and myself hosted - we played the part of the 'villains' against everyone else. One of the reasons I mentioned a hotel as a possibility was because we did a hotel for Cedar Point (which in the prompt prologue, Disney bought)
In terms of the length for our aspect of the project - I'd shoot for no more than what is written below (I just copied the project over so you can see ) Anything longer and I think we run the risk of saturating the project as a whole with our component -- keep it concise and succinct!
Overview
Themed to Tennessee Smoky Mountain architecture and influenced by neighboring Native American tribes and railroading, Disney's Wyandot Lodge is the newest Cedar Point Resort, with gorgeous lake and theme park views, restaurants, shops, and
attractions that connect to both Cedar Point and Lake Country Water Park.
To compensate for the lost parking spaces of the former Cedar Point Shores Water Park (now renamed Lake Country Water Park), a six-story parking deck will be built in the main parking lot for Cedar Point, costing approximately $150 Million from the allocated budget, to facilitate more theme park spaces that the resort and its parking lots took up. Visitors to Cedar Point and Lake Country not staying at the Wyandot Lodge can either walk through the main gates of Cedar Point, or take a tram to the entrance of Lake Country (and walk in the back way to Cedar Point).
Backstory
In 1874, two engineers on the Old Smokey Railroad had been assigned an iron and supplies run to workers on an extension of a forest rail line. The owner of the railroad company, Samuel Peterson, was a wealthy railroad tycoon on the time, similar in wealth to the Vanderbilts, and named the railroad
Old Smokey after his noble horse. Trekking through the forest, the engineers continuously passed a patch of land peaked up on what they called Boulder Mountain and the adjacent Fir Valley.
Both engineers felt that due to the arduous journeys through the mountains on the rails, building some sort of lodging area to rest on night-shifts would be ideal. Peterson, firm but honorable with his company employees, heard them out, and upon visiting the land upon the hill, gazed out at the beautiful scenic mountain ranges and decided to build it not only for his railroad workers, but also for a vacation lodge for his family and other guests to visit scenic Tennessee. However, due to a previous encounter with the Wyandot people in northern Ohio, and their peaceful interactions with him allowing his railroad to continue under one key condition, Peterson communicated with his workers that they must retain the natural beauty of the location, the one condition he held firm to not upset any Native American people in the regions.
Upon construction, while drilling into the mountain side, workers realized that the hillside had been acting as a natural dam of sorts, holding back a flowing river of water. During the construction, the river flooded the site, and the crevasses left over ended up merging into beautiful waterfalls and flowing streams that could be used for additional fishing and recreational activities. Flash forward almost 150 years, and this Wyandot Lodge, named after the northern Ohio tribe that befriended Peterson, is still in use as a scenic getaway destination for explorers, travelers, and families alike with plenty to see and do throughout their stay.
Construction Timeline
April 29, 2018 - Disney announces buyout of Cedar Fair and Six Flags
July 3, 2018 - 5-Year Plans are announced for 8 Resorts
For Cedar Point
- Disney's Wyandot Lodge opens in 2020
- Boulder Mountain Run attraction (entrance/exit attraction to Cedar Point from Lodge) opens in 2021
- Lake Country Water Park set to be remodeled and open in 2021
- Indoor Water Park connection to Lake Country opens in 2021 (in the 'backstory' this building was added in the mid-1970s by Samuel Peterson's great grandchildren for year-round activity, especially during the winter months when it was cold outside)
Approximate Budget: $950 Million
Resort Interactive Walk-Through
Resort Description
As you approach the main building on the resort complex you get a wide panoramic of the eclectic amenities the resort has to offer. Turning into the resort and guest/cast parking areas, disembarking your vehicle, and walking towards the lobby, you are immersed and transported from a beachfront peninsula into a southern country mountain range. Atmospheric wilderness music can be heard permeating from the outdoor speakers camouflaged in the foliage as you approach the entrance.
The lobby doors then opens up into a 4-story atrium where park ranger greeter welcomes you home. Bear and other animal carvings surround you on timbers holding up the lobby interior, where you can walk towards the main check-in desk, restaurants, shops, and a variety of other amenities. Throughout the lobby, guests become immersed in the rich history of the Resort, with paintings and photos of the resort throughout time from the late 1800s till present day. Furthermore, felt displays from Smoky Mountain Native American tribes also encompass the lobby, as a tribute to the Wyandot people and their cultural significance.
