How it all started

I was just wondering how all your love for coasters and cedar point started out.

for me it was in 2000 when me and my family went to CP in june to stay at the breakers. We were a little scared at first, but we hit all the big rides in no time. That is when my love for coasters started out, but it wasn't that simple. In 1998, we went to CP and I was TERRIFIED of everything there. I only rode Iron dragon, gemini, corkscrew, and PT as the only "big" rides. Corkscrew was my first upsidedown coaster ever. I rode down on PT and was totally scared I remember.

In 2000, we never got the chance to ride MF cuz the line was too long. I guess I can say Magnum really made me love them cuz we woke up early in the morning for resort entrance and rode it first. After that, I was not scared anymore and kept riding.

My love for CP started out around 2003. I just kept wanting to go back year after year and as I started to ride the big rides more, I started loving the place more.

I credit the Raptor with turning me into a roller coaster enthusiast. I didn't really start going to Cedar Point until 1990

Well with coasters, it all started in the summer of 1986. I was an intrepted almost three year old when I made my first trip to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, NH. Back then the parks signature Schmek L-shaped out and back airtime machine (still my #3 wooden coaster) the Yankee Cannonball did not have a height limit, so I took my first ride and loved it. The following summer, a height limit was added so that I actually couldn't ride it again until 88. That January I went on my first trip to Disney World where I rode BTMRR (Space was down for rehab) and then that summer I went upside down first on the Canobie Corkscrew and then on the Lockness Monster @ BGW.

As for Cedar Point, credit the Discovery Channel's 1999 "Thrills Chills and Spills Memorial Day Programming, especially the "Theme Park" hour special that focused on SFMM, CP, Kennywood, and BGW. Since we had already been to BGW and loved it and we were going on a trip back to New England that summer (we had moved to WI) and Kennywood and CP were on the way we scheduled them in. Since then I have been back to the park every year since and now its my home park since I have moved to Toledo :).

My parents took me to Kings Island when I was 4, just tall enough to ride the Racer (with buzzbars) I loved it and never really looked back. I never made it to Cedar point till 2004, but had wanted to go since 1989 when I read a large article about the Magnum. The story and pictures got me hooked, I always wanted to go and almost went many times, but took it upon myself to make it to the point, a five hour drive from my place and have been back every year since!

Oh gawd, back in the 70's I was about 5 yrs old and my old man took me on a ride called the Zipper at the county fair. He said I screamed my head off and got mad when we got off. So from there on it was to Cedar Point almost every year for family vacation. I really can't remember my first coaster but was probably Blue Streak or Corkscrew and now I'm passing this on to my kids. Can't wait till next year and 1 more inch to get another kid hooked.

My first trip was in 1997, but I was 9 at the time and afraid of most coasters. My next trip would be in 2004, but I started liking the place before that as I read more about it online. As I learned more about it online, I became addicted (even though I've never been on any 'big' coasters at the time). I made my family go there that year. It took off from there.

I was scared to death of roller coasters until my fathe bribed me with money to ride one. Many moons later, I find myself waiting in line to ride a 400ft coaster.

It must've been around 1980 for me. I would've only been about 4 years old, but I remember my early rides on Junior Gemini and Shoot-the-Rapids, going through the Funhouse, and seeing long-gone rides like the Skywheel, SF Earthquake, and the Rotor.

At that age, the highlight was always the Kiddyland rides with their delightfully annoying buzzer-horns. Later it would be Berenstain Bear Country and Kid Arthur's Court, though I was outgrowing them by the time they were put in.

By then I was riding the Mine Ride, Blue Streak, Wildcat, Avalanche Run and Gemini. I was too scared of the Corkscrew and going upside down (hard to believe there were only six roller coasters then). My parents and aunt would pester me about how it was no big deal, but I wouldn't believe them for years. Now I get to try to persuade my nieces and nephews about the same thing.

My folks have taken my siblings and I to CP at least once a year for as long as I can remember. Since the early 90's we've all been getting season passes and visiting a number of times per year. Back in the 80s we'd always stay at the campground, then the Breakers, now mostly Lighthouse Point. My siblings now take their own kids, and we have large family trips at least one a year. CP has always been a tradition in my family. It's hard not to have a special place for it in your heart when you've watched it grow up along with you.

*** Edited 10/22/2007 3:04:20 AM UTC by Jeremy Sell***

It was a combination of going to park really young and being fascinated by the size of the rides and the ever popular Roller Coaster Tycoon game I was addicted to. What got me here was my interest in construction and I just happened to come across the webcams of Wicked Twister's construction.

I virtually grew up at Kings Island, because I just loved it the first time I went as a little kid. Every year I would hope that I was tall enough for the King Cobra, because I wanted to try a loop, but I was too scared of Vortex at the time. But once I rode the cobra there was no turning back. And we went to CP in 91 for Mean Streak's opening year, and then didn't go back until 94 for raptor's opening year. But by that time I was a die-hard fan and so I've been to CP every year since.

My love affair with CP began at the Breaker's beach back in the early 60's. My grandfather (Emile Legros) and George Roose had recently acquired the park, and we had gone (as we did every summer hence) to vacation there. I remember the warm breezes, cool water, and my father playing with us in the lake - thinking this was great! Then, my grandfather would arrange for us to have free access to the attractions. How great is this place, I thought. Everywhere you turn, something fun to do!

