Magnum Overlooked?

Wow. I love how when I said "I'm a rabid Magnum fan" you immediately started defending yourself by saying "No, I'm not saying Magnum isn't teh awesome." Relax. I'm not that kind of rabid Magnum fan!

I really think it's the emotional attachment to Magnum for a lot of people. Its platform turns into a meeting place for Magnum fans. During Coastermania the "tradition" of nighttime Magnum ERT brings a lot of folks together for a great time. So many people have shared so many experiences on and around that ride that it's easy for folks to let it fill that #1 spot in their hearts.

Magnum is my favorite ride on Earth.
The Beast used to be my (also) favorite, but Kings Island braked the [censor] out of it.

They were so close that which I like better depended on my mood.

I think the thing about Magnum is it's the first "really big" ride for a lot of people. They love these "really big" rides, and everything is compared to how much fun that was. I think that would be the emotional attachment John was talking about. At least for me it is...I think.

I guess, for most amusement parks, Magnum is still huge. Just not for Cedar Point.

Magnum isnt that awesome. Like I said above, in the world of just CP, it is, but nationally, its...well...not that spectacular anymore.

Then why is it in your top 10?

Michael Darling said:
I really think it's the emotional attachment to Magnum for a lot of people. Its platform turns into a meeting place for Magnum fans. During Coastermania the "tradition" of nighttime Magnum ERT brings a lot of folks together for a great time. So many people have shared so many experiences on and around that ride that it's easy for folks to let it fill that #1 spot in their hearts.

Replace Magnum with Cedar Point and I think you summed that up for me... :)

Magnum is my favorite coaster. Period. Although, I must admit, after years of denial, Millennium Force and some others are better coasters. John had it right, it can be more of a heart thing than anything. But in the end I don't think Magnum is overlooked anymore than Raptor is, though because they're both still voted in the top 10 in many coaster polls.

I have this thing I have to do every time I see Magnum. Whether it's in a photo, or a TV spot, or in person, if I see Maggie I always cheer and go,"Yay!" Everyone I know laughs and says it's weird, but it's just my way of giving it the respect it deserves. My screen name may be MilleniumMadMan, but to me, Millie and Maggie are equals.

DBCP said:
Replace Magnum with Cedar Point and I think you summed that up for me... :)

Um, okay. But I don't think it's going to make much sense...

I really think it's the emotional attachment to Cedar Point for a lot of people. Its platform turns into a meeting place for Cedar Point fans. During Coastermania the "tradition" of nighttime Cedar Point ERT brings a lot of folks together for a great time. So many people have shared so many experiences on and around that ride that it's easy for folks to let it fill that #1 spot in their hearts.

Okay, so not exactly, but you get the idea.... :P

*** Edited 6/29/2006 3:35:30 AM UTC by DBCP***

I think it's overlooked nowadays. And it depresses me.

I don't think it's overlooked. If you look at the ridership of the more popular coasters at Cedar Point, Magnum is way up there, if not the highest on the list. It beat Millennium Force, Dragster, and Raptor.

I think a lot of people think it seems overlooked because of the less than fifteen minute wait I normally see it as. But look at the capacity on the rides, too! Magnum is 2,000 riders per hour, and all Dragster, Millennium, and Raptor aren't that high.

It may not be voted number one best coaster anymore, but it is still on the top 3. I really don't worry about this ride being overlooked.

-the person who pointed out peoples' grammars/spelling problems made a spelling error-
*** Edited 6/29/2006 4:40:46 AM UTC by coastergeek1***
*** Edited 6/29/2006 4:41:16 AM UTC by coastergeek1***

Magnum's consistent high rating is well deserved (especially from a historic standpoint). the view when cresting the second hill is absolutely amazing. easily the best non-first hill of any ride on earth. Maggie is by far my favorite ride at night (those bunny hills are a complete surpise when you cant see them). i love the "falling out of the car" feeling you get in the "pretzel" turn. Quite simply, it provides an experience that other hypers cant. Its placement in the park is perfect and it amplifies the ride experience exponentially.

