Welcome to the end of summer edition of "Rumors of the Road" on your source for Cedar Point information, The Point Online presented by me, Sgt.RoadKill. This month marks the time where most of you go back to college or school. In this edition we’ll head back to the rumors as well as all of the Cedar Point information you can stand to read. So go ahead, grab that bucket of popcorn and large drink, and enjoy your stay here with us.

We’ll start out this week discussing about Dick Kinzel, the man that helped make Cedar Point and Cedar Fair a powerhouse in the amusement park business. He’ll be retiring at the end of the 2007 season which seems far away for some of you but it’s just around the corner. I say he’ll push the limits of coasters until he retires for Cedar Point. I expect him to have something up his sleeves for his final season but none of us will know for another couple years what it will be. I would personally like to say thanks to Dick Kinzel for taking the chances in the past that have allowed Cedar Point to excel.

Also in recent news Amusement Today has released its recent awards for 2003. Cedar Point is still the "World’s Best Amusement Park" and received 30% of the vote. Millennium Force was shafted out of the first place spot and has now holds the number two position in the steel coaster category. Magnum still holds strong as number four. Raptor takes the tenth place spot and Top Thrill Dragster takes a disappointing eleventh place. Dragster finished lower mainly to the ride being down for a huge chunk of the season not allowing voters to be able to ride the mammoth beast. For more information check out the news link that is posted on The Point Online.

Cedar Fair has received the okay for a ten year, 100% tax abatement from Erie County. Some of you are probably scratching your heads at what this means but I’ll try to explain it to you. A tax abatement is when a taxing board grants a taxpayer a stay of paying a tax for a short or long term, for a total or percentage of the tax. They are usually giving to non profit groups. They are also given to companies building additions are expanding to help increase employment. I hope that makes it a little bit easier to understand if not then don’t worry about it.

Now let’s get to the rumors shall we. For 2004 it is almost certain that Lighthouse Point will be expanded by over 10 units. This has been common information since the end of last season and it seems like it is still certain. Lighthouse Point has been a success for Cedar Point and it seems they had no vacancy for almost the entire season. I believe it’s a good move on Cedar Point’s part to keep expanding.

The current coaster rumors, the little information that is to be known, points to if anything probably a kiddie coaster this year. My sources point to 2005 being the next big installment of a ride. There is a chance for a bigger roller coaster in 2004 but I highly doubt it. Information would have already leaked by this time. The only big installment I could see coming would be a flat ride around the old pirate ride by Blue Streak. It’s a very confusing time when it comes down to rumors as of right now. With the problems with Dragster it seems that future plans have been minorly altered. I’ll keep you updated once I find out anything else new.

For 2005 expect to see something along the lines of a flyer possibly. Most likely it would come from B&M. Cedar Fair doesn’t want to invest in another prototypical ride like Dragster and Xcelerator for awhile now so expect a more "sure thing" ride. It will break some records but it’s not going to be anything to the extent where it’ll hold the record for years upon years. Expect the ride to hold the record for highest flyer, or flyer with most inversions for about one season. Remember that will be in 2005 most likely.

Expect Gemini to have some changes in 2004. The station is supposed to be leveled out plus air gates will be installed. Maybe a computer voice ride host as well. Personally I hate the computer controlled taped ride host messages. They make you feel like you are just a number in a factory instead of a person in an amusement park. Cedar Point, spend an hour each year to teach ride operators how to talk a little more clearly instead of the recorded messages. Personally I just ignore the recordings because they put you to sleep almost, at least with a real person you try to listen to what they are saying. I don’t know how many other people feel the same about the horrendous recorded messages, but send me an e-mail if you’d like telling me what you think about them.

Before long it’ll be time for the Halloween activities at Cedar Point. I’ve heard it’s always a great way to end off the year. I’ve never been able to make it personally but would like to if I ever had the chance. Remember to always be on the lookout for any types of construction going on in the park. That is a major sign of something either coming or going in the park. So keep your eyes open, you never know what you will see.

I want to thank everyone for their great support. If you have anything you would like to be discussed on "Rumors on the Road" please feel free to let me know. I’m open to ideas and suggestions of every kind. I appreciate all the e-mails that you have sent to me and all of your questions. This marks another end to "Rumors of the Road" but you know in a couple weeks we’ll be back with another action packed article full of rumors and news that involve Cedar Point. Thanks again for coming and may God bless every one of you. Feel free to send me messages on AOL Instant Messenger, my screen name is SargentoRoadKill.

You can e-mail Sgt. RoadKill at marshall_dude@thepointol.com or if you want leave him a private message on the TPOL Forums.