New for 2014

I watched monster run quite a bit yesterday when the feed was live, and just saw LLE running shortly after Gemini had valleyed. The light show last night was quite cool. Was really enjoying watching that feed.

They added an LED lighting package on Millennium Force's hills on the island. I thought they looked great.

Did The Blue Streak get a new light package this year? When leaving the Press Event it was all lit up and I just don't remember it looking like it does now.

They added more running LED's to complete the entire circuit. Looks great.

I think one of the new things this year that will be a gem is the Trail Tavern. Wasn't open today but I was able to look in through a knot hole in the door and it looks like a classic Lake Erie winery or tap room. Very nice bar and seating area. They will have craft beers and local wines. Looks like it will be a great place to chill for awhile and enjoy some nice libations.

I agree Pete - it was open (for viewing not for business) on Thursday. Looks like a great place to relax and take the edge off. I'll be interested in seeing the selection.

That tavern does look nice, but I am scared to see the prices when normal budweiser already is $9 a cup. Ouch.

Here are some of my photos from opening day! Picture perfect day.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/invertalon/sets/72157644609691551/

Those are awesome pictures Invertalon!

Great pictures as usual!

I feel like PipeScream has alot of down time. When I went today, mechanics were working on the car. I rode Maverick (30 minutes) and Skyhawk twice (walk on) and came back and saw it was open. Got in line (somewhat long) and the platform failed from raising. Lake Erie Eagles was also a long wait.

Gatekeeper: walk on
WT: ...
Raptor: ...
Power Tower: ...

A very non busy day for opening weekend, although it was Mother's day.

I'm excited that lights were re-added to MF's second and third hills. That ride is so beautiful at night. And I'm sure Blue Streak will look great, too.

I'm a bit surprised, though, that LEE doesn't have any lighting package to speak of. Still, the midway looks great overall.

Any update on Gatekeeper's lighting package? I remember last year they were having problems with the lights on the trains / the flood lights on the keyhole towers at the main entrance.

Pretty sure there were already lights there on the MF cross-over, because I have photos of it lit from previous years.

Flying Scooters typically and historically haven't come with many lights. If there were any at all they were usually on the stationary base. This new version from Larson has a very simple pole for a base and my guess is that lighting the upper portion wouldn't be that easy, cost efficient, or effective. It's possible, as other rotating flats have lights on the sweeps and tubs, but in this case the design is kept simple and sleek without them.

I think there's enough ambient light in the area that the rides won't be sitting unnoticed in the dark. Monster, however, is almost glaring with the new light package.

The Gemini midway cam is back up. I was just watching it live and they were running Skyhawk and there was a streak of lightning in the background.

Wow - looks like today is one heck of a day to be at the park!

I have a feeling it's just me, but does it look like Gatekeeper's keyholes received a bit of a darker silver color paint job?

That's just the way they look on the webcam.

Is anyone else concerned about how much downtime Pipe Scream seems to have? Is it like that at Kings Island?

djDaemon said:
With what they can do with colored and textured concrete these days (think faux wood planks or whatever), I would very much welcome the removal of FT's asphalt. Provided they can avoid any large scale tree removal back there.

Like the dirt pathway themed concrete they're adding to Camp Snoopy at Knott's. Speaking of which, it'd be nice if Cedar Point's Camp Snoopy received the same kind of treatment.

Pipe Scream was down today for awhile. They had the middle cover off the vehicle open and were working on that.