Annual pilgrimadge to The Point.
A bit rainy... but managed to stay dry between 11am and 6:30pm with about an hour stoppage for a drizzle around 1:30.
Most of the group crapped out- so it ended up being me, my 6 year old, and my 56 year-old mother. (what I had believed to be a nightmare for Cedar Point)
The park was nearly vacant. Millenium and Disaster Transport were down, everything but Maverick was a walk on, and Maverick was only about 20 min. I have to admit, I was quite pleased. Was in the park for roughly 7 hours, one of them will all rides closed, and still managed 24 "rides" of all kinds, 15 on rollercoasters.
It was a little odd to see all the empty queue lines... looked like a Six Flags park!
The surprising part was that we had a great time. My 6 year old (who was crushed to learn that Big Bad Wolf was being torn down the year he was big enough to ride it) was all over Iron Dragon. He also had a heck of a time on pretty much every flat in the park (and why is the Tilt-a-whirl in the kiddie section? That's a classic amusement ride! And kinda fun~).
My mom was only interested in riding what she called "A** Kickers", i.e. Millenium, Magnum, Gemini, Raptor. She did everything she wanted to do...
At 46", my son was a little short to ride much of anything coaster wise... which I don't understand... Wildcat? Mine Ride? Come on! Still nice time.
As for the rides themselves... skipped Mean Streak. Just didn't feel like the headache.
Was in a "woodie" kick though following my six flags visit, and I do find the Blue Streak to be a nice little ride. Good air, not too rough... there was literally no one one it so I rode it several times. How could you not?
Raptor felt more smooth than last year... maybe some wheel bearings replaced as it made an odd sound last year... still one of the best inverts out there. Not as wild as Alpengeist... but the elements are paced so well!
Mantis is one of those rides you have to know how to take... I like it, but know exactly how to stand to make that bananna crusher tolerable. Love B&M's experimenting with elements... first immleman? 80 deg. dive loop. Different than most of their lay-outs.
Iron Dragon is simply not Big Bad Wolf. It's a ride a 6 year old finds exciting.
Millenium... down most of the day for cable repair. Missed out on this one this trip. Slightly depressed about it too.
Maverick always surprises me as to how quick it feels. If it weren't for that lump on the seat... why Intamin? Why? Still a great coaster.
Gemini was only running one train, the blue, and it was 1/2 roped off. The middle two cars were closed! Mellow ride already, but half full? Felt Slllloooooooooowwwww.
Magnum also had a car closed (second to last), but remains one of my favorite rides. I'm not sure if it is for memories, but I don't really find it rough. I love the air hills, the pretzel turn... I like that it is a little bumpy and "out of control" feeling. Far and away better than the "superman" coaster at SF America.
Top Thrill is maybe the most exciting 30 seconds ever. But it's over so fast! Felt like it was moving faster over the top... ? I could be wrong. There was no one in line, so I rode it twice in like 20 minutes.
Wicked Twister also was running with the middle 4 seats closed. It seems about as popular as the Troika that it sits next to... which is odd, because it's a heck of a ride! That full height spiral sitting in the back is sooooo great!
Skipped the Corckscrew. I realize that it is becomming a rarity in the sense that it is one of a shrinking number of honest-to-god Arrow loopers left out there... but I'll wait until next year when my son is 48" and can ride.
Also had to hit Maxair and Demon Drop.
I'd never ridden Maxair before... It's an interesting sensation. Looks pretty amazing, I've never really felt like I'd done everything I wanted to do before and went looking for things to ride!
My son rode pretty much everything he could... both snoopy play areas, kiddie bumper cars... Gemini Jr. and Woodstock Exp... seemed to love the "speedway" ride where the cars whip around the curve... but was somehow terrified of the Frog Hopper?
Kids. Who can explain them!
He also was scared stiff on the Cable Cars. Apparently he's not fond of heights.
In the last couple of years, Cedar Point has come a long way to be a better family park. A flume ride that a group like mine could ride together would be a terriffic addition. There were very few rides that a mixed age group of three could ride together. THAT was a little annoying. Also, there is only a "ride swap" plan that lets parents hand off the small child while they ride something alone... being that there were no lines, we just switched.
Still it certianly seem that CP is getting the message about it's family friendly-ness.
All in all, it was a really fun day.
Food still is a little over priced.
$8.50 for chicken fingers? $5 for a pretzel?
Gawd. |
