CP - Sunday July 13th - Packed!

Decided to head up to CP hoping to snag a few rides here and there, hoping it wouldn't be that busy. Got there right at 9am and was let in early via the Platinum Pass.

Went to MF first and waited one train for 2-1. Compared to the last morning ride I had on it, it was FLYING. My last ride for morning ert was so bad and slow I had little hopes, but man it was amazing! That 3rd hill had near-ejector air on it, amazing! Very impressive.

Next was Maverick where the line was already fifteen minutes long, at 9:20AM. Waited and got in 1-1 and enjoyed every second of that ride. Again, the ride was running fast and aggressive already this early in the morning, made for a great morning ride.

Lastly we decided to try to get to Dragster before the gates opened. Heard the anthem over by Gemini so we just hoped we would get there in time. Got in line and the wait was about ten minutes. Excellent as always, the launch is always a great thrill. By the time we got off the line was already going into the third queue section!

At this time the midways were already swamped this early so we decided to try to hit the smaller stuff. Rode Power Tower up which was a walk-on, and then Wicked Twister in the "money seat!". Good ride and gave me my impulse fix for the time being, seeing as Steel Venom is gone and haven't rode WT in two years or so... A little vibrationy but was decent.

Checked out Disaster and the line was already 3/4 hour, no way! Hustled to Raptor (which I am YET to ride this year, which is sad because it is my favorite :( ), but the line was out into the midway. Yes, they couldn't open the queue inside fast enough. Later on it was still running FULL queue. Insane!

At this time we decided to go take a walk on the beach, just because we never really have before. It was incredible really.. The view, the water, everything! So we decided to leave the park and go buy some new bathing suites and come back and relax at the beach the rest of the day. Left the park, went to a few stores, bought suits and towels, and hit up East Of Chicago on the way back in. For $6.99 I don't understand why more people would rather stay inside to eat... Especially with Famous Daves outside as well! On top of it, CP passes get 20% off that, so it was even cheaper. Dinner was $14 for us two, with drinks included. Can't beat it!

Afterwards we drove back into the park and walked right to the beach after changing. Found a nice spot and basically enjoyed it for the next three or four hours. I believe this beach really is a hidden gem of CP, especially if you live close and have the time to relax. It's no ocean beach no, but its pretty darn close (minus the salt-water, waves, and millions of people!).

We left around five and decided to take one more lap around the park before heading home. Still incredibly busy all over the place. I mean, Blue Steak had a full line at one point, Iron Dragon was full, Dragster was full, Maverick was full and out into the midway, etc... It was PACKED.

On the bright side, it led us to the beach, which we plan to go back to a few more times before the year is over. Ride in the AM, beach in the PM. Beautiful Day!

Wow - good to hear they had a big crowd, but surprising it was on a Sunday. Was there some sort of promotion?

This is worrying me. I will be going this Saturday. On the bright side though I will be going again later in August so if it's crowded, oh well.

No promotion or anything... I knew it would be a busy day one I saw the crowd for ERT in the morning, which was packed which leads me to believe the resorts are stuffed the the brim (which they should this time of the year!), which is good news for the park.

Busiest I have seen the point in the last 3-5 years I can remember, but then again, I usually avoid CP in July/August and usually and do most of my trips in spring/fall.

I was there Saturday and Sunday.

Maverick is SUCH a good ride. Had excellent rides on Mantis and Magnum(1-3). Raptor was blah and Millennium Force wasn't too bad.

Parker17: Huge lines all day on Saturday and it rained twice(3 times but the third was for like 5 minutes).

SteveWOA- Were you wearing a coaster shirt? I was wearing my Ravine Flyer II(woooo) shirt Sunday.

Nah, I was just wearing a plain black t-shirt! :)

Why was raptor blah? Not running good or you just don't like it? Just curious about meh ride.

Has these busy Sunday's been common for the summer so far? I was planning on making a trip this Sunday but if they have crowds like these I may change my plans...

Whew! Almost glad I didn't go this weekend. Almost. *sulkpoutfrownsighgrowl*

It's my 3rd favorite steel, so I like it a lot.

Just didnt seem as intense as it usually is.

I was there at the begining of June and Raptor was louder than Mantis. I could listen to Mantis all day BTW. Absolutely LOVE the B&M roar. Too bad most parks are going the sand route(I know a lot have to). On the weekend it was almost quiet. Whats up with that?

The sand's reduction of the noise is probably just a side benifit. From my understanding, it's used to reduce vibration in the ride and in turn making it last longer or at least require less maintenance.

In the beginning of the year they were using a higher percentage of nylon wheels versus the polyurethane which is quieter and "softer", which also means slower.

They probably changed back to the normal ratio they have been using since the temps are warmer, where in the beginning they have to content with lower temps and higher risks of it valleying. So they use faster, but louder wheels.

:)

*** Edited 7/16/2008 2:28:13 AM UTC by SteveWoA***

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SteveWoA said:
In the beginning of the year they were using a higher percentage of nylon wheels versus the polyurethane which is quieter and "softer", which also means slower.

They probably changed back to the normal ratio they have been using since the temps are warmer, where in the beginning they have to content with lower temps and higher risks of it valleying. So they use faster, but louder wheels.

*** Edited 7/16/2008 2:28:13 AM UTC by SteveWoA***

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That makes perfect sense. Thank you.

CP has ALWAYS been PACKED on weekends. There are times when that is the only time I can visit that (or any other)park! So I take what I can get. If a Park gets a little too crowded I'll sometimes leave the Park and see what else is there to do in the area. (At CP I'll take some time off and go to the Beach.) Often after suppertime people will begin to leave and the park will get a little less crowded. If I know a park will be crowded on the day I am visiting I'll plan ahead. If the Park has a New Coaster that particular year I'll hit it first, as often the lines will not be getting any shorter as the day goes on. If I am attending an event held by ACE or any other Coaster Club I will holf off riding a Coaster if the line is too long, knowing we'll have ERT when the Park closed to the GP. (I did this at Silverwood last year. ACE had a Gathering there and the Park was hosting a Company Picnic by the Spokane/Couer D' Aline area's biggest Employer, so the park was a little "Packed". With both of their Woodies had 90 minute waits, I enjoyed the rest of the Park's attractions, knowing I would be able to enjoy their Coasters later that evening! (And Did I):)