How was your ride?

Kevinj said:
No. They were making sure that 1) the line kept moving, and 2) each side was balanced; in other words, roughly equal amounts of guests on each side. They wouldn't just pick a side for you with no reason.

The front seat issue is nothing new. For instance, on Raptor there is an expectation that if the front seat queue is full, please choose another option...it's the same here, I would think mainly for keeping the station not clogged and overly messy.

I for one applaud the perceived strictness. I wish someone would regulate Magnum one of these seasons.

I understand this, except for the fact that the other side had a line that they were allowing to run down under the station for those who wanted to wait for the front. Mainly I am just disappointed that I did not get a front seat ride which I am sure I will get in the future. I just wish they had been a little more polite.

I totally get that, but I would argue that the "other side" was in the wrong by letting an endless trail of guests wait for the front.

You're correct that as a guest you should never be treated in a rude manner.

When you enter the ride there is a sign that says you will be given a side to ride on.

^ I think that is only if nobody is there and they need to put people on one side.

I thought the sign said you MAY be given a side to ride. Not sure why they would need to force anyone to one side or the other (at least very often). Seems to me that if there is no one between the split and the base of the steps going up to the station on one side and the other side is backed up to the split, someone will pick the less crowded side. If there is more of an imbalance than that, I can see where they might want to balance the line.

GoBucks89 said:
Not sure why they would need to force anyone to one side or the other (at least very often).

Because so many people read Point Buzz and know that everyone thinks that one side is better :)

There are preferences as to side but it seems to me its somewhat evenly split. Some people here prefere the right side and others the left side. Though I haven't kept tallies.

I can honestly say I have no preference as to side, but for me the front seat was the best experience.

Finally get to ride over the next couple of days. My experience on X-Flight makes me want to ride the left side but this, I assume, is a much different experience. Hope to get to check out the view from multiple seats.

I got 10 rides in over the last 3 days at the park. Rode both sides in the front... Front left is great for the first drop, front right is great on the keyholes. Got one random assigned ride to 5-1, yawn..

Most of my rides I waited for the back, or jumped in row 7. The further back you are in the train, the more intense the ride. Again, the back left (8-1) is amazing on the first drop and immelman... but I find the remainder of the ride to be more exciting on the right (8-4).

I was really surprised at how much punch the inverted dive loop out next to Blue Streak has. I really expected that to be pretty forceless, and I'm glad I was dead wrong.

How has the line been since opening day?

The line today is like every other ride. Early ride time was 15 minutes. This is a great coaster. Beautiful addition to the park. The open view of the beach makes me wonder how 12E lasted so long. Stunning.

Not sure if this is worth a new thread, but for those that have been on GateKeeper, Wild Eagle, X-Flight, Raptor, etc. -- How does this compare? Is GateKeeper the latest and greatest of the Winged coasters, or just the latest?

GateKeeper is by far the best wing coaster.

I got my first three laps on Gatekeeper today, each taking about an average 15 minute wait (without Fast Lane no less). My thoughts are that this ride is very fun and deceptively intense.

The ride is relatively middle-of-the-road in thrills which is not a bad thing at all; in fact, I'm sure that was the Cedar Fair's intent when B&M was designing the coaster. I've gotten a bit more 'mellowed out' in recent years regarding intense rides and I like how the park shifted away from the outright intense rides like Dragster and Maverick. While I don't think you necessarily notice intensity on the ride itself, I did find myself feeling a little queasy sitting on the brake run. Perhaps the tight restraints having something to do with it but I also think the unique dynamics of riding on the side of the train have a intensity factor as well.

I love how each side has its own strengths with the left side getting the more forceful drop and the view of the lake going up the hill while the right side has several optical illusions of near-collisions and getting to be on the outside of the huge flat spin before the keyhole twist. My overall favorite part of the ride has to be the two maneuvers that incorporate the keyhole structures: the first pass through is a great visual treat while the second pass-by is a unique slow sensation of hanging out of your restraint.

I would agree that the restraints are taut but no where near a deal breaker in terms of enjoying the ride. I'm firmly in favor of having no threat of headbanging but being pressed into your seat versus the type of restraints on Raptor (not that they're bad, I just prefer this newer style harness). The openness and relative sense of freedom on this ride is unreal. I feel that the re-ridability of this coaster will be pretty high.

As for operations, the crews were running around checking restraints as fast as they could today along with assigning rows which didn't bother me so long as it kept the line moving which it surely did based on my wait times mentioned previously. I see the issues others have stated about the air gates swinging in the way of riders and ride ops but I don't think the problem is as bad as some make it seem. It helps that the station is split in half so there isn't the huge volume of guests running around from which other coasters suffer. The B&M factor will make this ride chew through guests as well (or at least more so than the Intamins despite their dual stations).

The on-the-ground dynamics of the ride are also pretty sweet with the open beach view from inside the park, great coaster entrance plaza, and the amazing new front gate area. Watching the coaster train soar around the track is definitely a neat visual. I would argue that the only other ride at CP that has this level of integration into the park is Top Thrill Dragster.

In summary, this ride is a great addition to CP, changes the look of the park in many positive ways, and will be a hit with guests of all types whether riding or observing the coaster from the ground for many years.

Having rode X Flight, there is no comparison. GK is better in all aspects. That being said, we rode it last night from 7:15 until 8 pm closing time. I got four rides in 45 minutes. This is a very reridable coaster. Outer front left, outer front right, outer back left and outer back right. The drop is better on the right and the keyholes are better on the left. Overall, my favorite is right front. (On X Flight, my favorite was back left.) The forces are much better and the views are amazing. I never once felt like I was on a parking lot coaster. Thank you, CP for yet another wonderful addition.

^ 3 trains running? If so, how were they doing at pushing them out with minimal stacking?

Yes, three trains running. The crew was doing a great job pushing people through. Very minimal stacking. Last night's crew was doing an excellent job.

Going to CP tomorrow, the 18th, with my brother. Will report back. Going to try the vest trick - and starting with my personal fav for any coaster, the very back train. woop!

Question - I remember in a Q&A video posted with Tony that they are trying to integrate wifi into the whole park. Is this in effect yet? I was considering bringing my ipod to post photos.

I guess I forgot to add that bit in about the vest. No one in my group complained about it terribly. Maybe some tightening up but definitely not a deal breaker. It's actually an extremely comfortable ride.