The coaster bug was caught on the old Wild Mouse. My mother had forbidden us to ride until, with some persuasion from my father and grandfather, we were allowed on it. Of course, my brothers and I were scared, but excited. Those hairpin turns that almost had the car turning over (or so you thought) and the "big" hills. I remember exiting the ride with my legs weak and a sense of euphoria at having conquered my fears. The rest is history.

Growing up, my dad believed that roller coasters were machines of death, so he never took us to amusement parks, carnivals, or anything similar. Everytime I saw a carnival or amusement park I wondered what I was missing. In 1996 I went to CP for the first time on a trip organized by my high school (much to my dad's chagrin). Roller Coasters were everything and more than I thought they would be! My first coaster was corkscrew. The breathtaking first drop and the three inversions had me gasping with awe. Mean Streak, Magnum and the brand new Mantis were phenomenal. But nothing beat Raptor. The 2.5 hour wait baking in the sun was well worth it.

Anyway I had a good time.
*** Edited 10/22/2007 1:27:37 PM UTC by TerraCoaster***

Strange enough...my coaster addiction started on a bet. Up until around 1996 I was terrified of coasters. I could ride The Beastie at KI and Blue Streak at CP, but even those made me nervous.

That Summer, I was going on a trip with my middle school to CP and my brother (who is 6 years older than me), made me a bet that I wouldn't ride Magnum. I was fairly certain I wouldn't ride it either, but he told me he would pay me 10 dollars if I did. Well long story short, a combination of peer pressure from my friends at school, and the desire to prove my brother wrong, I decided to try the Magnum.

From the moment I dropped off the lift, I was hooked. By the time I got to the bunny hills, I even put my hands up (something I wouldn't even do on the smaller coasters I would ride). I got off the ride, bought the picture as proof for my brother, and rode it several more times that day. I still have that picture too.

In a strange twist of irony. In 2004, when my brother came and visited me while I was working at CP, I had to actually talk him into riding some of the bigger rides. I think seeing him get nervous in the line for MF, and some of the other new rides, was worth far more than the 10 dollars ever was ;)

As a family, we went to Cedar Point and Walt Disney World every year since I was born. So, it was a ritual for us. Since I had two older brothers, I had to sit out while they rode the coasters and stuff. Needless to say, I wanted to ride too, so as soon as I was able, I rode - even though I was terrified. I remember crying about Corkscrew because it was so tall. LOL!! I also remember being terrified and screaming my head off on the flume ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. ha ha ha!

I've never missed a summer at Cedar Point since I can remember. Just recently though, I've gathered up some friends who love coasters and parks as much as I do and we travel a lot now for the parks. It's sorta what we did as a family when I was growing up. So, for me a lot of it is tradition. But, the rest is just a pure love for the entertainment industry.

My parents took me to CP when I was 15. The Gemini was the tallest coaster then..... Scared me silly, but I loved the feeling! I was hooked!

CP became my vacation destination every year since 1989. Could not imagine a year without it. I just love it---the rides, Soak City, everything. Even when things weren't going well at home (divorce), being at CP was an escape, if just for a little while, for me and my daughter.

It's a special place. When I see older people (60+) in line, I think to myself--that will be me someday. My mom is always asking me--when are you going to grow up?----and my response is NEVER! The outside of me ages but inside I'm still that 15 yr. old on the Gemini!!!!!

It was back in 1976 for me...I was 7 and it was the first year for the Screamin' Eagle...I remember getting there opening day running back there with my family and getting on the 2nd train of the day...it was the blue one....LOL...thanks for the memory refresher

I had been to Wonderland a few times in the mid 90s with my family and loved everything there. Every summer when the various fairs would come to town I'd ride all of the fun carnival rides. In August 2003 my aunt, uncle, and cousins invited me to Cedar Point with them for 2 days. We stayed in a cabin at LHP. In the weeks leading up to that first trip I spend hours on the internet looking at pictures of Dragster's construction and reading this site. In 2004 my highschool had a trip to CP in May so I went. Then I went again in October of that year for my first Halloweekends. It wasn't until late 2004 that I joined this site and truely became addicted. Every year my TPY (trips per year) had increased. I could have bought a season pass last year but I never did. This year I did and got 4 of my friends to buy one as well. When I go this weekend for the last time I hope I can convince everyone to buy a Platinum pass for next year.

In 2003 my best friend went to CP and came back in complete awe. I had to endure hearing about CP for four years until this year when on August 31 I finally got to go! I never understood why he was so obsessed with Cedar Point. "Come on, its just an amusement park," I would say. But now I know that it is one of the best places in the whole world! ...and now i get mad when someone says "It's just an amusement park." They just don't understand.
*** Edited 10/22/2007 6:51:55 PM UTC by Droo***

Hey all, I've been reading this forum for a long time and figured this thread would be as good as any for my first post. I can still remember the Demon Drop TV commercials in 1983 ("Cedar Point has unveiled a diabolical new ride...") and went for the first time that summer. I was 7 years old and had just recently cleared the 48" mark. I hadn't really thought too much about coasters until that first trip. Mine Ride was the first one I ever rode, and loved it of course - we went on all the coasters that day except Corkscrew. I think there were only five or six at the time. My annual journey to CP soon became the highlight of my summers. I'll never forget the trip down the causeway in 1989 and seeing Magnum's hill for the first time. I was lucky enough to find a like-minded friend and we got passes in 1991, the first year one of us was old enough to drive. My uncle was also on the construction crew that built Mean Streak, and I have a piece of it in my parents' basement. Anyway, I live in Louisville now so the trips aren't as easy to come by, but I'll be there in June for sure!