Rather than a real TR - I will just pass on some observations. Some interesting, some not....
Mean Streak - Watching it from LHP was painful and exciting. I was absolutely sure it would roll back at some point. The pacing was terrible. Although its such a majestic site, I just love it and will defend its right to stand there.
Lighthouse Point - This is double edged sword. The cottages are lovely, the view - magnificent. Some privacy for the adults of a family and some marvelous sunsets from the decks. Saving money by grilling out is a nice addition. We had a huge Great Lakes Freighter pass by our deck- the Philip R. Clarke....you just cant put a price on that sort of stuff....The bad part of revealing this is the chance they might be tougher to get next year and beyond as others find out about this hidden gem on the peninsula....
Ride Signs - Yes, they totally suck. They are annoying and laughable on some of the ride ratings. They are the kind of thing that makes people frown on parks, the diagrams of neck problems etc....Unfortunately, they seem to be a sign of the times and they strike me as one of those things you fight against BEFORE they go up - for once they are there, I dont think they ever go away....Its like they can be sued even easier if they took them down :-(
Mantis Ride Ops - My daughter (15yrs) finally got the courage to ride the thing and they didnt adjust her seat correctly. She had to be on her tippy toes, and they were rude/mean to her...Although she accomplished alot overcoming fears on several coasters (MF, Maggie, etc) she vowed to never ride it again.....I am not sure I blame the ops, I think stand-ups are a bad design. I have some feeling in 5-10 yrs, they will all but disappear from the roller coaster industry - I have never heard of anyone really liking them...any of them....
MF - the pacing is just amazing. It was amplified by watching the "making of a coaster". Maybe SD2000 has more records, but I dont think it would be a better ride....certainly the design of MF is more appealing, both in appearance & layout, IMO....
Shows - The dive show was better than I thought it would be - it was funny. The "monster under my bed" was great for the kids....The fiddle player in the Country Show blew me away (played guitar professionally myself for many years). I expect to see him hit the bigtime - his chops are only matched by his voice....Great Show - a must see and I am a hard core hair band rock-n-roller....Doo-Wahs was not as good as the original guys I seen 2 yrs ago, pretty forgettable show actually and I loved the one I seen 2 yrs back - taped it and watch it still....
DT - Black as I ever remember. Couldnt see a thing at times. Good to see they resurrected some of the in-flight theming....Now, get the queue theming back and everything will be great :-)
Blue Streak - I dont *ever* remember it being that fast. WOW! It kept it up thru the turn and on the return trip. Definitely worth the ride.
Enginehouse Carmel Apple - A true find. Someone mentioned this in rrc and it was worth it. A green apple cut in fours, ice cream (custard) and lots of hot caramel with sprinkles or nuts. Decadent and tasty..!! Not for the dieting, but you walk alot during the day so its ok :-)
Games - The games guys are really cool. They let my whole family play the water race (4 of us) guaranteeing a prize, and they hurry so no one sneaks in....thats cool....The putting game in the arcade is a cinch, I can muster up a prize limit in just a few tries....Skeeball in the front of the main midway was better than the main arcade - the attendents were better at fixing problems and awarding prizes - seemed like the lanes were more true as well.....I have always found CP's games attendents to be more receptive than fair types. They seem to know if you win, they still made money. Whereas Fair games seem to be shysters....maybe its just me.....
Camp Snoopy - Still dont like it, even though I have a kid who is in the age targeted. She seems to enjoy kiddie kingdom and the gemini children's area much more. The rides are more unique; other than Woodstocks Express, Camp Snoopy stuff is fair types. The Red Baron seems pointless - more than 42" and less than 54"? Thats a pretty small window as fast as kids grow.....Anyways, the Whip and the Krazy Bumper Kars and 4x4's still seem much more appealing to the kids - the kind of rides that I envy werent around when I was young....
Breakers Express - We did stay there upon arrival. The Snoopy pool is neat :-)....The rooms are nice, clean and the whole hotel has that CF - "we do it right" - appearance to everything in it....The security is top shelf - you need a key to get everywhere - even delivered pizza had to be "picked up" in the lobby.....definitely gave you a feeling of you and your family and the belongings being 100% secure.....
