Lightbird says

Verde,

    You said it all when you stated that you have "ridden everything and it gets old"....

CP has to go to this extreme (not cool) to pull in bucks from the "tired-and-burnt-out" within driving distance. 

Lightbird says

VERDE 4311......You might get lucky and be able to tour a  CP halloween display next year that is titled "YOU  A-R-E  BRAIN-DEAD"....designed especially for you.  Bad business decision ???? Because they have spent money on it ???   You give new meaning to the old saying " money is the root of all evil" and in my book....many bad decisions.  ZERO  corporate accountability to the general culture .  Lack of creativity.  They should be spending money on a hip-up-to-date team of creative heads that read national news and    "keep up".   Just not cool...CP.  Your argument regarding movies and the film industy is baseless in it's comparison.

Lightbird says

VERDE 4311......You might get lucky and be able to tour a  CP halloween display next year that is titled "YOU  A-R-E  BRAIN-DEAD"....designed especially for you.  Bad business decision ???? Because they have spent money on it ???   You give new meaning to the old saying " money is the root of all evil" and in my book....many bad decisions.  ZERO  corporate accountability to the general culture .  Lack of creativity.  They should be spending money on a hip-up-to-date team of creative heads that read national news and    "keep up".   Just not cool...CP.  Your argument regarding movies and the film industy is baseless in it's comparison.

verde4311 says

 No one is making fun of mental health patients. It is a haunted house. If you are going to complain about a haunted house using CRIMINALLY insane (it says "Criminally Insane" right on the house) then why didn't anyone freak out about Shutter Island, a recent thriller movie that was nominated for Best Picture about a MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT. Or what about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? No one petitioned to censor that movie. So why on earth is anyone freaking out about a haunted house intended for adults (every house has a rating 0-5 showing how intensely scary or kid-friendly it is, the Asylum earned a rank of 4, the Fright Zone is a 5 and no one complains about it not being fit for a "FAMILY PARK"). So why don't you just lighten up, this isn't Disney, it's Cedar Point's Halloweekends. For locals Halloweekends becomes the only time/reason to go to CP. I've lived near CP for 19 years and frankly if it weren't for Halloweekends, I wouldn't go to CP because I've ridden everything and it gets old. So what these people are proposing is not only ridiculous and overly sensitive, but a bad business decision for CP, suggesting they close down two of the most popular attractions this year. Having gone through Asylum, I thought it was very scary and an excellent haunted house to replace the U. R. Dead Mortician's School.

Lightbird says

Oh, and once again, Sandusky, Ohio has made all the news feeds for negative reasons and continues to wallow in the negative image.....something like a renegade, morally unconscious "we'll do as we darn well please"  sort of image.  I doubt this will entice many people to move here.

Lightbird says

Really people, is making fun of the mentally ill necessary ?? Who does this appeal to: "bored and burnt out adults "??   It shows very little creativity and absolutely zero corporate responsibility for a FAMILY PARK.  CP has interests that span all over the country and should be employing the very best creativity team....something on the order of Disney.  Ask yourselves, what would Disney do ??  C'mon Cedar Point ....pony up some accountability to the general culture.  Bullying and what you are promoting this year are just not cool....  From the posts I've read here I am seeing why there is a problem with bullying.  There seems to be a general atmosphere of entitlement vs freedom.  Freedom does not mean that as a culture we can do what is morraly irresponsible toward our fellow man......Get it, CP ????   and posters ????

Judicator says

How in the hell are these people funded, Hey Nami do something useful with the funded money and go buy food for some starving people.

asweetnessabove says

Sorry my d key must not want to be working for me today. it was"understand" and "halloweekends"

asweetnessabove says

I could understan that this may "offend' some people. But PLEASE!!! You health advocates are being ridiculous!!!! This is for fun! Are you going to say next when Christmas comes around that Santa Claus is some creepy Holy Jolly Guy that sneaks in your house through the chimney and we should not promote to our children that we shouldnt let him in because he's a stranger??? Grow Up!!! All of these halloween attractions have been around for years!

I myself have not been to any of the halloweekens, I will be going for my first time on the 22nd. But I'm lettin CP know now, If you cave in to these hypocrits who Im sure celebrate the holiday, Then Noy only will I cancel my trip, I will not return to the amusement park. I have heard so many awesome things about the two attractions that I want to experience them myself.

You Health Advocates need to grow up and live a little. Just because its offending you, Doesn't mean its offending the Mentally Ill nor the criminally insane. Heck The Criminally insane are probably getting a kick out of it. And as a hairdresser, I have a multitude of Mentally ill clients and they are cool as heck. And they don't take offense to these attractions. Get over yourselves and get you thumbs out of your butt and stop being so up tight. LIVE A LITTLE!!!!

