liked they’re, how friends use them and the way the park panorama may evolve over time, we adopted this similar analysis course of for Forbidden Frontier and determined it was time to shut this chapter,” he stated. “We now have nice visitor suggestions from Forbidden Frontier and can use that data as we plan future interactive experiences.”
Clark declined to say how the Forbidden Frontier land can be used sooner or later, aside from it might not be a part of the modifications deliberate for High Thrill Dragster, the close by coaster that’s present process a serious rebuild following a critical accident in 2021.
Snake River Expedition, a themed water journey new in 2021 and positioned adjoining to Forbidden Frontier, will keep, Clark stated.
A number of different sights and eating places are being discontinued in 2023, together with Cedar Level Nights – a night, beachfront occasion with leisure and actions – and Chick-fil-A, Mac Shack and Wild Turnip.
Clark stated a smaller model of Cedar Level Nights was being deliberate, centered round Resort Breakers; as well as, new meals and beverage choices can be introduced later. The Grand Pavilion, a centerpiece of the park’s new Boardwalk space debuting this spring, is anticipated to incorporate new eating choices.
Jeff Putz, co-founder of the web Cedar Level fan web site PointBuzz.com, stated he thinks funds might have performed a task in a few of the park’s latest selections, together with the closure of Forbidden Frontier.
“Until their visitor surveys actually present disinterest within the Frontier attraction, and the night-time seaside stuff, it appears shortsighted to chop these sights,” stated Putz. “I believe these are the bits that maintain households engaged and coming again. If I have a look at the closure together with consolidation of eating places, and discontinuation of the seaside actions (which I believed had been well-liked), after which have a look at the latest monetary outcomes, I believe they’re trying to discover extra margin. They boast a achieve in internet income of 28% in comparison with 2019, however working bills are up 34% in comparison with 2019.”
The modifications had been introduced this previous weekend at Winter Chill Out, which drew 2,000 folks to the park for an low season tour. The occasion, a fund-raiser for A Child Once more charity, raised $150,000, in response to Clark.
One different change famous by tourgoers: A big part of observe has been faraway from Iron Dragon, the 1987-era coaster that’s positioned adjoining to High Thrill Dragster. Clark stated the elimination of Iron Dragon observe was not associated to Dragster’s rebuild.
“We’re performing some upkeep work in and across the lagoon beneath Iron Dragon, so observe sections needed to be eliminated for gear,” he stated. The journey must be open in Could, he stated.
The brand new High Thrill Dragster, in the meantime, received’t be prepared till 2024, in response to an earlier announcement from the park.
Learn extra:
Attendance nonetheless lagging at Cedar Level and different Cedar Truthful parks, however income is up
What’s occurring to High Thrill Dragster? Cedar Level received’t say, however observers imagine new launch system is probably going for troubled coaster
Cedar Level pronounces new Wild Mouse curler coaster, beachfront Grand Pavilion for 2023; no phrase on High Thrill Dragster
