Ffej's Closing Day 11-1-09

Well, I wanted to go to CP badly to get one last trip on Demon Drop (and Chaos, in case it gets sold in the off season). I had lined up a closing weekend trip with 2 season-pass-holder friends a month in advance, but they bailed at the last minute, wanting to do Halloween parties instead. Then, I had another back-up friend that was all gung-ho about going a week prior. I told him it was only $15 on Friday & Sunday if he wanted to go. Got a last-minute text Saturday night that he wanted to watch football instead.

So, I got up Sunday and sat around a few hours bored...really wanted one last trip, and I started regretting not going, thinking about the long winter wait. With encouragement from Dvo and some others on this board, I decided I should have just gone solo. It was 4:30PM, and I had a 1.5 hour drive, but I decided better late than sorry. I left secretly (to not get an out-pouring of sympathy from friends/family for going alone), and I set out for my first solo CP trip ever!

I arrived at 6PM and was shocked to see the park practically empty on closing day. I parked next to Demon Drop, and that was my first ride...longest wait of the night. I thought it was cool to see fellow CP fans clearly saying their good-byes to the ride by giving it its only wait in years for me--probably 10-15 minutes. I had flashbacks of when I was 4-5 years old (now 26) going up the lift with family...that familiar sound...and how scared I once was. I got to the top, looking over the parking lot, and I locked in that final memory.

I quickly walked on Raptor, Max Air, Disaster Transport, and Chaos. Ran over to Blue Streak, and had the entire train to myself, front seat - so lonely, but a great ride! Then I hit Power Tower down, Top Thrill Dragster, and Magnum -- virtually no wait for anything. Such great night rides!

I was shocked to see the "Scare Zones" open, so I quickly ran through Terror Island & CarnEvil. The fog was SO thick that kids were getting lost, and there were CP security officers and employees everywhere with flash lights, adding to the eerieness...it was awesome. I got a couple jumps, but the vast majority of the screamsters had thrown in their flags for the season, and they were talking and joking with eachother...perhaps it didn't help that I'm 26 and tall. Still, just the thick, thick fog and lights were good enough for me...and going through alone enhanced the eerie feeling.

I was disappointed to see Gemini closed, but I power walked back to Maverick -- one of the rides I was craving most. I had sort of a debate at this point though...I could run to Millenium Force or likely score 2 rides on Maverick. I decided definitely Maverick, as it still feels kind of new and more entertaining for me. I ran through the Maverick line and was excited to finally get to use the single-rider line -- but I think I made an embarrassing mistake. I walked through a dozen people or so, ran up the single-rider stairs, and once I got up there, there was a garbage can in the walk-way...still not completely sure if this meant the single-rider line was closed or if it was a last chance to throw stuff away. If it was closed, I'd think there would have been chains at the entrance and exit. Regardless, someone desperately wanted someone to go ahead of them (and no one was willing), so they could go with their friends. I helped them out, and if I mistakenly line-jumped, it didn't harm anyone else.

I got off, and I got right back in line at 8:03PM -- this is one of the things I've always LOVED about Cedar Point, and I hope they never change. They always give you an extra 5-10 minutes after the park closes...I've scored so many bonus rides because of this generous policy over the years. I can't believe that Paramount used to close lines 30 min to an hour before the park closed -- that always ended the day on a bitter note when I couldn't ride Beast 30 minutes before closure! Anyway, this time I made sure to stay in the regular Maverick line, and I got on the very last Maverick train of the season -- a great way to end another season!

In conclusion, I was amazed to get on 11 great rides and walk through 2 scare zones in less than 2 hours! I'm so glad I went, and this will make the off-season wait a little less painful. To anyone hesitant of going alone, just do it. Don't let friends cancelling ruin something that you want to do! To be honest, it was a little awkward being alone for the first hour...but I got past that and had a great time. It was cool to go through the park at a hyper pace and ride what I wanted to. With friends, I bet I wouldn't have been able to get on more than 5 rides in that 2 hours.

One last thing...as I made the walk back to the front lot from Maverick, I could hear Demon Drop along the way, and I was confused. As I got closer to it, they had a final farewell ceremony of sorts for it. CP workers continued to loop the ride until near 8:45PM or so, and there was a decently-large crowd of people all around it (with video cameras), waiting to see the final drop. It was a neat way to end the night -- a celebration of its life at CP rather than its death...

Ffej said:
,One last thing...as I made the walk back to the front lot from Maverick, I could hear Demon Drop along the way, and I was confused. As I got closer to it, they had a final farewell ceremony of sorts for it. CP workers continued to loop the ride until near 8:45PM or so, and there was a decently-large crowd of people all around it (with video cameras), waiting to see the final drop. It was a neat way to end the night -- a celebration of its life at CP rather than its death...

Sounds like your solo trip was a blast! I was forced to go solo yesterday too but was fine by me. I ended up hooking up with several of my CP buds anyway.

There was a "golden ticket" contest for last ride(s) on Demon Drop last night. I was one of the lucky winners! 24 of us waited for the GP to get their last ride and then we got to ride. The video camera was for the PointCast coming soon according to Tony and Tyler.

The last ride was bittersweet to say the least!

Glad you had a blast!

Jo
Lifetime Raptor flights: 2175 :)

Going alone definitely has its perks! I went for 2 days back in 2002, and it was one of my favorite trips. I'm glad you made the decision to go, instead of staying home wishing you did! :)

Nice TR. Glad to be of encouragement, haha. I didn't go solo at all this year, really. But not having people to go with will never stop me from a day at the Point :)