Busy CP Sunday: 9/1/02
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Kara and Draeger said they'd be hitting the park on Sunday, so being a couple of my favorite cats to chill with, I thought I'd spend a few hours.
Got there about 11:30 to shoot a few photos of the Corkscrew to Magnum midway before they trashed it. I really hope they manage to maintain the trees, especially those next to Troika Troika Troika.
Kara, Drages and some of the other kids showed up at noon and we were off to find something to ride. Power Tower was busy. Skipped it. Got fries at Mr. Potato with lots of vinegar for the feminine hygiene product smell. Went to Wicked Twister, hour wait. Skipped it. Got on Giant Wheel.
Cedar Point has managed to go most of the year without doing anything really stupid (though the ban on water bottles sure comes close), but alas, they finally did it. The Giant Wheel spiel now says you can't take pictures on the ride. What the hell is that? Is it because of the intense G-forces or is it the speed? This honestly is without question the dumbest policy I've ever encountered at CP. Not only do I fail to see a good reason for it, but I fail to see how they can enforce it. Whatever.
On to Blue Streak. 15 minute wait, so you know the park is reasonably busy. The good news is that the ride is still kicking more ass than Mini-Me in a room full of weiner dogs. I've really enjoyed my rides on Blue Streak this year. While not the most intense ride ever, it does give the wood fans something to look forward to. On our ride we noticed that Raptor had a full queue. Skipped it.
On to the main arcade in the Colisium, I watched Kara and Joey cut da rug on DDR. I can see how this would be addictive, and also good for weight loss, but I also see how it's a good idea to practice with the home game so as not to make an ass of yourself.
We headed down to Red Garter to take in the show. I heard that it was good, but damn, they surprised me again. The guitarist and sax player were top notch, and all three women had a serious pair of... lungs. ;) Hard to pick a favorite. If you haven't seen this show this year, do stop by. For all of Cedar Point's ride kudos, you can't leave out Live E as some of the best entertainment anywhere.
We wanted to hit Snoopy Rocks on Ice after a soft pretzel, but sadly got shut out. That show has been packing them in this year. Another serious winner for Live E.
M-Force was looking like two hours with only two trains running. A spin on the CP&LE showed that Blue was getting a number of wheels changed off. There must have been some other problem with it as well, because this was certainly not a good day to be running below capacity.
After a spin on Gemini (which was doing 20-minute waits and already missing two trains), we eventually ended up in the shade of the Area 51 wall where we chilled for awhile. There we met Magnum Dan, and Dan and I did another lap on the train before I left.
As kind of an aside, Dan and I noticed the absence of Dan Keller this year. We used to see Don Miears on the midways all of the time, and still see Dick Kinzel out there, picking up trash and talking to folks. I'm not suggesting that Keller isn't a good leader, but it is odd that we've not seen him at any time other than media events.
As another aside, the pits in Area 51 aren't vaults for the hydraulic equipment, they're just retaining walls set for forming and pouring the gigantic footers. There are now three in each of two lines. The one line (with survey marks) cuts across the dock and lagoon toward the trees near Iron Dragon, the other line cuts through the guess-your-weight stand toward Chaos.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM
What's the ban of water bottles all about? And no photos on the Giant Wheel? Ugh! I was thinking about making a return trip since I finally had a good time there a few months ago, but it appears that it won't be worth the frustration or the 10 hour each way drive...
Fill me in, brother!
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-Rob Vaccaro
If that's enough reason not to visit then I don't know what to tell you other than stay home and let me have your place in line. It's not like it ruined my day or anything.
Word on the street is that people bringing in "water bottles" were actually bringing in alcoholic beverages, so they just disallowed it.
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM
Is the Giant wheel just a regular ferris wheel. Not the three arm ones. If it is a regular one that is such a stupid rule.
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-Sean
Jeff that was me and my two young sons who introduced ourselves to you around noon on Sunday near the constuction site. I was hoping that you were right about your comments about the CP crowd. Even right up to closing Raptor was running about a 30-45 minute wait. Even with the large crowds we still enjoyed ourselves at the park. How can you not have fun at Cedar Point?
Our first visit in June we had to leave a water bottle at the entrance so on our next visits I just shoved the water bottle into my pocket and walked through the season pass entrance. I don't know if they are still enforcing that water bottle rule because I noticed on Sunday people walking into the gates with water bottle in their hands. I just figured it was a way for Cedar Point to sell you at least the first bottle of water. I do give Cedar Point credit for having the best/coldest water fountains of any park we have visted.
Nice Meeting You,
Kevin Reid
PCW Junkies
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We are paid by those who have learned from our mistakes.
Jeff said:
The Giant Wheel spiel now says you can't take pictures on the ride. What the hell is that? Is it because of the intense G-forces or is it the speed? This honestly is without question the dumbest policy I've ever encountered at CP. Not only do I fail to see a good reason for it, but I fail to see how they can enforce it.
Jeff, how did you fail to notice that the ops on Giant Wheel are now equipped with jet-paks so they can fly up to your cabin and yell at you for taking those "unauthorized" photos...;)....as for Mini-Me and the wiener dogs, that's just pure comedy....thanks!
