Mean Streak 2011

^ Not to mention the breaking of your back bones. ;) Maybe I will give it one last try, but leave it for my last coaster of the day.

Well I wasn't able to ride Mean Streak on opening day because I was distracted by riding the big popular rides such as my favorite(Millennium Force). I rode other rides such as Wicked Twister, Corkscrew, Iron Dragon, Raptor, Magnum, and Blue Streak and then closed off the night with Top Thrill Dragster!

Since the weather sucked yesterday, I headed to the back of the park to ride Mean Streak and Maverick. I would have to agree with people on here that Mean Streak is very much more smoother than last year. Who says off-season maintence will never help out Mean Streak? I have to disagree on that because even though it was still bumpy in some spots, it was definitely a lot smoother.

In my opinion, Mean Streak is much better this year than any year that I've ridden it before. The first turn is as smooth a turn as I've ever endured on a wooden coaster, and the train seemed to be less jumpy on the other turns as well. My brother and I didn't even have a headache when coming off, I actually had a little more whiplash in the back seat of Maverick. Shockingly, there were even tidbits of airtime to be found on Sunday, a very surprising fact. Nothing to extreme, just a little floater and a mild "lifter" (I refuse to call it ejector), and the trains seem to be running a bit faster. I'd say a job well done.

Ah, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who thought there was an improvement! If it happens to stay in the current shape it's in all season, I can see myself riding it a couple of times this year.

I guess I can see how some call it boring, but c'mon! It's a classic! Ha, maybe I just have a soft spot for MS (as well as Blue Streak). Oh well, I hope you have an enjoyable experience!

Quick! Someone do that Princess Bride quote, but use the word "classic" instead! ;)

Eh, the moment's gone. ;)

Alas, Ensign, I will be temporarily suspending my ban on Mean Streak and giving it a whirl tomorrow afternoon after three seasons of sobriety.

We'll see.

I mentioned this discussion to my daughter last night. When asked if she'd be willing to give it another try this year, my nine-year-old told me, "Okay, but only front seat, gold train." She's such a great young enthusiast. :)

Kevinj, let us know what your experience is.

Ralph Wiggum said:
The really big story for this year in my opinion is Blue Streak. Holy crap does it kick butt now! :)

I know, right? Like I said over on CBuzz, I've grown to love the Bleu Steak over the past few years, especially in the middle row of the last car. I was always prepared to tuck my arm in before the turnaround to protect my side... but on Sunday, I didn't have to. I was amazed how much gentler it was! The shiny refurb'd trains are nice too.

As far as Brown Streak, I only ever ride it in the first row with my back off the seat, but even that method was put to the test last year. I'm glad to hear it might be running better, and will try it out Thursday... probably still in the front though. :)

Looking forward to your report Kevinj :)

I hope Blue Streak isn't too tame this year. One of the reasons I love it so much is because of it's insane air time.

cool.

Jesz, you won't be disappointed with Blue Streak this year! I went yesterday, and it was one of the best rides I've ever had on it! TONS of airtime, felt faster than ever, and the only problem area I had with it (the turn around) has been fixed! Turn around was swift and smooth in comparison to previous years.

I'm really loving the new life Cedar Fair gave many of its aging wooden coasters this year. I'm hearing the Beast at King's Island was revamped and running outstanding this year, the Blue Streak, and then Mean Streak...

I rode Mean Streak yesterday in the front seat of Gold, and I was NOT disappointed. First off, leaving the station and going up the lift, there was no hopping and warping of the trains that I've seen in previous years...it was all smooth sailing.

Then, (this may have been because our train was empty and it was earlier in the morning) I was shocked to discover that the first drop was TRIM-LESS. That's right...no trim brakes ruining the first drop. My heart skipped a beat in excitement, bringing the experience back to its opening year.

Then, the first turn. I don't think anyone can argue that this hasn't improved. This was arguably the very worst aspect of Mean Streak in previous years....where it jackhammered really badly at times. Mind you that I was in the front seat leaning forward, but it just felt like I was flying through the air smoothly through the turn.

While other parts of the ride weren't quite as smooth, I once again felt nothing to complain about in terms of roughness. This is just what I expect out of wooden coasters, and I actually enjoy the different, classic feel.

I agree that Mean Streak's layout is not the most exciting or thrilling, but I don't think this ride is half as bad as people make it out to be. Highlights for me include the first hill, first overbank, the transition into the midcourse brake run, the couple hills after the midcourse, and then I love the view through the wooden tunnels part.

I'm looking forward to riding Mean Streak next time I go, and I'm going to do a night ride with a fully-loaded train in hopes that it's even faster. Overall, I feel the experience has improved (though I rarely felt it was awful in previous years), and I hope things hold up well through the season for others.

If you hate Mean Streak because of its boring layout, that's obviously not going to be fixed. But, if it's on the do-not-ride list because of severe jackhammering on the first bank, you might walk away pleasantly surprised this year...

I plan on riding it in the front, and then later in the day somewhere else random, just to compare.

I rode it in the back yesterday just as something to do since not much was open. I was shocked to not get trimmed, but the rest of the ride was pretty bad, I left with quite a headache. However, thats what I get for riding in the back. I must note that the sections of new track were noticeably smoother than the old sections.

I agree with the fact that Blue Streak is running well. I rode it 8 times in a row yesterday, running from exit to entrance every time to see how many rides we could get in in an hour and every one of the rides was great.

Ffej said:
Jesz, you won't be disappointed with Blue Streak this year! I went yesterday, and it was one of the best rides I've ever had on it! TONS of airtime, felt faster than ever, and the only problem area I had with it (the turn around) has been fixed! Turn around was swift and smooth in comparison to previous years.

Yep, I completely agree. When I said 'gentler' I only meant that the turnaround was no longer jerky. The last two years especially I've had some truly great airtime rides on Blue Streak.

Jesz said:
I hope Blue Streak isn't too tame this year. One of the reasons I love it so much is because of it's insane air time.

It's more intense than ever in terms of airtime and speed. Now it just does that while being insanely smooth for an old wooden coaster.

Well that is good to hear. :) BS did beat you up a little bit, but the airtime was worth it.

As for Mean Streak, I guess I'm using Kevinj as my guinea pig. If his and other reviews keep coming back positive I will definitely give it another try.

It will be a 9 year ban that I will be taking off that meanie.

I rode Mean Streak today with my girlfriend. We rode front car on the gold train, because of the recommendations on this thread. I am a Mean Streak fan, but she only rides it every once and while just for me. After today's ride she was very impressed. She said it did not hurt at all and actually wants to ride it again. Thank you CP for finally giving one of my favorite rides some much needed repairs.

Well, I got a ride in tonight, all by myself in the front seat of the gold train after waiting out a 90 minute "rain delay" in the park. It was still sprinkling lightly as I left the station.

First, I can tell you that the crew was very pumped about the improvements, and were looking forward to feedback. It was fun having an energetic MS crew. Before my train, there were claps from passengers as they exited. I was excited at this point.

Up the hill, and there they were...the trim brakes...not that I totally expected them to be gone, but they tugged just as tightly as they ever have. That said, I felt zero jackhammering around the first overbank, and the ride was pretty smooth overall, at least compared to before.

I would have to say that like others have said, it is definitely smoother, and it felt like it kept a slightly better pace throughout the ride. The midcourse brake slows the train to a near crawl still, but if you are looking for a more comfortable ride, you got it.

I'll share more tomorrow after I ride it somewhere other than just the front.

I'm glad everyone is enjoying MS now. It's great to hear cheers instead of boos now. Thank you to everyone that has given MS a second chance. =)