Cedar Point

[markr]

My friends Derek, Brian, and myself decided to treat ourselves to a day trip at CP. Derek was doing the driving.( I would have to stay overnight if I was driving.)

We started off with ERT on Maverick. When we got to the ride, there was a mechanical delay. Finally at 9:30AM the line started to move-we ended up waiting just about 20 minutes. Maverick just seems to get better and better everytime I ride it-those sudden, sharp turns just can't be beat.

Next we hit Millenium Force. By this time ERT was over and it was about 10:20. The line was snaking out to Frontier Trail and Brian didn't want to ride because he thought it would be about a 2 hour wait. After assuring him that most likely they were just filling up the queues, we got in line-this turned out to be a good move as I was right, they were just filling up the queues. We ended up waiting just over 40 minutes. Millenium Force just cannot be beat when it comes to continuous speed. An added plus is no break runs or trims. Right now Millenium is listed as my number 3 fav behind DB and I am thinking of switching them. Although the airtime on DB can't be beat, it would be nice if there was continuous speed without the break run-of course we probably would have to sacrifice the wonderful ride capacity of DB. The drawback of Millenium is the capacity since 2 trains cannot run at the same time. Oh well, suffice it to say I love both Millenium and DB.

Next we met up with a couple of friends of Brian, Ryan ( Coasterkid ) and Ryan's friend, Dustin. We rode Disaster Transport-just about a 20 minute wait. There was a slight delay because of the ride staff having to deal with someone who had a camera on the ride. Won't people ever learn? I used to think DT was a silly ride but it has grown on me over the years-love the quick, sudden turns in the dark.

Next, we had lunch-we hit the fried chicken stand at the front of the park. Got a 2 piece chicken dinner ( breast, wing, a huge portion of mashed potatoes, and biscuit ) for just $6.89 plus tax. Brian and I ate there last year during Holloweekends and the food was great. This year, it didn't seem as good. At any rate it filled me up. ( Not the best thing for me- I guess its back to the tred mill to work off those pounds or before I know it I won't be able to fit in those rides. )

After lunch, when it was a little before 1PM Derek and I went off on our own while Brian went off with Dustin and Ryan. We first hit Raptor. With all the queues full it was about a 1 1/2 hour wait but always well worth it. After 16 years, Raptor is still one kick a..ride. There is nothing like the sudden change from one direction to the other, especially on the cobra roll.

Next, we decided to see if Dragster, my fav, was operating. It was down ( Surprise, surprise. ) so we went to Magnum. It would only have been about a 15 minute wait but for a mechanical delay which took about an extra 10 minutes. My main complaint about Magnum over the years is how rough it tends to be on my legs on the bunny hills going back to the station. There didn't seem to be those problems on this ride. I still love the clangy sound of the lift hill as you are climbing. Some people think it sounds like Vortex but Magnum seems to have a lot more jingly sound-I definately can tell the difference. I have always loved the view of Lake Erie from Magnum and how you can feel the lake breeze on your face.

Next up was Gemini. Although the sign said a 45 minute wait, we only waited about 10-15 minutes-although the line snaked out close to the entrance only 2 rows of queues were open. Gemini has always been one of my favs and, in my opinion, the Arrow coaster with the best staying power. ( At least of all Arrow coasters I have ridden. ) Best of all they were racing the trains and I got about 4 good high fives from the neighboring train.

Next Derek and I checked out Mean Streak and there was a line, probably about 30 minutes-Mean Streak just isn't one of our favs so we passed. Right after we entered the line for Skyhawk, we saw Dragster running so we decided to head there. Dragster ended up being about a 1 1/2 hour wait. It would have been under an hour but for a roll-back which caused about a half hour delay. We ended up riding the second seat from the back. The back part of the train really pulls a punch when you go over that hill-it just whips you over. Also, part of the thrill of the back is not knowing if you are going to make it over. I have had 1 roll back on dragster which of course is a blast. Although another roll back would be nice, I was glad we made it over the hill as I had to go to the bathroom.

Next we met up with Brian, Ryan and Dustin at Raptor. By this time it was close to 6:20pm. This time just half of the queues were open so it was just about a 40 minute wait. After we got off Raptor, by this time it was about 7PM and time to leave so Derek wouldn't be too tired driving home.

Despite a busy day and many mechanical problems with the rides, a wonderful time was had by all. Hope to see many of you at Coastermania.

