Coastermania 6/3/05

I've never tried to do the whole Coastermania, because I think it's insane to put in a 20-hour day at an amusement park. That said, a late arrival for a few rides sounded like a good plan, so I met Pete at the park around 6:30 p.m. We went straight to Friday's.

Sadly, the gift certificate I won at the mini-golf fund raiser was not good for the alcohol, but Pete and I had some adult beverages anyway. We assumed the dirty old man position near the windows in the bar and talked about politics and stupid people.

Around 8 p.m., we split for the Red Garter, because we heard that the show is not to be missed. However, the last show was at 6. Whoops! We bought the last two beers served for the night. Unlike the 2003 event, we managed to get through the night without Pete having to borrow any money from me.

Before the park closed, we decided to hit maXair. This was against my better judgment, because having consumed alcohol I figured I would be asking for trouble. Surprisingly enough, it is a good buzz ride. We were seated in the upper 40's, which gave an OK ride. I continue to believe that building this was one of the better decisions the park has made in awhile, and the surrounding revitalization of that area was very much needed.

We hit Disaster Transport next, just before ERT began. While I realize that the ride attracts a fair number of riders, for what it is, on that plot of land, it's a monumental waste of space. With the maXair and game improvements, I feel more strongly than ever that the whole area would benefit from restoring the lake view and tearing that horrible building down.

Off we went to Raptor. Somehow they let us in for the ERT first, so we took front seats. I haven't had a front seat ride in a long time, and I forgot how cool the visuals are. No measurable trim at the mid-course at all, and man was this thing flying. What a great ride. The other B&M inverts I've been on come close, but I still think Raptor holds just a little advantage over the rest.

Next up, Blue Streak. I don't know what the Canadians did a few years ago, but this ride has come from nowhere to be one of my favorites anywhere. When the upstops slam up and the road wheels slam down, that my friends is airtime. The thing that stood out for me on this particular ride was how fast the train moved through the turn-around. Wow. Awesome ride.

We zipped back to maXair for another lap, then went to Magnum. Yet another surprise there... no trims! I assume they figured coaster geeks could get in an out of the ride fast enough that they wouldn't cause any setups. I watched, and boy were they pushing the limits. Great crew. Even with the trims off and the much shorter ride, the next train was already half-way up the lift by the time the other train went through the safeties.

I'll restate what I've said for a long time... pulling the seat belt as tight as you can is the only way to ride, especially when it's all-out insane like this with no trim. That soft belt is a lot better than those hard lap bars over those last few hops.

I hung out for a little while longer after Pete left, waiting for the hour-per-drink to pass so I could drive, and I hit Magnum a few more times. Good times. I was actually geeked up a little, something I haven't done in awhile.

I totally agree with you about Blue Streak. A number of years ago, it was just an average ride, in my opinion. But on my trip in 2002, the airtime seemed amazing. Then on my next trip in 2004, I noticed the incredible airtime yet again! My cousins and I rode Blue Streak countless times on that visit. I believe that it is now a must ride coaster on any trip to Cedar Point. Hopefully it is performing that great on my trip there next week!

Yeah I kinda picked up on that with Blue Streak also. I figured it was just me as I hadn't ridden it in a few years. Forgot how much I liked hearing that clackity clack!

Sounds like ya had a good evening Jeff. Did they do ERT on Mean Streak? Were they giving no trim rides? I'll be mad if they did... heh.

Nice trip report Jeff.

I was glad the trims on Magnum were open. Otherwise there would have been a lot of people crying about it. But, I believe the reaon they were open was not for us. The were open a couple of hours before park closing due to wind. It was running really slow with trims. Several rides we creeped around the pretzel. I honestly believe that if it hadn't been windy, the trims would have been on. Even for ERT. Park Op has been very strict about them this season so far. I have had many rides with half-empty trains and trims were on. They are going strickly by the timing. I mentioned it one day when I got off, "what's the deal with trims being on with all these empty seats". Response was, "most likely the trains are coming back in a decent time". This was from Park Op, not ride op. I usually will not complain to ride ops about it. They are just doing there job.

I have noticed them timing the trains quite a bit this season, so I think you may be right.

It's a shame the trimless rides are becoming more rare.

This may sound stupid but what does ERT mean?
*** Edited 6/6/2005 12:34:51 AM UTC by CP4eva'04***

Exclusive Ride Time, or in the case of Coastermania: Extended Ride Time.

Thank you.

Jeff said:
I've never tried to do the whole Coastermania, because I think it's insane to put in a 20-hour day at an amusement park. ...I'll restate what I've said for a long time... pulling the seat belt as tight as you can is the only way to ride, especially when it's all-out insane like this with no trim. That soft belt is a lot better than those hard lap bars over those last few hops.

I have to disagree with you on the 20 hour thing. Yes, it was insane, but it was the only time in my life i've left CP thinking- "I've ridden enough" Of course, i live 300 miles from CP, so that makes a difference, I'm sure.

I agree with you on pulling the belt tight on Magnum. I wish I had. After 7 rides at 1-3, my thighs were so bruised that I couldn't take anything with a lap bar any more. I'll know better next time. Anyway, that DID give me cause to go get 4 laps on Raptor, including the last one in the front. Wow!

Remember that I frequently visit the park and don't ride anything at all.

If they use trims based on timing, then they were ignoring it that night during ERT. I haven't had rides that fast in a very long time.

^^Yes. And if I were as close as you, I'd visit more than once a year myself, and my viewpoint on the 18 hour thing would be a lot closer to yours, if not identical.

And yes, they were really "getting the mail delivered"

Noobie questions:

What exactly is this Trim? and...

What is CoasterMania? From what I'm reading, its 20 hours long but are normal public allowed in? or is this just something for employees or season holders?

Can someone explain this to the noob? lol...thanks in advance

"Trims" are trim brakes, the brakes on roller coasters you find in the middle of the course.