Mantis Future

I also enjoy Mantis, not sure what is so much to dislike about it. It isn't too uncomfortable and the best way to avoid headbanging on it, and every other coaster, is to hold on to the restraints and lean into every turn. My only complaint about Mantis is that the second half of the ride is very boring and almost slow...

Haha, another one of these threads.

"The ride is so unpopular right?" Says the sign that usually indicates somewhere between a hour and a half to two hour wait.

In addition, if people would brace themselves for the elements, there would be no headbanging (leaning, as someone else pointed out, works too). Now, if people actually paid attention to the signs and listened to the ride ops, this coaster isn't painful and isn't really too bad.

It is true however that Stand-Ups never really caught on (and everyone already knows this), so keeping it as a stand-up makes it all the more unique.

I think Mantis is more popular than some think, but the long wait argument doesn't prove that. It takes so long to load/unload trains on that ride. Even if the line is only at the bottom of the steps you're still looking at 15 minutes just to go up the steps

Converting it to a floorless or sitdown will have it easily return to a 3 train operation and probably make it a huge people eater as far as capacity goes. That ride is just not fun at all to me. The forces are too high on my legs and that headbanging transition in the second half felt like it almost gave me a concussion last time I was on it. I always feel woozy or drunk afterwards. Have not been on it in years. Plus I never actually liked the location of the ride it almost seemed like an afterthought to me personally but that does not really matter. I say convert it.

I like Cedar Point's Big Bad Bug, but only ride it a few times per season. I ride it correctly, but it seems I spend the ride anticipating the turns and loops to not crush my head, and not fully enjoying the ride. Whether it's a stand up, or sit down, I think the layout would still present itself as a rough ride.

There is probably a better chance of Mantis running with Magnum's trains than with floorless trains. ;)

I love Mantis' lift hill, dip, drop, and first loop. Then you're in the gauntlet. Goes from an awesome ride to a ride you don't mind passing by.

Bigmal said:
I love Mantis' lift hill, dip, drop, and first loop. Then you're in the gauntlet. Goes from an awesome ride to a ride you don't mind passing by.

I feel the same thing about both our B&M's. Raptor's dip, first drop, loop, roll, and cobra roll are great. The rest I hate. Mantis has a good loop. That's about it. I won't ride it again.

So, I take it you want all coasters at CP to be like Millennium Forceless and Top Thrill Drag Queen.

No I just don't think rides need to throw you upside down and around 5 times to be fun. Maverick is a great ride, has good elements but isn't overwhelming. Plus launch > chain.

And hey, you might be the only person in the world that doesn't like TTD or MF. Go watch people on the break run on both, you'll never see so many smiles. On MF on Friday night, we were all high fiving each other because our arms were coated in bugs from the night ride.

I didn't say that didn't like either one of them, I just like a little variety at the park.

I would argue that Mantis isn't good variety. But I can see how people like Raptor, which is why you don't see my doing the typical "I DON"T LIKE IT SO TEAR IT DOWN" that fanboys like to do.

I like the intensity of Mantis. I just wish it had a normal type of seat. I am still amazed, to this day, that people don't understand "Stand Up!"
The novelty of the stand up coaster is over. 3 new trains would make this a fun, high volume ride.
I agree with keeping your head forward to keep if from getting beat up. I ride Raptor the same way.

Just like novelty of TTD and Kingda Krap only lasted a whopping two coasters.

Can't do much with Strata coasters. You could put a smaller brake run in and have a normal coaster after like Formula Rossa, but that's expensive. I see why no other park has done it, but it doesn't make it a bad coaster design. Are you normally this pessimistic?

Yep, I'm a glass half empty kinda person. If you knew my story you'd understand.

I've said this since 2003.

Dragster is, at best, a mediocre coaster.

But it is a damn good thrill ride.

I agree. And I will wait no more then 15 minutes for it.

clevelander said:
Converting it to a floorless or sitdown will have it easily return to a 3 train operation and probably make it a huge people eater as far as capacity goes. That ride is just not fun at all to me. The forces are too high on my legs and that headbanging transition in the second half felt like it almost gave me a concussion last time I was on it. I always feel woozy or drunk afterwards. Have not been on it in years. Plus I never actually liked the location of the ride it almost seemed like an afterthought to me personally but that does not really matter. I say convert it.

Exactly. To me it's just a not very fun ride, and the last time (and only time) I went on it, all through the second half I couldn't wait for it to end. Like you said, the forces are really high on my legs and I don't like that and it is the only coaster at the park that makes me feel dizzy and queasy afterwards. I know some people get dizzy after Raptor but I've never had a problem. I don't know whether if it's being in a standing position or what, but something about that ride just doesn't make me feel good after. And like other people have said, the first part of the ride is good but gets worse the second half.

Without Fastlane I didn't ride it. With fastlane I rode it 5 times, so I guess I agree.