markr

Another reason I don't miss Paramount is because of the wonderful live entertainment Cedar Fair has brought back that was so popular during the heyday Taft years. I took a peak at the country music show today in Festhaus-while I am not a huge country fan, the show was first class all the way with outstanding singing and dancing. It sure beats junk like School of Rock that we were forced to swallow during the Paramount years. ( No offense to those who enjoyed School of Rock-just my opinion.)

I wouldn't put my worst enemy on that ride.

339. ( I have some catching up to do, Darlene.)

Yes, Cedarfair is neglecting KI so much they gave it a horrible ride called Diamondback.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Susan Olson ( Cindy ) at the Brady event last Labor Day weekend and she was absolutely a delightful, down to earth person.

Thanks Jesse. Always enjoy your trip reports also.

I will try not to ramble on as I describe a very fun time at CP with my friend, Derek. Day 1 Derek and I arrived at the park yesterday ( Friday, 6/26) at 10:50a. While my platinum pass easily scanned, Derik's didn't, so he had to go through the building to the right. Since we parked in the back lot next to Magnum, we started off with a ride on Magnum which was practically a walk-on. After experiencing DB, Magnum seems like nothing to me now. Its still a nice ride but by no means does it pack a punch like it used to. Next we walked over to Dragster. Since it was down because of mechanical problems, we went to Maverick. With all but one of the queues full, the wait was 1 hr 6 minutes, less than the 1 hr 30 minutes estimated wait time at the entrance. That ride may be little but it is certainly wiry. The best part is the launch out of the tunnel. One disappointment was that they had that wonderful queue music score barely above a whisper. I intend to e-mail the park that they should turn the music back up as that is part of what makes the line feel like it is moving faster. After Maverick, Derek and I felt hungry, so we grabbed a burger and fries at the Roundup which was right by Maverick. The price had gone up over $1 last year and my burger was much less meaty than previous years. Also, they didn't even have any salt. Next we hit Skyhawk, which had a very short wait at about 10 minutes. The airtime on that ride is awesome. Since Dragster was now running, we hit it. Not a bad wait at 40 minutes. In my opinion, no ride can touch it. We were very anxious to see how M Force stood up to DB, so we hit that next. The wait again was not bad at 35 minutes. While M Force still packs a whallop, I still like DB better because DB to me has the full package, ie, air time, speed, lots of hills. ( One minor irritation at the station-our row got held up not once but twice by people with exit passes. Why couldn't they put each exit group in a different row? ) Next was Mantis at a short 10 minute wait. Still love that ride- I never have problems with it banging my head because I lean forward. I love the brief airtime while dangling upside down on both the vertical loop and the dive loop. We then got in line for Raptor which would have been just about a 5-10 minute wait. However, the ride got shut down for mechanical reasons, so we hit Demon Drop, which Derek had never ridden before and which I usually ignore. As usual, the ride was a walk-on. Demon Drop is really an under-rated ride. The floating sensation can hardly be beat. It was now a little after 4p and we were feeling hungry, so we hit the Midway Market. With tax the price was a little over $16 with our platinum pass discount. The fried chicken there is out of this world. Why, oh why, can't the buffet at KI have this quality? After dinner, we decided to go to something tame to let our tummies settle, so we went to Paddlewheel Excursions. I never get tired of that ride. It is so silly with the corny jokes and other schtick. ( " The price of furs is fine but them Hatfields... are spookin my game." ) Next we took a turn on Gemini. Our train was so far ahead during most of the ride that I couldn't high five the people in the other train. Yet, to my chagrin, we still lost. I smell a rat. Next we decided to do a front row ride on Dragster which was just a 40 minute wait including the wait for the front. If you have never done the front row, I highly recommend it. There is nothing like the brisk feel of that wind against your face. Next we did Power Tower, both the down and up sides, both walk-ons. I have always liked Power Tower better than Drop Tower bacause of the way it lifts you out of your seat, both going down and going up. After we went back to the car to get some stuff, we went back to the front of the park by way of the boardwalk. The view over there is absolutely gorgeous and the breeze from the lake feels so good. Next was Wicked Twister with about a 5 minute wait. I can never understand why that ride is not more popular. It is such an adrenaline rush. Next was Raptor which was now up and running. The wait was short at just about 10 minutes. After 15 years, Raptor is still as vital as ever. There is nothing like that cobra roll and its quick twists and turns. Next was Blue Streak, another walk-on. In my opinion, one of the most underated wooden coasters. As a matter of fact I like it better than Beast. Next we took the train over to Mean Streak which we wanted to test after the work on the track. Didn't notice any difference. For me, still a boring ride. It was now 9P.M., so we took our last ride of the day on Maverick. This time we had just a 30 minute wait as just the inside queues were filled. We got a front seat ride and were surprised when we were hit hard by bugs during the entire ride. After a very fun and satisfying day, we headed back to the motel for some rest. Day 2 We arrived at the park at 8:48 A.M. for some ERT. This time, Derek's Platinum Pass scanned. We entered again through the Magnum entrance. I noticed at this entrance they don't even check for your platinum pass or resorts pass to determine if you are eligible for ERT. The effect is probably minimal as most people still enter throught the front of the park where they do check. We first hit Maverick which was only lined along the stairs leading up to the station. After we got off the line was circled around the queue house. Next was M Force which was about a 15 minute wait. We then checked out Dragster which was having mechanical problems. We therefore did one more ride on Raptor on the front seat. The wait was short at about 10 minutes but by the time we got off, the queues were filling up fast. By this time it was almost 11 a.m. and we left because I wanted to get started before I got too tired. At the exit, an employee asked us if we enjoyed our visit. She was an absolute doll. I just cannot understand why I get so many negative reports about the employees at CP as I have always found them to be warm and friendly. What can I say? The weather was perfect, the lines were short. The trip was just perfect. We are going again 7/28 and 7/29 and I can't wait.