[gad198]

Nice report. I'm guessing the weather was pretty nice up there so, like KI, I'm sure that contributed to the crowds. It's pretty amazing to me that opening day brought hour and a half lines for the big rides. Very interesting.

You mentioned that DB and MF are your 2 and 3 coasters. What your #1?

[markr]

Nice report. I'm guessing the weather was pretty nice up there so, like KI, I'm sure that contributed to the crowds. It's pretty amazing to me that opening day brought hour and a half lines for the big rides. Very interesting.

You mentioned that DB and MF are your 2 and 3 coasters. What your #1?

Dragster is my fav.

[KIfan1980]

Thanks for the trip report. I can't wait to experience CP again this year after ~9 years.

I still rank Raptor high on my top coaster list, although it was replaced by Montu as my favorite invert earlier this year.

[pkiboy]

Thanks for the trip report. I can't wait to experience CP again this year after ~9 years.

I still rank Raptor high on my top coaster list, although it was replaced by Montu as my favorite invert earlier this year.

My friend you need to go Ride more Inverts theres 3 on my list that I adore Afterburn at Carowinds Alpengeist at Busch Gardens and for some reason I loved Batman at Six Flags over Georgia better than Great Adventures Batman Yes im sure Terpy will say somethign to this but for some reason Talon at Dorney Park is my number 1 B&M invert.

[UnrealNightmare]

You need to ride Montu my friend!

[DropZone99]

^Agreed, Montu is my favorite B&M invert also.

[UnrealNightmare]

Everyone should experience Montu once in there life. It is also my favorite Invert!

[gigacoaster2k]

The drawback of Millennium is the capacity since 2 trains cannot run at the same time.

I still love the clangy sound of the lift hill as you are climbing. (Magnum)

We only waited an hour and a half for Millie with all the queues full on Saturday. I think the capacity was much better than normal.. that line rarely stopped moving. I was impressed. The MF crew really kicked butt on opening day.

And I completely agree with you about Maggie's lift hill.. that is probably my favorite sound at CP next to Raptor's signature B&M roar, Power Tower's compressed air noises, and pretty much any sound Dragster makes.

[The Interpreter]

My friend you need to go Ride more Inverts theres 3 on my list that I adore Afterburn at Carowinds Alpengeist at Busch Gardens and for some reason I loved Batman at Six Flags over Georgia better than Great Adventures Batman Yes im sure Terpy will say somethign to this but for some reason Talon at Dorney Park is my number 1 B&M invert.

Of the Batmen: The Rides, the one that is uniquely different is the one at Six Flags Saint Louis. That one is a mirror image of the others, and I adore it:

http://www.rcdb.com/43.htm

I also love Flight Deck at California's Great America. It is both smaller and smoother than the others...or at least the latter was true under Paramount Parks...I have no idea how it rides these days, and perhaps I should find out while I still can...

[Guest Millennium]

I actually (don't kill me!) like Raptor more than Montu. My favorite Busch coaster is Sheikra.

[DropZone99]

^Sorry but in the KIC rules it says "Anyone who likes Raptor more than Montu must be killed in a violent manor".

[sheikra_rocks]

Florida has the most B&M coasters.

I can easily fill my top 10 steel with nothing but B&M.

Montu is by far the best inverted coaster I have ridden. Talon being my second favorite, then Alpie.

For those of you who have ridden Afterburn at Carowinds, everything happens in the same order as Montu. Afterburn's batwing is boring compared to Montu's. Montu's batwing is the second most intense inversion I have ever experienced. Only being topped by the immelman / helix combo on the Fire Dragon at IOA.

I love BGT. I can not wait to go back and buy a 2 year Gold pass for $160.

[The Interpreter]

^Sorry but in the KIC rules it says "Anyone who likes Raptor more than Montu must be killed in a violent manor".

In a violent manor? Would that be Boo House on Boo Hill? Or The Crypt?*

Terp, who just HAD to.

*Manor---A mansion. Less commonly, the house or hall of an estate.

[KIfan1980]

My friend you need to go Ride more Inverts

Now that is a statement that I absolutely can agree with!

And I'm glad to hear so much support for Montu here on KIC - the ride (especially in the front in my opinon) is awesome and I really, really like the color scheme - which I believe can do a lot for a coaster.