Jeff said:
After a spin on Gemini (which was doing 20-minute waits and already missing two trains), we eventually ended up in the shade of the Area 51 wall where we chilled for awhile
And chilled there for awhile we did! We must have spent almost an hour just sitting there in the shade, watching people and shootin' the crap. And yet...that was one of the highlights of the day for me.
Just another example of how friends can make all the difference when visiting a park.
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James Draeger
-Proud co-founder of the Coasterbuzz street team
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Thank You for challenging TOS: The Ride. We hope you enjoy the rest of your day, here at Coasterbuzz.
It was awesome to see everyone again! The last ride on Magnum (trimless!) aside, fence sitting was definitely the highlight of the day. Although America Rocks was good, I doubt I enjoyed it as much as some other people... coughJAMEScoughJEFF;). All in all it was a really enjoyable day at the Point for me. I'll see you all closing weekend!
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Kara (car-uh)
896 Laps
493 in '02
BuzzCon Frequent Flyer
Proud Co-Founder of the CoasterBuzz Street Team
Hey, Joey enjoyed the show too.
Now if you enjoyed it, you'd be the coolest coaster chick ever! ;)
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM
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James Draeger
-Proud co-founder of the Coasterbuzz street team
What would you know or her know about alcohol Mr. Under-21?
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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com, Sillynonsense.com
"Let's stop saying 'don't quote me,' because if no one quotes you, you probably haven't said a thing worth saying." - Dogma, KMFDM
Shawna and I also have been questioning that whole "you can't take pictures on the Giant Wheel" thing all year. I still don't understand it either. They let you do it all last year...and the years before that?
I had mine in my pocket and the guy (on opening day) running the ride told us we weren't allowed to take pictures. The guy actually told me I wasn't allowed to take my camera on the ride. The ONLY way he knew I had a camera was that I was taking pictures of WT a few feet from him that day. So what was he going to do, frisk people? Either way CP has eased up on it...a little. Now they just say, "don't take pictures." Compared to a MF or X-Flight ordeal. The only thing I can think of for not allowing it is if WT's line was under the wheel but it's not? Who knows. Maybe next year we'll be allowed to legally take pictures on it ;)
Did you get to try the cheese sticks by DT...AWESOME!
"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
http://OhioThemeParks.com
Yeah, America Rocks was damn good. We definetly sat there on the "grassy nole" for over an hour. I'm not sure how long you all were sitting there before me and my friends came back from lunch, but I checked my watch a few times, and I was there at least an hour, so who knows how long you guys were.
Just wait till closing weekend, hopefully the DDR action won't be limited to just Kara and I. Looking like an ass is half the fun of it . ;)
Says Joey who still thinks the blonde chick was the hottest. :)
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Nice TR!
"Burke says that Cedar Point was more of a factor than they expected"
*** This post was edited by joey isch on 9/3/2002. ***
The whole No Picture Taking must be a Cedar Fair corporate policy as I ran into the same issue at MiA earlier this year - on that sorry excuse for a train ride. A waste of some good views of ST you can't get anywhere else.
Jeff said:
"but I also see how it's a good idea to practice with the home game so as not to make an ass of yourself."
Sounds like me, in a foreign country no less.
I heard so much about it, I HAD to try it. Lasted about ten seconds...
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TOGO!
All these CP stories make me want to go more. I'm going to try to make the trek next year from NJ (with my good buddy Davie) and hit a bunch of the parks there. Of course including MiA and maybe SFA...
As for DDR...Heard the stories, Tried it, Sucked. All in good fun though.
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Insert clever signature.
"We love Megan!"
I plan to spend the next 6 weeks practicing DDR with my son so this old lady can try to keep up with you youngsters on closing weekend.
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I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
About the picture policy, I did see that when I was there earlier this year. I wanted to take some from the Sky Ride and Giant Wheel, but in both situations, the signs outside told me not to.
I guess I could be a rebel... I'm really not sure why I cared.
The point is, I rode Space Needle and was able to take pictures from that without much of a problem. (They turned out a bit cloudy, but that's what plastic-glass stuff gets you.)
So, would it be correct if I said that the only reason for the rule is to cut down on the chance someone would accidentally drop something?
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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
http://www.loopscrew.com
Anybody visit the mens room on Sunday at the 50's diner? That was the most disgusting bathroom I have ever been in. No towels, soap or toilet paper. I'm not kidding. I stopped back later to wash my hands before dinner and it wasn’t much better either. I actually complained to the cashier who barely spoke English. Fortunately, sombody had eventually ripped the cover off of the soap dispenser so that you could squeeze the remaining soap out. Between this and some hotel issues, I was a tad surprised. (wouldn't you be @ $270.00 a night!)
I was really bummed out by my trip this season. It was by far more crowded than when I went last season. However, I did have a "good" ride on Mean Streak this year and the atmosphere was still there. Only if it wasn’t so freakin sunny out! My skin is just starting to flake from the burn.:)
More than likely, I walked past many of you during our visit. We were there from 9am until closing. (Stayed onsite) We managed to get in with the water bottles because of our 2 month old. (The bottles were sealed) I was curious if the change on the wheel was because of Wicked Twister being there now. Maybe their insurance company mandated it because of being so close to the ride/queue?
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