...that's shake a stick at!
Before I start into my report, I want to send out a hello to all fellow CP Placers I've met over the weekend (Dan, Brandon (& others), Skyride Chic and Geanes)
Well, what a long wait it was!! But I finally made it to the Point! Arriving Thursday afternoon after one of the easiest and fastest drives from Pittsburgh (72 mph didn’t seem fast enough!) Arriving at the Point, we literally opened the door to our room in the Breakers, threw our stuff down, and made a mad dash to the gate. I decided the first thing I wanted to check out was GW in it's new location - simply perfect!! Now off to Raptor (virtually a walk-on) so we managed to squeeze in 4 laps before heading down to MF.
I was pleasantly surprised to see that the line was not long at all! Our first wait was about 1/2 hour. Finally getting into the loading area, I was bummed that we could not get the first car, so I counted off for the "Magic Intamin Airtime seat" (5/1). The first notable event was climbing the lift hill, I never realized how steep 45 degrees actually was!! Over the lift, and only a split second to admire the view, then... THAT DROP!!! It really felt like I was going to summersault right out of my seat!! Everything thereafter was somewhat of a blur, but oh, the SPEED of it!!! I never would have thought this thing would ever let up!! The 3rd hill coming back from the island was packed with soooo much airtime! Bunny-hop followed with more airtime than you can shake a stick at!! Thunder back to station... *breath*
Coming out realizing all of the records I have just broken, I was completely breathless and speechless. I was left with only one option... Right back in line, I went! I managed 3 more consecutive rides before finally getting into the front seat!! I felt compelled after that ride to go celebrate with a beer, so we headed back to the Last Chance Saloon, and tied a few off.
Next was Mean Streak, Brian insisted that we skip MS this year, since he thought it was so rough last year. I assured him that the majority of the ride was retracked, and with a little more coaxing, we were on our way. Like Raptor, MS was virtually a walk-on. I did notice that MS provided a better ride this year, now if they could only manage to oil the tracks every day, it would help make this thing recall it's position as the #1 woodie in my book!
The rest of the evening was spent strolling about the midways, randomly hopping on whatever ride appealed to us, as wait times were very low. Then, about 9:45, we headed right back for MF for a night ride.
What a totally different experience at night!! The crowd was really pumped, and cheered as each train flew past us. As we approached the station, thinking that we were getting on with the group in front of us, the ride op stopped us, as every line for every seat was now filled. It didn't hit me until she said "Well, it seems as you 2 get the first choice of seats!" The kids behind us were pleading for the front, so we decided that since we already rode in the very front, we would take the second row first car. It is just as spectacular as the front!! Heading up the lift hill, I could make out a few constellations, and imagined myself in a space shuttle heading right for outer space (insert cheesy commercial here.) This is the ride where I really took notice of the over banked turns. It's really neat seeing the park (all lit up) turn upside down!! Leaving a fantastic evening behind, we headed back to the Breakers.
Friday (Coastermania):
Up at 4:45, a quick shower, and a few aspirin to help recover from spending a few hours at the bar in Friday’s the night before, we were on our way. We decided that after some serious riding the night before, we would take a more leisurely approach to the day. As the gates opened, we followed the crowds back to MF. Managed 4 laps during ERT, and decided to go get some breakfast. We headed over to Silver Dollar…closed! Midway Market…CLOSED!! (rrrrrr!!!) What happened to previous years when these places opened for breakfast an hour before the park???? Well, anyway, remembering that Friday’s has a breakfast buffet, we settled for that. After stuffing our face, Brian decided to take a nap, I took the opportunity to grab the camera, and head back to the park where I managed to polish off 2 rolls of film.
Coastermania lunch was next on our list. We arrived at the Point Pavilion, where I noticed Robin Innes was nearby, so we went over and introduced ourselves and chatted with him for a few moments. I took the opportunity to thank him and the entire CP staff for the wonderful job they do thrilling their guests year after year. He was inquisitive about our experience on MF, as well as my GTTP t-shirt I was wearing! I told him that words were indescribable of MF, which he concurred. I then told him that I am very much anticipating their announcement for the 2001 season which he responded by saying that we would be very pleased of what’s next to come, we just want to keep you guessing!!
After lunch, and a few rides on Raptor, we decided to take on the “leisure” rides (Sky Ride, Space Spiral, GW, CP&LERR) for a while, as our dogs were getting rather tired. Along the way through Frontier Town, we met (a very drenched) Dan, Brandon & Co. as they just came from Snake River (you guys must have been out of your minds! It was freezing!!) After telling Dan that I thought Magnum was riding rough, and that I now prefer MF over Magnum, he was rather quick to tell me he didn’t want to hear it!! (sorry Dan, but MF is #1 in my book!) We made plans to try and meet up at Magnum at 7:00, and then I began to faintly hear my name being called. It kept getting louder as we headed down the trail, when I finally realized that it was MF calling me in!! A few rides later, I realized that I completely missed the 7:00 meeting time at Magnum! Sorry guys!
Towards the end of the evening, we decided on a replay of the night before and head for MF at 9:45. After the final ride of the night on that, off to ERT on Mantis where we squeezed in 2 rides and headed over to Magnum. Walking towards Magnum, the line had stretched down to Power Tower, so we decided to sack Magnum for the evening, as we were dead tired!
We decided that Saturday, we would spend the morning in Challenge Park, and then back into the park. After a round of 36 holes, and a few laps on the raceway, we went into the park. We realized that the lines were getting really long, I decided to alter our plans. Catch one last ride on MF, and then take a cruise out to Pelee Island and Marblehead Peninsula.
Upon our return in the evening (I gotta tell you guys, if you get the chance, CP is really something to see from way out in the lake!), that voice was calling my name again as it loomed over the horizon! (I gotta see my shrink more often;)!) Thus resulting in 2 more final laps.
Next day jaunt: Sometime in July…
Next big CP weekend: Halloweekends!
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Neil
Pittsburgh, PA
MF Count: 14 :)
*** This post was edited by Seven-of-9 on 6/5/2000. ***
Great TR Neil, yes Brandon, his father and my brother were SRF virgins so I had to take them on it some time. Yeah it was a titty bit nipply out ;)
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daniel j. haverlock
'00 Magnum Count: 71/442
'00 M. Force Count:48/310
spiritofthepoint.com
Just a little cold, but I enjoyed every minute of it!
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Brandon Sorc
Millennium Force count:36
www.spiritofthepoint.com