7-23-06 - A great day at the park

This is my first post and first trip report so bear with me.

Went to the Point yesterday with my father-in-law. Got to the park right at 9am and waited for the gates to open. At 930 ran straight for TTD and it was down for mechanical reasons. We waited until about 1130 or so when we finally gave in and walked away. Headed for Magnum with a short 15 min wait. Great ride as always.

As we were in the station loading on Magnum loading, sure enough there goes TTD with a full train over the tower. Just my luck!

We decided to do TTD later and instead headed for Skyhawk. I could not get over how huge those air cylinders are that power the ride. As for the ride itself, way too short and actually a disappointment.

Walked through Frontier Town and checked out the construction site on the way over to MF.

About a 45 min wait for MF. First class ride, awesome experience. We actually rode it 4 times yesterday with 45min to 1hr waits. The one thing I will say about MF (and anyone who was there yesterday, please back this up) their crew SUCKS! They were stacking trains all day long. Consistently there were 3 trains on the platform. I understand the seatbelt thing, but compared to the other rides and the speed with which the other crews move, it was nuts.

Headed over to TTD dragster next. About 2 1/2 hr wait. However half of that was rider induced delay and waiting for the front seat. TTD is amazing and in my book, is my #1 coaster.

By now it was about 3 so we hit Wicked Twister. Waited a good hour for it. I noticed that the launch is somewhat weaker then when I last rode it in 2004. But a great ride nonetheless.

Hit up famous Daves next for a couple of beers and some fries.

Back in the park by 5, checked Raptor (1 1/2 hr wait) no thanks. Did Maxair next. By now the park is getting pretty busy.

Got our 2nd and 3rd rides on MF and hit the TTD queue and around 830.

Got to watch a guy get ejected from the park in the queue for refusing to put his sunglasses and bag in a locker. He was quite a jerk and it was a pleasure to watch him get escorted out by 3 cops.

Got up to TTD station around 930 and had another amazing ride.

Booked it over to MF just before 10 and hit that bad boy again.

All in all a great day. Not too hot, TTD ran like a champ from 12pm until close, and we almost saw a fight in TTD queue.

Props to Magnums crew, they were hauling butt to hit interval and did an awesome job.

Def want to make it to the point again next year, as I live in Cincinnati and rarely get enough time off work to make the weekend trip.

You'd wait 2 hours for a ride that was broken down when you got in line and then leave without riding, but you wouldn't wait a theoretical (never trust the signs) 1.5 hours to ride one of the 2 best rides in the park?

Other than my obvious confusion at your ride selection criteria, nice TR. Definitely better than just a list of what your rode.

I dunno man, I checked Raptor's line from Blue Streak yesterday, and it was loooooong. My friend's wife, who has still never ridden it, didn't even want to wait that long.

I remember waiting in the neighborhood of 3.5 hours to ride back in the mid 90's. I'd do that again if I didn't plan my trips to go during slower times of the year.

I guess it all depends on what your personal preference is. Our main goal for the day was to #1 get some multiple rides on TTD and MF and #2 get away from the wives at least fro a day.

I too remember waiting 3.5 hours for Raptor years ago, but IMO I'd rather wait for for the other two. The main thing is that you go to CP to have a good time and get away from the daily grind of life (work, school, etc.......) thanks.

I think you are the first person to say that the MF Crew sucks this year. In general, capacity-wise, they are having one of their best years ever. With the set up of the ride, only 1 train can be on the circuit at one time, so that may account for some of the stacking, however, if you saw trains sitting in Waiting (behind the unload station) for more than a minute at a time... then there were some capacity issues...

I agree with Josh. The MF crew is doing an awesome job this year.

One thing I've noticed lately is that they're actually helping guests with the seatbelt. Rather than waiting for the guest to struggle with it, they're jumping right in to help, and this seems to be getting the train ready for dispatch much quicker. I think this helps with guest satisfaction as well, since the guest isn't sitting there struggling with the seatbelt and getting frustrated. A huge thanks to whoever is responsible for this recent change.

I haven't noticed the stacking the last several times I've ridden. Within seconds of a train hitting the brakes, the train in the loading station is heading up the lift hill.

Josh M. said:
I think you are the first person to say that the MF Crew sucks this year.

Ya, and like I said if anyone was at the park yesterday and rode MF they will agree with me. There was a lot of screwing around, talking, looking at watches, etc...... I'm not trying to start anything, I love Cedar Point and every other ride we rode, the crews were awesome! However, MF crew had a very laid back and "whatever" attitude. They just moved slow.

hey i was there also and about that fight sorry oh btw I really did ask the lemon chill guy what the new ride was and he said it was going under ground and need parts from ttd and milli to make it work ohhh this is hush hush so

dont tell anyone

I came by around 8 ish and got 2 rides on magnum. Magnums line was moving faster then I can ever remember. I tehn hopped in TTDs line and got on the second from last train for the night always fun. BTW does anyone drive a white car with stickers for MF and Magnum in back window, if so I parked next to you in Soak City lot. Wish I could comment on MF issues I am yet to see a day like that but it happens I suppose. I was on TTD midway the whole time I was there. It was a nice day and not terrible lines that I saw.

I got to raptor about 3:30 and we waited 20 min and a 15 min breakdown. I didnt think it was too bad. Then we decided to hit the water rides, and almost destroyed my cell phone. (needless to say I have learned my lesson about lockers and not to trust bags :) )

Oh I rode MF yesterday about 1:00 and they were running great. No problems what so ever. So no I dont agree with you. *** Edited 7/25/2006 1:05:40 AM UTC by cedarpoint24/7***

I've been impressed by the MF crew this year in limited experience. They've had much more urgency than the past few years and in general hit more intervals. They don't get every one, but it's easier said than done.

And as far as three trains stacking - if they hit interval, the train will just tbe starting to leave the station as the previous one stops in the brakes. That is how the ride is set up. I agree it sucks, but that's as good as the crew can do. The catch car isn't in position to pull the train before this point.

The crew I've noticed being very weak this year (compared to previous years) is Raptor. It seems like Magnum is sending up more trains than them (which shouldn't be) and with 4 more seats in each one, they might take the title for the second year in a row.