Norma J-C says

Remember the movie "one flew over the cuckoo's nest" with Jack Nicholson? His character went into the insane asylum as a sane person and they gave him a lobotomy to make him conform?

Sometimes we just have to step back and laugh at all the insanity that is going on around us. Cedar Point laughs all the way to the bank with your money so who's insane now?

Notmyproblem says

Wow, really... People need to really stop being so sensitive. There is a huge difference between the insane asylums, that Cedar Point is portraying, and the psychiatric hospitals of today.  The reforms that started in the 1940's proved that the mistreatment and misdiagnosis was rampant. Hence the reason that some of the asylums from the era's predating the 40's are seen to be the most haunted places in America.  This is the reason they are very popular with the halloween haunted house ideas.  Before the reforms, patients were treated with electric shock therapy, beatings, massive amounts of drugs, including hallucinagens, creating a world in which hundreds if not thousands of people died.  Now compared to todays psychiatric hospitals there is no comparison.  Everyone is treated independently, and humanely. 

I am surpirised that NAMI Ohio can not see the difference.  great way to get headlines and try to take away something that a lot of people find amusing and fun, not to be confused with reality.

my2 says

Listen, it takes extreme measures, such as the one NAMI is taking, to bring an awareness to these situations. Many adults and children who function well in typical settings would have been placed in these institutions in the past if it were not for advocates taking a stand.  No one is actually pointing a finger at Cedar Point and blaming them for all the problems that people facing mental health issues have.  However, as a community (in this case, meaning every person of the US, if not humanity) it is not within our right to have fun at anyone else's expense.  Take for example the criminally insane person who has raped a young child - EVERYONE would be outraged if that were being portrayed in this attraction. I mean, minors go in there, right?  But, in fact, that is what is being portrayed. Not literally, but we have to assume that maybe one of these "patients" could do that.  I think that the important thing to note is that everyone who thinks that this attraction should be left alone is only worried about their own fun being ruined.  Here's an idea for all of us ~ always put others before yourself ~ then see what kind of a world we live in.

CurtisBaillie says

It's not just CP - this group has been on a campain against all of the haunted attractions, with a haunted mental institution theme, around the country. They have been very busy.

thinktwice says

I read this article and almost lost it!  sorry I had to...

RUKidding says

When Cedar Point creates these attractions they are simply playing on the fear that they already know is in the general public. They are not telling people at the beginning of the attraction that all mentally ill people should be feared.

It's Cedar Point's job to make money, it's not their job to fix humanity or to remove sterotypes from people's minds. That's organizations like NAMI's job and they can do that by creating awareness, not by going after a company trying to entertain people. Nobody is any more aware of the plight of the mentally ill after this, all they are is annoyed by yet another group of people crying foul over something that was never intended to offend or even creat a false image of people. I don't believe anybody that has seen that attraction left it thinking, "I need to be afraid of my bipolar neighbor because clearly they are going to try to kill me since that's obviously what all mentally ill people do." Now if they have a neighbor that would qualify as "criminally insaine", then their fear might be heightened a little but I'm sure it probably already was in the first place.

Speaking as somebody who has suffered from mental illness, I really think NAMI's efforts could be put to better use than this. I don't feel that they have done me any kind of justice by going after an entertainment venu for doing what they are supposed to do at halloween...create fear and entertainment.

Unassumer says

There is a lack of understanding regarding mental illnesses but I agree that a halloween attraction is just make believe and most people are aware of that.  Horror movies are along the same line.  What disturbs me is that people are afraid to admit they have panic attacks or depression or other afflictions because of what others will think, when in reality many people are affected by these things.  It's not something that should be locked in the closet or hidden and more people need to be informed about mental illnesses.

Raoul Duke says

I think they should open an attraction called The Demented and Haunted Abortion Clinic. That would be really cool!

cgs taxpayer says

NAMI is insulting the intelligence of the people to be able to make rational decisions on the difference between reality and make believe. So I would say since they think that we are stupid enough to think that everyone who suffers from mental illness is going to act exactly as portrayed in a haunted attraction that is a make believe scenario with actors then we should show them just how intelligent we are and not support them when they are in need of funds for their endeavors.I hope this just draws more people there for the sake of Cedar Point.

