An Interesting Day (10-7-6)

I hadn't been to CP for Halloweekends for two years, so I decided to go up to the park this weekend. Weather was beautiful- cold- but beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky. Arrived at at the park around 12:10 and proceeded into the park at about 12:15 or so.

This was the closest I've gotten to CP at opening. I thought I'd go to Dragster since the parking lot wasn't very crowded, and thought since it was still early I might find a shorter line. Boy was I mistaken.

Top Thrill Dragster: After arriving, the sign said two hours. Nearly the entire queue was full. The very last block of switchbacks (closest to the entrance of the ride) were even in use for most of the day. Really amazing. Dispatch times were horrible on my last trip to Cedar Point, and a short line took 2.5 hours. Luckily today things were really moving. In an hour and a half we were on second car first row. It felt great today. The acceleration felt better than ever, and it was as smooth as glass. It is definately still one of my top 5.

Now, onto the bad stuff. I realize its the end of the season, I realize the sun takes a toll, but the ride looks horrible. The launch track looks brown from the ramp to the station, and the rest of the red looks pink. The dragster trivia signs throughout the queue are peeling and are brown also. The christmas tree lights don't look too good, as some are out and others have the covers off. It really needs some cosmetic attention. I've always thought that its queue is one of the most un-enjoyable to stand in (as you are in the middle of a concrete pad), and now that things aren't looking all that great it is even worse. Surely there's something that can be done to make it look better long term, as afterall it is only 4 years old.

Power Tower Space Shot: Short 10 minute line. Nice ride as usual, this ride also seemed to be fully staffed and running well.

Gemini: This had a 20-30 minute wait. The queue was absolutely full. I haven't seen this for years. Again, the ride was running quite well in terms of capacity. The ops really seemed to be working hard. I have always liked this ride, but this year its been a little below par to me. Today especially, it was extremely bumpy. Not rough, but a ton of jolts that would really be painful. Its getting to the point where its really not that enjoyable to ride. Disappointing considering what a classic it is.

Magnum: This had a 40-45 minute wait. The entire queue (except for the small segment that goes off behind the fence) was completely full. It was again really amazing. I have never seen the entire Magnum queue full. There was a grouper in the station that was doing a great job. He kept the crowds in it quite minimal, only enough for 3 or 4 trains. This is how it should be always. I rode front row of the first car due to the small wait. This was probably the best ride I've had on Magnum. Extremely smooth, with tons of airtime. Definately one of my favorites. It has been running really great this year in terms of smoothness. The ops were working really hard, and it was running faster than I've seen it.

Iron Dragon: 25-30 minute wait. Three trains were running and the line was moving well. Again, the entire queue was full. After getting into the station, I was really impressed. I have never seen a ride load this quickly. Any faster, and the ops would have to load while the train was still moving. Those gates would open, and would immediately close. Ops would run down checking restraints. If any Iron Dragon ops are on here, nice job! Ok ride. I've always thought the trains are a bit uncomfortable, but the second half of the ride is nice. Still a lot of trees around which is good.

We had dinner at Famous Daves, which was great as usual, and then we proceeded back into the park for some Halloweekends stuff.

Undertaker U: 30-35 minute line. It was a long, dark line, but we got to see Maverick up close before it got too dark. There will sure be a ton of trims on the hill after the launch! I don't know why they launch it at 70, because after all those brakes it can't be going nearly that fast (probably close to 45 or 50mph). This haunted house was just as good as I remembered it 2 years ago. Very nice job CP.

Fright Zone: After walking past the 2 hour line for Wherewolf Canyon (which I do remember was not nearly worth it), we proceeded into the Fright Zone. This was really great. Nearly pitch black with quite a bit of fog, and the little bit of lighting made a nice effect. Everyone was getting startled in here.

Millennium Force: 1 hour 45 minute line. I have never seen so many people in a line for a ride. This was amazing. Nearly the entire queue was full, and at certain points of the day I saw that it was. It moved somewhat quickly, but there were just a ton of people. In the station I saw two people who couldn't get the seatbelt fastened, which was really too bad since the line was so long. It would be nice if these people got an exit pass to something else. Still my number 1 coaster. Absolutely amazing. I like the ride even better at night. The lift is just amazing, there was a ton of fog after the first overbanked turn (so much that you couldn't see), more airtime than I ever remember for every hill, and it was as smooth as glass. I sat in the first row of the back car and let me tell you I will be sitting there again. Amazing ride.

The Lair of the Vampire: 25 minute wait. Another nice haunted house that was extremely dissorienting. It wasn't too much different than Undertaker U, but it was very enjoyable. I actually liked Toxic Tunnel a little better however.

CarnEvil: We went to this at probably 11:50 so it was empty. I think it would have been much better with more guests walking around, so that you can't see the CarnEvil people. This was my favorite Halloween attraction. The themeing was incredible, and the person chasing you with a chainsaw was definately a treat. It seemed understaffed (not many screamsters) but I bet if I did it earlier, or another weekend it would be better. This was really cool, and I can't wait to do it again. All of the Screamsters had amazing costumes. Just incredible. Nice utilization of the aquatic stadium too. Tons of fog and lighting which was great. Just great!

Wicked Twister: 2 train wait. Finally something without a line! Wicked Twister has always been one of my favorites, and I feel it is really overlooked. I like sitting in the back to look at the ground as I twist up in the air (a greater sense of height) but today I sat in the third car. The front is nice too. The ride however was extremely jolty, rough, bumpy, and shaky. Let's just say it desperately needs its winter rehab.

Notes:
-More crowded than I have ever seen it
-Mean Streak was utilizing at least a third of the big block of switchbacks in the center (hour wait)
-Corkscrew had a 45 minute wait
-Skyhawk was running one arm and people were spilling out into the midway (I can only imagine how long the line was, probably an hour and a half)
-The park seemed fully staffed except for some of the food lines that weren't even moving (Donut Time especially)
-2 hour wait for Wherewolf Canyon
-Park looks great
-Snake River Falls closed for the season due to cold weather
-Millennium and Dragster really need paint
-1/2 of the top of Power Tower had lights, the other half did not
-The park was probably making millions on Halloweekends sweatshirts

Overall I had a great day despite the crowds. Maverick looks great and I can't wait to ride it. I am hoping to get up to Cedar Point once more to try out Fear Faire and CarnEvil once more. I might even give Wherewolf Canyon another try if the line is shorter. Thanks for reading.

I think Millennium is fine! Dragster on the other hand does need help! Even Kingda Ka already needs help! It's only 2 years old and it needs a new paint job!

i think raptor needs some paint on the supports

I was there. Parking lot was almost filled to capacity. I was not able to ride much.

Top Thrill 182 said:
-2 hour wait for Wherewolf Canyon

There Wolf

There Castle

Snake River Falls closed for the season due to cold weather

I doubt it's closed for the season (unless its pond is emptied). I've seen it operating on closing weekend before, and it wasn't exactly warm out.

I think it might be closed. I was just there and there were tarps over the signs at the entrance to the queue.

Jugga, on cedarpoint.com, the little scroling information area on the bottom left says it will be closed for the season. I was surprised to see it too, but I guess they are trying use that staff else where.

JuggaLotus said:
There Wolf

There Castle

Huh?