This was my first opening day even tho I've had Season Passes for most of the past 8 years. My son, at 15 and on a level one permit, got his first major driving trip. It took us a little longer to get to CP because I made sure he stuck to the speed limit. I also switched with him in Oregon because I wasn't sure what the driving regulations are for teens in Ohio.
We arrived about 9:30 am and were disappointed that JC ERT had already begun (the CP site said 9;30 AM!) But we got into line for WT. The wait was about 15 minutes, and included a few minutes of down time to get the breaks back into order. The train wasn't stopping all the way into the back run into the station, and rising up a bit, then moving forward to stop. Since I'd never been on an impluse before, I didn't realize this wasn't "normal"
While standing in line, a woman ahead of us was going on about her knowledge of coasters, explaining to her friend why the towers swayed, and chatted with us for a bit. Then she asked if we'd heard about the "new coaster for CP for 2004. It's going to be a Thrust Air!" I figured if she really knew anything, she wouldn't be blabbing it in line, so I basically wrote it off. Wonder about those reported footers by Maggie, tho....
Our first ride on WT was in #12. The launch was such a rush. My son's comment was "only the Power Tower drop ever made my heart pound like that!!" We got right back into line for a second run and were placed into #15. It was definitely an eerie feeling for me being up that high, facing the ground and seeing the "spiral" below us. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't think this coaster is not worth the ride.
We made a beeline after our second WT run over to Raptor, front seat, of course. The wait was about 30 minutes. That bird was flying! There was hardly any breaking in the mid course run. By the time we got off, the line wait had increased to an hour, so we headed down toward MF. Iron Dragon was a walk on, so we hit it a couple times, and got off the second time just as they opened Wildcat. What luck, considering my son doesn't like waiting for that one.
When we hit MF, the line was almost a 2 hour wait. Too bad we didn't notice the Freeway cart. We just decided to try again later. Instead we wandered over to Mean Streak which was another walk on. The trim at the bottom of the hill wasn't nearly as bad as last year, and as others have posted, it was quicker through the first course, much smoother, and none of that irritating squealing. We opted for a second ride on my baby, and I still hope that some day she'll be fixed enough to run full out again.
Working our way back to the front of the park, we walked on to Gemini, red train first (front seat) which ended WAY ahead of the blue train, and ran around for a second ride, this time on blue. Gemini never dissapoints me. Afterwards, my son sat out while I rode the "little kid coaster" Woodstock Express. He really doesn't know what he's missing by refusing to ride it. And there were only 3 little kids on it! The rest of the seats were taken by adults.
We debated about Magnum. My son wasn't sure he wanted to get his thighs bruised that early in the day, and there was a 30 minute wait. He said it was my call, so we got into line *GRIN*. We opted for the 2nd car, back row, but had to wait an extra train because one was roped off. In fact, I couldn't believe the number of seats roped off. Hopefully maintenance will have a week to get the trains back in order again. The ride was fast, smooth and my son happily reported his thighs didn't get banged.
We bypassed Corkscrew because my son was eager to get me onto Power Tower, and the line wasn't bad. I can ride any coaster at any height, but the drop side of PT scares me to death. I vowed to conquer that fear this year. I got on, eyes closed, while my son gave a play by play and kept urging me to open my eyes. That jerk when the car hits the top freaked me, and I screamed all the way down, but I survived. Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll be able to open my eyes.
We were both in the mood for a cold drink and some cheese fries at that point, but GEEZ! Two medium pepsi's and two cheese fries was $11. I may have to rethink my love of cheese fries at CP.
We headed back to MF to check out the line, and made a detour to Mantis. There was less than a 15 minute wait, but we opted for the front which took a little longer. Once again, we were pleasantly suprised that the trim before the loop was not engaging like last year (if at all!) I don't think I've ever ridden Mantis when it was going as fast as it did. The restraints seemed to be softer as well. My head didn't feel as banged up as it usually does.
The wait for MF was 90 minutes, but since we couldn't bear to leave without one ride, we waited. It was then I realized they were only running 2 trains (no WONDER the lines were long!).
It was when we hit the Freeway point of the line that we learned about that option. There was only one fellow who came in, just behind us. He liked the system, but said his stamp was mostly worn off...to the point where they almost didn't let him in. They did put a dark blue "Cedar Point" on his hand when he got into line to show he used up his Freeway space on MF. We decided to check this option out on subsequent trips.
We got a shock when we finally got to the front of the line. We went through the turnstiles and headed to the first car, second row only to be stopped by the ride op. I was sure last year we were allowed to wait for a seat, but he said just the front and back. By that time, someone else had taken the empty seats, so we got our choice anyway. Although others have said MF was running a little slower...I certainly couldn't tell. It was much quieter.
It was about 6 pm when we got off, so we headed back to the front. We checked out WT, which had a one our wait, and (much to my son's disgust) I headed to DT to see the themeing changes. We didn't spent the money for the glasses, but although still a bit cheesey, we thought it was much improved over the non-working crap. My son pointed out the HGIH voltage and we had a good laugh, and the working repair bay robot was good to see. The darkness of the ride with the "stars" was also an improvement over SEEING the non working stuff. I'll give them an A for effort.
By this time my son was getting antsy to get home, but I insisted on checking out Blue Streak (no line). Much faster and smoother, lots of airtime, and even my son agreed it was worth another go around. That was to have been our last ride of the day until we saw Raptor had a 15 minute wait. One more spin on the green bird and we were out of there.
I'm sore today, and look like rudolph despite the SP15 sunblock, but it was well worth it.
------------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead
You must be logged in to post