Picture Trip Palooza Weekend 06SEP--08SEP

[thedevariouseffect]

So...this will be the trip report of all trip reports, well, except possibly this weekend with my three day CP trip coming up, but alas, this will be massive. I will break this up in the different posts, for all three days of the park so it doesn't run all over into one giant thing...plus I don't know if this form will handle that much honestly haha.

First, got off work and drove up to Cedar Point for the best riding day out of the season. After some minor traffic delays on 75N and on Rt 6 due to construction and the Rev 3 Triathalon going on that weekend, I arrived at about 1830 or so...I missed the hour or ERT and a bit into the night but it's ok. First things first I rushed to Maverick, this was a five minute wait. I rode back seat, as per my usual. Man was this a fun ride as always, that lift hill will never cease to amaze me. I think I may try front for enjoyment later this week just to say I did it again, but man, that yank over the front is just amazingly perfect. After my adrenaline got pumping from two walk on Maverick laps, I headed to TTD. This ride's long queue actually turned it into a few minute wait, but it was station walk on, maybe two dispatches for a wait. I got on in the second row and enjoyed it several times that night, thank you dead weight rides. Now to keep going, I went next door to Power Tower. and got drop side knocked out. I'm still split on the fact that the turbo drop tank fills quicker this season than normal, you don't really get time to enjoy any bit of view, as it's dropping about 5 seconds or so into the cycle. However, I do appreciate the faster cycle times than before.

After that I decided to walk up to Gatekeeper. I only got one ride on this that night, and it was back left outside seat. I waited about two minutes to get onto the ride, and man was it actually really good. Not having the restraint keep you completely pressed in and no wiggle room, I got a slight bit of airtime, plus it's the first ride I haven't been holding onto something. Having that feeling of having arms and legs all the way out, just...freedom. Very relaxing, and very fun.

After that I headed to Millie. On the way I noticed most Halloweekends stuff has been placed, not all, but most. Even Luminosity is decked out for the holidays.

Now back to Millie, this was probably one of my favorite rides of the season. For starters not a soul had purchased fast pass, so that was beautiful, there was literally noone that had a braclet or was in a fast pass line. I also had two super short people in front of me (I was in row two, bay side) and nothing obstructed my view. The only complaint I had with the ride was single riders being stupid trying to pull a SRB and hop in any single open seat ASAP, one douche canoe tried taking my seat on Millie thinking I was going to sit park side, especially when he was in a row three queues down. Most enthusiasts don't annoy me, but man, there are some that need to calm down and find something to relax with. But great ride, nice cool breeze, good lap bar, didn't even move, had some good airtime on the last two hills, and just loads of FUN.

Now after getting off of the ride, I decided to stroll through Frontier Trail, where their steampunk halloweekends event, and other events at the end of it are being setup still, I can't wait to see them this weekend. Now on the way, I stopped at STR. The trough is filled with water, it's stagnant, but it is there, and the boat in question due to said downtime is off to the side behind some bushes to the right. I still wonder what it's fate will be this year or next year. Regardless of riding it or not, I will say it is a very photogenic ride, also other pictures of Frontier Trail to follow.

Notice the boat there, just sitting there, trying to be sneaky

Now, once back to Area 3 of the park, I saw that Maverick had now about a 30 minute wait. I figured what the heck, longest wait of the night, and got back on. For some reason though the light hit it just right, and made me miss White Water Landing so much more, but then I remembered Mavericks hill and tunnel, and all was well in the world. I do miss that ride, and I love the little homeages to the ride

After getting off of another great back row ride, Millie decided to be very beautiful...I'm so glad this finally came back to this ride, the lighting does compliment the ride VERY well. Who would have thunk it...a few big lights and the skyline changes big time

After walking back towards Maggie, I snapped some nightime shots of dragster tower, and some shots most people never venture to go get, it's a very quiet area of the park still even.

Glad I got my dragster ride done during the day and while the ride was still running....Mmmmmmmmm bugs

And then, it's time to leave day one at about 2130. I had ridden about everything I wanted to honestly. I got a few laps on Maverick and TTD, then got laps on every major coaster running except Wicked Twister, Mean Streak, and Maggie, which didn't matter because I had plans to come back the next day as well. So went home, surprised the family, and prepared for day two

[fanofFirehawk]

Great Trip Report!

