9/21-9/23 Frightfully L-O-N-G TR.

Weather was perfect all weekend. Didn't seem very "fall-like" during the daytime though. As always, we had a great time.

Friday was perfect. ERT was a walk-on each of Mav, SH, and MF. Lined up for dragster then but even though they sent trains w/ops in them, it remained down for mech. until we gave up the line at 6:45 to head to the motel so I could change shoes (never be a moron like me and wear un-broken-in shoes to CP-in less than 2 hours I had blisters that killed me all weekend). We got back by 7:30 and rode Maggie. Great ride and glad to see fog in the tunnel. By now TTD was running but passed it up to go check Maverick's line. It was in full switchbacks, so we ate at Chik-fil-a instead. It was good. The shakes are nice. But It ought to be when it cost over $25.00 for two shakes, sandwiches, and fries. It seems while we were eating, Maverick went down for awhile. We waited about 15 minutes for URDade. Less spooks than last year it seems but it was ok. Rode WS and then saw "Black Cat" in the Glassblowers theatre. I really enjoyed it and it set the mood for Fright Zone which was now open. We then rode Dragon and decided as we were walking by Magnum that we would leave at the gate there and walk along the beach to the entrance there. It was good to see Breakers still had the pools open outside. After a calm walk along the beach, entering at the beach gate right in the middle of CarnEvil made it seem even scarier. CarnEvil was great. Nothing creepier than a scary clown. We walked on WT, went through Fear Faire, then waited about 20 minutes for Raptor. I love Raptor at night. I could do without those DVD minicam lights though. Blue Streak was next then we took the Sky Ride back and rode ID and Wildcat-both just a few cycle wait. Then we did PT drop side and got in line for TTD just at midnight. We waited 3 cycles at most and had a great night ride. If only we had gotten in line 5 minutes earlier we could have gotten a 2nd ride.

Saturday we knew would be crowded and it was. TTD was testing well and I had a feeling it might open early, so lined up for that. It opened around 11:20 and we were on quickly thanks to being right there as they opened the back rows of the trains. Made it to MF for a 20 minute wait and were off just after noon. Then the park was really filling up fast. We walked by Mav to see the line spilling out and curving around by CCMR. We walked on MS instead. The break on the front drop was ridiculous. I swear we came to a complete stop. So a very slow MS ride but at least I didn't get a headache. Stopped a bought a few things at the $9.99 or less store. The crowds were getting so heavy, we decided to go to Castaway Bay for a few hours.

Castaway Bay was dead just as we had hoped. We were there for maybe an hour and a half and rode all the slides a few times. Rode the water coaster 4 times (my favorite). The wave pool is too shallow. They wouldn't allow anyone past the first rope to the deep end even though there were only maybe 10 people in the entire pool. I enjoyed CB though. How does it compare to Kalihari?

We showered and changed at the motel and because we lucked out and found a lone parking space up near the front gate we were back in the park and in line for DT by 3:45. DT was about a 30 minute wait then. Raptor was a huge line, so we took the Sky Ride back and watched the parade just as it was passing under CS. It was a nice addition. I was fairly impressed with the floats. We went to Red Garter for a beer, then took the train back to Mav and watched the magic show at the theatre there. We walked back around by Magnum and TTD but didn't get in line. Shopped some at Pagoda and then decided to leave by the marina gate and have dinner at Bay Harbor. This was my first time in Bay Harbor, so was unsure what to expect. It was very nice and great service. The blackened mahi was fine but the strip steak was fantastic and not really any more expensive than that type of dining is anywhere else.

We walked back in the front gate just as FF was opening so we went through there. The large crowds made it more fun I thought. We took the Sky Ride back and went to Red Garter for another beer before the Fright Zone. We just circled around the back and took the train back to Dragon and then went through CarnEvil where a woman running and screaming with a baby stroller rammed the stroller right into me in the fog. Strollers really should be banned from all but Fright Zone, and only allowed in FZ because that is the only pathway there is to use there. I don't understand why someone would even want to take a baby or very small child through CarnEvil in the first place. We rode Chaos, DT, and walked through FF a second time. Then we rode WT, walked through CarnEvil again and took Sky Ride back up front right at midnight. I was totally exhausted but it was a great day.

Sunday we only went for ERT. Walked on Raptor front, found a short TTD wait before they opened the line. We would have had 5th train of the day, but the first train of the day never even had a chance to launch before TTD went down for mech. Not sure how long it was down because we left the line to go get one more Maverick ride before we had to leave. The WWL que house was full and just over the bridge. Sign said 45 min. but we only waited about 30. I love Maverick's fast moving line. We walked to Sky Ride and rode to the front, bought more CP stuff at the CP Place shop under the Sky Ride then headed home. Another fun trip highlighted by a fantastic meal at Bay Harbor and my first trip to Castaway Bay. See ya next spring CP!

Sounds like a great trip!

Strollers and wagons can wreak havoc in the zones. I think every Screamster out there has a tale to tell about getting nailed/run over/knocked over by one of them. I too don't understand why people take them in, although I notice they often have blankets draped over them. I guess it must be a way for the parents to take the kids through without scaring them. Still kind of annoying though.

Oh my gosh, how stupid! People should NOT be allowed to take strollers through those areas, especially with children in them! Could you imagine the terror a small child would experience hearing all those scary screams & noises even while under a blanket! For the safety of the screamsters & other guests, ban strollers for heavens sake.

We were there 9/22 at 9:30 PM and all of Sunday. Stayed at Castaway Bay.

We think Castaway Bay is way better then Breakers. Forget the nostalgia that Breakers has, slap Castaway Bay right there instead.

The park was out of control busy Saturday, and we only managed TTD, Maverick, Power Tower, and I think maybe one other ride at most.

Sunday was busy in the morning, and Maverick didn't open until 9:35ish so ERT was kind of worthless. We rode the Maverick again after that cause the line was still under a half an hour.

Sunday we got
4-5 Magnum ,
3-4 TTD
3-4 MF
4-5 Maverick
4-5 power tower
1 demon drop
1 wicked twister
1 raptor
4-5 Skyhawks

We didn't go in to any of the haunted houses, and we weren't attempted to be scared by anyone on Saturday.

TTD was down twice on Sunday for a little bit, and the Maverick went down again on Sunday night twice.

The rides we're up and running in no time though.

We in general felt we "wasted" a lot of time...35 minutes of ERT, some time in the queues while they were down, but we efficiently covered the park.

By the end of Sunday night the park was getting nice and empty. In general it was busier then expected.