Aug 23rd & 24th (better late then never)

Let me start by saying that I'm a trip report virgin. We left my brothers home on Tuesday at about 11:30 am. Crossing at the Walpole Island/Marine City border. Customs was quick and with only one stop we were at the Cheesecake Factory just outside of Cleavland by three. We had our supper (which was great as always) and we were out of there and back on the road headed for Sandusky by 5:00pm.

Arrived at the Clarion at about 5:45pm with a little traffic on the way back. This hotel to my understanding used to be a Sheriton and i can see why they unloaded it. In my opinion it was definatly not Sheriton material. Seeing as how it was only 5:50 by the time we were checked in and we had the buy get one free starlight tickets. My brother and I made the decision to goto the park and get some coasters in as we would have his children with us the following day.

Made it to the park by 6:00 and we were in the gate by ten after. The midway itself seemed crowded but was in no way a reflection of the lines. Headed directly for Raptor which was a complete walk on and we scored a ride in the front seat as there was only two people boarding it. Great ride as always and would have enjoyed a re-ride but the goal was to get as much done as possible.

Wicked Twister was next after about a ten minute wait we boarded and we were off. Honestly I didn't feel the extra roughness people have been speaking of. It's and ok ride but I couldn't bring myself to wait very long for it. Magnum was next with a walk up to the always crammed station headed to seat 1:2 with a three train wait. I love this ride the airtime is great, heck everything about it is great. Only negative thing about Magnum is being thrown into the lap bars. Still I have a hard time deciding if I like Magnum or Millennium more.

Next we headed towards Gemini and Mean Streak and came to the decision to skip them for the night. Since they always have a short line anyway and my brother would be able to hit them both easily the next day. Mantis was next and was another three train wait. They were stacking very little this night I was Impressed. Now onto the pain, I have never ridden mantis and not had the brake on the first hill grab. This night it didn't at all, everytime we went into a pull out or turn my leg cramped hardcore. Now I can relate to what others have said.

It was about 7:30 by this time and we wanted to avoid traffic after close se we opted to skip the 45 minute wait for Millinnium Force, which in my opinion was longer. We made the decision to ride Maxair on the way out and despite the awfully long load times we were on in 10-15 minutes. Great ride similar but much better the the Mondiel version.

The next day we were awake at about 8:00am. My neice and I made the short drive to the Mc.Donalds and grabbed a bite to eat for everyone. We were out of the hotel and at the park by 9:45am. When we arrived at the park my sister in-law told my brother to go with me and ride Millennium and she would watch the kids as they were still kind of tired. While she took them to Peanuts Playground we headed to Millennium.

After a 10 minute wait to enter the queue my brother was told to try the test seat. He is not very big at all and let's just say it was a tight fit. Waited on the ramp for about 10 minutes and we were on our train. The belt on the train was evern tighter and my brother had to remove the stuff in his pockets and give it to me so he could secure the strap. Excellent ride as always and it was #50 for me. After Millennium my brother departed and I headed to Mantis again.

Mantis was a complete walk on and the brake grabbed today making it bareable. After Mantis I did and walk on, on Iron Draggon and headed to Corkscrew from there. Checked the Dragster line and made the decision to get in. After about 35 minutes of waiting I was on and In the front seat, thanks to the need of a single rider. Awsome is the only way to describe Dragster, Had I waited and hour or two I would not have though as much of it.

After this I went to Magnum for three laps, then onto Gemini for a lap on each side. Mean Streak came next with two rides one in the front and one in the back. For some reason I actually enjoyed it today, and it seemed to be running well. After Mean Streak I headed towards Camp Snoopy and rode Mine Ride where I met a man from Michigan with his son and daughter. They were both scarred to ride alone so I told him I would be happy to have one ride with me.

After Mine Ride they headed the same direction as me and we continued our conversation and he mentioned Shivering Timbers was his favourite coaster. Made it to Camp Snoopy by 1:00 to meet my brother and his family, and was in shock by all that I had accomplished. My neice and I rode the school bus, balloons, and swings. She is still just a little too short for WE. She loves rided as we take her to an Indoor amusement park near or house every weekend where they (Wheels Inn Chatham.) have a little Mack.

My neice and I did two laps in the front of Juniour Gemini, which was a first for me. Man that thing is small. It was 2:00 and my brother wanted to eat and I decided I would save money and just get something on the way home as we planned on leaveing by 4:00 anyway. We decided that we would meet at Dragster at 3:00 and I left on my mission. Did Power Tower up and down, fun as always, although I like the down side more. Headed from there and speed walked to Raptor, once again caught a front seat ride thanks to being a single rider.

Went from Raptor to Blue Streak and after a two train wait I was on. I still love Blue Streak, I have since 92 and will probally still love it in 2022 providing it's still there. Continued speed walking back to Dragster. My brother had yet to arrive so I purchased a pop and five minutes later he was there. We got in line at 3:10 and we were off at 3:42. My sister in-law and my neice and nephew we at Snoopy Boutique. When my brother went to get them I hurried ahead and caught two potential last rides on Deamon Drop.

All in all it was a good day. Perfect weather, barely any lines and I really didn't see the operations lacking as everyone has been saying lately. On the way home we stopped just outside of Toledo at a Taco Bell, Subway, Pizza Hut and variety store combo. I opted to Taco Bell and my brother and I each purchased twelve cans of Labatt Blue, as it much cheaper in Ohio then in Canada. I got a kick out of coming home and drinking Canadian beer that has the word Imported printed accross the can. Once again a great trip. Thank you for reading this LONG TR.
*** Edited 9/2/2005 10:56:36 PM UTC by Phil Bernard***