Raptor unforgiving to first timers?

Between my girlfriend and my boss at work, I have been receiving some pretty negative reviews of Raptor. They both stated how much they couldn't stand the headbanging or how they got slammed on the final turn. Now I know the Raptor well enough that I can avoid all of the headbanging but do you think this ride can be pretty unforgiving to a first timer? The cobra roll and the final turn can get you pretty good if you're not ready...so is the Raptor rough or just getting old?

Raptor has seen smoother years. It is significantly more violent recently, in my opinion, on the rolls, flips, and sharp turns. The last turn into the station is by no means graceful. As for Raptor getting old, the increased roughness of the ride and loose wheels are both signs that the ride isn't brand new.

Still a top 3 at Cedar Point, nonetheless.

First timers probably don't know this but i feel if you just relax and lean forward your head will be pretty much fine. Just like on Mantis, lean your wieght forward and you shouldn't have a problem. I do agree Raptor was a smoother ride back in the day but it is still a "MUST RIDE" during a trip tp CP. Hope this little entry helps someone.

I've only been on Raptor once (sad, I know, but I live in Canada), and I was OK. It wasn't smooth, but it was a whole lot better than Mean Streak. My head was fine!

Okay, this is what I want to say...

I have NEVER had my head hurt after any Cedar Fair ride. I have ridden corkscrew at Mi Adv. It is no smooth ride. You hold your head a little stiff so it doesn't fly all over the place.

I think the roughness of Raptor is a nice touch. It makes the ride more intense in my opinion.

Perhaps its because the mid course trims/brakes are not being utilized this season.

Just my 2 cents.

Well that is probably the reason then. I have yet to ride Raptor yet this year, but since 93', I have always felt it to be a smooth ride...even at its worst. But that last turn into the station does pack quite a punch.

Raptor was built in 1994.

My wife was shaky coming off her first Raptor trip. Her observation: she couldn't tell what was coming up, because she couldn't see the track ahead and the train didn't give her enough notice.

Uhhh......thats why it's fun..

It's a GREAT ride. Intense, fast, fun, and it is smooth but the inversions are taken at great speed, especially the second half.

Leaning your head forward is instinctively what people do, but it's exactly the wrong thing to do. If you sit toward the back or the front, the transitions can seem "rough," which people mistake for "fast." Sticking your head out makes it worse.

I love that back right seat, but it'll bang you around in the zero-G roll and the cobra roll if you stick your head out. It might seem counterintuitive, but press your head against either side of the harness and the back of the seat and you'll find it suddenly feels smooth as glass.

I remember my first ride on it. It was kind of rough. It is a very fun ride, however, it is rough. I kind of was used to rough and getting my head banged around because of a PKI ride, Flight of Fear, that is metal and had shoulder restraints. 4 inversions and sudden changes in direction banged your head around on the restraints until enough people said they had enough and the park changed to lap bars.

The only CP ride that gives me problems, physically, is the Raptor solely because I can't handle the cobra roll sudden change in Gs well. I get a mild headache from it that is easily fixed. It is a little rough but it isn't a new ride and it is very fun.

Usually, like Jeff, I like the back right seat. In fact, thats what I had been riding most every time I rode the ride. Some friends got me to ride in the middle, and while the overall ride experience isn't as fun as in that back right seat, I found that you really aren't slammed around nearly as much on the zero-G roll or the cobra roll.

I didn't have any problems on my first ride until the last turn into the station. Besides that hit of the noggin at the end of the ride, I'd say it's pretty good for being 10 yrs old.

-Eagle-

I think everyone should stop complaining about Raptor. It is the best ride at CP. I actually like it a little more violent as of late. It sure is alot better then vercoma's versions invert.

Seriously, Raptor isn't so bad! Some people just don't sit right when they ride certain rides. That's why they get their arse kicked.

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Jeff said:
... press your head against either side of the harness and the back of the seat and you'll find it suddenly feels smooth as glass.

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That is exactly what I do and it works perfectly. The back is the best.

I guess I would add that the ride isn't any more rough than the year it opened.

I have to say the first time on Raptor for me was very bad. I walked off with a very bad headache. After a few more rides I relaxed a little more and it's much more enjoyable. I wouldn't say the ride is rough. The transitions are a little tight in some spots causing the headbanging.

It seems to me that since Millennium Force many people have the perception that every other coaster is "rough".

I've been riding Raptor since it opened as well and it's just the same as it's always been. Aggresive, sure. But no where near as much it's older brother at SFGAm.

It's still the benchmark for inverted coasters in my book.