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Just got back from a recent visit to Cedar Point, my first time and it was truly something special. A fantastic array of rides unlike any parks i've known before (and i've been to my fair share). Here follows my account of the trip and individual mini-reviews of the rides, in the typical manner that these tr's seem to follow:
We arrived naturally enough, as the gates opened and i was enthusiastically badgering the rest of my party on the ride order we should progress with. However, i was unlucky enough to be going with a couple of friends who preferred a more relaxed approach, so we took in the rides as we came to them. The crowds weren't too heavy so we had no need to worry about the waits particularly except of course for the most popular rides. Marks are given out of 10 and i like to think of myself as a veteran (despite my youthful age, go figure) so marking is tough but fair 1 is appalling, 5 by no means poor but not brilliant also and 10 is the pinnacle of ride greatness.
Demon Drop: it looked past its best by the faded colours of the paint but to my surprise i quite enjoyed this one although the small drop acted only as a starter for things to come. 5/10
Raptor: i heard big things about this one and found the short queue meant we were on quickly as well. The front was the obvious seat of choice and the views from the lifthill were an interesting distraction before a perfectly paced, smooth, exhilarating ride. My 2nd favourite inverted behind the unique Nemesis and i was dismayed to find its drop to 12th in the Golden tickets. The highlight had to be that heartline roll before the cobra roll. A fantastic ride. 9/10
Iron Dragon: i've never laughed so much with pleasure on a ride before this except maybe the Grand National at Blackpool. No thrills at all to be fair but a genuinely enjoyable ride. It has had its detractors but i believe it perfectly demonstrates that not all rides have to scare you to death. Also the pleasant ride ops were a bonus as i discovered throughout most of the ark. 7/10
Mantis: what is everyone complaining about? it seems to be getting rarer and rarer that positive comments are made about this one. Admittedly, i rode the front, which is apparently 'kinder'. But all i felt was a smooth ride marred only by the brakes on the drop. Perhaps i got lucky, or maybe i followed the instructions but i had no problems with discomfort and i thought the dive loop was one of the best inversions i've done. It's not quite as good as raptor but that's just because i prefer inverted to stand-up, but leave it alone, the derogatory comments are just hurting the reputation of a great ride. 8/10
Millennium Force: what can i say that hasn't been said a million times before? Simply mind blowing. The best coaster i've ever ridden. The best part has got to be the first drop but also that amazing 182ft bunny hop, now that's airtime! 10/10 (and truly deserving of it)
Mean Streak: another ride that many despise. Personally, i see their point, my back took a pounding but it mattered not. I'm not a physical giant but i could take the mild punishment with good humour especially when i whacked my friend in the face as i raised my arms for the drop. Naturally he didn't enjoy the ride as much after that. But definitely a ride with minor problems that for me, detract little from a fast and furious feel to a pretty good coaster, there you have it. 7/10
Gemini: a great surprise! This ride turned out to be a perfect 'fun' rollercoaster. Steep drops, plenty of opportunities for hand slapping and an infuriating race element (because we never one no matter which train). Best of all though was the lack of any queue. It was basically a walk-on. Also if anyone knows which of the two rains seems to win the most? so i know for next time. 8/10
Magnum XL-200: another legendary coaster and a reputation well-founded. The bunny-hops were the best part, they really got you bouncing and the incredible views of lake erie complemented the ride magnificently. Near perfect and probably would've got 10 if Millennium Force didn't exist. 9/10
Corkscrew: a great inversion over the midway made for stunning visuals but an otherwise unspectacular ride. Good for families or when the queues are orrible but personally, not for me. 4/10
Power Tower: i really enjoyed queueing for this one, i spent a lot of it chatting to the poor souls on the red towers before they were shot up. The ride was similar to others i've done, a rush of adrenaline and then a chance to enjoy the view from both sets of towers. Spaceshot 8/10, Turbo Drop 7/10
Wicked Twister: i was the only one of us to like this one. My friends just felt too disorientated. The ride is pretty perfect only restricted by what it by definition is. An impulse coaster meaning just too short. But surely this is the best of the bunch. Great launch, excellent innovation of the two spiralling towers, a real improvement and a load of airtime. Always go for the back though, its clearly the best seat. 8/10
The Park: Cedar Point's collection of rides is in my experience second to none. It is the coaster enthusiast's mecca without a doubt. As for the park itself, again wonderful. The atmosphere was one of good-natured fun and a wholesome set of attendees.The attendants made you feel welcome and treated their jobs with great enthusiasm. Unlike many of the 'chain' parks where the rides feel more like individual exhibits and the attendants look bored. Cedar Point's rides seemed to be more of a collection, a family. And this feeling emanated throughout the park. It was bright and lively, clean, with reasonable food. Not gourmet but frankly, that's not what you want at a park. It was busy but i never felt crowded, i really can't complement it highly enough. I think the best example would be the Space Spiral ride where i sat and chatted to a female operator for the entire ride. I had to go again because i missed the whole thing. I think this one case illustrates Cedar Point's continuing popularity as opposed to its lesser rivals like SFWOA. That and Millennium Force, of course.
The trains on gemini are perfectly matched as you go over the top of the first drop, if you notice the lift speed is just a bit faster on the red train to mathc the blue train on the inside.
So if the red train is released even a millisecond early it will win, many races i have lost on the lift.
I thought it was a great trip report. Everytime I read a TR on Cedar Point, it fuels my need to go there!!!
Nice TR!
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Drop Oup at PKD in 2003!
OoOoOo...Rolley Coaster!
Now I've always thought that the weight distribution among the trains in Gemini would help, or hurt each train.
I mean to say, if you have a lot of bigger people in the back, it would seem to be that it would sort of, slow itself down over the hill crests.
That was just my theory though. It seemed like (when I rode last year) that if we had a larger rider in the back row (or two riders), we'd get slowed down, and a train with a relatively similar amount of weight (how should I know exact amounts?) would beat us.
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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
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