A New Look For Sky Ride
Tony Clark
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Since 1961, the Sky Ride has given our guests beautiful, panoramic views of the Main Midway. It's a gentle way of transport from the front of the park to the middle, and vice-versa.
Manufactured by Von Roll of Switzerland, the cable car-style ride is one of the last remaining rides like it in the world. Our Maintenance Team has taken wonderful care of this gem so the current generation of riders can create the same memories as those who've been enjoying it all these years.
Speaking of its earlier years, the Sky Ride's cabins didn't always look like they do today.
In fact, they've gone through many design revisions, sporting new graphics and paint, with cabin numbers placed at various locations.
Back in the winter of 2021-22, our Sign Shop crafted a design for a Sky Ride cabin refresh for the summer of 2022. But with the complexity of getting all of the ride's cabins (almost 40) back to the Sign Shop, the project had to take a pause.
Until now.
Meet Melissa (hi, Melissa!).
Melissa's been with Cedar Point for 12 years, holding various positions in Rides, Marketing, Park Operations and now the Sign Shop. In addition to dreaming up and creating in-park environmental designs, she's also responsible for the Sky Ride's new look for 2024.
Her new design is loosely inspired by previous Sky Ride looks, specifically this one:
As you can see from some of the previous years, there's really no "this-is-what-it-has-to-be" blueprint for design, but the minimalist look seems to have been a constant, accentuating the cabins' base colors, as they worked so well with the skyline.
Fast-forward to today.
To get started, Melissa works with a blank canvas (all previous numbers and logos removed). The vinyl is carefully aligned and laid out on the cabin surface:
Once it's stuck to the cabin, Melissa peels back the protective vinyl layer on the outside, ensuring it's butter-smooth with no bubbles or imperfections.
The finished cabins have a few interesting design elements, including this double stripe on the end:
On the side, you'll find the updated Cedar Point logo:
And a special treat for all you Sky Ride aficionados...
...because I know you're out there...
We've added a little nod to the manufacturer on the door.
In just a few short weeks, our Ride Maintenance Team will begin reinstalling the cabins in the Sky Ride station and testing will begin soon after that.
When you visit the park this year, be sure to experience history and take a gentle cruise on the Sky Ride if you haven't done so in awhile.
Or, at the very least, look up and admire Melissa's wonderful design.