Seems like a rather successful day.

But when I go to Cedar Point I always try and ride Wicked Twister and Gemini, I have a real connection to those but that is just me.

[thedevariouseffect]

So day two commenced...This day we were too busy riding rides, I didn't take any pictures (sorry guyzz Indyguy4ki, that's for you if you catch wind of it haha)

After an epic drive with my friend following behind me in his TC, we got up to the point right at about 1230. I would have went in for ERT as the park opened at one, but that's being a poor host. Anyways after waiting for the gate to open, we commenced with our day. Again as tradition serves, Maverick was first. Even after two great laps the night before, WOW, was that fun. I was thrown out of my seat on the first hill and didn't get slammed back down into it until we were into the first right hand curve, absolutely beautiful. We also had a person go for their first time, and they absolutely loved it. They have only been to Bush Gardens VA, Disney, and KD, so this was an absolute dream come true for them.

Now after that we decided to get on TTD because our new one had never been on anything like it. His reaction was exactly mine back when the ride first opened. Standing next to the tower watching it race by and on the way up, basically just jaw down, obscenities, and awe. It's an honest thrill to be there with someone as their first time at CP. Now we waited an honest 30 minutes for it, but it was pretty worth it, the breeze that ride makes really does cool you down on a muggy day for a few minutes. Then after disembarking we went next door to PT where one person from our group chickened out due to fear of kiddie rides, which was funny. After that my friend wanted to do Gatekeeper as this is his last time home on leave and last CP trip for a few years while he heads to Italy after being stationed in Virginia Beach for three years. So we went up to assess the line, it was 1.5hrs at that point, so we figured grab food and come back in. Dairy Queen was the first food place we saw off point, so there is where we went. After eating a delicious firehouse burger and a large chocolate cheesecake chunk blizzard, and laughing our asses off at several vine videos, we went back to the park. As soon as we got parked though, rain came, which was a shame (nice rhyme). So we thought that it would clear the line out for Gatekeeper, so when it re-opens we'd be right on the ride. This idea turned correct, as we waited for about 20 minutes outside of the queue (lots of fun playing games with civilians, ect.) and then it was a stair wait for the ride. They rode in the back seats as instructed and me the row in front of them, which was surprisingly very amazing for me being in row 5 inside seat. I actually enjoyed an inside seat! After two laps in the same seat we left that ride alone and decided to hit up millie, which had no different reaction than the previous day.

Now from here, we went back to the front of the park to try Raptor after waiting for Maggie to open due to rain again. To get there quicker we took the sky ride that had an empty platform over to the entrance, and met an old friend. She really runs her crew quite well, I'm glad she transferred from Raptor to there, she was a good placement there. Raptor actually impressed me BIG TIME. I never have been a huge invert fan, I don't find what they have to be that amazing, nor do I really care for the elements, I'm an airtime guy, not a spinning, inversion guy, but today it slightly changed. I rode the row right before the last row in the left outside seat. OH WOW was it great, airtime on the drop, smooth elements, and didn't feel sick after riding it. Man that was a good ride. Only complaint was that I couldn't see anything honestly, but that also added to the thrill as it's one of the few coasters I don't have memorized for their layout.

After getting off totally in shock, I got parmesan garlic fries at the fry stand there...ok that sauce is liquid drugs, hands down...man it's good. Fresh cut and fresh fried fries, good sauce...happy me. So after we all nommed and destroyed a plate of fries we went on blue streak. I didn't fortunately get to sit in row one, but row two, but it was still great. That little ride is such an airtime monster, if you don't believe me, listen to the screaming upstops after the train has come to a complete stop. From there we decided to try Maxair, but declined due to bugs, which is a giant shame, I do love that ride. To replace it we went to Gatekeeper and it's 15 minute wait. This is by far my favorite ride on Gatekeeper well except minus the back left outside...Row two outside seat is BEAUTIFUL. Freedom of the front, still agressive drop as you're pushed down, and AIRTIME. I finally got airtime on the camelback hill! INCREDIBLE!!! I have never been that thrilled to see airtime out of that coaster, totally happy.

