Cedar Point, June 24th, 2006

Cedar Point, June 24th, 2006 Trip Report

5:30am
Woke up, yes, early.

6:00am
Got in the truck, and drove to Cedar Point from just east of Cleveland. 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours.

7:40am
Arrive at Cedar Point. Why was I arriving so early? BirthdayMania of course!

(no more times)

We got to the point, and parked. We went up for the front of the gate where we were supposed to meet the other guest at 8:00. Out inventation said not to be late. So now the time was growing past 8, and into 8:10. Just then I say a guy put up signs on the trash cans that read "Millennium Force will be closed today". As soon as he finished, Tony walked out of Guest Services and rallied us up.

He explained to us that Millennium Force was broken down. But they had a slight subsitution: Top Thrill Dragster. So now, I'm thinking "Top Thrill Dragsters down more then Millennium. I don't think I will ride much"

We take the long walk from the front gate the TTD, and walk up the exit. A photographer took group pictures. Everyone finds a seat. First come, first served. Then, we're off!

Surprisingly, Top Thrill Dragster didn't break down at all in our 30 minute ERT. I fit in 5 rides with that ERT, then when the public began coming in, I got in line. I waited 10 minutes, and got my 6th ride of the day.

During the ERT, I was sitting behind Tony. I asked him what was wrong with Millennium Force. He said there was a mechanical problem and it would be down all day because they had to fly someone in.

Also, while during our ERT, I met MillenniumMatt. In case, anyone cared.

After my 6th TTD ride, I went to go ride Magnum. Almost walk on, maybe had to wait one or two rides. But I ended up riding 3 times. After that, I walked to SkyHawk. Rode that, twice. I walked over to Mean Streak just after 10. I noticed that they were blocking the enterence with the railroad gates. They tested a few times, and opened the gates. There were alot of people there for once, I think I actualy waited 30 minutes. And guess what, it DIDN'T HURT. My god, last time I rode that thing, I hurt my back, and could bearly breathe. But this time, it didn't. It might have been the train, I was in the Green train this time. I'm not sure which train I was in before.

Up until now, the crowds seemed low. That all changed in a hurry. I took the train to Millennium Force, and then the SkyRide to the front. There I walked to Raptor. 3 hour wait! I'm not waiting that long. I love the ride, love B&M. But I didn't feel like waiting 3 hours. So I went over to maXair. That line was too bad, the line was just spilling in the midway. Only about 30 minute wait. Fun, in deed.

I decided Wicked Twister would be my next stop. But, the line was alittle long. So I decided to see the Extreme Slash 2006, show or whatever it is called. It was very entertaining. I noticed that Snoopy's Summer Vacation opened today. So I walked to the Good Time Theatre. I had never been there before. I was confused because all these seats, and just a blue wall to look at. I soon realized there were doors on the other side, which probably lead to a theatre. Of course, it reminded me of Disney World, at the Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney's Carosel through Time. Or however it is named. I loved the way the seats rotated around the center stage. Of course, the Good Time Theatre seats don't move. We all rushed through the door, and found our place. I have to say, it's a good show. I don't know that Kindergarten shool would have a school dance, or if snoopy was really the main star. The show seemed like it was apart of another show, but they tacked the name "Snoopy" onto it. I still liked it though. Those preformers have to pull some of the fastest costume changes I have ever seen.

I'm not sure what exactly happened after that, I guess it was a blur. But I know we went to see the Livin' in America show. That was very cool too. And they pulled fast costume changes too. And for once, Demon Drop was open, so I got a ride on that. Which, is like taking the Way Back Machine. I havn't riden one of those in years. I know I also rode Wicked Twister, but I don't remember when, and how it fit in. But the wait was only about 20 minutes.

I believe that is when I went of site to the East-of Chicago pizza buffet place. That was good, and cheaper then Cedar Point considering you can eat all you want.

On the way back into the parking lot, I couldn't believe my eyes. Not only was the spot I just got out of open, but so was Millennium Force!

As soon as I got in the park, I went right to Millennium Force. The wait was 1 1/2 hour. But I knew that were the line was it was really about 45 minutes. And it ended up being almost exactly 45 minutes. I love that ride, if only I could have riden that this morning. I guess Tony lied! Not a problem though, things change. I still enjoyed TTD this morning.

