Disaster Transport: The Lost Indoor Coaster of Cedar Point

[@TJMichiguy]

I really miss Disaster Transport, it was my first ever coaster and I rode it the year it opened in 1990. I was eleven. I’ll never forget the effects and the guy yelling “I’m losing control!” near the end of the ride. The POV shown here was probably filmed a few years after it opened when a lot of the lighting and practical effects were changed or just not functioning.

[@CoasterConnections]

What a great first coaster to try! Certainly better than all the Wacky Worms out there! It’s definitely a POV from the later years, footage is difficult to find.

[@dindog22]

the 2 good things about this ride were the air conditioned queue and the lower ride height. it was a great first coaster for kids

[@CoasterConnections]

When I started my research I originally underestimated how many people loved it. Now I know that it is fondly remembered.

[@dindog22]

@@CoasterConnections it was a fun ride despite the fact that all the special effects were broken. the AC in the queue was a real life saver on a 95 degree day

[@TJMichiguy]

the first few years, DT had really great effects which made it exciting for all ages. When things started to deteriorate the ride just became hokey

[@Blast2224]

This was the most fun ride at the park when I was 6-7-8. It was the pre big-kid ride before you could finally board Corkscrew or Raptor.

[@CoasterConnections]

It was certainly something unique and something elevated above most other family coasters.

[@stephensmith9810]

The ride actually opened with the 10 passenger sleds. As CP often did/does, they asked for extra capacity over the original model. Supposedly there was a delay in the opening due to the wrong sleds being shipped. However, the ride was always designed for, and operated with the 10 passenger sleds.

[@CoasterConnections]

Thanks for sharing this info! 👍🏻

[@HoldMyBeverage]

I wish they would include some Disaster Transport merch in their retro merch.

[@edkrassenstein5534]

There is still some at the park. I think I saw a pin 2 weeks ago. I'm possibly wrong about this

[@HoldMyBeverage]

@@edkrassenstein5534 maybe it was sold out when I was last there. I've been looking for a couple years and have only found one super expensive wall art thing at the shop under the skyride.

[@CoasterConnections]

I'm sure I saw some too, good luck in finding it!

[@HoldMyBeverage]

@@CoasterConnections thank you. This gives me hope.

[@LyndsieDances]

It was like taking a step into disney or a step into another work/park. I really enjoyed feeling like I left into another world. The indoor aspect was really cool

[@CoasterConnections]

You can certainly tell that it was heavily influenced by some of the Disney rides.

[@jimstark4174]

Dave was removed from the Gatekeeper gift shop for 2024 to make more shelf space. However, he is back briefly (with an out-of-order sign) in a window near the Coke Refresh station across from the gift shop and is one of the items that the 2024 HalloWeekends interactive lanterns can activate. He starts moving and partial old Cedar Point ads play and then Dave speaks briefly before failing and shutting down.

[@CoasterConnections]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It’s great to see the park still embraces its history.

[@shorebreakcards]

During my first vist to Cedar Point as a kid in 99, i really enjoyed Disaster Transport! I lived in Ohio at that time, but did have a few visits to DisneyWorld under my belt. I could tell the theming wasn't nearly as good, but the thrill was there, and the A/C felt great! When they tore it down, I was a little sad, but the thrill of bigger and better coasters superceded my nostalgia, and still does to this day

[@CoasterConnections]

That’s a great mindset to have. I also get sad when an old favourite is closed, but excited to see what the future brings!

[@shorebreakcards]

@@CoasterConnections 👌

[@davej.meister5421]

Liked it better as Avalanche Run. Loved to feel that lake breeze while riding it. Only rode it once as DT.

[@CoasterConnections]

It was certainly a unique location!

[@seanmiller8151]

This was such a bizarre ride, not particularly thrilling, and did not fit in at Cedar Point But for some reason I and many others loved it I don’t know why

[@CoasterConnections]

It certainly was unique. And you are right I have had some many comments from people who loved it, both on this video and the Cedar Point Lost rides video.

[@timk987]

Nice work. Avalanche Run ever opened with inline seating cars though. Capacity was one of Cedar Points primary concerns back then and ordered the ride with the 5 row 2x2 cars. On a completely unrelated note: I dreamt that Cedar Point had ProSlide design a HydroMagnetic water coaster with Avalanche Run's layout. Complete with the conveyer lift hill and three slightly uphill LIM launch sections in place of the brake runs.

[@CoasterConnections]

Thanks for watching and your kind words. It’s difficult to piece together some of the history so appreciate the extra into. Great dream… The layout would probably make a better water slide than it did coaster!

[@davej.meister5421]

Gemini was introduced in 1978...NOT 1979.

[@CoasterConnections]

Thank you. I realised my mistake after posting and there is an addendum in the description.

[@NCC-1664]

I rode DT once. I couldn't breathe and people screaming in my face in the dark. I never had time to enjoy the theming although it seems like some of it was removed by then. Worst ride I was ever on.

[@CoasterConnections]

I’m taking it you only ever rode once after that experience!

[@MrSammyD91]

Did.........did that kid just fart fire and blast his way up to space?

[@CoasterConnections]

😂😂😂

[@dindog22]

Gemini was 1978

[@CoasterConnections]

Whoops, you are right! Hate it when a mistake makes it into the video.

[@cpamericasrollercoast566]

I love this video, but you can’t just take pictures from Insiders of the Point. You didn’t give credit to the pictures, and while 90 percent of the pictures I use are mine, none of the Avalanche Run pictures are mine.

[@edkrassenstein5534]

​@@cpamericasrollercoast566it's textbook fair use.

[@CoasterConnections]

Thanks for saying you love the video. Credits updated appropriately.

[@johnpatterson4272]

With unrealistic high prices and rampant woke-ism at Disney these days, parks such as Cedar Point will do even better business in the coming years. My wife and I visited CP in 1992 and unfortunately Disaster Transport was closed that day. I've never ridden a Bob-Sled coaster yet it is one experience I still enjoy hearing about in videos like yours.

[@CoasterConnections]

There are still a few bobsled coasters out there. I always get in line if a park has one, because I fear they will one day be gone!