I arrive at CP around 10:10 and rush straight to my favorite place, the back. I urge everyone to rush to the back of CP when you first arrive at the park. Do not go to MF unless you are one of the first people out of the gates. My group of four friends went straight to the Power Tower where we walked on to the Turbo Drop side. Great ride as always.
We then headed over to Magnum to find, (what a surprise) no waits. Ahhh, nothing can compare to Magnum walk ons early in the day. Took a spin in the back, OK. My friend, who was a first time rider, said this after we hit the brakes.
"Is that it?"
Ugh. I sighed. What has happened to the Magnum, it doesn't even impress first time riders!?! I think he was spoiled from the Power Tower or something, I couldn't believe it! Took my second trip in the ejector seat, 1-3, which has now officially become my favorite seat. Ride in it, you'll like it.
We headed over to the Gemini, which my other friend found boring. What is going on here!?! We then took two trips on good ole' Mean Streak, both walk ons, which I found to be fun, not great and very minimal pain factor. If they could just get new trains on this sucker, take off those trims; this could be a world-class ride.
We then headed over to Snake River Falls, which I was cursing quietly, I don't like dirty water rides, but I figured I would get a refreshing douse of water. YIKES! I got COMPLETELY soaked, like no other. I was surprised, and freezing! I want to try out Perilous Plunge now!
We then took two spins on the swings to dry off a bit. I was thinking while riding the swings, that if they moved the swan boats, cleared some land around White Water Landing and Thunder Canyon, you would have no problem fitting in a sweet Thrust Air. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Then came the waits. We walked over to Mantis, past the petting zoo, where you can get some sweet pics of MF in action. The sign said 1hr. 45 min. to ride. WHAT?!? Oh well, my word wasn't going to get anywhere with my group so we waited, only 1hr. 10 min. which just isn't worth the Mantis in my opinion. It was running good, my harness wasn't disgusting, and I had good fun. The third train is now covered up with some tarp on the transfer, so I doubt we'll be seeing three train operation anytime soon.
We next waited forever to get some food at the Dragon's Inn food stand and headed over to MF. We waited about 1hr. which IS worth it, and I waited 20 min. with my friend for the front. I strongly urge you to wait for the front, it is really amazing, and makes a HUGE difference. I don't think I'll ever ride in a different seat again!
We were planning on leaving early, so we didn't have much left to do. We headed over to the Raptor, which I say does look young again with its nice paint job, by why not Mantis or Magnum?, I know they are getting paint jobs soon though. 1 hr. is reasonable, but still way too much time for the Raptor. When I can go to IOA or BGW and walk on a better invert a few times, this doesn't match up. The Raptor has never been my favorite, and I think it is still too overrated with the GP. It gave me a good ride in car 5, with only a hint of head banging before the first flat spin.
For the last ride of the day, we took a spin on Blue Streak, which was a one train wait, great ride. I think the back half is lacking in airtime.
I have to applaud CP once again with picture perfect park operations in every way. I did get to see the Mantis stuck on the block brakes though! I wonder what happened? Can someone fill me in? I got a few stares for my Shivering Timbers t-shirt, and talked to one enthusiast about MA and how CF owns them, and such. Rack up a crowded day at CP, but a good day in all. Happy Coasting!
-------------
CDNSN
I'm going Wednesday and Thursday ( 18th and 19th) How bad will the crowds be then?
Mindbender, I recommend a Psychic Friends Network reading. Seriously, on the two days I visited last year, I experienced one day of extremely long lines, and the following day was half as crowded.
-------------
Batwing-Bow Down
Yeah, crowds at CP are about as predictable as the weather. Last Thursday the park was EMPTY compared to today.*yesterday now!*
I also saw Mantis stopped on the midcourse today. Have no idea why.
*** This post was edited by Joe E. on 7/6/2001. ***
Craig the Coaster Freak said:
"1 hr. is reasonable, but still way too much time for the Raptor. When I can go to IOA or BGW and walk on a better invert a few times, this doesn't match up. The Raptor has never been my favorite, and I think it is still too overrated with the GP."
While I'll wait and hour for Raptor (or just about any B&M actually), I have feelings similar to yours about the relative "goodness" of Raptor. I thought I was about the only CBuzzer that thought that way :)
lata,
jeremy
-------------
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka:
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
I'm not alone!!!! Thanks 2Hostyl! I think crowds were only high because it was the day after the fourth, which people still take vacations on.
-------------
CDNSN
Anyone know if they allow exit re-rides on Raptor?
What's an exit re-ride? It's where you get off the train, walk to the exit platform, turn around, and see an empty seat and you're sure that noone will take it. Then you walk into the train and take it.
Was at BGT July 5th and got exit re-rides on Montu and Kumba this way. You take your time getting out of your seat, walk out of the train, then find an empty one and take it. Usually works good when you're a single rider, but I have seen people do it as pairs and the ride ops will help them find the empty seats.
As long as you don't abuse the policy and only do it a few times, then it's ok. And don't come up the exit side looking for empty seats, wait for your first ride, then attempt an exit re-ride.
-------------
Robin Fox - "I see Stars, Can You See Them Too?"
There also is a mojor difference from sitting in the front and leaning forward on the first drop in the front. Do it, lean as far as you possibly can on the drop, it is amazing and the air pounds you!
-------------
Kerry - Bright Man of the Elite Eight
When did CP allow you to wait for certain seats? I went early this year, but could not choose my seat. When did this change?
robvia: I dont know about on Raptor (though I saw a guy do it during the CoasterMania ERT...actually, I waved him over :)), but during the regular hours that same day, I asked an op on Magnum if I could take an empty seat and she (rather brusquely) told me to move on. The train was half empty too....
lata,
jeremy
-------------
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
LukeDog, you can only wait for the front seat of MF right now.
-------------
CDNSN
Waiting for the front of MF? How's that work?
Anyways, I was ill with Raptor, I had to "lean out of it" to keep from being banged to near death. It's best part, IMO, was the first loop, you hit it fast, then it's just different. I liked Batman much better(SFoG), but everyone there seemed to "Raptor!" all day.
As for re-rides, I heard the ops saying no all day, even on late Magnum and Raptor trains that were nowhere near full, they make you go around unless a snowball has made it is what I've heard.......
I'm sorry, I didn't mean re-rides, but walk on rides, which are the equivalent of re-rides for me! As for MF, they should have a separate line for the front, just wait in it!
-------------
CDNSN