SMH-FML says

NAMI, While I respect the work that you do, GET OVER IT. If this is the biggest problem that you have then sit back and count your blessings and stop nit-picking and being uber sensitive. It is an AMUSEMENT park and a haunted house.  If you don't like it and you are offended, then simply do not support that business. Problem solved! 

hailvictors97 says

So is Fisher Price going to contact CF Entertainment Company over Happy Jacks Haunted Toy Factory?  If NAMI is truly concerned about the mental health of the public they should start with those that govern the greatest land in the world.  Out politicians are making us nuts!

Bailey says

Moderators have removed this comment because it contained personal attacks. Discussion Guidelines

perkinsparent says

All I can say is there is going to be a very long line for this attraction ALL weekend with this kind of attention.  Of course, that's if CP doesn't give in and close it.  Sorry that the paid actors are doing such a great job!

skittles says

This is meant for amusement only... Hello what about the Insane Clown Posse?? Don't you think that should be criticized too.. what it effects the insane and clowns and even those of us who run around in a posse ...EVERYWHERE!!! Get a life... OMG

screamster2010 says

ahhahahahahahahahhahahahahhahaha

thinkagain says

 

cocoon4007 says

...and I do not enjoy haunted houses not because I think they are offensive, I just don't like being grabbbed or touched by someone/something I don't know or can't see in the dark!!! Just a bit of humor here! Hope I am not offending anyone.

cocoon4007 says

Has it gotten to the point that we can't do anything for the fear of offending someone? I don't think the problem here is with CP or any haunted house attraction, but the problem is stemming from those who make a big deal..... out of nothing. Maybe the answer is for some to quit taking everything so personal and enjoy life. If we all thought real hard we could come up with something offensive to us, but most have better things to do than conjur up negativity. Just saying. Lighten up. The only ones being offended is those who put it upon themselves.

sfoley3603 says

They also have actors that portray dead people.  So is this offensive to dead people, too?  Some of the actors portray left handed people.  I, as a left handed person, and deeply offended by this.

Ashlie06 says

Are you serious!? I never even connected the two before ... I only seen SCARY people at these haunted houses! I never thought to myself oh well that guy there has a personality disorder or that lady over there is a Sociopath and they are super scary so now we should all fear them! This is a cry for attention from some stupid group trying to make something out of themselves. Haunted Houses and Asylums have been big attractions for years. Heck we go into the Mansfield prision to have the crap scared out of of, does this mean we should fear anyone who goes to jail? That would be a good majority of the population. Granted we all think we are model citizens but Im sure a large number has at least spent an hr or so in Lock up ( im only 22 Im sure Ill get my chance) ... Christmas needs thrown out if were going om how it  is disrespectful to people, Sorry kids no presents this year someone cried about it and ruined it for the rest of us.

The only thing this group did was make me realize how sad people are these days. I have yet to read one good reason as to why to do away with these attractions and thousands like it world wide. Hollywood has been using crazies for years and obviously they over dramatize it but yet here we are all these Michael Meyers, and Jason Movies later and not once have I heard a complaint. Just recently a movie was produced about a small town going crazie from their contaminated water source but that movie was okay? Bacteria ate away their brains and caused this disorder?

And now that I think of it, we should fear some of these mentally ill people, They are the ones bombing us at work, shooting us in school, killing our families when they get behind the wheel when they have no business being there ... Guess their article made me more fearful now that its setting in

 

GO CP keep up the great work, you ditch the scary crazy attraction i wont be back!

Julie R. says

Geez, it's Halloween. Lighten up! We have pictures of ghouls rising up out of their coffins.  Does this mean we are disrespecting the dead?

citizen says

This entire article and following discussion sums up a lot of what is wrong with society today..... People are WAY to politically sensitive.  Take it for what it is.. a joke!  This crap (letter from some whiny organization) would have never happened (or never gotten the publicity) 30-50 years ago!

brutus smith says

 I don't know which is worse, seeing this at Cedar Point or going to a "tea party" and seeing a bunch of crazed right wingnuts.

Kelly says

"Having a homocidal clown doesn't mean you're suggesting clowns are inherently dangerous."

 

Oh but they are!

SamAdams says

Oops. No, I did NOT intentionally misspell "homicidal." My bad.

SamAdams says

Oh, for heaven's sake. LIGHTEN UP! It's a freakin' SHOW! By the same guidelines these mental health advocates seem to suggest, movies couldn't portray an alcoholic as a homeless drunk (it's a disease!); they couldn't portray serial killers as dangerous and evil (hey, they're just mentally ill!); they couldn't portray a black gang banger (that's racist!) or a white redneck (that's a stereotype!).