From there, we figured we'd only have one more ride in the night, so we decided to walk back and hit up Maverick one last time. It was about a 40 minute wait by that point, but was worth it as usual. Again, same reaction as always, still always excellent.

Here's the best ride of the day though...After getting off it was 2156. We had exactly 12 minutes (main lines close at 2208 @ CP) to get our butts in gear and try to knock out one more coaster, which we realized we didn't ride Maggie at all. You could have played that music from Ferris Buehler when he darted through the neighborhood, or metal, take your pick. We basically mad dashed from Maverick to Maggie and still got there at 2159, epic win. Now I got my favorite seat and favorite conditions on my favorite ride on point. Car 1, row three, right hand side. Oh man...not alot of light from up above, quiet water, looked like glass, not alot of lights below, trims were cut off, and nice cool weather. Man that was such a ride, especially considering we were the only 4 on the whole ride. Never have I had that much fun on a coaster with friends, everything was perfect.

After exploding with happiness as we all enjoyed that ride, we decided to make the walk out of the park and head home, which for me was a three hour drive back to base at about 2230 by that point. All was well in the world though, so many rides were ridden, and some several times, and it was totally worth every bit of wait and time.

This was probably one of my most successful CP trips ever, maybe minus this weekend as it's probably going to be a fast pass, all the perks, go crazy last weekend at CP for three days

[thedevariouseffect]

Day three, KIC's Birthday Bash!!!

So...to all...five-ish hours of sleep after getting about 11 hours between the two days before..it sucks on day three..especially when you used energy drinks to get to that 0200 the day before. Man that wakeup just SUCKED.

Ah well, headed to girlfriend's house and drove to KI. Met all of you whom I was with that day. Once the gate was open it was time for the running...or walking...of the bulls. First angered moment of the day, the dumb woman supervisor lady at the platinum pass check tried blocking her from entering the park. I don't get it, the employee ID is a platinum pass for all CF parks, so why would she be blocked by her OWN park of the platinum pass benefits? After arguing with the woman in charge I finally got her to come back through, which was ridiculous. I forget her name, but I wish I did, she needs to be talked to. I've noticed KI doesn't follow suite like other CF parks. When I was at CP, we came down and enjoyed ERT at KI no questions asked, but their own employees can't come in 30 minutes early on a day off? You HAVE to be kidding me.

Anyways after almost blowing a fuse, we got on Diamondback. Even riding in car one, I still felt some shaking on that ride. I really hope this ride gets some TLC this season, as it keeps getting worse every ride. Also, again I've said it a thousand times, spiel, or don't spiel, don't be half assed. After an OK ride on DB, we walked back to get to beast at 1000, but were stopped by the National Anthem. Now this FURIATED me. So many people don't stop and pay respects to the flag and the anthem, even the employees whom I know are told to stop and stand quietly. Also there were a few enthusiasts in front of where we were who didn't stop either, I won't name names, but pretty low guys. Those that did stop, thank you, I do appreciate it. ...After that I went about with everyone else and rode basically everything. In about two hours we had beast knocked out, then went and got Firehawk/FOF done, then Racer, AE, Drop Tower, Congo Falls, Top Gun, and Viking fury all done. I honestly don't think there was one ride other than little kid rides and small flats that we didn't do that day.

Anyways, aside from all the riding, time for pics, and important details. When the haunts opened up for the daylight tours, we decided to hit the Crypt. Man I wish I would have gotten pics for everyone, it was AMAZING to see that building, but sad at the same time. The queue was a bit sad, not hearing the music I was used to hearing. I will say they need to air that building out though, I smelled nice wet damp mold once we hit the queue line. But man, that building though. Once inside, the Huss top spin is all removed, nothing is left, obviously. I wished I would have seen pics with how they got that thing out of that building, seems impressive. Anyways the mural still stands, nothing wrong there, and also the rock formations around the two A frames still stand. Nifty note, they did keep all the piping on the left A Frame still there, I'm guessing that held either water, hydraulic fluid, compressed, air, ect. Again, I wish I had pics, but not allowed. I just want pics of what's left of the rides, not the haunts...meanies! I will say I accidentaly, on the last door when leaving the exit for the haunt, I did open a door and did see plastic/fiberglass gold pieces in there of what I believe were crypt parts...I thought it might have been part of haunt..oops...nice surprise though.

