Help for first time Mantis rider...

Riddler's Revenge is an amazing coaster. Two dive loops! The dispatch times in between trains were so fast we were in awe. The reason for the fast dispatch times was once the seats were locked they rolled'em out. None of that "If you are in an uncomfortable position please raise your hand" business. Maybe they figured oh well next time they'll remember to stand up properly. It might have been coincidental but the trains actually made a "peel out" sound as they quickly left the station. I wasn't timing them but the ops were easily as fast as those on Goliath, Viper or Batman.

Everytime I get out to SFMM all I see is 1 train operation :(
Yeah, Six Flags isn't bad on the Riddler dispatches because they don't bother making sure everyone is standing.

On Mantis this past season the dispatches were pretty decent, it just depends, sometimes they slammed the train on the first blocked section of breaks at the end and it just slowly crawled to the station to give the ride ops more time. It's no where near 3 train op. I doubt we'll ever see that again.

The easiest way around the problem is to take one of the two middle seats and put one leg on the bar that separates the row in half. I've never had a problem with that. You won't understand until you see it but it should make sense once you do.

First off...I am a girl. lol. Thanks for all of your advice, but if I need to do certain things to have a nice comfortable ride on this coaster...then I do not think it is worth it. Especially if it is as comfortable as a wooden coaster. Because I have tooken too many beatings from those. lol.

Jesz I think that people tend to make Mantis out to be worse then it is. If you sit in the front seat and pay attention to the track you will be more then fine especially if you are female. Follow the instructions and there is no reason why you would not enjoy Mantis. Besides with B&M's trains being so large and obstructing who would want to sit any place other then the front? Which will in no doubt give you a smooth ride. The only thing that really bites about it is the way you lurch forward when the brake midway down the drop is on. Everyone always complains about Mean Streak too, and don't get me wrong im not going to say that it's not a "little" rough, but if you have ever been to Canada's Wonderland and rode their TOGO stand up, or their two woodies anything at Cedar Point feels like a brand spanking new Lincoln Town Car. haha...

I agree with Phil - sit in front, follow the loading procedure, and you'll be fine. Don't let our comments stop you from trying this experience, especially if it's a new one to you. Fact is, as much as we complain about the ride, nearly all of us still ride it when the opportunity arises, so it's not all that bad. And it's nothing like a wooden coaster. Mantis is smooth, but it makes quick turns that many people, even veterens like myself, still don't expect. Just be loose and have fun. You'll like it.

MrScott said:
Go ask someone to kick you in the nuts. That's what sitting down will do to you on Mantis.

MrScott

Mr. Scott i is kind of like that. Just with Steel toe boots and repetedley. Horrific pain. I wonder If I am ok.

Phil, I couldn't have said it better myself. I went to Wonderland in August and I couldn't stand the coasters, I only rode 5 and I was more than content. Their coasters are really rough and not even comparable to CP coasters. I regret not riding Tomb Raider.

I have been on Mantis several times. I have not been hurt nor beat up on any of those rides. I think some people here tend to be overly dramatic. I don't know where the best seat is, but I have been in several different ones and didn't notice any difference. I would imagine that the front row would be best simply for the unobstructed view.

Coasterfury,

I don't know if this applies to you or not, but, getting kicked in the brothers has always been dramatic for me. Mantis is not a friendly coaster, at least not for MrScott.

MrScott

Fastball has had some decent rides and some horrific rides on it. It's all about luck and posistioning. Of course, I haven't put two and two together and figured out where it's best to ride.

Vince about you regreting not riding Tomb Raider, don't. Seriously even if you can get past the ridiculously (sp) long line, the ride itself makes you feel like a trapped animal and is extremely un-comfortable. Top Gun (SLC) and Sky Rider (TOGO) are amazing in comparision and that does not say much. You would think that a park with attendence as high as it is at PCW would invest in something better then that. Tomb Raiders themeing is good though. If only Cedar Fair would purchase PCW. (wishful thinking) Oh and I asked in another thread and did'ent get a response does anyone know where to find the Mantis promotional video? Sorry about this being so off topic I just wanted to let Vince know how little he actually missed. Hopefully they do not disapoint with the Italian Job as they did with Tomb Raider.

macho nachos said:
Get a hand stamp and wait for the front. You'll get a great view and the smoothest ride possible. I find that you really don't need to lean forward until after the mid course brakes. I love Mantis! ;)

I personally would not waste a hand stamp for Mantis, as Millennium and Top Thrill would be better to get a stamp for in my opinion. If you want to ride Mantis then wait for the final hour or two that the park is open for the day and Mantis is a walk on. As for the ride itself it isn't a bad ride and I have never noticed any problems riding it and I am 6'5" and had knee surgery on both knees. I just have a problem waiting in a hour and a half or longer line to ride it, because of the dispatch times.

Mantis can definately be a rough ride. It's not one of my favorites, for that reason. But, riding in the front does two things. It smooths out the turns over the water and it provides a visual sensation that can only be achieved on a stand up. I say the same two things about Raptor, which is one of the best coasters I've ever been on. If you ride anywhere other than front row, I think it's better to be in an outside "seat." Don't skip Mantis for any reason other than you've been there, done that and didn't like it!

Yeah, I've been kicked there before. And yes, I take that seriously. But, I've been on two types of stand ups, B&M and Togo, and have not been "kicked" in the nads by either one. And, I didn't have to place my self in any special way for that to happen or ride defensively for that matter. Getting back to your point, I know what you are saying and I just chose bad descriptive words for what I was thinking. *** Edited 3/4/2005 9:35:59 PM UTC by Coasterfury***