Cedar Point’s new-for-2021 Snake River Expedition is now open. Originally slated for the 2020 season, Cedar Point’s 150th anniversary, Snake River Expedition is a creative reimagining of the park’s former Paddlewheel Excursions boat ride, which closed in 2011. The attraction features new boats, live actors and opportunities for guest interaction — in addition to immersive theming.
Riders owe much of the immersive experience to Weber Group, a design and construction company based in Indiana just outside of Louisville, KY.
© Cedar Point
Snake River Expedition is one of the latest works of Weber Group, which offers design and construction services for a multitude of sectors, including the amusement and theme park industry.
The Weber Group has provided theming and concept design services at parks such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Cedar Point, Six Flags Great Adventure, Walt Disney World, among many others. Specific services the company offers include storyboarding, concept development, brand theme design, artificial rockwork, signs and graphics and technology integration — and that’s only scratching the surface.
Weber used its talents to create new elements for Snake River Expedition that draw upon themes from its predecessor. The company guided the attraction’s process from concept to completion.
© Cedar Point
The park’s website details the ride’s backstory:
The most successful trapper this side and that side of the Snake River needs your help! Trapper Dan’s ready to trade some of his goods and sundries – and you’ll join his band of bandits to carry out the somewhat risky mission. Climb aboard one of Trapper Dan’s Snake River shippers and haul that precious cargo along the winding, murky river. But make sure you keep your eyes peeled, binoculars focused and your guard way up – you’re sure to encounter a few bad guys that have their snake eyes on what you’re smugglin’ in that ship! Will you make it safely? Or will you fall victim to a hastily-planned takeover? There’s only one way to find out. Get your shipmates together, climb aboard and get ready for a new family adventure!
Weber Group recently shared with us some up-close photos of the attraction’s thematic elements.
Image courtesy of Weber Group
The attraction includes a range of Weber Group’s work, from the design, fabrication, animatronics, installation, ride station and docks-themed elements.
Image courtesy of Weber Group
The set pieces are stunningly detailed.
Images courtesy of Weber Group
The human actors on the boat are complemented by a cast of adorable (but mischevious) animals.
Image courtesy of Weber Group
The amount of details on the banks of the river command a second (or third) ride. There is too much to see on one “expedition.”
© Cedar Point
Cedar Point first announced plans for Snake River Expedition in 2019 as part of the park’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, which was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Have you ridden Snake River Expedition yet? Let us know what you thought of the ride in the comments section below.
This ride was so much more than I was expecting. It was a complete refresh from the original versions of decades past. There were so many live actors, new sets and a docking right in the middle of the ride. I was impressed with the whole reimagining of the attraction.