Once we got out it was odd seeing this view, I hadn't seen this in two years..







After this it was food time. The Reds grill is pretty darn good...It's prices are...OK, especially considering the prices reflect food outside but have better quality, I'm ok with this. Service was a bit...meh...but it was pretty good. I got the red leg burger, she got the chicken tenders, and we split the buffalo dip. All pretty good stuff..I say it's similar to like, B-Dubs...that's a good comparison.

Now after this, time for Wolf Pack. This haunt was pretty impressive. The haunt features are pretty neat, but what surprised me most of all, this is on an old defunct rides PLATFORM. It's HUGE! TAlso I find it odd, they left the structure under the platform still intact and hooked up. Air lines, proxies, limit switches, speakers, ect. all still there. It was basically lobbed off on either end of the station, but everything else untouched. I also found it funny seeing splinters and planks of wood all around the base of either side...souvineers!

The tour was ok, I didn't care for the guided tour deal honestly, but whatever. Now they said no Haunt pictures...so I took pictures of everything but outside and around the station, quite impressive if you ask me, enjoy, I felt quite accomplished seeing all of this. First shots outside the station looking at Top Gun, ect. Notice the remains under the station I discussed earlier in the first picture.







Banshee's bottom end







Front of station, far left area, small little area exposed that I snagged pictures from







Note here, all the light covers, some switches, and key switches are all gone, but the AB PLC controller is still in place and probably intact (surprising considering their cost) I also will say, that is a surprisingly small control panel with very little ride control switches for a ride of this level of dynamics, very surprising. Every panel @ CP surpasses this easily minus some flats

















Ok haunts are done...no haunt pictures again unfortunately, I was exited to get some other pictures like the ones above, but man, some pictures of the haunts would have been cool, especially the Werewolves like the one at the end in the bike room. Now it was sad to think, this was a ride, this was a coaster, crews and guests were both here, queued up to ride at one point, but not anymore...to not be there with a bunch of steel and wood all around you hearing that distinct lift was...odd. On my way I noticed this, someone knocked Owl Pacino off his post



And apparently, the phenomenon has yet to be identified yet

[thedevariouseffect]

Banshee tour time!!! YAY!!! First things first, man this site is mammoth, and so is everything in the area currently. For those who were not there, that drop off is HUGE. Hopefully the pictures I include will let you gauge it, because oh wow...I was even shocked. Not even that drop off but from the transfer area back up towards Slingshot, the ground there just isn't even close to flat, it moves EVERYWHERE!





Random speakers...from what? Thunder Alley??



Support base, note the metal going into the actual footer, which is why the groove is the concrete.



Now for the drop off at the end of the brake run...also notice the proximity to one of AE's tunnels, which also will probably provide great Banshee shots next year.











Still no clue what this footer is for, it's even in the pic above, any thoughts or ideas, haven't seen anything like this yet...





Before being told to skedaddle...I got a shot of everyone up on the hill taking pictures, enjoy seeing all of your faces, wishing you got down where I was bahaha


AE being all photogenic and all





Not sure what this is for, I'm guessing a footer, but why the giant hole? Any thoughts?







These shots line up with the path of the lift hill, this is where you're headed. Should be pretty cool to head there, and then come zooming back the other way basically.



I decided to be a scarecrow and stare back at everyone trying to peer through the gate at the ride site haha



Also Random Drain? Any thoughts again..lots of new discoveries after coming out to here







Box of parts, I guess the IC2-J is our coasters build title to keep it a secret??





Last tour!! Time to see Beast/Diamondback! Nothing too special here, just some good ride shots







Nifty shot, especially with the light coming through




Y'all taking pictures of Diamondback, I got pics of y'all



For those on my facebook, there's more pictures btw...however of this, I have a 20 image burst of this clearing the MCBR, pretty neat frame by frame picture









Well that does it..lots of rides..lots of memories, thank you everyone...It was very fun, not a single good ride was not ridden by us, and lots of conversations and fun in the lines and on the rides...Hope to do it again a few more times before this season winds down..Hope you enjoyed, and I hope this gets views...that was alot of typing and stuff haha...Have fun

[BB1]

Hmm, random photo of BB1, Sob station, and Banshee photos, great photos! Thanks for the TRs and as well the photos, any TR, or PTR is always a treat to see.