Again, I can only speak for myself but I have always been treated by the DB crew with the utmost courtesy. At the same time, I have seen kids whose conduct at the DB station is such that it would merit a good spanking from me if they were my kids. The DB crew is just doing their job but some people no matter how nice the attendant is simply refuse to follow the rules the attendant is forced to enforce. If I was the attendant, I would probably get a little irritated too.

Again just speaking for myself but I feel that the DB crew is the best. Their actions have one purpose-keep that line moving so you don't have to wait 2 hours. I am not saying that this applies to anyone on this thread but I have seen guests act like spoiled brats because they didn't like the instructions that the DB crew gave them, ie what seat to sit in, to stay in their lane, etc. I even saw one guest grab a ride associate by the chest when he couldn't sit where he wanted.

Things that annoy me: 1. People setting off the metal detectors because of not being prepared by taking all the metal objects out of their pockets. I feel this unnecessarily holds up the line; 2. Kids in the queue lines not respecting other people's space and coninuously bumping into me as a result; 3. Parents allowing their children to sit on the handrails ( Those rules are there for a reason. ) 4. People at the toll gate who ask a zillion questions while there are cars backed up all the way to 71. Why can't you call the park ahead of time and ask your questions? That being said, I can only speak for myself but my experience with employees both at KI and CP has for the most part been positive. I feel that most are friendly and really enthusiastic.

I remember when I would walk past their offices and when they would see me I'd wave, and they'd be happy to wave back. Then when Cedar Fair took over, employees were no longer allowed to walk by the offices, because heaven forbid the new GM Greg Scheid didn't like looking at the lowly associates walking by...What a pompous ass. I can only speak for myself but I have always found Greg Scheid to be very nice and professional.

I've come close to passing out several times on Invertigo. ( That is why I won't ride it anymore. ) At 5 g's that is a pretty intense ride. Interestingly I feel like I am going to pass out after the ride stops after the first lap. Anyone out there with a scientific explanation of why you feel like you are going to black out on a high G ride after the ride stops? I think it has something to do with suddenly reverting back to your normal weight ( ie, at 5 g's you feel like 5 times your normal weight. )

These are only warnings, not restrictions-if you have heart trouble, high blood pressure, etc, you basically assume the risk if you decide to ride.