Wyandot Lodge Centennial Year 1875-1975
Nightfall - Wyandot Felt
The 510 Guest Rooms vary from standard sizes of 4 guests per room, to concierge level sizes of 5 guests per room, and family villas that sleep 7-9 guests in a 2 or 3 bedroom setting. Walking out towards the nature trails behind the resort, guests can meander through winding pathways where covered picnic/quick service areas reside, the resort's main quiet pool is location, and where you can walk towards the resort's two attractions.
Speaking of attractions; while the ornate displays, cozy home-style restaurants, and scenic room views of both Cedar Point and the Great Lakes, the true nuance of the resort lies within its attractions that play a key role in not only furthering the story of the Wyandot Lodge, but also connecting the Resort to both Cedar Point and Lake Country Water Park.
After settling with the native peoples and coming to an agreement on terms of use, the Peterson Trading Company decided that they would honor the locals wishes to only use the Fir Valley River without the use of industrial boats and motorized vehicles. Instead, natural means of manufactured boat vessels transport goods throughout the Fir Valley from the lodge and to local railroad spurs. After civilizations such as Frontiertown in Cedar Point began to grow around the Lodge, the Fir Valley River was used to transport goods and even people after time towards Frontiertown. The Peterson Trading Company rafts were redesigned to fit folks traveling from the Lodge to the town, and thus the Fir Valley River became a great way to travel to and from civilization without having to hike through Lake Country and around towards Frontiertown.
The attraction itself is an expeditious trip up and around Boulder Mountain. Guests enter a woodsy queue area in the back corner of the Lodge, and board the Peterson Trading Vessels on their way up the Fir Valley River. The vessels begin to ascend to a height of 56 feet, before offering the guests a view of Frontiertown in their focal perspective, and the rest of Cedar Point in the distance. The vessels teeter for a moment before descending down an angled slop, diving down into the Valley, before lunging skyward over a small hill and splashing down within the boundaries of Cedar Point. Guests load and unload much like a continuing skyway.
This attraction is unique in that there is only a height requirement for the trip towards Cedar Point (of 40 inches), yet on the relaxing return trip, there is no height requirement. This is to accommodate both the 'thrill' aspect of teens/young adults entering the 'roller coaster capital of the world in an exhilarating fashion (quite literally splashing into it), yet offering a family friendly option on the return trip. Fortunately on the descent, 95% of the water splash occurs outward away from the boats, so when riders board on the return trip, they aren't sitting on wet seats...the vessels are designed to not take on water splashes into the boats and seats, but rather project it outward into nearby ponds.
Otter Country, a sister section to Lake Country, is the indoor water park of Disney's Wyandot Lodge. This indoor facility interconnects to Lake County - but costs a separate admission ticket in the Fall and Winter, being the only park open. Most Raft rides are names after ancient Native American tribes in the area, and common animals found within the state. This also helps promote local schools to visit throughout the slow season, since most Middle Schools and High Schools are name after tribes in Ohio, or have mascot animals in the area.
Admission Cost
Spring/Summer Seasons - Included in Lake Country ticket
Adult: $59 Child $50 Senior $50 Seasonal Pass $150
Fall/Winter Season - Separate Ticket (Outdoor section closed)
Adult: $35 Child $27 Senior $27 Seasonal Pass $90
Indoor Water Park Map
Cougar Caverns - Giant thrill-seeker raft ride for up to four.
Shawnee Swirl - Giant thrill-seeker raft ride for up to two.
Ottawa Falls - Giant thrill-seeker body slide for one.
Potawatomi Plunge - Giant thrill-seeker raft ride for six.
Erie Canoe Adventure - Honorary Erie can experience the power of lakes on this amazing ride. Four-person canoes slide upward through the mists and into the dark twists and turns within the country before emerging with a plunge through a shimmering waterfall.
Cedar Creek Rapids - Test your body-boarding or surfing skills on this 5-foot wave simulator.
Groundhog Grotto - Indoor and Outdoor Spas – Interconnected via cave, the indoor/outdoor spas let you move between either without needing to get out of the warm, relaxing water.
Lazy River Country - Lounge as you wind down this 920 foot lazy/torrent river. It's the perfect, relaxing break from water slide action.
The Beaver Dam - It's a multi-level water fort for all ages! Wade in the zero depth entry pool, zip down slides of all sizes, play in water features and get soaked from the cross-firing water cannons!
Ranger Recreation - Athletically inclined adventurers will love the challenge of shooting hoops in this 3,700 square foot water basketball pool.
Part 2 of 6
) Would have come in handy though like last year