June 23 and 24 - The Rides

Alright, I started this post yesterday and ended up making it into three sections since I did not have time to talk about each aspect in one post.

On this trip, I was able to experience a lot of firsts. I have been to Cedar Point in the past few years, but until this year, I was unable to ride many of the rides. This year, I got on just about everything. I am now down 100 pounds from my highest weight, so this was an exciting trip for me.

Raptor - I had ridden Raptor before this year, but it has been about 10 years since I have been able to get on it. Raptor was my first coaster of the day. It is still a great ride, but it is definately a little rougher than I remember. I guess that it is showing its age. Along with the roughness, I thought that the ride was more intense than I remember. I rode Raptor twice. The second time was at night and I did not feel any trim brakes at all. At the end of the ride, the forces were so great that it actually felt like my legs were being ripped off (okay maybe not quite). On Tuesday, I went to ride Raptor a third time. After waiting 30 minutes, I sat down and pulled down the harness. I couldn't quite get the seat belt buckled. A ride attendant asked me to pull down on the harness. Then she unlocked the restraints and had me get off. I'm pretty sure that I had not gained any weight over night and I buckled myself on both of my prior rides. I guess that the seat belts must not be a consistent length from one to another.

Mantis - I also rode this one for the first time since the seat belts were added. I couldn't quite get the seat belt buckled myself, but the ride op helped me buckle it. She was very friendly and helpful. I had a great ride on Mantis. I love the power of the ride. At the end, my legs were a little tired, but not in pain. The direction changes are very quick, but I do not feel that it bangs my head around like some people complain. This is actually one of my favorite rides in the park. I know that I'm in the minority, but I actually like it a little more than Raptor.

Millenium Force - I was happy to find that I was able to ride Millennium Force and was able to buckle the seat belt quite easily. I even had a little slack. This was my first ride ever on Millenium Force so I was really anticipating it. I loved the quick ascent up the first hill and going down it was great. The other hills on the ride gave great floating air time which I also enjoyed. Overall, I enjoyed the ride but was a little disappointed. The turns are so wide and controlled that I didn't feel much force from them. It is a great roller coaster that I look forward to riding again, but I don't think I like it as much as Magnum, Maverick and several of the others. I only rode it once since my wife can not ride. Maybe repeat riding in the future will change my opinion.

Top Thrill Dragster - I tried the test seat early in the day and was disappointed to find that I couldn't ride. I was wrong though. I tried to buckle the seat belt over the sides of the seat. Since the worker next to the test seat wasn't watching me, I didn't realize my mistake. When I rode Millennium Force, I realized my mistake and later went back for a ride with only a half hour wait. I wasn't expecting much from this one except fear. However, once I was buckled in, I felt very secure. The acceleration is great and the ascent up the hill is pretty fun. I was sitting in the very back seat and when we went over the top, my butt left the seat and didn't return until we reached the bottom. Incredible hill, exhillarating ride. I was surprised to find that I wanted to go again. This ride really shattered my expectations. I definately look forward to riding again. I only got one ride on this also.

Magnum - Magnum is an old favorite. Even at my highest weight, the Arrow seats were able to comfortably accomodate me. It still gives great rides. Wonderful air time time. I think that Magnum is tied with Maverick as my favorite ride in the park. I got three rides on Magnum.

Maverick - I only got to ride this once this year. I had already ridden it last year. I love the quick turns and unexpected direction changes. The hill give great air time and the inversions at the beginning are very fun. Great addition for Cedar Point's coaster line up. The first drop is small but really packs a punch with that 95 degree angle.

Gemini - Gemini was running really great on each of my four rides. Most of the races were off from each other, but one ride even gave a good old fashioned hand slapping race to the finish. I still love Gemini and it is another of Cedar Point's rides that I have always been able to enjoy. I notice that they did not use the brakes much at all. I was really surprised at how much air time I was getting from this one. My favorite spot to ride is the back seat. Happy 30th Gemini, you are very much loved.

Woodstock Express - My daughter and I rode this one twice. The first time was in the front seat and the second was in the back. The seat belt length really varies on this one. I easily buckled in the front seat. Then I sat in the back and was about three inches short of buckling. I changed seats with my daughter and got buckled but it was a tight fit. It is a really fun ride and I had to buy the photo of my daughter and me.

Corkscrew - I haven't ridden this one in a long time. I got one ride. I think that it is criticized way too much. I just hold my neck still and don't have trouble with headaches from the ride. I love looking down on the people upside down through the corkscrews. It was nice getting to ride this again. I haven't tried since they added the seat belts.

Iron Dragon - I still like this ride. Not intense or fast, just fun. My daughter was able to ride this one since she is 46 and a half inches tall. She liked it but liked Disaster Transport better. I liked how much they had the mist going this year.

Wildcat - Wildcat reopened on Monday so I got one ride on it. I love the quick drops and turns. Wildcat feels a lot faster than it is. I still love this ride and hope that it stays for a long time.

Disaster Transport - I rode Disaster Transport two times with my daughter. She really loved the ride even though the line up freaked her out (she kept saying that it looked like a Halloween building). It is too bad that she didn't get to see all the old robots and stuff. I think that she would have really enjoyed the line.

Maxair - This is a great ride. I went on it last year and this year again. Nice long ride cycle. One of my favorite flats.

Skyhawk - Still a great ride. The restraints hold you very firmly but make you feel vulnerable. I just wish that the ride cycle was longer. The new buckles make getting on a lot easier.

Power Tower - I love both the up and down side but I prefer the thrust down side even though the slow trip to the top freaks me out. Great fun, especially now that the line is usually not long for it.

I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance to ride Mean Streak and Blue Streak, but I have ridden those two more recently so I don't feel like I was too cheated. I also didn't get a chance to ride Wicked Twister. That was a disappointment since I have never been on it before. My nephews said it was stupid that didn't want to ride it, so I didn't try the test seat or anything. Oh well, I'll definately ride it next time.

Sounds like a really good trip. I too was unable to ride Milli last year, (our first trip to CP), but was good to go this year. Our trip was cancled due to unforseen events......new grandbaby came early. But i will be ready next year. So glad you could fit on the rides. Cheers to you!

Sounds like you had fun! Wicked Twister is a great ride! Be sure to ride it next time!

Sounds like you had a great time! :) What seat did you sit in on Raptor? If you sit near the back it is a completely different ride. It was way more rough back there.

So if you rode in the back, make sure you ride near the middle or front next time. You don't get banged up that bad at all, and it honestly does feel like you are flying.