7/22/01 (Joe Cool)
You know, I was starting to wonder why I bothered buying the Joe Cool Club pass this year, since I had not been to any of the events. Well, this morning I'm glad I did.
ERT scheduled for Millennium Force and Raptor. I'm there, Stephanie too. Parked at the resort gate where there were another six Joe Coolers, and leisurely walked to The Force. They got started about 10 minutes late around 8:40, but with so few people there, who cares. Knocked out three walk-on laps, rode with Old Timer Tim/The One And Only Coaster God for two of them. I was surprised at how fast it was running first thing in the morning, but then again it was already just under 80 degrees. It was going to be an oppressively hot day.
Off to Raptor where they were actually cycling empty trains. What a crime. We hopped in the back row for a lap. I'm always surprised at how much the ride surprises me, even knowing it by heart. I don't get how people call the ride average. I dig the ride.
On the second lap we entered with the public at large, and had to deal with one ride op who felt like being a jerk. The train comes in, people start to board. This testosterone monkey moron starts yelling at us to get behind the yellow line. Ummm... for what? So we can slow the loading down? He didn't appear to have a good reason, though we did comply, and turned around one second later to get on as the rest of the train was seated. Jerk.
From there we chilled in the shade of the Raptor "tunnel" under the loop, waiting to see if some people from my former employer (Penton Media, NYSE: PME) were in the park yet. They were having their annual picnic, despite layoffs and stock in the crapper. I had to fight the temptation to walk up to the CEO and ask him if he still thinks the Internet is a fad. Moron.
Anyway, we dropped by Giant Wheel where it was a little cooler by the lake. The parking lot was really filling up, but the lines weren't too bad. Through the course of the day we'd see reasonable waits, even on Magnum. I like having all of these rides, as it really seems to spread out the crowds.
I then spent quality time with Tim's kids in Camp Snoopy. Steph got Andrew, the little guy, and I got Hannah, which can't be bigger than 48.5 inches. Steph finally got her laps on Jr. Gemini while Hannah and I did the real Gemini. She wanted front seat, so that's where we sat. Understand that her tiny legs don't even touch the lap bar. It was crazy riding Magnum with her last year!
Steph and I then went to Red Garter to catch the Rock, Pop and Soul show (Hot Country Hoochies was off today). The band is outstanding, and one of the singers has serious lungs. She did the "Freedom" bit and the Christina Aguwhatevah part from the "Lady Marmalade" remake better than Christina could ever do it. Damn that girls has pipes! She was outstanding.
We wrapped with lunch at the Penton shindig back in the Coral Courtyard. The usual weiners and fried chicken, only this time they didn't burn the weiners.
It was well over 90, humid and not comfortable, so we split around 4. On a side note, VertiGo is one big ride, height wise anyway. You can see it from the toll booths towering over Magnum. That is going to be one crazy ride. I look forward to seeing it in action.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Futuristic bow-wow... do the dog catcher!
ERT scheduled for Millennium Force and Raptor. I'm there, Stephanie too. Parked at the resort gate where there were another six Joe Coolers, and leisurely walked to The Force. They got started about 10 minutes late around 8:40, but with so few people there, who cares. Knocked out three walk-on laps, rode with Old Timer Tim/The One And Only Coaster God for two of them. I was surprised at how fast it was running first thing in the morning, but then again it was already just under 80 degrees. It was going to be an oppressively hot day.
Off to Raptor where they were actually cycling empty trains. What a crime. We hopped in the back row for a lap. I'm always surprised at how much the ride surprises me, even knowing it by heart. I don't get how people call the ride average. I dig the ride.
On the second lap we entered with the public at large, and had to deal with one ride op who felt like being a jerk. The train comes in, people start to board. This testosterone monkey moron starts yelling at us to get behind the yellow line. Ummm... for what? So we can slow the loading down? He didn't appear to have a good reason, though we did comply, and turned around one second later to get on as the rest of the train was seated. Jerk.
From there we chilled in the shade of the Raptor "tunnel" under the loop, waiting to see if some people from my former employer (Penton Media, NYSE: PME) were in the park yet. They were having their annual picnic, despite layoffs and stock in the crapper. I had to fight the temptation to walk up to the CEO and ask him if he still thinks the Internet is a fad. Moron.
Anyway, we dropped by Giant Wheel where it was a little cooler by the lake. The parking lot was really filling up, but the lines weren't too bad. Through the course of the day we'd see reasonable waits, even on Magnum. I like having all of these rides, as it really seems to spread out the crowds.
I then spent quality time with Tim's kids in Camp Snoopy. Steph got Andrew, the little guy, and I got Hannah, which can't be bigger than 48.5 inches. Steph finally got her laps on Jr. Gemini while Hannah and I did the real Gemini. She wanted front seat, so that's where we sat. Understand that her tiny legs don't even touch the lap bar. It was crazy riding Magnum with her last year!
Steph and I then went to Red Garter to catch the Rock, Pop and Soul show (Hot Country Hoochies was off today). The band is outstanding, and one of the singers has serious lungs. She did the "Freedom" bit and the Christina Aguwhatevah part from the "Lady Marmalade" remake better than Christina could ever do it. Damn that girls has pipes! She was outstanding.
We wrapped with lunch at the Penton shindig back in the Coral Courtyard. The usual weiners and fried chicken, only this time they didn't burn the weiners.
It was well over 90, humid and not comfortable, so we split around 4. On a side note, VertiGo is one big ride, height wise anyway. You can see it from the toll booths towering over Magnum. That is going to be one crazy ride. I look forward to seeing it in action.
-------------
Jeff
Webmaster/Guide to The Point
Futuristic bow-wow... do the dog catcher!
Great to hear about a good Joe Cool ERT. Looking forward to next week!
-------------
Next trip to CP on July 25th - 28th!
-------------
Next trip to CP on July 25th - 28th!
You must be logged in to post