Magnum and Raptor consistently vie for position as the two attractions that give the most rides every year. They each hover around 2,100,000 per season. Millennium Force gives something like 1.4-1.7 million per season, and Dragster has yet to surpass the 1 million mark in a single season.

Is Magnum overlooked? Evidently not by the park patrons. However, it is the only major coaster without a highly visible ride sign at its entrance. Seriously, I want to see them put in a giant MAGNUM logo just to the left of the entrance. If they were to do that, I would shed tears of joy.

Magnum Ridership:
2005 1,888,539
2004 2,080,903
2003 1,967,796

Millenium Force:
2005 1,414,521
2004 1,525,402
2003 1,786,085

TTD:
2005 953,945
2004 943,313
2003 562,438

Raptor:
2005 1,838,824
2004 2,089,853
2003 2,117,551

Corkscrew:
2005 994,029
2004 1,281,067
2003 1,303,542

The key to all of these numbers is:
1) Capacity
2) Efficiency
3) Uptime

1-Obviously capacity is an issue.

Magnum can have trains launching extremely frequently and have sectional braking, allowing for smoother transitions between launching of trains.

Millenium, the train isnt launched until the previous is in the brakes.

2) Riders are checked in less restrictive conditions- they dont have to check for seatbelt 'slack', slack in lap bars etc. Magnum they just tap up on the bar to ensure it is latched and check to see your buckled in. Millenium and TTD have strict manufacture rules to follow.

3) Uptime (or downtime for the pessimist) greatly affects ridership. TTD was not operating half of the time in its inaugural year. Mille was down for awhile last week, that also affects the numbers. Magnum is a beast that acts like the enegizer bunny, it just keeps on tickin'.

One thing I cannot explain is the corkscrew numbers, other than the 30 second ride length, there are very few people on it anymore anytime I have seen. It has been not only a walk on, but a walk-on and choose your seat type.

Kevinj said:
Magnum isnt that awesome. Like I said above, in the world of just CP, it is, but nationally, its...well...not that spectacular anymore.

Michael Darling said:

Then why is it in your top 10?

Hehe, good one... ;) How about it Kev?

I love Magnum, I think it´s great. I love that strong feeling of the train just pulling you forward in the pretzel turn, and of course the airtime on the 3rd hill. But I do agree with Kevinj, that world-wide, I don´t see it in the top 10. Not anymore. But it´s still an amazing coaster.

Then why is it in your top 10?

Sorry I slept...and now im up. :) Its still in my top 10, because in my life ive been to Cedar Point, Kings Island, Geagua Lake, Busch Gardens Willimasburg, Disneyworld, Dorney Park, and Six Flags Great Adventure. Out of what Ive experienced, its still in my top 10.

Maybe I was just a little unclear. I like the ride (obviously, its in my top 10). But, I think it has no business getting rated 2 or 3 in the world. It is not that great...

CP_bound said:
Seriously, I want to see them put in a giant MAGNUM logo just to the left of the entrance. If they were to do that, I would shed tears of joy.

How about instead of a giant cheesy Magnum logo, they just bring back the storm trooper?

Abso-flippin-lutely.

You know, we just visited Dorney Park last week, and they still have the fun characters at all the ride entrances. I know it's a nit-picky issue, but I miss the fun signs at all the entrances. I think my personal favorite was always the Blue Streak.

Speaking of which...Walt...anyone...any pictures somewhere of the old cartoon signage? :)

Magnum is definitely my favourite coaster on the planet, followed by Millie, of course. Mind you, I've only visited Geauga Lake, Canada's Wonderland, and WDW, so my coaster choosings are relatively slim. Still, I make it a point now to visit Maggie at least 7 times each trip. (13 on June 3-4 weekend). :)
*** Edited 6/29/2006 2:42:24 PM UTC by Cedar Dan***