SkyRide renaissance: Cedar Point gives new look to Von Roll ride
AT: Tim Baldwin
SANDUSKY, Ohio — Whether one is an industry professional or a theme park junkie, the name Von Roll carries a special place in the heart. As amusement parks grew and the development of theme parks surged in the 1960s and 1970s, Von Roll sky rides were a staple in the burgeoning industry. Looking for memorable experiences, parks felt the inclusion of a sky ride was a must for two reasons: an observational experience and a way of transport.
Von Roll is a Swiss company with roots going back to 1803. The company has been involved in various forms of business, including industrial products and systems, which is its business today. But its fan base remains for the adoration of the beloved sky rides around the world.
More than 100 sky rides or “ropeways” were installed. The first ones appeared in Europe in the early 1950s, but in 1956, Disneyland debuted the aerial-style ride to the United States.
Cedar Point debuted its Sky Ride in 1962. The original cabins only seated two, but that was changed in 1967 to four-seater cabins. Cedar Point was not alone when offering park guests two Von Roll cable experiences. Other parks did as well, but Cedar Point had a second Frontier Lift going to the back of the resort property from 1968 to 1985. The cabins from that ride are reported to be on the current still-operating Sky Ride.
“The Sky Ride is a uniquely perfect attraction for Cedar Point that serves multiple purposes for guests: some utilize it to simply get from one end of the midway to the other; some take the gentle ride to get perfect birds-eye views of the park,” said Tony Clark, director of communications. “Ultimately, it’s a wonderful attraction for families to ride together. The ‘oohs and ahhs’ that likely happen while taking in the sights are alone worth the work our team puts into keeping it in operation. It’s an instantly recognizable part of Cedar Point’s history and we are proud to have it in our lineup of attractions.”
Over the years, the ride has had various paint schemes. For 2024, the aerial cableway sports a new look. According to Clark, the project was intended to be a refresh for the 2022 season, but the complexity of gathering close to 40 cabins to the sign shop over that winter caused the plans to be put on hold. He credits Melissa Conquest, creative services specialist, for reviving the project.
Conquest has been a Cedar Point team member in various departments: Rides, Marketing and Operations. Now in the Sign Shop, she took the lead in making the Sky Ride initiative see its desired result.
“One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to go through the park and look at things that need to be refreshed,” she told Amusement Today. “The Sky Ride cabins have been on my list for a while. I felt they could be more dynamic-looking. Initially, I wasn’t sure it would happen, but during the approval process, everyone seemed to like it.”
The new look took place during the winter.
“The Sky Ride cabins only come off every two years,” Conquest noted. “Even though this was designed two or three years ago, this was the winter to do it since the cabins were coming off for routine maintenance. We really had to work with the welders, maintenance [team] and painters. It took about a month and a half for the Sign Shop to complete all the cabins.”
Base colors on the cabins have always made the skyline bright with vivid hues overhead. During the ride’s history, cabin designs have featured various styles, but it has changed with the times. Logos, numbering and some types of ornamentation have accented the gondolas. The Sky Ride now features the park’s most current logo.
“The ride is very beloved by both guests and ride operators,” Conquest said. “It’s like a cult classic. I went back and looked at all the photographs of the different designs Sky Ride has been through — quite a few. Two stood out; I liked how they had designs that wrapped around all four sides. As it comes down from the midway, I liked how it looks different on both ends. I think a nostalgic design is kind of in trend right now. The cabins were bold and bright and [the design] grounds them a bit.”
Cable rides have always been enjoyed by guests. Taking a load off one’s feet is always a plus, but being able to admire a park’s skyline and what’s on the horizon has always been a moment of relaxation and appreciation. Cedar Point’s stunning lineup of record-breaking coasters and the beauty of the Lake Erie beach make for an enjoyable ride. However, park guests get an extra bonus as the cabins are transported over numerous flower beds, which make for a beautiful view by looking immediately down to the ground.
“Each year, our Landscaping team, led by Martha Beverick, meticulously maps out and designs the famous ‘medallion’ in the center of the midway,” noted Clark. “While this may look like one of the many beautiful beds of flowers that we’re known for, the medallion often features the logo of the season’s new attraction which can be seen in all its glory, by riding Sky Ride. The medallion design goes through several revisions as Martha and her team figure out which plant and flower varieties will perfectly match the logo or attraction design. It’s fascinating to see it come to life, as it’s unrecognizable at first — and then it blooms into this gorgeous visual when seen from above. I know how they do it, but I still can’t figure out how it seems to bloom perfectly every year, every time.”
A ride takes about two minutes and 40 seconds from station to station, traveling at 6 mph. The tallest of the support towers is 87 feet tall.
Although there were numerous Von Roll cable rides just a few decades ago, they have diminished dramatically, with less than 10 operating in the United States today.
Owing to the fan base of Von Roll sky rides, Cedar Point tipped its hat to the company this season by placing the Von Roll logo into the new cabin design.
“I think that’s really important to people who enjoy Sky Ride,” Conquest said. “It’s a cool nod. I think it does educate guests that there are a lot of manufacturers that create all these rides, and I don’t think that’s something everyone necessarily knows walking into an amusement park.”
Conquest found the project very rewarding. “It’s very exciting to walk down the midway and see them up there.”
