Letzte Bearbeitung am 04-Sep-05 um 13:38 Uhr ()
The Force may be with you, coaster fans
Cedar Point thrill ride now available as a replica
Can’t get to Sandusky to Cedar Point’s Millennium Force roller coaster? Don’t worry,
the Millennium Force soon will come to you — for $79.
Miniature collectibles company Danbury Mint has decided to memorialize Cedar Point’s
signature thrill ride by creating porcelain replicas that it hopes coaster fans and
collectors of memorabilia will want.
The Norwalk, Conn., company advertised in Ohio publications last week, hoping to
generate interest and preproduction orders for the hand-painted miniatures that
measure roughly 9 by 11 by 3 inches.
Robin Innes, a spokesman for Cedar Point, said Danbury contacted the amusement park
a year ago about the possibility of making miniatures of the Millennium Force or some
of its other rides.
“They had a couple of ideas but were mainly interested in Millennium Force, and so
were we,” he said. “So we sent them some info and drawings.”
Other companies, he explained, have sought to make items tied to Millennium Force,
which has been voted the nation’s best steel roller coaster in four of the last five
seasons by industry magazine Amusement Today. But Cedar Point, owned by Cedar Fair LP,
has resisted those overtures.
Roller coaster replicas “seemed appropriate,” even though Cedar Point won’t be selling
them in its park gift shops, Mr. Innes said.
Officials of MBI Inc., which owns the Danbury Mint and other companies that make
collectibles, did not return calls seeking information.
Collectibles expert Jim Markowiak, owner of Gordon’s Gifts at Westfield Franklin Park,
said a $79 price tag is typical for such miniatures, and that Danbury is probably
banking on coaster fanatics and Cedar Point fans as potential buyers.
Collectible replicas have grown to include stadiums, famous skyscrapers, and the like,
but Mr. Markowiak said Millennium Force marks the first roller coaster miniature he’s
encountered. The number produced will likely be limited to orders the company receives,
Mr. Markowiak said.
Carole Sanderson, president of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, said members of her
coaster riding organization probably wouldn’t be that interested in a miniature replica.
“I think for $70, most would rather buy a season pass to Cedar Point.”
For souvenirs, coaster enthusiasts usually like to buy items at the parks they visit,
Ms. Sanderson said. But that doesn’t mean the tiny coaster won’t be a big seller,
she said.
“My guess is people’s family members will buy this for them. I expect a lot of people
will say, ‘My cousin, he rides coasters a lot. He’ll like this,’” she said.
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Den Bericht und die Kontaktadresse gibts hier.
MfG TomSC
"Der wo das sehr schön, für sich persönlich aber uninteressant findet, da er die Bahn noch nicht gefahren ist"
Druckversion