Kiddie junior steel: It was at this park called Pee Wee Valley in the Reading, Ohio area- it was something like Little Bill's Giggle Coaster. I don't remember if they even had a name for it. ( The park is now a trailer park. ) Kiddie wood: The Teddy Bear, Coney Island. ( In the Land of Oz section, which was the kiddie area. I am sure Terpie remembers. ) Major wood non-looping: Shooting Star, Coney Island Major steel, non-looping: Delongniga Mine Ride ( Six Flags over Georgia.) Looping steel: Screamin Demon ( KI) Looping wood: SOB ( KI )- ha, ha Suspended: Iron Dragon ( CP ) Inverted: Raptor ( CP ) Launched loop- Flight of Fear ( KI) Launched non-loop: TTD ( CP) Stand-up: King Cobra ( KI ) Water ride: Lost River, Coney Island ( I am sure you remember this too, Terpie. )

If I am not mistaken, it is during the Paramount years that they started to phase out the Hanna Barbera characters in favor of the Nick characters. I am a movie buff in addition to a coaster buff. As such, I would have liked to have seen KI focus on the real history of Paramount pictures by focusing on the great stars ( such as Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, Mae West-without her there would be no Paramount Pictures as she saved Paramount from bankruptcy during the Great Depression) and great classic movies ( Such as Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, Rear Window, Vertigo. ) Is there anyone other than Terpie and I old enough to remember those great stars and movies? I'm not as old as you guys but I know of the films and actors.James Stewart,Gloria Swanson,Barbara Stanwyck,Fred MacMaurray,Mae West("Come up and see me sometime."). Love Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity. Boy, she was evil in that. And who can forget Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard? ( "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille. ) I don't know if it would have worked but I certainly wish KI would have tried to focus on that wonderful history of Paramount. What do we get instead? Tom Cruise!!!( Just my opinion. Don't mean to offend you Tom Cruise fans.)

If I am not mistaken, it is during the Paramount years that they started to phase out the Hanna Barbera characters in favor of the Nick characters. I am a movie buff in addition to a coaster buff. As such, I would have liked to have seen KI focus on the real history of Paramount pictures by focusing on the great stars ( such as Marlene Dietrich, Gloria Swanson, Mae West-without her there would be no Paramount Pictures as she saved Paramount from bankruptcy during the Great Depression) and great classic movies ( Such as Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, Rear Window, Vertigo. ) Is there anyone other than Terpie and I old enough to remember those great stars and movies?

Once on Millenium Force, a tube of sun screen flew right out of my front pocket and into the lap of the person behind me. This discussion shows the importance of securing things also for safety reasons. Something like a cel phone is a pretty blunt object and someone could get seriously hurt if it were to hit them in the head.

I know we have a tendency to joke about the picture takers at the front of the park. But for many families that photo of them together will mean something special to them in future years to come. Having recently lost both my parents, I know how special pictures can be.

I was there that night lapping, of course, DB. We were all evacuated to a shelter in the Nick Universe area. No complaint from me as to how things were handled.

Im sorry but I highly doubt that. markr only has a little over 200 and he goes everyday and all he does is power lap it! Actually I don't go everyday. I go an average of 2 days a week, sometimes more, sometimes less. I am now at 271 DB rides but Darlene is now ahead of me, a believe over 300 rides. My point is its possible for Coaster Kid to log up that many rides by marathoning every afternoon taking into account the high capacity of the ride.

If I am not mistaken KI still has it own police force as I have seen KI police officers around the park. Obviously CP has a very strong police force. What would keep Cedar Fair from making KI"s police force just as strong as CP's ?

I totally disagree with you. Security is the job of police officers/security, not ride operators. Are you telling me that say, a 5 foot 1 inch female ride attendant is expected to handle an unruly 6 feet 220 lb male? What happens if she gets hurt on the job? Who is going to pay her medical bills? KI? Worker's Compensation? I don't understand what is the big deal of simply having police officers at all the busy rides. This is exactly what they do at CP and it works very well up there as far as keeping order. Since KI is owned by Cedarfair why not do the same thing at KI? In fact I do think security at KI has improved by increasingly using the KI police in addition to regular security to patrol the park.

So what ride at CP is your equivalent to Diamondback at KI? Sorry, I had to ask! TTD is my absolute fav. Maybe its only 17 seconds but to me, 17 seconds of heaven. And for the icing on the cake, you simply cannot beat a front seat ride. I've had one rollback too. Of course love Millie but I have rated it behind DB because of DB's superior airtime. ( Of course I can be very fickle and I am liable to put Millie back ahead of DB after my CP trip in a few weeks. We'll see. ) Of course, love Raptor but if I had marathoned it like you guys, I would have probably gotten very ill.

Wish I could have joined you all this weekend. I plan to go up to CP in a few weeks.

Yeah, I forgot that final helix on Gemini can be a killer.