I heard maXair is better at night, so I rode that, it was good. I also noticed the Raptor line was shorter. So I got on that. Then, it was getting close to closing, so I went to Millennium Force around 10:40. I waited for the front seat. As I getting closer, and it's past 11, I noticed repeat people. I soon realized, that the gate was still open. Even past 11! So, I got my front row, and guess what I did. I ran back around, and rode again! Then, I rode it again! Now, get this. I got the last ride of the operating day, and first ride of the day! We left the station around 12:01, and got back at 12:04. Meaning, it was no longer June 24th.

What a great ending to a day. Over all, the day was really good. I got to fit alot of things in, including three shows and off site dinner. All of the employees were great too!

Edit: I forgot, TTD ran GREAT all day. I hadn't heard or seen any break downs. Congrats Dragster Crew! *** Edited 6/25/2006 4:51:30 PM UTC by Keith 2005***

Congragulations on your six dragster rides... Hope you had fun...

Were they all in a row or did you have to hop off and then get back on ?? How did that work for you ??

They were running 5 trains, and only about 20 out of 100 people showed up. So we had to get off in the unload, and walk right on over to the load. It was fun. Worked great.

If there were only 20 of you I am suprised that they did not just let you keep the same seats and just keep you on the train... The only reason that they might of not let that happen was due to the fact of the riders wanting diffrent seats...

They couldn't "launch an empty train" said one of the ride host. They were half way filling them. I think the entire crowd took maybe three trains. When there are 5 trains, and only 3 are being used, there are empty trains. And, they "can't" launch those.

Ah.

Reason i was asking was because of me being a bigger rider if I would of won I would hate getting out and getting back in...

Also how were the people you rode with ?

I don't really have a problem fitting in on TTD, but Millennium Force is another story. It can get difficult to buckle the thing. And I'm not "that" big. I just got a fat butt! So I can feel with you.

And the people I rode with were fine. They weren't pushing and shoving for the front. I think everyone had a chance to ride the front at least once. And Millennium_Matt was there.

Im guessing they kept Millennium open later due to it being down all day. That is a rare treat though... Normally that entrance is closed 8 minutes after close.

One time however, Dick Kinzel was supposed to be bringing a group to ride, and he wasn't supposed to be there till a little after the park closed, so we were supposed to keep the ride open for the public until then. Luckily I was off work that day, so some friends and I showed up for the time I knew it was still supposed to be open. The line was non existant, and we got 4 or 5 rides in around an hour. At the end of a long day, as a crewmember you want to go home, and you could tell that the crew was getting a bit frustrated. Even more frustrating to them was that Mr. Kinzel never showed up. Eventually we were just called and told to close the ride.

Anyway... long story short... Its a good day when Millennium has unannounced extended hours...

Hey I am new here but I was there, I got on Dragster 7 times in that half hour!

Good TR, 3 hours for Raptor?! Jeez, I hope it cools down in the middle of the week a little. It'll be my very first time to the point Wednesday & Thursday! I hope TTD & MF run good all day.

Then, it was getting close to closing, so I went to Millennium Force around 10:40. I waited for the front seat. As I getting closer, and it's past 11, I noticed repeat people. I soon realized, that the gate was still open. Even past 11! So, I got my front row, and guess what I did. I ran back around, and rode again! Then, I rode it again! Now, get this. I got the last ride of the operating day, and first ride of the day!

I was one of those repeat riders you saw. I got 5 rides in during the last hour, one of them being my 100th ;).

Congrats on your 100th ride! Were you working MF at all last week? We got on MF a lot, about 16 times. I was going to say that I was taking it to the extreme, but I didn't know who you were. :)
*** Edited 6/27/2006 5:27:03 PM UTC by coastergurl***

I'm the only Josh on the crew. Up until Sunday I was only a weekend guy, but tommorrow I move down full time for the summer.

Oh ok so I wouldn't have seen you at all. I was talking with someone from px and he was telling me about the whole taking it to the extreme thing, which I didn't know about. I would have said it though. :)