[TombRaiderFTW]

Thank you for posting your photos! They're very good, and I appreciate you putting together this very interesting PTR.

Unfortunately, I'm going to be "that guy"... I was at the park on Sunday. The employees manning Wolf Pack did not say the bolded portion of your post:

The tour was ok, I didn't care for the guided tour deal honestly, but whatever. Now they said no Haunt pictures...so I took pictures of everything but outside and around the station, quite impressive if you ask me, enjoy, I felt quite accomplished seeing all of this.

They said no photos whatsoever during the tour. I'm not an administrator, so it's not my job or right to tell you to remove them. However, I'm going to politely ask you to please reconsider posting them. You were here during the fiasco a few weeks ago, so you know how the park reacts to rule breaking when it's connected to KIC. For the sake of maintaining the type of relationship that allows KIC to have events at the park at all, please reconsider posting them. That's all!

[thedevariouseffect]

The guy said to us no pictures of anything of the haunt for Wolfpack who took us through it. I tried to even just get the entrance of Fatales going into the haunt (the stairs going down) and got told no go, even though I could make anything out in the picture. I'll leave it until they flip out or someone says, but technically it's nothing haunt related. However regardless of if they come down here or not, I will have them on my facebook, drop box, and other media server websites/ect. Same goes with all of my ride op pictures & stuff...so far I've had those up for years and on other websites and those reveal alot more and do alot more than those pictures..say my dragster elevator pics & stuff...this isn't that bad lols

[Dieseltech20]

Very nice report, it was a pleasure to meet you Sunday. I really need to get to CP sometime.

[jcgoble3]

Thank you for posting your photos! They're very good, and I appreciate you putting together this very interesting PTR.

Unfortunately, I'm going to be "that guy"... I was at the park on Sunday. The employees manning Wolf Pack did not say the bolded portion of your post:

The tour was ok, I didn't care for the guided tour deal honestly, but whatever. Now they said no Haunt pictures...so I took pictures of everything but outside and around the station, quite impressive if you ask me, enjoy, I felt quite accomplished seeing all of this.

They said no photos whatsoever during the tour. I'm not an administrator, so it's not my job or right to tell you to remove them. However, I'm going to politely ask you to please reconsider posting them. You were here during the fiasco a few weeks ago, so you know how the park reacts to rule breaking when it's connected to KIC. For the sake of maintaining the type of relationship that allows KIC to have events at the park at all, please reconsider posting them. That's all!

While I agree with you on rule breaking in general, think about a basketball game. Nobody likes it when the referee calls every single minor foul even when the foul doesn't really impact the game in any way. If I understood what Don told me correctly, they originally planned to allow pictures inside the haunts, so it's not like they were trying to prevent them from getting out on the internet, but they chose to prohibit them only because they were concerned about the haunts getting clogged up with people stopping to take pictures of everything and they needed to ensure that people kept moving. As long as you were quick about getting these pictures and didn't slow things down, I'd call it a case of "no harm, no foul".

[thedevariouseffect]

Honestly our tour guide talking through everything for wolfpack took the most time to get through

Madama Fatales was rushed because we basically had some lady on our backs pretty much rushing us out. I stopped to look at the mural, and she was like, that's not the haunt, keep moving...

Very frustrating at times that day honestly

[Oldiesmann]

With Madam Fatales, we weren't told to stop taking pictures until we were partway through the actual haunt itself. I just assumed they didn't want us revealing all the hiding places for those who will be going through them (I'm not a fan of haunted stuff so I won't be one of them), but given the amount of people doing the tours, the fact that they just didn't want things getting clogged up makes more sense.

[Ki Man]

Love the pics of Banshee. Nice coverage.

[thedevariouseffect]

Thanks, there are more pics, for those who are more personal with me, my facebook has all 208 pictures on it. I clearly didn't post 208 lol

[BeastForever]

That was one of the best trip reports I've ever seen.