My First Trip to Cedar Point

Hey all...long time lurker, first time reader here at PointBuzz!

This year I took the plunge and upgraded from a Kings Island gold pass to a platinum pass with the goal of finally visiting Cedar Point. I've heard people rant and rave and say nothing but good things about Cedar Point, so I most definitely wanted to check it out for myself. Worked Thursday, drove up to Sandusky after work, and visited the park for over 12 hours yesterday on what I believe was an hour and a half of sleep...was it worth it? Hell yes it was.

I arrived at the park around 7:00am and waited in line for registration to Coastermania! The line itself was only 20 minutes or so but it moved quickly. One person in my group talked to Tony Clark a bit and we found out that Top Thrill Dragster was closed for the day due to mechanical issues. It happens, but I'll be able to ride it next time I'm there. I'm here for the first time, so today consisted of getting in as many rides as possible, while checking out the park itself.

First ride of the day was Gatekeeper. I rode this one in Row 8, which was about a 10 minute wait at the beginning of ERT. I've been wanting to check out one of these B&M wing coasters since the first one was built a couple of years ago. This ride was different but I was impressed. I loved the keyhole elements and the near misses it provides.

Next up was Millennium Force. Now I'm not going to lie, the height of this thing intimidated me almost to the point that I didn't want to ride but it's been on my "must ride" list for several years now so that went to the wayside. I thought that I definitely was going to take a Walk of Shame on this one but surprisingly I fit with room to spare. Waited 30 minutes and I rode this one in Row 3. Absolutely nothing short of amazing. That first drop...the speed...wow! I think I have a new coaster in my top 10.

At this point, we headed over towards Maverick. Along the way, we checked out the petting zoo attraction where we stopped along the midway and looked at the animals. Apparently, I had my back to the animals and was right next to the fence and I felt something tug on the back pocket to my cargo shorts. Thinking it was one of the people in my group trying to have fun, turns out it was one of the goats trying to get my attention. Definitely an awkward moment! We finally got to Maverick, waited 20 minutes for Row 1. That ride as well is now in my Top 10, the speed, that drop. Maverick is one intense ride. Intamins definitely pack a punch! Never been on any of their coasters until today.

After Maverick, we headed towards Gemini. Only red side was open, 10 minute wait. Rode this one in the very last row. Very intense, loved the headchoppers throughout the ride. You can tell this is an Arrow, and that Ron Toomer was involved because of the transitions. Fun ride, but some parts were downright painful. While we were over this way, we did a quick spin on Lake Erie Eagles which was a 2 cycle wait. First time riding the Flying Eagles. I loved it! Please bring them back to Kings Island.

Next...Magnum XL-200. Row 2 ride, waited 20 minutes. I loved it, decent airtime, but being a guy, those bunny hills coming back were downright painful. At this point, I broke off from my group to catch up with another group that I saw early in the morning. Chatted awhile, and headed towards the train to get lunch at the Point Pavilion. The lunch was delicious...grilled chicken, ribs, brats, and mussels were the offerings. Also, got a decent sized box filled with a Cedar Point t-shirt, Cedar Point sweatshirt, sunglasses and a beer glass.

After lunch, I decided to take my gift out to the car. At this point, I decided to call my friend Deanne and see if they were in the park. They were over near Challenge Park so I decided to move my car from near the front gate over to the Soak City lot. The drive back there was beautiful as you drive past Mean Streak, Maverick, and the lift hill for Millennium Force. The lake is on one side, and the coasters are on the other. Very cool.

Another ride on Magnum XL-200 was on the plate. Decent airtime again, but those bunny hills were even more painful than the first lap. One person in my group snapped a picture of the on-ride photo, which if you've never ridden Magnum, is right towards the end of the ride after one of the bunny hills. Comedy gold. I should have purchased it! Row 1 with a 20 minute wait.

While we were over this way, we wanted to see if we all could fit on Woodstock Express. Kind of funny seeing 6 adults get in line for a kiddie coaster. Me and 4 others took the ol' Walk of Shame while two in our group were able to ride. I didn't mind the Walk of Shame, as it gave the 4 of us that did bragging rights that we got turned away from a kiddie coaster! After all 6 of us were together, we did Gemini. Blue side was open so I hit that up as the last ride was on the red side. A whole lot smoother and it was much more enjoyable than the last trip. Seated in 3-1 for this ride, 10 minute wait.

Next up was Cedar Creek Mine Ride. Sat in 2-1 on this ride, 5 minute wait. This ride is something else. It opened in 1969, and the ride has the T-shaped restraints. I liked it and thought it was fun. Also found it interesting that the ride op has to manually release your restraints. I'm assuming the ride was all manual when it opened in 1969?

At this point, we were informed by my friend Mathew that they are allowing people to wait standby for the cruise around Lake Erie in case they don't have enough people in line to send out a full ferry. We took the train from Frontiertown to the Millennium Force area and headed towards the Marina Gate. I didn't bring this up earlier but the train actually has theming! I loved it! Something Kings Island needs! Skeletons, fire, gunshots...would be nice to see this at Kings Island. A quick trip on the Matterhorn and then we headed out towards the Marina. We ended up being able to go on the 5:00pm cruise due to the amount of people that were waiting in line. Interesting perspective from the water. Pictures below for your viewing pleasure.

Back from the cruise, our group decided to hit up Raptor. It was a fun ride, and the cobra roll honestly took me by surprise. I've been on 2 other inverts, Banshee at Kings Island (my home park) and Dueling Dragons at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Florida. Rode in Row 3, 15 minute wait. Great ride, especially the cobra roll. I'll have to ride in Row 8, that's my go to on Banshee and I hope that Raptor delivers as well as it does there.

I split up from the group for a little while and got in rides on Blue Streak (Row 1), Iron Dragon (7-1), and Corkscrew (3-1). Everything but Iron Dragon was a walk-on, Iron Dragon was around a 10 minute wait. All three were good rides. If only The Bat was as long as Iron Dragon and kept the same speed...

I headed towards Mantis. Never have been on a stand-up coaster before but always have wanted to do it. Tight fit to say the least but it was not a Walk of Shame. The seatbelt fastened but was too uncomfortable for me to enjoy the ride, I voluntarily walked on this ride. Wait was a walk on for those who did participate.

Last ride of the night was on Mean Streak. Front row seat, walk on. I'm in the minority as most people that I talked to yesterday couldn't stand the ride.

At this point, I headed back to the cabin for some much needed relaxation. Physically and mentally I was drained and could not handle anymore. I literally passed out as soon as I hit the bed- I was that tired. 14 hours in the park, operating on an hour and a half of sleep, again without a doubt was definitely worth it!