Sports City - This has to be one of the hidden gems of the area. I never goto CP without a stop at Sports City. $23.50 and all the go kart riding you can muster for 4 hours. WHAT A DEAL! And the Bullit cars are like mini-modifieds, quick and fun to race. Always good for a nice race with the fellow riders....Something for the children as well in the playground and arcade. My 5 yr old got a M&M guy for playing some arcade games while the rest of us rode go-karts - if you got a spare time in the trip - go there..!!!
Goofy Golf - Although more expensive, $5 per ride. The only go-karts I have ever ridden where there are no govenors..!!! Coming down the back stretch hill into a sharp turn around - I nearly got scared.....definitely some fast and exciting go-karts...pretty neat mini-golf layouts as well...
Toledo Zoo - Everything positive that was said on this board is true. The kids, my wife and myself loved it. We stopped on the way to CP and was worth the time. Everything you would ever want for everyone. Fun for all ages. A Carrousel, A Train ride, childrens zoo and lots of neat exhibits - a African Savannah, Artic Exhibit. Worth the cash and the time....
Glad to hear you enjoyed the zoo (yes I realize this is off topic). I've spent a good part of my life in there while my father ran part of the place and I'm always gld to hear a first time visitor had a good time.
I may send your post to the director Mr. Dennler
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- Big Pimp -
MF 2000 - 269 laps
MF 2001 - 101 laps as of (7/12/01)
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
Oh and one thing....
I now know what Duane means by:
"I need a vacation to recover from my vacation"
7/8 - Toledo Zoo & Sports City
7/9 - CP all day
7/10 - Pool at LHP & CP Starlight
7/11 - Soak City
7/12 - CP all day
The kids get a wagon, I have to walk and pull them..!!!
yes, you can definitely send it.....tell him we will return next year upon opening of the wolves exhibit :-)
although, off topic (somewhat) it seemed well received when discussed earlier in the year - so I wanted to follow-up on it.....
Wolves??? Ok, my ears just perked up.
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-Brian
I really should be working...
Yep.. next year there is an arctic wolf display going in.. I got to play in the cage a few weeks ago when visiting.. looks really nice...
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- Big Pimp -
MF 2000 - 269 laps
MF 2001 - 101 laps as of (7/12/01)
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
Sometime my wife and I will have to make another trip to the Toledo Zoo. When we made our CP trip back in May we stopped at the Zoo on a Monday. Probably the worst day ever to go. I had gotten a horrible 2 previous nights' sleep at my aunt's in Indiana and had a sore neck and was extremely tired.
When we arrived in the parking lot of the Zoo, the woman in the van next to us got out and plopped her purse down on the trunk of my car figuring it was a convenient table for her to rest on. Restraining my temper due to little kids around, I asked her what she was doing. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were with us." Yeah, sure, a BMW with Texas plates is in the same group as all you minivan people. Get away.
It was also a major day for field trips. I think every little kid within a 1000 mile radius was in the Toledo Zoo that day. Aren't there other zoos in Ohio for them to visit? With all the little kids running and screaming around that place and me with my severe headache and fatigue, I was not having fun.
I probably took about 10 pictures in our visit. About 6 of those were of the Tigers. I love cats. I was disappointed at the # of animals that weren't out in their pens that day, but you can't fault them or the Zoo for them wanting to stay away from the noise.
We sadly only spent a couple hours at the zoo. I couldn't take anymore. Just a few pictures and no souveniers like I had wanted to buy, but I couldn't stand anymore. :(
I don't fault the zoo one bit for any of this. It was a wonderful place and I do plan to return one day and take it all in. I'll just remember to stay away from May.
We drove on to Sandusky and got our cottage at LHP and I went to check out the bed.
Monday's are generally a bad time if school is in session.. Why?? Because on Monday's, anyone who lives in Lucas County gets free addmision before noon.
Alot of Lucas Country schools use this to thier advantage.
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- Big Pimp -
MF 2000 - 269 laps
MF 2001 - 103 laps as of (7/19/01)
June 11th, 2001 - Gemini 100
Ah, now you tell me!! I'll keep that one in mind on our next trip. :)
Oh yeah, my one gripe about the zoo...
Where the heck are all the water fountains!?? The only ones I found the entire day were in the artic exhibit by the polar bears. What's up with that?
*** This post was edited by 1badgmc on 7/20/2001. ***