Leave Halloween alone. Having a witch in a haunted house doesn't mean you're portraying Wicca inaccurately. Having a crazy, knife-wielding inmate doesn't mean you're telling people mental illness is something to shun. Having a homocidal clown doesn't mean you're suggesting clowns are inherently dangerous. Dressing up as a devil doesn't mean you worship Satan.

Y'all might as well believe Harry Potter is a true story. Anyone with an IQ above 70 knows the difference between good and bad, real and make believe. What's YOUR excuse?

 

Kal2010 says

 Has no one really read the name of the attraction?

It's Dr. D. Mented's Asylum for the Criminally Insane, meaning every 'patient' has attacked/killed someone and it's earned them a spot in there. This is not about the average person with a mental health illness, this is about people that are generally dangerous to be around.

I don't know how that shines a bad light on any other mental health issues, or how it can be compared to cancer patients or any other disease. I don't believe someone with a certain type of cancer has to be watched for attacking those around them.

Pragmatic says

 

Hollywood has been doing this for years…and they haven’t been shutdown. I don’t know that Hollywood would even consider apologizing for it.  Stereotypes cannot be created by seeing a movie or going to a haunted house. If you stereotype, that is a patterned thought process that was present in the individual previous to stepping foot in a haunted house. 

formerpweman79 says

It's Halloween for crying out loud.  I have been to haunted houses in the past and they always have some sort of an attarction just like the one CP has.  This is what happens when special intrest groups don't get there way, or feel like making problems.  How many of us have gone to haunted houses and seen "crazy people" dressed in hospital attire before, just about all of us.  Does that change my thoughts that every mental illness person is completly nuts and I should fear them, ABSOLUTY NOT!!!!!  I have worked with people in the past with mental illness, and going to places like that has never, ever, EVER changed my thoughts of being afraid of them.  This group has to much time on there hands and groups like that need to back off and let people have some fun, cause in this day and age of low jobs and low paying jobs, people need all the entertainment and relaxing they can get.

Raoul Duke says

Anyway, you'd have to be "crazy" to pay CP's price of admission...

Raoul Duke says

These mental health people are assuming that we all will come to the same conclusion, because of this Halloween attraction. Most people don’t believe in werewolves and goblins and demons and witches on broom sticks and monsters. Maybe they should give us more credit. Maybe they shouldn’t assume we are so stupid and gullible. Maybe they shouldn’t insult our intelligence.

Cityslicker says

Once again, some special interest group is trying to stick their nose into a place where it does not belong. Halloween and fright have gone together for years. Center your thoughts on the weirdos out there that are raping/kidnapping, and otherwise causing havoc to our children and school students. Leave the tradition of Halloween alone.

Cross says

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William Jeffers... says

Actually, they have a point....although the haunted house of gay people made me laugh. 

yea right says

HALLOWEEN IS FUN THATS ALL IT IS..

this happens every year..some group cries wolf..wwhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Satan666 says

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Azure Ray says

 my2 - looks like you are alone on this one.  like I mentioned before - stereotypes stem from truth.  fight it all you want, it is true.  

Bailey says

Its a fact of life, we know all the liberal posters are the performers at CP. Brutus has main billing......

justfortoday says

I have a mental illness AND I'm a recovering addict. I have a psychiatrist, counselor, go to 12 step meetings and take my medications. My doctor has also deemed me as stable. Does this attraction offend me? No. Not one bit. If you don't like it then don't go to Cedar Point. Then you can't get offended. I think NAMI is being overly sensitive. I know that Cedar Point didn't go to this length just to offend people with mental illnesses, nor did they when they portray dead people laying in caskets or mad doctors in their labs. Heck, if anything I'm proud people with mental illnesses get some recognition. Maybe the public will think twice when it comes to funding mental health. Believe it or not I have personally seen mental patients in the photo above who resemble this guy. CP- you did a great job and you get my thumbs up.

biggiesmalls says

I am writing a letter in protest for cedar point to close terror island and to stop portraying pirates as scary monsters, the pirates of the Caribean fans are so offended they are such gentle souls, also I think the vampire and Goth community must be offended by club blood so cedar point should shut them down too, really come on this is insane, oops hope I don't offend the NAMI, that would be just Crazy, oops I did it again

first of duh month says

 I figured this ignorance might happen in this day & age. Might as well shut down Halloween all together because it would offend dead rotting corpses in the ground. Might as well not have "non nice" thoughts on the Register comment page or some poor hood, criminal, rapist or pedophile may get offended. Shut it all down & allow morons to continue to fry their brains, walk into the bay & run red lights while texting their life away. That's what life's all about these days...bloody, gory, gruesome, porn filled video games for kids & cel-phones...but a haunted house is bad. I sure wish it was 1983 again.