Cedar Point--July 14

[Geno21K]

Hey everyone,

Just got back from my first ever trip to the point; what a rush. Here's how the day went:

1. TTD: Decided to hit this first, as we saw it testing prior to park opening. Of course, they had a hydraulic problem with a brake fin, so that took about 45-50 minutes to fix. Thankfully, once it opened, we got relatively quickly. Being that the line was short, my sister and I took the opportunity to ride this beast in the front. The ride was amazing to say the least. I can't judge this ride in the same way that I judge other coasters; it just isn't the same experience. Instead of a series of lifts, drops, etc, this ride is just 30+ seconds of pure adrenaline. It's short, but it's very, very sweet.

2. Millenium Force was next. I now have a new favorite coaster. This ride is simply awesome from start to finish. The view going up the lift is great; the first drop is stunning, and the speed that it smoothly carries through the course is enough to keep you begging for more. We really could have ridden this ride all night long; it was that entertaining.

3. Mantis: I have to say, I really didn't care much for it. I don't know whether it was just the heat that was making me cranky at the time or what, but I didn't have much fun at all with this one. First of all, the op checking restraints slammed the bike seat into my junk. From there, things only got more uncomfortable. The height was nice; the inversions are pretty tight and such, but for whatever reason I just didn't enjoy it. I guess standups just aren't for me. I will say, however, that I think Mantis is a better, more interesting standup than Iron Wolf; there's just more to it.

4. Gemini: I was lukewarm on this ride. There is some airtime to be felt, and the racing is cool, but I found some of the transitions to be rather jarring. I'm used to wooden coasters being bumpy and such, but this felt more like you were hitting something hard during some of the transitions. Plus, I'm tall, so my knees kept smacking the front of the car. Again, not a bad ride, but nothing that I'd rush back to do again.

5. Magnum XL 200: I was only lukewarm on the daytime ride on this one, but the night ride was awesome. The back portion of this ride is almost pitch black at night, and its proxmity to the shoreline make it feel like you're all alone heading into the water. The airtime is cool; the tunnels are awesome, and that strange left-handed bank move that you make midcourse is a real eye-opener. Again, this ride really impressed me the second time around.

6. Raptor: You're pretty much looking at the same type of ride as Batman, yet this one still manages to impress. The differing layout was refreshing, and a couple of the elements, the helix in particular, really make this one cool to ride. I'm not going to say it's better than Batman, just different.

7. Blue Streak: If the line is short, this one is worth a shot. The ride is pretty much a mini-American Eagle. You don't get the first couple of big drops or the cool helix. Instead, you get the same effect as the bunny hops that Eagle features during the return trip. The ride is short and sweet, but there is some airtime to be felt and a few laughs to garner.

8. Mean Streak: It's a real shame that this ride is the way it is. Given its placement, its size and layout, this coaster really should be much better than it is. There is plenty of height, speed and airtime potential for this to be a great ride, but instead, what you get is a very rough, loud, and violent experience. Being a bigger guy (6'2", 210, muscular build), I couldn't keep from getting my ribs slammed back and forth against the side of the car. I felt like I was in a fight, but I couldn't punch back. This was definitely a one and done ride for me.

9. Iron Dragon: I'd never been on a suspended coaster, so we figured we'd knock this one out. Simply put, there's not much to see here. It's a good ride for younger riders or for those who just want a quick ride on something different. The portions down by the water are kind of cool, but that's about it. This reminds of a suspended Whizzer; there's not much to thrill you, but it serves its purpose.

10. Snake River Falls: Just like Splashwater Falls. If you want to get soaked for the sake of getting soaked, this ride will do the trick.

11. Thunder Canyon: Like Roaring Rapids, only wetter. There are three waterfalls that can completely engulf the raft. If you don't get hit by one, you're going to get hit by the others. Just like RR, this one is a lot of fun.

