HalloWeekends Cedar Point 10/1/2005
Associated parks:
None
I'm sure that if you're a native of Ohio, or within a reasonable driving distance to CP, HalloWeekends is nothing fantastic. Fright Fest at GAM gets old after a few years, although I have to give them kudos for last year. However, we wanted something different. So off to CP we went. We made a quick diversion to Kalamazoo, MI to pick up a friend, and after a whopping 3 hours of sleep (not a good idea, mind you...) we got up and headed off to the park.
Since I'm going to mention the traffic, does anyone know if the fair was going on this past weekend? The main strip down Sandusky was packed until we got to the fairgrounds turn off and quite a few people got off the road. Thank goodness for that!
The first thing I have to note is that they do alot of really neat little things to get your attention. The signs on the causeway, though cheesy, were really cute and had us all grinning right off the bat. We got into the park and I have to admit, I love the attentions to small details with the decorations. Yes they have big, flashy things to notice, but my favorite things were the little ones that caught my eye. The skeleton dancing and singing above the food shops by Raptor. The characters jumping out at you during the day. The "creature from the black lagoon" playing on the big screen all night. I think the ride graveyard was my favorite part though. That was just a neat touch.
Also, it was nice not to be rushing around the park. Normally I'm frantic trying to get on everything. But for once we just took our time. Not like we won't be back next year.
Unless it sinks ^_~
So, on to the fun stuff!:
First up, Maxair: 6/10 Though the wait time was a bit much, I thought this was alot of fun! I was surprised at how fast it gets going right off the bat, but having nothing else to compare it to other than Revolution at GAM (bleeeh), I probably can't say much. I'll enjoy this alot when the lines die down a bit and you can get on a bit more quickly when the park is packed.
Gemini: 6/10 The blue train busted right when we got in line, so we had to wait a few extra minutes for the red car. Still just as fun and fast as ever, and smooth as glass for the most part. And you have GOT to love those hand/head choppers!
insert random flat rides...chaos and I do not get along...grr.
Magnum: 8/10 Rough rough rough, but still great for the airtime. I flinch toward the turnaround every time but when you've been thwapped in the eye on a coaster, you'd understand ^_~ I adore that last stretch of hills. Back car, as always, so I can get whipped over the hills.
Cedar Creek Mine Ride: 5/10 ...there was no ride. Nuff said. Though I did have an entertaining discussion with a woman in line who wanted to give me her two five year olds after my husband was stapeled into the car and made a comment about not being able to give me children. ;) She was entertaining.
Around this time we were so tired, we took a break and went to the car for a two hour nap.
Came back in and hit...
Raptor: 8/10 I love this ride. I have no idea what does it, but I love love love it. It's fun and has a great view on the lift, and that helix just kills me every time. Excellently intense and a great rush as always. And longer than Batman thank god!
Top Thrill Coatrack...er...dragster: down down down! Thankfully I didn't make this trip JUST for TTD, so other than pouting at it and yelling "FIX IT!" a few times, we got over it and went about our way.
Mean Streak: 9/10 I only give it that number for sheer amusement. There was an interesting incident involving my friend and her bra coming loose thanks to the bone-jarring shakiness of this ride. HIlarity ensued...use your imagination. hehe.
Wildcat: 7/10 My husband felt the need to shout like spongebob on this ride, and I was laughing so hard that I don't remember much of the ride itself. But I know it was enjoyable. I always like this ride anyway. ^_^
Iron Dragon: 7/10 ...where the heck did that drop come from?? I was so distracted that my tummy actually did a little leap at one point. I love this ride at Halloweekends. Everything is so misty anyway that it just seems more fun.
We took a spin on the giant wheel, and took the time to check out some of the Halloween attractions and shop instead of rushing through the crowds to get on Mantis and MF. Which blows, cause we wanted to ride force, but the wait times were a bit much. And we'll be back next year I'm sure. ^_^
KUDOS:
The Fright Zone was a hoot. I'm seriously impressed with CP and their theming and intensity. The fog, the characters, the effects...it was just really fun and well done.
The girl in front of Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaarn Eeeeeevil. How the heck she can say it like that all night and not kill someone should win her a prize.
The staffer that kept a smile on her face in front of the mine ride when some guy asked her about TTDs status. It must have been the eighteenth time she heard it that day and though her eyes said "get away monkey!" she kept a good attitude.
GRIPES:
Yes, gripes.
The staff, for the most part, was soooo out of it. They just seemed unenergetic and tired, and completely unenthused.
Disco music. I don't care how quirky it is or how it pertains to halloween. Ugh.
Thats about it. I can't think of any others. It was probably one of the most enjoyable days at CP I've had out of the 5 trips I've had. I thank them for carrying So be Adrenaline Rush though. Crack in a can is great when you have to drive home after all that. *** Edited 10/4/2005 4:51:05 AM UTC by Kenmei***
Watch out for flying maps!
I'm surprised you didn't comment on the absurd crowds at CP that day. It was the worst I've ever seen for HalloWeekends (even in similar weather) and honestly it's the worst I've seen in years, period, and I routinely go on Saturdays in the middle of the summer. An hour wait for Mean Streak, 45 minutes for Magnum, 40 minutes for Gemini? You gotta be kidding me! And that the Mine Ride even had a line, where for several years now they haven't even be loading half the cars, was shocking. Lower attendance figures indeed...
I'm glad someone had an enjoyable trip that day, because for me it was the least enjoyable trip I've ever had.
Puablo said:
Sandusky's Oktoberfest (at least I think that was it) was going on that day. Actually Margaritaville on Rt. 6 had a deck party too.I'm surprised you didn't comment on the absurd crowds at CP that day. It was the worst I've ever seen for HalloWeekends (even in similar weather) and honestly it's the worst I've seen in years, period, and I routinely go on Saturdays in the middle of the summer. An hour wait for Mean Streak, 45 minutes for Magnum, 40 minutes for Gemini? You gotta be kidding me! And that the Mine Ride even had a line, where for several years now they haven't even be loading half the cars, was shocking. Lower attendance figures indeed...
Yeah the crowds were NUTS! It didn't bother me so much for some reason, mainly because I'm just used to it for the most part, and CP moves lines so fast that I never really complain. I'm pretty easy going. But yeah the lines got atrocious toward the evening. That was the main reason we couldn't get on MF. I just didn't want to wait for 2 hours. And it was kind of crazy.
and that explains alot about the traffic too =) I couldn't figure out where all the cars came from. I was all surprised...low attendance indeed though. Yikes! I've seen the park slower in mid ~summer~!
Watch out for flying maps!
"On wednesdays we wear Pink!"
Kenmei said:
Top Thrill Coatrack...
Haha. Heh, that just made my day. Not only have I never heard Dragster referred to as a coatrack, you get points for making me laugh.
I guess, though, now that I think about it, it WOULD make a good coatrack...
RaptorMitch said:
Nice trip report, but you have to remember most of the staff that has experience and knows how things should be run are back in school, like myself. Right now, they have ride prides running the majority of the positions, and they aren't as experienced or trained as seasonal employees are.
Yeah I kind of figured that would be the case. It was my first time being at CP in the 'off season' so to speak. ^_^ Honestly the staff they had on site did the best they could under the circumstances. They were PACKED so I could let it go. I'm used to the blah blah monotone of SFGAM employees so it was nothin new.
And nesdude, glad I could make your day ^_~ Actually I got it from one of the workers at Johnny Rockets last year. She was getting our food and asking how our day was at the park. When we said we were bummed that Dragster was down, she grinned and said "Oh, you man our thirty million dollar coatrack?"
Watch out for flying maps!
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