"Blitzing" CP
Coming from 350 miles to the west (Chicago area), my family doesn't have any "second chance" dates, as do the more local CP fans, should something mess-up---and the climactic situation throughout the Midwest this past week certainly threatened to do all kinds of messing-up for us. In fact, we were only able to visit the park one evening (out of three); but we learned a good time can still be had under the most trying conditions.
We arrived at the park at 4:30 Tuesday evening, but in just three-and-one-half hours, we were able to ride nearly everything we wanted to ride---including TWO laps on MF. The only rides we missed were DT (no great loss for us); Raptor; and the Blue Streak. (The Mine Train was closed.) The upside, however, was Gemini, Iron Dragon, Mantis, and Mean Streak were walk-ons, and the 'Cat only made us wait about six or seven minutes.
The best part, however was at MF. The first wait was only ten minutes, and the second wait was only fifteen minutes. On the first lap, my family sat in the first car, but not the first seat. On the second lap, however, while my wife and I sat in the second car, our son was able to cadge a spot in the "front row". Wait just fifteen minutes for MF, and get in the front seat---the reality surpassed the fantasy!
Of course, our shortened stay meant we paused only for a quick snack, no full meal; did only light souvenir shopping; and did not saunter down all the midways (first time in many years I did not feed the ducks in the lagoon, or on the Frontier Trail). We also were able to get through the park by taking advantage of small crowds---and quick loading times---on the skyride and the train.
But we come to ride, and ride we did. The angry grey sky even lost its clouds that evening, and most of the time we were in brilliant---although cool---sunshine. In fact, with the earlier closing hour this time of the season, the park closed for the "night" in brilliant light.
So if one must fly through CP, it can be done, with little or no sacrifice in ride laps. Yes, we did not get the whole Cedar Park experience, but next year we can watch people dipping candles, or maybe have some something delicious at the Breakers ice cream parlor. This year, we got rides!
We arrived at the park at 4:30 Tuesday evening, but in just three-and-one-half hours, we were able to ride nearly everything we wanted to ride---including TWO laps on MF. The only rides we missed were DT (no great loss for us); Raptor; and the Blue Streak. (The Mine Train was closed.) The upside, however, was Gemini, Iron Dragon, Mantis, and Mean Streak were walk-ons, and the 'Cat only made us wait about six or seven minutes.
The best part, however was at MF. The first wait was only ten minutes, and the second wait was only fifteen minutes. On the first lap, my family sat in the first car, but not the first seat. On the second lap, however, while my wife and I sat in the second car, our son was able to cadge a spot in the "front row". Wait just fifteen minutes for MF, and get in the front seat---the reality surpassed the fantasy!
Of course, our shortened stay meant we paused only for a quick snack, no full meal; did only light souvenir shopping; and did not saunter down all the midways (first time in many years I did not feed the ducks in the lagoon, or on the Frontier Trail). We also were able to get through the park by taking advantage of small crowds---and quick loading times---on the skyride and the train.
But we come to ride, and ride we did. The angry grey sky even lost its clouds that evening, and most of the time we were in brilliant---although cool---sunshine. In fact, with the earlier closing hour this time of the season, the park closed for the "night" in brilliant light.
So if one must fly through CP, it can be done, with little or no sacrifice in ride laps. Yes, we did not get the whole Cedar Park experience, but next year we can watch people dipping candles, or maybe have some something delicious at the Breakers ice cream parlor. This year, we got rides!
The Mine Ride was closed on Tuesday? Hrmm...we haven't had downtime...save transferring off...in awhile...
Interesting. What time was this?
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Natalie
Mine Ride '99 (RIDE MINE!)
Thunder Canyon '00 (TC2K RULES, SNAKE DROOLS!)
Mine Ride ATL '01
Interesting. What time was this?
-------------
Natalie
Mine Ride '99 (RIDE MINE!)
Thunder Canyon '00 (TC2K RULES, SNAKE DROOLS!)
Mine Ride ATL '01
It had to be around 6pm. There were no trains running, and the chain was across the entry. We later took the CPRR from Mean Streak back to MF---about 7:30pm---and there were ride ops on the platform, but the trains still were not operating. (Nice family of geese, though, walking by the entrance.)
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