Total Ride count for the day:

TTD: 3 (daytime front row, daytime middle, nighttime back row)
MF: 4 (All over this train, and there wasn't a bad ride to be found)
MXL200: 2 (Day and night difference from day to night ride; night was much more enjoyable for me)
Raptor: 2 (Just like B:TR, the back of the train really hauls the mail)
Mantis: 1 (Better than IW, in my opinion, but I still didn't really like it)
Gemini: 1 (It's worth riding, but nothing that I'd rush to get in line for)
Blue Streak: 1 (It's like a baby Eagle. Still, it's worth a short wait)
Mean Streak: 1 (I've done it once, and I'll probably never do it again)
Iron Dragon: 1 (I've you've never done a suspended, maybe you should give it a shot. That, or your little ones might like it. Just don't expect much)
Snake River Falls: 1 (Splashwater Falls at Cedar Point; enough said)
Thunder Canyon: 1 (An even wetter version of RR; this one's a trip)

Final report

Total rides: 18 (16 coaster, 2 water, 0 flats)

Weather: Sunny, hot, and humid early, 2 rain storms lasting around 30-35 minutes each

Crowds: In my opinion, remarkably light. The longest lines in the park were for Dragster and MF, and even those weren't long at all. MF was usually a 20-40 minute wait while Dragster was 30-45 minutes. Mantis and Raptor usually took 15-25 minutes, but everything else was pretty much walk-on city. I was shocked at how little we waited all day.

Construction: We ate dinner right by the construction site. I noticed there are now support pieces in the construction zone, but I am not in the know enough to even begin speculating as to what the hell that's going to be back there. I think the only thing that can be said is that, given CP's past history, it's bound to by pretty cool.

Comparisons to SFGA: SFGA is my home park, so that is really the only base for comparison that I have. Overall, I didn't find the point to be that much different. I think that the two parks are very similar; CP may get a slight nod in terms of staffing; there are ops and personnel everywhere to keep things moving quickly. Then again, I know SFGA has continually made strides toward improving this as well, so they're probably pretty close in that regard too. The point may get a nod in terms of marquee rides, as you simply can't touch MF or TTD. Still, CP is without bad dogs such as Bull, Vu, Eagle, and Viper. So, in the end, I think it can be argued that SFGA has a more rounded selection of rides as there is less fall off from the bigger attractions down to the smaller. Plus, if you're into flats, I know SFGA has a larger collection. Again, I won't go so far as to say that either park is better or worse; they're just different, and that's OK because they're both a hell of a lot of fun.

Overall, this trip was a blast, and it certainly won't be the last one that I'll take to the point. This park packs more than enough thrills to warrant the 5-hour drive. I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed posting it. Just shout if you have any questions or comments.

[perseus the hero]

Nice TR. Man I want to go to Cedar Point bad!

[EagleFan344]

I am not a fan of stand-up coasters either. I just think the idea of standing up is a gimmick for the GP.

[Director_Guy]

^ Been on Riddler's Revenge? That's amazing.

[EagleFan344]

Nope, just Chang and Iron Wolf.

My point is why build a standup when you can build a B&M sit down for probably the same price. Much better type of ride.

[shocker]

^ Been on Riddler's Revenge? That's amazing.

Maybe, but the queue is a pain to wait in, once in the station it takes 20-30 min to get on.

[Chubascoboy]

Wow you had a great day at CP! You got in a heck of alot for one day at the point for this time of year. Seven rides on MF and TTD! Crowds must have been light. I don't like Mantis either front or back it just kills me. As far as Raptor goes, I have to confess I like it better than BTR. It's longer and the helix and cobra roll are awesome. You didn't miss anything by not going to Soak City. Hurricane Harbor is WAY better.

[Sedir]

11. Thunder Canyon: Like Roaring Rapids, only wetter. There are three waterfalls that can completely engulf the raft. If you don't get hit by one, you're going to get hit by the others. Just like RR, this one is a lot of fun.

I actually came off this ride pretty dry, just my legs got wet when the raft flooded but that was it. I kept nearly missing the waterfalls. Oh, and did everyone pile their shoes and socks outside the entrance, because this ride actually lets you take them off, unlike roaring rapids.

[joker]

4. Gemini: I was lukewarm on this ride. There is some airtime to be felt, and the racing is cool, but I found some of the transitions to be rather jarring. I'm used to wooden coasters being bumpy and such, but this felt more like you were hitting something hard during some of the transitions. Plus, I'm tall, so my knees kept smacking the front of the car. Again, not a bad ride, but nothing that I'd rush back to do again.

its a pretty ruff ride. its standing with wood, but it has steel rails.